Attack of the Trip Advisors – 9pm tonight on Channel 4
I just thought I would let you know that the above program is on tonight, just in case you didn’t know.
Whilst Trip Adivsor is a powerful tool, it can also be extremely destructive to successful businesses. If you have your business on Facebook, that deals with the tourist industry, share your thoughts on the program on the isleofwight.com Facebook Page
Great News for isleofwight.com. Holiday accommodation can now be booked on line, just like you would a foreign holiday. Save yourself hours looking for accommodation, just enter your dates and Bob’s you’re uncle!
A PUB singer was arrested for alleged “racism” after belting out the chart hit Kung Fu Fighting as two Chinese people walked past.
One of them complained to cops, who later nicked stunned Simon Ledger – in a Chinese restaurant.
Simon, 34, often performs the song in Sandown, Isle of Wight. He said: “I hadn’t even seen these two.”
All went well until he began the Carl Douglas disco classic, with its famous Chinese-sounding riff.
Simon said: “We were performing Kung Fu Fighting, as we do during all our sets. People of all races were loving it. Chinese people have never been offended by it before.
“But this lad walking past with his mum called us w*****s and did the hand sign before taking a picture on his mobile phone.
“We hadn’t even seen them when we started the song. He must have phoned the police.
“I thought it was a joke but they were serious. They seemed pretty amazed but said the law is the law and it was their duty. It’s political correctness gone potty.”
Simon added: “There are plenty of Welsh people at our shows – does it mean I can’t play any Tom Jones?”
Bar owner Sean Ware said: “The song is in no way racist and nor is Simon. There is no way he would abuse anyone.
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“He didn’t start the song just because Chinese people were walking past. He had already started playing it.”
Simon, who is on bail until today, wrote on Facebook: “If the lad who phoned the police is reading this, WHAT IS WONG WITH YOU? Sorry, what is wrong with you?”
A police spokesman said a 32-year-old man of Chinese origin had claimed he was subjected to racial abuse.
He added: “Police are investigating an allegation of racially-aggravated harassment. A man from Shanklin was arrested on suspicion.”
“They phoned me when I was in a Chinese restaurant that night. They arranged to meet me and I was arrested.
Thanks to the Sun Newspaper for this article.
Isle of Wight Festival: Remembering 1970
The British music festival has become a corporatized holiday for middle-class, combat-trouser wearing philistines who own 25 CDs and never go any other gigs during the year. But it wasn’t always this way. In the mid-sixties, when the festival scene lurched into life, it was a disorganized mess of high ideals, low budgets, free food and incredible music. It seems high time to jog our, in the words of David Bowie, Memory of a Free Festival…
The Isle of Wight Festival debuted in 1968, and built a solid reputation for itself over the next couple of years with acts such as Jefferson Airplane, Tyrannosaurus Rex, the Move, Joe Cocker, The Who and the Pretty Things. Bob Dylan had made his, er, triumphant return to live performance at the 1969 festival, following his infamous motorbike accident in 1966.
But it was the 1970 festival that was to go down in history – not least because it was one of headliner Jimi Hendrix’s final performances before his untimely death just days later. Attendance is estimated at 600,000 – reckoned to be even more than those who descended on Woodstock the year before. Considering the Isle of Wight has a population of 100,000, the sheer logistics of this many people convening in the one place were a nightmare. But, such was the attitude in those carefree hedonistic days, they did it anyway. Apart from Hendrix, there were performances from Chicago, the Doors, the Who, Joan Baez and Free.
One of the charms of the rock festival in its infancy was the raw, untamed technology involved – a far cry from the asinine cleanliness of today’s sound engineering. Hendrix’s Marshall stack produced some rude sounds, but could not defeat the prevailing winds which blew the sound sideways throughout the event.
