THE Isle of Man will host its first long-distance triathlon next year, consisting of a 2.3-mile swim in Douglas Bay, a 112-mile cycle and a marathon run.

Tagged the ‘TT Triathlon’, the event is scheduled for June 30, 2013 and will use parts of the Mountain Course for the run and cycle legs, together with the Grandstand area for one of the transitions.

Experienced long-distance triathlon race director and course designer, Richard Wallace, commented: ‘The Isle of Man’s environment lends itself perfectly to outdoor sport with wide expansive spaces, challenging terrain and varied weather conditions. The island also has extensive experience of hosting large-scale sports events with good air and sea travel links and a broad range of accommodation to suit all budgets.

‘The TT Course itself is one of the world’s truly iconic race venues and we will be offering competitors unrivalled access to what we believe will quickly become one of the great events in the endurance sport calendar.’

The TT Triathlon will slot into the island’s calendar of major events one week after the Parish Walk and it is hoped that it could attract as many as 500 competitors in the first year.

Geoff Corkish, political Member for Tourism, Department of Economic Development, commented: ‘We are fully embracing the growing popularity of extreme sports events to generate additional visitors to benefit the island’s economy by working with local and off-island partners.

‘We have identified an experienced team to execute the event that brings together the best of local and off-island expertise.’

Entries open on September 4 and the entry fee will be £275 per individual, with travel and accommodation packages starting at £130 for those travelling to the event. Visit www.TTTri.com more details.

Manx Dane Jess Draskau-Petersson’s Olympic column

AS I pen this, on Friday afternoon, we are getting close to crunch time . . . . . just hours away from the opening ceremony.

The Olympic road race is less than a day away and I’ve seen many of the cyclists out on the course preparing for their event.

I’ve excitedly been ‘Olympic spotting.’ My runs round Bushy Park are increasingly similar to an Ascot-worthy paddock, spotting seven to 10 Olympians per hour.

For me, the marathon day is also looming nearer, considering about eight weeks ago I wasn’t able to run and my being on the start line looked in doubt.

Things have gone really well. Not working full time has made a huge difference. The super league of athletes interviewed in Toby Tanser’s ‘More Fire’ [a book about how to run the Kenyan way] make it clear that to perform well at distance running it is so much more than banging in the miles. It is a lifestyle of dedication to the sport.

Many of them state they could not manage both work and running at their best. If they can’t manage it, how did I persist in believing I should be able to?

On July 23 I ran a loop of the Olympic Marathon course with my coach Noel and sports mind specialist Paul. I thought, this must be how celebrities feel when running with a bodyguard either side. It was great, the weather was lovely and all the signs and Olympic flags adorning the route of well-known landmarks was quite special.

For an interactive map of the course go to - http://www.london2012.com/athletics/event/women-marathon/competition-format/

I’ve had emails from a few people saying they are coming to London for the Games, so this site has good information about where to watch the various events from, including the marathon.

Well, training is done, time to stay quiet, focused and get the job done. I can enjoy the ‘Olympic experience’ afterwards.

I’m very conscious I would not be on the start line without the help and expertise of many people including Harambee - led by coaches Noel, Dave and Nobby - the squad of dedicated and professional mainly under-20 (years old) athletes. Stragglers Running Club especially, Clare, PG, Carys, Phil, Allan and many more who have supported me. St Mary’s - especially Rich and Paul. The body fixers Torben (Osteopath-guru), Rich and Genair massage; my Towie mates, Terry and Max, and many more, including Isle of Man, Denmark, USA and NZ. Many people I don’t even know have come forward to wish me well. I will go out there and do my best to do you proud and to say thank you for all the help and support. I wouldn’t be here without you.

l The most asked question this week: So what time am I going to run?

I had some time out after London Marathon, lost about six weeks because of multiple calf tears caused by my back issues, but boy have we been hitting it since. I have completed about 800 miles of running in seven weeks all apart from three runs have been on my own, but luckily I’ve had volunteer cyclists for company on most of the key sessions.

I suspect that at least 650 miles have been on a four-mile loop around Bushy Park, so I needed the cyclists to keep me semi-sane during the hamster-worthy challenge.

