Douglas-based Standard Bank employee Gary Cracknell set off for Africa at the weekend to visit a primary school in Uganda which the Bank supports.

Standard Bank’s Offshore Group has partnered Mifumi Primary School since 2013.

Facilities and administration manager Mr Cracknell, 53, will join three colleagues from across the Offshore Group for a week-long trip to Mifumi.

They will take an active part in school life, learn more about the difference that Standard Bank is making and help identify how funds and equipment that the Bank has raised and collected can best benefit the school.

Mr Cracknell said: ‘I have fundraised and collected items for Mifumi since we began supporting the school but I never imagined that I would one day be visiting it, to see for myself how the partnership has helped thousands of children escape poverty and reach their full potential.

‘Standard Bank’s mission is to drive Africa’s growth; I’m fortunate to be going to Mifumi to see that at first hand.’

Mifumi Primary School has around 700 pupils.

In addition to teaching academic subjects, the school trains pupils in music, sports, knitting, weaving and self-defence.

Pupils also receive health screenings and are given a lunch of porridge each day, which for many is often the only meal that they will receive.

Standard Bank’s support to Mifumi has been wide-ranging.

Funds donated by the Bank and raised by staff have brought electricity to the school, they have paid for a satellite link and computers, and they have funded the digging of a bore hole and the building of a dormitory in the school grounds. Standard Bank staff have been fully committed to the Mifumi partnership.

A team of volunteers have visited the school on two occasions and staff from across the Offshore Group have regularly collected items, such as stationery and clothes, that have been sent to the school, thanks to support from DHL.

Engagement from staff has multiplied, with ‘Mifumi Champions’ now in place across all areas of the business.

Chris Till, chief executive Officer of Standard Bank in the Isle of Man, said: ‘I have no doubt that Gary will be a fine ambassador for the Bank and he will return from Uganda full of ideas for how we can support Mifumi Primary School going forward.

‘We received a large number of entries for this visit and it was very clear that a lot of thought and effort had gone into all of the submissions.

‘This clearly illustrates how supportive Standard Bank staff are of the Mifumi partnership. Gary’s visit is part of an ongoing journey that the Bank is fully committed to.’

A man from Manchester has been fined £300 after hurling racist abuse at a couple during a row at Shoprite supermarket.

Mark Anthony Crellin, of Broadbent Close, Stalybridge, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour or words and was also ordered to pay £125 court costs.

Prosecutor Barry Swain told the magistrates’ court on Thursday how, at 3.30pm the previous day, Crellin, 31, was using the cash machine outside Shoprite in Onchan when his card was taken by the machine.

He went into the store and started to argue with staff. A trainee manager spoke to him but Crellin was said to have swore, saying: ‘I want you to give me my money now.’ A manager joined them and said that he saw Crellin squaring up to the trainee with his face close to his and puffing out his chest being aggressive.

Staff said that Crellin smelled of alcohol and was slurring his words. He was asked to leave the shop but refused. As the argument continued in the doorway of the shop, an Asian couple entered the store. As they were passing, Crellin said: ‘Excuse me, do you have a passport? If not you’ll have to answer to him’, referring to the manager.

The manager told Crellin he should apologise to the couple and said that he did so, shaking their hands, but appeared sarcastic and not genuine in his apology.

Crellin was said to have calmed down and was told that the manager would make enquiries with the bank, but by then police had been called.

He was arrested, and when interviewed by police admitted that his behaviour had been unacceptable.

Defence advocate Winston Taylor told the court that his client, who was on holiday visiting friends, had got a taxi to Shoprite and had wanted to pay the driver when the cash machine took his card.

Mr Taylor said: ‘He denies asking for money in the store. He went to the machine with a member of staff and it appeared to have been tampered with. They went back into the store and another member of staff was staring at him, came over and asked him had he just got out of prison.

‘That caused him to kick off and get angry. The Asian couple walked past and he accepts he made the passport remark. He accepts it was offensive and out of order. When challenged he apologised to the couple. But he felt offended by the prison remark made to him.’

Chair of the magistrates Caroline Convery told Crellin: ‘Obviously your behaviour was inappropriate and totally unacceptable. Racial comments will not be tolerated. If you come back to the island bear in mind that sort of behaviour is not tolerated.’

Crellin is scheduled to leave the island on Friday and the fine and costs must be paid by Thursday (August 11).

Live Well Stay Well volunteers, Fiona Baxter and Nigel Latham, were winners of the Volunteer of the Year Award at last year’s Isle of Man Newspapers’ Awards for Excellence. This is their story…

When you are diagnosed with a chronic, life-changing illness, do you simply stay at home and feel sorry for yourself, or do you go out and try to help others in the same situation to get the very best out of their lives despite their conditions?

Fiona Baxter and Nigel Latham took the latter course and became leaders on the Live Well Stay Well courses which are offered free to anyone over the age of 18 with a long term health condition.

This might be any one of a wide variety of conditions including diabetes, heart failure, stroke, asthma, epilepsy, arthritis, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s.

The idea for Live Well Stay Well began at Stamford University in California in the late 1970s. It was in acknowledgement of the fact that people with a long term health condition benefit from support which is not just purely medical.

