ALEX Eaton won the Schools International 3,000 metre walk in the four-way challenge between England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland at Ashford in Kent on Saturday.

The young Manx Harriers athlete beat British No1 Cameron Curbishley by 0.31 of a second in an incredibly close finish, recording a personal best time of 13min 16sec for the distance. Third place went to Ireland’s Simon Gillespie in 14m 04s.

Curbishley has beaten Eaton for the last two years in the National Youth Race Walking Championships.

MANX Sport Aid recipient and Martin Bullock Manxsport-sponsored athlete Harriet Pryke competed in the Olympic Stadium on Saturday - not London but Amsterdam!

The Amsterdam Open Athletics event was the last competition this year on the European Athletisme Promotion (EAP) circuit of events that have taken place across Europe since May.

Competing in the women’s 400 metre A race she was once again running against her old Loughborough rival, Laura Wake, as well as athletes from Ireland who have been selected to represent their country in the 4x400m relay in London 2012.

In warm, blustery conditions, Harriet, running in lane seven, finished a very creditable fifth in a time of 54.98 seconds, a little outside her 2012 season’s best time of 54.45.

The weather has not been in Harriet’s favour this outdoor track season and has made running PBs extremely difficult, but with the likelihood of three more outdoor competitions over the coming month, she is currently ranked five in the UK under-23 list for 400m and 10th for the 200m.

l The Amsterdam Olympics took place in 1928, between May 17 and August 12!

ISLE of Man youth cycling featured prominently on BBC TV’s Breakfast Show on Tuesday morning when a five-minute slot focussed on the Manx roots of Olympic cyclists Mark Cavendish and Peter Kennaugh.

There were interviews with Mark’s father, David Cavendish, Peter Kennaugh and Dot Tilbury.

Several members of the Scottish Provident Youth Cycling Club were also featured at one of their weekly indoor spin sessions at Braaid Hall.

The slot was shown twice at around 7.40 and 8.40am on BBC1, together with some scenic footage of the island.

Radio 5 Live will be broadcasting from the island on Saturday evening, following the Olympic Road Race.

Among the venues they are expected to be sending regular reports from is Colours Night Club on Douglas Promenade.

Sky TV will not be in the island as originally planned.

FLAGS of countries that don’t compete in the Olympics in their own right are not allowed to be flown by spectators in Olympics venues. But what about the Manx flag?

The Isle of Man doesn’t compete at the Olympics in its own right. Our competitors are part of the Great Britain - or Team GB - team.

Olympics bosses have made an exception for the English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish flags. This week’s Manx Independent asks whether the Three Legs may be flown.

Also in the paper, we talk to the bus driver who’s survived cancer but who’s been told he no longer has a job.

Jemma McGlone features in our main story on page 3. She’s having to have a second operation for a brain tumour.

Hundreds of former pupils at Ballakermeen were saddened to learn this week of the death of former headteacher (and deputy head at Douglas High School) Ian Masterton. We have a tribute to him.

There’s also news about a possible move for TopShop.

And we talk to a local commissioner who faces an investigation by the police after he allegedly broke confidentiality rules.

In sport we look forward to the Olympics and we have the marathon results.

The Manx Independent is in the shops now.

NOT many people in 2012 are au fait with the practice of weaving loaghtan sheep fleeces on peg looms – a technique that goes back to the Vikings – but Port Erin textile artist Lorraine Cleasby is a dab hand.

Her utilisation of traditional techniques and work to promote their use has earned Lorraine a nomination in the promotion of Manx culture category in the Flybe Pride in Mann awards.

Regular visitor Linda Fitzpatrick got in touch with us from Oldham in Lancashire to nominate the hardworking artist.

Linda wrote: ‘Lorraine is an excellent textile artist who always tries to include Manx culture and the community in everything she does.’

Lorraine was shocked to hear of the nomination, though agreed that a lot of the work she does would fall into a ‘promotion of Manx culture’ category.

She is a member of the island’s Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers, and also arts and craft collective Mannin Quilters.

Lorraine, who says she has always been involved with art in some form, was first invited to demonstrate in Cregneash by fellow Mannin Quilter the late Jo Thrustle – who also taught her on the peg loom – and her interest in the tradition has blossomed ever since.

Peg looms are thought to have been used by the Vikings to make rugs and bed covers, and Lorraine has continued to demonstrate regularly at Cregneash, the House of Manannan and the Manx Museum.

On one occasion at the Douglas museum she demonstrated Manx patchwork – designs peculiar to the Isle of Man – to children visiting from Chernobyl, who each took a little piece home with them.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/community/pride-in-mann|Click here to see the other nominees}.

As an employee of the Department of Education, as a supply youth worker and nursery nurse, Lorraine has also had the chance to go into schools and work with the children.

‘I talk about the history and geography of the island from an art perspective,’ she said. ‘At Manor Park School we made a traditional Manx patchwork hanging, made using bits of their school uniform. At Auldyn Infants School we did a traditional peg loom weaving of Cregneash. The kids each made a square and the teachers put it all together. A mammoth task!’

Lorraine is originally from Oldham herself, but came to the island 23 years ago, and has ‘loved the place ever since’.

‘There’s an awful lot of unsung talented artists here,’ said Lorraine, who splits her time and income through demonstrations, workshops, commissions and work with the Department of Education.

Her exhibits have included a hand spun Loaghtan wool shawl at Laxey’s Hodgson Loom Gallery, and healthy relationship with Erin Arts Centre in Port Erin, where her Textilesx2 exhibition showed her experimental side as she mixed modern techniques and fibres with tradition methods.

