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A WORD
FROM THE
EDITOR
Life doesn’t always go in the direction we
might expect, or want it to – but that’s
when an oft-quoted saying comes to
mind: “When life gives you lemons, make
lemonade”.
That’s exactly what one family did after
they moved to the Isle of Wight to follow
their long-held dream of running their
own hotel business – only to see the dream
crash around their ears. In this issue you
can read the inspiring story of how Linda
Smith re-discovered her childhood passion
for dance, and how she used it to help build
a new life.
On the theme of re-inventing ourselves,
we also feature popular Island licensee
Andy Greenwood and hear how he and
his wife Cheryl met on the ocean wave
- when they both worked as cruise ship
entertainers. Now enjoying being at the
helm of their own ‘ship’, the Wight Mouse,
they couldn’t be happier.
Meanwhile, a young Islander who’s
making a big name for himself off the
Island – and indeed, around the world – is
professional cricketer Adam Hose, currently
playing for Warwickshire. We managed
to catch up with him last month, between
playing stints in Australia and Barbados.
Along with our interviews, you’ll find all
your favourite regular features along with
plenty of ideas for places to go and things
to do as the weather improves and the
days get longer. We also look at growing
herbs, and show how easy it is to create a
herb garden even if you only have a patio,
balcony or back yard.
Enjoy the latest issue with our
compliments, and do please continue to
support our loyal advertisers.
Jackie McCarrick, Editor
4
www.visitilife.com
C ONTENTS
I SLAND L IFE
APRIL / MAY 2018
INTERVIEWS
p32
p40 Dancing queen: Linda Smith
p50 Howzat? From Island
schoolboy to County
cricketer: Adam Hose
PROPERTY
p18
Ideas for the Living Room
LOCAL SCENE
p44
Having a Ball with the
COUNTRYSIDE
p71 Spring forward: Matt Noyce
p74 IW Hedgelaying 2018
p76 10 things you didn’t know
about Water Voles
p77
Celebrating 100 years of the
Royal Air Force
p54
It’s a wonderland at Mad
Hatter’s Ball
Keeping it balanced:
Sam Biles
p78 Woodland flowers
p80 Recording the birds
p82 Countryside news: Tony Ridd
p84 Local must-visit nature
reserves
Bloodhounds
p48
Hives, honey and helping
others
Featured Property:
Dunnose Magna
p29
p60
Featured Property:
48 Lower Church Road
Flag flying for
Commonwealth Day in Ryde
From ship to shore: Andy
Greenwood
p10
p59
p93
Parsley, sage, rosemary and
thyme...
EQUESTRIAN
p88
Looking to get happier and
healthier? Try horse riding.