If you live in town or have visited in the last few months, you will have noticed that The Ventnorian premises at the foot of Spring Hill is alive once again.
The shop is run by a very friendly lady called Leslie, who has filled it with all manner of ethically made or eco friendly products. It’s a welcome addition to Ventnor for those of us who care about these issues.
Where to start? Well, how about the range of Ecover washing up liquid or fabric washing liquid and conditioners? These can be bought already bottled, or take your own down for a refill. Check the keen prices and help towards reducing the size of landfill sites if you recycle your containers.
There are lots of other household products available and ways to take part in the much needed grand recycling programme. How about the log maker? Don’t throw out your used newspapers, create your own logs for burning in the winter with the New Logmaker, a great investment at £19.99. Saves you buying logs and thinking about where to store them.
Fed up with buying batteries for your torch? Well now you can do your bit, by opting for a battery free torch. Squeeze the handle ten times for ten minutes of power. A superb invention and great Christmas present. Leslie’s got pretty keen prices on the low energy lightbulbs too.
Still on the homefront, if you’re after fair-trade coffee or tea it’s here, along with gluten free biscuits, tons of organic goodies such as chocolate, rice cakes and peanut butter or Tartex veggie pate. Don’t forget the yummy parsnip crisps.
But I have to admit, the highlight for me was the ethically produced toys. Forget plastic toys, there’s none in this shop (except for the ones being recycled – see below), but you will find beautiful wooden toys of the type I didn’t think you could buy anymore. Ask Leslie to show you the gorgeous sets of wooden mice and bears that come boxed up with lots of really cute little clothes to dress them in. Or how about the circus elephant on a bike? There are lots of lovely musical instruments, bells, shakers, cuckoo pipes, flutes – you get the drift.
For big kids, try out the travel version of Kalaha, the African bean game, that’ll have you in stitches.
At the back of the shop, you’ll find kids second hand clothes and toys at super-low prices.
For the laydees, there’s lots of lovely jewellery, a great range of cruelty free toiletries and biodegradable organic sanitary-wear, henna hair colour, soap and deodorant. There are also plenty of little knick-knacks that you won’t be able to resist. For anyone with a babe in arms, how about eco friendly baby wipes – they are slightly more expensive than other brands, but are totally biodegradable and kinder to the planet. You can wipe those bottoms and feel self-righteous at the same time.
Leslie also stocks items by local artists, paintings, framed mirrors, bags, beautiful organza scarves, chopping boards made from recycled marmite pots, CDs from Ventnor record label Match My Foot, tickets for gigs around the island, the list goes on and on.
Now the holiday makers have disappeared, it’s up to the locals to support shops like this through the winter. We’ve all got Christmas presents to buy and it’s a huge cliche, but there’s definitely something for everyone here.
Places like The Ventnorian and Suzes Room with their quirky quality add an extra dimension to what’s on offer in Ventnor and should encourage everyone to shop locally (not just for your produce).
There is so much stuff in this little green tardis, but don’t take my word for it, take a look or listen to your town mayor
I was very pleased to discover this little gem of a shop. It is run by a lady with a very strong environmental and ethical approach, and a quirky sense of what is appeals to the concerned shopper. Try this shop for the most original of gifts, foods and household articles, many of which help both the planet and you stay healthy. It’s like a Green Tardis, with much more inside than you think. Think globally – act locally.
Brian Lucas, Town Mayor & Green Party member
