Ayre duo Christian Penswick and Shaun Kelly have secured the Canada Life Premier League’s monthly player awards for April.

The versatile Penswick picked up the main Player of the Month accolade while striker Kelly landed the period’s Young Player of the Month prize.

The Tangerines won four games during April, including crucial victories over fellow strugglers Marown, RYCOB and Union Mills, to well and truly guarantee their top-flight status for another season.

Kelly netted seven goals during the period, including two hat-tricks to finish half a point behind Penswick in the monthly standings.

Fellow northerner Ruairi Poole completes April’s top three after impressing for Youthie.

St John’s Nick Leung was fifth in the monthly charts half a point ahead of defenders Alex Maitland (Rushen) and Dave Reynolds (Laxey) who round out the top half dozen.

In the overall season standings, Ciaran McNulty has a healthy lead at the top.

The St George’s striker has accrued 41 points over the course of the season and now leads Peel’s Ashley Webster by eight as the race for the Football Writers’ Player of the Season trophy nears its conclusion.

Webster is in turn four points ahead of St George’s trio Conor Doyle, Jack McVey and Joey Morling, with the latter in pole position to clinch a second Football Writers Young Player of the Season award.

Firefighters were called out to an incident at Marashen Crescent in Port Erin at around 9.45pm last night.

The cause of the fire was quickly identified as being a fault with the property’s boiler, which was isolated to make safe.

The person in the house, who had inhaled smoke, was treated with oxygen therapy and is believed to be fine.

There was no damage to the property. Crews were in attendance for approximately 30 minutes.

A statement issued by the fire service wished to remind people of the importance of working smoke alarms, adding: ‘Both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors save lives!’

Christmas ice skating at Tynwald Mills has become a much anticipated event in the island’s calendar but the large tent which houses it carries on the good work with events for local charities all through the year.

To reflect that, the tent is being renamed the Community Marquee.

A retrospective planning application for the marquee to be used for promotional events, charity functions, exhibitions, children’s activities, and leisure activities including ice rink and roller skating, is pending consideration.

Tynwald Mills marketing and project manager Matthew McSevney said: ‘It’s been a great seasonal attraction over the last three years and it’s also enabled us to raise a lot of money for charity. This year we’ve managed to raise £5,000 to the RNLI and £5,000 to the Wooden Spoon which we are delighted with.

‘In addition, generous support from PokerStars allows us to let local charities use the tent for events throughout the year.

‘It’s a large indoor space, 20m x 30m, which is especially useful with the Isle of Man weather. For example, Junior Achievement recently held an indoor car boot sale and raised £1,000.

‘The tent has also been used this year by Hospice, Riding for the Disabled, Volunteers Week and Crossroads Carers.

‘We are rechristening the tent the Community Marquee because our aim is to create a genuine community space in the centre of the island and, in doing that, also help a lot of good causes.’

Last year, charity events together with the ice skating raised over £40,000 for local charities.

Indie Britpop band Cast will be playing at the Villa Marina in TT Week.

The Villa and tinyCOW are bringing over the band, whose its include Finetime, Alright and Walkaway, for a gig on June 4.

In 1995, their debut album became the highest ever selling debut album for Polydor Records.

They have a busy touring and festival season for this year . Future dates include Isle of Wight Festival and Manchester Academy.

Lead singer John Power was last in the island for a solo gig at Amber in 2014.

Support comes from Chris Gray and Joe Crookall.

Book tickets at www.villagaiety.com or call 600555.

A group of Isle of Man firefighters is bidding to raise cash for charity by climbing three mountains in just 24 hours on June 30.

Clio Swales, Mark Cleator, Richie Sims, Rod Clayton, Sam Quilleash and Dave Rielly, who are all retained firefighters based at Laxey Fire Station, make up the team which will take on the challenge.

The group hopes to raise at least £1,000 for the Fire Fighters’ Charity, which provides services to enhance quality of life for serving and retired firefighters, fire personnel and their families.

With Dave acting as driver, the other five will attempt to scale Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England and Snowdon in Wales.

Clio explained: ‘We saw an advert in Firestyle Magazine for the annual Firefighters 3 Peaks Challenge and, as far as we know, there has never been a team from the island take part before.

