Thursday, August 4

• Concert at St Catherine’s church, Port Erin with Jonathan King and Friends, 7.45pm.

• Karaoke, Guys and Dolls, Douglas.

• Ramsey Folk Club, Mitre Hotel, Ramsey, 8pm-11pm.

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

• Guitar lessons at the meeting room, Archibald Knox, Onchan, 5.45pm-6.45pm.

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

Friday, August 5

• Konstruktion featuring Joy White.

• DJ Karaoke and Disco, at Bordello’s, Douglas, 9pm till 1am.

• DJ Tim, Second Venue, 21 Victoria Street, Douglas, 8pm. Also Saturday.

• Karaoke at the Albert, Douglas, 9pm.

• Irish traditional music session at The Mitre, Ramsey, 9pm.

Saturday, August 6

• Manx music session, the Whitehouse, Peel, 10pm.

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

• Karaoke at the Central Hotel, Ramsey.

• Karaoke and disco, in Second Venue above The Nags Head, 10pm-2am.

Sunday, August 7

• Karaoke, Ray Sloane.

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

Tuesday, August 9

• Sailors Shelter, Peel. Concerts every Tuesday, 7.30pm-10pm. Free entrance.

• Acoustic sing-around, the Manor, Willaston, 8.30pm.

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

Wednesday, August 10

• Irish Music session at O’Donnell’s, Douglas, 8.30pm.

Thursday, August 4

• Onchan Pensioners Club, Morton Hall, Castletown, coffee morning; Friday, sequence dancing, 2pm-4.30pm; Saturday, Arabian dancing, 9am-1pm; Monday, Bridge, 2pm-5pm and 7pm-11pm; Tuesday, coffee morning including raffle, 10am-noon; Wednesday, whist drive, 7pm-10pm.

• Manx Retirement Association, stretch and flex at the NSC, Douglas. Tuesday, southern coffee morning at the Cherry Orchard Hotel, Port Erin at 10.30am. Wednesday, mini-golf at Onchan Park, 2pm.

• Soundcheck, Youth Arts Centre, Douglas, 6.30pm. Also Mon and Tues, 6pm-9pm. Mon, Castletown youth club, 6pm-9pm, and Wed, Ramsey youth club, 6.30pm-9.30pm.

Sunday, August 7

• Port Erin Bowling Club, Club night, 4.30pm- 6.30pm. Everybody welcome.

Monday, August 8

• Vannin Bridge, Onchan pensioners hall, 2pm. Also Thurs.

• Onchan Silver Band practice, the band room, off Main Road, Onchan, beginners 6.30pm and seniors 7.30pm.

• Ramsey Gardening Club at 7.30pm at Quayle’s hall, Ramsey, £2.

Tuesday, August 9

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

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

• Isle of Man Chess Club, Belsfield Hotel, Church Road Marina, Douglas, 7.30pm. Call 495097.

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

• Rotary Club of Rushen and Western Mann meet Cherry Orchard Hotel, Port Erin, 7.30pm.

• Glen Maye WI, St James’ Church hall, Dalby, 7.30pm. Call 818194.

• Mannin Quilters, Ballabeg Methodist hall, 7.30pm. Call 628921. Also Wed at St Columba’s Catholic Church, Port Erin, 1.30pm.

Wednesday, August 10

• The Friendship Club for the over 60s, Onchan Baptist Church, 2.30pm. Call 674255.

• Laxey Dog Training Club, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 7pm-10pm.

• Ballabeg WI, Methodist Sunday School, Ballabeg, 7.30pm. Call 818194.

• Castletown WI, Methodist hall, Arbory Street, Castletown, 7.30pm. Call 818194.

• Port St Mary WI, Mount Tabor School Room, Port St Mary, 7.45pm. Call 818194.

Thursday, August 4

• Noah’s Ark Tots Group, Church on The Rock, Ramsey, 9.30am. Call 431034.

• Gym time active play for pre-school children, Manx Gymnastics Centre, Douglas, 9.30am. Call 625636. Also Fri and Wed.

• Happy Tots, Willaston School hall, 9.45am. Call 621577.

• Mannin Music: Mini musicians , Kodály music for non-walkers, Douglas Youth Arts Centre, 10am. Also, mini musicians - Kodály music class for toddlers, YAC, 2pm; Fri, Northern Swimming Pool community room, 10am; Sat, Victoria Road School, 10.30am; Sun,YAC, 10.30am. Email info@manninmusic.com

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

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

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

• St John Ambulance Cadets (10+), 6.30pm-8pm, Douglas headquarters. Badgers (5+), 5.30pm-6.30pm, Age Concern in Peel. Adults meetings, Thurs, Mon and Tues, Douglas headquarters. Fri, Ramsey, St Olave’s Church hall. Call 674387.

• The Children’s Centre Parent Support Group, Woodbourne Road, Douglas, 7pm-9pm.

• Army Cadets, Scout hall, Peel, 7pm. Also Tues.

Friday, August 5

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

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

• Onchan carers and tots, Onchan parish hall, 1.15pm. Call 625328.

Saturday, August 6

• Young Bowlers Club. Tuition and tips, Surestrike Bowling Alley, Ramsey, 11am-noon.

• Messy Church, Promenade Methodist Church, Douglas, 3.30pm to 5.30pm.

Monday, August 8

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

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

• Breastfeeding Buddies drop-in clinic, Village Walk Health Centre, Onchan, 10.30am. Call 656030.

• Tots play, Northern Lights Community Centre, Ramsey, 1.30pm-3.30pm. Also Wed, tots craft and play.

