The Corrin Memorial Home in Peel will celebrate it’s 60th anniversary on Saturday (May 28).
The home will also be marking the opening of it’s sensory garden.
Celebrations will run from 1pm until 4pm and include afternoon tea, face painting, a bouncy castle, teddy bear-making, candy floss and donuts as well as other fun and games.
A man attacked an island visitor in a Douglas nightclub after he objected to being lifted up, a magistrates’ court was told.
Neil Patrick Brogan, of Somerset Road, Douglas, admitted disorderly behaviour on licensed premises after the March 27 or 28 incident in the Outback.
An earlier charge of assault causing actual bodily harm was withdrawn.
James Robinson for the prosecution, said the club was packed with people following the Easter Athletics Festival, when Brogan picked up the other man, lifting him clear of the ground and squeezed him, ‘acting aggressively’.
A little later, Brogan was confronted in a corridor near to the downstairs bar area by the victim who told him: ‘You grabbbed me and restricted my breathing.’
The defendant said he was ‘only playing’ and enquired if the victim had a problem, Mr Robinson said.
At this point, Brogan ‘ran at the other man, with his chest puffed out’ and punched him to the ground.
The victim reported the incident to nightclub staff and pointed out Brogan who was then frog-marched from the premises and arrested by police.
At the police station, Brogan said there had been no altercation and denied making any contact with the victim but admitted swinging a punch towards the other man. He told police he did it because he had felt threatened.
The 35-year-old’s advocate, Jim Travers, said the victim had been an invited guest at the club and the defendant, himself a keen fell runner, was there with his wife who was also a runner.
‘The premises were packed and the dance floor, in particular was packed with guests and patrons,’ he said.
‘There was jostling and high jinks on the dance floor.
‘He might have lifted the man up partly to create some space on the floor,’ he said.
‘To him, it was not an incident. There had been drinking games and it was a rowdy but good atmosphere.’
He said the defendant was alone when he had been approached by a friend of the man on the dance floor and suddenly found himself surrounded by three strangers.
‘He did not recall the dance floor incident and he feared - and this could have been a misapprehension - that might be assaulted. He responded negatively then others intervened. It’s regrettable that his reaction was one of throwing a punch,’ he said.
Sentencing him, Magistrates’ chairman John Hellowell told him: ‘It was a foolish act, and I think you know that in hindsight. You should have walked away and you chose not to.’
He was fined £600 and ordered to pay £125 costs and £100 compensation to the victim.
A woman has been sent to prison after failing to carry out any of a 200-hour community service order.
Stephanie Marie Newton, of Edremony Estate, Port Erin, had her work place transferred to the south of the island to save her going to Douglas but still didn’t bother to turn up for appointments, failed to get in touch to explain her abseneces, responded neither to letters nor telephone calls and was described as having a ‘dismissive attitude’ to the sentence.
Newton, who is 30, even accounted for one of her absences simply by saying she ‘forgot’.
Newton was sentenced to community service in March for an affray, committed in Port Erin last August during the Manx Grand Prix.
The court heard she was out drinking, first in the Cherry Orchard then in the Haven. At around 12.30am, after leaving the pub to return home, she was caught with a man in the doorway of Darnill’s shop and a row erupted.
During the scuffle, punches were thrown and the defendant ended up on the ground at one point. She then got involved, kicking another man in the ‘upper torso area’ as he was on the ground.
Newton’s advocate, Ian Kermode, said she was extremely drunk at the time and had reacted inappropriately after being assaulted herself. He said she had suffered various traumas and bereavements in her personal life recently.
But Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said Newton’s troubles were all known to the court and probation service – and to her – when she first agreed to do community service.
‘Your dismissive attitude suggests you never had any intention of complying,’ she said.
‘I’m satisfied there is no alternative to custody and no reason to justify suspending the sentence.’
She received an eight-week prison sentence and the community service order was discharged.
Bales have appeared around the TT course, a sudden and concerted effort has been directed at repairing the roads, the TT grandstand is a hive of activity, and the weather is currently cold, grey and miserable - and that can only mean the TT is around the corner.
The next few days will see a cavalcade of motor homes, trailers, vans and pantechnicons grinding up the hill from the Sea Terminal to Noble’s park paddock area. Security fencing has already been erected around the competitors’ camping, a crane was being used by workmen to put advertising banners on the grandstand tower and, encouragingly, the beer tent is already in position.