‘The Erin Arts Centre has supported me an awful lot, with funds, space and venues,’ said Lorraine. ‘I was also at Grenaby Studios for a year, supported by the Arts Council, which helped me to branch out and try things.’

She is also keen to bring recycling into her work, and hopes to promote use of recycled material like plastic bags in art more in the community.

Lorraine represented the island at the Largs Viking Festival, in Ayrshire, Scotland.

The five day event took place in a reconstructed Viking village, where Lorraine demonstrated weaving and uses of Loaghtan fleeces.

‘I also took flags and brochures to promote the island generally!’ she said. ‘It was very interesting.’

Nominations for this year’s Pride in Mann awards have now closed.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/community/pride-in-mann|Click here to see the other nominees}.

Mooinjer Veggey still intends offering pre-school classes at five sites around the Isle of Man.

The educational charity, of which Environment Food and Agriculture Minister Phil Gawne MHK is a director, won the contract to operate at five sites after the government removed funding and privatised its pre-school provision earlier this year.

The sites, at Ashley Hill, Willaston, Ballasalla, Manor Park and Ballacottier, have faced difficulties attracting pupils.

At Willaston and Ashley Hill, pupil numbers were sufficient to run the morning sessions but low take-up for afternoon sessions has put them in jeopardy.

‘Because there are not sufficient numbers being booked in for the afternoons, we are focusing on mornings,’ Mr Gawne said.

‘We still plan to expand into the afternoons if the attendance increases, so it is a fairly positive picture.’

Mr Gawne said the provision at Ballasalla was in essence both pre-school and nursery but added at Ballacottier and Manor Park numbers were depleted.

‘Numbers there at the moment are not great enough for us to guarantee to either parents or staff that we can open in September,’ he said.

‘We have sent out a letter to parents and we have continued to call for people to register with us. If we can manage to make it work at Manor Park and Ballacottier we will do so.’

Mr Gawne added since the letter was sent out on Friday, further discussion had taken place and they had decided they could run sessions on two afternoons a week at Manor Park, which would be any two of Monday, Wednesday or Friday.

Two nursery teachers affected by the low numbers at Ballacottier had agreed to take over the running themselves, he said.

He added: ‘We have had to tell our staff at Ballacottier that we can’t afford to pay them at that level of interest so what they are now willing to do is take on the running of Ballacottier for us following our principles.’

Mr Gawne said the pre-school facility would be run under the Mooinjer Veggey banner and the charity would cover the basic costs with staff pay dependent on pupil numbers.

‘We are delighted they are doing that for us. What we really need now is for parents to register,’ he said.

In February the government announced the closure of its 11 pre-schools, effectively privatising the provision but introducing a voucher system allowing all parents to claim £350 subsidised nursery care, with the amount rising to £1,150 for those eligible for free school meals.

Government claimed the old provision was a post code lottery – those without a facility in their area had to go private or do without, while the new voucher system meant everybody received a subsidy towards the cost.

The changes prompted a protest by objectors outside Tynwald in March when a petition was handed over to politicians.

Thursday, July 26

• MRA Stretch and Flex at the NSC, Douglas at 10am. Friday Ten Pin Bowling at the Sure Bowling Alley, Ramsey at 9.45am. Also Monthly Walk meeting at the Old Grammar School, Castletown at 2pm. Tuesday Douglas/Onchan Coffee Morning at the Cat with No Tail, Douglas. Wednesday Miniature Golf, Onchan Park. Wednesday Visit to the Airport Tower at 7pm.

• Gym time active play for pre-school children, Manx Gymnastics Centre, Glencrutchery Road, Douglas, 9.30am. Call 625636. Also Friday and Wednesday.

• Onchan Pensioners Club, coffee morning, Morton Hall, Onchan, 10am-noon. Also bingo, 7pm. Friday, sequence dancing, 2pm; Monday, bridge, 2pm; bingo 7pm; Tuesday, coffee morning, 10.30am-midday; Wednesday, Onchan Ladies Club, 2pm, whist, 7pm.

• The Dalby Art Group, St James’ schoolrooms, Dalby, 2pm. Bring your own equipment. Call Cheryl on 843471.

• Good News Club for primary school children, Living Hope Community Church, Bayview Road, Port St Mary, 6pm. Email weirfamily55@hotmail.co.uk

• Army Cadets, Scout Hall, Peel, 7pm. Also Tuesday.

Monday, July 30

• Daniel’s Den, Methodist Church, Arbory Street, Castletown, 10am. Admission £1, Call 822374.

• Mannin Art Group, St Paul’s Hall, Ramsey, 10am. Email mailbox@manninart.org

• Onchan Ladies’ Choir, Methodist Hall, 1.30pm. Call 673453.

• Peel Craft Club, the family room, Peel Methodist Chapel, 2pm-4pm.

• Onchan Rotary Club, The Max Restaurant, Groudle Road, Onchan, 6.30pm.

• Onchan Silver Band practice, The Band Room, off Main Road, Onchan, beginners 6.30pm and Seniors 7.30pm.

• Do Drop Inn Drama Club, children aged 10 and above, St Paul’s Hall, Ramsey, 7pm.

• Ayre WI, Grosvenor Hotel, Andreas, 7.30pm. Call 818194.

Tuesday, July 31

• St John’s Art and Craft Group, Methodist Hall, St John’s, 9.40am. Bring your own art and craft with you. Call 851364.

• Onchan Pensioners’ Social Club, Morton Hall, 10.30am. Also Thursday.

• The Tuesday Group, flexible learning room to try your hand at basic crafts, have a chat, coffee and fun, Peel Clothworkers’ School 1.15pm. Pre-school children catered for. Call 614180.

