Following her work experience with On The Wight in the summer, journalism student Rosie Saban, returns for our 2012 recap. Ed
August was a very lively month for the Isle of Wight and for the nation, as a whole as the UK played host to the 2012 Olympic games.
Starting at the end of July, the 17 days of events had everyone glued to the box, with the Isle of Wight taking particular interest in one of their own.
Island Olympian
Former Islander Richard Jefferies was chosen for the GB canoeing team, though he was knocked out in the semi-finals for the 200m canoe sprint, he came seventh in the B final of the 1000m, and the whole Island were extremely proud. Particularly in light of the fact he had only taken the sport up four years previous. We have high hopes for Mr Jefferies at Rio 2016!
In light of the Twilight phenomena, and the world’s obsession with vampires, the Isle of Wight took precautionary measures in the form of its 29th annual Garlic Festival. Staving off the blood-suckers with a weekend of garlic-based fun, food and music.
Police officers issued a stark warning after a theft of drugs from two Isle of Wight veterinary practices, advising the public not to experiment with unknown substances after -amongst other dangerous drugs – euthanasia products were stolen.
Milliner of distinction
Hats off to Island milliner Sophie Beale who was selected to take part in HATWALK which showcases Britain’s long hat history and is organised by the Mayor of London and Grazia magazine.
Sock puppets are no new invention, but 15-year-old Abbie Howard gave them a whole new lease of life when she began creating her lovely sock monkeys to raise money for the Hospice.
Making the long journey home from Kathmandu, Nepal, was a 54 year old islander with a difference. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a former Isle of Wight bus that has been transformed into transcontinental travelling holiday accommodation by Top Deck Travel. This wasn’t the only Island bus that made it into the news, as another double decker showed of its muscles during an Olympics publicity stunt that saw it lift and lower itself on human looking arms.
Festival fever
Ventnor became a cosmopolitan hub as it hosted the Isle of Wight Film Festival, with entrants travelling from all over the world to participate.
The Ventnor Fringe Festival also made a welcome return, proving itself to be a Mecca for island art-lovers, with poetry, art galleries, and live music abounding in every corner and crevice.
I Love Island Milk
New campaign‘I Love Island Milk’ was launched by a group of local dairy farmers in protest to the dairy crisis caused by farmers being paid less than their production costs for milk. The solent adds an extra expense, and the new campaign intended to see more local milk hitting local shelves.
Cowes Week made its annual return, with racing for boat enthusiasts and shore side events for everyone else.
VentnorBlog rebrands
To round up the month, VentnorBlog made their big transition to On The Wight. The rebrand was part of their expansion, with a brand new website and now covering even more stories, On The Wight were busier than ever.
Image: © Isle of Wight Film Festival