Some teams have been present in the paddock for a number of days now and more are arriving by the hour.
The Snoozebox accommodation at the St Ninian’s end of the park has made a return with workmen slaving to erect the visitors’ temporary village over the past two weeks.
The large L-shaped hospitality suite, with its own private grandstand facing the course on Glencrutchery Road, is also now in position ready for the TT and, later on, the Manx Grand Prix and Classic TT.
Last week, the police launched the annual TT road safety campaign which will see unmarked vehicles, including bikes, being used, as well as road safety representatives talking to visitors as they travel over on the ferries.
Today (Friday) the mountain section of the TT course will close from 9.30am to 4.30pm to allow the Department of Infrastructure workers to position cones and put the TT one-way system in place. It will then be one-way until 4.30pm on Monday, June 13.
Tomorrow (Saturday), the mountain road will close for first practices at 4.45pm from Barrule Park in Ramsey and from 5pm from the Bungalow. The rest of the course will close at 6pm, and practice sessions should start with Newcomers’ sighting laps at about 6.20pm. Roads will close at the same time throughout practice week, Monday, May 30, to Friday, June 3.
On race days (Saturday June 4, Monday 6, Wednesday 8 and Friday 10) the Mountain Road will close 9.15am from Barrule Park in Ramsey and at 9.30am from the Bungalow. The remainder of the course will close at 10am, reopening no later than 9.30pm. Anyone still wishing to marshal can sign in at the marshals’ office in the top corner of the hardstanding paddock area behind the grandstand.
As for the traditional TT weather, a meteorological office spokesman said it could buck the trend – for practice week at least.
The prediction is for dry, sunny, warm and clear weather, through the bank holiday weekend and into next week. As for race week, however, the jury is still out.
Ignorance by a director of his or her legal responsibilities can be: ‘Far from bliss.’
This is the unequivocal warning from Alison Kennedy who heads the Institute of Directors’ education programmes in the North West.
‘The programmes offer a range of courses that have been designed by directors for directors,’ said Ms Kennedy.
‘They focus on the essential skills that are required to step up from being a successful manager to being an outstanding director, whether in the private, public or third sector.’
There are two programmes, the Certificate Programme, consisting of four modules, two 2-day modules and two 3-day modules followed by the 3-day Diploma Programme.
Each programme has a related exam and participants who complete both programmes and are successful in both exams are eligible to become chartered directors, the gold standard of company direction.
The next ‘cohort’ starts on island on June 27 and 28 with the module, ‘The Role of the Director and the Board’, tutored by Jo Haigh.
As well as being the first course in the Certificate Programme, it can be taken as a ‘stand-alone’ module.
‘This module is essential for anyone with director responsibilities, or hoping to have them,’ added Ms Kennedy.
‘After attending, those taking part will understand the important role that corporate values play in the development of a successful and responsible business.
‘They will also understand corporate governance and how it shapes the responsibilities and activities of the board.’
She continued: ‘They will understand: the legal status of a company, the different forms this may take and the legal and regulatory environment it must operate in.
‘The role a director plays and the responsibilities and accountabilities associated with the role.
‘The board’s accountabilities and responsibilities to a number of stakeholders and that these relationships need to be managed and considered in board decision making.’
Her comments come in the wake of 11 participants taking the Diploma module, ‘Developing Board Performance’, they will be taking the associated exam in June and if successful they will be eligible to become chartered directors.
All these participants, plus two others who are delaying taking the Diploma, either passed the Certificate Programme exam with an overall distinction or gained a distinction in at least one of the four sections of the exam.
Simon Clague, of Manx Utilities, said: ‘Attending the Certificate Programme has built on my professional accountancy training and experience.
‘It also provided advice on the challenges faced by those in senior management roles, good quality training materials and practical examples.’
First up this weekend is a show for The Barefoot Revolution.
The band will be appearing at Sam Webb’s in Douglas tomorrow night (Friday) and will be bringing a playlist of rock covers from the likes of Blink 182, The Offspring, Green Day and Jimmy Eat World amongst others.
Further information can be found at www.facebook.com/events/1655447488010947/
This Saturday night sees Amber Bar in Douglas play host to the second round of Revolution Nights.
The club night hosted by local DJ Pete Copley plays the best in house, trance and old school.
Pete will be joined on the decks by fellow DJ Chris Quirk of Energy FM/Tempa Knights.