• Computers for Beginners, Onchan Library, 10am-noon. Call 621228 or e-mail onchan.library@onchan.org.im

• Peel Footlights Youth Theatre for ages eight-16, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 4pm. Contact 843819. Also Thursday.

• Cheerleading, All Saints Church Hall, 4.30pm. Call 254499 or email gengym@manx.net

• Isle of Man Chess Club, Belsfield Hotel, Church Road Marina, Douglas, 7.30pm. Call 495097 or email Zahed.miah@gov.im

• Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band rehearsals, Queen Street Mission Hall, 7.30pm.

• Rotary Club of Rushen and Western Mann meet, Falcons’ Nest Hotel, Port Erin, 7.30pm.

• Mannin Quilters, Ballabeg Methodist Hall, 7.30pm. Call 628921 or 628655.

• Ballacottier Senior Youth Project for school years 10+, Ballacottier School Youth Room, 7.30-9.30pm.

Wednesday, August 1

• Peel Belles WI, St Patrick’s Hall, Patrick Street, Peel, 7.30pm.

• Peel Pensioners Club, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 7.30pm. Call 844972.

Thursday, July 26

• Karaoke, Guys and Dolls, Douglas.

• Soundcheck, Basement, Youth Arts Centre, Kensington Road, Douglas, 6.30pm. Also Saturday and Wednesday.

• Ramsey Folk Club at The George Hotel, Ramsey, 8pm.

• Karaoke with Ray Sloane at The Saddle Inn, Douglas.

• Guitar Lessons, Meeting Room, Archibald Knox, Onchan, 5-45-6.45pm.

• Alternative Havana, Fiesta Havana, Douglas. Also, Friday, Full On Fridays.

Friday, July 27

• Mannifest warm-up gig at The Bay, Port Erin, featuring Nick Barlow and The Bad Noise.

• Little Miss Dynamite at The Creek Inn, Peel.

• Ian Thompson at The Union, Castletown.

• Solid Gold Country Legends, Gaiety Theatre, 7.30pm.

• Iom Anti-Cancer concert, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 7.30pm. £5.

• Blues Night at The Pavillion, Port St Mary. 8pm. Call 834932

• Karaoke, The Albert, Douglas. 9pm,

• Thai Night, authentic food and music, The Railway, Douglas, 6pm. Also Wednesday.

• Manx Music session, Tynwald Inn, St John’s, 8.30pm.

• Irish Traditional Music session, The Mitre, Ramsey, 9pm.

• Kiaull as Gaelg, The Albert, Port St Mary, 9pm.

Saturday, July 28

• Mannifest warm-up gig at the Marine Hotel, Peel, featuring Tiger Years.

• Little Miss Dynamite at The Union in Castletown.

• Ian Thompson at The Sidings, Castletown.

• Dave Castro at The Pavillion, Port St Mary. Call 834932 for tickets.

• Alex Berger and Garrison Starr, Working Men’s Institute, Laxey, 8pm.

• Manx Music session, The White House, Peel, 10pm.

• Karaoke with Dobbo at the Decks Liverpool Arms, Baldrine.

• Karaoke at the Central Hotel, Ramsey.

Sunday, July 29

• Fake Thackray, Peel Centenary Centre. Tickets £10

• Ian Thompson at Vagabonds rugby club, beer and cider festival 5pm -7pm.

• DJ Karaoke and disco at Jaks, Douglas.

• Manx Youth Band, Villa Marina Gardens, Douglas, 3pm. If wet in Villa Marina Arcade.

• Music Box with David Castro and Stephanie Chatterley at Guys and Dolls, Walpole Avenue. 8pm till late.

• Karaoke at The British, Douglas.

• Karaoke, The Crescent, Queen’s Promenade, Douglas, 8pm.

Tuesday, July 31

• Douglas Town Band, Villa Marina Arcade, Douglas, 8pm.

• The Cathedral Church of St German Concert, Manx Saxophone Ensemble. 7.45pm.

• Acoustic Sing-a-Round, The Manor, Willaston.

• Rock Choir, Youth Arts Centre, Kensington Road, Douglas, 6pm.

• The What You Want Acoustic Music Club, The Manor, Willaston, 8.30pm.

Thursday, July 26

Palace Cinema

• The Dark Knight Rises (12A) Nightly at 7pm. Daily matinees 2pm.

• The Amazing Spider Man (12A) Nightly at 7.30pm. Daily matinees 2.30pm.

Broadway Cinema

• Magic Mike (15). Friday to Monday at 7.30pm.

• La Traviata (U). Tuesday, 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

• Ted (15). Wednesday and Thursday, August 1 and 2, 7.30pm.

• Top Cat (U). Friday to Monday, 11.30am.

• Ice Age 4 Continental Drift (U). 3D screenings: Tuesday, noon. Friday to Monday, 2pm. 2D screenings: Friday-Monday, 4.30pm

Thursday, July 26

• Tea dance, South Douglas Old Friends Association, Finch Road, Douglas, 2pm.

• Dance classes for children, Centenary Hall, Peel, 4pm. Call 450688.

• Strictly Come Dancing for beginners, Royal British Legion, Port Erin, 8pm. £3.50 per person.

• Irish set dancing Douglas Old Friends’ Club, Douglas, 8pm. Call David on 457268.

Friday, July 27

• Acrobatics, Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 4.30pm.

• Modern Dance, Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 5.45pm. Also Thursday at 4.30pm.

• Tap Jnr, Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 6.45pm. Also Tap Adv at 7.30pm. Also Beginners Tap, Tuesday at 4.30pm.

