A Kirk Michael athlete has taken home her first ever first place trophy in a major fitness competition.

Erin Bonett, aged 28, showed off her strength and stamina to win the women’s section of CrossFit contest the Celtic Games in Belfast.

Erin was specially invited to take part in the games after she took part in The Open, the first qualifying stage for the worldwide CrossFit Games, and was one of the top women from the Celtic regions.

CrossFit combines a wide variety of movements including weightlifting, bodyweight movements and cardio exercises. It is a varied strength and conditioning programme, delivered at high intensity.

The 28-year-old, who along with her husband Dan run the CrossFit IOM gym in Kirby Farm Industrial Estate, Braddan, said she has taken part in around seven or eight CrossFit competitions but this is the first contest where she has won first place as an individual.

‘In the final there was maybe 12 girls,’ Erin said. ‘We had four different workouts to do so the first was three rounds of 50 skipping double unders, then 24 alternate kettlebell snatches and 10 back squats with 55kg.’

From the four workouts Erin achieved three first places and one third place, and finished the competition with a total of six points.

She took home a trophy and also £350 for her first place win.

The Celtic Games, which was held at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast, saw more than 200 competitors battle it out to take home a trophy. It was made up by 40 invited athletes, along with 60 same sex teams of three.

In the past Erin has competed in various competitions as an individual and as part of a team which have included the Battle of London, Wild West Fitness, Bodypower Games and the Battle of Britain Throwdown.

Erin said her main goal now is to train so she can make it to the worldwide CrossFit Games: ‘I’m going to take the rest of the year to concentrate on getting to regionals of the CrossFit Games in May.’

Talking about CrossFit and the training they do at the gym, which opened in 2012, she said: ‘It’s good to see your progress in different things and you’re always getting further and getting stronger. We don’t necessarily focus on body image, we focus on fitness progression.

‘I think people like it because everybody starts with different goals but as they progress their goals change and they want to try something else.’

The Celtic Games was part of health and fitness exhibition Irish MusclePower 2016, which hosted other events such as the World’s Strongest Man competition for athletes under 105kgs, powerlifting and strength contests, and health, fitness and sport seminars.

A man has been accused of assaulting a woman on two separate occasions during domestic arguments.

Police are appealing for witnesses following the two incidents, which took place in both Douglas and Ramsey.

The first incident took place on the evening of either Wednesday, July 6 or Thursday, July 7 in the Marine Drive area of Douglas. Police say it is likely someone has heard screaming during the assault.

The second incident took place on the afternoon of Saturday, August 6 in the play park on Mooragh Promenade in Ramsey. On this occasion the woman sustained an injury to her face.

If you witnessed either of the two assaults or have any information contact Detective Constable Kate Crompton at police headquarters on 631212.

A 29-year-old man has been fined £700 after admitting being in charge of a vehicle after drinking alcohol.

Steven Bradley Underwood, of Royal Avenue West, Onchan, had his licence endorsed with 10 penalty points and was also ordered to pay £280.66 costs.

The court heard how, on July 29 at 1.35am, police found Underwood in the driver’s seat of a BMW on level eight of Chester Street car park.

The engine was running but as police approached the car Underwood turned the engine off, then on again.

He was said to be heavily intoxicated and was arrested and taken to police headquarters.

A breathalyser test recorded 73 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres – the legal limit for driving is 35.

During a police interview Underwood gave ‘no comment’ responses but handed in a prepared statement after consulting with his advocate.

In the statement Underwood said that he had parked the car there at 8.45am that morning then gone to work.

He said that he had then gone out after work before returning to the car.

Defence advocate Jim Travers handed in three character references on behalf of Underwood.

Mr Travers said: ‘The engine had been running. He had been asleep and was startled by the police and pressed the ignition button twice as he went to switch it off. That area of the car park is contract parking and he has a space there. We are dealing with a public place but not on a road.

‘Mr Underwood agreed to an impromptu night out, intending to go for dinner, but the dinner never materialised.

‘At the end of the night he made his way back to his vehicle. He is very remorseful that he took that step.’

