Peel’s RNLI lifeboat all-weather lifeboat Ruby Clery was launched at 9pm last night (Tuesday) after responding to a Mayday call to help a yacht with engine problems.
‘Skua’ was on passage to Peel, around two to three miles northwest of the Manx port.
On arrival at the yacht, the engine was restarted by the owner and assistance was not needed.
Peel lifeboat and its volunteer crew accompanied the vessel safely into harbour.
Ian Hutchinson recorded the first 130mph lap of the week during Tuesday evening’s TT qualifying session.
Hutchy clocked 130.63mph on the big Tyco BMW and was quickest through the Sulby speed trap at 196.8mph.
The Bingley Bullet was only slightly quicker than starting partner Dean Harrison who lapped at 129.022. Bruce Anstey improved to 127.37 on the RCV213S while Conor Cummins, Steve Mercer, John McGuinness and Peter Hickman all broke the 127mph barrier.
William Dunlop had stopped at Quarterbridge on his Superbike but returned to the paddock and rejoined the action on his Superstock bike while brother Michael also ran into trouble, pulling off the circuit before making his own way back to the Grandstand. However, the Ulsterman didn’t rejoin the session until 7.30pm on his Supersport bike.
Hutchinson switched to his Superstock BMW but Hickman, McGuinness, Cummins and James Hillier all went straight through and McGuinness went quickest at 129.62mph although he was only a fraction ahead of Hickman’s lap of 129.55. Cummins was also in the 129s while Mercer set his best lap of the Mountain Course, albeit unofficially, at 128.55.
Anstey improved again to 128.98mph while last year’s triple race winner Hutchinson went to the top of the Superstock leaderboard with a lap of 128.723mph. Meanwhile, newcomer Jochem van den Hoek from Holland was showing well with a lap in excess of 115mph.
Rutter then went second quickest in the Superstock class after lapping at 128.43 but a lot of attention was focussing on Anstey’s third lap on the RCV with his sector times showing he as on a flyer. However, he lost time coming down the Mountain and crossed the line at 128.85mph but Hutchinson had switched back to his Superbike with a lap of 129.5mph before saving the best until last with his 130.63mph lap.
Italian Stefano Bonetti was initially the quickest of the Lightweight with his lap on the Paton being 114.611mph with last year’s Manx Grand Prix winner Rob Hodson not far behind at 113.545mph.
However, there were all upstaged by last year’s race winner Ivan Lintin who went comfortably clear at the top of the pack after a lap of exactly 118mph.
Martin Jessopp went second quickest at 114.871mph with Bonetti’s opening lap seeing him hold onto third. James Hillier slotted into fourth (114.482) with Hodson (114.049) and James Cowton (113.444) completing the top six. Rutter did his first lap on the SGS International/KMR Kawasaki at 113.342mph.
In the Supersport class, Anstey was quickest with a speed of 124.51mph just ahead of Harrison and Hutchinson whilw Michael Dunlop got two laps in on his R6 Yamaha, the quickest of which was a fraction above 123mph.
Frank Gallagher (32nd) and Kamil Holan (Cruickshanks) both came off their machines in the session but both were reported as unhurt.
ICM Aviation, Douglas based provider of corporate services to the business aviation industry, is founder and organiser of the Isle of Man Aviation Conference, which takes place at the Villa Marina on Thursday, June 23.
The conference attracts international delegates and high profile speakers, and is supported by the Isle of Man Aircraft Registry.
ICM Aviation organises three networking events for delegates starting on Wednesday, June 22 and ending on Friday, June 24.
This annual event continues to grow in popularity and has become a key date in the business aviation diary.
Mark Byrne, director of the ICM Group and founder of the conference, said: ‘I am delighted that our event continues to attract key players from across the international business aviation industry. It is hard to believe this is our sixth year of running the event.
‘I wanted to bring aviation professionals to the island to showcase the breadth of sector expertise that has developed here, in parallel with the growth of the Isle of Man Aircraft Registry.
‘The conference has evolved into much more than that.
‘It is now seen as a serious platform for discussing current topics, challenges and opportunities for the business aviation industry.
‘We have a great line up of speakers this year and Clare Christian, president of Tynwald, will open the conference and welcome our overseas delegates to the island’.
The conference has recently been awarded accreditation by the CPD Certification Service. This means it is recognised as contributing to Continuing Professional Development and delegates will be awarded a certificate after the event.
Martin Kennaugh, manager of ICM’s aviation services, said: ‘We are really pleased to have been awarded this accreditation. For those professionals who have to undertake a certain amount of CPD each year, this conference provides a good opportunity for them to boost their knowledge about the industry and get seven CPD hours.
‘We know the content and the quality of our panels and presentations is appreciated by delegates as we always get great feedback.’
Some of the topics to be discussed at the conference are VAT and customs, what the benefits of the Isle of Man are for owners and operators of corporate jets, Part-NCC, the Cape Town convention, a view from America and an update from the British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA).