• Argentinian Tango beginners class, St Paul’s Hall, Ramsey, 7pm. Call 880650 or 324110.

• Line Dancing, Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, 7pm. Beginners welcome, adults £3.50, children £1.50 including tea and biscuits. Call 878687.

Saturday, July 28

• Dance Time for children, Port Erin Methodist Hall, sessions from 9.30am. £2.50 per half hour session. Call 835696.

• Ballroom dancing for children of all ages, Royal British Legion Hall, Port Erin, sessions from 10am.

• Irish Dance Mixed, Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 3pm. Also Primary/Intermediate on Monday at 4.30pm and Tuesday at 6.15pm. Beginners on Tuesday at 5.15pm.

• Stage Snr, Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 4pm. Also Stage Int at 5pm.

• Sequence dancing, Onchan Methodist Church Hall, 8pm. Call 829669.

• Social sequence dancing, Pulrose Methodist Church hall, Douglas, 8pm. Also Monday; Sunday, sequence dancing with latest dances only; Wednesday, sequence dancing. Call 842878.

Sunday, July 29

• Perree Bane Manx folk dancing, Ballasalla village hall, 7pm.

Monday, July 30

• Ballet, Viking Works, Riverside, Peel, 5.45pm. Also Thursday at 4.30pm.

• Irish Dance Prim/Int, Viking Works, Riverside, Peel, 6.30pm. Also Wednesday at 5.45pm. Beginners, Wednesday at 5pm.

• Modern, street and stage dance classes, Rinkey Studios, Mill Road, Peel, from 6pm. www.rinkey.co.uk

• Country dancing, Willaston Hall, 7pm-9pm. Contact 628521.

• Ceroc Dance night, Masonic Hall, Woodbourne Road, Douglas, 7.30-10.30pm.

• Line dancing, Port Erin Methodist Church hall, 8.15pm. Call 436219.

Tuesday, July 31

• Oriental Dance Exercise. Gena’s Dance Academy, Peel, 10am. Also Wednesdays, The Gym, Ramsey. Call 300020.

• Sequence dancing and social, South Douglas Old Friends Assoc, 7.30pm. Admission £1.50.

• Beginners Line Dance, St John’s AFC, 7.30pm-9pm. Call 462104.

• Sequence dancing with Port Erin Dancing Club, Port Erin Methodist Church hall, 8pm. Admission £1.50.

Wednesday August 1

• Ballroom dancing for children, Centenary Centre, Peel, 4pm. Call 450688.

• Ballet, Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 4.30pm.

• Modern Line Dance-exercise class for beginners, Legion Hall, Onchan, 7.15pm. £3.50.

• Ballroom dancing, Villa Marina, Douglas, 8pm. Call Ellis Killey 623414.

• Rhythmic dance, St Ninian’s Dance Studio, Douglas, 8pm.

Thursday, July 26

•2 Connect Art Exhibition at Hodgson Loom Gallery, Laxey. Until August 11.

• Open Art Exhibition, St Paul’s Hall, Ramsey, 10am-6.30pm daily, except Sunday, 2-6pm. Until August 4.

• Edward Kelly Art Exhibition, House of Manannan, Peel, 10am-5pm. Until October 28.

• Friends Exhibition at Garretts Gallery. Unit 11, Kirby Farm Industrial Estate, Vicarage Road, Braddan.Until September 1.

• Ballajora Artists, Ramsey. Artist in Residence Delia Jackson, 2-5pm.

• Manx Motorsport, new Our Sporting Life display, Manx Museum, Douglas. Until September 29.

• Olympic Dreams, new Our Sporting Life display, Manx Museum, Douglas. Until September 29.

Thursday, July 26

• Happy Tots, Main Hall, Willaston School, 9.45am £1 per family including refreshments. Call 621577.

• Rockpooling with The Manx Wildlife Trust, Scarlett Visitor Centre, 10am.

• Storytime for pre-schoolers, Henry Bloom Noble Library, Victoria Street, Douglas, 10am. Call 696461.

• Age Concern Isle of Man free computer sessions, iMuseum, Douglas, 10am-12.30pm. Also Wednesday. Also Thursday, Southlands, Port St Mary, 2-4.30pm; Monday, Ramsey Town Hall, 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3.30pm; Tuesday, Ramsey Town Hall, 10am-12.30pm; Wednesday, Southlands, Port St Mary, 2-4.30pm.

• Step-In for tea, coffee, chat and music, Onchan Baptist Church, 10.30am.

• Isle of Man Farmers Market, at Tynwald Mills, St John’s, 11am-3pm.

• Parents and tots, Auldyn Infants School Community Room, Ramsey, 1.30pm.

• Arbory Tots, from birth upwards, Parish Hall, Ballabeg, 2pm. Cost £1 per family. Call 832394.

• Toddler Tunes, Community Room, Michael School, 2pm. Call 878090.

• Evening tour and Rum Fudge tasting, Nautical Museum, Castletown, 6pm.

• The Children’s Centre Parent Support Group, informal chat with family support workers, at Douglas Family Centre, Woodbourne Road, 7-9pm.

• Manx Gaelic class with Cathy Clucas, Arbory Commissioners’ Hall, 7.30pm. Call 838527.

• Quiz Night at The Railway, Douglas from 8.30pm. Call 670773.

• Bingo Quiz, Manor Hotel, Willaston, 9pm.

• Great Laxey Mine Railway. Until the end of September. Saturdays. From 11am until 4.30pm.

Friday, July 27

• Coffee morning, The Guild Room, Atholl Street, Peel, 10-11.45am.

• Castletown Over 60s Club, Coffee morning at Castletown Civic Centre from 10am to 11.30am. Admission £1.