The doors for this free event open at 8pm and it runs until midnight.
For further information, visit www.facebook.com/events/268030026878257/
Making their way to the north of the island tomorrow night and to Bar Logo in particular will be In The Blood.
Their line-up which features guitarists James Craig and Mark Lawrence, Andy James on drums, Dave Brew on vocals and Jamie Christian on bass has in recent months undertaken a fairly regular schedule of live dates in the bars and pubs of the island which has done its job in raising their public profile.
They cite their influences as progressive rock to country blues with a smattering of rock.
For more information on the band, visit www.facebook.com/In-The-Blood-1450594495262906/
With TT upon us and to kick things off, the annual charity band day takes place this Sunday at the Bushy’s Beer Tent.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the event sees 12 hours of live music commencing at midday from Soundcheck Isle of Man, Alex Harris, Fugue State, Powercut, Sweet Revenge, A Little Bitta’ Rosie, Maldune and Psychoholic.
Tickets are £10, available on the door, and all money raised will be donated to Manx charities.
Whilst we’re on the subject of TT and the Bushy’s Tent, their run of TT gigs commences next Monday with acoustic trio The Bird and The Beards who play ahead of Alex Harris (feat. The Other Side), fresh from their recent support slots with In The Blood and 10CC.
Tuesday night sees rockabilly duo Mad Daddy, rock behemoth The Clowns Calls For War and post-metalcore exponents Ignite The Sky all taking to the stage.
On Wednesday it’s the turn of indie, 80s and classic rock covers band Switch play alongside UK based classic rock covers outfit, Sweet Revenge.
For further information on the Bushy’s Beer Tent gigs and in turn the Beach Stage in Port Erin, please visit www.facebook.com/groups/611242239024216/
I’ll be previewing more of the TT gigs taking place in and around the island as TT fortnight progresses.
More next week!
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Steve Leach brings the latest rumblings, murmurings, news and views on forthcoming events in and around the island’s music scene. Help support the scene by emailing leachsteve@hotmail.com
The two titans of Manx cricket clash in the Isle of Man Premiership on Saturday when champions Peel and St John’s play Cronkbourne.
Both teams have won their opening league and cup games, but the Saints’ batsmen have shown impressive form.
In their last two matches they have amassed 543 runs with Chris Hawke and skipper Ollie Webster hitting centuries. Hawke’s 100 against Castletown came off only 60 balls and included 13 fours and five sixes.
However, the bowlers may be a cause for concern. They dismissed the Town for 160, but put down no fewer than 38 wides and five no-balls. A repeat against Cronkbourne could lead to disaster.
Kieran Cawte is likely to be recalled from the Schools XI - so far this season he has taken 12 wickets at an average of just over 13. Also Akkie Van den Berg should now be available to boost the attack.
The Douglas side had a scare last week when the Schools dismissed them for 131. At 59 for 2 it looked like the Scholars could win, but a four-wicket burst from Max Stokoe and three wickets by Sam Mills ended their hopes.
Stokoe is in great form with the ball. His wickets have been taken at an average of just four each and he is conceding fewer than two runs per over.
The batting is relying heavily on Carl Mellors who has an average of 68. The Peel and St John’s attack need to get him and Stokoe out quickly, otherwise they could be in trouble.
The game will be at Tromode on the grass track, which is likely to favour the home side. Cronkbourne are still missing players at university, but this is still likely to be a close encounter.
Ramsey and Castletown are in the final two league positions, so the result of their clash on Saturday has extra importance. Jack Newbery returned from university to boost the Town batting last week with an excellent 57 and he made 47 in Monday’s T20.
Skipper Richard Jackson has shone with both bat and ball, so all is not lost for the southerners. Seb Aycock was missing with a back injury, but hopes are high that he will return to the team.
Ramsey need to get their full squad fit and available for this fixture. They have looked good in spells, but need to be more consistent throughout a match. On Monday it all came together with that fine T20 victory. A repeat in Saturday’s Premiership could set them up for the season.
Crosby share top place in the table and are expected to make it three wins out of three when they play the Schools XI at Marown.
Last week Danny Kniveton had a great match against Ramsey. He scored 42 not out, took four wickets, held three catches and was credited with a run out.