If you want to know more about my training, check out the latest episode of Marathontalk with coach Noel and I (http://www.marathontalk.com/)

l I started this journey in response to my dad’s alzheimers. As the journey went on, more and more people have encouraged and supported me. I had a lot of demons to address in terms of daring to train again, to dedicate and invest so much again, after crashing again and again on the bike. I had returned to the UK in December 2007, more than just physically broken.

I channelled every effort into work and unfortunately was assaulted by a work colleague, and so often felt I was inside a dark tunnel banging my head against the sides rather than ploughing my way through to the otherside. I vowed I was never going to be in a vulnerable position again and worked hard to establish a new career, pretty much turning my back on sport. But life is richer when you take the opportunity to go for things and I am lucky to have had this opportunity to take on a challenge again. If nothing else, when around people that are handling terminal conditions it does make you realise how precious life is and that you really should seize life’s opportunities as you never know when they will ebb away.

Now I am really keen to do sport again and take my running to the next level. I really want to break the Danish all-time record and be the fastest female Danish marathon runner in history. There is a whole world of opportunity in terms of races to do.

Whatever happens at the Olympics or beyond, I am so grateful and so lucky that I have had the opportunity to come back to sport and to love it again.

It may have been a long road with many scars and breaks along the way, but now that I am loving running again it seems easier to finally accept and let go of all the things that happened on and off pitch, and just be grateful that the path with all its ups and downs has led to this moment.

I’m not sure what will happen on the day, after all it is the marathon.

If you want to win something, run 100 metres. If you want to experience something, run a marathon. . . . Emil Zatopek.

l I’m in shape to run a PB even though this is a slow course with quite a lot of random corners and U turns.

As far as I know, the fastest performance by a Danish marathoner at Olympic Games level has been 2hr 33min back in 1984 that gained 13th place.

I think it would be great to try to match the time, although I would suspect that this time would equate to about 30th place in 2012.

The last few weeks have made me realise that I can adapt and improve much more, especially if I address lifestyle, nutrition and learn about this concept called rest.

I know now I am capable of breaking 2:30 one day, a statement that would seem incredulous 12 months ago where only a very small handful of people believed sub 2:40 was possible.

I am grateful for this opportunity, but now it has re-awakened the racing beast and I am hungry for more.

I hope I will have the opportunity to fulfil my potential as an athlete over the next couple of years.

l If you want to follow updates on race day on how I am doing, my coach will be Tweeting throughout the day - http://www.harambeerunning.org.uk

@harambeerun

l The Olympic journey initiated because of my dad. He won’t be able to come watch the Olympics but my mum will watch it with him from their home in the Isle of Man on TV.

I found it very hard mentally to commit to training for an event having vowed never to do so again after my accident in 2007.

I lost a lot of confidence; now whatever happens at the Olympics, although this one is inspired for my dad, I will also be thinking of all the people who supported me. If I were to dedicate a mile to each of you, I would have to do several marathons.

Thank you all for sharing this journey and I hope you have enjoyed following the blog and I hope I can do you proud on the day.

Jess

l The Women’s Olympic Marathon takes place on Sunday morning, August 5, starting at 11am.

Further incidents of sheep worrying in the Glen Auldyn and Crossags area of Ramsey have been reported to the police.

At 3.40pm yesterday (Monday) three sheep were killed and a number left injured from a dog attack.

The incidents are believed to be related to the same dog, described as a being black and a doberman/collie cross type with possibly pointed ears.

The dog appears to be walked regularly in Glen Elfin (Ramsey Hairpin) or coming from an address in the neighbouring area of the attack.

Sergeant Vinny Lund said: ‘Police are appealing to regular dog walkers who use Glen Elfin who may recognise the description of the dog. The attacks are becoming more frenzied with one sheep showing signs of being partially eaten. We appeal to the dog owner to come forward.

‘Anyone who has information relating to the incidents to contact Ramsey police station on 812234.’

There have been a number of incidents in the area recently.

If you have any information regarding this matter, then please contact police immediately.

CASTLETOWN Railway Station is the last remaining wholly-original station on the island’s steam railway network, and thanks to the efforts employee Grant Taylor, the listed building is looking better than ever.

Grant’s work improving the area didn’t go unnoticed by former Castletown commissioner Carol Quine, who has nominated him for the green award in the Flybe Pride in Mann Awards.

Carol said of him: ‘Grant goes above and beyond his duties, often staying late or doing things on his day off. He also spends his own money on things like planks, coal, logs and picture frames.’