Simon Williams, director of civil aviation on the Isle of Man, will update delegates on the Isle of Man Aircraft Registry. As the conference is on the same day as the UK EU referendum, Brexit is also expected to be a hot topic, and in particular the impact of an out vote on the industry.
Confirmed speakers so far include Marc Bailey, CEO of the British Business Aviation Association, Joel Hencks of AeroEx.eu, Bob Atkinson of B Capital Partners LLC, the MD of Global Jet Capital, Simon Davies and Patrick Margetson-Rushmore of London Executive Aviation. Local tax experts Ian Jones of Ernst & Young, Phil Morris of PWC and Paul Cawley of KPMG will join Adrian Jones, tax director of ICM group company Martyn Fiddler Associates Limited, for a panel discussion about the latest developments in aircraft importations and other customs and duty matters.
The conference is sponsored by Aviatrax, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Estera, JSSI, Ernst and Young and Lapayowker Jet Counsel.
To register for the Isle of Man Aviation Conference and for further information about sponsorship opportunities and the networking events visit www.icmaviationconference.org or contact Jenny Oliver at info@i.im or on 682400.
After setting the quickest time on Monday evening, John Holden/Andy Winkle again topped the sidecar qualifying leaderboard on Tuesday with a lap of 113.15mph.
It was close though with father and son team Ian and Carl Bell only marginally slower at 112.98mph.
Dave Molyneux and passenger Dan Sayle led the field away swiftly followed by Ben and Tom Birchall, Holden/Winkle, Tim Reeves/Patrick Farrance, Alan Founds/Aki Aalto and Gary Bryan/Jamie Winn. Conrad Harrison was next to go and he had a new passenger on board, Jurby’s Jason Crowe having replaced Dean Kilkenny who was reported to have an injured leg.
The Birchalls and Reeves/Farrance were early retirements though, stopping at Ballacraine and Laurel Bank respectively, but Molyneux, who experienced a water leak on Monday, got his first lap of 2016 in at 112.48mph.
Founds/Aalto and Karl Bennett/Lee Cain also clocked in excess of the 110mph mark but Molyneux pushed his machine away from the session, clearly with more work to do in the garage.
The Bells, who left the line towards the rear of the field, lapped at 111.63mph while Harrison was timed at over 107mph as he got used to both his new passenger and new outfit.
Founds/Aalto continued onto a second lap as did Bennett/Cain but they only got as far as Glentramman second time around. Founds improved to 111.55mph with Bryan/Winn recording 108.34mph, slightly slower than Wayne Lockey/Mark Sayers who lapped at 108.84mph.
However, the Bells moved up to second overall with their near 113mph lap whilst Australian Dwight Beare, with Ben Binns in the chair, recorded his first ever 110mph lap. Meanwhile, newcomers Lewis Blackstock/Patrick Rosney only just missed out on their first 100mph lap with a speed of 99.6mph.
Tim Reeves/Patrick Farrance and Colin Buckley/Robbie Shorter both hit the bales at Laurel Bank and Kerrowmoar respectively but both crews were uninjured. Stephane Hubert, passenger to Dan Knight, came into contact with the wall at Quarry Bends but was reported to be OK after being checked by the doctor.
Kevin Jones, passenger to Dave Dermott, came off the sidecar at Burnside, at the end of Cronk-y-Voddy and was taken to Noble’s Hospital with reported leg and arm fractures.
‘Early and sustained’ increases in the state pension age are most effective way of preventing the island’s National Insurance Fund running out, UK government actuaries have concluded.
It’s been calculated that the NI Fund, out of which the state pension and certain benefits are paid, will be completely exhausted by 2054 unless there is radical reform.
A review carried out by the UK government’s actuary’s department included the testing of options to delay the date of exhaustion.
A presentation to Tynwald members heard that the main influences affecting the date when the fund runs out are the proportions of the population paying in and receiving entitlements, contribution rates, benefit rates and conditions of eligibility, and increases in the state pension age.
The actuaries noted that entitlement to those already in receipt of the state pension could not be changed without difficulty and most other changes would need time to be introduced and then to start to make a difference.
Updating the results of a review carried out in 2012, the UK actuaries tested a range of options including increasing the number of qualifying years from the current 35 to 40 or 45, reforming NI contributions, introducing further increases in the state pension age, bringing in a single tie pension and phasing out the pension supplement.
They concluded: ‘Fundamentally, none of the options tested is necessarily in itself a permanent and stable solution, as conditions do not remain static and there will be practical constraints involved.’
The actuaries found the most effective way of delaying the projected fund exhaustion date was ‘early and sustained increases in the state pension age’. But it noted there may be practical limitations involved.
A significant increase in NI contribution rates could potentially improve the fund substantially but it may not be realistic to increase rates by the level required to make a sufficient difference, they noted.
The proposed new single tier Manx pension was more generous that the UK’s and would actually accelerate the decline of the fund, and this was not offset by the phasing out of the pension supplement.
