Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2009 | Page 8

life
YOUR LETTERS
FOREWORD

Isle of Wight
Pearl evening

Island Book Review
By Paul Armfield

Bill and Brian’s previous title is
‘A History of Newport Quay
and the River Medina’. The
book looks into the changing
fortunes of what used to be a
busy and successful town quay,
delivering the lifeblood of trade
and supplies into the heart of
the Island. The authors do a
superb job of bringing to life the
hard and dangerous lives of the
people who worked and lived
along the river.

Isle of Wight Pearl staff
Isle of Wight Pearl Christmas
celebration evening held on
Thursday 4th December 2008
proved to be a huge success.
Every year to thank hoteliers,
businesses, regular customers,
family and friends the Isle of
Wight Pearl host a Christmas
celebration evening, a chance to
buy those last minute gifts in a
truly Christmas atmosphere.
The evening was helped
along nicely by the Freshwater
Women's Institute (WI) who
entertained the guests by carol
singing. As guests arrived they
were greeted with a glass of
mulled wine and a mince pie
which went down well.
There was an added bonus to
the evening which delighted
all the guests as The Isle of
Wight Pearl offered 50% off
everything.
During the evening a raffle was
held with all proceeds going to

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the
Earl Mountbatten Hospice
which raised a £100.00
The event was very well
attended and a good time was
had by all. The event had a really
nice Christmas feel to it.
The Isle of Wight Pearl is open
363 days a year we have FREE
parking and FREE entry, also
a Coffee shop with the most
fantastic views of the Channel
and surrounding countryside,
all this only 15 minutes from
Newport.

This winter saw the release
of a fantastic new book ‘The
Changing Face of Newport’ by
Bill Shepard and Brian Greening.
It takes you on a historical tour
through the Island’s capital
street by street, sharing their
expansive knowledge of how
various buildings and landmarks
have changed over the years
and the with a rich selection of
photographs.
Brian Greening also produced
‘Just Fifty Yards From the
Floating Bridge’. A lovingly
researched history of White’s
shipyard in Cowes. Brian worked
there so alongside pictures and
accounts of the boats, ropes
and seaplanes we get details of
football teams, sports days, brass
bands and personal accounts
that bring this history vibrantly
to life.

The Island's new funky radio station www.wightFM.com