Grant only works for Isle of Man Transport as a station master on a part-time basis, so much of the aesthetic work he has done is in his own time.

‘People say I’m mad, but I spend my days off there because I can! I get paid to do my hobby,’ said Grant. ‘I spend a lot of my free time down at the station doing things like painting, helping out because the full-time staff are over stretched.’

He sees his biggest achievement as the station’s waiting room.

‘When I started four years ago, it was just an empty room, but I transformed the place,’ said Grant.

It now boasts a coal fire, and the walls are adorned with memorabilia and old photographs. Some are donated or bought with donated funds, but others are bought from his own pocket.

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

Much of Grant’s work is to give the place as much of an authentic feel as possible.

‘I recently put up the old-fashioned signage and blackboards,’ he explained. ‘I do the odd things, the historical things, and take initiative to do bits that the railway wouldn’t get around to as they’re busy running trains.’

He has also put his gardening skills to use.

‘It all stems from keeping busy between the times of the trains coming through,’ laughed Grant. ‘We now have a large flower bed running alongside the station made of railway sleepers, it adds colour. And we have twice as many hanging baskets as last year, thanks to a donation from Castletown Commissioners.’

The station was built in 1874, with local limestone, and starred in the Thomas the Tank Engine movie filmed in the island in 1999. It made an early impression on Grant; he has childhood memories of the station as his parents were from the town. He is a lifelong railway enthusiast, and his first job out of school was at Douglas Railway Station.

As a station master, he is able to channel that enthusiasm into Castletown.

‘People who haven’t been through the station for a while always comment on the change,’ said Grant. ‘The visitors book is nearly full, and it only went in at the start of the season!’

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}.

AN organiser of this year’s Mannifest describes the three-day event as ‘creative fun for all the family’.

The annual event, started in 2008, takes place at Glen Lough Farm in Union Mills this weekend (August 3 to 5).

Preparations for the music, arts and crafts festival are being carried out by a band of volunteers and are going well. A Manannan statue visible from the Ballahutchin road has been created by Stephanie Quayle Jackson and Darren Jackson, and is located on the festival site.

Organisers believe this year’s festival will be bigger than ever.

Heidi Danaher, said: ‘Mannifest is a unique festival which only happens once a year here on the island. There’s no added costs of getting away and its improving year on year as we are totally dedicated to making it a success and putting the island on the UK festival circuit. We featured in the UK What’s On Festival Guide and have seen a growing number of bookings from visitors. Each year there are new artistic creations, more bands wanting to join in the fun and we believe there is something for everyone.’

A big plus is that the event is free for under 13s accompanied by an adult who can enjoy numerous activities, such as bouncy castles, rides and zorbing. This is in addition to the arts and crafts area and circus tents.

The event has been described as a ‘unique opportunity to see something different, with a whole range of creative fun for all the family’.

Heidi said: ‘Mannifest is a family friendly festival and we understand that children want to just play and have fun without parents having to dig into their pockets every 10 minutes when their little one wants to go on a ride, again, and again. We delight in seeing happy smiling faces and want the next generation to experience a sense of abundance at Mannifest. In the current economic climate that’s a message we certainly want to inspire in our young.’

There will be a mixture of different genres of music catering for all ages, from blues, soul, funk, dance, reggae and ska. There will also be nightly fire shows plus fireworks on Saturday.

The organisers have taken on board the feedback from members of the public via its Facebook site and improved campsite facilities and security.

The main backer behind the event is Bedouin Wealth Management in Hills Meadow, Douglas, other people who are involved include Okell’s beer and the Manx Cider Company, charities, artists and performers, therapists and yoga teachers, food outlets, Soundcheck youth project and Yarn Barn (which does story telling).

For more information visit {http://www.mannifestlive.com.mannifestlive.com}.

The latest phase in the renewal of old cast iron gas mains will take place in York Road, Douglas, from Monday, August 6, until Friday, August 10, while Manx Gas carries out the work.

It will mean a lane closure on York Road from the junction with Somerset Road to the traffic lights at Woodbourne Road. Diversion signage will be in place until the work is completed but ‘no parking’ signs will not required as there are double yellow lines on that stretch of York Road.

