Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2014 | Page 118

ANDREW TURNER MP Andrew Turner MP coffee break The Riverside Centre, The Town Quay, Newport, IW - Tel: [phone] [email protected] www.islandmp.org reading... Andrew Turner MP All Wight in Westminster T he second Wight in Westminster Day - dubbed Wightminster on Twitter - was recently staged in the historic Jubilee and IPU rooms in the Palace of Westminster. Having wowed not only invited guests but the general public around Westminster with roaming dinosaurs last year, I was wondering how this second event could possibly surpass that. I was a little apprehensive with the arrival of five, six-feet tall palm trees, destined for the small room above Westminster Hall, but following much hard work, the effect created by the trees, along with dozens of exotic plants and giant water lily pads, all supplied by Ventnor Botanical Gardens, was stunning. Adding to the special ambience was background sounds of birdsong and live music from talented Island musician, Holly Kirby. Many colleagues who attended were absolutely stunned, as I was, by the transformation of the two rooms. ‘Passport Control’, through which every visitor had to pass, collecting their Isle 118 www.visitilife.com of Wight passport in the process, caused some amusement, including with former Immigration Minister and Labour MP Gerry Sutcliffe; but, importantly, it encouraged people to go to the Visit Isle of Wight website to enter a competition. Equally impressive was Goddard’s popup bar, the centrepiece of the adjoining room. This was supported by a wonderful array of Island food and drink organised by Taste of the Wight and prepared and served by Island pub chain, Inns of Distinction. There was garlic from the Garlic Farm, tomatoes from the Tomato Stall, wine from Rosemary Vineyard, fine cheeses from the Isle of Wight Cheese company, cherry juice and jam from the Cherry Orchard and Erica Oulton, accompanying Briddlesford Farm scones and clotted cream along with much, much more for visitors to enjoy throughout the day. As well as beer, delicious cocktails had been invented using the finest Isle of Wight ingredients, with names such as Sunshine Mary, Red Funnel and the Turner Prize. Word soon got around and it was just as well they were being served in taster glasses as many people were coming back for seconds and thirds! Thanks to tremendous hard work by so many people, including Visit Isle of Wight, Taste of the Wight, Ventnor Botanical Gardens and others, the day was hailed a huge success. Visitors on the day included prestigious travel and food writers, influential buyers and potential investors, as well as Members of Parliament and Peers. Although it was an enjoyable day, albeit with hard work, for the Islanders who attended there is a more serious purpose. David Thornton the Chief Executive of Visit Isle of Wight says that the event last year led to national media publicity worth £1.3 million; this year he estimates it will be in the region of £2 million. That’s serious stuff. I haven’t been able to list all the people and companies who supported the event, but I want to thank them all for what they have contributed for our Island. The only problem is, how on earth do we top it next year?