‘We felt it would be a good challenge as well as an opportunity to raise funds for a worthwhile cause that helps benefit Isle of Man firefighters.

The Three Peaks Challenge is being supported by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, which is covering the cost of the team’s travel to and from the island.

To donate to the Fire Fighters’ charity visit www.justgiving.com/laxeyfirefighters3peakschallenge

The wonder and beauty of the Manx skies at night have been captured by photographer Julian Simmonds.

The Art of Darkness, which is running at the Sayle Gallery, in Douglas, features Julian’s stunning collection of astro-photography that has been inspired by the Isle of Man achieving rightful recognition for its dark night skies.

Julian admits it has taken him the best part of two years to put the collection together.

It has involved him spending hundreds of hours around the island in darkness, from sub zero winter nights with ice on the ground, to calm, balmy summer nights spent under the stars.

The images have been taken at some of the island’s most popular beauty spots, including the Point of Ayre, Niarbyl , Milner’s Tower at Bradda, and Scarlett.

This is evident from the photographs, which are not just of space itself, but also include an element of the Isle of Man’s beautiful landscape.

The most interesting parts of our galaxy are only visible briefly at certain times of the year, and they also appear in different places and angles relative to the Isle of Man.

The task of ‘arranging’ for the Milky Way and the stars to align with the scenes he wanted to shoot took a lot of time.

Julian has been a photographer for many years, shooting both commercially and for pleasure.

He has spent countless hours trekking around the hills, glens and coastlines of the Isle of Man with camera and tripod in hand, enjoying the rich and diverse scenery and attempting to capture it’s variety and beauty in his photographs.

But the techniques and challenges of shooting astro-photography are completely different to daytime photography.

The island has some 26 designated Dark Sky sites, with the clarity of the sky and the almost total lack of light pollution making it an ideal location for stargazing.

Julian hopes this collection will inspire people to take a trip out to some of them on a dark, clear night and take in the amazing views overhead.

The Art of Darkness continues until Sunday, May 22.

The Sayle Gallery, in Harris Promenade, is open to public view Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm and Sunday, 1.30pm to 4.30pm.

A man who handled property stolen by his friend from a Douglas hotel and from a house has been given probation and a community service order.

Callum Duane Clarke, of Fairfield Terrace, admitted handling a stolen mobile phone taken by his friend from the manager’s office at the Empress Hotel. He also admitted handling an envelope containing £85 taken from a house in Fairfield Terrace in Douglas.

An earlier court hearing was told CCTV footage from inside the Empress showed Clarke, along with his friend, 32-year-old Colm Christopher McLaughlin, inside the hotel building.

The same hearing was also told the pair entered a house on Christian Road in Douglas, where McLaughlin picked up two envelopes containing money belonging to one of the residents. They were confronted by the home owner and left, after which it was discovered the envelopes, containing £75 and £85 respectively, were missing.

A police search of Clarke’s house revealed the telephone and an envelope containing £85 in the bedside cabinet. He was arrested and found to have a small amount of cannabis.

His advocate Jim Travers said the crimes were not sophisticated in any way and his client had admitted them.

‘Both of the handling matters were committed against a background of emotional turmoil and heartache relating to his new-born daughter. On the night in question he had not seen his child and was feeling sorry for himself. He had split up from the mother but alcohol and a night out wtih Mr McLaughlin was clearly not the answer. He was drowning his sorrows and during that night there was a mini offending spree during a few hours.’

He said 32-year-old McLaughlin, also of Fairfield Terrace, was the ‘prime mover’ who had taken both the cash and the mobile telephone, ‘before rather slyly disposing of one envelope and the telephone on Mr Clarke, saddling him with them’, Mr Travers said.

He added his client was only lightly convicted, keen to avoid a custodial sentence, and he said the items had been recovered.

‘It was foolhardy behaviour and he is remorseful,’ he said.

Clarke admitted two offences of handling stolen goods and possessing cannabis, all in February this year.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes sentenced him to 12 months’ probation with 150 hours’ community service and he pays £250 costs. McLaughlin was sent to the Court of General Gaol Delivery for sentencing.

An MS awareness event is planned for Saturday, June 18, at the Palace Hotel in Douglas.