• Parents and Tots, upper room, Sulby Methodist Church, 10.30am. Call 897364.

• Willaston Weekly Drop In Centre, Willaston Methodist Church, Barrule Road, 10am - midday.

• Drop in for coffee and a chat, Sulby Methodist Church, 10am-midday.

• Mums and Tots, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 10am-midday. Call 479839.

• Tiddlers, parents and tots, Elim Church, Second Avenue, Onchan, 10am. Call 434933.

• Prayers with Bears Tots group, All Saints Church Vestry, Alexandra Drive, Douglas, 10am. Call 483248.

• Parents and tots, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 10am.

• Garage Sale, at the back of Crossroads Charity Shop, Victoria Street, Douglas. 10am until 4pm.

• Storybox, Family Library, Westmoreland Road, Douglas, 10.30am. Also Saturday, Sticky Finger Craft for 6 years and over, 10.30am; Wednesday, Busy Bee Time for pre-schoolers, 1.45pm. Call 673123.

• Coffee and chat, Onchan Methodist Church lounge, opposite commissioners’ office, 10.30am-midday.

• Learn Manx with Adrian Cain, beginners midday-1pm, intermediates 1pm-2pm, Manx Museum, Douglas. Admission free. greinneyder@mhf.org.im 838527 or 451098.

• Onchan carers and tots, Parish Hall, Onchan, 1.15pm. Call 625328.

• Tiny Tunes, music time for 0-3s, Family Library, Westmoreland Road, Douglas, 1.30pm. £2.50. Call 673123.

• Meditation at The Refinery, Duke Street, Douglas, 7pm. Call 467818.

• The Manx Aviation and Military Museum, 10am-4.30pm. Also Saturday and Sunday. 10-4.30pm. Free admission. Donations welcome.

Saturday, July 28

• The Lakeside Centre, Mooragh Park, Ramsey, Saturday 10-12, Michael Starkey.

• Parkinsons Disease Society Drop In at the Palace Hotel, 10am to 3pm.

• Southern District Agricultural Show, Great Meadow, Castletown, 10am. Also Sunday, 11.30am.

• Theatre Tours, Gaiety Theatre, Douglas, 10am. Tickets for adults £7.50, children £4, family £20. Call 600555.

• Laxey Woollen Mills, Glen Road Laxey, 10am-5pm. Also open weekdays.

• Green Centre, opposite Iceland, Chester Street Complex, Douglas. Information about recycling, energy, insulation and environmental matters. Zero Waste Mann, Isle of Man Friends of the Earth and Manx Energy Advice Centre. Open from 10am.

• Coffee and chat, St Mary’s on the Harbour, Castletown, 11am.

• Isle of Man Farmers Market, at Northern Lights Community Centre, Ramsey, 10am-1pm.

• Milntown House Tours, Ramsey. 2.30pm. £6. Call 812321. Also Wednesday.

• Bollywood Night. The Pavilion, Union Mills Football Club House, 7pm. Tickets £20. Cal: 673103 or Email: M=mail@crossroadsiom.org

Sunday, July 29

• The Lakeside Centre, Mooragh Park, Ramsey. Jewellery workshop with Rita Hay, 10-12pm

• Jurby Transport Museum Annual Car Boot Sale. 10am-4pm. Call 426001.

• Animal Magic and Fun Pet Show at the Southern Show on Sunday, 11am - 4pm. Register your pet, suitably housed, before 1pm (no dogs as there is a separate dog show). Registration fee £3. Call 822143.

• Manx Footpaths Conservation Group, Laxey Tram Station. 1pm.

• Fishing workshops for beginners, includes both river and sea, bait, spinning and fly fishing, at Adventurous Experiences lecture room, Patrick Road, St John’s, by Kelvin Tastagh, owner of Kelvin’s Tackle, 2pm. Entry £3 donation to RNLI. Call Kelvin on 478224.

• Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band rehearsals, Queen Street Mission Hall, 7pm.

Monday, July 30

• Parents and tots, Dhoon Church Hall, 9.30am. Call 426395.

• Noah’s Ark Tots Group, Church on the Rock, behind Ramsey Bus Station, 9.30am. Call 459890.

• The Cathedral Church of St. German, Peel Beach Mission, Peel Beach or Corrin Hall if weather bad.

• Breastfeeding Buddies, The Salvation Army Citadel, Ridgeway Street, Douglas. 10.30am. Call 656030.

• Coffee morning and chat, St George’s Church Hall, Upper Church Street, Douglas, 10.30am-12.30pm.

• Parents and tots, St Olave’s Church, Ramsey, 1pm.

• Michael Miniatures’ parents and tots, Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, 2pm. £1.50 per family, Call 491592.

• Vannin Bridge, Onchan Pensioners Hall, 2pm. Also Thursday.

• Onchan Silver Band practice, The Band Room, off Main Road, Onchan, beginners, 6.30pm and seniors 7.30pm.

• MS Society coffee morning, Cherry Orchard, Port Erin, 1.30pm.

Tuesday, July 31

• Manx Cancer Help drop-in day, Lisa Lowe Centre, Woodbourne Road, Douglas, 11am-4pm.

• Toddle Inn, mums and tots group, Port St Mary Baptist Church, 9.30am. Also Wednesday, Living Hope Community Church, Lancashire House, Santon, 9.30am. Call 835091.

• Laxey mums and tots, Laxey Pavilion, 1pm. Call 438408.

• Manx Gaelic conversational class with Adrian Cain, The Rovers, Douglas, 1pm. Also Manx Gaelic class with Brian Stowell at Isle of Man College, Douglas, 7pm. Call 623821.