Mr Travers asked the court not to disqualify Underwood saying that he used his car for work and also gave lifts to junior members of his hockey club.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said: ‘It was a public place where you were unlikely to come into contact with people but the temptation would have been to drive in your intoxicated state. That is the danger. You were more than twice the drink-drive limit but it appears to have been a one-off incident.’

Reigning Canada Life Premier League champions St George’s started the new campaign with a bang beating Ayre United 13-1 in Andreas.

Last season’s treble winners actually had to come from behind against the Tangerines after new signing Dean Tate netted early on. However, Geordies hit back emphatically Sam Caine leading the way with four goals. Joining him on the scoresheet were an own goal, skipper Frank Jones (2), Johnny Myers and Chris Bass Jr, the latter two netting rare hat-tricks.

Title challengers Peel edged past western rivals St John’s 1-0 thanks to Adam Cregeen’s early goal, while Corinthians beat DHSOB 3-0 with Josh Ridings (2) and Danny Oram on target.

Rushen made a flying start to the season thanks to a surprise 6-0 win over Laxey. Jamie Johnston (2), Jack Saxon (2), Mike Williams and Tommy Doherty troubled the scorers at Croit Lowey.

Promoted sides Douglas Athletic and Colby both lost. Athletic went down 3-1 to a Steven Priestnal-inspired St Mary’s, the Saints stalwart bagging a hat-trick to cancel out Jamie Clague’s goal for the top-flight debutants.

Colby lost 1-0 to Union Mills on their Premier League return, Kyle Uren netting for the Millers from the penalty spot.

In JCK Division Two, Braddan won the battle of the promotional hopefuls, beating Gyms 6-2 at Tromode thanks to among other things a hat-trick from Andy Glover.

Castletown scored an impressive 5-0 win away at relegated RYCOB, while the Foxdale revolution gathered further momentum with a 3-1 win over Youthie’s fellow relegated side Marown.

Douglas Royal started the season with a 6-0 win at Malew, while Pulrose well and truly hit the goal trail netting double figures as Governor’s Athletic were beaten 13-2 at Springfield Road.

The other second tier’s other match between Onchan and Michael ended goal-less.

Full round-up and reports on St Mary’s, Union Mills and Foxdale’s wins in Tuesday’s Examiner.

Canada Life Premier League

Ayre Utd 1-13 St George’s

Corinthians 3-0 DHSOB

Rushen Utd 6-0 Laxey

St John’s Utd 0-1 Peel

St Mary’s 3-1 Douglas Athletic

Union Mills 1-0 Colby

JCK Ltd Division Two

Foxdale 3-1 Marown

Gymns 2-6 Braddan

Malew 0-6 Douglas Royal

Onchan 0-0 Michael Utd

Pulrose Utd 13-2 Governor’s Athletic

RYCOB 0-5 Castletown

Canada Life Combination One

Colby 2-1 Union Mills

DHSOB 3-3 Corinthians

Douglas Athletic 3-3 St Mary’s

Laxey 6-2 Rushen Utd

Peel P-P St John’s Utd

St George’s P-P Ayre Utd

JCK Ltd Combination Two

Braddan 4-0 Gymns

Castletown 3-1 RYCOB

Douglas Royal 12-1 Malew

Governor’s Athletic 2-8 Pulrose Utd

Marown 0-3 Foxdale

Michael Utd 3-15 Onchan

Cregneash is hosting a Summer Adventure Day – Farming on Wednesday next week (August 17).

The Manx National Heritage site will lead a guided expedition of the village where little adventurers experience farm life with animals, food production and the seasonal harvest.

The session runs from 2pm until 4pm and will end with a themed workshop.

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

To book a place, call 834993.

Crawling with creativity, the Isle of Man is a hub for ingenious individuals.

So it’s no surprise that MakeMarket have decided to unlock this potential by taking over the Market Hall in Douglas for a range of workshops.

They include Digital Media Startup sessions every Tuesday morning in August from 10am, led by Mannimation founder Gary Myers.

‘Digital media skills can be applied to so many careers,’ he said.

