Dates for your Diary

September looks to be another busy month. There are plenty of local community events taking place all over the island, ensuring there's something for everyone to enjoy. Be sure to check out our list of regular community events that occur weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly!

Thursday 12th September - The Music Playhouse at Freshwater Methodist, Brookside Road. 2pm to 3:30pm. Live vocals and musicians. Lyric sheets provided for Childhood Flashback numbers. Tea/coffee & biscuits interlude with quiz. Event donations towards NHS IW St Mary’s Children’s Ward.

Saturday 14th September – Arreton Cricket Club End of Summer Fair from 11am – 3pm at ACC, Heasley Lane, Arreton PO30 3AL.  Free entry. Lots to do, stalls, games, a fun dog show, raffle, bouncy castle, vintage amusements, face painting, ice cream, special guests, music, entertainment and so on.

Saturday 14th September -  Pre-loved Children’s and Babies’ Clothes Sale @MAD-Aid DOT, 11 York Avenue, East Cowes, 10am to 2pm, grab a bargain! Admission FREE, refreshments available. See: www.facebook.com/groups/madaiddot for details.

Sunday 15th September - West Wight Community Litter Pickers meet at 10.30am at Colwell Bay slipway by the Captain’s Cabin.  Tea/coffee and biscuits supplied.

Wednesday 18th September -  Blokes, Bacon Butties & Banter at Freshwater Methodist, Brookside Road. From 10:30am to 12pm. Local men from all walks of life having their own monthly chit chat. Turn up and join in. Free event, donations welcome.

Thursday 19th September – Bembridge Craft Market at Bembridge Village Hall from 10am – 4pm.  Our regular talented crafters will be joined throughout the year by a few new Island makers so be sure to pop in when you can to see what's on offer. 

Friday 20th September -  Coffee & Cake @MAD-Aid DOT, 11 York Avenue, East Cowes, from 1pm to 4pm. Enjoy hot or cold drinks, cakes, and a chance to relax. Guest speaker. see: www.facebook.com/groups/madaiddot for details.

Friday 20th September -  MAD Games Night @MAD-Aid DOT, 11 York Avenue, East Cowes, from 6pm to 9pm. Retro video games, board games and card games. Bring your own games or use ours! Admission FREE. Hot/cold drinks and snacks for sale. See www.facebook.com/groups/madaiddot for details.

Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd September - IOW Steampunk Festival.  Immerse yourself in a realm where Victorian elegance meets futuristic innovation. Experience a weekend of eccentric fashion, mesmerising performances, creative workshops and captivating entertainment.     Saturday don’t miss out, get down to Eastern Gardens in Ryde to visit our vendors and have fun with the free stage events running from 10am to 5pm. Look out for our street entertainers during the day.  Family friendly fun for all, even dogs.   Sunday: From 10am.  The Steampunk Promenade Parade.  It’s your last day to show off your Steampunk finery. Dress to impress one last time while you literally promenade down Ryde Esplanade along the sea front back to Eastern Gardens for our first ever Steampunk Promenade Parade and grand gathering photoshoot!   Friday ticket events only - go to www.iowsteampunkfestival.co.uk.

Friday 27th September – Zoo Quiz Night at Amazon World Zoo Park at 7pm.   £10 per team (max 4 people).  1st, 2nd & 3rd prizes and raffle on the night.   Book your table by emailing amazonworld@rocketmail.com. Fundraiser event for the new giant anteater project.

Saturday 28th September - Abbey Brass in Concert at Trinity Theatre, The Grove, Cowes, PO31 7QR from 19.30 – 21.15.  Abbey Brass,  performs music for all tastes including classical, and music from films and musicals. The programme includes the world premiere of Island Life by Mary Lillington. Admission is free with a retiring collection in aid of the theatre's Raise the Roof appeal.

Saturday 28th September  (and last Saturday of every month) - Havenstreet Market at The Community Centre, Main Road, Havenstreet. Variety of stalls including crafts, books, vegetables, eggs and plants. Tea, coffee and cake available. 10am-12 pm.  In aid of St. Peter’s Church Havenstreet.  For more information including stalls which are very reasonable prices please contact Tel: 07866 598843

Sunday 29th September - Community Beach Clean at East Cowes Esplanade.  Organised by FAECES (Fight Against Environmental Contamination of Estuaries & Seafronts) and Surfers Against Sewage. Please meet in the Esplanade Car Park at 2.30pm.  Supervised dogs and children very welcome.

Sunday 29th September – Table Top Sale at Whippingham Community Centre, Alverstone Road, East Cowes from 10am – 3pm.   Militaria, vintage gifts, craft, haberdashery, retro and much more.

