Heritage Coast -Second Event Report

Discovering Landscapes

Heritage ‘Coast to Coast’ Project: Tennyson Heritage Coast at Compton Bay

Equals IW Friends and Family Group joined Kathy to explore and discover the cliff coastline. Kathy is a Nature Connector and helped the group learn about the different bird, butterfly and plant species found on the coastal path including

• Sea beet, an edible plant adapted to produce modern-day sugar beet
• Buckshorn plantain, another edible plant (buck's horn)
• Ribwort plantain, a food plant for the rare Glanville Fritillary butterfly
• Thrift,  called sea pink and attractive to bees and butterflies
• Lesser Celandine,  provides early-season nectar for pollinators like bees and hoverflies

Down on the beach at Compton Bay Kathy demonstrated how to make some charcoal on an open beach fire.

Everyone enjoyed cooking, on the open beach fire, Crab Damper bread on sticks with sea beet foraged on the day.

The group also joined Gina who is also a Creative Connector, and learnt how to use a selection of oils, pastels, crayons and coloured pencils to create sketches of the land and seascapes of Compton Bay.

The session was very interactive, creative and hands-on, enabling all to take part in a really fun and exciting learning experience.

They were able to switch off, get up close and connect with nature and each other.

The time spent together ‘Discovering Landscapes’ at Compton Bay was a perfect way to enhance emotional wellbeing and mental health while enjoying the fantastic coastline views.

We took photos

The Heritage Coast-to-Coast project (pdf 412kB) uses the great outdoors to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.

Heritage Coast First Event Report

Discovering Landscapes Heritage ‘Coast to Coast’ Tennyson Heritage Coast - Compton Bay

Equals IW Friends and Family Group recently joined Kathy to explore and discover life on the water’s edge at Compton Bay.

Kathy is a Nature Connector which is someone who helps people enjoy and understand nature. They guide activities that help people feel closer to the natural world, through fun, learning and creativity.

The group had the challenge of finding dinosaur footprints and fossils and created sand art using natural materials.

They enthusiastically explored the geology of Compton Bay with its different colours. They also took part in sensory activities to connect with nature.

During a late afternoon exceptionally low spring tide they investigated the natural resources of the beach including the rock pool creatures.

The group came together and gathered different coloured clays from the cliffs to make paint. Some added green colour from plantains growing on the cliffs. These natural materials were used to create beautiful artwork on fabric.

The session was interactive, creative and a fun way to learn.  It gave people the chance to relax, learn and enjoy nature together. The time at Compton Bay was a great way to feel better, connect with others and take in the stunning coastline views.

We took photos

The Heritage Coast-to-Coast project (pdf 412kB) uses the great outdoors to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.

Compton Beach Heritage Coast Trail April 2025

Join the Equals IW Friends and Family Group with Kathy to explore and discover the cliff coastline. Learn about the bird, butterfly and plant species found on the coast.

• Sunday 13th April 2025
• 4pm to 6pm
• Meeting Point: Compton Beach Car Park, Military Road, PO30 4HB
• What3Words: loitering.estimated.error
• Parking: Free

On Compton Beach we will explore the rock pools, sea life and seaweeds.

We will safely make charcoal on an open beach fire and use it in the creative session with Gina to make mixed media pictures.

We may also have time to create a collage using items such as shells found on the beach.

Using  oils, pastels, crayons and coloured pencils we will create sketches of the items, land and seascapes at Compton Bay.

Exploring Compton Bay during a spring low tide will be very interactive, creative and hands-on. You will experience a really fun and exciting learning opportunity while  switching off and connecting with nature and each other.

A perfect way to enhance your emotional wellbeing and mental health whilst enjoying the fantastic coastline views.

Please bring a beach towel to dry your feet after rock pooling.

Text or call Mark today and book your place on 0785 485 2518.

We have a flyer. (pdf 540kB)

The Heritage Coast-to-Coast project (pdf  412kB) uses the great outdoors to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.

Green Time Food and Mood

The Equals IW Friends and Family Group recently came together at the Snacks and Ladders Board Game Café and Eatery.

The evening co-ordinated by Niviera let the group meet, talk and catch up in a safe environment.