Even complete beginners can try producing a digital sketch and adding a virtual paint of movement to it.

In a scintillating blend of architecture, photography, fabric art, sewing, and design Kirsten Penzes will be running a Mod-A-T full day workshop on Wednesday next week (August 17) for eight to 16-year-olds. For £27, attendees will modify an oversized T-shirt into any garment they desire.

Yoga teacher Bryony Harrison is holding Yoga for Creativity sessions, every Tuesday in August. The cost is£25 for four sessions (or £7 each).

Book via the Facebook page www.Facebook.com/MakeMarketIOM.

Budding musicians in need of a place to perform or rehearse can use the Market Hall as it will be open all week.

Contact MakeMarket coordinator Louisa Thomas on the Facebook page or email her email louisa@manx.net

Unplug your razor, as the Family Library will be hosting a Wear a Beard Day next month.

Inspired by their pirate-themed Summer Reading Scheme, they are calling for workers and schools to produce some winning whiskers on Friday, September 9.

Any money raised from the event will go towards the running costs of the Family Library and the Mobile Family Library.

Librarian-in-charge Mary Cousins said: ‘Pirates were never that keen on shaving and we thought this would be a good way for everyone to get involved in a fun event to raise funds for the library.

‘We’ve already heard back from some schools and workplaces that will take part.

‘And don’t worry, you don’t have to grow your own beard!

‘We will be providing some top false beard-making tips in the run up to Wear a Beard Day.’

You can already get some inspiration for your own facial dress code by clicking the beard icon on the library’s website www.familylibrary.im

The library has already enlisted one high profile supporter for Wear a Beard Day.

Beth Espey, from Manx Radio’s Women Today programme, has pledged to wear a beard during her broadcast on September 9.

Beth said: ‘Presenting live radio in a false beard is certainly on my bucket list of media challenges, so I’m looking forward to this.

‘It’s for a great cause. The Family Library and the Mobile Family Library do a wonderful job.

‘We’re bristling with ideas of how we can ensure all our studio guests that day have beards.’

The Family Library is in the middle of its annual summer reading scheme, this year entitled ‘We Be Pirates’.

The library is next to the children’s playground in Westmoreland Road, Douglas.

Bewitching Butterflies is the title of the next Manx Wildlife Trust wild family fun event.

It takes place on Wednesday next week (August 17) in the gardens of Milntown, in Ramsey.

Go along for butterfly spotting during a guided walk around the gardens.

Observe caterpillars and butterflies and find out which flowers butterflies like best.

Bewitching Butterflies takes place from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Normal admission prices apply, plus a minimum donation of £1 to the MWT.

A 29-year-old man from Douglas has been fined £400 for using a mobile phone while driving.

Jamie Mark Smith, of Quay West Apartments, also had his driving licence endorsed with four points and £50 court costs.

The court heard how, on May 30 at 9.05pm, police saw Smith driving along Banks Circus onto Bridge Road in Douglas in a Mercedes Benz.

Police could see that Smith had a mobile phone in his hand, holding it against his right ear with his mouth moving suggesting he was talking on the phone.

When he noticed the police he dropped the phone but was stopped and told police: ‘It’s the first time you’ve got me on my phone for a while.’

The court heard that Smith had been convicted of similar offences in 2008 and 2011.

Defence advocate Winston Taylor said: ‘My client was travelling home just round the corner when he received a call from his mum. He answered it just to tell her he was pulling up to home.’

Chair of the magistrates Caroline Convery said: ‘There is no reason you couldn’t have waited to answer so near to home.’

Parishioners representing the churches of the island’s northern plain gathered in Ballaugh Parish hall to bid farewell to the rector of Ballaugh, the Reverend Canon Cyril Rogers, on his retirement.

Captain of the Parish Edgar Cowin paid tribute to Mr Rogers’ active participation in rural life. St Mary’s Church choir directed by Dr Fenella Bazin sang an anthem followed by ‘Now the Boats are Outward Sailing’.

The Rogers family came to the island 19 years ago and their children, Jamie, Katie and Michael, attended local schools.

