IW Council Press Release - Finding your roots just got easier

FINDING YOUR ROOTS JUST GOT EASIER

Almost 100,000 cemetery records are now available at the touch of a fingertip with the launch of a new records website by the Isle of Wight Council.

Aspiring genealogists will be able to search the burial ground information and 72,000 crematorium records by registering to the site, which holds the information for 12 cemeteries across the Island.

“A huge amount of work has gone into digitising all of this information and I hope residents will find it useful, for example, when researching their family tree,” said Cabinet member for environment and heritage, Councillor John Hobart.

“It also ensures our archives are preserved for future generations and makes sure that the council reacts to the way that people are now choosing to search for this information.”

Bereavement services manager, Iain Donald, said: “Of course, we still have the resources for people to access this information in person.

“However, the benefit is that once registered on the new website, people across the world can access the records. Having the records online provides a valuable tool for anyone wishing to research their family history.”

The originals will be kept in the Isle of Wight Council collection and can still be accessed by the public, although digitising means damage to the documents is minimised.

The archives contain a valuable insight for anyone researching their family tree or the social history of the Island.

The new website can be found at: https://www.iw-bereavementservices.co.uk/  

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IW Council Press Release - Revised St Mary's traffic plans to go before the September meeting of the Cabinet

REVISED ST MARY'S TRAFFIC PLANS TO GO BEFORE SEPTEMBER CABINET

The three-lane roundabout near St Mary’s Hospital, Newport may be replaced by a new scheme featuring traffic lights, under revised plans and following public consultation earlier this year.

 
The removal of the roundabout is one feature of amended plans to be considered by the Isle of Wight Council’s Cabinet next month (13 September).

The St Mary’s traffic scheme is an initial phase of a £9 million government-funded project to reduce traffic congestion and delays in and around Newport.

“Following the feedback from the public and stakeholders, the St Mary’s scheme has been revised and will now go to the council’s Cabinet for consideration,” said Cabinet member for infrastructure and transport, Councillor Ian Ward.

“A wide range of views has been taken account of, including from local residents, the hospital, the Isle of Wight College, local councillors and parish councils, and various adjustments have been made.

“As with the initial plan put out for consultation in January, traffic flow data has been used to help identify key issues and the most appropriate solutions.”

The amended scheme features signalised junctions for Medina Way and associated traffic (to replace the St Mary’s roundabout) and for Forest Road, as well other features to help reduce traffic delays, and cut bus journey times between Cowes and Newport.

It also includes a segregated bus lane near the top of Hunnyhill, allowing the bus stop to be relocated in response to comments made by residents.

A plan showing the revised St Mary’s scheme can be found on the council’s website at:

https://www.iow.gov.uk/Residents/Transport-Parking-and-Streets/Highways-PFI/Highway-Improvement-Schemes1

The report to the council's Cabinet detailing the proposals will be published on 5 September.

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IW Council Press Release - Isle of Wight Crematorium Open Day

ISLE OF WIGHT CREMATORIUM OPEN DAY

The Isle of Wight Crematorium will be opening its doors to the public this week for an informal open day.

The crematorium in Station Lane, Whippingham, is staging the event on Saturday (18 August) between 10am and 4pm.

Visitors will see displays from a range of exhibitors such as funeral carriages, funeral directors, and headstone memorial providers. Music on the day will be provided by the Wight Diamond Marching Band and Wight Harmony.

There will also be an opportunity to meet with and see how the Friends of Northwood Cemetery turned the site into an award winning Green Flag area of conservation.

Ryde Social Heritage Group will also be on hand to talk about the history of Ryde.

“We would like to welcome the public to the open day, where they will have unrestricted access in a relaxed and informal atmosphere to all areas of the crematorium buildings and grounds,” said Iain Donald, council bereavement services manager.

“Usually the only time someone visits is when they are grieving the loss of a loved one, so I hope our open day will help dispel and resolve the many myths and anxieties that they have about the cremation and burial process.”

To mark the event, the council service has chosen to raise funds for The Earl Mountbatten Hospice, Newport.

The day will conclude with a memorial service at 3pm in the crematorium chapel, led by celebrants Caroline Ash and Jonathan Skeet.