In the face of these logistical problems, it soon became apparent to organizers that the event could not be profitable. It was declared a ‘free festival’. Unfortunately, the new gratis status of the event contravened the already-paid-for tickets snapped up by the majority of fans. Few cared. They were too busy having their minds – at least – blown. Nonetheless, the commercial disaster that was the 1970 Isle of Wight festival ensured there would be no such event for another thirty-two years.
Which brings us to the noughties, and the triumphant resurrection of a progenitor of the modern rock festival. It is back with a vengeance in 2011, featuring the return of Pulp, plus rock behemoths Foo Fighters, Kasabian and Kings of Leon. A fantastic way to experience this festival is in a camper van or caravan – check out the Park Resorts website to find out more about caravan sales Isle of Wight.
A HOST of new acts have been added to the Isle of Wight Festival bill, it was announced today (Tuesday).
The Courteeners, Big Country, Band of Horses, Mike and the Mechanics and We Are Scientists will play the main stage at this year’s festival, due to be held at Seaclose Park in June, while The Cult, Wonderland, Springbok Nude Girls, Various Cruelties, ABC and Edei will play the Big Top.
They will join acts already announced for the sold-out event, including Kasabian, Kings of Leon, Foo Fighters and Pulp.
Thanks to the Isle of Wight County Press for the News
THE Script, Plan B, Pixie Lott and James Walsh have been added to the Sunday line-up for next year’s Isle of Wight Festival.
Organisers Solo are still keeping music fans in suspense as to who will precede Kasabian on the main stage but have named four acts for the Sunday, as well as guitar legend Jeff Beck.
This year’s festival, from June 10 to 12, 2011, boasts headline performances from Kings of Leon on Friday, Foo Fighters on Saturday and Kasabian on Sunday. A newly reformed Pulp will make their UK festival return playing immediately prior to Foo Fighters on Saturday, while Tom Jones makes a guest appearance over in the Big Top.
John Giddings, festival promoter, said, “We have the best of the album chart, and one of the best guitarists in the world, it’s an awesome combination.”
The Script are best known for their self-titled 2008 debut album, which featured the hit singles, We Cry and The Man Who Can’t Be Moved.
Ben Drew aka Plan B has been busy singing, rapping and acting his way to success, since his early days growing up on an East London estate.
His debut album, ‘Who Needs Actions When You Got Words’ broke new ground for UK hip hop in 2006 and follow up ‘The Defamation of Strickland Banks’ is the sound of Motown, Stax and obscure Northern Soul, filtered through the grit of contemporary East London.
In 2009 Pixie Lott burst into the charts with her massive debut Turn It Up. Since then she has released a string of top 20 singles, including Cry Me Out and Broken Arrow.
After fronting the critically acclaimed Starsailor, James Walsh takes to the main stage as a solo artist.
Jeff Beck is regarded as one of the world’s most dynamic instrumentalists. He is one of a few musicians inducted twice into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, once as a solo artist and once as a member of The Yardbirds.
With a career spanning over four decades, the multi Grammy Award winner will make an extra special guest appearance at the festival.
Tanks to the Isle of Wight County Press for the News
HEROES of alt-indie The Cure have become the first big name confirmed as a headliner at next year’s Bestival, agreeing to make the Isle of Wight event their only European show of 2011.
Beach Boys frontman Brian Wilson and British rock and rollers Primal Scream, who will present their Screamadelica show, and Grandmaster Flash will join them in a bill peppered with established and future stars.
Katy B, Magnetic Man, Boys Noize, Crystal Castles, Diplo, A Trak, 65 Days of Static, Omar Souleyman, Cranes, David Rodigan, 2 Bears, Carte Blanche, Pantha Du Prince, Robyn, the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, LFO, DJ Shadow and Norman Jay, helped complete a first raft of announcements curator Rob da Bank said was one of the most exciting he had ever made.
“I have been trying to get The Cure to Bestival for the past five years. It is something Bestival fans have been talking about for a long time.
“Normally the band say sorry it’s not going to happen this year, but this year they were turning down festival after festival, until we were the only ones left.
