Island Life Magazine Ltd December/January 2017 | Page 6

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR

Well , here we are again - approaching the end of another year , and with the festive season beckoning once more . Of course everyone ’ s busy shopping , cooking , making the house ready for visitors – and here at Island Life , we ’ ve been busy putting together your final magazine of 2016 . Inside , you ’ ll find no end of inspiration and ideas for places to go and things to do over the holiday season and into 2017 . With our fascinating features and useful snippets on everything from pubs and restaurants to visitor attractions , shops and essential services , there ’ s no excuse for feeling bored this Christmas and New Year ! And when it comes to putting your feet up and relaxing with a cuppa , you ’ ll find some great longer reads in our feature profiles this issue . We talk to experienced groom Catherine Owen about her years spent working for top Olympic horsewoman Zara Phillips and her senior Royal mum Princess Anne – and find out why she ’ s now decided to return to her Island roots . We also talk to Sam Shaw and discover why he and his wife Donna put their family ’ s future on the line to take on not one Island pub , but TWO - in the space of 12 months ! Then there ’ s our interview with Shanklin antiques dealer and ex-soldier Peter Smith , who tells us how he ’ s come through a series of personal battles and carved out a life that he loves . They ’ re all personal tales of hope , courage and determination – and provide a great message for this season of goodwill . Do enjoy your free copy , and please continue to support the advertisers who make it all possible – and here ’ s to a great Christmas and New Year for one and all !

ISLAND LIFE

CONTENTS

DECEMBER / JANUARY

INTERVIEWS MOTORING

p30 25 years in the job : Steve Goodchild
p36 Building a future on gems from the past : Peter Smith

LOCAL SCENE

2017

p19
Groom Catherine plans for a
p69
Buying your new car and
more stable future : Catherine
saving thousands !
Owen

COUNTRYSIDE

p71
The web and it ’ s impact on
Island Life : Sam Biles
p72
Countryside News : Tony Ridd
p74
Our wintry feathered friends
p26
Decadeance goes carnival !
p76
10 things you didn ’ t know about hedgehogs
p34
Charity Gala and Auction
p77
The dormant season : Matt
p44
IW Law Society celebrates achievements
Noyce
p78
Tracking down ‘ Ratty ’
p50
We will remember
p81
How do you plant a tree ?
p54
Ladies night
p58
A glittering Diwali

EQUESTRIAN

p83 Training horses with Robert Booth
Jackie McCarrick , Editor 6 www . visitilife . com