For further information, call (01983) 882288.

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IW Council Press Release - Fake Care Services being offered in Phone Scam

FAKE CARE SERVICES OFFERED IN PHONE SCAM

Fake care services are being offered by telephone callers posing as Isle of Wight Council staff, trading standards has warned.

An elderly woman was targeted this week by a caller, whose name appeared as ‘council’ on her mobile phone.

Having declined the offer of a carer, she was later offered an occupational therapist, which was followed by a request for her bank details towards a personal assessment.

The caller also threatened to stop other benefits, if she did not call back.

The woman recognised it was a scam and did not part with any money.

Carol Tozer, director of adult social care at the Isle of Wight Council, said: “People need to be aware of anyone calling unexpectedly alleging to be from adult social care and asking them for any information, especially financial.

“The receipt of adult social care is means tested and we operate a dedicated team of people whose job it is to ask our residents about their income and savings.

“This is only done after an assessment of need (or a review of an existing support plan) and this team all carry identification and contact the person prior to asking for any financial information, which is usually done face to face.

“We urge people to be vigilant.

“Never divulge your bank details over the phone and only ever share your financial details to an authorised person from adult social care.”

Anyone concerned that they may have been the victim of scam can call the council’s trading standards advice line on 823000.

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IW Council Press Release - Have your say on a Combined Fire Authority with Hampshire

HAVE YOUR SAY ON COMBINED FIRE AUTHORITY WITH HAMPSHIRE

Island residents are being asked their views on plans for a new combined fire authority with Hampshire.

The Isle of Wight Council and Hampshire’s Fire and Rescue Authority (HFRA) are considering the formation of a combined fire authority for the two counties (including Portsmouth and Southampton).

The public are being invited to give their views during a 12-week consultation starting today (6 August).

The findings will go back to the Isle of Wight Council and HFRA for consideration on whether or not to submit an application to the government to form a new combined authority. The final decision will rest with the Home Secretary and is expected in January 2019.

Both the Isle of Wight Council and Hampshire approved a full consultation on the plans in June.

The new body, if approved, will bring together the governance of the two authorities.

There are a number of ways for people to take part before the deadline of October 26, 2018:

• A response form (including for views from Island residents) is available online at www.hantsfire.gov.uk/consultation  or they can email hfrsconsultation@hantsfire.gov.uk
• Paper copies of the response form are available by calling 023 8062 6815.
• Translated, braille, audio and large print forms can also be obtained.

Councillor Tig Outlaw, Cabinet member for public protection, said: “This is all about achieving what is best for our Island community, ensuring the future resilience of the service and the safety of our residents.

“This consultation will give our community the opportunity to give us their views on this important matter.”

Councillor Chris Carter, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority chairman, said: “This presents an opportunity to create a new arrangement, with potential to deliver significant operational benefits, greater resilience for both services and also help keep our communities even safer.

"The strategic partnership agreed between Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in 2015 has already brought many benefits to both services, as well as delivering better value for taxpayers. This proposal has the potential to bring us even closer together.”

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Storeroom 2010 July newsletter

IW Council Press Release advising of the Cowes floating bridge timetable for Cowes week

COWES FLOATING BRIDGE TIMETABLE EXTENDED FOR COWES WEEK

An extended service will be available on the Cowes floating bridge during Lendy Cowes Week 2018.

Extra sailings have been added to the regular timetable, in anticipation of more people visiting the regatta.

The amended schedule includes a continuous daily service running until 1.50am from Friday 3 August to the early hours of Sunday 12 August.

There will also be extra crossings at 20-minute intervals from each side of the River Medina every night, finishing from Cowes at 3.10am.

Councillor Ian Ward, Cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said: “Lendy Cowes Week 2018 is a chance to showcase our Island and attract visitors to our shores.

“It is, therefore, important that we are able to provide people with a good floating bridge service during this period.”

As usual, on firework night (Friday 10 August) the floating bridge will only operate for foot passengers between 6pm and 11pm.

Due to high levels of demand on firework night, we would advise people to purchase their tickets to travel on the vessel in advance.

The latest timetable, including times when the passenger launch is running, due to the ebb tide, is available via https://www.iwfloatingbridge.co.uk/timetable/ 

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