In his holiday time, Mr Rogers undertook his long-distance cycle rides, which included a 1,000-mile journey from John O’ Groats to Land’s End, as well as a ride across Ireland and a circuit of the Isle of Man, all to raise funds for good causes, including the restoration of Ballaugh church tower.

The farewell party – one of several – was organised by parishioner June Young, who arranged for the surprise appearance of the rector’s friend and cycling companion, Ian Wallace, from Luton.

When the Church of England began the re-organisation of the northern parishes in 2010, Mr Rogers accepted the challenge with good grace.

He then said: ‘I am determined to do this and to see healthy thriving congregations in each of my churches and those churches serving their local communities. I am looking forward to seeing some positive things happen.’

As the final stage of the reorganisation, he was given responsibility for St Stephen’s in Sulby – in addition to churches in Ballaugh, Jurby and Andreas.

As well as his ever-expanding duties as a clergyman, he served as chairman of Amnesty International Isle of Man group.

In his role as diocesan social responsibility advisor, he was able to offer confidential assistance to anyone anxious about their personal finances.

In recent years he was appointed to the senior post of northern rural dean.

Mr Rogers and his wife, Anne, will be returning to England where they will live in Basingstoke, to be closer to their grown up children, Jamie, Katie and Michael.

The vacancy caused by his retirement has yet to be advertised.

Adventurous Experiences has twice been a finalist for the award for Corporate Social Responsibility at Isle of Man Newspapers’ Awards for Excellence.

Owner Keirron Tastagh has told us why he entered his company and what he gained from it.

The award for Corporate Social Responsibility at the Awards for Excellence has traditionally been the preserve of the larger corporates with big budgets to spend on community and charity projects. In 2014, however, a much smaller company – Adventurous Experiences – entered and became a finalist. Last year, the company repeated the achievement.

Adventurous Experiences was set up to provide exactly what the name suggests – a range of activities to take you slightly out of your comfort zone and give you an experience you will never forget. These include sea kayaking, coasteering and gorge scrambling.

The company is also focussed on youth development with a number of programmes for youngsters of all ages and this was Keirron’s reason for entering the Awards for Excellence.

He said: ‘We wanted to highlight one of our long-term development programmes, our Youth Scholarship - Development and Leadership Programme, which we entirely funded and delivered ourselves.

‘The programme actually initiated in 2003, prior to the company being established in 2004, and it’s much more than a community project – it’s a real commitment to the Isle of Man.’

He added: ‘The recognition as a finalist in 2014 in this most sought after category – Corporate Social Responsibility – assisted us in partnering with Conister Bank for our current intake of students. We have recently returned from a three-week overseas expedition in Vancouver Island, sea kayaking and mountain walking, following 18 months of training with Adventurous Experiences. Conister really understood what the programme stood for, and what it was achieving.

‘We were a finalist again last year, a terrific accolade for the commitment by our team to coaching people, changing perspectives. The night makes you feel very special.

‘It’s recognition of how a small business can really make a positive long-term change to the island, embracing real risk management education.’

Keirron added that ‘entering the Awards is a risk itself in many ways’, but said: ‘The feeling of accomplishment the whole team get from the Awards is a greater benefit, far outweighing the butterflies you get on the evening itself!

‘I feel that it’s certainly worth while taking the time to enter the Awards. When you’re filling in the entry form, the very act of setting your actions down on paper help focus what you’re doing, and why you do it.’

What impressed the judges: ‘Proving that small companies can also make a positive impact on the community, Adventurous Experiences’ Youth Scholarship Development and Leadership Programme gives young students from the Isle of Man the opportunity to be part of a team embarking on a once in a lifetime shared experience.’

Why not make this the year YOU enter Isle of Man Newspapers’ Awards for Excellence?

There are 16 award categories, including Corporate Social Responsibility, for companies of all sizes, individuals, public sector teams and charitable and community organisations.

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

Mark Cavendish begins his third Olympic campaign in Rio today, Sunday.

In his third Olympics, Cav will commence cycling’s version of the heptathlon with a 15km scratch race at 8.40pm (BST).