‘The health service is great, it goes so far, but people have to take responsibility for themselves as well,’ said Nigel. ‘They developed the course originally for people with arthritis but it soon became obvious that it doesn’t really matter what a person’s health condition is, everyone has similar issues that they have to deal with.’

Fiona added: ‘We all have different conditions but we’ve all got the same basic problems.’

The key element of the Live Well Stay Well idea is that these courses are better run by people who have long term health conditions themselves, rather than by clinical staff.

‘It works better because you’re experiencing what they are,’ said Nigel.

It was when the idea came to the Isle of Man that it was given the name ‘Live Well Stay Well’ and Fiona was one of the first to complete the course, both on her own account and with a view to becoming a leader and helping others.

Fiona was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (which is not just an older person’s illness) 16 years ago.

‘At first I just gave into it,’ she said.

But things changed when she became a Live Well Stay Well leader. She took the first course that was offered on the island, along with Norman Kneen who also had health issues. Both of them had extra training with a view to becoming course leaders themselves.

Fiona said: ‘I wish the course had been around when I was first diagnosed. It gave me a purpose in life, to help someone else – it’s a nice feeling at the end of the course to see them all smiling and happy.’

Nigel’s condition took a long time to be diagnosed, this is often the case and adds to people’s worry and uncertainty: when he began falling over and having problems with his hearing and sight, it was initially thought to be MS, then ME, but was finally decided to be a ‘functional neurological disorder’.

He said: ‘When you are diagnosed with a long term illness you know you’re either going to go down or up. There comes a point when you think: “I’m either going to jump off a bridge or I’m going to do something about it”.’

He also trained as an instructor in the Live Well Stay Well methods and he says: ‘As a leader, by actually running the course, you’re helping yourself too.’

Around 80 people have completed the course on the island and the results are impressive with 100 per cent of participants feeling more positive about living with a long term condition, and more than 85 per cent feeling more confident about their everyday activities, talking to health care professionals and their ability to participate in social events.

Surprisingly, one of the issues than many people on the courses have to deal with is guilt. Nigel said: ‘A lot of people feel guilty because they have an illness that affects their family. They’re kind of blaming themselves.

‘You may be the main breadwinner, or the person who drives the kids around, and suddenly you can’t do that anymore so you feel like a complete failure.’

Sometimes people will need help in talking to their doctor, dealing with depression, fatigue and pain, or financial problems, and just talking can help a lot. Fiona said people were often quite quiet at the start of the course.

‘But by the end of the six weeks you can’t shut them up and they can’t wait for our next get together in three months’ time.’

Fiona said that winning Volunteer of the Year Award at the Awards for Excellence made them both feel that their work was appreciated, especially as they were up against other very worthy causes.

And the benefit for Live Well Stay Well is the way it helps to raise the profile. Nigel said: ‘All the doctors on the island are aware of us but we still get people who say they haven’t heard of us – something like this really puts the name out.’

Do you know someone who works tirelessly for their chosen charity? Why not nominate them for the Volunteer of the Year Award at this year’s Isle of Man Newspapers’ Awards for Excellence?

You will find full details of all the award categories and entry forms to download at www.excellence-awards.im

Clay shooter Tim Kneale narrowly missed out on claiming a medal at his first Olympics in Rio this evening (Wednesday).

He was beaten to a bronze medal by Great Britain team-mate Steven Scott, who hit a perfect score of 30/30.

Kneale had impressed throughout the qualifying round, finishing in third place overall from a field of 22 shooters, and at the end of the semi-final was a single clay away from contesting a place in a gold/silver play-off with Italian Marco Innocenti.

However, a three-way tie on 26/30 saw Kneale and Scott eventually make it through to the bronze medal match after beating Australian James Willett in a play-off.

Competing under the Olympic flag, Fehai Aldeehani took gold from Innocenti.

Catch up with the scoring here: www.rio2016.com/en/shooting-schedule-and-results

Douglas Council is reminding householders to keep hedges, trees and shrubs trimmed or cut back to the boundary line of their property, as required under Section 51 of the Highways Act 1986.

Bosses there say legislation requires that such vegetation does not extend beyond a property’s boundaries, cause an obstruction or interfere with street lighting or the view of drivers of vehicles. Failure to comply could lead to the council serving a notice on the owner or occupier.

Housing committee chairman David Ashford said: ‘The majority of householders are considerate in such matters.

‘There have, however, been instances where hedges and trees have been allowed to grow unchecked, overhanging the pavement or roadway to the extent that they pose a very real risk to pedestrians and motorists and cause loss of light to neighbouring properties.

‘In such cases it will always be the council’s policy to alert offending householders in writing in the first instance. Should they fail to comply within the time specified, however, our bye-laws officers will have no hesitation in serving an official notice.’

Council leader David Christian added: ‘The primary reason for ensuring property owners comply with the legislation is, of course, public safety. The council recognises, though, that trees, hedges and shrubs in private gardens enhance neighbourhoods and help to create a sense of community, so is committed to doing all it can to uphold environmental and high quality of life standards throughout the borough.’

The council’s website – www.douglas.gov.im, (search: ‘Trees and high hedges’) – provides details of the legislation, advice on garden hedges and what to do should your property be affected by a neighbour’s overhanging trees or shrubs.