‘The work is to disconnect the old three-inch cast iron gas main as all gas now goes through a 180mm polyethylene main which was laid in the foot walk some years ago,’ said Manx Gas commercial director John Davies. ‘We apologise for any inconvenience this essential work will cause but it is in the interests of safety that the old gas main is disconnected.’

IT’S a case of seventh time’s a charm as RBS International has thrown its full support behind the Isle of Man Newspapers Awards for Excellence.

The bank is once again lead sponsor for the event, which is a celebration of success across the island’s community.

RBS International’s island director Bill Shimmins said: ‘We are very proud of the fact that we have been associated with the Awards for the last seven years. RBS International covers all aspects of the community, we don’t just deal with high end corporate banking, we are dealing with people from all areas of life, from children’s accounts to premium customers, right across the spectrum. We are a universal service provider so the breadth of the Awards fits in well with our ethos.’

This year’s Awards will concentrate on the ‘can do’ attitude demonstrated by the community’s success stories, in line with the Department of Economic Development’s Where You Can initiative.

Mr Shimmins commented: ‘I think for me the Awards showcase the best of the Isle of Man, in terms of Where You Can. It fits in beautifully with the entrepreneurial approach which is evidenced both in the private and the public sector.

‘In these challenging times, now more than ever, I think we all need to demonstrate the embodiment of Isle of Man Where You Can because things are just continually becoming more competitive.

‘What I really like about the Awards is that it highlights for me so many stories of the successes that people are having across a wide range of sectors and I think some of these stories are not that well known. A lot of them involve people who are working exceptionally hard and are perhaps not receiving the profile they deserve.’

Mr Shimmins added that entering the Awards for Excellence could allow an organisation to take stock of what they have achieved. ‘In the hectic world in which we live it’s difficult to take stock of achievements and I think the Awards provide an excellent opportunity for that,’ he said.

Of the awards ceremony itself, which this year will be held at the Villa Marina on November 15, he said: ‘I think it gives you a lift, you almost walk an inch taller on the way out of the Villa Marina because you are so proud.’

l Application forms for the Isle of Man Newspapers Awards for Excellence, in association with RBS International, are available at www.iomtoday.co.im #If you would like to find out more about what entering can do for you, contact Trudi Williamson (tjw@newsiom.co.im) or Sarah Radcliffe (sarah.radcliffe@newsiom.co.im) or 695695 for more information.

CHIEF Minister Allan Bell is a staunch supporter of the Isle of Man Newspapers Awards for Excellence.

To coin a hackneyed phrase, times are tough, and it is important now more than ever, to show confidence in the island’s economy and celebrate its successes.

The Isle of Man is always striving for excellence in every sector and it is this that the Awards highlights.

The Chief Minister said a ‘communal expression’ of the island’s national spirit was vital in these times of economic difficulty.

‘I am pleased to offer my support again this year to the Awards for Excellence which provide a tangible expression of so much that is important and special about our island and our way of life,’ said Mr Bell.

‘Not only do the Awards allow us to recognise success at many different levels, from small local enterprises to international businesses, and in the public and voluntary sectors as well as the private, the Awards also reflect the team spirit that exists across the community, our commitment to social inclusion and the desire for everyone to contribute to the success of the island.’

Mr Bell continued: ‘The Awards are a showcase for the innovation, enterprise and professionalism that has given the island a dynamic and diversified economy, recognised and respected around the world.

‘As the 2012 Awards are launched, I wish to thank the organisers and sponsors, who continue to support the Awards in these testing times. I would say that a communal expression of our national spirit is even more valuable when circumstances are challenging, and I thank the sponsors for their vision in recognising that.

‘May I urge local businesses, third sector groups and government to ensure the excellence in their organisations and in the island at large is recognised, too, by identifying suitable candidates for the 16 categories.’

This year’s Isle of Man Newspapers Awards for Excellence, in association with RBS International, will be the seventh.

The ceremony will be held at the Villa Marina, Douglas, on November 15, and will be hosted by renowned comedian and television host Clive Anderson.

Application forms are available at www.iomtoday.co.im

If you would like to find out more about what entering the Awards can do for you, contact Trudi Williamson (tjw@newsiom.co.im) or Sarah Radcliffe (sarah.radcliffe@newsiom.co.im). Alternatively call 695695 for more information*

AS a company which has been providing investment management services to charities for a decade, Thomas Miller Investment (TMI) is a proud sponsor of the Charity, Cultural and Social Enterprise category in the Isle of Man Newspapers Awards for Excellence.