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

• Do Drop Inn Drama Club, children ages 10+, St Paul’s hall, Ramsey, 7pm.

Tuesday, August 9

• Parents and tots, Auldyn Infants School community room, Ramsey, 9.15am-11.15am.

• Toddle Inn, mums and tots group, Port St Mary Living Hope Community Church, 9.30am. Call 835091.

• Tiddlers Group for parents, grandparents or carers, St Olave’s Church hall, Ramsey, 9.45am-11.30am, £1.50.

• Super Saints, All Saints’ Church vestry, Douglas, 10am-11.15am. Call 427185.

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

• Abbey Acorns, ages 4+ at the Abbey Church, Ballasalla, 3.30pm.

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

• 2nd Onchan Beavers, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 5pm.

Wednesday, August 10

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

• Mini Club for parents or carers and their babies, toddlers and pre-school children, Anagh Coar School, 9.30am or Braddan Church hall, 2pm. Call 675091.

• Twins/Multiple Births Club, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 10am-11.30am. Call 458202.

• Mums and tots, Marown hall, Peel Road, Crosby, 10.15am.

• Action, Songs and Rhymes, from birth onwards, 1.30pm-2.30pm, Laxey Working Men’s Institute. Call Jo, 479452.

• The Energy Youth Group, Colby Methodist Chapel, 7pm-8.30pm. Call Jane, 492010.

• Snaefell Cubs, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 7pm.

The Special Olympics Great Britain National Cycling competition took place at Ashton-under-Lyne recently.

Special Olympic cyclists of all abilities from across the British Isles competed in road race and time trial events at Tameside Cycle Circuit.

All the athletes demonstrated to themselves, to their coaches and the spectators, what they can do, rather than what they cannot do.

It was a great weekend for the Manx team which competed in a wide range of events.

Karl Monaghan and Laura Oram were contesting their first national championships.

Riding a tricycle, Karl won silver in the 3km event and bronze in the 1km race.

Laura, along with her tandem pilot Tina Kelly, was also competing in her first Special Olympics National Games, Riding aggressively, they were rewarded with a bronze medal in the 3km and 5km events.

Unfortunately this year, Christopher Hattersley was outside the medals, finishing sixth in the 10km time trial, fourth in the 15km road race and fifth in the 25km road race.

The final Manx competitor taking part over the weekend was Nicola Wooldridge, along with her tandem pilot.

In her first event, the 10km time trial, she rode a well-measured race to come out on top with the gold medal by a margin of just under one minute.

The 15km road race saw Nicola take the slver medal after a race-long battle with a rider from Scotland West, who held on to win by a couple of bike lengths.

Special Olympics Isle of Man would like to thank the IoM Steam Packet Company and Manx Lottery Trust for their support.

Team spokesman, Adrian Mooney, said: ‘Money provided by the Manx Lottery Trust last year enabled us to purchase training and racing bikes.

‘These gave the Manx competitors an opportunity to get fit, keep healthy, have fun and represent their families and the Isle of Man with pride.

‘Thank you.’

A top advertising creative has hailed the importance of local media, saying its trusted relationship with the communities it serves and its ability to get tangible results puts it in a unique position.

James Murphy, co founder of creative agency Adam&Eve whose clients include Halifax, Unilever, Volkswagen and Hasbro, points to the wide range of campaigns on local issues - whether it is keeping a hospital open, raising funds for a school, or exposing town hall waste - that sees local media engage with its readers and share their investment in the issues. He said this relationship is a shining example of the importance of grassroots connections in an increasingly globalised world.

Mr Murphy has been announced as the judge of the new creative category in this year’s Local Media Works Awards.

Writing for the News Media Association, Mr Murphy set out his thoughts on why local community, insight and understanding have a hugely important role in effective communications:

“Globalisation and the rise of international ad networks serving hundreds of markets across the globe have created huge opportunities for the ad industry.

“Networks have enabled agencies to share resources and pool knowledge in a way that would have been unthinkable 30 years ago.

“Likewise, rapid advances in technology have given consumers the ability to connect with people on the other side of the world in the blink of an eye.

“In this context, it seems counterintuitive to say that local is more important than ever before.

“But the fact is that local community remains hugely important, with people spending a great deal of their time and money close to home.

“For brands, this is significant because it suggests that local insight and understanding continue to have a hugely important role to play in effective communications.

“By tapping into regional insights, an advertiser can position itself as an ally to people in a particular geography, reflecting and articulating local concerns, aspirations or humour. And when brands get this right it can be immensely effective.

“Local media, local newspapers in print and digital, is a natural platform for this kind of activity. The industry combines the sheer scale of 40 million readers each week with a deep rooted connection with local community, based on a shared investment in local issues.

“Local papers campaign on things that matter to their readers - whether it’s keeping the local hospital open, raising funds for a school, or exposing town hall waste - with real, tangible results. No other media can match this unique, highly trusted, and participatory relationship with its audience.

“As judge of the new creative category in this year’s Local Media Works Awards, I will be asking creatives from across the industry to think about some of these issues.

“Entrants are tasked with answering the brief, What Does Local Mean to You? to come up with an execution for Local Media Works - the home of marketing for local newspapers and their digital platforms - which effectively promotes local press.

“The winning ad will capture the unique relationship that local press has with its audiences and demonstrate how this can benefit national brands.

“Globalisation may have enabled people and businesses from opposite sides of the world to connect instantly, but local is still hugely important to people’s lives.

“I believe that by better understanding this and, when appropriate, reflecting local concerns and aspirations, communicators can help clients to achieve a much deeper and more meaningful relationship with their audiences.”