Under current proposals, the retirement age for both men and women will be equalised at 65 by 2018 and will rise in phases to 68 by the year 2046.
The UK actuary’s department tested the options of raising the state pension age to 70 or 72 by the year 2071-72.
They suggested the Manx government may wish to wait until the UK reviews its state pension age next year before making a decision on the age of retirement here.
Castle Rushen High School’s year eight students were challenged to be enterprising by five organisations.
The Apple Orphanage, One World Centre, Adventurous Experiences, Manx Sport and Recreation and Heritage Railways tasked groups with promoting a product or event.
They then had about five hours to create a logo, a radio advert, a press release and plan a launch event before presenting their ideas.
The challenge followed a half-day experience by Junior Achievement which saw students working in groups with a business mentor to promote a fictional concert.
Laura Williams, who is in charge of curriculum innovation at CRHS, said: ‘The students very much enjoyed the challenge of the days and the feedback from the organisations and Junior Achievement was very positive.
‘Putting skills-based learning into a more vocational setting is a key focus of curriculum innovation at CRHS and the school hopes to repeat the process next year with even more of its young people.’
MHKs will be asked next month to support a move to avoid a potential £4,000 cut in their pay.
Changed terms and conditions for government new starters, introduced this year, could lead to first-time MHKs who wins seats in the general election being paid a basic salary which is 10 per cent less than re-elected members and MLCs.
Now Tynwald’s emoluments committee is seeking a Treasury order to ensure that all members get paid the same and no MHK gets a pay cut.
The issue was raised in the House of Keys last week by LibVan MHK Peter Karran (Onchan).
Policy and Reform Minister John Shimmin explained that the emoluments committee had approached Treasury with a view to proposing an order to put in place a new formula for determining members’ annual pay.
Its aim would be to ensure that all members will get the same basic salary, which is currently £39,542.
That figure is currently based on the civil service pay scale and is set at a rate half way between an executive officer and a higher executive officer.
Mr Shimmin explained that the main purpose of the order was to deal with a ‘potential discrepancy’ between existing MHKs, those new elected in September who will be new starters and MLCs who would have continuous employment.
‘It would seem inappropriate to have potentially three different sets of salaries,’ he said,
The formula will aim to arrive at a figure which is similar to the current salary, explained Mr Shimmin, and the order would give members the opportunity to ‘clarify the situation’.
It could be argued that the 10 per cent cut should apply to all MHKs after the September general election as they are effectively on a new five-year contract.
If approved at the June sitting, the order will come into operation on July 1.
Mr Karran claimed current pay rates disbarred professionals who could not afford to become MHKs.
Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne spearheaded the move to introduce the new starters’ scheme which reduces the salary scale for new government employees by about 10 per cent together with restrictions on sick pay and holiday pay.
It has saved government between £500,000-700,000 this year and is projected to save £1.5m next year and almost £2m the year after.
Mr Gawne said it was his view that the pay cut should apply to all Tynwald members. He said: ‘The terms for new starters will save substantial amounts of money for government. If MHKs are to show proper and true leadership then obviously it should apply to us as it should apply to any new starters.’
He said what the emoluments committee was proposing did seem ‘very much contrary to what we should be doing’.
Stay up to date with everything that’s going on around the Isle of Man during the 2016 TT Festival with the iomtoday Live News page, including full race schedule and road closure information.
The Live News facility has become an important and valued area to our readers since it was introduced three years ago to cover busy periods such as TT fortnight and the Festival of Motorcycling.
It offers the chance for us to publish information instantly through Twitter and links to items of interest as they happen, such as road closures and police incidents, as well as island-related images on Instagram, videos on YouTube and much more.
So click the following link and stay up to date with everything that’s going on around the island: TT 2016: LIVE NEWS STREAM
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PRACTICE SCHEDULE
Saturday, May 28, to Friday, June 3, 6.20pm to 8.50pm
Road closures: Mountain Road (Ramsey Hairpin to Creg-ny-Baa) 5pm, rest of circuit 6pm
RACE SCHEDULE
Saturday, June 4
11am RST Superbike TT (Six laps)
2pm Sure Sidecar 1 (Three laps)
3.30pm Supersport/Lightweight/Superstock qualifying (Two laps)
Monday, June 6
10.45am Monster Energy Supersport TT 1 (Four laps)
12.25pm Sidecar qualifying (Two laps)
2.15pm Rl360 Quantum Superstock TT (Four laps)
4.05pm Lightweight Qualifying (One lap)
4.25pm TT Zero Qualifying (One lap)
Wednesday, June 8
10.45am Monster Energy Supersport TT 2 (Four laps)
12.25pm Sidecar qualifying (One lap)
2pm Bennetts Lightweight TT (Four laps)
3.45pm Senior TT qualifying (One lap)
4.20pm SES TT Zero (One lap)
Friday, June 10
10.15am Sure Sidecar TT 2 (Three laps)
12.30pm PokerStars Senior TT (Six laps)
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Road closures: June 4-8 Mountain Road (Ramsey Hairpin to Creg-ny-Baa) 9.30am, rest of circuit 10am.