However, the Scholars will be no pushovers as they have beaten Ramsey and lost narrowly to Cronkbourne. Opening bat George Burrows tops the island statistics with the most runs – 386 at an average of 43. Eddie Beard is not far behind with 217 at an average of 31.
If Crosby can dismiss these two quickly, then they should win. If they fail, another shock result could be on the cards.
MAURICE TRACE
Douglas Athletic completed a league and cup treble by clinching the Paul Henry Gold Cup on Thursday evening.
In a tight and tense affair at the Bowl, the Pinks came up against a resilient Castletown side that, at times, threatened to derail DAFC’s treble hopes.
The first half saw very few chances for either side, although Connor Dowell grazed the crossbar for Athletic while Castletown’s Alex Crawley saw a header disallowed for offside.
After the break the game continued in much the same vein until the decisive moment arrived just short of the hour mark. There seemed little danger when Dowell received the ball near the halfway line on the left flank but the striker burst forward down the wing before cutting inside and coolly slotting the ball through goalkeeper Rob Masson’s legs.
Town pushed late on for a leveller to force extra-time but they found themselves up against a resolute DAFC defence which held firm to ensure the Pinks completed a memorable season with their third piece of silverware to go with the JCK Division Two and GH Corlett Woods Cup titles.
Full report and photographs in Tuesday’s Isle of Man Examiner.
Onchan MHK Zac Hall has gone AWOL.
The MHK, who announced last month that he was not seeking re-election in September, was absent without leave from both this month’s Tynwald sitting and this week’s House of Keys.
Speaker Steve Rodan told MHKs: ‘I would advise that the record will show that the Hon. Member for Onchan, Mr Hall, is in fact absent without leave.’
At the end of this month’s Tynwald sitting, president Clare Christian said: ‘I have noticed that the Hon. Member for Onchan, Mr Hall, has not attended any part of this sitting. Mr Hall was not given leave of absence and it will therefore be recorded that he has been absent without leave.’
Mr Hall has been no stranger to controversy in recent months.
He was the focus of a plagiarism row which led to him being depicted as a parrot on page one of the Isle of Man Examiner. Our story revealed that Mr Hall had copied, almost word for word, extracts from an International Monetary Fund report during a Tynwald debate on securing sustainable growth.
The previous week, Mr Hall was exposed as having copied and pasted extracts from an article in The Irish Catholic newspaper for his contribution to the second reading debate on the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill.
Douglas East MHK Chris Robertshaw leapt to his defence in the House of Keys, accusing the newspaper of ‘cheap and nasty gutter journalism of the very worst kind’.
A more vibrant nightlife is needed if the island is to attract more young people to live and work here.
Chief Minister Allan Bell said a review is underway to see how Douglas’s night-time economy can be improved.
In Jersey, the bars of St Helier are bustling at night. In contrast, said Mr Bell, the vibrancy of Douglas’s nightlife has been ‘diminishing for quite some time’. He added: ‘Single people in particular are looking for a vibrant social life.’
The issue has been highlighted by trends revealed in the latest government quarterly report into the state of the island’s economy.
It shows the Manx economy is faring well. It’s still growing and unemployment is at its lowest rate for eight years.
But the report also shows that there had been no increase in population numbers - growth needed to bring in the tax revenues required by government and to plug the skills shortage being experienced in certain sectors.
Mr Bell said: ‘We need to grow the working population to offset a big increase in the ageing population and to ensure the sustainability of the pension structure.
‘If we can’t get the skills needed either by attracting people to come to the Isle of Man or training up our young people, employers are going to be faced with a difficult decision whether they continue to invest in those businesses or whether to leave the island.’
Mr Bell said he was aware of a number of business that had either gone to the UK or decided not to relocate here because they can’t get the skilled staff they needed.
‘We have always needed immigration to compensate for the lack of natural growth in the island’s population,’ he explained.
He said sectors such as ICT and engineering were seeing a shortage in skilled labour in other jurisdictions too.
But the Chief Minister said there was also a problem in the island attracting young people. Island life doesn’t suit everyone and young people may be reluctant to move here from a busy metropolitan area with a buoyant social life.
He accepted that for young couples with children the island is a very attractive proposition. ‘There can’t be a much better place to bring up children,’ he said.
The quarterly report, which has been published with a new format designed to make it more reader-friendly with greater use of graphic to present information in a simpler, clearer way, also shows that property prices are up slightly, by 0.9 per cent over the year.
