Plans have been approved to reinstate the fire-damaged accommodation building at the former Mount Murray Hotel and Country Club, in Santon.

The hotel’s new owner, Comis Holdings director John Bentley has been given the green light (16/00684/B) for the development.

It will feature 43 bedrooms on the ground floor and 44 on the first floor.

It’s an increase on the original building. What were two meeting rooms will become three bedrooms.

Previous open space between the two blocks will be built in to provide four new bedrooms.

And four new bedrooms will also be created where the former toilets and hair and beauty salon were positioned.

In the officer’s report, it said it welcomed the additional bedrooms.

The application also shoes that the ground around the building will be remodelled, removing the mounded grassed area which blocks the outlook from the current basement bedrooms.

In the officer’s report, it states: ‘The hotel complex has a slightly tired appearance, partly through a lack of maintenance and also through a piecemeal series of changes which have added functional elements to the building at its front, and the inclusion of accessible entrances which have resulted in an unfortunately function appearance to the building, with ramps and railings and large areas of hard surfacing.

‘It’s the applicant’s intention to introduce much more landscaping to the entrance of the hotel with the emphasis on the main entrance rather than the myriad ways in which one may gain access to the buildings over a number of floors.

In the application it says that the development is designed to be both family and dog friendly.

The hotel closed following a fire in 2013.

Comis Holdings was formed last year to negotiate the purchase and redevelopment of the site.

The sale of the hotel complex was confirmed in February.

A kitchen fire forced the occupants of a flat in Port St Mary to flee the property yesterday (Monday) evening.

Crews from Port Erin, Castletown and Douglas attended the incident after the alarm was raised at around 7.30pm.

The call was made by a passer-by who dialled 999 when they saw thick black smoke pouring out from a top floor window.

While firefighters approached the scene, the occupants of the flat managed to evacuate the premises and assembled outside.

Although no one was injured, one of the occupants received oxygen therapy at the scene.

The fire was confined to the kitchen and was caused by unattended pans left on the hob.

The government has failed to find a private sector company to run the shops in Noble’s Hospital.

So the retail spaces in the main foyer of Noble’s Hospital are to be operated directly by the Department of Health and Social Care from November 7.

But the change means that staff working in the shops, whose contracts are with the current operator, Wessex Garage Ltd, will have to apply for jobs with the DHSC if they want to carry on working there.

The DHSC says it envisages that it will need to recruit a ‘small number of additional staff’ to run the outlets.

The department says applications from any of the existing shop employees, who are unable to secure an alternative role with the current operator, would be welcomed.

Expressions of interest were invited from organisations to operate the newsagent’s shop and gift shop. However, none of the applications met the government’s minimum reserve rental price.

As a result, the DHSC says it is able to achieve a greater return by operating the retail space itself, delivering better value for the taxpayer.

The Minister for Health and Social Care, Howard Quayle, said: ‘Clearly, the department is not in the business of retail and our preference would be for a private business to operate these units.

‘As anyone who has visited Noble’s Hospital will be aware, the shop is a vital facility valued by patients, visitors and staff alike.

‘It has high footfall and with that the ability to generate a significant income. This makes running the retail units a very lucrative opportunity and so we must ensure that the return the department receives from renting out this space represents good value for the taxpayer.

‘The bids received through the tender process were, unfortunately, found wanting.

‘The failure to achieve the reserve rental price, which the department felt was fair given the income potential, means that the Department will run the facilities itself to secure the service and ensure value for money.’

The sky’s the limit when it comes to policing during the Festival of Motoring.

The police will be piloting the use of a drone from Friday, August 19, to Sunday, September 3.

The Isle of Man Examiner revealed that this would happen last month.

Inspector Allan Thompson said: ‘The drone will provide support in evidence gathering at serious road traffic collision scenes, crime scenes and also in search of missing vulnerable people.’