In the event of postponements: June 5 from 1.30pm; June 7 and 9 from 11.30am; June 10, Mountain Road 9am, rest of circuit 9.30am.
Qualifying and race schedules are subject to change.
Check the road information line (01624 685888) on the day.
Police have defended the decision to close the Mountain Road after every crash, insisting: ‘We can’t operate and have cars and bikes bowling towards us at over 150mph.’
On the Constabulary’s Facebook page, the roads police unit explained that safety was paramount.
This morning, the Mountain Road was closed between Ramsey Hairpin and the Bungalow after a biker came off at Joey’s. There were no serious injuries.
But a short time later, a further collision at Brandywell resulted in the entire mountain section from Ramsey to Creg-ny-Baa being shut.
Then at 4.15pm the Mountain Road was closed between Ramsey and the Bungalow following an accident at Guthtries. The road did not reopen before the practice session began. The rider involved was taken to hospital with potentially serious injuries.
The roads policing unit posted: ‘There seems to have been quite a bit of background chatter about why we seem to close the Mountain Road at the drop of a hat. Let’s try and explain a bit more.
‘Firstly, when a crash or incident is called in to us, we don’t know what we have got. The road may be blocked already, and there will be other vehicles bowling towards the crash at speeds in excess of twice that on a UK motorway. We have to stop that risk.
‘When we get there, we need everyone to be safe. That means the public, officers and other responders. We haven’t the luxury of building a contraflow, or closing lanes one and two as on a motorway - we have to shut it down to make it safe. We can’t operate and have cars and bikes bowling towards us at over 150mph.
‘And then, we need to clear the scene – to make it safe. That can often involve an hour with a sweeper and a lot of detergent, to get the oil and other debris off the road, and make sure that the next person that comes up there at speed has a better than evens chance of staying on it.
‘So, it’s all about safety. Simple as that.’
The comments prompted a lot of responses from posters who praised the police for their actions.
One posted: ‘Been going since 1985 and I have no problem at all with roads closed after an accident, it makes sense. The police there do a great job, carry on boys.’ Another said: ‘Maybe the people too dumb enough to have worked this out for themselves shouldn’t be riding up there in the first place.’
Fire crews spent five hours tackling a large gorse fire in Agneash, Laxey yesterday afternoon.
The gorse fire is believed to have been caused by increasing wind strength reigniting an area of previously controlled burning from two days earlier, which rapidly spread due to the current dry spell.
Initial crews arrived at the scene at around 3.20pm and discovered the fire spreading quickly.
They prevented the fire from spreading to a nearby property and once additional resources arrived from Douglas Station, efforts were made to prevent the fire spreading to neighbouring fields.
The Agneash road was closed to allow crews to work safely and relay water to the fire ground from an open water source some distance away.
Crews were hampered by the prevailing wind conditions, access to the area involved and limited water supplies.
The blaze was put out by 8.15pm but fire crews stayed for another hour to check the area.
Three major pumps, an off-road vehicle and a water tanker were used to tackle the large fire.
All of the equipment was returned to both Laxey and Douglas Stations by 9.18pm.
Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service station officer Brian Quirk said if anybody was considering carrying out a controlled burn to ensure that the Emergency Services Joint Control Room (ESJCR) was contacted beforehand by calling 697327.
Also, he urged people to consider the weather and look for any forecasted changes which may have an impact such as increasing wind strength or change of direction.
For further information about fire safety go to the ‘Fire and Rescue Service’ page at www.gov.im
A 62-year-old man who walked onto the Billown circuit from an adjacent property during the pre-TT classic races on Monday has been fined £500.
Police said that the man had been drinking and marshals at the scene had to enter the course in order to remove him and take him to safety.
A police statement said: ‘The man appeared at court today (Wednesday), having been summonsed for being on closed roads.
‘He admitted the matter and was fined £500.
‘We would like to remind the public of the dangers of entering closed roads, not only to themselves, but to the riders taking part in motorsport events, and the officials who volunteer their own time in order to ensure that these events can run.
‘It is unlawful to enter onto roads closed for racing without authority, and anyone found entering onto closed roads will be dealt with robustly.’
Inspector Andy Kneen added: ‘Marshals exercise powers and have the same authority as constables when conducting their duties in relation to road racing. ‘The Constabulary will deal swiftly with offenders and generally this will mean a court appearance within a very short time after any incident, while officers may not appear at points on the course any more, we have staff deployed specifically in relation to road racing in order to be able offer support to marshals.’
The Court commended the actions of the marshal who removed the man from the course, saying he had to put himself at risk in order to deal with the individual.
The chairman of Onchan Commissioners has expressed disappointment over newspaper headlines about a newly-elected member – and says he has every confidence in him.
And one commissioner said board members deserved more respect.