A 69-year-old woman has been fined £750 and banned for 12 months after admitting driving while being unfit to drive through drink or drugs.

Lorna Jane Taylor, of Hailwood Avenue, Governor’s Hill, Douglas, pleaded guilty to the charge saying that she had forgotten she had taken the prescription drug mirtazapine when she had a drink at a barbecue.

She was also ordered to pay £505.21 court and medical costs.

The court heard how, at 6.51pm on September 26 last year, police received information relating to a BMW travelling from the south towards Douglas.

The car was said to be travelling within the 30mph speed limit but straying over the centre line.

Police stopped it before Anagh Coar traffic lights and found Taylor had been the driver with no passengers.

It was said that she smelt of alcohol and had glazed eyes, and when asked if she had been drinking, confirmed that she had.

Taylor told police that she had been drinking at a barbecue. It was noted that the BMW appeared to have fresh scratch marks on the wheels and the bumper had a 10cm crack. Pink flowers and leaves were stuck to the car.

She was asked to take a roadside breathalyser test and provided a sample on the third attempt, failing the test.

She was taken to police headquarters but did not provide a further breath sample.

Taylor entered a basis of plea in court saying: ‘I accept my ability to drive was compromised by a combination of alcohol and prescription drugs. I had a glass of wine. My glass was refilled but I did not completely drink the second glass.’

Taylor had been prescribed 30mg of mirtazapine per day and that she accepted she was not meant to drink with this medicine.

She said that she had forgotten she had taken the drug.

Plans have been submitted for works at the historic Nunnery as part of a masterplan to create a world-class university college for IT degree and related studies.

The International Centre for Technology Ltd has applied (16/00865/B) to demolish the swimming pool buildings and outbuildings and build a two-storey multi-purpose building.

It will feature open plan space on the ground floor with kitchen, toilets and cafe. On the first floor, there would be space for business training, IT research and innovation, and toilets.

It would be used by students, staff, business users, conference visitors and visiting members of the community.

The design is described as ‘contemporary in style but simple, respectful and subservient to the adjacent buildings’.

Future plans for the site include a multi-purpose building for teaching, research and technology, dining, cafeterias, conference facilities and community use as well as refurbishing the workers’ cottages.

There are also plans to create a business incubator and technology park for company start-ups on the Sangster’s Field adjacent to the Nunnery campus.

In the planning statement submitted as part of the application, it explains: ‘The ICT recognise the importance of the Nunnery estate in Isle of Man heritage, however a new function for the estate must be found to stop it becoming obsolete.’

It says that the creation of an ICT campus will generate an income stream to fund the ongoing maintenance and improvements: ‘The ICT believe that through the creation of the ICT campus an income can be derived from working with world-class ICT and IT businesses to provide IT and ICT related education, training and innovation, combined with facilitation high quality events such as conferences, meeting rooms, weddings, Tynwald Day celebrations and other special local community occasions.

‘These functions give the estate and its existing buildings a new purpose. In order to create this income stream the existing buildings are not sufficient in terms of quantity of space, nor appropriate in terms of types of space.

The Nunnery is the landmark former home of business tycoon and racehorse owner Robert Sangster.

It was sold by the Manx government in January last year to International Centre for Technology Ltd, a private company headed by South African entrepreneur Philip Vermeulen.

Work that has already been carried out on the mansion house include repairing leaking roofs and replacing stone work and rotten windows as well as interior redecoration to give it a clean, fresh modern look while preserving its historic character.

A plan to convert Port St Mary’s Victorian railway station building and goods shed to offices has been refused by the planning committee.

The proposal (16/00535/B) was submitted on Haven Homes’ behalf by Hugh Logan Architects (HLA) who argued alternative use is needed to secure the buildings’ future.

They said the proposal was ‘sympathetic to the history of the buildings’. A total of 26 parking spaces are proposed, clustered around and between the buildings.

The Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters’ Association were concerned that, with the loss of the waiting room and ladies’ toilet, the facilities left for users of the railway were insufficient.

They said the alterations to the goods shed are out of keeping and should be retained for railway-related uses. They were also concerned at the extent and visual impact of car parking proposed.

The Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society said the buildings are worthy of registration and even without that formal status they believe that the buildings are worthy of sensitive care to protect their environmental context.

They were also concerned about the level of car parking which will separate the two buildings, which have a functional connection.

They criticised the department for ‘stalling’ the registration process in favour of this proposal and believe that the change of use of the goods shed is ‘short-sighted and unsustainable’ and consider it ‘virtually impossible to guarantee’ the retention of the track internally and externally relating to the shed.

They argued that the building should be considered for registration first before the application was considered.

Port St Mary commissioners also said, while they supported the proposal, it should not derail the registration of the buildings. The authority did not want the station to mirror the marine biological station in Port Erin, which has been derelict – despite development bids – for 10 years.

Planning officer Sarah Corlett recommended the proposal be approved. The notion of an alternative use of the building as offices had been accepted in a previous application.

The applicant believes that even if the buildings were registered, the proposal would accord with the relevant policies for that. Also none of the work was irreversible and the buildings could be reverted to their original purposes. Visually it ‘is considered not to detract from the overall character of the building’.