To attend, contact Derek Patience, 3 Cronk Drean, Douglas, IM2 6AY by Friday, June 1, or email derekpatience@hotmail.com

The Department of Health and Social Care has reassured residents there are no plans to merge the three practices in the south to form one ‘super practice’.

Colby resident David Corrin first raised the alarm after visiting his GP, who had expressed concern about the impact of the department’s proposal. They were worried it would involve merging the three small GP practices in Ballasalla, Castletown and Port Erin into one super GP practice, with three separate outlets; appointments would be made online and service provision harmonised through one unit.

Mr Crellin said patients had not been consulted and many - particularly the elderly - prefer to deal with their own GP.

‘Whilst there may be an economic argument, the people case is being entirely overlooked,’ he said. ‘To many patients having to book appointments online will be a complete anathema and it is a dangerous presumption by the authorities that an elderly population will respond to the online requirement. There are already concerns in Castletown where patients now have to log in on screen when they attend for an appointment.

‘I feel that this is a classic case of the bureaucrats trying to ride roughshod over the consumer and completely ignore their requirements. They are trying to fix something which is not broken.’

DHSC’s Primary Care Directorate said in a statement: ‘There is no plan to merge the existing practices anywhere in the island, to form “super-practices.” What there is a plan to do is allow the existing practices to share resources, as they see fit, and more importantly provide additional services beyond that possible in any of the island’s relatively small practices. In addition, by getting other services working in teams around the existing practices, the department can increase the number of services delivered locally.’

Last November, Tynwald approved an historic breakaway from the UK station pension scheme.

Anyone retiring from April 6 this year, who has spent part of their working life in the UK, will have to apply for two separate pensions - one from the Isle of Man and one from across.

But in Tynwald this week Speaker Steve Rodan will seek clarification on the claims process - amid concerns that the application forms are complex and ask for details on for example payroll numbers that retirees may well have long forgotten.

Mr Rodan is also seeking to clarify the position of anyone who has paid less than the qualifying 10 years of contributions in the UK.

Until April this was never a problem as the two systems were combined and National Insurance paid in both the UK and the Isle of Man contributed to your state pension.

In his questions to the Treasury Minister, Mr Rodan will ask whether 10 years of UK contributions are required to qualify for any pension, and, if not, whether Isle of Man contributions can be taken into account to ensure no loss of pension.

He will also query why existing NI contribution records cannot simply be exchanged between the jurisdictions to establish qualification and will seek to find out what assistance is offered with the ‘complex’ claim form.

Mr Rodan told the Examiner: ‘Some people have complained to me about the level of detail required about long-forgotten information. It needs to be clarified.

‘You need a minimum of 10 years to be eligible to receive any UK pension. I want to know what the position is for people living in the island who have paid perhaps seven, eight or nine years’ contributions in the UK. It may well be that all is well. I don’t want to set any hares running. But it’s something we need to clarify.’

The application form IPC BR1 NSP, in the section about employment in the UK, asks for the name and address of the company, the dates you were working there and payroll, staff or other reference number.

Your UK state pension will be based on your UK National Insurance record, the gov.uk website notes.

But it adds: ‘You may be able to use your time abroad to make up the 10 qualifying years needed to get any new state pension. This is most likely if you’ve lived or worked in the European Economic Area, Switzerland and certain countries that have a social security agreement with the UK.’

The Isle of Man is listed as one of those countries.

You can find the application for the UK state pension at www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/501316/ipc-br1-gov-nsp.pdf

A ‘cross of crosses’ designed to honour war heroes has been vandalised.

The tribute was erected by the Royal British Legion in Mooragh Park, Ramsey, in August 2014, marking the 100th outbreak of the First World War.

It commemorated those from the Isle of Man, in particular the north of the island, who died in that conflict.

The Cross of Crosses consisted of a large green cross as a base into which more than 1,000 smaller crosses were placed. The vandals snapped off smaller crosses and threw them around the area of the Rotary Club sensory garden.

A statement from the RBL reads: ‘Many of those small crosses had been personalised by family and relatives of the fallen and, as such, their loss is all the more acutely felt.’

The vandalism was reported to the police and Ramsey Commissioners, with the support of the Royal British Legion, will consider taking further action should additional information be forthcoming.

