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SPRING BLUES 2007
Saturday 17th March,
8pm - Ventnor Winter Gardens, Pier Street, Ventnor
From the USA, Texas Bluesman EUGENE 'HIDEAWAY' BRIDGES
Eugene is a master of the blues, and some have dubbed him the next BB
King. He headlines Spring Blues 2007 to enchant us with his soulful
blues.
Coupled with the expected mastery of his instrument, often the most
potent strength in Eugene's stunning range of talents is his voice: at
once mournful and yet hopeful, rangy but never overt, withan ability to
juxtapose honey-dripped melodies with gravel throated wails.
And this is where the appeal of Eugene's music lies, for his sets are
deeply moving affairs: foot tappin', rockin' and rollin' feel-good tunes
are bookended by more sullen, sombre songs whose stripped-down nature
often exposes the true talent that Eugene posesses: those of a
songwriter whose sentiments can warm - or break - your heart.
MOJO Magazine recently described him as 'Eugenius'. Come along and
you'll see why.
RED FUNNEL EASTER CHALLENGE 2007
Fri 6 to Sun 8 April
2007 - Cowes/Solent
The RORC racing season kicks off on Friday 6th March with the Red Funnel
Easter Challenge at Cowes, Isle of Wight, UK. This will be the 16th
Edition of this popular event.
The regatta is the curtain raiser for what is sure to be a marvellous
season of sailing; with the Rolex Fastnet race also this year it is
bound to attract some of the most awe inspiring yachts to the waters
around Great Britain and Ireland.
The Red Funnel Easter Challenge is now a firm favourite on the yacht
racing calendar. Primarily a tuning regatta for the coming season, this
competitive event allows those taking part to brush the cobwebs off
their boats and to put the skill of their crews to the test.
Organised by the prestigious Royal Ocean Racing Club with the support of
Red Funnel, the regatta consists of a series of short sharp races held
over tight Solent course. Courses are set each day depending on the wind
and tide conditions.
Spectators can watch from Cowes Yacht Haven as the boats depart their
berths each morning and return in the evening after racing. Please check
racing times.
ISLE OF WIGHT JAZZ DIVAS FESTIVAL
13, 14, 15 April 2007
- Ventnor
Enjoy a weekend of jazz in with some of the finest female jazz artists
around. Set in the beautiful Victorian seaside town of Ventnor, this
whole weekend is dedicated to showcasing an International line-up of
Jazz Divas, performing many different types of jazz, from New Orleans to
contemporary.
With three fantastic nights full of over 30 different concerts, and all
situated within easy walking distance of each other, the Isle of Wight
Jazz Divas Festival really is an event to relax the body, free the mind
and sooth the soul.
ISLE OF WIGHT WALKING FESTIVAL
5th to 20th May 2007
The 9th annual Isle of Wight Walking Festival promises 16 days of
spectacular walks, and celebrates its reputation as the UK's largest
Walking Festival
Step out and discover the island in the 2007 Isle of Wight Walking
festival. As one of the UK's best destinations for walking pursuits,
there are walks for all interests - families, fun, fitness, seasoned
ramblers and leisurely walkers.
Why not lace up your boots, catch a ferry to the Isle of Wight & join
the UK's largest walking festival. This year promises around 160 guided
walks, from short strolls to longer hikes such as the 'Walk the Wight'
for seasoned ramblers. Each walk has its own theme -pub trails to
dinosaurs, ghosts walks to lantern processions, local wildlife trails to
spectacular coastal hikes.
With an area of 147 square miles of well maintained, signposted
footpaths around dramatic coastlines and unspoilt countryside, it's not
surprising that the Island has long been a source of inspiration to all
of its visitors. With over 500 miles of bridleways and footpaths,
walking is one of the best ways of experiencing an Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty.
RIBEX BOAT SHOW 2007
Fri 11 May - Sun 13
May 2007
Cowes Yacht Haven
RIBEX is the world’s only boat show dedicated solely to Rigid Inflatable
Boats.
THE ULTIMATE ARENA FOR CHECKING OUT NEW RIBS
WORLD LAUNCHES OF RIBS AND RELATED GEAR
TEST LEISURE & PROFESSIONAL CRAFT IN OPEN WATER
GET EXCELLENT ON THE SPOT SHOW DEALS
FUN, EXCITING, FAMILY DAY OUT
RIB RIDES, DEMONSTRATIONS, ATTRACTIONS & DISPLAYS
EXCELLENT FOOD & BAR ON SITE
For ribsters - it is the show not to be missed!
WALK THE WIGHT - For the Earl
Mountbatten Hospice
Sunday 13th May 2007
Get fit and get walking for charity. Join one of the popular 'Walk the
Wight', a long distance sponsored walk for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice
which takes place during the UK's largest Walking Festival. Over
£156,000 was received in sponsorships from the event in 2005!.