Regarding car parking, when compared with other railway stations, they argued ‘the appearance of vehicles around the station is not considered to be either out of keeping or inappropriate.’

They added that the scheme ‘in the main restores previously spoiled features and will find a use for a building which is in danger of falling further into disrepair and neglect’.

However, the planning committee said it was ‘not persuaded’ the station buildings were redundant for their original purposes and their conversion ‘may adversely affect the operation of the railway or result in the need for the construction of additional unwarranted buildings’.

Waiting room space is inadequate for users of the railway, they said, adding that car parking would visually separate the two buildings, which have ‘an operational and historical association’.

The committee said registration should be decided first to provide ‘clarity’ on decisions regarding any application.

If the plan was approved, any work undertaken could ‘harm’ registration.

HLA has appealed against the decision.

There’s a new managing director at Old Mutual International Isle of Man.

Peter Kenny will be leading the strong team of more than 430 people.

The business has a base in King Edward Bay House, King Edward Road, Onchan.

Old Mutual International Isle of Man is part of Old Mutual Wealth, the leading wealth management business in the UK and internationally.

The company says he will also play an integral part in continuing to build the Old Mutual International brand locally, including the relationships with the business community, Government and the Financial Services Authority.

Mr Kenny joins Old Mutual International with more than 30 years’ experience in financial services, spanning both the life insurance and hedge fund sectors, having previously held the roles of chief operating officer, fund director and managing director of fund management and distribution companies.

Prior to that, Peter worked for Zurich International Life where he held various positions, including that of strategic alliances and client services director with direct responsibility for more than 300 staff across global locations.

More recently, Peter was a board member of the Financial Services Authority in the island.

Mr Kenny has lived and worked in the Isle of Man for 27 years, having also worked in the UK and Asia.

He will report to Steven Levin, CEO of investment platforms, Old Mutual Wealth, who said: ‘I am delighted that Peter will be joining us at Old Mutual International in the Isle of Man.

‘His vast experience strengthens the leadership team in the island and will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our support across multiple global markets.’

Mr Kenny said: ‘I am really pleased to be joining Old Mutual International and I am looking forward to playing my part in the continued success of the business.’

Ecovannin and the residents of Braddan had a great time at Coronation Park on Saturday.

We arrived to find not just new raised beds – made by the amazing Men in Sheds – but also a mountain of topsoil kindly sourced by new Braddan commissioner David Dentith, plus heaps of mushroom compost.

It made for a busy morning – layering drainage material, soil and compost and planting all the plants we’ve been given. Thank you, Yn Gharey Nursery and other donors.

In went tomatoes, fennel, chilli, herbs, beetroot, artichoke, and comfrey to support the bees and make our own liquid fertiliser.

The project only started this spring, so it was lovely to see small but hearterning harvests already.

Young Arran enjoyed beans so fresh they were technically still alive, and bursting with nutrients and flavour; baby George tried the strawberries we’re growing in straw bales.

But guess what? We’re not just growing food, and the skills to produce it – we’re growing friendships and community too.

Three new families got involved on Saturday, making a hive of neighbourly activity and conversation.

Lovely, too, was that there were five children present – variously crawling, running or worm-wrangling!

And at the end of the session, it was great to relax and share a picnic together.

We hope more locals will join us, as we’ve a couple more planting beds to install (possibly a little lower in height so small people can easily reach them), plus a number of groundlevel plots.

So we were delighted to hear from one visitor that the folk in her nearby street might like to snag one whole bed for themselves to work on – great stuff!

The team from the Green Centre (made up of EcoVannin – www.ecovannin.im, IoM Friends of the Earth – www.iomfoe.org, the Manx Energy Advice Centre - www.manxenergyadvicecentre.org, and Zero Waste Mann – www.zerowastemann.org) have lots of events coming up in the next few weeks.

Next weekend we’ll be at the Royal Show, and on the Sunday of that same weekend, IoMFoE runs its second activity-packed Beach Day in Port Erin from 11am till 4pm near the Cosy Nook.

We’ll also be getting involved at the Food Festival again, with new materials and information on sustainable foodstuffs, the impact of climate change on food production and a celebration of our stunning local produce.

Please come and visit us – to find out more, email greencentre@manx.net

We are now well into the run-up to September’s Isle of Man General Election...

No, let me re-phrase that please in the prevailing jargon of Manx election campaigning.

We are going forward to the Isle of Man’s General Election. We don’t say things like run-up or count-down any more. Going forward is the thing we say – time after time after time.

The other options available in the English language are languishing in the dust of politicospeak.

This matter came up for discussion the other evening when I was out on a pub crawl in Douglas with a group of crabs and I say pub crawl in the best sense of the word. You know how it is with crabs.They go, or crawl, sideways.

I can report that my friends were all pretty miffed at the use of the phrase ‘going forward’.

One of them said there should be a clause putting a stop to it under the legislation covering elections.

Or did he say claws? It was hard to tell.

But the essence of the matter was that these crabs felt ‘going forward’ was outright anti-shellfishism.

Just you try saying that after a pub crawl with a lot of crabs.