Thomas Miller Investment has been a core component of the Thomas Miller Group for over 30 years, providing a wide range of investment management services to insurance mutuals, charities, pension schemes, governments and private clients.

‘Since moving to the Isle of Man in 1988, the Thomas Miller companies have received tremendous support and encouragement from the government and regulators on the island,’ explained Thomas Miller Investment’s marketing manager, Laura Bellwood. ‘We firmly believe that we have a responsibility to both support and make positive contributions to the community in which we operate. We have been involved in a number of initiatives over the past few years that have enabled us to see first hand the benefit brought to the island by a close working relationship between government, the private sector and the third sector. Through the presentation of this award, we are delighted to be associated with those who are demonstrating valuable contributions and services to the local community.’

TMI’s support in the community has covered a range of areas including the Children’s Centre’s Out2Play Scheme (a free play scheme for children aged four to 11 during the school holidays) and the Development Through Adventure Programme (a scheme which aims to engage with and support the Island’s NEETs community). In addition, TMI supported the Community Nut Grove Project which was part of the 10/10/10 global environmental initiative – the nut grove, which will include a variety of trees, will be available for use by everyone in the community, a facility that will undoubtedly benefit future generations. TMI staff will be helping to plant the trees in Noble’s Park this autumn, when they are ready to be moved outside.

This year’s Awards are once again being run in association with RBS International. They will be held at the Villa Marina, Douglas, on November 15.

Laura said: ‘TMI believe the Awards are an important way of publicising and celebrating success. It is easy to focus on the negatives and forget that there are lots of good news stories out there. There are some fantastic businesses and individuals on the island and people should know about them – as a community we are not used to shouting from the roof tops.

‘The most compelling feature of the Awards is its promotion of all areas of the community and not just one particular sector – the island has so much to offer.’

A CRIME novel set in the Isle of Man will be launched at an event in the Noble’s Park Pavilion, Douglas, tomorrow (Thursday).

The launch party for Safe House, by Douglas writer Chris Ewan, will coincide with the book’s official UK publication and will be hosted by the Henry Bloom Noble Library.

Chris said: ‘Safe House is set in the Isle of Man, it was written in the Isle of Man, and it’s a thriller that I hope will appeal to all kinds of readers in the Isle of Man and beyond.

‘The book has attracted some terrific pre-publication buzz – it’s being published as Faber and Faber’s lead summer crime title – and I can’t think of a more fitting way to mark its publication than a party hosted by the talented team at the Henry Bloom Noble Library, Douglas, who have been such great supporters of my novels. Come along and join the celebration. It’ll be a blast.’

The 35-year-old’s previous novels include the four acclaimed Good Thief’s Guide titles, all of which were short listed for CrimeFest’s annual Last Laugh Award. Last year he was voted one of America’s favourite British authors by a Huffington Post poll, and The Good Thief’s Guide to Amsterdam won the Long Barn Books First Novel Award and went on to be published in 10 countries.

Tickets for the launch, which starts at 7.30pm, are available from the ground floor counter of the library, at 10 Victoria Street, Douglas, and cost £5. They include complimentary refreshments and a live performance by musician Matt Creer.

{http://www.chrisewan.com.chrisewan.com}.

THE Isle of Man’s manufacturing and space sectors have received a significant boost.

It has been announced that ADS, the premier trade organisation for all companies operating in the United Kingdom’s Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space sectors, will be establishing a regional office in the Isle of Man.

The office will be managed by the Department of Economic Development’s business development manager for Manufacturing and Space, Adrian Moore, with support from the Isle of Man Aerospace Cluster, the Department’s internal marketing team and Space Commerce consultants, Mansat.

The arrangement was sorted out following the recent Farnborough Airshow which was attended by island officials.

Commenting on the establishment of the new ADS office in the Isle of Man, Adrian Moore said: ‘I am delighted to be able to announce that ADS has established a regional office in the Isle of Man.

‘This represents a big step forward for the promotion of the Island’s flourishing manufacturing and space sectors and will further integrate our offer as part of the overall UK proposition.