The elimination race takes place immediately afterwards from 9.42pm, with the 4km individual pursuit following almost directly after that.

On Monday, he will complete the final three races of the omnium with the 1km time trial from 2.20pm (BST), the 200-metre flying lap at 8pm and the 40km points race at 9.20pm.

Jessica Draskau-Petersson, who has dual Manx and Danish nationality, is to represent Denmark, her country of birth, in the women’s Olympic Games marathon later today.

The 38-year-old former QEII High School student finished an excellent 40th out of 107 in the 2012 marathon in a then personal best time of 2hr 31min 43sec.

She has been predominantly training in the United States of America since the last Olympics.

The 2016 Olympic Games women’s marathon starts at 1.30pm (BST).

Now I don’t think that I am a vindictive sort of bloke.

I don’t hold grudges or try to get even with anyone for something they said that I didn’t like.

If there is something to be said, let’s get on and say it, and draw a line, ready to start again.

But there is one thing that I don’t like, and if possible avoid like the plague.

Shopping. And if I was a follower of the Roman faith, there would be a repetitive theme at confession time.

‘Forgive me Father for I have sinned. I went into Marks and Spencer on my mobility scooter just to get in everyone’s way.’

I can imagine the penance: ‘Copy out the Cotton Trader’s catalogue three times.’

I have this overpowering urge just to disrupt supermarkets. I dream of going into Tesco on the scooter and pretending to have a breakdown in the fruit and veg aisle (mechanical not nervous).

That’s the aisle where it takes the average housewife 10 minutes to decide which leek to buy for the soup she plans to make for tomorrow’s tea.

I would time this pretend breakdown to happen just after the four members of staff who hide in the stockroom with their full pallet trucks and wait for me to come into the store, have made their pre­planned move to block me in. It would cause chaos.

And have you been into one of the Co­op supermarkets? Now in my opinion, the staff in the Co­op are the best. Shoprite staff are well up there, but the Co­op crew have nicer smiles.

But the one snag is the Co­op aisles are so narrow, there isn’t enough room for the customers and staff to be there at the same time.

In fact, if you were half a stone overweight, you would never fit between the shelves.

The Co­op advertise that they support the Fairtrade movement, which is all well and good. All they need to do now is to make the aisles six inches wider so customers can actually get to the stuff.

But my problem is that I am old enough to remember the days you went into a grocer’s shop, and the staff were all behind the counter and the customers were all in front. The lines were drawn and we all had our comfort zone.

To compare simple things like trips to the shops in the old days with a shopping trip in the present time is like trying to compare the Ben my Chree with Odin’s Raven.

They both float and either one of them is just as likely to collide with the pier as the other, but that’s where the comparisons end.

We all suffer from one or more varieties of ‘comparison­itis’.

One of the most common types , especially affecting the elderly, is ‘nostalgeria’.

This is not like comparing two sandwiches and deciding you prefer tuna and sweetcorn to chicken and ham.

It is like comparing a Melton Mowbray pie with one of Bateson’s pork pies, still warm from the oven, with fresh hot gravy dribbled from a jug into the holes in the crust.

Try this simple test. Do you remember bus conductors? If you say ‘yes’ with a hint of longing in your voice, then you have a severe case of ‘nostalgeria’. You should consult your GP or Terry Cringle as soon as possible.

If you can remember bus conductors and their names, you have terminal ‘nostalgeria’.

There is no cure. Off hand, I can only remember the names of three bus conductors on the Pully routes, but as I’m going back about 60 or 65 years ago, I suppose that I must be diagnosed as incurable.

On a double decker bus, the driver was isolated from the conductor and the passengers. He occupied a little cabin that could only be accessed from the road, which meant that because the passengers got on and off at the rear end of the bus, we never actually saw the driver, face to face.

Whereas the conductor was always in full view. The three names that I can remember, were Josh, Fly and Hector.

Does anyone know Terry Cringle’s phone number?

A 24-year-old man from Ramsey has received a 10-week jail sentence for being drunk and disorderly and damaging property.

Michael Anthony Brown, of Lezayre Road, has already served the time on remand so will not go to prison but was also ordered to pay £125 costs.