‘CHUCK’ in Castletown says the Examiner had a story about that troublesome diesel locomotive owned by Isle of Man Railways, saying it was: ‘Currently out of service awaiting repairs for a loose tyre problem.’

Chuck wonders what kind of loco it is that has tyre problems.

I don’t know. Let’s say it must be tired out.

THE crossword clue this week is reported by Andrew Crooks as follows: ‘It appeared in The Listener crossword published in The Times, allegedly the most difficult weekly cryptic crossword.

‘The solver was informed that two letters were to be removed from the clue before solving, the removed two letters forming part of an instruction for solving another clue: “Pony raced over aisle round centre of beach (3)”.

‘The letters to be removed were the ‘d’ of raced and the ‘a’ of aisle so the clue to be solved becomes “Pony race over isle round centre of beach (3)”.

‘Answer: Tat –TT round A, centre of beach literally, nothing to do with Cringle’s Rock. Chamber’s Dictionary gives a meaning for tat, or tattoo, as “native-bred Indian pony.”

Andrew tells me: ‘If you are short of copy for your Examiner column you may wish to take on the challenge of making this comprehensible to your readers.’

Let me make it comprehensible to me first Andrew.

COLIN Brown says he and his wife Margaret saw the following on a Douglas restaurant menu: ‘Freshly caught crab salad’.

As Colin says the menu did not specify where the salad was caught...

Perhaps it was cos they didn’t know.

ANDREW Kerr-Phillips says last week’s Examiner had the headline: ‘Move to alley fears over new antenna.’

As he adds: ‘Yes, nothing more worrying than walking down an alley to find an antenna in the way.’

Surely it would have signal of some kind on it.

THE Aberdeen Press and Journal reported: ‘Figures reveal a huge drop in people caught urinating in the street.’

Just the one?

FUNNIES File: Scottish booksellers Angus & Robertson once advertised a book called: ‘Scotland and Her Tartans’ telling potential buyers: ‘Look up your clan’s kilt and see where you came from.’

SIGNS: On a maternity room door: ‘Push, Push, Push.’

John Rutherford Duffy and Doreen Ann Duffy, both of Rugby, Warwickshire, bought 23 King Edward Close, Onchan, for £485,000.

It was bought from John Bernard Finnerty and Audrey Finnerty.

Other recent transactions lodged at the General Registry in Douglas are as follows:

James Michael West and Dympna Philomena West, sold 122 Maghergarran, Port Erin, for £245,000, to John William Ridley and Margaret Elizabeth Ridley, of Camelford, Cornwall.

Karen Louise Field sold 8 Fairfield Avenue, Ballachurry, Onchan, for £232,500, to Alan Ferrington, 6 Marina Close, Onchan.

Charles Malcolm Dransfield, of Runcorn, as executor, Alan Carl Dransfield, of Liverpool, as executor, and Alan Graham Dransfield, by executor, sold 19 Ballacriy Park, Colby, for £205,000, to Barry Nelson Collister and Lorna Irene Collister, of 1 Ballachrink, Colby.

Klaus George Dembon sold 55 Governors Road, Onchan, for £145,000, to Noel John Kissack, of 69 King Edward Road, Onchan.

The Department of Food, Environment and Education, whose registered office is situate at Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St John’s, sold land at Slieau Lhost Quarry, Onchan, for £40,000, to Peveril Rifle and Pistol Club Limited, whose registered office is situate at The Barn, Moaney Woods Farm, Church Road, Lonan.

---------------------------

We publish details of all house sales unless we receive a written request from the police or probation services.

Visitors to the Royal Manx Agricultural Show will be able to ‘Ping a Pound’ to Hospice Isle of Man in a competition organised by Barclays.

The Bank will be hosting visitors to the show in a tent dedicated to exploring useful digital technologies that can support the local community and the competition will ask islanders to donate a pound to Hospice Isle of Man through Barclays’ mobile payment app ‘Pingit’.

Anyone donating a pound will go into a draw to win a FitBit.

Hospice Isle of Man hopes to raise £300 from the Pingit competition which will go towards a new wheelchair-friendly bench.

The bench will be used in the charity’s newly opened Children’s Garden at Rebecca House.

The boss of a private bank has told of his sadness that the business is pulling out of the island.

Mohammed Jafri said: ‘I’ve enjoyed every second of living and working in the Isle of Man. It’s such a nice place.’

Mr Jafri is vice president of Habib European Bank which has surrendered its licence with the Financial Services Authority.

Mr Jafri and three other people worked for the bank which is based in a prominent spot in the finance sector in Athol Street, Douglas.

The private bank has operated as a wholly owned subsidiary in the island since 1982.

Mr Jafri revealed customers were first informed of the impending closure last November.

The island bank itself will finally close for good nextmonth (September).

Mr Jafri stressed all deposits have been returned to the bank’s private clients and nobody has lost any money.

The private bank will be contining its operations in the UK, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Mr Jafri has himself been with the bank in the island for 24 years. He told Business News that the Athol Street company Estera would be looking after the bank’s affairs after it finally leaves.

Mr Jafri, 65, said he and his wife Yasmin have put their house in Tromode up for sale and he is looking to possibly leaving the island in October to retire to his home country of Pakistan where relatives still live.

