April 2007

Traditional 'April showers' were substituted for a month of incredible sunshine as the melodic sounds of the International Jazz (Divas) Festival swept across Ventnor like a welcome breeze.

Growing in size, quality and reputation since its launch in 2002, this wide-ranging musical event expanded further upon its previous success with a huge range of jazz artists featuring in its 2007 line-up. Named 'international' because of the worldwide range of cultures spanned by its artists, this year a special emphasis was placed upon the staggering contribution made by women to jazz music, with Dame Cleo Laine topping the bill.

For the third year in a row Cowes Rotary Club welcomed Island residents and visitors to their St. George's Day Celebration in Northwood Park. A varied programme of events included Morris Dancing, antiques fair, a Shakespearean Pageant, battle re-enactment and Tug-of-War tournament, not forgetting the Grand Fancy Dress procession, which made its way through Cowes High Street from East Cowes Town Hall. A superb way of reawakening awareness of our national day!

Believed to have been the biggest and best car show ever to be seen on the Isle of Wight - the first ever Mega Wheels Classic Car Show roared into Newchurch for the final weekend in April. Anticipated car enthusiasts and spectators alike marvelled at the variety of vintage and classic vehicles on display. The sheer size of the display was very much thanks to local and mainland car clubs including Jaguar, Ford, Austin, BMC, Aston Martin, Jensen, MG and not to mention individual motor enthusiasts too, who kindly bequeathed their vehicles to form a part of the two-day gathering.