A 51-year-old Onchan man has been fined £300 after urinating next to a busy play park in full view of children and parents.

Martin Lee Booker, of Seacliffe Road, pleaded guilty in court to being drunk and indecent and was also ordered to pay £267.30 costs.

The court heard how, on Monday (August 1) at 3.47pm, a witness called police saying that there was a man acting suspiciously opposite Jaks bar on Loch Promenade by the children’s play park.

When police arrived they saw Booker stood on the walkway above the play park with a half-drunk bottle of sherry beside him.

As police got closer they realised Booker was urinating against a wall with his genitals exposed to the people in the play park area.

The play park was said to be busy with children and parents. Police asked Booker what he was doing but he was said to be so drunk that they could not understand his slurred reply.

He was arrested and managed to say to police, ‘I’m guilty’.

Defending Booker in court his advocate Winston Taylor said: ‘On the day, my client had been drinking on the seafront.

‘He moved to sit on a wall by the play park but needed to urinate. He decided not to go to Jaks as he does not feel welcome there.

‘He says that he gets funny looks when he goes in there. He was not thinking straight and acted on impulse. He took care to cover himself though, he was aware children were in the vicinity.

‘Mr Booker accepts he has a drinking habit and intends to see his doctor. He has recently moved back to live with his mother after being discharged from Grianagh Court.’

Mr Taylor said that his client had made a claim for incapacity benefit the day before his court appearance and was awaiting for the outcome.

The advocate added that Booker had between £100 and £200 on him to last until then and asked to pay any fine at a rate of £10 per week.

Mr Taylor added: ‘He fully appreciates he shouldn’t have been doing what he was doing. He was clearly under the influence of alcohol. He would say it was a stupid act.’

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said while passing sentence: ‘This was not only in public, but the middle of the day, in view of children and their parents enjoying the holidays. Whenever someone urinates in the street it has to be cleaned up. You need to speak to your GP.’

As he was leaving the court Booker said: ‘I’ve given up drugs by myself. I can see the reason why I drink now.’

Mrs Hughes replied: ‘You need to give up alcohol too.’

Booker was also banned from on-licensed premises for six months.

When you lose a parent, flashbacks can come along at funny times but ultimately, make you feel closer to that individual who brought you into the world.

But it is rarely I think of my long-gone mum as the person she must have been as a young woman, pre-motherhood and with her whole life ahead of her - unaware of the cancer that would take her early and still with young children.

My dad’s imminent house move saw me rifling through his cupboards and discovering memory upon memory tucked dustily away.

This included several boxes of vinyl records, particularly one box of 45s which spoke volumes about my mum’s passions as a 60s/70s girl, just discovering purpose and dreams in life.

The colourful singles, well thumbed and carefully marked with my mum’s name in her distinctive, rounded, handwriting, harked back to an era when vinyl records were coveted, expressive and spoke volumes of an era where young people were forging a cultural revolution, flares and all.

Her choices of records, while not particularly unusual for her time, provide a soundtrack for that period of her life before marriage, before I arrived as eldest child and when she dreamed of fighting through the barriers of a traditional family where women only played certain roles.

Not allowed to attend university to become a teacher, she instead ended up at secretarial college and sharing a Manchester flat with her rebellious actor friend Paula Wilcox (later of Man About The House fame).

You can imagine the arguments with her parents, my grandparents, set to the eclectic scratchy records from the music of The Dave Clark Trio, Bobby Vee. Gene Pitney, Joan Baez and of course, The Beatles.

It is fascinating to think how she came about the signed single by the CMJ Trio - I’ve never heard of them but inked on to the record cover their slightly blurred names - Chris, Muff and John.

I imagine a rainy Manchester stage door and mum with arm linked to her friends.

It made me smile.

A motorist has been refunded a £60 parking fine for parking outside his Onchan home after he was handed a court summons in error.

When he received the parking ticket in April, Steve Kimber wrote to Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne asking for leniency.

In his letter, Mr Kimber, 46, said: ‘The ticket was issued correctly but parking in that particular area of Royal Avenue is very problematic down to many issues that really should be addressed by your department.

‘For example, planning permission for the large Victorian houses to be turned in to flats, but no thought as to additional parking, and the use of the area as a free parking area for Douglas workers.’

After receiving a response which he said did not address any of his points, Mr Kimber, who is the general manager of FCX Worldwide Express, asked for a court hearing.

He said that he then received a call from the DoI asking whether he really wished to proceed to court.

He decided to pay the fine and did so, by card, on May 23.

Mr Kimber said: ‘Two weeks later I received a court summons through the post so I contacted the DoI and was assured it would be sorted.

‘However, on July 19 I was shocked and dismayed when I was informed by friends, colleagues and clients that my name was in the Isle of Man Examiner for failing to attend court following a summons.’

Mr Kimber again wrote to Mr Gawne, saying: ‘This is completely out of order and puts a slur on my name. Being a business owner I have received a couple of calls from clients asking questions, which is wholly unacceptable. I am now having to ring round various offices, including courts, coroners and your own office in a bid to get your department’s error rectified.’

A spokesman from the DoI, which has refunded the £60 as a goodwill gesture, said: ‘The minister ordered an investigation into the matter and Mr Kimber has received an apology and refund.

‘Measures have been taken to prevent a repeat of this problem.’

The spokesman said that their parking fine system at the DoI did not flag up if a payment had been made after documents had been prepared to go to court, but that this had now been rectified.

Music and memories from the World War II Rushen internment camp are being brought to the stage of the Erin Arts Centre.

