By Isle of Wight Observer
Members of the Isle of Wight Friendship Force have welcomed visitors from the Friendship Force club of St Mary’s and Stratford, Ontario, for a stay on the Island.
The Canadian guests stayed in members’ homes, giving them the chance to experience Island life and share meals, while learning more about each other’s cultures and lifestyles.
During their visit they enjoyed a packed programme, including croquet at Ryde Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, a guided tour of Brading Roman Villa, and visits to Osborne House, Carisbrooke Castle, The Needles, Alum Bay, Yarmouth, and Farringford House.
Several guests had studied Alfred, Lord Tennyson, at school and were keen to visit his former home.
Conversations also highlighted the contrasts between life on the Island and rural Ontario. Visitors explained how sheep are often kept indoors during harsh winters, with temperatures falling to -30°C (-22°F), and how farmers can face four-hour journeys to collect machinery parts.
Although they arrived during the Island’s recent heatwave, the Canadians said they appreciated the Island’s green landscapes and fresh air, with Ontario currently experiencing extreme heat, widespread wildfires, and poor air quality.
The visit concluded with a lunch at Monkton Arts, where guests were entertained by folk group, The Watch, before singing the Canadian folk song Four Strong Winds.
The IW Friendship Force has a busy programme ahead, including a visit to Boston and New Hampshire in September. In 2027, the group will welcome visitors from Spokane and Tokyo, before travelling to clubs on the west coast of Canada and the USA.