Former police constable Chris Quirk was elected uncontested to Onchan District Commissioners in April.
But he was soon making the headlines when a fellow commissioner Rob Callister called for him to be suspended after it emerged he had been sacked from the local authority for an incident involving a knife.
Minutes of a meeting of the Commissioners note that a member ‘expressed disappointment regarding the press headlines that week.
‘Although the information is in the public arena, it was not made public and felt it may do a lot of damage to those new members coming forward. As the board comes to the end of its term of office more respect needs to be shown.’
Another member said there should be a period of adjustments for employees and management and felt there were flaws in the legislation.
Chairman Robin Turton also expressed disappointment over the headlines and ‘wished to state that he had every confidence in the staff of the authority’.
Isle of Man Newspapers reported that Mr Quirk was sacked from the authority in October 2014 following an incident in which he produced a knife during a row with the head boatman at Onchan Park. An employment tribunal last month upheld the Commissioners’ decision to dismiss him on grounds of gross misconduct from his job as by-law enforcement officer.
Mr Quirk, who had been employed by Onchan Commissioners as a community warden since January 2006, became angry when he returned from a period of leave in May 2014 to find his long outdoor coat issued as part of his job was being used by the head boatman at Onchan Park, John Mullins.
On June 1, Mr Quirk approached Mr Mullins in the park. ‘There followed a verbal exchange which involved the claimant producing a knife from his pocket, the claimant maintains to show Mr Mullins, the respondent maintains in an intimidating manner,’ records the tribunal.
In his statement of witness, Mr Quirk insisted at no time was Mr Mullins threatened or intimidated. He insisted he had shown him the knife when he was accused of taking his screwdriver.
But dismissing his case, the tribunal unanimously agreed that ‘producing a knife, exposing its blade and tapping Mr Mullins on the back with it in an atmosphere of animosity between the two men could reasonably be considered as intimidating, constituting gross misconduct’.
Manx Telecom says it is the first Isle of Man operator to launch 4G roaming, with in-bound roaming now available for some visitors to the island including TT fans.
The company claims it is one of three big ‘firsts,’ all a result of its continued investment in its mobile telecoms infrastructure, and particularly in 4G.
Additionally, the company announced the first Isle of Man trial of 4G+ – the next step in the evolution of mobile technology (sometimes referred to as LTE-A) – as well as the launch of a new ‘Roam’ package, offering ‘significantly better value’ data roaming for its customers.
The roll-out of 4G roaming began on May 24.
Customers from Vodafone UK, Vodafone Germany and Jersey Telecom can now enjoy the full benefits of Manx Telecom’s 4G network during their stay on the island, with more UK and international networks being added over the coming days and weeks.
Out-bound roaming has been launched too – Manx Telecom customers can now enjoy 4G services by connecting to Vodafone Germany and Jersey Telecom networks while roaming in those locations, with UK and more international destinations becoming available in the very near future.
Kevin Paige, Manx Telecom customer services and technology director, says the 4G roaming news, 4G+ trial and ‘Roam’ package are all a result of the company’s continued investment in infrastructure.
All of these projects, said Mr Paige, were technically challenging, and once again demonstrate the skills and expertise of Manx Telecom staff, and the company’s commitment to investing in technology which helps the Isle of Man maintain its status as a world class international business centre.
He said: ‘This year we anticipate investing up to £10million in network and operations, to continue to provide the best possible experience for customers.
‘We were the first Isle of Man operator to launch a 4G network, and we’re delighted to be the first to launch a 4G roaming service which benefits our own customers travelling to popular off-island destinations, as well as visitors to the island.
‘Not only is the launch perfect timing for the many TT fans who want to use superfast mobile broadband, but because our 4G network has 99 per cent population coverage – which we believe is a higher percentage coverage than any other 4G network anywhere in the world – it will also demonstrate to visitors, the world class communications technology available to consumers and businesses here.’
Demonstrations of 4G+, the next evolution in mobile technology, started in Manx Telecom’s Strand Street store on May 24 and will subsequently be made available at the Grandstand.
Manx Telecom says this is another first in the Isle of Man and will allow customers to experience the ‘fantastic speeds’ of 4G+, which could typically be up to 40 per cent faster than 4G depending on network traffic. 4G+ is in its trial phase and customers will need a compatible handset to experience the new speeds, details of which can be found on the Manx Telecom website.
4G+ is provided free of charge to all Manx Telecom 4G customers and the company aims to deliver 4G+ to a number of additional locations by the end of the year.
Al Lugton, Manx Telecom mobile product manager, said: ‘Our new ‘‘Roam’’ package offering a daily data bundle is a first for the Isle of Man.
‘Once activated by a simple text message, customers will have access to an allowance of roaming data for a full 24 hours and will only be charged on the days they use data.
‘Roam will be available initially to pay monthly customers on a Smartphone or SmartData plan and will benefit travellers to UK, Ireland and Channel Islands.