‘We have just implemented our strategy for aerospace which covers the next five years but which is underpinned by our heritage in aerospace manufacture which goes back over 60 years. Aerospace now forms a significant part of the Isle of Man’s diverse economy with employment growth of 26 per cent in the last five years and GDP contribution up 50 per cent in that period also.’

Isle of Man Department Member for Economic Development, Alex Downie, OBE, MLC said: ‘Space is becoming increasingly important to us as a sector and we are already acknowledged as a leading player in Space Commerce.

‘Having an ADS presence in the Isle of Man can only enhance our standing in both space and aerospace manufacturing.’ Speaking on behalf of ADS, Graham Chisnall, ADS deputy chief executive, said: ‘The UK’s thriving Space sector is swiftly stepping out of the shadow of its older and successful brothers Aerospace and Defence, and rightly establishing itself as a key contender in the global market.

‘Witnessing the rapid growth of the Space sector in the Isle of Man shows that the UK’s ambition to double our current five per cent global share over the next 10 years is a real and tangible target. The Isle of Man is an important part of the UK Aerospace and Space manufacturing and services sector.

‘Our new regional office will enable ADS to make sure that it receives the recognition it deserves, and we look forward to repeating the success in the Isle of Man that we have achieved in our regional offices in Scotland and Northern Ireland.’

OPEN-TOP sightseeing buses are a familiar sight when we visit cities such as York, London and Edinburgh.

Ballasalla man Steve Dugdale reckons it is something we could do with here in the island.

So father-of-one Steve, 43, has launched a new business as a sole trader called Mann Sightseeing Tours.

He has bought an 1989 Leyland Olympian double decker bus from the transport museum at Jurby and converted it for use with his new venture.

‘I am hoping this will be a popular boost for tourism in the island,’ said Steve.

‘This is something I’ve been considering doing for the last couple of years. Each time I go away I see open top sightseeing buses and I felt this was an area where we could do something here. ‘

Accompanied by son Bailey, aged five, he showed off the vehicle which he hopes will attract a captive audience of visitors eager to gain an introduction to the island.

The plan is that people will hop aboard and enjoy a relaxing and leisurely ride helped by a commentary from a team of local Blue Badge Guides.

Initially tours around Douglas have been planned on four days a week with three tours a day. The tour leaves the Sea Terminal and goes out as far as the Home of Rest for Old Horses where a 30 minute stop is included. There are plans for private tours tailored for groups and individuals.

Steve is building up a pool of drivers including retired bus drivers. Steve’s business is being officially launched on Friday (Aug 3) by the Mayor of Douglas, councillor David Ashford, in Nobles Park. Members of Manx Concert Brass will be playing.

{http://www.mannsightseeingtours.com|mannsightseeingtours.com}.

PEOPLE who are planning to change their name after marriage are advised to have their passport renewed before travelling abroad.

The Isle of Man Passport Office says some countries may not accept a passport that has not been amended, even if people are carrying their marriage certificate.

It is always recommended to check this in advance with your travel agent or the country’s consulate.

Richard Carter, senior external relations officer, said: ‘There are so many things to organise when getting married that changing your name on your passport may get overlooked. The Passport Office can issue a passport any time up to three months before a wedding, although the new one will not be valid until the actual day of the marriage. People should also remember to make sure their honeymoon travel is booked in the name on their passport.’

Anyone who intends to change their name after marriage can surrender their existing passport, with no refund for the unexpired time. They will then be issued with a standard 10-year passport, subject to certain requirements being met and the payment of the usual application fee.

Meanwhile, the Passport Office is advising island residents to ensure their documentation is in order well in advance of any planned journeys, as passport processing is currently estimated at seven weeks.

Mr Carter said: ‘We would strongly advise people to check the validity of their passports and not to confirm any travel arrangements until everything is in place. This is a very busy period for the Passport Office, so we would encourage people to plan ahead to avoid any last-minute difficulties.’

He added: ‘People can renew their current passport up to nine months before the expiry date without losing those months and days. Any time still “in credit” will be added to the expiry date of their new passport.’

Additional help and documents such as passport application forms, legislation notes and immigration forms are available at www.gov.im/cso/

A DIRECTOR of a vehicle repair business has called for better regulation in the industry.

Clint Hudson of Panel Craft said the business currently lacks regulation which means customers have no way of knowing if a crash repair, for example, is up to scratch.

