Park Resorts on IOW - Part Three: Thorness Bay

This is the jewel in the Park Resorts crown, the king of holiday parks where the Isle of Wight is concerned. As the largest of the four sites in the company's Isle of Wight portfolio, Thorness Bay Holiday Park is the place to be for holidaymakers who like to get involved in what is happening around the site.

Thorness Bay has all the touring, camping and holiday home ownership opportunities (caravans start at £14,495 and the site is now open all the year round), plus an extensive range of chalets and caravans of all grades, from the pleasant and comfortable to the luxury with every mod con.

The entertainment is out on its own. Like other Park Resorts venues the Sparky's Krew Club are always around to entertain the children, with a host of daytime and early evening activities. Later in the evening there is music, comedy, in-house cabaret and party dances - something for everybody as you enjoy excellent service from the spacious and well-stocked bar.

MULTI-PURPOSE SPORTS AREA

An adventure playground, archery, horse riding, an indoor pool with an imaginative themed water chute and a large multi-purpose sports area mean there is no shortage of things to do for the young and the not so young.

The on-site restaurant (with another bar!) provides breakfast in the morning and a varied menu throughout
the day. From the spacious balcony outside one can observe all the activity on the busy Solent and across the water around Southampton, or one can take a short walk down to and along the beach to see it all from closer still.

Throughout your stay it is possible to keep stocked up with supplies from the busy camp shop.

Thorness Bay is located near to Cowes, so it can be accessed with the minimum of inconvenience from the Red Funnel after arrival at East Cowes.

On selected dates a free ferry is available as part of an inclusive holiday deal.  Take advantage of the Early Booking Offer by organising your 2015 holiday before the 31st January, and get up to 30% off the published price. Click on the links here for further details.

Reproduced with acknowledgements to The Holiday Zone.

Park Resorts on IOW - Part Two: Lower Hyde

The second location in our Park Resorts series is Lower Hyde, one of two parks situated in the popular seaside town of Shanklin.

Lower Hyde Holiday Park is of a similar size to Nodes Park, but is situated close to a major Island town - an easy walk both to the shops and down to the beach. As such it is an ideal retreat for families and seaside dwellers.

The star attraction is maybe the popular heated outdoor pool, open between May and September. As well as the pool itself an attractive patio area is provided for lounging. For those who prefer the warm ambience of an indoor swimming pool this is shared with neighbouring Landguard Park, with modern facilities and overlooking bar and food area.

As with all Park Resorts venues Lower Hyde boasts some great evening entertainment at the Squires Showbar. There is also an amusement arcade which has been recently refurbished.

Great news is that the park is now open all the year round, albeit with some curtailment of facilities during the short former closed season in winter. Holiday home ownership is available as on all sites and caravans can be purchased from just £16,995.

Remember the Early Holiday Booking Offer in which you can save up to 30% on all 2015 Holidays when you book before the 31st January.

Reproduced with acknowledgements to The Holiday Zone.

Park Resorts on IOW - Part One: Nodes Point

Much though we like travelling around, the one place we can always be guaranteed to return to each year is Park Resorts on the wonderful Isle of Wight. As holiday parks go these are the ones which in our view provide the best balance between peaceful enjoyment and entertainment, with high standards retained in every aspect of the holiday experience.

Park Resorts has four parks on the Island. One of them is Nodes Point, situated at St. Helens, near Bembridge. Just a short walk down to the beach (owned by the National Trust) at the beautiful Priory Bay, Nodes Point boasts an adventure playground, indoor fun pool with water slide, all-weather sports court, horse riding and evening family entertainment in a newly refurbished complex.

More good news is that Nodes Point is now open all the year round. As well as static caravans touring and camping is also provided for on site. A good selection of food is available from the Harbour View Terrace, and there is a well-stocked shop on site too which will provide for most of one's needs throughout one's stay.

One comment frequently heard about Nodes Point Holiday Park is that it has a strong community feel, not least because of the many caravan owners who return sometimes several times a year. Holiday homes can be purchased from as little as £16,995 and it is always discussing what may be available in terms of finance and offers.

Until 31st January Park Resorts is running an unmissable Early Booking Holiday Offer, with up to 30% off all holidays booked for 2015. Click on the links for more details, but don't miss out - this offer expires at the end of the month.

Reproduced with acknowledgements to The Holiday Zone.

Britain's Oldest Person Lives in Ryde

Ethel Lang

111-year old Gladys Hooper, from Ryde, has become the oldest living person in the United Kingdom following the sad death of Ethel Lang, of South Yorkshire, who was 114. Mrs. Hooper will celebrate her 112th birthday this Sunday.

Mrs. Lang, whose aunt lived to the age of 104, was the last living British person to have been born during the reign of Queen Victoria. She is survived by her 91-year-old daughter.

The oldest person worldwide is thought to be Misao Okawa, of Japan, who will be 117 in March

Barnardo's to Run Isle of Wight Family Support Services and Children's Centres

By David Newbie

Children's charity Barnardo’s is set to run support services for Isle of Wight families with young children, including children’s centres.

The Isle of Wight Council has chosen Barnardo’s as the new provider of 'early help’ services for an initial period of three years.

The early help programme is a range of preventative and support services for youngsters aged up to *nineteen years old.

The service includes eight children’s centres, parenting and family support services and early childhood support as well as the Isle of Wight Council’s Strengthening Families programme.

All eight children’s centres across the Isle of Wight will remain open under the new contract.

The new contract, which runs from April 1, brings together a number of services which are currently provided by voluntary organisations.

There are also improvements planned to the services currently provided including services for older children.

Reproduced with acknowledgements to Isle of Wight County Press.

Little Bassett B&B, Colwell Bay IOW

Planning permission has been granted for the opening of a small bed and breakfast in Colwell Bay, in Freshwater on the Isle of Wight. A dedicated Facebook page has been set up in support of the venture, and the grand opening will be taking place later this year.

This family-run business has two double rooms, one with a king-sized bed and the other with twin beds. A single occupancy en suite room is also available at no extra cost. All rooms have flatscreen TV, free Wi-Fi, and coffee and tea making facilities.

Children and dogs are very welcome. High chairs and travel cots including freshly laundered bedding are available upon request. All dogs receive a “doggy” towel, drinking bowls and small treat.

FULL ENGLISH AND CONTINENTAL

Full English breakfast and authentic Continental breakfast are offered. Celebratory flowers or chocolates can be organised prior to arrival for that special occasion. Beach towels and luxury picnic hampers are available (at a cost) upon request.

Little Bassett is situated 150 metres from the quintessentially English beach at Colwell Bay, one of many picturesque beaches in West Wight. It is a small and easily-accessible with clear, calm waters and gently sloping sand and shingle, making it ideal for swimming. Colwell Bay currently holds a Blue Flag award.

Little Bassett offers free car parking on site, and motorbikes and bicycles can be securely stored.

Reproduced with acknowledgements to The Holiday Zone.

Rescue Bid as Car Transporter Runs Aground in the Solent

A cargo vessel carrying vehicles has run aground in the Solent and is listing to one side, sparking a major rescue operation.

The Hoegh Osaka left Southampton at 20:21 yesterday (Saturday) evening for Germany but hit rocks off East Cowes close to the West Bramble Buoy. Lifeboats from Cowes, Calshot and Yarmouth are attending along with a helicopter from Lee-on-Solent and other marine vessels.

A number of casualties have been rescued and there are unconfirmed reports that one has sustained a broken leg.