• Foxdale mums and tots, community hall, Foxdale School, 2pm. Call 420234.

• Abbey Acorns, ages four and above, the Abbey Church, Ballasalla, 3.30pm.

• Peel Footlights Youth Theatre, children aged eight-16, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 4pm. Also Thursday. Call 843819.

Wednesday, August 1

• An hour of popular music, at 7.45pm, St Thomas’s Church, Douglas.

• Parents and tots, Salvation Army Citadel, Lord Street, Douglas, 9.30am. Call 627742.

• Mini Club for parents and tots, Anagh Coar School, Douglas, 10am. Also 2pm at Kirk Braddan Church. Call 675523.

• Ballabeg Busy Bugs for under fives, Arbory Parish Hall, Ballabeg, 10am. Call 429676 or email BusyBugs2009@manx.net

• Mums and tots, Marown Hall, Peel Road, Crosby, 10.15am. £1.50 per family.

• Computer Training Sessions for everyone. Leonard Cheshire Disability, Main Rd, Onchan. 11am-3pm. Call 679030.

• Busy Bees parents and tots, Beehive Kindergarten, Onchan, 1.30pm. Also Thursday. Call 674655.

• Parent and toddler group, Castletown Youth Centre, Arbory Street, Castletown, 2pm.

• Bereavement support group, friendly get together for anybody feeling isolated or lonely after a bereavement, however or whenever it occurred, tea, coffee and a chat, Scholl Centre, Hospice Isle of Man, 5pm-7pm. Call 647443, 668192 or 647449.

• Samba percussion workshop, no experience necessary, Onchan Silver Bandroom, off Onchan Commissioners car park, 7pm. Cost £3, email: sambamann@manx.net

• Manx Gaelic class with James O’Meara, St John’s House, 7.30pm. Call 843436.

Thursday, July 26

• Cardiotone, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, New Road, Laxey. 7-8pm. Also Monday 7-8pm. Call 452729/863602.

• Thighs, Bums and Tums, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 9.30am. Also Tuesday. Call 335635.

• Walk and talk, Harbour Lights Cafe, Peel, 10am. Also Friday, NSC, Douglas, 10am; Monday, Pulsom Park, Castletown, 10.30am and Noble’s Park, Douglas, 5.30pm; Tuesday, NSC, Douglas, 10am; Wednesday, Ramsey Rugby Club, 10am. Call 688592.

• Fitness league exercise class, Ballafesson Church hall, Port Erin, 10.30am. Call 832759.

• Gentle Circuits, NSC, Douglas, 11am. Also Saturday. Call 688588.

• Chair based exercise sessions, Onchan Youth and Community Centre, 1.30pm. Also Friday, Port Erin Methodist Church hall, 2pm; Monday, Ramsey Town Hall, 10.30am; Tuesday, Castletown Sandfield residents lounge, 2pm; Wednesday, Westland’s Residents Lounge, Peel, 10.30am. Call 642668.

• Tai Chi Chuan, Lezayre Parish Hall, 2pm. Call 813222.

• Manx Fencing Club, Ashley Hill School, Onchan, 4pm. Also seniors at Ballakermeen High School, Douglas, 5pm; Tuesday, Arbory Village Hall, beginners at 4pm and Grade 1 and above at 5pm; Wednesday, Ramsey Grammar School, juniors at 5pm and seniors at 6pm , also at Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, juniors at 6.30pm and adults at 7.30pm.

• Southern Gymnastics Club, Ballsalla School, 4pm. Also Tuesday, Castle Rushen High School, 5pm. Call 473741.

• Northern Gymnastics Club, Ramsey Grammar School, 5pm.

• Braaid Fencing Club, Foxdale School, 5.45pm. Call 801832.

• Aqua Zumba, NSC, Douglas, 6pm. Call 688588.

• Pilates, St John’s Methodist Church Hall, 6.15pm. Also Friday and Monday, 9.30am; Wednesday, 6.15pm; Monday, 6.15pm Colby Methodist Halll. Call 427401.

• Western Athletics Club, QEII High School, 6.30pm.

• Zumba, Carrefour Health Club, Douglas, 6.30pm. Also Monday, 8pm; Wednesday, 9.45am.

• Peel Badminton Club, Corrin Hall, Peel, 7pm.

• Aquafit, Western Swimming Pool, Peel, 7pm. Also Tuesday, 1.15pm.

• Aerobics and body toning, bring your own mat, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 7pm. Also Monday, Park View Hall, Kirk Michael. Call 455924.

• Yoga, Cooil Methodist Hall, 7.15pm. Call 494489.

• Fencing for ages 7 and up, Onchan Community Hall, 7.30pm. Also Monday, Andreas Parish Hall, 4.30pm; Tuesday, Arbory Parish Hall, 4pm and Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, 6.30pm; Wednesdays, Scoill Ree Gorree Sports Hall, Ramsey, 5pm. Call 880863.

• Zumba, The Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 7.30pm. Call 425270. Also Tuesday.

Friday, July 27

• Walk and talk, Earroo Nane House, 1 Snaefell View, Threshold Estate, Jurby, 10am.

• Manx ABC Boxing, Palace Terrace, Douglas. Juniors, 6pm. Seniors (age 16+), 7pm. Beginners welcome. Also Monday and Wednesday.

• Tai chi chuan, Murrays Road School, 7.30pm. Call 612305.

• Indoor bowls, Legion Hall, Port St Mary, 7.30pm. No experience necessary.

• Yoga, Morton Hall, Onchan, 6.30pm. Call 494489.

Saturday, July 28

• Pregnancy yoga, All Saints Hall, Douglas, 10am. Call 461461.

