Garden and nature
Hoppin' at the Gardens
The world-famous Ventnor Botanic Gardens, visited last year by Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, have yet another claim to fame as the only site on the Isle of Wight to grow hops for Island brewers to make their famous Island Ales.
A dedicated group of volunteers spent a day (or two) picking the ripened hops as just one of the many tasks they carry out for the Botanic Gardens as part of their remit as ‘Friends of the Garden’.
New members are always welcome and cash donations will help to ensure the continuance of this visitor’s favourite Island stop over.
Filmed and edited by Louis Lawrence.
Spring Hill Gardens
Once there was a derelict garden area next to the central car park in Ventnor, but not any more, thanks to a group of volunteers who were also responsible for improvements to other areas of the car park. They got fed up with waiting for the local council to take action and did it themselves!
Now there is a pleasant oasis of calm as a restful breathing space for visitors and residents alike. Penny Betts, interviewed here, is a member of the volunteer group which also worked with the Ventnor Enhancement Fund in sponsoring the mosaic panels on the car park site, featured in this video.
Filmed and edited by Louis Lawrence.
Seaview Wildlife Encounter
When we heard that Basil the goat was rather lonely and looking for a friend we thought that we might be in the ideal position to help with a lonely hearts film, but it wasn't long before he was found a feisty little play mate.
Basil lives at Seaview Wildlife Encounter but he isn't the main attraction. Watch the film and you will see some of our favourite animals, such as the wallabies and penguins - and the amazing thing is the interaction available at the park - visitors are encouraged to feed the animals.
The wallabies are incredibly tame and gentle, seeming to enjoy being petted and fussed over. They certainly didn't mind young Alex getting in amongst them.
Seaview Wildlife Encounter has a more serious side - the conservation of rare species - so there are breeding programmes in place. The mirrors in the flamingo enclosure give the illusion of greater numbers which makes them feel more secure, and there are materials provided for nest building too.
Many of the babies can be spotted by their plumage and/or size. There is the rare albino wallaby, the greyish juvenille penguins and the brown flamingo chicks.
Reporter: Luisa Hillard
Camera/Direction: Luisa Hillard
Editing: Luisa Hillard and Rez Collingwood.
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