In the worst case scenario, he said the issue could have serious safety implications.

‘If your vehicle is damaged you assume it will be repaired by the same process wherever you go and that everyone will operate to the same standard. In fact not everybody does.

‘There are no rules and regulations to restrict anyone from setting up a car body shop, regardless of training,’ he said.

To address this in the UK, a new kite mark accreditation standard was introduced in 2007 giving stringent guidelines on vehicle repairs, even down to the precise materials to be used and the location and number of welds, for example.

The kitemark is not mandatory but most insurance companies insist their repairs are only carried out by traders who have it.

The kitemark standardised numerous regulations that existed at that time and offers a guarantee work has been done properly.

Repairers comply with it on a voluntary basis and few in the island so far have adopted it.

Repairers do not have to hold the kite mark, but since 2007 he said most insurance companies have stipulated only kite marked body shops can carry out accident repairs.

‘We have been in touch with the government because we wanted to make them aware this industry standard exists. It is a technical standard which proves to insurers, vehicle manufacturers and customers that a body shop can repair a damaged vehicle to the original manufacturer’s specification,’ he said.

In addition to this, spot checks are carried out on staff, equipment and working practices as well as the quality and suitability of materials used in repair jobs.

‘This accreditation cannot be bought. It has to be earned and kept. A repairer can lose its accreditation at any time if the standard is not maintained,’ he said. ‘Seat belts and child seats are kite marked so repairs should be too.’

Infrastructure Minister David Cretney said there were no plans in the pipeline to introduce legislation in the Isle of Man.

‘But I am planning to do some research on whether it would be the way forward,’ he said.

‘It is a legitimate consideration that I will be following up with the OFT.’

Would you prefer to see more regulation for vehicle repairers? Write to us at Opinions, Isle of Man Examiner, Publishing House, Peel Road, Douglas IM1 5PZ, email us at {mailto:opinions@newsiom.co.im|opinions(at)newsiom.co.im} or sign in to add your comment below.

MY cousin-in-law Cath – she’s married to cousin Neil – tells me that in ‘The Ashley Book of Knots’ there is an illustration of what is known as the Cringle Knot and it says: ‘A Cringle will make an excellent emergency handle for a suitcase.’

The implication is that it’s no use for anything else.

But it’s something, even though it’s not what a thinking man needs in terms of lasting recognition of his name . . .

For instance, I have always wanted to be like Buck with his Road and Corrin with his Folly and Victoria with her Pier.

They are all long gone from us now but I’m sure that wherever they might be they will be resting easy in the knowledge that their names live on.

Of course, there is the Cringle Reservoir and the Cringle Plantation and Cringle Park.

They are in honour of some other Cringle or Cringles. I have always wanted to make my own way in this connection. But I have often wondered how to do it.

If I was a medical man there would be the possibility of discovering a new disease as did Alzheimer, Parkinson and Crone.

But Cringle’s Disease doesn’t really work well.

Imagine saying: ‘I’ve got Cringle’s.’ It would be like when Eric Morecambe was asked during his and Ernie’s Roman sketch if he had the scrolls and he replied: ‘No. I’ve always walked like this.’

A prize? Think of Nuffield and Nobel. But I haven’t got the money.

Plants might be easier. Forsyth made it with forsythia and Buddle – the Rev. Adam Buddle – made it with buddleia. But I’m no botanist.

What I am is a Manxman and I have often pondered about following Buck’s example with Cringle Street or Cringle Road or Cringle Avenue or Cringle Lane. But Buck, whoever he was, is still one up on me.

There’s also Cringle’s End. But that’s something I don’t like to think about just yet.

Cringle’s Law? A fundamental scientific truth following in the tradition of Newton, Boyle and Ohm? This calls for scientific skills and at Douglas High School I took to science like a duck to orange sauce and was soundly beaten for it.

What about a public house? I have spent many long years on licensed and unlicensed premises. I have always fancied walking into the Cringle Arms.

A bonus would be free drink there for life. But that’s a lot to ask these days, what with the price it is.

But today I am satisfied with Cringle’s Rock sitting in the new edition of Isle of Man plans produced by the Department of Infrastructure.

It is even more satisfying, in my self-appointed role of Her Majesty’s Apostropher General in the Isle of Man, to observe the position of the apostrophe.

That rock is nobody else’s. It’s mine, all mine.