Walkers can enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery on the Island and
have the choice of three distances.
> Bembridge to Carisbrooke Castle - 12.5 miles.
> Carisbrooke Castle to Alum Bay (along the Tennyson Trail) - 14 miles.
> Bembridge to Alum Bay via Carisbrooke Castle - 26.5 miles.
All money raised goes into the Earl Mountbatten Hospice £1 million
Appeal towards financing the redevelopment of the Island's only hospice.
The walk is organised by the Hospice, supported by a small committee and
walkers are, therefore, asked to obtain sponsorship or make a donation.
Registration is compulsory but application forms are available online or
by calling 01983 528989. Visit the website below for further
information.
WIGHT DIAMOND MOUNTAIN BIKING
FESTIVAL 2007
Friday 25th - Monday
28th May 2007 - Ninham Farm, Shanklin
Summer begins with the 2007 Wight Diamond Festival! Come along for the
mountain bike party of the year! There are more events, more
entertainment and bigger prizes than ever!
Over the past ten years, The Wight Diamond has earned it’s reputation as
the best mountain bikers party on the calendar. This year is going to be
better than ever! The weekends events centre on the two day Wight
Diamond Challenge navigator race, which takes place over Saturday and
Sunday. This is the ultimate Navigator event using the whole Island as
it’s course. But if two days of all out competition sounds a little too
serious for you, enter the Trail Ale Trail instead - the checkpoints are
pubs and cafés and prizes will be awarded for ‘entering into the spirit
of the event’!
If you've still got more riding in you, take on the King of the Hills on
Monday, featuring the Hair of the Hog for the hung-over hardcore.
Alternatively, the Chill in the Hills will offer a more laid back Monday
ride before you head off for your afternoon ferry.
As usual the main events will be complemented by a whole heap of
side-show events and activities going on back at base. The big marquee
will be back, featuring its usual attractions of food stalls, full bar
and excellent live music (including the fantastic Hanging Baskets who
are back after last years absence for Sunday nights prize giving party
(always a lively affair, with music ‘til late and the party going on
into the small hours - perfect preparation for Mondays Hair of the
Hog!).
YARMOUTH OLD GAFFERS FESTIVAL
Fri 1st to Sun 3rd
June 2007 - Yarmouth
Three days of free entertainment, spectacle and classic boats. Yarmouth
is a favourite stop for yachts making their way east or west along the
popular waters of the Solent. You don’t have to be (or to own) an “old
gaffer” to join in.
This is the 10th Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival and over 100 traditional
boats are expected in Yarmouth Harbour this year. Some very special
guests will also be welcome, including sailing trawlers from Torbay and
friends from France, Belgium and Holland.
Yarmouth harbour will be filled with life and colour and many of the
boats will participate in a race in the Solent on Saturday morning (the
Pier and the Green are both good vantage points for spectators), while
on shore there will be a huge range of attractions to keep the thousands
of visitors entertained from morning till night all weekend.
This popular location has a splendid Tudor castle, charming cottages,
well-stocked chandlery, unique shops, fine pubs and good eating-houses.
The harbour will be filled with gaff-rigged vessels and the town square
and quayside busy with craft stalls and a farmers’ market. Free
entertainment and ample parking is provided for this splendid weekend of
festivities. Make a date in your diaries for this now well-established,
annual event.
ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL 2007
Fri 8 - Sun 10 June
2007 (provisionally)- Seaclose Park, Newport.
The only UK festival that can rightfully claim to have had Jimi Hendrix
and the Doors on its bill, returns. The 2007 festival will be bigger,
better and and is being billed as THE music festival not be missed!
After another great year in 2006 with the likes of Coldplay, the Foo
Fighters, The Prodigy headlining, the 2007 festival will no doubt be
another unmissable date in festival calendar.
Travelling to the event is easy with Red Funnel. Passenger Vehicle
ferries run every hour from Terminal 1 in Southampton to East Cowes,
which is within easy reach of the festival site (shuttle buses will
operate for foot passengers).
more info
JPMORGAN ASSET MANAGEMENT ROUND THE
ISLAND RACE
Sat 23 June 2007 -
Cowes/Solent
The annual gallop round the Isle of Wight is the largest, and most
spectacular yacht race of its kind in the world! It attracts some 1800
entries from professional crews, corporate teams and amateurs. Steeds
range from maxi-yachts to the smallest offshore categories, sportsboats
to sedate old-timers, with Admirals Cuppers competing alongside families
having fun.
First sailed in 1931, the race still competes for the Gold Roman Bowl,
the legendary trophy presented by the race's founder Cyril Windeler.
Little did he realise what he was starting!
Red Funnel are delighted to add its support to an event that is
extremely popular and viewed with much affection by the sailing
community.