The Wagner and Internment Festival runs from tomorrow (Friday) to Sunday, and coincides with Rushen Heritage Trust’s Friend or Foe internment exhibition which is on display at St Catherine’s Church hall, in Port Erin.

Among the distinguished German guests taking part are Professor Dr Eva Rieger, who was born in Port Erin to internee parents, Julius and Johanna Rieger in 1940, and Eva’s older brother Dr Chris Rieger.

Eva has also written an acclaimed biography of Friedelind Wagner (1918-1991), the granddaughter of the opera composer Richard Wagner.

Pam Crowe, a leading member of the Rushen Heritage Trust internment team, invited Eva to the island after carrying out research at the Manx Museum.

During her research she came across a Bible that was presented to Eva when she was baptised in the Victoria Square Methodist Church, now the Erin Arts Centre.

Chris was six when he lived in Port Erin and has many memories of this period.

Also attending will be Dagny Beidler, Richard Wagner’s great granddaughter.

Graham Crowe, Karen Johnson and John Elliott will perform in the ‘Re-enactment of 1940 Women Internees Concert’ tomorrow evening (Friday) from 7.30pm.

The introduction will be given by Eva.

Tickets cost £12, including a glass of wine.

Chris will share his memories about his internee childhood in Port Erin on Saturday.

‘Reflections of a British Internee’ starts at 11am. Tickets cost £5.

That evening, there will be two talks about Friedelind Wagner.

Friedelind, unlike her mother and other Wagner family members, left Germany in 1938 and was strongly anti-Hitler and anti-Nazi.

She was interned for a few months in the Hydro Hotel in Port Erin (later the Ocean Castle Hotel) due to the UK authorities’ suspicions of her family’s close ties to Hitler.

She was later released thanks to the efforts of Beverley Baxter MP, with financial and moral support from the conductor Toscanini.

Eva will give a talk entitled ‘Friedelind Wagner in Rushen Internment Camp.

It will be followed by Dagny presenting ‘Friedelind: Life After Rushen’.

The event starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost £5.

On Sunday, there will be an Opera on Screen showing of Richard Wagner’s romantic opera Lohengrin.

The story is taken from medieval German romance.

The screening starts at 2pm. Tickets cost £5 for adults; £2 for under 18s.

A complete festival ticket costs £20.

To book tickets, call 834614 or 835858.

See the website www.rushenheritage.org for more information.

A 21-year-old man from Douglas has been fined £500 after crashing his car and rolling it down a hillside at Brandywell Road in Lezayre.

Harry Michael Craig, of Loch Promenade, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and having two defective tyres.

His driving licence was endorsed with six penalty points and he was also ordered to pay £50 court costs.

The court heard how, on May 13 at 9.10pm, police were called to an accident involving a single vehicle which had failed to negotiate a right hand bend and come off the road.

The car had rolled over twice and come to rest around 30 metres away in a field.

Craig, who was driving the Volkswagen Polo, called the police himself from the accident scene and spent three nights in hospital.

Police noted that two of the tyres on the car were worn and sent the vehicle to the public services vehicle examiner for a report.

His report said that both front tyres were worn below the legal limit but concluded that this would not have caused the accident.

Craig told police in interview that he had been distracted by something and he thought this had caused him to crash.

He said that he had never checked the tyres.

Defending Craig in court, advocate Ian Kermode said: ‘On that evening Mr Craig had been at a friend’s house between Kirk Michael and Peel. He had time to spare so he decided to take a different route home, one that he had never driven before. He was not speeding and can only attribute the accident to a momentary lapse of concentration.

‘He had got round three bends prior to the crash without a problem but on the next bend the car left the road and rolled down a hillside.’

Mr Kermode said that Craig had suffered whiplash as well as pains to the neck and back.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said: ‘This could have led to a more serious accident taking place. But I accept it was a momentary lapse. It is not an easy road to drive. You were driving legally but it is unfortunate you didn’t carry out all the necessary checks.’

Craig was fined £300 for driving without due care and £100 for each defective tyre.

Manx residents are being asked how the criminal justice system should be reformed.

The Department of Home Affairs is looking at sentencing and offender management.

A consultation will gather views on proposals aimed at modernising processes, broadening sentencing options and cutting reoffending.

The department says it is leading a ‘major programme of reform’ and many improvements have been made at operational level since Tynwald approved the Criminal Justice Strategy in December 2012.

The strategy’s four key priorities are prevention, appropriate response, rehabilitation and new ways of working.

The consultation provides an opportunity for the judiciary and the general public to comment on proposals currently in the process of being drafted.

There are five main areas for consideration:

l Early intervention: To make greater use of cautions and fixed penalty notices to help divert people from criminal behaviour and reduce the number of low level offences appearing before the courts.

l Youth Justice: To update Isle of Man legislation so that 17-year-olds who appear in court are treated as juveniles, rather than as adults. The department is also seeking to establish the successful Youth Justice Team on a statutory footing and place a ‘duty to cooperate’ on the relevant agencies to ensure a holistic approach to addressing offending behaviour is supported by law.

Offender management: To reflect current priorities and widen the scope of community rehabilitation services. The provisions would allow probation officers to become more involved in reparation, mediation and restorative justice and have input into strategies to divert offenders from court or prison.

Sentencing: To expand the sentencing powers and options available to the courts. Additional proposals focus on the publication of sentencing guidelines, to provide victims and defendants with clear information about the possible outcomes for specific offences, and the introduction of a requirement to provide written confirmation of court orders and matters such as bail conditions.