• Yoga, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 10.15am. Also Monday.

• Yoga, Arbory Parish Hall, 10.30am. Call 494489.

• St Mary’s AFC mixed under 11s training, Pulrose Football Fields, 10.30am. Call 405859.

• Tae Kwondo beginners, Pinewood Complex, Pulrose, 10.45am. Also 6-7yrs, Wednesdays at 5.30pm and Monday and Wednesday, 8-13yrs at 6pm, all ages at 7.15pm. Text 432152.

• Gymnastics and dance, St Ninian’s School, Douglas, 2pm. Also Wednesday, Call 254499.

Sunday, July 29

• Yoga & Nutrition. Karma Yoga Studio, Douglas 6-7.30pm.

Monday, July 30

• Ladies’ activity morning, NSC, Douglas, 9.30am. Call 688556.

• Pilates, St. John’s Methodist Church Hall, 9.30am Call 427401.

• Aquafit, NSC, Douglas, midday. Also Tuesday midday and Wednesday at 6pm. Call 688556.

• Circuit Training, NSC, Douglas, 6pm. Also Wednesday at 7pm. Call 688588.

• Beginners Pilates, Rushen Primary School, Port Erin, 6.15pm. Improvers at 7.30pm; Beginners Wednesday at Victoria Road Primary School, Castletown, 7.30pm. Call 491963.

• Zumba, NSC, Douglas, 6pm. Call 688588.

• Exercise Boot Camp, Corrin Hall, Peel, 6.15pm. Also Wednesday, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 6pm; Thursday, Glen Vine Church Hall, 9.15am.

• Zumba Fitness Class. 6.30pm to 7.30pm, Zumba Toning Class 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Morton Hall, Castletown. Also Wednesday Zumba Toning Class 6.30pm to 7.30pm and Zumba Toning Class 7.30pm to 8.30pm. Corrin Hall, Peel. Call Sue 230369.

• Cardiotone, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 7pm. Also Thursday. Call 452729.

• Deep Water Aquafit, NSC, Douglas, 7.15pm. Call 688588.

• Women’s self-defence classes, British Legion Hall, Port Erin, 7.30pm.

• Kirk Michael Badminton Club, Park View Hall, Kirk Michael, 8pm. Call 878536.

Tuesday, July 31

• Fit2Go walking sessions, Car Park, Station Road, St John’s, 9am. For ladies looking to improve their fitness. Cost £3 per session.

• Pilates for Horse Riders, Ballaugh, 5.15pm and 6.30pm, Call 465115.

• Pilates, The Hall at Church on The Rock, Ramsey, 6.15pm. Call 491449.

• Zumba, Fiesta Havana, Douglas, 7pm. Email sjh@manx.net

• Tai Chi Chuan, Lezayre Parish Community Hall, 7pm.

• Qigong, Community Hall, Clenagh Road, Sulby, 7pm. £5 per session, Call 878607.

• Body Toning, NSC, Douglas, 7pm. Also Wednesday at 11am. Call 688588.

• IOM Karate Federation, Murrays Road School, Juniors 7pm, Seniors, 7.30pm. Call 612305.

• Zumba Toning, Jurby Parish Hall, 7.40pm. Also Monday, Morton Hall, Castletown; Wednesday, Corrin Hall, Peel. Call 230369.

• Arbory Badminton Club, Arbory School Hall, 8pm. Call 832094.

Wednesday, August 1

• Gentle yoga, ladies class, Gena’s Dance Academy, Peel, 9.30am. Call 456782.

• Pilates, NSC, Douglas, 12.10pm. Call 688588.

• Pilates, Braddan Church Hall, 5.30pm and 6.45pm. Call Suzanne 465115.

• Thompson Travel Netball Club junior training, Braddan School, 6pm. For ages 10-14.

• Valkyrs Hockey Club training, QEII Astro pitch, Peel. Juniors (8 and up), 6pm; Seniors (13 and up), 7.30pm. Call 801802 or cathkilley@manx.net

• Bowling club night, Port Erin Bowling Club, Breagle Glen, 6.30pm.

• Beginners yoga, St Ninians Dance Studio, Douglas, 6.30pm.

CHURCH bells around the Isle of Man will welcome the beginning of the London 2012 Olympics tomorrow (Friday).

The Diocese of Sodor and Man is set to join Big Ben, many other churches and countless individuals across the British Isles by ringing for a full three minutes at 8.12am.

Turner Prize-winning conceptual artist Martin Creed devised the idea, which has been named Work No. 1197: All The Bells In A Country Rung As Quickly And As Loudly As Possible For Three Minutes and commissioned by the official London 2012 Festival - and it appears to have captured the public mood.

The Isle of Man bell ringers, meanwhile, will ring the bells of St George’s in Upper Church Street, Douglas, between midday and 12.30pm to mark the opening, at the time suggested by its govening body, The Central Council of Church Bell Ringers.

Bishop of Sodor and Man Robert Paterson said: ‘We all know that Martin Creed’s project is a very late-planned event and that it should have been thought of much sooner but there’s no point being silly: life’s too short!

‘Big Ben will be ringing from 08.12 to 08.15 tomorrow, and bells of this diocese will be too.’

Find out more about Martin Creed’s project at {http://www.allthebells.com/|www.allthebells.com}

Manx football’s summer transfer window opens

LAXEY have moved quickly to bolster their squad ahead of the new Canada Life Premier League season bringing in experienced midfielder Paul Rowley from Ramsey.

Following Rowley out of Ballacloan is full-back Harry Weatherill who has made the move to St Mary’s.