Mr Jafri and his wife have three grown-up children who enjoyed being educated in the island. He said the family has enjoyed being part of the island community and friendships had also been forged with fellow muslims who attended Friday prayers at the mosque in Douglas.

Mr Jafri said he was proud of having his own Manx passport and has loved exploring the island. ‘I think I now know every lane and corner in the island which is a such a nice place,’ he said.

He stressed the bank was leaving on good terms. He said there had not been many local accounts and most customers were from off the island.

It is understood the three other permanent members of staff, have accepted redundancy terms.

Mr Jafri hopes he would not lose touch with his friends in the island and one day they might return for a holiday.

Motorists will face disruption on one of the main roads in the south of the island from Monday.

The Department of Infrastructure will start working on the main Ballabeg to Colby road, the A7.

Its workers will replace the carriageway surface to address the poor ride quality and carry out improvements to the existing kerbing and drainage.

The scheme will introduce what the department calls ‘village gateway features to help identify the need for motorists to drive at appropriate speeds through the area’, especially near Arbory Primary School.

The road will be closed from Cronk y Thatcher in Colby to the B42 Ronague Road in Ballabeg on a rolling basis each day between 9.15am and 5pm. Access to properties will be maintained and the work is scheduled for completion by Monday, September 5.

The department’s public transport division is working with highway services to maintain bus operations through the roadworks.

A spokemsan said: ‘Efforts will be made to ensure that any changes to scheduled bus services are notified in advance.’

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne said: ‘This section of road is in poor condition and the scheme will significantly improve the ride quality for motorists.

‘Measures to limit traffic speeds will support the safety of all road users, especially children attending Arbory school.

‘I would like to thank people in advance for their patience and cooperation while these improvements take place.’

A new business making wine out of locally grown produce such as elderflower and honey is being established in Port Erin.

Permission has been granted, with planners commenting that it will ‘provide an additional feature of interest’.

The venture also has the backing of the local authority, which welcomed a new business and the increased footfall it promises to bring to the village.

The couple behind the venture – called Foraging Vintners – are taking delivery of equipment to set up the distillery in a property which was, some time ago, a coal yard and latterly was used as a wooden toy workshop, near the Raglan Pier, later this month.

Marybeth Coll, who will run the company with her partner, Ian Swindells, said: ‘We are creating a winery using produce available locally rather than grapes – they would not grow in this little island.

‘We will use elder flower, honey and berries to make wine and sparkling wine.

‘It will be similar to craft beer. We will be able to produce small amounts – enough to supply the island – and maybe expand.’

The process of sourcing produce will require co-operation from local residents and many have already expressed support for the business.

And the Foraging Vintners are open to ideas and suggestions about what – and where – to forage.

‘It will be a call to arms,’ she said. ‘We want to work with property owners, foster relationships with people.

‘We’ve had comments from people saying: “You should go and talk to my nan about that”. People are offering all sorts of things.’

Following the advice of friends who run wineries in Italy and Slovenia, to get the highest quality product they want it to be organic and – if possible – grown to bio-dynamic principles, which adheres to strict guidelines including harvesting according to the moon’s phases.

At the Port Erin base they will cover the whole wine production process – from maceration of the raw material to the labelling of bottles – and there they will also sell and distribute wine and hold wine tasting sessions. She said it could lead to employment opportunities.

Marybeth is a commercial lawyer and is from the USA, while Ian, who is Australian, works on oil rigs. The venture is a way of bringing them together by running a business in the island, where they have lived for five years.

‘We just love it here,’ she said. ‘We want to spend more time together.’

All being well, the first bottles of Foraging Vintners wine will be in rolling out of their boutique, harbour-side distillery by Mothers’ Day next year.

A newly-formed political party will hold its first annual general meeting tonight (Thursday).

The Isle of Man Green Party will hold the meeting tonight at 7pm at 18 Albert Street, Douglas.

The agenda will include the acceptance of any nominations for candidates who would like to stand in next month’s general election, the determination of the party name, the acceptance of the constitution of the party, the election of leader, secretary and treasurer, and whether there should be a membership fee. All members of the public are invited to the AGM.

For more information email greenpartyiom@hotmail.com or phone Andrew Newton on 427925.

Anyone interested can also visit www.greenpartyiom.moonfruit.com for further details.

Young swimmers in Peel took part in the launch of the British Isles-wide Swim Safe campaign yesterday (Wednesday) at Fenella Beach.

And the campaign has been praised by one Peel mother who has revealedhow it helped her son when he got into trouble .

Swim Safe, which is delivered in partnership between the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) and RNLI, aims to teach children how to stay safe in or near open water.

Since it began in Cornwall in 2013 it has taught 12,000 across the British Isles.

Donna Crowe from Peel said that her son William took part in last year’s Swim Safe event and the experience has proved invaluable.

He got into difficulty while swimming at Fenella beach six weeks ago. He was hit by a wave and forced underwater but managed to make it back to the beach. Donna said: ‘He doesn’t know exactly how he managed to get back to the beach after being forced underwater, but he said he remembered the advice given in Swim Safe lessons last year, “Stay calm and don’t panic if you get into trouble at sea”. This really helped him.

