Island Life Magazine Ltd February / March 2016

Check out our website visitilife.com or catch up with us on Facebook and Twitter CONTENTS ISLAND LIFE FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016 A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Spring seems to be galloping in this year, with cheerful signs of new life and colour already popping up in the fields, woodlands and hedgerows. And with two of the big dates of the Spring calendar also falling extra early this year - Mother’s Day on March 6th and Easter starting on the 25th – we’ve got plenty of seasonal features for our readers to enjoy in this issue, including a history of the Hot Cross Bun and a guide to the early wildlife to watch out for. There’s also a fascinating insight into the life and work of Charlotte Corney, director of the Isle of Wight Zoo – and, also on the animal theme, a look at the Island’s Donkey Sanctuary. On a more serious note, we take a look at the vital, life-saving work of the Air Ambulance service, and talk to Visit Isle of Wight Chief Executive David Thornton about the massive challenge facing tourism on the Island. Along with all your usual favourite features and fabulous photos of events across the Island, it adds up to yet another jam-packed issue. So just sit back and enjoy with our compliments – and do please continue to support our loyal advertisers who make it all possible. Tanya Potter, Editor 4 www.visitilife.com INTERVIEWS p62 Tina Hyde: Pretty Peas! p12 Charlotte Corney: Animal Magnetism COUNTRYSIDE p18 David Thornton: Tough Times for Tourism p64 T ony Ridd: Countryside News p32 Alex Lochrane: 999 ‘Superheroes’ saving Island lives! p66 M arine sanctuaries on our doorstep OUT AND ABOUT p26 Hunt Ball 2016 MOTORING p51 MINI John Cooper Works p56 Nissan NP300 Navara GARDENING p61 Matt Noyce: Spring is coming! p68 Enjoy your own ‘Springwatch’ p71 S am Biles: NIMBYs or IMBYs? p72 M ark Fox: A Walk in the Woods EQUESTRIAN p77 Robert Booth: Looking forward to Summer p78 Bloodhounds on Boxing Day

Island Life Magazine Ltd February / March 2016 | Page 4