Everyone enjoyed the time together in friendship, boosting one another’s mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Refreshments were supported through the Green Time, Food and Mood programme.

This element of the programme focuses on the importance of how what we eat affects how we feel, our behaviour, attitude, and our physical health and emotional wellbeing, which ultimately defines who we are. 

Niviera shares “I hope our get together last night will have positive results and strengthen our family friendship bonding”.

We took photos

Green Time is a fun, informal way of participating in activities to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.

Green Time 2024 Autumn Rookley Walk

The Autumn Walk ended a third successful year of walks. The Equals IW Friends and Family Group recently came together to take part in the final Green Time Walk of 2024 the Rookley and Roslin Walk. Friends joined Mark who led this beautiful circular walk, leaving Rookley Village to walk down Bunkers Lane and on through Bunkers Copse.

We walked down the path passing a large field full of sheep and onto the marsh field that was very wet. We were faced with a challenge to work out a dry route to the stream bridge. Crossing the River Medina at the bottom of the valley we walked up hill to Loverstone Farm for a well-earned short break.

From there we climbed the short hill to view the surrounding countryside in the warm autumn sunshine and walked on to Ramsdown Farm. Here the walk re-joined the country lane to on to Rookley Farm to find an autumn coloured leafed wall for a fun photo opportunity.

We took the path back to Rookley Village to successfully complete the circular walk 

4.5 miles –7.2km, 473 Kcal being burnt and 10,215 steps taken.

Mark, who is the Green Time Co-ordinator is delighted to share the Green Time Walks will be returning in spring 2025 for a fourth season of walks. Next year walks will give an opportunity to explore even more different areas of the natural outstanding beautiful countryside of the Isle of Wight. 

We took photos

Green Time a fun, informal way using the great outdoors to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health. The Green Time Walks are a partnership programme between Equals IW, MCEnhancement, Isle of Wight Council Mental Health Alliance and Gift To Nature.

Green Time Redway Loop Walk 2024

Friends form Equals IW Friends and Family Group joined Mark at Merstone Community Orchard and Railway Station to take part in a Redway Loop. The site is managed by Gift to Nature.

We were delighted to have a new friend join us for this walk along with Sandy and Jo from Healthwatch Isle of Wight. While walking the group discussed concerns about health and social care services on the Isle of Wight.

The walk started by exploring and learning about the Community Orchard and the heritage of the old railway station. The orchard is home to a range of wildflowers, fruit trees and the blossom provides a early source of nectar.

Mark lead the beautiful circular walk taking the country lane and woodland pathway to Redway. They continued round a field planted with sweetcorn and country fields to Horringford. The group then returned to Merstone Old Railway Station and the Community Orchard along the old railway line which is now a hard-packed cycle track.

The final Green Time Walk for 2024 is taking place on Sunday 13th October 2024 between 2pm and 5pm. More details soon.

We took photos

The Green Time Walk easy circular walk covered 5km (3 .2 miles) and participants burnt 289 Kcal taking 6,900 steps.

Green Time a fun, informal way using the great outdoors to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.

Green Time Island Day Out 2024

Friends from the Equals IW Friends and Family Group left their cars at home and made their way by bus to Newport Bus Station. After taking the bus to Ryde Interchange they hopped onto the Island Coaster to follow the eastern shoreline  to Bembridge, Sandown, Lake and Shanklin. The group travelled on the south side of the island through Ventnor, Whitwell and Chale . The bus then cruised west along the Military Road towards Freshwater and the iconic Needles Landmark attraction at Alum Bay where they had a picnic lunch.

After the lunch they caught the Needles Breezer. This is considered one of the most spectacular open top bus rides in England and normally has views that would simply take your breath away. But on this occasion the views from the cliff ride from Alum Bay up to the Needles Battery.were hidden behind low cloud and heavy mist. More typical of an autumn or winter day rather than a mid-summer day in July.

The route took the group through the beautiful and charming town of Yarmouth with its harbour and normally stunning views of Tennyson Down. Once back at Alum Bay they explored the Needles Landmark attraction. Due to the poor weather the group decided not to take the pleasure boat from the jetty for a close-up view of the Needles Rocks and Lighthouse with panoramic views of the coloured sands of the Alum Bay cliffs.