The RBL statement adds: ‘It is believed that the vandalism was been carried out by youths. We would therefore request that parents and schools explain the significance of memorials such as these; what they mean to the relatives and the community and the deep distress these acts of desecration can cause.

‘Due to the extensive damage it is proposed to fully restore the Cross of Crosses by replacing the small crosses with new and to plant poppies around the perimeter of the base cross, a project expected to be completed by the end of May 2016.’

The vandalism happened around Easter but it was only this morning (Monday) that the statement was released because the RBL and the commissioners had been discussing whether and how to repair it.

Anyone who originally made a personal dedication on one of the small crosses and wishes to renew that dedication can do so by contacting Colin Douglas, Royal British Legion Ramsey Branch chairman, on 486311 or by e-mailing RamseyRBL.Chairman@rbl.community.

Inspiring young people have been recognised in a special awards ceremony.

The Isle of Man Examiner will tomorrow have four pages of reports from Isle of Man Newspapers’ Young Citizen of the Year Awards, sponsored by Manx Telecom.

The paper will be in the shops from tomorrow morning.

The Claremont hotel has announced a further £1m investment in a series of new executive suites and an upgrade to its conference and banqueting facilities.

This follows an earlier £2m investment in the hotel during 2012-2013 which saw the Claremont firmly established as the island’s top business visitor accommodation, attracting a raft of highly prestigious industry awards.

Work will begin later this year on the new suites which will each feature a separate lounge as well as a luxury bedroom space. The interiors have been developed by the same European architects, Bernreider, Sieweke-Lagemann Architekten of Berlin, who designed the hotel’s striking new entrance, reception and premium lounge areas.

Guests will enjoy full connectivity with smart TVs, multi-media desk and complimentary superfast broadband from a dedicated 100mps hotel connection.

Each suite is expected to feature a bespoke mural reflecting an iconic Isle of Man image. Work to completely renovate the hotel’s existing conference and banqueting facilities will also be undertaken in an additional phase to follow.

Mark Wilson, managing director of Sleepwell Hotels, said: ‘This investment is further proof of our unwavering commitment to providing the best business hotel facilities in the Isle of Man.’

‘Our vision for the Claremont has been to provide all the comfort of a luxurious environment with the excellent customer experience today’s corporate travellers expect. Our investment to date on realising this vision has been recognised across the industry and we are immensely proud of our place as the premier luxury business hotel on the Isle of Man.’

The Claremont has picked up a large number of quality awards in the past few years, most recently the World Travel Awards Isle of Man’s Leading Hotel 2015, the VisitEngland Gold Award, a 2015 Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor and the 2015 Isle of Man Newspapers Award for Excellence in Customer Service. The hotel has also received plaudits from Bloomberg and has been listed in the UK and Ireland Michelin Guide for the last 3 years.

Mark Wilson added: ‘These accolades are not only rewarding for everyone who has worked to develop the Claremont into such an exceptional hotel of choice, but we also hope reflect very positively upon the wider Isle of Man and its position as an international business hub.

‘Local businesses can be assured that their visiting colleagues, customers and potential investors will have a high quality experience comparable to, and in many cases superior to, other jurisdictions and will leave with a favourable view of the Island’s hospitality sector that helps to enhance the reputation of the Isle of Man far and wide.”

Recent and proposed changes to taxation and their impact on island businesses provided the focus for PwC Isle of Man’s annual tax conference.

The breakfast event at The Sefton,Douglas, saw more than 100 industry delegates hear presentations from tax partner Kevin Cowley, tax director Andrew Cardwell, senior associate Robyn Brewster, senior VAT manager Phil Morris, and guest speaker Charles Coué, collector of Customs and Excise.

In his opening introduction, Kevin gave an overview of the current economic climate and explained that tax is at the top of the international agenda.

Charles spoke about the journey of the VAT revenue sharing agreement between the Isle of Man and the UK, saying that FERSA (Final Expenditure Revenue Sharing Arrangement) is the most accurate method to date.

He explained that it can capture VAT on all Isle of Man spending – on and off-Island, and via the internet – and requires an income and expenditure survey every five years, with Charles calling for industry support on ways to improve the survey to make sure all relevant spending is properly captured.

