WC AUGUST 11
The week had a sad start with the service for the celebration of the life of Keith Newbery. Several hundred attended the service in Ryde and it was an incredible send off for a man who meant so much to so many. The moving tributes, particularly those by his young people, Mark and Samantha, were so touching and emotional. Many of his old staff at the IW Weekly Post came from all over Britain to pay their respects to their founding editor. We all had so much to thank him for.
Later that day I was determined to undertake an interview to cheer me up on such a sad day. I found a perfect guest – DIANNE THOMPSON – who owns the George Hotel, Yarmouth, and who is also the boss of Camelot, who run the lottery. Listen out for her soon on John Hannam Meets – and she is in fine form.
On Wednesday I was really out of my comfort zone. I crowned the Ventnor Carnival Queen and went around the town in an open top car to lead the morning’s children’s carnival processions. Then it was time to help choose some of the winners. Honestly, I would sooner have been tucked away in a room interviewing a guest for JH Meets. I was looked after very well by the Ventnor Carnival officials and organisers – and I did enjoy it, in the end.
I went back to Ventnor the following night to see the Red Tie production of Antigone, which was a part of the Fringe Festival. Once again, it proved we have some amazing young acting talent here on the Island.
On Friday I made my second visit to the bird hide at Newtown and was so glad I did. Some of the Friday regulars had enjoyed a record day with over 30 species viewed. I was excited to get my first sighting of grey plovers and to see eight egrets in a small area was quite a sight. Loved the friendliness of the twitchers, too. Great fun – and we are going back. Having enjoyed a lunch at the Sportsman’s Rest, Porchfield, it was a great day off.
It was back to work the next morning with the 11am star for The Return of the Musketeers, presented by the Ad Lib theatre group, in the Ventnor Botanical Gardens. Some were roasting in the heat and some of us were almost too cool in the shade. Then for the second half it came in cold for everyone and garments were quickly put back on.