Ventnor West Ward Election 07: Candidate Q&A Video #6

The sixth question for candidates was based on a one posed by FarmersBoy in Candidates Corner on the VentnorBlog forum. “Do you think the Winter Gardens important to Ventnor and what would you suggest in order to secure its future?”

All candidates considered the Winter Garden an vital element for the community. It was felt that it should be managed in a far more business orientated manner with keener commercial edge. One candidate believed it had been abused in the past, but poor management had improved immeasurably over the last year. Another that it should be the centre of town life and would not want to see it turned into flats.

Catch up on other questions is you missed them earlier
Question #1
Question #2
Question #3
Question #4
Question #5

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Chris
8, December 2011 6:18 pm

For all the problems with their engines, this shows the value of Wightlinks new cats and berthing arrangements – Ryde-Portsmouth would never have operated in conditions like this a few years ago.

Mr J
Reply to  Chris
8, December 2011 6:48 pm

The cats, reliable? You jest surely?

The new cats are the most unreliable ferries that we’ve ever had on the Solent.

Chris
Reply to  Mr J
8, December 2011 7:02 pm

Credit where credit is due – the new Cats and berth at Ryde Pier were designed to cope with bad weather and they have coped admirably compared with their predecessors. Its a shame that the engines are proving so poor, otherwise the new vessels are very impressive, but fitting new ones is unlikely to be quick or easy, and certainly not cheap.

diamond
Reply to  Chris
8, December 2011 8:10 pm

new design engines are to be installed next spring

Better Red than Bled
Reply to  diamond
8, December 2011 11:41 pm

New engines on the Wightlink Cats! where did you hear that?

diamond
Reply to  diamond
9, December 2011 5:39 pm

they got two newly designed engines from cat under the terms of the warranty to fix the problem with the cooling system hopefully this will make them reliable as the cats have proved they are reliable in all other conditions .

Chris
Reply to  diamond
10, December 2011 9:42 pm

no doubt if the engines prove reliable people will be blaming Wightlink for hurting the income of Wight Scene’s owners, by not hiring their vessel…

Block 8
8, December 2011 6:38 pm

Came back in service for the 4.15 from Southampton. The tides changed to make safe travel possible.

On a side note, the CEO of Red Funnel, James Fulford was collecting tickets for the 7.45 from Cowes.

Salty Sam
8, December 2011 11:47 pm

Lets hope it is not windy when Wightlinks Portsmouth services are stopped from Christmas onwards due to them sacking that bloke!

Georgegm
Reply to  Salty Sam
9, December 2011 8:28 am

Don’t worry if they do.
I’m sure there are more than enough retired Master Mariners (including ex Wightlink) on the Island who would volunteer to run all the ferries.

Salty Sam
Reply to  Georgegm
9, December 2011 2:08 pm

I’d think they would be supporting the sacked guy, after all he is one of them! mariners have a tradition of sticking together

Georgegm
Reply to  Salty Sam
9, December 2011 3:30 pm

I very much doubt that any Master Mariner (who are well known for their professionalism and integrity) would dream of supporting this fellow who seems to spend his (and Wightlink’s) time swinging about on mezzanine decks on ferries and endangering both himself and others. (who would have to scrape him up when he fell) Also, if, as was stated somewhere, he is a Chief Engineer, he will… Read more »

Salty Sam
Reply to  Georgegm
9, December 2011 5:48 pm

we’ll see!