The Deputy High Bailiff heard how, on May 2 at 10.45am, the complainant was driving his van along Lezayre Road to Parliament Street in Ramsey.

He said he became aware of Brown walking in the road in front of his van and subsequently stopped.

Brown was then said to have punched the side of the van causing three small dents, each a few centimetres wide.

He then tried to get into the van but the complainant drove away before he could.

Police arrived and found Brown shouting abuse which they said did not seem to be directed at anyone in particular. He was arrested and made no reply after caution.

Brown was interviewed at police headquarters and told police that he had been drinking heavily because he just wanted to ‘knock himself out and get some sleep’.

custody

He went on to say that he had no recollection of the incident until he woke up in custody but admitted that it ‘sounded like something he would have done’.

Brown told police: ‘I can’t do anything but apologise.’

The court heard how Brown was also in breach of a 12-month probation order imposed last August for provoking behaviour.

Defending him in court advocate Peter Russell said: ‘The probation report is relatively positive. It does make some reference to my client seeking to blame the other party but that is not the case.

‘He was at Grianagh Court in July and now has a diagnosis of what his problems are. He is taking all his meds and actively engaging with probation.

‘He is very motivated. On the day of the offence he was intoxicated but not a well person. He drank because he was not well and has very little recollection of what occurred. He is already getting help through mental health services. He now presents as a completely different person.’

Brown was also ordered to pay £330 compensation to the owner of the van he punched.

Damage has been caused to a wire fence at the Ayres National Nature Reserve.

The three strand wire fence, on the east boundary of the nature reserve, has had two strands cut.

The damaged area is approximately 200 metres west from the beach at the Point of Ayre.

It is believed that the incident took place between Sunday, August 7 and Friday, August 12.

Constable Mark Kerruish said it is a fairly remote area, but is often visited by fisherman and dog walkers.

If anyone has any information contact Ramsey Police Station on 812234.

The mother of Manx-born band the Bee Gees has died.

Barbara Gibb died at the age of 95 on Friday evening (August 12) in Miami.

She was the mother of Bee Gees Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb, Andy Gibb and daughter Lesley.

She was surrounded by family and friends when she passed away.

A pair of young lynx are the newest attractions at the Curraghs Wildlife Park.

The one- and two-year-old female Northern Eurasian lynx, who are sisters, have arrived from the Highland Wildlife Park in Scotland.

They will be housed in an enclosure within the new extension to the lynx area.

Park general manager Kathleen Graham said the pair are settling in well. ‘It’s great to have young lynx again and in a nice new house. They look great in the new part of the enclosure.’

The park is also home to a 19-year-old lynx.

Douglas Choral Union is inviting applications for a bursary to support the development of local students pursuing further education in drama, dance, music and theatre. 

It’s aimed to help students fund planning to study any aspect of theatre at college or university, on-stage or off.

The bursary is available for anyone up to the age of 25.

While you don’t have to be a member of the society to apply, the DCU would be keen for recipients to participate in school visits and workshops to pass down their newly acquired skills, experience and knowledge.

DCU chairman Tony Jones explained: ‘The DCU has received such fantastic support from the Isle of Man public over the last few years that we find ourselves in a position where we can help directly to improve the standard of theatre and arts on the island.

‘By helping students to complete studies we hope their knowledge and skills will filter back to the island and keep Manx theatre at the highest standard, the standard the Manx public expect today.

‘I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our title sponsors, DQ Advocates, without whom we wouldn’t be able to provide such exciting opportunities for the island’s talented individuals.’

Request a nomination form from DCU committee member Kayleigh Parkinson by emailing kayleighdcu@hotmail.com

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to meet the committee, who will assess the applicants’ future plans.

The closing date for applications is August 19 for courses starting in September.

Meanwhile, following their massive success staging Jesus Christ Superstar, the DCU have already been working hard behind the scenes on their next production – the Broadway extravaganza ‘The Producers’.

The production – to be staged in April 2017 – will again be sponsored by DQ Advocates and promises to be an evening of unstoppable laughter.