‘This innovation has been made possible following investment in a major upgrade of our billing platform which enables the introduction of a number of new and enhanced services, all designed to provide even better value, and to make it easier for customers to purchase products and manage their accounts.’
To find the latest information on all Manx Telecom’s new mobile services, visit www.manxtelecom.com/mobile
A warm and colourful welcome in words and images is what visitors to Douglas can expect thanks to a new set of lamp post adornments.
The new set of ‘Welcome to Douglas’ banners are being positioned on 80 of the capital’s lamp posts lining the west side of the promenades.
Douglas graphic designer Emma Cooke of EJC Design is the artist behind the creations. The new banners feature ‘Welcome to Douglas’ messages in a variety of colours. They are also decorated with a range of well known sites, picturesque locations and visitor attractions from different locations around the island.
Commenting on the new feature, council leader, David Christian, said: ‘Douglas has an important role to play as the gateway to the rest of the Isle of Man.
‘It is therefore essential that the capital projects a positive and welcoming image: much progress in this is already being made through town centre regeneration schemes.
‘These banners complement those projects while the images provide visitors with a glimpse of the diversity of the island’s magnificent scenery and its rich heritage, which we hope will ignite their curiosity and inspire them to discover more about the Isle of Man.’
One of the banners features the Jubilee clock in its new position at the end of Victoria Street and another shows the Tower of Refuge in Douglas Bay beneath a large rainbow.
A motorcycle fan is flying the TT flag for the Isle of Man with a bar and rental business in Cyprus named after the races.
Costas Iacovou runs the Isle of Man TT Bike Club and Bar in Paphos on the south west of the island.
The Cypriot man has been a TT and motorbike fan since he was a child and said it was a dream come true to set up a TT-related bar.
Costas set up the bar in Geroskipou village in Paphos in 2013 and also runs a rentals and tours business, hiring vehicles and giving tours of the region, named after the TT.
Costas’s son Dimitris runs the online side of the business and said: ‘The idea was derived by my father as he has been a follower of the legendary races for years.
‘He has been a biker since the 1980s, since he was 10-years-old, and that passion led him to becoming a known specialised engineer of motorcycles.
‘He started working with BSAs and Matchless bikes. He has also helped others enter the engineering profession.
‘After years of running a garage servicing motorcycles for almost for everybody in the town, my father decided to enter the rentals industry so he could share his passion of riding bikes.
‘Of the first bikes he was hiring out were popular 1980s models such as Suzuki DT’s and Honda Kinetic.
‘This was at a time when biking was still at an early stage in our closed city so it was quite innovative.’
Dimitris said that his father initially traded under his own name and the work enabled him to meet lots of visitors from various countries, including the Isle of Man.
Costas came up with the idea of the TT shop and bar after being given a lot of TT memorabilia by visiting Manx people that he met.
Dimitris said: ‘It is a bar for everyone, offering local prices and a welcoming atmosphere.
‘Entering the bar you can see TT memorabilia, from worn out knee pads of TT racers, T-shirts, magazines and a television playing DVDs from the earliest TT up to the modern.
‘If you also come at the time when the races are going on you can watch the related TT programmes which usually show on ITV4.
‘We already have enthusiasts here waiting for TT 2016.’
Dimitris said that his father’s dream is to come to the island to watch the races live.
He said: ‘An unfulfilled dream of my father is to see the races from close up since, with running the business, he hasn’t been able to so far.’
Read more about Costas’s bar on the Isle of Man TT Bike Club and Bar Facebook page.
The island’s insurance regulator was first made aware of potential problems with a ScottishPower cashback warranty as far back as 2003.
An all-party group of MPs has accused the Insurance and Pensions Authority of ‘regulatory failure’ in a damning report into a major consumer mis-selling scandal which involved companies set up in the Isle of Man.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group investigation into alleged mis-selling by energy giant ScottishPower looked into how 625,000 consumers across the UK – many of them pensioners – lost out collectively on more than £75m in unpaid consumer goods guarantees to which they were entitled.
Its report concluded that ‘despite having full knowledge of the facts, the IPA appears to have done nothing to protect the interests of the insured despite having a legal obligation to do just that.’
Questions about the scandal were raised in the House of Keys last week by LibVan leader Kate Beecroft.
In his written reply, Treasury Minister Eddie Teare said the IPA’s role was one of ‘oversight, rather than micromanagement’.
He revealed that the IPA became aware of a potential problem in 2003.
‘At this juncture we are unable to ascertain from records when Treasury became aware that there was a potential problem. However, concerns were raised during 2002-2003 when the national press highlighted problems,’ he said. ‘On searching Council of Ministers’ records, no reference can be found of this matter having been discussed.’
PowerPlan Company Ltd was set up in the Isle of Man by ScottishPower to issue warranties on white goods such as TVs, fridges and cookers in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Cashback warranties were sold on the promise that if you didn’t claim within five years you would get your cash deposit back.
But the scheme went under in 2004, following its sale to another retailer PowerHouse. Thousands of people started calling in their cashback but the warranties were never paid.
