Day: January 6, 2011

Lifeboat Vandals – Come on let the police know who they are.


What kind of idiot sets out to vandalise a lifeboat. Something that they, remember they are on an island, may come to depend on.

I have replicated the police press release in its entirety.

Come on. Someone out there knows who did this. Let the police know.

Appeal renewed after criminal damage to Freshwater Lifeboat

Press Releases

Published: 06/01/2011

Police are renewing an appeal for information after criminal damage was reported to a lifeboat on the Isle of Wight.

Vandals targeted Freshwater Independent Lifeboat’s 16ft inflatable inshore boat sometime overnight between Monday evening (December 27, 2010) and 9am on Tuesday morning (December 28, 2010).

The lifeboat, which was stored in a steel pen on the apron in front of a boathouse at Freshwater Bay, was found to have 17 holes in the side.

This damage is believed to have been caused deliberately. Police Community Support Officer PCSO Mike Thornton of the West Wight Safer Neighbourhoods team said:  “This damage showed a complete lack of respect for members of our community who are dedicated to keeping us safe at sea. The vandals’ actions put the lives of the lifeboat crew at risk, and could have endangered someone else in need of a rescue.

“Several lines of enquiry continue to be pursued and I’m renewing an appeal for anyone with information to contact the police or Crimestoppers.

“We’re particularly keen to hear from people who were in or around Freshwater Bay last Monday night (December 27) or early Tuesday morning (December 28). The area is a popular place for fishermen and dog walkers.”

Please contact the West Wight Safer Neighbourhoods team at Yarmouth Police Station by phoning 101 or emailing westwight.snt@hampshire.pnn.police.uk

From outside Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, call the police on 0845 045 45 45.

Mini-Com users can call the police on 01962 875000.

Information can be given anonymously by calling the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

The Isle of Wight Community Safety Partnership has made a commitment to tackle anti-social behaviour reported by residents. For more information, go to http://www.saferwight.org.uk/antisocialbehaviour.aspx

For more information about the West Wight Safer Neighbourhoods team, go to http://www.hampshire.police.uk/Internet/localpolicing/isleofwight/west/2LWSNT6.htm

It’s Time To Stand Up And Be Counted


Just discovered that there will be a Census held March 27th, 2011. The official website is HERE

We are required by law to participate and apparently there will be 35,000 folks employed to make sure we do. There will even be officers out on the night of the Census to ensure anyone sleeping rough etc. is included !!!

We will be able to complete it online, for the very first time, which is a huge step forward.

Also we will be able to claim that we are English rather than British…Hooray !!!

Hedge Choppers Anonymous


On Sunday morning my neighbour decided to trim back the hedge that separates our properties. That in and of its self is not a problem. However, nary a word did she say to either me or my wife before coming on to our property and starting this hatchet job. The hedge doesn’t belong to us, is not on our property but we have grown used to its presence. I did go out and talked with her about her plans. I asked her not to take it down any lower and agreed that I would cut down the thicker trunks that she couldn’t handle.

Hedge Choppers Anonymous
Hedge Choppers Anonymous

I also warned her that she shouldn’t cut back the sides of the hedge too much as it won’t grow back. Our side has only just about recovered after a severe trim by a “professional”.  We still have a brown section after 2-3 years of regrowth. To be honest this photo is after I have taken down some of the thicker trunks that she couldn’t handle. So it’s looking a lot tidier than she left it and I’ve yet to attack the last few trunks.

She has totally trashed a perfectly good hedge. It is higher on our side than on hers and she has trimmed back the face of the hedge, on her side, way too much. She had started on our side when I advised her not to remove any more due to the reluctance of conifers to grow back.

My view is that she has basically killed the hedge and that it will probably never recover. On that basis I believe that it should be taken out completely.

That will be a shame as, for many years, we have enjoyed the privacy provided by that hedge.  As she is only a tenant, doesn’t own the property, I am considering contacting the agents to express my dissatisfaction with this situation. I don’t want to fall out with her but this is tantamount to vandalism.

View From The Conservatory


Well today the view is not good as its been raining all day. I probably won’t be nipping outside to have a quiet coffee sat at the table.

A Miserable Day
A Miserable Day

Haven’t seen any  squirrels.  Mind you the local squirrel population is decreasing thanks to my neighbours cats. They have had two in the last few weeks. The only positive thing I can say about that is that they don’t just kill for sport. The little black devils actually eat what they kill. It’s not as if they are hungry, I know that they are well fed. Seems like they have gotten a taste for fresh meat.

As well as a lack of squirrels I also haven’t seen many birds today. The ever-present Robin is about, protecting his territory, but no sign of the usual tits and finches.

I guess they are all doing the sensible thing and staying home and watching day time television.

As for me well I’m working from home with Lovers Touch, by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, streaming off the internet from Radio Paradise.

Oh well back to work.

Posted this over 2 hours ago. Suddenly the sun has come out. Do you suppose my post was read by the big fella ?