We hope to return next year as part of the Green Time programme to take the boat trip.

The return bus journey took the group through the pretty countryside and villages of the West Wight back to Newport Bus Station. Sadly the sights could not be seen from the bus due to the rain. We all made the best of the British summer weather and enjoyed a lovely day together in friendship touring on the buses together.

We took more pictures

Green Time - enhances positive emotional wellbeing, self confidence, self esteem and mental health.

Green Time Afternoon Tea and Summer Walk at the IW Garlic Farm

Equals IW Friends and Family Group recently visited the Garlic Farm for afternoon home made cream tea as part of the Green Time series of events.

Group members explored the farm shop which was a treasure trove of garlicky goodness and local delights. They sampled garlic inspired tasters from the family-run business.

The group discovered the history of the farm and its archaeological finds. They learnt how garlic came to the Isle of Wight, how to grow it and garlic health facts.

Two younger group members enjoyed a large lawn with play equipment and lots of space for running.

Mark who is the Green Time Project Coordinator led a circular walk through the beautiful woodland. Group members had fun collecting pine cones with the idea of using them to make decorations. The visitors delighted in discovering the natural habitat teeming with birds, animals, insects, and wildflowers that thrive alongside the farmed crops. The group paused to admire the wild meadow in full bloom, a haven for resident bees, and enjoyed meeting the friendly farm goats. Ruth spotted and took photos of a wild rabbit and Niviera spotted a red squirrel and captured it on video. It was a delight to be up close with nature.

While roaming the group encountered Colin Boswell who is the owner of the Garlic Farm. He runs it with his wife, children, and extended family.

Colin was out walking with his dog and shared fascinating insights about the trees explaining how to collect seeds from pine cones to grow your own. He also discussed some archaeological finds as he headed to explore a local field. Colin took an interest in the group, asking where we were from, and we shared details about the Green Time Project.

The group celebrated Jayne’s birthday and were treated to Cece’s home baking by enjoying a slice of Monkey Bread*.

We took photos

Green Time is a fun, informal way of using the great outdoors to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.

*Monkey Bread is a type of pull-apart bread that is often sweet and sticky. It's typically made from balls of dough coated in butter, cinnamon, and sugar, then baked together in a ring-shaped bundt pan. The balls of dough can be pulled apart easily, making it a fun and shareable treat. Some variations include adding nuts, raisins, or a glaze on top.

Final Multiply - Green Time Walk

The Equals IW Friends and Family Group visited Merstone Railway Station Community Orchard which is a Gift to Nature site.

The event was the successful culmination to a three year programme of "Walks with a Splash of Fun Maths" held in partnership with Mark from MCEnhancement.

Group members joined Mark to explore and learn all about the Community Orchard and heritage of the old railway station. The Community Orchard is home to a range of wildflowers and fruit trees with their blossom providing a great source of early nectar.

The group enjoyed taking part in some fun maths learning about "Areas" before joining Mark on a short walk along the old railway line, now known as the Red Squirrel Trail. They returned back to enjoy a picnic in the late afternoon warm sunshine at the Community Orchard.

We took photos

The Green Time Walks will continue throughout 2024.

Green Time - Multiply is a way of developing maths skills in a fun, informal way by using the great outdoors to enhance positive emotional wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem and mental health.

Equals IW Groups

As part of the aim to support equality and diversity on the Isle of Wight, Equals IW offers a Ladies group for women including women of ethnic backgrounds.

For a real cultural diversity experience come and join our Ladies Group. The group provides a welcoming place to women of both minority and majority ethnic background. Come and make new friends, get advice and find support. You can take part in fun activities and maybe participate in some training.

Equals IW also offers a  Friends and Family Group which is open to adults of all ages, children accompanied by parents or responsible adult, family members and friends. Some this groups activities will be open also to the general public..  

The groups have taken part in

• Carnivals and arts parade
• The Kite Festival
• Cultural and Diversity Events
• Art and Craft fun Activities
• Information Technology Training
• Food Hygiene Training
• Cooking Courses at the Isle of Wight College
• Culture Kitchen
• Back to Work Training
• Private Swimming Sessions

Please contact us to find out more.

Updated February 2023