There’s been a second bomb threat at Ashley Hill school in Onchan.
It follows a similar incident on Tuesday when some 265 children and staff were evacuated to Onchan Community Centre as a precautionary measure after a threat was received by phone.
Then pupils were picked up by their parents at lunchtime and a search of the school and its grounds by police found nothing suspicious.
This time, 252 children have been moved to Onchan School, and parents and guardians are asked to collect them as soon from the car park where they will be met by school staff and police officers.
Schools across the UK have been forced to close in recent days after a series of similar anonymous bomb threats.
Ciaran McNulty has been named the Football Writers’ Player of the Year for the second time.
The St George’s striker has been in red-hot form once again this season netting 42 goals as Geordies clinched their sixth Canada Life Premier League title in a row.
McNulty, who also landed the accolade at the end of the 2011-12 season, picked up the Gordon Clague memorial trophy on Tuesday evening at Geordies’ clubhouse.
The former Gymns striker will pick up the Golden Boot at Friday’s Isle of Man FA presentations, his 42-goal haul this season taking his tally in the Premier League era to 272.
It was a triple celebration for the Glencrutchery Club with winger Joey Morling and manager Chris Bass Sr also picking up prizes.
Morling was named the Football Writers Young Player of the Year after an impressive debut campaign for the league champions that saw him bag 10 goals and two young player of the month awards along the way.
It is the second time Morling has landed the crown in three seasons, having won it when at previous club Union Mills in 2013-14.
Bass Sr received his sixth successive Football Writers’ Manager of the Year title after another trophy-laden season saw his side pick up the league, Railway and Hospital Cup titles.
His charges bagged a record 163 goals in 24 league matches last term at an average of nearly seven goals a game. Bass Sr was quick to pay tribute to coaches Lee Dixon and Paul O’Brien as well as his playing squad when picking up the award from player ratings panel member Colin Magee.
Stuart Kneen was named the writers’ Referee of the Year.
The former Rushen midfielder had a fine season with the whistle impressing in the 10 top-flight matches he’s reffed this campaign.
The Golden Glove, which was awarded by Alf Rigby to the leading goalkeeper in the seasonal player ratings panel, went to Union Mills keeper Christian Cellamare.
The former Braddan and Corinthians man is the second of the island’s custodians to pick up the prize after DHSOB’s Sam Holliday landed the inaugural award last campaign.
l The Isle of Man FA awards take place on Friday evening. Full report and photos in Tuesday’s Isle of Man Examiner.
It will be illegal for retailers to openly display tobacco products from July 1.
The new requirement applies to all businesses selling tobacco products to the public, not just in shops, but also to ‘on-trade’ licensed premises such as pubs and clubs.
Retailers will have to cover tobacco products so they not visible to the public except in limited circumstances, such as when serving them to customers aged 18 and over and during restocking or during training.
It will also be illegal to sell tobacco products from vending machines and for service providers in the Isle of Man to advertise tobacco products on the internet.
In the absence of open displays of tobacco products, customers aged 18 or over will still be able to request their usual brand or a price list at the point of sale. Retailers will be permitted to display one A3 poster and can also display prices on covered shelving or on the front of storage units.
Non-compliance with any of the new requirements will be a criminal offence and any one found guilty of an offence is liable to a substantial fine and/or a prison sentence of up to two years.
David Quirk MHK, chairman of the Office of Fair Trading, said: ‘We hope the new legislation decreases the number of young people taking up smoking and creates a supportive environment for those wishing to quit smoking.’
For more information visit www.gov.im/oft/tradingstandards/agerestrict/tobacco.xml or call the OFT on 686500.
Ramsey MHK Leonard Singer is hoping to be re-elected to serve a further term of office following the House of Keys election on September 22.
Mr Singer said he took the decision ‘after much deliberation’, having been the town’s MHK for 13 years.
Since taking up residence in Ramsey 27 years ago, Mr Singer has served not only as its MHK but as a town commissioner for nine years. He has also spent three years as a member of the Legislative Council.
Currently, he is a member of the Department of Economic Development with responsibility for financial and professional services, country strategy, the companies, general, ship and aircraft registries, and the space sector.
He said the next government will need to hit the ground running and would need strong leadership.
‘We need a mix of new members and new ideas combined with the continuity and experience longer-serving politicians bring to the government,’ he said.