Means of giving evidence: To widen the scope in which evidence can be heard and cross-examined in alternative ways, such as the increased use of video recordings. This is seen as a significant change for the treatment of vulnerable people within the courts.

In addition, the department would also welcome people’s views on the proportion of a prison sentence an offender should serve before being considered eligible for parole.

Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson MHK said: ‘Recorded crime in the Isle of Man is at its lowest level for more than 45 years, which is a tremendous achievement and contributes greatly to our quality of life.

‘The flagship Criminal Justice Strategy has also led to important improvements over the past three years, but we must look to the future and drive forward further reform to make the system better, faster, simpler and more cost efficient. We need to put in place legislation to help agencies deal with problems earlier, promote rehabilitation and break the cycle of reoffending behaviour.’

He added: ‘There is a desire to give the courts a wider menu of sentencing options that can be tailored to the individual offender and achieve far reaching benefits for the community. We are looking at new ways of working to deliver a more collaborative approach and improve outcomes for all those affected by and working within the criminal justice system.

‘I would encourage people to look at what is being proposed and provide their views via the consultation process. Feedback will help to shape the proposals and the drafting of any future Bill by the next Government.’

The deadline for responses is Monday, September 19, and people can email dhaconsultation@gov.im or write to Tom Bateman, Legislation and Policy Manager, Chief Executive’s Office, Department of Home Affairs Headquarters, Tromode Road, Douglas, IM2 5PA.

Politicians in Castletown are demanding action after delays finishing the regeneration work in the ancient capital’s square.

The delays are caused by issues with deliveries, according to the Department of Infrastructure, which gave the contract to Island Drainage and Groundwork (IDG).

At Monday’s commissioners’ meeting Colin Leather said: ‘We have a company that has done the work in the square. It was criticised before the contract was awarded for work elsewhere, now it has also got Peel [regeneration scheme]. We are not happy. Why do they allow them to do Peel? Is there no one else? It’s time we took action.

‘We had a meeting with [DoI construction manager] Gary Saunders. We brought up issues with George Lane three months ago. There is still no response from him.’

Commissioners’ clerk Hugo Mackenzie said he contacted Mr Saunders often, adding: ‘Gary is chasing them.’

After the meeting, Mr Mackenzie said: ‘There is very little we can do except put pressure on the DoI. The commissioners are completely dissatisfied It’s an embarrassment. People have the perception it is our responsibility. There is so much outstanding.’

Mr Saunders said: ‘There are issues with deliveries. There seems to be a lack of urgency, but that’s not the case.

‘Road studs need to be delivered for the disabled parking bays, bins to be installed. They are arriving later than anticipated. People are driving into bollards, (preventative) reflective strips are on order and when they come they will be put on. IDG could have acted quicker in rectifying some of the difficulties. It’s dragging on.

‘I’m in constant communication with IDG. Last Monday we had a meeting and expressed frustration.’

Mr Saunders added: ‘As a whole the department is reasonably happy with the work that has been done.’

He explained the department asked for bids from contractors to do the schemes in Castletown and Peel, and IDG was the ‘the best value for money and quality’.

IDG commercial director Paul Corteen said: ‘The works are constructed as directed by the design team. Several changes have been made to the project; some are still to be implemented following dialogue between the commissioners, public and design team. There have been changes in personnel within the commissioners. This has led, I believe, to some continuity issues, as to why certain decisions have been made and subsequently changed.’

IDG has requested a meeting with the authority.

An island-wide survey suggests a fifth of residents are finding it difficult to cope financially.

And the Social Attitudes survey, the largest of its kind ever conducted here, found that 30 per cent of the 2,000-plus sampled had seen their financial position worsen over the last 12 months.

The age group with the highest proportion reporting their finances had worsened were the 55 to 64-year-olds, it found.

Some 2,122 individuals responded to the survey which was commissioned by the Cabinet Office to improve government’s understanding of public perceptions and obtain information not previously available on issues such as employment, home and community life, internet use, public institutions, leisure activities, transport and health.

The last section looks at money issues.

Some 42 per cent of the respondents found they were ‘very’ or ‘quite easily’ able to cope financially, 38 per cent were ambivalent but 20 per cent found it either ‘quite’ or ‘very difficult’ to cope.

Those who indicated that they had a long term illness tended to find it more difficult to cope financially. Some 28 per cent of those with a long term illness or disability found it quite or very difficult to cope, compared to 18 per cent of those without.

The survey found 24 per cent of individuals struggled to afford to go away on holiday, with a further 24 per cent finding it sometimes difficult.

Unexpected expenses also caused significant concern with 20 per cent having difficulty paying them and 28 per cent sometimes having difficulty.

Results from the research will be used to inform and shape government’s policy making in the future.

Individuals living in rented accommodation tended to have greater difficulty paying for their accommodation or utility bills.

Ten per cent of those renting from the government or a local authority struggled with rent and bills.

A total of 26 per cent of individuals believed that their household situation had improved or significantly improved over the last 12 months.

A further 43 per cent had seen no change, whilst 31 per cent had seen their financial situation worsen or significantly worsen.

Younger people were tending to see more improvement in their situation.

Forty per cent of 15-34 year olds, 29 per cent of 35- to 44-year-olds, 26 per cent of 45 to 54-year-olds, 16 per cent of 55 to 64-year-olds and 13 per cent of over 65s had seen improvements or significant improvements in their household finances.

The majority of over 65s, 56 per cent, had seen no change, whereas the age group with the highest proportions suffering worse or significantly worse finances was the 55 to 64 age group, at 40 per cent.