The report concludes ScottishPower deliberately used an opaque offshore structure to avoid paying tax, and then used that structure to evade their liabilities to cashback customers.
A second Manx incorporated company, Domestic Appliance Insurance Ltd (DAIL), had been set up by ScottishPower as its insurance arm. This was later renamed Powerhouse Insurance Ltd (PIL) following the sale to Powerhouse, and was authorised by the IPA to undertake insurance business.
Mr Teare said the IPA was first contacted by the liquidator of PIL in January 2013 and has ‘endeavoured to assist him in his inquiries’.
He added: ‘The IPA has met with the liquidator of PIL in relation to the serious issues and concerns raised by him and have provided to him copies of all written correspondence between PIL and the IPA over the period under review.
‘The IPA and latterly the FSA have actively engaged with the liquidator and this has resulted in an exchange of correspondence and discussion by both parties to seek additional information to assist with the respective reviews.’
The Financial Services Authority, which superseded the IPA, declined invitations to appear before the APPG.
The APPG report has been passed to the Serious Fraud Office and the National Crime Agency.
ScottishPower deny allegations of mis-selling.
Manx Wildlife Trust had concerns over the organisation and profile of this year’s Queenie festival – called Festival of the Sea – so was not surprised it was cancelled.
MWT was involved in previous festivals running touch tanks and as a beneficiary.
The news of the cancellation prompted many comments from disappointed people.
Graham Hall, who with Island Seafare’s Tim Croft dreamt up the idea for the festival first held in 2009, said its importance is so great it should be revived.
After Mr Hall and Mr Croft stepped back from its organisation in 2013, Rushen MHKs Phil Gawne, Laurence Skelly and Juan Watterson took over; James Gale from Switched On Events joined the team in 2014 and became the organiser.
Mr Gale told Isle of Man Newspapers this year’s festival, scheduled for July 2 and 3, was cancelled because of ‘funding issues’.
The report about the cancellation led to comments being made online. One was from Mr Gale who said: ‘The reason for cancelling the event was not exactly “funding issues” as there was funding in place to run the event. The issue was a demand for a fee of £4,000 to go on paying for the touch tanks to be provided by the Manx Wildlife Trust. We tried to negotiate a lower fee but they stood firm with their demands.’
MWT did not want to reply directly to Mr Gale’s comment, but they issued a statement and said: ‘We have watched as the event simply did not start to shape up and get planned with the significance it deserved.
‘Our part in the festivals over the many previous years is a major undertaking for us as an organisation and requires considerable commitment and support from our volunteers and staff.
‘Historical concerns before this year because of date changes in 2015 due to double bookings by organisers meant that the Wildlife Trust had questions about how far elements of the festival had been organised and support secured.
‘This has been our most significant event for many years and as such we expect the organisation of it to be of an excellent standard.’
MWT’s Tim Graham said: ‘The festival should celebrate the significance internationally of our marine environment. The importance of all the links that Manx culture and conservation holds with our seas means that we need an event delivered in keeping with this significance.’
The event is too big for one organiser, said Mr Graham, who added MWT is happy to work with others on reviving the festival next year.
A bogus claimant who pocketed thousands of pounds in benefits despite receiving an undeclared pension and having a bank account with more than £40,000 in it, has been sent to prison.
The full story is covered on the front page of this week’s Manx Independent, which also features a picture of Manx TT rider Conor Cummin and a review of practice week.
Elsewhere in the paper, which is in shops now:
The redevelopment of Port Erin’s historic railway station is firmly under way - despite concerns the work is unnecessary and that the money could be better spent elsewhere.
A 29-year-old man from Douglas has admitted having 2,000 10mg diazepam tablets and 900 5mg tablets sent to him in a package from Cameroon in Africa.
An attempt by MHKs to exempt themselves from a new pay scales agreement has been branded ‘despicable’ by one union leader.
Independent reporter, TT marshal and MGP rider John Turner describes a session held at the weekend which aimed to make volunteer TT and MGP marshals more skilled and confident to handle a race or practice incident.
Nikki Allan reports on an art exhibition being held by retired NASA astronaut Nicole Stott, who has tried to recreate the stunning views from the International Space Station.
A 32-year-old Ramsey man has been fined £1,000 after admitting crashing his car on the Mountain Road while almost twice the drink-drive limit.
TravelWatch says there needs to be full public scrutiny of Steam Packet proposals before any decision is made on the future of ferry services.
A Douglas gym is celebrating after claiming success in a high-profile competition in Soutport.
There’s a full rundown of the events and gigs taking place around the island during TT Week, plus music and film reviews.
And sport looks back on a hugely successful practice week, while looking ahead to what is shaping up to be a tremendous first day of racing on Saturday.
Your Manx Independent is in shops now.
And don’t forget the second issue of TT News will be in shops from Sunday, with reports and pictures from the opening day’s race action hot off the press.
