PUT THE PHONE AWAY AND SMILE

Friday, May 9, 2008
VIEW FROM HERE by Alex Dyke
LAST week I was in London’s bustling West End. Despite the crowds I noticed fewer Londoner’s seemed to have a mobile clamped to their ear than the people I see every day in Newport or Ryde.
Can it be these days Islanders have more urgent communication needs than those living in the metropolis?
The few I do see strolling along not making urgent or furtive phone calls are texting.
I wonder how many Islanders have accidents because they’re failing to look up from their mobile often enough to avoid street furniture?
The Island used to be the kind of place where people said “Hi” or “Good morning”.
What is everyone up to? They can’t all be wheeling and dealing, ducking and diving or making plans for later.
Come on everyone, put down the phone. Look up and smile now and again.

CLOUDS GATHER OVER THE BAY
I’VE noticed some young IW film-makers are cutting their teeth on YouTube, the internet home movie site.
It’s a shame these young turks are painting the Garden Isle in such a bad light.
Their short movies are portraying the Island, Sandown Bay in particular, as tired, scruffy and worn out. It would be nice if they could be a bit more positive about Island life next time they point and shoot.
Mind you, don’t they say the camera never lies? Perhaps man of the youth David Pugh could have a word?

NOW WE ALL CAN BE WINNERS IN WALKING FESTIVAL
THANKFULLY, IW Radio has stepped in, offering to sponsor the medals for this year’s Walk the Wight.
Now I know the money isn’t coming straight from hospice fundraising I shall be happy to join my friends MP Andrew Turner and The Doc presenting some medals at the Alum Bay finishing line on May 18.

NOW AND DEN
ONE of my earliest memories of the County Press, as a ten-year-old boy searching for my dream Mini Cooper car in the classified adverts, was the face of Den Clare staring out.
With his George Hamilton IV clean-cut looks, dark hair and complexion the colour of a Moroccan footstool, he was the man we all aspired to be.
Not much has changed. He still has the looks and the tan and only the hair is now as grey as a badger’s rear, as we all grow old together.
• Charlotte Hofton is on holiday.

PUT THE PHONE AWAY AND SMILE

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