2006 BSO FIREWORK PROMS
Fri 21st & Sat 22
July - Osborne House, Cowes
Set in the beautiful setting of Osborne House, the Bournemouth Symphony
Orchestra will bless the Isle of Wight with a classical night to
remember.
Saturday 21st July sees the BSO see in the Last Night of Proms. With all
the favourites such as Nimrod, Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory, and
all the circumstance and pomp of the last night at the proms this
promises to be a spectacular classical firework evening.
SKANDIA COWES WEEK
Sat 4 to 11 August
2007
With around 1,000 boats and 8,500 competitors taking part, Skandia Cowes
Week is the longest-running, largest and most prestigious annual sailing
Regatta in the World.
The 'Must Do' Event on the International Sailing Calendar. The 2007
Regatta marks the 12th Anniversary of Skandia's title sponsorship of the
most famous sailing regatta in the World, Cowes Week. This year also
celebrates the 42nd Anniversary of the Event's organising body, Cowes
Combined Clubs (CCC).
Skandia Cowes Week first took place in 1826 and has been held in August
every year since then (the only exception being during the two World
Wars). This famous Regatta has been part of the British Summer social
calendar for many years and is traditionally held after Goodwood and
before the start of the grouse-shooting season.
Cowes Combined Clubs was formed in 1964 to co-ordinate the racing
previously organised by the individual Cowes and mainland yacht clubs.
Over the years the Regatta has been visited by royalty and other
world-famous personalities as well as naval warships, superyachts and
square-riggers.
8,000 sailors race over eight days in the Central, Eastern and Western
Solent. Up to 1,000 boats compete, ranging from high-tech racing
machines to classic day boats. 35 different classes are represented.
Thousands of spectators flock to Cowes to enjoy 'The Week'. Watch the
on-water action from the Green and from Cowes Parade - it is estimated
that there are 200,000 sailing and non-sailing visitors during the Week.
The Fireworks display includes over 10,000 fireworks plus effects and
music. Up to 170,000 people watch in Cowes and from the mainland - it's
big, it's spectacular and it's noisy!
Onshore fun - Let's party!
Many thousands of non-sailing visitors come to Cowes each August to
enjoy the unique atmosphere that is Skandia Cowes Week. If you want to
know what's happening out on the water, you can keep in touch by
listening to the brilliant live commentary from Cowes Radio.
There's a fabulous festival atmosphere with street entertainers and
music, and don't forget the spectacular Fireworks display.
The town of Cowes provides excellent facilities for the sailor and
non-sailor alike, with plenty of pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes to
choose from. The expanded Cowes Yacht Haven which is the focal point of
activity during the Week, East Cowes Marina and Shepards Wharf also
provide entertainment, food and bars as well as berthing (but book early
as competition for berths is fierce).
The Yacht Haven's huge marquee and beer tent erected for Skandia Cowes
Week and other major events, makes it a central meeting place for
competitors and visitors alike. With fabulous food stands, supplier
stands and the huge sound stage, which attracts many well-known groups,
the Yacht Haven is certainly one of the places to be. Visitors can also
enjoy the alternative Parade Village which was also a rip-roaring
success in 2003.
So, if you're not planning to sail there is still plenty to do day and
night, and the High Street is a good place to start. It offers a wide
choice of chandleries, art galleries, antiques, clothing/leisurewear and
gift shops and plenty more.
You can enjoy street theatre every afternoon on the Parade and in the
High Street, or watch the starts and finishes on the Royal Yacht
Squadron line from the Parade. Just to the West, The Green offers a
panoramic viewing platform of the yachts cheating the tide as they
battle their way to the finish and it's also an excellent spot from
which to watch the Friday night firework display.
There's a lively week-long social programme ranging from the renowned
Yacht Club Balls and Cocktail Parties to an excellent line-up of live
bands performing in Cowes Yacht Haven; there's also a superb choice of
cuisine available to suit every palate. The atmosphere on shore is
carnival-like with plenty of open-air activities and street
entertainment.
Skandia Cowes Week really is special to everyone involved, whether
sailing or not. Visitors to Cowes can enjoy a unique opportunity to see
the yachts afloat on the Solent waters and the people of Cowes and its
businesses really get behind the Event and pull out all the stops to
support this famous Regatta. more info
COWES POWERBOAT P1 BRITISH GRAND PRIX
Friday 24 & Sunday 26
August 2007 -Cowes/Solent
This years event promises to be bigger and better than ever, combining
the P1 World Championship with the Cowes Classic, making it one of the
world's premier festivals of offshore racing.
The 2005 adn 2006 Powerboat Festival proved to be huge successes, with a
great weekend of racing being enjoyed by all. A combination of ideal
weather conditions, huge crowds and spectacular racing for both years
meant that these weekends have been some of the most memorable in
British Powerboat racing for many years.
