Tuesday 27th August

The swimming group are swimming at the Waterside Pool in Ryde from 8.00pm till 8.45pm. The pool is closed to the public whilst the group swims. There are male and female volunteers to help you get in and out of the pool as well as Lifeguards to ensure your safety. To join the Swimming group, please call Sight for Wight first to notify us of your swimming ability. You need to register with the office at Millbrooke House first to be able to swim with the group.

Wednesday 28th August

The weekly coffee morning and Low Vision Drop In held at Millbrooke House will not take place during August.

Thursday 29th August

The Thursday Social Group will not be meeting at Millbrooke House during August.

Friday 30th August

The Striders group will be meeting for a walk from Lake to Bembridge, 5.75 miles taking approximately 2.5 – 3 hours. Lunch is booked for 1.00pm at ‘The Propeller’ in Bembridge. If you would like to join the Striders group then please contact Laura Jasper on 522205 or email members@iwsb.org.uk

Any Other News

IW Fellowship for visually impaired meet at Bethany Evangelical Church, Union Street, Newport on Saturday 31st August at 3.00 pm. The Speaker this month is Mr Justin Freestone. Activities include Hymns, Quiz, Story Reading and a Short Christian Message, followed by tea. NB A collection is taken from which donations are made to the Torch Trust for the Blind. Hymn Books and Scripture in large print and Braille are available.
Further details from – Mrs Jackie Moore Telephone 520797.

The Isle of Wight Council has informed Sight for Wight that a consultation has been launched regarding changes to the concessionary travel scheme.
Here follows the press release with information regarding the changes:

The Isle of Wight council have launched a consultation on making major changes to the concessionary travel scheme.
The proposed changes do not affect free travel arrangements for older and disabled residents who wish to travel on Island buses between 9.30am and 11pm, but do affect other travel times.
Recommended for removal
In 2010, the council removed the additional discretionary element for older people – but not for those with a disability.

The additional discretionary elements recommended for removal from the concessionary travel scheme include:
• the New Islander Card which provides additional free travel on Island buses and Islandline for those with a “severe and enduring mental health problem”;
• the New Islander Card element which gives free travel on Island buses and Islandline to a travelling companion of a person with a “severe and enduring mental health problem” and of those who meet the national disability criteria (the intention is to retain free travel for appropriate accompanying travel companions, between 9.30am and 11pm, and at any time on Saturdays, Sundays or bank holidays (for 24 hours));
• free travel on Island buses from 11 at night to 9.30 in the morning for all qualifying disabled people (except on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays when free 24 hour travel will remain);
• free travel on Islandline for all qualifying disabled people – as free travel is available on bus services operating in parallel.
• the Island’s concessionary travel scheme cost the council £4.72 million in 2017/18, for both mandatory and additional discretionary elements.
• The new proposals amend the current scheme which was introduced in 2008, and would align the Island to many other parts of the country and enable the council to make savings in the process.

As well as the online consultation, Sight for Wight has been invited to attend a stakeholder engagement workshop on the 20th September. Although we are only allowed to attend with one single representative, as per the Councils guideline for the event, I would like to take with me any feedback or comments from members who would be affected by these changes and would like their views to be heard.
If you wish to make a statement, please email members@iwsb.org.uk, write to Laura Jasper at Sight for Wight, or call on 01983 522205. Please ensure the statement is concise and to the point to allow me to get as many views as possible across in the time allowed. Also, please let me know if you would like to remain anonymous. The closing date for feedback and comments to be submitted to me is Friday 13th September.
Many thanks
Laura Jasper, Member Services Manager

Raffle Tickets- are now available for our annual raffle which will be drawn on the 31st October. The tickets are £1.00 each and come in a book of 5 tickets. Please contact Sight for Wight on 522205 or email enquiries@iwsb.org.uk if you would like to purchase tickets.

Sight for Wight is looking for donations of tombola prizes for upcoming summer shows and also donations of raffle prizes i.e. meals, car MOT’s, gift tokens etc. from businesses. If you are able to help please contact Sight for Wight on 522205 or email admin@iwsb.org.uk

Visit to Osborne House – join us for a visit to Osborne House on Monday 7th October. Start time is 10.30am for approximately 4-5 hours. There is an outdoor picnic area (dependent on the weather) if you would like to bring a packed lunch. The self-service café sells light snacks and the Gazelle House cake shop at Swiss Cottage serves a small selection of snacks and cold drinks.
Cost for an adult is £18.50 and £16.70 for a senior citizen. Minibus transport may be available depending on location and will cost £2.00. Closing date for applications is Friday 20th September. For further details or to book your place please contact Laura Jasper on 522205 or email members@iwsb.org.uk

Please note that there will not be a West Wight Coffee and Chat at the End of the Line Cafe Freshwater on Tuesday 27th August. Also there will not be a Niton Coffee and Chat at Niton Post Office on Tuesday 3rd September.

Visit to the Isle of Wight Distillery – Monday 11th November. Meet first at 10.30am at the Old Barracks Tea Room in Puckpool Park, Ryde, followed by a talk and tasting at 12noon for approximately 45minutes to 1 hour at the IW Distillery, Pondwell Ryde. No charge for the talk or tasting. Minibus transport may be available depending on location and will cost £2.00. Closing date for applications is Friday 25th October. For further details or to book your place please contact Laura Jasper on 522205 or email members@iwsb.org.uk

Save the Waverly Quiz Night – Many of you will know of the Paddle Steamer ‘The Waverly’ the last sea going Paddle Steamer in the world. There will be a fund raising quiz and raffle for the Waverly Trust at The Waverly Inn Carisbrooke on Thursday 5th September, 7.30pm-10.00pm, teams of 4 – £3.00 per person. Please call 522338 to book a table. Please note this is not raising funds for Sight for Wight as some of you do attend our quiz which we host at The Waverly Inn a few times a year.