Mr Singer cited depleting reserves, the public sector pensions deficit and ‘continuing attacks on our transparency by countries whose own standards are questionable’ as major issues to be tackled.
A man with a long history of harassment offences has been sent to prison by the Deputy High Bailiff.
Jonathan Richard Fletcher, of Horseshoe Avenue, in Douglas, admitted three offences of making annoying or nuisance telephone calls and one of conduct amounting to harassment, between December last year and March this year.
The 50-year-old made numerous telephone calls to the emergency services, on one occasion demanding an ambulance then telling paramedics he had toothache when it arrived.
In the very early hours of December 12 last year he made no fewer than six emergency calls. On a separate occasion, he called requesting the ‘assassinations department’.
There was no legitimate reason for the calls, the court was told, but he had ranted and complained about an Isle of Man advocate.
The diatribe then moved on to complaints about police being noisy and his regrets at moving to the island. He also claimed there was an intruder in his house.
After numerous calls. police turned up at the house to check on him and he claimed to be well, but less than two hours later he again called 999.
In February this year, Fletcher made four more calls, two on the emergency 999 number. In one he complained about a dog barking. He was arrested and charged. But despite this, in March there was a further wave of 999 calls.
Seven, mostly unintelligible, emails were also sent to police.
Fletcher told police at interview: ‘I only do it when I’m anxious and I’ve stopped now.’
An earlier hearing was adjourned for psychiatric and probation reports before sentencing.
Fletcher’s advocate Ian Kermode said his client accepted his behaviour was probably upsetting for those on the receiving end of it.
But he said Fletcher had been involved in prolonged legal proceedings.
‘As a litigant in person, when he receives a letter from his wife’s lawyer it triggers his erratic behaviour. He does not have professional representation.
‘He feels at a disadvantage as a litigant in person. He does not understand all of the court proceedings, but he accepts his actions were “unforgivably offensive”, as he himself puts it.
‘He is bitterly diappointed in his behaviour and very sorry.’
Passing sentence, Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said: ‘You are an intelligent man stuck in a rut of your own making because you are unable to control your reaction to events that you should be able to deal with.’
She noted he had breached an ASBO and had a previous conviction for harassing the same victim.
He received 18 weeks’ custody for harassment.
No separate penalty was imposed for the nuisance calls.
The first practice session of the 2016 Isle of Man TT is set to take place this evening.
The Mountain Road will close at 4.45pm from Barrule Park in Ramsey and from 5pm from the Bungalow.
The rest of the course will close at 6pm, and practice sessions should start with Newcomers’ sighting laps at about 6.20pm.
Roads will remain open all day tomorrow (Sunday) but will close at the same times throughout practice week, Monday to Friday.
More than four in five parents with children taking exams this year are offering rewards to their offspring such as cash, holidays and gadgets, a survey has found.
83 per cent of parents with children taking exams this year are putting up some sort of incentive for them to do well, according to VoucherCodes.
The average total amount parents expect to spend on rewards for their child’s hard work is £239, with parents saying they plan to reward their children with gifts of cash, days out, money towards the school prom, games consoles, laptops, tablets and money towards a car.
The research also suggests boys sitting their exams can expect to get higher cash payouts this summer than girls.
Parents of boys taking exams have offered their child £126 in cash typically, while parents of girls have put up a cash reward of £98 for good grades.
14 per cent of parents said their child is already trying to negotiate a bigger payout, with many also saying their child is trying to sweeten the deal by improving their behaviour, such as by offering to make them cups of tea.
Young people sitting A-levels are more likely to be rewarded with “bigger ticket” items such as money towards a car or a computer as they prepare to head off to university, the research found.
And on average, parents planning to offer money towards a car expect to make a contribution of £350, while parents offering money towards a laptop or computer plan to spend £286 and those spending on a tablet expect to pay £203.
A Santon man died during last night’s practice session for the Pre-TT Classic racing, it has been confirmed today.
He was Dean Martin, 58, a long time competitor on the Billown Course on classic and modern machines.
He leaves a partner Hilary.
The Southern 100 MCRC, organisers of the Blackford’s Pre-TT Classic Road Races, announced the death today.
There was an incident at Billown Dip during the 850cc classic practice on Friday evening, involving two competitors and two course marshals.
The organisers said: ‘Unfortunately, local rider Dean Martin died as a result of his injuries, the other rider involved, Jamie O’Brien from Liverpool is described as serious but stable.