An attempt by MHKs to exempt themselves from a new pay scales agreement has been branded ‘despicable’ by one union leader.
iomtoday reported this week that MHKs are manoeuvring to avoid a potential £4,000 cut in their basic salary.
Changed terms and conditions for government new starters, introduced this year, could lead to first-time MHKs who win seats in the general election being paid a basic salary which is 10 per cent less than re-elected members and MLCs.
Now Tynwald’s emoluments committee is seeking a Treasury order to put in place a new formula for determining members’ pay - and ensure that all get paid the same and no MHK gets a pay cut.
But Eric Holmes, regional officer for the Unite union, described the move as ‘despicable’ and said MHKs should lead by example.
He said: ‘As a trade union we took no pleasure in having to re-look at rates of pays and T&Cs for new starters to government positions within the New Terms for New Starters agreement, but to see that the MHKs are attempting to negotiate their future pay terms, outside of the agreement, is sickening to see.
‘Minister Phil Gawne worked upon this initiative to safeguard current employees’ pay terms and conditions and throughout the negotiations it was accepted that it would apply to all new starters unless market demands dictated that it needed to be left as was.
‘As this is to be a new election, all MHKs will be new starters and should lead by example by removing 10 per cent from current pay scales.’
In the House of Keys, Policy and Reform Minister John Shimmin explained that the emoluments committee had approached Treasury with a view to proposing an order to put in place the new formula for determining members’ annual pay.
Its aim would be to ensure that all members will get the same basic salary, which is currently £39,542. That figure is currently based on the civil service pay scale and is set at a rate halfway between an executive officer and a higher executive officer.
Mr Shimmin explained that the main purpose of the order was to deal with a ‘potential discrepancy’ between existing MHKs, those newly elected in September who will be new starters and MLCs who would have continuous employment. ‘It would seem inappropriate to have potentially three different sets of salaries,’ he said,
But Mr Holmes said talk of three separate pay scales was ‘nonsense’. ‘Tynwald will comprise new starters from September including those re-elected to serve their constituencies,’ he said. In a message to MHKs, he said: ‘Lead by example and accept you are to be new starters post-election.’
Angela Moffatt, negotiations officer for Prospect, said it’s a case of ‘double standards’. She said: ‘Prospect led on this issue and our members voted through millions of pounds of savings on an on-going basis – and now MHKs want to be exempted from this?
‘It’s bad enough they won’t lead on these issues – but now they won’t even follow. New entrants to the public service in civil service and manual worker roles have a new salary and conditions package which will see substantial cuts to pay, sickness and holidays. Prospect say it’s a double standard that cannot continue.
‘They already get preferential treatment over pensions and if reform goes through will get to pay more to keep their ludicrously OTT Pension. Everyone else will just pay more, get less and work longer. We are reaching a point where this could start to erode good industrial relations.’
Michael Dunlop threw down the gauntlet with the fastest lap of the TT so far at an excellent 131.574mph during Wednesday’s qualifying session, bettering Ian Hutchinson’s time set the previous evening.
Although Dunlop dominated, Hutchinson was again above 130mph setting his quickest lap of the night on his Superstock machine at 130.745mph.
It was expected that with the strong winds on the Mountain section, speeds would be slightly down on the previous night’s action, although it soon became apparent that that wasn’t the case with a series of 129mph+ laps from a standing start.
Michael Rutter was first back to the Grandstand with a lap of 129.163mph swiftly followed by Peter Hickman and Steve Mercer who were both in the 127mph bracket. However, Dean Harrison briefly went quickest at 129.673mph before Hutchinson upstaged him with 129.811mph. Dunlop was only slightly behind him though at 129.582mph with John McGuinness and Lee Johnston both having lapped at more than 128mph.
Rutter continued to lead on the road although his second lap was slightly slower at 128.793 and Mercer improved to 128.672. Harrison also went marginally quicker with 129.742 with James Hillier also faster at 128.238. McGuinness did the first 130mph+ lap of the night at 130.497 but Hutchinson was quicker still with a speed of 130.691mph.
Ramsey Rockey Conor Cummins’s strong qualifying continued with a lap of 129.764 but Dunlop’s second lap was down in the 127s as he switched to his Superstock mount. A number of riders reported how strong the winds were not only over the Mountain but also in places like Kirk Michael.
As the session wore on, the riders swapped between their Superbike and Superstock machines with Hutchinson opening with 129.199mph on his Superstock machine before his 130mph+ lap.
However, Dunlop elected to go back onto his Superbike machine and set the first 131mph+ lap of the week with Hutchinson on his Superstock BMW topping the leaderboard from Rutter.
The newcomer speeds again continued to improve led by Jochem van den Hoek once more. The Dutchman lapped at 116.50mph, the fastest newcomer lap of the week, but Alessandro Polita and Seamus Elliott were both above the 113mph mark with Forrest Dunn, Michael Booth and Josh Daley all above 111mph, with Daley’s time set on his Supersport machine.