If anybody else wants to lay claim to it they can get knotted.

• RICHARD Hetherington, a regular contributor, recalls last week’s story of the 11-year-old boy who flew from Manchester to Rome without passport or ticket or boarding pass or anything else and directs our attention to the website of the airline concerned, Jet2.com.

It says: ‘Live News: Free Child Places.’

• AT the junction in Douglas of Blackberry Lane and Governor’s Road there is a new little traffic island which had a sign near it saying: ‘New traffic calming measures in force.’

The last time I saw this there was a hole in it, put there perhaps by a motorist’s boot.

It hadn’t calmed him down.

AN independent committee is to advise the government on measures to protect marine habitats off Port St Mary and the livelihoods of fishermen.

The issue was highlighted in a two-page investigation in the Manx Independent, and then in a meeting attended by more than 100 people.

Phil Gawne MHK, the minister for the environment, said: ‘I was very impressed by the level of interest on this issue, and the constructive exchange of ideas between the various groups with an interest in the area around Carrick and Perwick Bays. I would like to build on this constructive dialogue, and receive advice from a committee made up of representatives of these various interests, in time to bring in sensible protection measures before the scallop season re-opens on 1st November.

‘I have already been approached by a number of groups that would like to begin this dialogue, and I think creating a committee, working to a fixed deadline, is the best way to take this forward. To assist with this, I have asked scientists from Bangor University to run a one-day workshop that will give all members a better understanding of the scientific background to the various issues, and will hopefully answer some of the questions raised at the public meeting.

‘This workshop will be open to members of the public, as well as those appointed to the committee. Full details of the workshop will be made available as soon as the venue and content has been confirmed.

After the wettest June on record, July wasn’t much better.

Rainfall at Ronaldsway totalled 85.1mm (3.35 inches), 50 per cent more than an average July.

There were 18 wet days during the month, equalling the July record set in 1960 (a wet day is a day when at least 1mm of rain is measured).

The wettest day was the 17th with 18.7mm ( 0.73 inches ) at the airport.

There were only 145.2 hours of sunshine, compared to the July mean of 196 hours, making last month the fourth dullest July since records began.

Even the best days, the 7th and the 30th, only managed 12.2 hours of bright sunshine.

Although the night-time minimum temperatures were close to normal the mean daytime maximum temperature only measured 16.5 C, 1.6 C below the July mean and the coldest since 1986. The highest temperature of 20.7 C was recorded on the 7th, the only day the mercury rose above 20 C.

The mean wind speed for the month measured 10.7mph, close to normal for July. The highest gusts of 39mph were recorded on the 6th and the 22nd.

Fog was observed on five days during the month, there was no hail but a thunder was heard in Port Erin late on the 17th.

THE Association of Corporate Service Providers has announced that Mark Denton, managing director at SMP Partners, has been co-opted on to the ACSP board and appointed its new chairman, confirmation of which will be sought at the association’s October AGM.

As chairman Mr Denton will succeed Phillip Dearden, managing director of PFK (Isle of Man) LLC, who has held the post for more than five years.

Mr Denton, who has 25 years’ industry experience said: ‘I am pleased to be joining the board of the ACSP, a distinguished body that has represented the interests of the CSP industry to great effect for the last 12 years.

‘During that time the combined vision of the association’s chairmen and board members has done much to advance the aims of the ACSP and I am relishing the challenge to build on their achievements.

‘I would particularly like to thank Phillip Dearden for his excellent term as chairman during which the association has gone from strength to strength.

‘At this time of uncertainty, the ACSP has a vital role to play in helping create a positive business environment and bring resilience to the island’s financial services industry as a whole.

‘Against this background it is my intention to take a very active role as ACSP chairman, bring a fresh perspective and, with the board’s support, to strengthen our dialogue with the government and the FSC.

‘I also hope to extend the association’s reach by increasing our engagement with other trade and professional bodies.’

Welcoming Mr Denton to the board Mr Dearden said: ‘At the heart of the ACSP is its mission to serve as the CSP industry’s voice in its dealings with government and regulatory bodies.

‘As an accomplished CSP professional Mark is ideally equipped to develop the ACSP’s constructive consultative approach, introduce innovation and lead the association in its continuing efforts to help secure the island’s future economic stability.’

www.acsp.co.im