In his main address, Kevin outlined the UK Budget, which saw the UK compete on tax issues, including ‘tough’ measures aimed at disguised remuneration.

Andrew covered recent developments with non-UK domiciliaries, including residential property and inheritance tax, and deemed domicile status.

In particular, he looked at changes to UK inheritance tax scheduled for April 2017 which will impact the way many non-domiciliaries in the UK hold residential property assets.

Robyn focused on the OECD’s BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) project, which seeks to ensure that business profits are taxed where they are generated, and two key themes of which are substance and transparency – where people are employed, where sales are made, and where customers live.

Robyn outlined the opportunity this brings the island and reinforces what a superb place it is to do business. However, she stressed there was much more work to do, particularly as each country starts to implement the BEPS requirements.

The briefing ended with an update on VAT and information reporting from Phil.

He discussed the future of VAT, including changes that will impact the scope of the VAT exemption for insurance intermediary services.

He explained that CRS (Common Reporting Standards) is a game changer, with more than 100 countries implementing the reporting, before urging businesses to be prepared and encourage testing to identify errors at an early stage.

‘The conference was a fantastic opportunity to reflect on recent tax developments and what their impact will be on the island,’ said Kevin. ‘We use this event to provide clear insight and advice for our clients and local industry into the main business issues of the day; something we strive to do year-on-year.’

The Ben-my-Chree is going into dry dock tomorrow (Tuesday) to have her propeller examined.

The Steam Packet’s conventional car ferry is sailing tonight at 7.45pm to Heysham and will head to dry dock on Merseyside tomorrow morning.

She will leave dry dock on Wednesday evening and resume her schedule with the 2.15am sailing from Heysham on Thursday.

Fast craft Manannan will operate Ben-my-Chree daytime services to and from Heysham on Tuesday and Wednesday. She will leave Douglas at 8.45am with the return sailing from Heysham at 2.15pm, with a passage time of about two hours.

This will mean there is a rescheduling of Manannan’s Liverpool services on both days. Manannan will now leave Douglas at 5.15pm instead of 3pm, with the return sailing leaving Liverpool at 8.45pm rather than 7.15pm.

Passengers on the original 3pm and 7.15pm sailings have automatically been transferred to the new sailings and should check in no later than 45 minutes before departure.

Passengers booked to travel on the cancelled 2.15am sailings from Heysham and the 7.45pm sailings to Heysham on Tuesday and Wednesday will be contacted to discuss alternatives.

MV Arrow will provide freight cover.

Steam Packet chief executive Mark Woodward said: ‘There is absolutely no concern with regard to passenger or vessel safety. However, we believe the noise may be caused by the replacement propeller blades fitted during her recent statutory overhaul by the manufacturers.

‘With the TT period, our busiest time of year, so close and with all our vessels operating at peak capacity we simply cannot afford to take any chances. We believe taking this precautionary measure is the most sensible option to ensure we have reliable services throughout the TT period.

‘We have tried to minimise the impact on our passengers and freight customers by adding a Heysham service for Manannan on Tuesday and Wednesday and bringing in MV Arrow. This situation once again underlines the importance of the significant investment we made to secure this back-up vessel to protect island services.’

A murder mystery evening will take place at St German’s Cathedral in Peel on Friday.

Tickets cost £20 each or £150 for a table of eight.

Included will be a two-course meal with tea and coffee.

Contact Val Garrett at the cathedral to book via email at campaign@cathedral.im or by calling 844830.

Island business personality Bransom Bean has chaired a high-powered discussion on the potential of Cuba and Norway as destinations for superyachts.

Business and executive coach Bransom is a yachtsman and secretary of the Isle of Man Yacht Forum.

He moderated the annual ‘Destinations’ seminar at the 28th Annual Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association (MYBA) Superyacht Charter Show in Genoa, Italy.

One of a series of charter seminars organised each year by MYBA, this year’s seminar highlighting Cuba and Norway was a joint effort with the International Superyacht Society (ISS) as part of the ISS’ educational platform, YachtInfo.

Bransom said: ‘Having been fortunate enough to have visited both countries on several occasions and given the Isle of Man’s identification with Norway, I was particularly pleased to have been asked to chair this panel.’