‘One course marshal suffered head injuries - both he and Jamie O’Brien have been flown to Aintree Hospital in Liverpool for further treatment.
The second course marshal, a retired competitor, has ankle and shoulder injuries, but is expected to be discharged from Nobles Hospital later today.’
The organisers added: ‘Southern 100 Racing extends it sincere condolences to family, relatives and friends at this very sad time.
‘The organisers are carrying out a full investigation into the circumstances of the incident; the Coroner of Inquests has been informed.’
Following the red flag incident last night during the 850cc classic class practice the remainder of the evening’s session was abandoned.
Beach Buddies is celebrating its 10th anniversary year with a Pride in Mann nomination.
Founder Bill Dale picked up an award at last year’s awards ceremony but that hasn’t stopped him being nominated again, this year in the Charity and Volunteers category.
He was nominated by Onchan resident Ricky Jupp, who said the efforts being made to clean the enormous amounts of rubbish that ends up on the island’s beaches really showed. And he praised Bill for the effective way all the volunteers operate under his guidance and encouragement.
Bill said it was ‘real honour’ for the volunteers to be nominated: ‘We have a fantastic group of volunteers and wonderful support from the public, and it makes Beach Buddies into something a bit special and gives recognition to every single person who has taken part in an event.
‘When Beach Buddies was created in 2006 with just two volunteers we had no idea of the size of the task ahead of us, with more than 20 years’ of rubbish having collected on some of the island’s beaches.
‘In our 10th anniversary year, Beach Buddies is now known as an organisation with a serious cause to be addressed, and the number of volunteers continues to grow, to the point we have passed the amazing figure of 6,000 individual names on our list.
‘And this doesn’t take into account the hundreds, possibly thousands, more who are quietly getting involved by using the “Beach Buddies Big Beach Bins” which have been placed at access points to beaches around the island.’
He said the next stage for Beach Buddies, now a registered charity, is to find a way to fund more bins at access points and car parks near glens, plantations and footpaths, and to tackle the increasing problem of roadside rubbish.
‘We have received generous sponsorship for our bins from individuals and companies, and we hope more will give us support so we can do even more to transform our beautiful island.
‘The target, which we believe is just around the corner, is that we can throw down a challenge to claim the Isle of Man has the cleanest beaches in the British Isles.’
Bushy’s Brewery will be supporting the campaign to save the island’s horse trams with a ‘Tram Tastic’ design to feature on its TT merchandise.
Bushy’s boss Martin Brunnschweiler said he hopes the ‘Tram Tastic’ design, which will be printed on thousands of T-shirts, 100,000 stickers and 108,000 pint glasses, will help raise awareness of the campaign.
The future of the historic horse tramway has been up in the air since redevelopment plans were submitted that did not include provision for the service. The Department of Infrastructure’s plans follow the rejection of its earlier scheme that would have seen the horse trams relocated on the Douglas promenade walkway.
In January, Douglas Council made the decision to axe the service but it was saved after the government stepped in to take it on, but only for the 2016 season.
Martin said: ‘I’m a real traditionalist and love to see such unusual things survive. So many places in the world are trying to invent and introduce new angles to its tourist attractions and we’ve got one about to celebrate its 140th anniversary and we’re discussing getting rid of it, it’s absolutely unbelievable!
‘It was a similar parallel to a few years ago when certain people decided that the TT wasn’t worth keeping and that the 2007 centenary should be the last one.
‘Every year we try and come up with a topical theme that somehow incorporates TT in the title. We had “Top Tipple” with an Olympic style design in 2012, toilet tax was another humorous theme a couple of years ago, and when I sat down with our graphic artist, Orry Lewin, we came up with the idea of linking in the horse trams.
‘The TT design is really just a bit of fun, but if it helps raise the profile of the trams a little, then all the better.’
Bushy’s Brewery also has a personal connection with the trams having supplied grain for the horses for around 15 years. ‘It’s an arrangement that suits both parties. We have a means to take away the excess cereals and the horses get to eat a totally natural nutritious product.’
In addition, Martin hopes to sort out Bushy’s sticker signage for the trams in time for TT and if the future of the trams is secure he would like to create a permanent sign for the historic tramway.
Martin said: ‘I really love the trams, as well as all the vintage transport on the island, and sincerely hope that what is being experienced at the moment is just a temporary glitch.’