Based on Mel Brooks’ much loved Academy Award-winning movie, The Producers is a hilarious musical comedy that has taken Broadway and the West End by storm, winning a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards and 3 Olivier Awards.

The DCU will be welcoming back their much respected director, Tony Finnegan.

Tony said: ‘I am so excited to be directing this. In fact, I’ve been wanting to do this ever since seeing it on Broadway! We have a lot of hard work ahead of us to get what I want from my head to the Gaiety stage but I am very much looking forward to the challenge and I think the audience will love it!’

Auditions will take place in October. More information and audition pieces will be posted at www.douglaschoralunion.im and their Facebook page.

The DCU is also keen to hear from anyone interested in working with them back stage – email Charlotte Faragher on charlottefaragher@outlook.com

While 72 per cent of top executives believe the next three years will be more critical to their industry than the previous 50 years, the vast majority are confident of their company’s growth prospects, according to a report issued by KPMG.

The 2016 Global Outlook, a survey of nearly 1,300 chief executive officers worldwide, also revealed that 86 per cent of CEOs interviewed were confident in their home country’s growth, 85 per cent were confident in their industry and 80 per cent were confident in the global economy.

Major areas of concern related to customer loyalty, the impact of the global economy on their business if growth forecasts are not realised and a lack of time to think strategically in response to forces of disruption or innovation.

While the report is based on a survey of CEOs internationally, KPMG Isle of Man’s managing director Mike Fayle said there was much for Isle of Man businesses to consider in its findings.

He said: ‘The report shows that while most CEOs are optimistic about their company’s future prospects, the pace of change that is being driven by new technology across all industries is forcing businesses to re-evaluate their behaviour and their approach to the market.

‘It is telling that despite their optimism, some 82 per cent of those surveyed are concerned whether their company’s current products or services will even be relevant to customers three years from now.

‘Disruptive new entrants are transforming the way traditional businesses work and CEOs are recognising that they need to harness new technology and develop specialised talent to strengthen their capabilities and keep ahead of the game.

‘With four in 10 CEOs expecting to significantly change their operating model over the next three years, it’s a case of now or never for many to make an essential leap forward.’

The negative impact of new technology was a feature in the top risks identified by those participating in the report. Cyber security was at the top of the risk list in the 2016 report, despite not even making the top five in 2015, with 72 per cent of CEOs admitting they believed their organisation is not fully prepared for a cyber event.

Concerns were also voiced about the level of data and analytical sophistication within their companies, and their ability to connect with customers through digital channels.

Mike Fayle said: ‘Cyber security is a huge concern for any business, wherever they are in the world, and it has to be a major consideration for the Isle of Man both from a financial and reputational point of view. The Chief Constable recently outlined the challenge that cybercrime poses and the difficulty of providing enough resources to combat it in a small jurisdiction.

‘Interestingly, in the Global Outlook Report, there was a strong willingness from respondents to share their experiences about privacy breaches and that shared learning is something that we could easily undertake here in the Isle of Man.

‘We look forward to the seventh annual KPMG eGaming Summit taking place here on September 8, which will generate discussion for many of these issues with an extended programme of presentations from disruptive technology experts.’

On a more positive note, 99 per cent of CEOs interviewed said they were taking action to develop future and existing talent and 96 per cent were expecting to increase headcount over the next three years.

Castletown library is back in business in a new room upstairs in Castletown civic centre.

The library – closed since refurbishment of the centre began earlier this year – can be accessed by lift.

Opening hours have been extended and are: Monday and Wednesday, 1pm to 5pm, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, 10am to 12.30pm and Thursday, 3pm to 7pm.

It is also introducing a ‘self-service’ system, whereby books can be returned or borrowed when the library is closed. This is available to readers with a valid membership card, from Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. For more information, email library@castletown.gov.im or call in to the library.

Membership is offered free to all Castletown residents.

Librarian Angela Teare said: ‘With so many libraries in the UK closing down, it’s lovely that the local commissioners still appreciate the importance of having a library in the town. We are only a small library, but we do have a good selection of books and would hope that there is something there for everyone.’