He added that the trial sought to prove that the use of a drone could reduce demand on policing. Following serious collisions the police would be able to get roads opened sooner.

The Isle of Man Civil Aviation Administration has worked closely with the police and their approved drone operator to ensure that this new capability is operated safely, both with respect to other aircraft in the air and also to people and properties on the ground.

Colin Gill, deputy director of Civil Aviation, said: ‘The operation of all drones in the Isle of Man is governed by legal requirements that specify what drone operators should do and where drones can and cannot fly.

‘However, it is important for the public to remember that unless being flown in support of the emergency services, the Festival of Motorcycling and the Isle of Man TT are strictly “no drone events”.

‘Restricted airspace is in place for these events and an unauthorised operator of a drone is liable to prosecution and a fine of up to £2,500.’

The drone that will be used will be a DJI Phantom 4 which will be finished in police livery with high intensity blue flashing strobes.

Our story in July

The newly-formed Green Party Isle of Man held its first annual general meeting last week to discuss the party’s constitution.

Fifteen people attended the meeting where its name, governance, membership fee and main objectives were agreed.

The matter of candidates who would like to stand in the general election was adjourned and discussed at a meeting held last night (Monday).

The party’s main objectives are the promotion and implementation of policies for the sustainable social, cultural, environmental and economic developments of society in the Isle of Man, the endorsement of candidates for the House of Keys and to also work together with green parties in other jurisdictions and green parties globally.

An application to formally register the party has been submitted to the Cabinet Office.

Manxman Andrew Newton, who is paid member of the Green Party of England and Wales, created the idea for the party. ‘I originally conceived the idea of a Green Party following my attendance representing the Isle of Man at the Commonwealth Youth Parliament last year, where I was elected Prime Minister of the Parliament,’ Andrew said.

‘I deemed there was space in the Isle of Man political sphere for a party conceiving and advancing policies for the sustainable development of the Isle of Man. A Green Party provides the vehicle to develop these policies with a continuity not provided for by individual candidates and with a transparency and an accountability and also, I deem, in deficit in the individual candidate system.

‘There has been a hugely super positive response to the endeavour and I am hugely encouraged by the passionate, capable team that has gravitated towards the party already.’

To find out more about the party visit www.greenpartyiom.moonfruit.com

Peel’s lifeboat Ruby Clery was launched yesterday at 2.45pm to assist a local cruiser with engine problems 11.6 miles north west of Peel.

The cruiser was travelling from Bangor to its home port of Peel when it experienced fuel problems.

The lifeboat, under the command of coxswain Chris Kelly with his volunteer crew, quickly found the cruiser and took it under tow arriving back in Peel at 5.45pm.

The crew of the cruiser were safe and well.

Ruby Clery was refuelled and returned to service.

In this week’s Isle of Man Examiner, Mike Wade joins the Ruby Clery crew to find out more about the lifeboat service.

British motorcycle manufacturer Triumph has already broken its own record for the fastest Triumph during testing at the famous Bonneville salt flats in Utah, USA.

Now the company hopes its Streamliner bike, ridden by TT star and television presenter Guy Martin, will exceed the outright land speed record for that type of motorcycle, which currently stands at more than 376mph.

Commenting on last week’s tests, a statement from Guy Martin said: ‘That’s the testing week for the Triumph Streamliner over and, like I said earlier in the week, it’s gone according to plan.

‘I got the hang of steering the thing pretty quickly, then it was a case of building up speed. Wind is the big thing out here so it’s not just a case of jumping in and twisting the throttle.

‘We chipped away and early on Tuesday morning we did 274.2mph, making it the fastest ever Triumph. Everyone was dead happy, but that’s just one step to where we want to be. The current record is 376.36mph, so a way to go yet.’

The motorcycle features a fully enclosed streamlined design and is powered by two turbocharged Triumph Rocket III engines which produce 1,000 horse power at 9,000 rpm. It uses methanol fuel.