‘William has had swimming lessons in the pool but what happened to him shows the sea brings its own risks.

‘I am really glad William did Swim Safe and I think it’s great that hundreds more children will be learning how to keep safe in the sea this week.’

The Swim Safe sessions include a land-based safety lesson with RNLI lifeguards and in-water tuition with ASA qualified swimming teachers.

Wetsuits and hats are provided, and there is a free goody bag containing a T-shirt for every child.

Krystina Wheeldon, Swim Safe co-ordinator for the programme in Peel, said: ‘There are all sorts of environmental factors to consider when you’re swimming outdoors, and it’s important children know how to call for help if they get into trouble.’

The sessions continue today and tomorrow, from 10.30am to 6pm at Fenella Beach.

For more on the sessions contact Mal Kelly at Peel RNLI on 842731 or 490251.

Palace Cinema

• Finding Dory (U).

2D: Daily at 7.30pm, Sat and Sun at 3.30pm.

• Suicide Squad (15).

3D: Daily at 7.30pm, Sat and Sun at 2.30pm.

• Pete’s Dragon (PG). Sat and Sun at 1.30pm and 5.30pm.

Broadway Cinema

• Jason Bourne, (12A). Daily at 4.30pm and 7.30pm.

• The BFG, (PG). Daily at 2pm.

Thursday, August 11

• Walk and Talk: Peel promenade, 10am-11.30am. Also Fri, NSC, 9.30am-11.30am; Mon, Poulsom Park, Castletown, 10am-noon, NSC, 5.30pm-7.30pm; Tues, NSC, 9.30am-11.30am. Wed, Mooragh Park, Ramsey, 10am-11.30am. Call Lesley Patterson, 686852.

• Keep Fit for beginners/over 50s, Colby Football Club, 10am. Also, kettlecardio 6.30pm. Sat, kettlecardio, 10am. Wed, aerobics, Ballabeg Hall, 6pm. Call Sara, 432535.

• Iyengar yoga (mixed), 10 Perwick Bay, Port St Mary, 9.30am. Also, Tues, men only, 7pm; Wed, mixed, 6.45pm. Call 452791.

• Wheelie Active Parents (mums and buggies), Villa Marina reception, 9.30am.

• Chair-based exercise, Onchan Youth and Community Centre, 1.30pm. Also Fri, Port Erin Methodist Church hall, 2pm; Mon, Ramsey town hall, 10.30am; Tues, Castletown Sandfield residents’ lounge, 2pm; Wed, Westlands’ residents’ lounge, Peel, 10.30am. Call 642668.

• Pilates, beginners to intermediate, 38 Woodbourne Square, Douglas, 2pm, 5.30pm and 7pm. Call 491449.

• Tai Chi Chuan, Lezayre parish hall, 2pm. Call Pete Jackson, 898468.

• Mini tennis coaching, Douglas LTC, Kensington Road. Year 3, 4.30pm; year 4, 5.30pm. Also Tues, adult beginners and improvers tennis coaching, 6pm. Call 302642.

• Iyengar inspired yoga, Laxey Football Club. Children’s yoga years 3 to 6, 3.30pm; recep-yr 2, 4.30-5.15pm; teenage yoga, 5.15pm; men’s yoga, 6.30pm. Also Mon, mixed ability hatha yoga, 9.15am; Wed, adult Iyengar inspired yoga, 7pm-8.30pm. Call Jane, 863130.

• Southern Gymnastics Club, Ballasalla School, 4pm. Also Tues, CRHS, 5pm. Call 473741.

• Northern Gymnastics Club, RGS, 5pm.

• Anti-gravity yoga, Savina’s Secret Studio, Glen Falcon Road, Douglas, 6.30pm. Also, pole fitness, 7.45pm. Call 203502.

• Western Athletics Club, QEII High School, 6.30pm.

• Zumba, Carrefour Health Club, Douglas, 6.30pm. Also Mon, 8pm; Wed, 9.45am.

• Cardiotone, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 7pm. Also Mon, 7pm. Call 452729/863602.

• Peel Badminton Club, Corrin Hall, Peel, 7pm.

• Aquafit, Western Swimming Pool, 7pm. Also Tues, 1.15pm.

• Aerobics and body toning, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 7pm. Also Mon, Park View hall, Kirk Michael. Call 455924.

• Zumba, The Institute, Laxey 7pm-8pm, also Tues, 7.30pm.

• Yoga, Cooil Methodist hall, 7.15pm. Call 494489.

• Fencing, Ashley Hill School, 7.30pm. Also Mon, Andreas parish hall, 4.30pm; Tues, Arbory parish hall, 4pm and Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, 6.30pm; Wed, Scoill Ree Gorree, Ramsey, 5pm. Call 880863.

• Zumba, The Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 7.30pm. Call 425270. Also Tues.

• Fun Aquafit, Cherry Orchard Hotel pool, 7.45pm. Also Tues.

Friday, August 12

• Ladies tennis, Albany LTC, 10am. Also Sat, junior beginners, noon; Sun, club morning, 10.30am; Tues, club night, 7pm; Wed, club morning, 10.30am; Call Pat Sharp, 861497/ Jan Gaskill, 862144.