The survey was conducted on behalf of the Cabinet Office by Island Global Research in April 2016. The company provided anonymised data to the Cabinet Office’s Economic Affairs team, who prepared the report.

It was available both online and on paper with extra steps taken to ensure those who didn’t have access to the internet were able to take part.

The survey was performed as a quota survey, achieving an overall response of 2,122 individuals, making it the largest survey of its type ever completed on the island.

Results have been reweighted to ensure they are representative of the 2011 Census population.

A successful Manx business which produces 8,000 pounds of mushrooms a week will close in September.

Greeba Farm Ltd owners Mark and Kathy Irwin, who have been trading for the past 10 years, will put the firm on the market as a going concern.

A total of 10 jobs will be lost, three of which are full-time posts.

The couple say they have reached the decision due to the increasing demand for their mushroom-growing consultancy service overseas.

They said in a statement: ‘This has been an extremely difficult decision given the success we have enjoyed, but the move will enable us to refocus our business and time.

‘At this stage, our loyal staff and customers are our main concern and we have, of course, been talking to them about our plans.

‘We have been working closely with the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) and Manx industrial relations and are liaising with the Department of Economic Development (DED). We also hope to be able to talk to local job agencies and companies to provide as much help, information and support as we can for our staff.

‘Obviously we’ve always wanted the farm to continue and be developed further but we will be considering all options and interested parties.’

Greeba Farm’s success was publicly acknowledged last year when, on the couple’s 10th anniversary of owning the business, it was awarded the Best Medium Sized Enterprise of the Year Award in the Isle of Man Newspapers’ Awards for Excellence.

The Irwins added: ‘It has been an amazing experience and we are very proud of what has been achieved.

‘We would like to acknowledge and thank all our staff, customers, suppliers and the many people who have supported us over the last 10 plus years.’

Ralph Peake MHK, acting Minister of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, said: ‘This is a well-established and award winning local business which has demonstrated that high quality local products can compete, especially when they are high value, short shelf life.

‘It has proved an important part of our flourishing food and drink sector.

‘As the business has been built up with such expertise, this is an opportunity for new owner to step forward to continue the success of this respected product.

‘DEFA will work with the Irwins to promote the business as a going concern. It is timely that the new food business grant scheme, approved by Tynwald in July, may allow a new owner to be supported to take on and grow the business.’

This Saturday sees a memorial show in commemoration of the 43rd anniversary of the Summerland fire.

The show takes place at Peel Centenary Centre and sees the likes of Jeff Jepson, Chris Gray, Joe Crookall, Steph Joyce, Eamonn Sinclaire and Lee Brooks completing the line-up.

Tickets are available from Shakti Man (Ramsey), Celtic Gold (Peel), Thompson Travel (Port Erin), Peter Norris Music (Douglas) or online from www.centenarycentre.com

There will also be a small number of tickets available on the door.

All money raised will be going to the Alder Hey Children’s Burns Unit.

For further information, the event page can be found at www.facebook.com/events/627005694135421/

The Cush, a band based in Fort Worth, Texas will visit the island this weekend as part of their European tour with an appearance at Noa Bakehouse in Douglas on Saturday night.

Influence-wise they’re described as Neil Young, Pink Floyd, Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine and Wilco.

The band, having supported the likes of Cat Power, Broken Social Scene, Deerhoof, The Fiery Furnaces and Dead Meadow have pulled in support for this Isle of Man Arts Council sponsored show from Manx electric, psychedelic drone pop boys, Baad Acid.

DJs John Lynch of The Telescopes and Ballagroove Records very own Gypo Buggane will also be taking to the decks throughout the evening.

Bassist and vocalist Gabrielle Douglas had this to say about their first visit to Manx shores: ‘We’re so very excited for our trip!

‘One of the things I’m most excited about visiting the Isle of Man and playing there is getting to experience the people and nature on the island.

‘I’ve always thought that living on an island must be quite magical, so to have the opportunity to play and record music on Isle of Man goes under the spectacular category!

‘I can’t wait to see it and experience it to the fullest.

‘From the pictures I’ve seen it looks so beautiful, and we are very much looking forward to our adventures there.’

The event, which also encourages extravagant dress, sees tickets priced at £12.

They can be purchased from Noa Bakehouse or from Smokey Joe’s Cafe in Port St Mary.

This Saturday night also sees the Amber Bar in Douglas play host to the third 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 DJs Derek Liney Jnr, MDG Audio and Tom Crawley.

The doors for this free event open at 8pm and it runs until midnight.

For further information visit www.facebook.com/events/275359759495666/

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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 semi-finals of the Blincoe Cup take place on Saturday with all eyes on the tie at Marown where Crosby B meet Peel and St John’s B.

The Marown club are renowned cup fighters and their first team has battled its way to the Tinker final against Cronkbourne next week.

Now the B XI will be confident, having home advantage against their Greeba rivals.

In previous rounds Crosby have beaten Finch Hill and Castletown Veterans.

The Saints had a bye in the first round followed by victory against holders Ramsey.

Before their merger, Peel had won the Blincoe twice and St John’s four times. Together they won the final in 2013.

As Crosby have won the cup three times, a close match is expected. The game is at Marown with a 1pm start.

Last year’s losing finalists, the Schools XI, are at Mullen-e-Cloie to play Valkyres.

This should be a classic battle between youth and experience. It could swing on how many of the scholars are away on school holidays.

As the batting on both sides is stronger than the bowling, a feast of runs is expected.

Both semis are two innings per side, eight-ball overs and no more than two overs per bowler allowed. That means that at least eight players must bowl.