“I got a text from their management when I was on holiday saying they would play and I was jumping round the room singing Love Cats and woke the whole family up,” said Rob.
Describing Brian Wilson as one of the greatest song-writers of the last century and highlighting the success of Primal Scream’s recent sell-out shows, he said they wanted a bill that would not only attract new fans but give hardcore Bestival-goers something to look forward to.
“We want those people who have been coming for years to keep coming back,” said Rob.
Cure frontman Robert Smith said: “I am delighted and excited that our only European festival performance in 2011 will be at Bestival.
“We will do all we can to make it a weekend to remember.”
Tom Jones will make a special appearance at the tenth anniversary Isle of Wight Festival which happens from Friday 10th until Sunday 12th June 2011 at Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight.
Tom Jones
Welsh legend Sir Tom Jones will make a very special guest appearance at next year’s Festival. With a career spanning decades, this will be the chance for festival goers to witness an unbelievable performance from one of the biggest names in music.
Tom Jones will bring his powerful vocals to the Isle of Wight Festival’s Big Top on Saturday 11th June. Festivalgoers will get the chance to see a show stopping performance and one thing’s for sure, Tom Jones will keep the audience captivated from start to finish.
John Giddings, the Festival promoter, says “What can I say that hasn’t been said about this man and his voice? We are so proud that he has chosen to play our Festival next summer. It will be incredible.”
Kings Of Leon, Pulp, Foo Fighters and Kasabian will headline the main stage at Seaclose Park, for what will be an extra special year for the Isle of Wight Festival as it celebrates its 10th birthday.
Tickets are selling very quickly for the event and are priced at £175 for adult camping, and £87.50 for a child ticket (aged 7 to 12 years). The price of an adult ticket without camping is £150 and £75 for children (aged 7 to 12 years). All children 6 years old and under on 10th June 2011 can go for free but must still have a ticket. Campervan permits were priced at £250 (all occupiers must also have a valid camping ticket) and have already sold out.
Thank you efestivals.co.uk for the news.
BOMBSHELL news fell on County Hall today (Wednesday) with the news 535 people will lose their jobs, including a senior management cull.
The move is a response to the current economic situation and the subsequent large reduction in money made available to local authorities.
As a result, the council has to save £32 million over the next four years.
Around £17 million of this will need to be saved by the Isle of Wight Council next year. Consequently, the council is unable to maintain the current range of services in the manner they are presently delivered.
The posts are likely to be lost from across the authority at all levels although senior management is likely to, proportionately, be hardest hit.
Chief executive Steve Beynon said efforts were still being made to ensure the number of compulsory job losses would be kept to an absolute minimum with a pragmatic view being taken on applications for voluntary redundancy and early retirement, as well as a range of other measures to preserve as many jobs as possible.
In addition, the 535 figure may include some posts that will be transferred under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment) to organisations who may choose to take on the delivery of services in the future or those that may transfer to social enterprise or other such arrangements.
Mr Beynon said: “This will naturally be a difficult time for staff and we will make sure all the appropriate support is made available to help them through the process.
“But in these challenging times, the council does have to take a look at the services it provides and ask whether these can be delivered more efficiently by us, by another organisation or indeed whether there is a need to provide the service at all if, by stopping it, we can protect services that are most needed by the more vulnerable in our society.”
News from the IW County Press
BESTIVAL has scooped the top prize at this year’s UK Festival Awards.
The festival, held annually at Robin Hill, won best major festival, beating the likes of Glastonbury, the Isle of Wight Festival, Reading and Leeds at last night’s London ceremony.
This year’s Bestival was headlined by the Prodigy, Flaming Lips and Dizzee Rascal and attracted a sell-out crowd of more than 50,000.
Rob da Bank told Twitter followers: “Bestival just won the best major festi at festi awards … thank you for voting.”
Earlier in the day he revealed they may have lined up one of next year’s headliners, however, a spokesman said there were no plans to reveal who it was at this stage.
Article from the Isle of Wight County Press.