• RUN IOM running group for all abilities with UKA qualified coach,TT Grandstand, Noble’s Park, 12.10pm-12.45pm. See Facebook or email 4t8@manx.net Also Mon, meet Jubilee Kiosk, Douglas seafront.

• Acrobatics, The Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 4.30pm.

• Cronkbourne Cricket Club juniors indoor training, BHS, 5.45pm.

• Yoga class, Move it Dance Studio, Westmoreland Road, 6pm-7.30pm.

• Manx ABC Boxing, Palace Terrace, Douglas. Juniors, 6pm; seniors , 7pm. Also Mon and Wed.

• Yoga, Morton Hall, Onchan, 6.30pm. Call 494489.

• Tai chi chuan, Murray’s Road School, Douglas, 7.30pm. Call 612305.

• Indoor bowls, Legion Hall, Port St Mary, 7.30pm.

Saturday, August 13

• Pregnancy yoga, All Saints’ hall, Douglas, 10am. Call 461461.

• Yoga, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 10.15am. Also Mon.

• Yoga, Arbory parish hall, 10.30am. Call 494489.

• St Mary’s football club mixed u11s, Pulrose football fields, 10.30am. Call 405859.

• Tae Kwondo beginners, Pinewood Complex, Pulrose, 10.45am. Text 432152.

Sunday, August 14

• Reikido, The Royal British Legion, Port Erin, 11am. Also Mon, 8pm. Call Nick, 398955.

• Yoga and Nutrition, Karma Yoga Studio, Douglas, 6pm.

Monday, August 15

• Pilates Isle of Man, mat based Pilates classes, The Pilates Studio, Peel, Monday 9.30am, Wednesday 5.15pm and 6.30pm, Thursday 6.15pm, Friday 9.30am, Saturday 9.45am. Also mat based Pilates, Colby Methodist Hall, Monday 6pm. Chair based Pilates, Pilates Studio, Peel, Thursday 10am ( free for members of MS Society). Pilates for orthopedic and neurological conditions available upon request, ante/post natal Pilates as required. Contact Lizzy Main, 427401, pilatesisleofman@manx.net,pilates-isle-of-man.co.uk.

• Beginners yoga, Karma, 2nd Floor, Victoria Street, Douglas 10am.

• Exercise Boot Camp, Corrin Hall, Peel, 6.15pm. Also Wed, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 6pm; Thurs, Glen Vine Church hall, 9.15am.

• Finch Hill cricket training, 7pm-8pm.

• Bodyweight and cardiotone, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 7pm. Call 452729.

• Women’s self-defence classes, British Legion hall, Port Erin, 7.30pm.

• Kirk Michael Badminton Club, Park View hall, 8pm. Call 878536.

Tuesday, August 16

• Early Morning Boot Camp, Marown Millennium hall, 6.15am. Also Wed and Fri. Evening Boot Camp, 6pm, Thurs and Tues, 6pm; Sat, 9am. Also kettlebells, Sat, 8am; Wed, 6pm. Call 465335.

• Fit2Go walking, Station Road car park, St John’s, 9am.

• Pilates at 38 Woodbourne Square, Douglas, 9.15am; Trinity Church, Ramsey, 6.15pm. Also, balance and pilates, Cooyrt Balleigh, Ramsey, 1.30pm. No floor exercise. Call 491449.

• Isle of Man Schools Fencing, Arbory Village Hall, 4pm-5pm. Also St John’s Methodist Hall, 5.30pm-6.30pm. Wed, The Gym, Parliament Street, Ramsey, 4pm-5pm. Thur, St ninian’s Church Hall, 4pm-5pm and 5.30pm-6.30pm. Beginners welcome, all equipment supplied.

• Cheerleading, All Saints’ Church hall, 4.30pm. Call 254499.

• James fitness boot camp, Douglas promenade, 6pm-7pm. Also Thursday. Call, 614570.

• Adult beginners and improvers tennis coaching, Douglas LTC, Kensington Road, 6pm, Call 302642.

• Zumba, Fiesta Havana, Douglas, 7pm. Email sjh@manx.net

• Tai Chi Chuan, Lezayre parish community hall, 7pm.

• IoM Karate Federation, Murray’s Road School, juniors, 7pm; seniors, 7.30pm. Call 612305.

• Badminton club, Arbory School, Ballabeg, 8pm-10pm. Call Liz on 466370.

Wednesday, August 17

• Zumba classes, beginners, antenatal and postnatal, 9.45am, zumba fitness, advanced, 10.45am at Zumba Isle of Man, Silvercraigs Hotel. Call 677776.

• Thompson Travel Netball Club junior training, St Ninian’s Lower School, u11s 6-7pm, u14s and u16s 7-8pm, u18s and seniors, 8-9pm TERM TIME ONLY.

• MYG junior cricket training, Ashley Hill School, under 9s, 6pm-7pm; u11s, 7pm-9pm.

• Valkyrs Hockey Club training, QEII astro pitch, Peel. Juniors, 6pm; seniors, 7.30pm. Call 801802.

• Iyengar inspired yoga, Brightlife, Andreas, 6pm. Call Kel, 452015.