Usually there are no problems with the first five or six. It is when you get to numbers seven and eight that the fun starts.

Down at Tromode there is a key match in the Premiership.

Cronkbourne are 31 points behind leaders Peel and St John’s, but have a game in hand. That takes place on Saturday when Castletown are the visitors. If the Douglas side win this, then the gap narrows to 11 points with both sides having only one game left.

A victory for the Saints at Crosby would give them the honours, but any slip-up by them could let in Cronkbourne who will play bottom-of-the-table Ramsey.

However if Castletown win on Saturday, then the chase is over and Peel retain their title. A great deal is riding on this match.

Valkyres match

As part of Valkyres Cricket Club’s 50th anniversary year celebrations, a 20-over match is to be played between the veterans and current players at Cronkbourne, Tromode on Sunday, August 21.

The match will start at 2.30pm approximately.

Some of the club’s original players are hoping to participate – they may even be fitter than some of the current XI!

The clubhouse bar will be open and a buffet is being provided. Any former Valkyres players are welcome to come along. Please contact Kit Gawne (kitgawne@manx.net) or Dave Goldsmith (d.goldsmith@manx.net) for further details.

Junior Cricket

For the first time the island is sending an under-11 side to play in a UK tournament.

The squad are travelling to Worcestershire for three matches at the Malvern festival. The games start on Friday and their opponents are Gloucestershire, Pembroke and Buckinghamshire.

The squad is: Jacob Butler, Jenson Eve, Joseph Humphrey, David Sargeant (Crosby); Nathan Williams (Castletown); Fraser Clarke, Luke Parry, Christian Webster, James Weight (Finch Hill); Dollin Jansen, Harry McAleer (Cronkbourne); Luke Ward, Michael Webber (Ramsey).

FIXTURES

Friday, August 5

Malvern Junior Festival

Gloucestershire v Isle of Man U11s (10.45am)

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Saturday, August 6

Isle of Man Premiership (1pm)

Baker Tilly IoM Cronkbourne

v Newfield Castletown

Blincoe Cup Semi-Finals (1pm)

Crosby B v Shimmin Wilson Peel and St John’s B

M&P Legal Schools XI v Valkyres B

(at Mullen-e-Cloie)

Malvern Junior Festival

Pembroke v Isle of Man U11s (1pm)

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Sunday, August 7

Malvern Junior Festival

Buckinghamshire v Isle of Man U11s (10.45am)

Maurice Trace

The 2016-17 Manx football season kicks off at the Bowl on Friday evening with the Eric Fletcher Charity Shield.

Reigning Canada Life Premier League champions St George’s pit their wits against FA Cup holders Peel in the campaign’s traditional curtain-raiser.

Only five points separated the pair in the top-flight standings last term, suggesting a tight encounter should be on the cards at the national stadium.

St George’s will start the encounter as marginal favourites, but might have to shuffle their pack a little with several regulars ruled out.

Midfielder come defender Jack McVey is off-island, while fellow defensive stalwarts Sean Quaye and Johnny Myers are struggling to overcome foot and calf injuries respectively.

Geordies will also be without precocious winger Joey Morling who is on trial at Championship outfit Barnsley.

Of the Glencrutchery Road club’s new signings, former Rushen striker Furo Davies looks set to play some part with Ciaran McNulty still easing his way back to full fitness after a hamstring problem.

Another new face at the champions is ex-RYCOB midfielder John Lund, but he is away.

Youngster Joe Quayle could make his debut at right back and a there will be competition for places on the bench with a number of young signings vying to be a part of Chris Bass Sr’s plans.

Peel warmed up for Friday’s match with a 1-0 victory over a resolute Marown on Tuesday thanks to a second-half goal from Lee Gale.

Marc Kelly, Ashley Webster and Daniel Pickering all sat out that game at Douglas Road with injuries and are a doubt for the St George’s game. Bolstering Steve Facloner’s options, however, is full-back Matthew Woods who is available for this match before completing a suspension in next weekend’s league opener with St John’s.

It’s been a quiet transfer window thus far for the westerners, but Bulgarian goalkeeper Kiril Velev’s move from DHSOB looks set to be rubber stamped this week and he could play some part on Friday.

Although shorn of some of their first choice players, both sides will be eager to put down a marker ahead of the season’s start in earnest next Saturday afternoon.

Kick-off is 7pm.

It was never a traffic bottleneck.

But this plastic bottle laid with the new asphalt on the A36 at Cronk Fedjag is likely to pour further fuel on criticism of the controversial £473,000 Sloc Road resurfacing project, carried out in February.

The bottle was removed today (Friday) after iomtoday contacted the highways division - and the road patched.

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK has come under fire over the Sloc scheme after telling a Tynwald scrutiny committee that the money had to be spent on something.

He told the committee: ‘The reasons I am aware of why the Sloc was done, was because first of all we had an underspend in the capital programme – so we had some spare money and we needed to spend it on something.

‘Secondly the Sloc, because of its nature and not having any ironwork on it, did not need to be designed as such, it was a relatively simple thing to do – there was a little bit of planing around some of the edges that needed to be done, and then it was really just a case of laying tarmac.’

The bottle sits in clear view of passing cars, on the southbound lane halfway between the Round Table crossroads and the layby for the Eary Cushlin track.

Could this be an innovative way of recycling?

In Rotterdam, they have been trailing roads made of plastic bottles, touted as a greener alternative to asphalt.

A total of £473,688 was spent on resurfacing a 4.3km (2.7-mile) stretch of road from the Sloc. Highway chiefs said the work was needed as it had poor ride quality and poor skid resistance.