As International Superyacht Society (ISS) education committee chairman, Bransom chaired presentations by panellists with experience and knowledge of Cuba and/or Norway as they shared insight on legalities, provisioning and navigating these waters, both relatively new superyacht destinations.

More than 100 industry professionals attended the event, making it the highest attended seminar in the history of the Charter Show.

He added: ‘We certainly enjoyed a lively, interactive session.

‘As our industry looks for ways to continue inspiring very special clientele, new destinations are as important as the yachts themselves for owners, their families and guests along with charter clients who are tomorrow’s superyacht owners.’

Fjord Norway—a programme established by Superyacht Norway—provided spectacular images along with detailed information on the region rated by the National Geographic Traveller as one the world’s most attractive unspoiled travel destinations.

Less than 100 miles from the US state of Florida, Cuba is a newly-opened superyacht destination with some challenges including exacting requirements and formalities for its superyacht visitors as the panel of two maritime lawyers and a yacht agent already on the ground in Cuba confirmed.

Bransom told Business News: ‘The panel highlighted the spectacular scenery and friendly reception on Europe’s doorstep that is Norway in contrast to the virgin cruising tropical grounds of Cuba with the very fluid situation that are the legalities and logistics facing the first superyachts visiting that fascinating Caribbean country.

‘For the global superyacht charter industry, respecting Cuba’s rules and regulations from the outset is of utmost importance to establishing a good mutually beneficial working relationship.’

Bransom and his Argentine wife, Myriam moved to the Isle of Man from Miami in 1988. Bransom is now a business and executive coach and founder of Fine Focus Ltd.

In 1996 Bransom, known as ‘the Manx Yank,’ raced 33,000 miles west around the world south of Cape Horn and the Cape of Good Hope in the BT Global Challenge aboard the 67 foot Commercial Union Assurance.

Find out how to harness the power of a still, focused mind in a talk on ‘The Power of Concentration’ by Sister Denise Lawrence, yogi of more than 40 years.

‘Without this power, your thoughts and efforts get scattered by numerous distractions,’ said Denise. ‘But with it, you can accomplish great things. Concentration enables you to let go and drop what is already done. It means to be right here, right now, in the present.’

The talk is at Keyll Darree Lecture Theatre at Noble’s Hospital on Monday, May 23, at 7.30pm.

Denise will be doing a master class in Raja Yoga Meditation at the Hub Club, Thie Rosien Community Centre, Castletown Road, Port Erin, at 3.30pm on Saturday. This is suitable for beginners or experienced meditators.

Denise gives lectures and seminars all over the world.

Both events are open to all and free of charge. To register for either event, visit www.brahmakumaris.org/uk/isleofman or call 626940

A black tie summer ball in aid of British Heart Foundation will take place on July 9.

The Have a Heart Summer Ball will feature live music and a tombola.

It will take place at the Claremont Hotel in Douglas at 7pm. Tickets are £60 per person.

For more information call Sophie on 458320/222955 or Debbie on 203516.

A teenager who police thought was driving under the influence of cannabis has had his case withdrawn at Douglas magistrates’ court.

John William Arwyn Kaighin, of Kerrocruin, Kirk Michael, was driving a black Audi when he was stopped by police in Royal Avenue in Onchan on January 7.

Noting a pungent aroma of cannabis wafting out of the car, the youth’s bloodshot eyes and his apparently drowsy demeanour, they asked him if he had taken cannabis, which he admitted doing three to four hours earlier.

For the prosecution, Barry Swain said the 19-year-old was examined later at the police station by a doctor.

‘As part of the procedure it is doctor’s duty to give an opinion about whether the driver would be impaired, but no statement to that effect was provided at the time,’ he said.

‘He simply says that at the time, the subject had a condition that may have been induced by a drug.’

He said analysis of a blood sample indicated the presence of cannabis but the forensic scientist was unable to give evidence about the possible impairment to a driver, beyond simply saying it ‘can’ impair the ability to drive.

A further statement from the doctor said he detected ‘no significant abnormality’.

‘I can’t proceed on that basis,’ Mr Swain said.

Defence advocate Paul Rodgers said there had been no evidence offered to indicate that his client’s driving had fallen below any reasonable standard.