Elsewhere in the top-flight, Peel have brought in RYCOB’s man mountain of a goalkeeper Stuart Fayle.

In JCK Division Two, Douglas and District’s now traditional flurry of transfer activity has begun with David McDaid and Chris Brown moving to the Noble’s Park club from Douglas Athletic (Police) and Ayre respectively.

Ian Drake completes the list returning to Union Mills after a spell at Douglas Athletic.

Transfers to date

1, Chris Brown (Ayre to Douglas and District)

2, Ian Drake (Douglas Athletic to Union Mills)

3, David McDaid (Douglas Athletic to Douglas and District)

4, Stuart Fayle (RYCOB to Peel)

5, Harry Weatherill (Ramsey to St Mary’s)

6, Paul Rowley (Ramsey to Laxey)

The transfer window shuts at midday on the first day of the league season, August 18.

Overnight on Wednesday/Thursday. a blue Mitsubishi Space Runner Estate vehicle registration number FMN 900 G was taken off the driveway of an address in Bellevue Park, Peel, without the owner’s consent.

The vehicle was driven around and then abandoned in the Kerro Coar estate shortly after.

Police are asking members of the public that would have been around in the early hours of the morning that might have seen this vehicle moving to contact Peel police station.

Anyone with information should contact any officer at Peel police station on 842208, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

This weekend is the Wildlife Trust’s national marine week and Sea Watch Foundation’s national whale and dolphin watch weekend.

To celebrate this, Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch are running a competition this weekend for a member of the public to win a boat trip for two on the research vessel Girl Pat or to win an ID guide and a career consultation with the organisation. All you have to do to enter is to ‘like’ the organisation on Facebook.

{http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=312307965532830&set=a.294194700677490.62749.122287781201517&type=1&theater|Facebook.com/Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch}.

CLOTHING chain TopShop could have a new purpose built store in Strand Street, Douglas.

Stephen Bradley for Kane Ltd has applied (12/00966/B) to the government planning committee to demolish the Leisure Amusement Arcade at 68-72 Strand Street and construct a retail store with associated accommodation.

The Arcadia Group is behind plans for the new store.

Pictures included with the application, as example of the kind of store planned, show a large glass shop front, with a spacious ground floor as well as a mezzanine floor.

Mr Bradley says in the letter accompanying the pictures: ‘The scheme proposed is one of Arcadia’s top store treatments for TopShop.’

The present TopShop store is on the corner of Duke Street and Lord Street in Douglas.

This new purpose built store in Strand Street would place the retailer in a prime location in the capital’s main street – just two doors away from Next.

The Arcadia Group describe itself as the ‘UK’s largest fashion retailer’. It also has 537 international store. Its clothing brands include BHS, Burton, Dorothy Perkins, Evans, Miss Selfridge, Outfit, TopShop, TopMan and Wallis.

WORK to resurface Shaw’s Brow car park in Douglas begins on Monday.

It was originally scheduled for last year but was put back.

It is due to take six weeks and involves the existing surface being stripped away and a new impervious surface being laid on level 6.

All contract parking spaces on that level will be vacated during the work. Consequently, level 4 will be closed to the public to accommodate contract parking.

Paul Cowin, assistant town clerk at Douglas Council, said: ‘It is hoped that by scheduling this work at this time – when the weather should be less extreme so that it can be done more quickly and many users have holidays – will minimise inconvenience.’

WITHOUT good customer service a company will always be on the back foot.

So the Isle of Man Newspapers Awards for Excellence Customer Service category is an important one.

And it’s one financial services group Boston Limited were keen to sponsor at this year’s Awards.

‘We couldn’t have wished for a better category,’ said Boston’s chief executive Greg Ellison. ‘We ourselves have invested a considerable sum of money over the last 12 months working with a number of Manx businesses on infrastructure and technology to create what we believe to be the best service model there is in the fiduciary sector.

‘We are committed to delivering the highest level of client service.’

‘Boston is a family owned business, built on traditional values.

‘Client service is absolutely one of those values as is innovation and being entrepreneurial.

Boston director, Katherine Ellis agreed: ‘Whilst these long-term values underpin our culture, we constantly challenge ourselves as to how we can deliver for our clients.

‘Our investment in leading-edge technology gives us the platform to build long-term, deep relationships with our clients, to understand what they want and identify opportunities for them. So much of our business success is based around our relationships with our clients.’

The seventh Isle of Man Newspapers Awards for Excellence, in association with RBS International, will once again be a glittering affair.

It’s an opportunity to celebrate the successes in our community.

‘The Awards have long been something I have been really passionate about,’ said Greg who, as well as bringing along his staff to the ceremony each year, has used the event to show invited guests from off-island just what the Isle of Man is all about.

‘I just think we have got so much to be proud of in the Isle of Man and it’s great to showcase that.’

But before the all-important night arrives, applications must be gathered in each of the 16 categories.

It’s a time consuming task but an important one.

Said Katherine: ‘There’s a process you need to go through to put together an application that’s a very worthwhile process in itself. It’s a review of what you are doing and makes you think “Are we as good as we think we are in that area?”.

‘It’s like taking stock.’

• This year’s Isle of Man Newspapers Awards for Excellence, in association with RBS International, will be held at the Villa Marina, Douglas, on November 15.

Application forms are available at {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/afe|www.iomtoday.co.im/afe}.

If you would like to find out more about what entering can do for you, contact Trudi Williamson ({mailto:tjw@newsiom.co.im|tjw(at)newsiom.co.im}) or Sarah Radcliffe ({mailto:sarah.radcliffe@newsiom.co.im|sarah.radcliffe(at)newsiom.co.im}) or 695695 for more information.