After iomtoday alerted the DoI, its highways division said: ‘Despite the best efforts of highways staff, litter can sometimes be blown under machinery when resurfacing work is being carried out. A foreign object covered in a layer of black Tarmac may not be easily identified or exposed until the road has been subject to a period of traffic use.

‘A substantial amount of material was laid during the resurfacing of the Sloc and unfortunately the bottle was not discovered during the site inspection following the completion of the scheme. Efforts will be made to try to ensure such matters do not occur in future.

‘People are encouraged to notify the DoI of any issues through the Report a Problem website or smartphone app. Our dedicated workforce aims to respond as quickly as possible when it is alerted to a problem.’

He said the bottle could have been within the Tarmac from the quarry, fallen off machinery, or been litter blown under the paving machine.

Treasury Minister Eddie Teare says the fact that people in the island feel their household finances are worsening is not unique to the Isle of Man.

He spoke after the Manx Independent highlighted the results of the 2016 Social Attitudes Survey on page one.

It showed that 31 per cent of respondents felt their household’s financial situation had worsened over the past 12 months.

The view that wealth inequality had increased over the past five years was shared by 50 per cent of respondents, while 20 per cent said they found it difficult to cope financially.

Click here to read more

Mr Teare said: ‘The outcome of the survey will be useful in helping to shape future policies, but it is important to see the results in context.

‘Some of the perceptions and experiences, and the factors that influence them, are by no means unique to the Isle of Man.

‘For example a UK survey published in March this year found that 37 per cent of households felt worse off than 12 months previously. And the issue of wealth inequality is a global concern.

He added: ‘There is no doubt that the aftermath of the financial crisis in 2008 has affected living standards and perceptions of prosperity for many across the western world.

‘The Isle of Man has been in a relatively positive position overall because we have succeeded in maintaining growth and low unemployment, despite the huge VAT revenue loss which could have destabilised the entire economy. Government has also prioritised help for those on the lowest incomes, such as the personal allowance increase in this year’s budget which has lifted 2,000 people out of the tax net and reduced tax bills for a further 19,000.’

Mr Teare, currently MHK for Ayre but who is not standing in next month’s general election, concluded: ‘The Social Attitudes Survey does indicate, however, that a significant minority of the island’s households are finding it difficult to cope financially.

‘There can be a range of reasons for this, and individual circumstances do vary, but from government’s perspective the key to further improving living standards in the Isle of Man is to encourage more and better job opportunities through more economic growth.

‘That is why the economy and employment have been important priorities for the government over the past five years, and should remain so for the next administration.’

The government says it wants to encourage more people to get online.

Local organisations are being asked to play a role i by signing up to a Digital Inclusion Charter.

The government says it will lead by example by encouraging its staff to help their friends, families, colleagues and neighbours to develop their digital skills.

Schemes such as public Wi-Fi, free Wi-Fi and devices in libraries and community centres, drop-in sessions and volunteer-led support and training sessions all contribute to ‘raising awareness’ and helping people to learn in a way that suits them.

A spokesman said: ‘It is recognised that getting online can benefit people financially and socially, helping them to keep in touch with friends and family and to access training and employment opportunities, leisure activities, research and information.

‘The strategy, which will be reviewed annually, creates a framework for digital inclusion to ensure that everyone who wants to can get online.

Policy and Reform Minister John Shimmin MHK said: ‘The Digital Inclusion Strategy sets out our commitment to help tackle digital exclusion. It reflects the challenges Government and the Island continue to face in enabling more people to gain maximum benefit from the opportunities digital technologies can offer.’

The Government is asking local organisations to sign up to the five principles in its Digital Inclusion Charter -

Working together

Supporting island-wide schemes and pilot projects

Ensuring that staff and volunteers have an opportunity to learn and develop their digital skills

Encouraging staff to become digital champions

Sharing best practice and measuring performance

The Cabinet Office will be promoting digital skills and training and looking for staff to volunteer to help others develop their digital skills.

Charities, local authorities and businesses have been involved during the development of the strategy.

Kurt Roosen from the Manx ICT Association said: ‘As we progress the Government Digital Strategy we do have to be mindful that not everyone has the same capabilities. We need to ensure that no one is left behind. This Charter illustrates that we have a collective desire to ensure that everyone is given access and opportunity to engage at their own pace.’

Jackie Betteridge, chair of the Council of Voluntary Organisations, added: ‘Government services must be made easily accessible to all regardless of age, disability, wealth or location. This means we need to think about costs as well as skills for people who want to get online but can’t, and also provide people with good alternatives to online services where needed.’

Keith Fitton of Leonard Cheshire Disability said: ‘People who have physical disabilities are statistically more likely to be socially isolated, dependent upon other people and financially deprived. Simple digital access tools and mentoring can enable a person to become an active member of the wider community or simply use technology to control their environment and gain independence. Investment in appropriate digital inclusion and support to make the most of the tools can both improve a person’s quality of life and also offer cost effective alternatives to traditional care.’

Stuart Nelson at Barclays said: ‘Barclays recognises the importance of digital to many people’s lives. With our Digital Eagles and Digital Driving Licence we have been at the forefront of developing the digital skills of people in the Isle of Man and we are now looking forward to working with a wider community of partner organisations on the Digital Inclusion Strategy. We share a common goal: to ensure that anyone that wants to learn more about the digital world has the opportunity to do so.’

The Cabinet Office is also seeking ideas and events for Get Online Week, which runs from October 17 to 23. Contact change@gov.im to get involved.