The Cowes Classic, established in 1961, brings together in highly
powered twin-engine racing machines and their crews from across the
globe for four days of spectacular and highly competitive racing.
The 2007 festival will commence on Saturday 24th August and is set to be
just as popular as last years event. It will include a series of
national and championship rounds along with the British Grand Prix,
comprising of two rounds of the Powerboat P1 World Championship.
With more than 70 boats expected and racing much closer to shore than
usual, this years event promises some fantastic entertainment both on
and off the water.
WHITE AIR EXTREME SPORTS FESTIVAL 2006
Monday 27 Aug to
Sunday 2 September 2006 from 10am - Yaverland, Sandown (& various venues
islandwide).
Don't miss Europe's largest Extreme Sports festival, where the elite
compete in eleven awesome watersport and landsport championships.
Prepare to be amazed by the intense action and the sheer radical style
of some 500 Kiteboarders, Windsurfers, Surfers, Gravity Bikes, Street
Luge, Skate Vert+Street, BMX, Mountain Boards and more! Back ashore,
enjoy the biggest parties of the season with entertainment every day and
every night and make time to visit some of the UK's premier trade and
demo displays.
For the first time, Wight Air will host the 2007 World Windsurfing
Formula Championships with some 100 racers from 40 countries. In
addition, the festival features the usual mix of extreme sports and
great shore side parties for competitors and spectators.
WOLVERTON MANOR COUNTRY GARDEN FAIR
Sat 1 to Sun 2
September 2007 - Wolverton Manor, Shorwell from 10am to 5pm
Sponsored by Red Funnel, this traditional country fair is a firm
favourite for gardener’s. Set in the splendid grounds of Wolverton
Manor, it recreates what might have been seen at the time the manor was
built in the late 16th century.
The grounds alone are well worth a visit but the fair features musicians
dressed in period costumes playing traditional music on authentic
instruments. You can explore the nurseries, browse the interesting
stalls, watch the craft demonstrations and explore the garden
exhibitions
BESTIVAL 2007
Fri 7 to Sun 9
September - Robin Hill Country Park, Newport, Isle of Wight
Bestival is a niche dance festival from Sunday Best and a weekend way of
life for Radio 1 presenter Rob da Bank. This three day music and arts
event is the last festival of the summer and is held at one of the
country’s most magical parkland sites, Robin Hill set in the heart of
the Isle of Wight.
The event will host a unique blend of great music and a celebration of
fine food, good fun and the English countryside. Bestival will boast a
musical mix of bands and DJs from the Sixties to the 21st century. That
said, you’re as likely to catch an impromptu Morris dancing display or a
brass band trooping across the field as you are the hottest new band or
DJ from around the world!
ISLE OF WIGHT CYCLING FESTIVAL
Sat 15 to Sun 23
September 2007 - Island Wide
Cycling events for all:- Road racing time trials, British National
Ladies races and mountain biking including the challenging Seven and
Fourteen Hills Killer trails. Alternatively, you could settle for
something more scenic and relaxing! Whatever your taste, dig out your
lycra shorts, pump up your tyres and head for the Island
ISLE OF WIGHT FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL
22nd to 30th
September
Newport
Celebrating the Island’s booming organic food and drink industry, the
festival gives visitors the chance to sip, taste and savour
award-winning beer, wine, asparagus, garlic, sweet corn and tomatoes to
name a few. Not forgetting of course the sausages championed by Jamie
Oliver.
APPLE DAYS FESTIVAL
Sat 22 & Sun 23 Sept
2007
10am to 5pm - Afton Park, Freshwater
The Apple Days event has captured people's imagination, with young and
old, locals and visitors attracted to the age-old traditions of
harvesting and celebrating Orchards as very special places.
There are a wide range of produce stalls, craft stands, demonstrations,
art, music and food on the menu. Families can help with the harvesting,
taste freshly pressed apple juice and dine on apple & parsnip soup or
freshly baked apple cake.
Apple Day Activities include:
apple picking
apple-pressing
tree pruning demonstrations
apple identification
apple displays
apple tree care and management
Apple Day Entertainment includes:
Island samba band
Isle of Wight beers, wines & cider
Garden walks
Traditional Coconut Shy
Gypsy Caravan
Ferret Racing
Juggling
Stilt Walkers & Circus Workshop
Story Telling in the Willow House
Face Painting
Pony & Trap Rides
pole-lathing
IOW Farmer's Market
Children's Apple Olympics
IOW Acoustic Music Club
Vectis Classic Cars
Wolfguard historical re-enactment
Entry: Adults £3.50
Children (5-14) £1.50
OAPs £2.50
Children under 5 free
Family entry £9.50 (2 adults and up to 3 children under 14).
Parking is free on site.
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