Regular events

Every Monday - come and join the Monday Group from 2-4pm at Falcon Cross Hall, Shanklin. For silly and sensible board games, colouring (materials provided to give it a try it!), dominos, cards, jigsaws or bring your own craft project or just come along for company and a chat. £2.00 a session including refreshments. For more details call Shanklin Library 717184.

Every Monday – Chat and Craft.  Come along with your favourite craft or unfinished project. Learn something new and get help and inspiration or just share your skills.   Held from 2-4pm at Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes, PO31 7NP.  Open to everyone and all ages.  Entry £2 which includes tea/coffee. For more information call Wendy on 07584600053

Second Monday of every month – HASAG Asbestos Disease Support Isle of Wight.  Coffee Afternoon at the Riverside Centre, The Quay, Newport, PO30 2GR from 12.30 – 2.30pm.

Fourth Monday of each month - The Living Well & Early Help Service will be holding a Community Drop-in Clinic at the East Side Curve, East Cowes from 10am - 12noon. Please drop in if you need any information, guidance or support. 01983 240 732 / lweh.org.uk

Fourth Monday of every month – Cowes WI meet at Cowes Football Club, Reynolds Close at 7.30pm.   Please bring own cup for hot drink.

Every Tuesday (term time only) - Parent and Toddler club at Wootton Methodist Church, Station Road, Wootton Bridge, PO33 4RE. From 9.30am-11.30am.  £2 per family (refreshments included). For more info contact Sue 07311372198.

Every Tuesday – Walk and Talk Sandown.   Come rain or shine, join in for a gentle walk and talk along the seafront and back again. Meet outside Sandown Pier at 10.30am. Brought to you by Living Well and Early Help Service.   Call 01983 240732 for more information.

Fourth Tuesday of the month - The Living Well & Early Help Service will be holding an Info Point at the Northwood Village Hall, Cowes Warm Welcome Space from 1 – 3pm. Please drop in if you need any information, guidance or support. 01983 240 732 / lweh.org.uk

Every Wednesday - Social Bridge at West Wight Sports & Community Centre. From 2pm to 4pm. Turn up and play for £2. Participants are learners, intermediate and experienced who play non-competitively.

Every Wednesday of each month except the first – Warm and Well Community Group meet at St Helens Community Centre, Guildford Road, St Helens, from 11.30am – 2pm for complimentary soup and roll, refreshments, activities and friendship.  Brought to you by Living Well and Early Help Service

Second Wednesday of every month - Creekside WI meet at the Methodist Church Hall in Wootton at 7.15pm.  Come and have some fun and make new friends.  Visitors are very welcome.

Third Wednesday of every month - Binstead WI  meet at Binstead Methodist Church in Church Road 10.00am to 12 noon, always with coffee and cakes.  New members very welcome. We have a varied programme of speakers and there is also a Craft Group, Book Club, Walking Group and outside activities.  If you would like to know more, please ring our Secretary Chris on 07467534124.

First Thursday of the month – Coffee, Craft and Cake from 10am – 12pm at Northwood Scout Hut, Wyatts Lane, Northwood.  Bring your own projects to finish, share hints, tips and ideas and craft magazine swap available tool.  Free entry and refreshments.  A great way to make new friends.  In association with Northwood Church.

Every Thursday - Table Tennis at Freshwater Methodist, Brookside Road. From 6pm to 7:30pm. Beginners welcome. A fun, social place for non-competitive games. Free activity, with donations for light refreshments. Please contact David 01983 760063 for further details. 

Third Thursday of each Month – Whippingham WI Meet at Whippingham Community Centre, Alverstone Road, East Cowes at 1.15 for 1.30pm start.   Come and join us for fun, fellowship and information.

Third Thursday of the month – The Bay WI meet at The Lions Day & Community Centre, St Urians, New Road, Sandown, PO36 9LA at 2pm.   Join them for fun and friendship.  Contact Lynn on 01983 406366 or email thebaywi.secretary@gmail.com

Every Friday - Freshwater Market from 8.30am-12noon at the Memorial Hall. Homemade cakes, plants, books, jewellery, fresh eggs, original artwork, crafts, bric-a-brac, café, handcrafted liqueurs and much more.

Every Friday – Newport Country Market at Holyrood Hall, 70 High Street, Newport, (opposite Castle inn)  from 8.30 – 12.  A great selection of hand-crafted goods, home grown plants, cakes, bakes, and jams. Local honey and eggs.

Every third Friday of the month - Wootton Afternoon Townswomen's Guild meet at the Methodist Church, Station Road, Wootton Bridge, from 2pm to 4pm. Free parking in Steam Railway car park opposite.  We are a friendly group and hold talks and go on outings etc. Please come along and meet us.