The body is made from carbon kevlar and is more than 25 feet long, two feet wide and three feet high.

The previous Triumph speed record had stood for more than 40 years and Guy’s record breaking run was timed over a mile stretch.

The current overall land speed record for two wheels has been held by former speedway rider Rocky Robinson since 2010.

The timed runs are completed in two directions with an average speed then calculated between the two runs. The speed week event continues until August 19.

With high winds forecast late afternoon it was touch and go if the Clear Drain Services Ramsey to Laxey yacht race would go ahead a week last Saturday, writes Ralph Kee.

However, with a start time of midday it was decided that even the slowest boats should have finished well before the heavier weather had set-in so Manx Sailing and Cruising Club’s race officer, Keith Poole, set the boats off only a few minutes late.

This is traditionally a feeder race for the Laxey Regatta, which sadly had already been cancelled because of the poor forecast.

Although not ideal, the southerly 12 to 15 knots of breeze in Ramsey Bay, increasing to 20 to 25 knots between Maughold Head and Laxey, promised a fairly tough beat for most of the eight-mile run down the coast.

As ever, the race seemed to be won or lost at Maughold Head, where if vessels go too far out the tide can take them to Whithorn, but stay too close and the gusts and lulls will have crews pinned down, literally.

Taking the inside route, Ralph Kee (Laser) paid a heavy price with three capsizes. Donald Edwards and Simon Pressly (Lasers) took a more seaward rounding, with club commodore Edwards making a decisive move to hug the coast and to pull clear of Pressly.

He managed to hold him off to finish first on the water by two minutes, with Mike Swales (D-Zero Blue) a further two minutes back in third.

But it was Len Arnold and Chris Perry (Laser 2000) who claimed third on correction and could have been higher if they hadn’t capsized within the first 200 yards of the start.

Despite the odd mishap, all crews made it to Laxey including first-timer Edith Cain and crew Huw Bevan in the RS Feva.

Many thanks to Clear Drain Services, officer of the day Keith Poole and the four safety boat crews, also Laxey Sailing Club for the bar and showers (in that order!).

Charlotte Atkinson secured two gold medals at the British Summer Swimming Championships in Sheffield recently.

Members of the AXA Wealth Isle of Man and Microgaming Para swim teams took part in summer championships one week and the ASA National Championships the following week.

The summer championships were open to the top 24-ranked age group swimmers in the country and five athletes represented Isle of Man Swimming Club, with a further three off-island-based Manx swimmers represented their home/university programme.

Kazia Whittaker took to the pool first with a fantastic personal best time in the 50m butterfly in the 15-year-age group, finishing 14th and achieving a Commonwealth Youth Games consideration standard in the process.

Also achieving a CYG consideration standard in the first leg of the men’s 4x200m freestyle was Joel Watterson, setting the scene for Brody Hewison, Tom Beilich and Alex Bregazzi to touch home 3.5 seconds in front of their entry time on what was the first occasion an island men’s team has qualified for this event.

Later in the week Bregazzi smashed his own island record by more than one second in the individual 200m freestyle (17/18 age group), finishing 14th overall.

The off-island athletes featured Niamh Robinson (Pioneer79) and Laura Kinley (Loughborough University) making numerous finals at the end of a tough season’s racing and injury struggles.

But it was Laura’s team-mate, butterfly specialist Charlotte Atkinson, who made the biggest waves taking the British gold medal in both the 100m and 200m butterfly events for the 19 and over age group, an achievement not seen from a Manx woman for many years.

The ASA championships (the next 20-ranked athletes from English Affiliated Clubs), started with team Microgaming’s Ben Grainger competing in the open age group multi-class events, swimming close to lifetime bests in 100m freestyle, 100m breaststroke and 200m individual medley, equalling best swims in 50m and 400m freestyle with a personal best in the 100m fly and the 200m individual medley events.

Each event Ben swam puts him top-five in GB in his own S10 classification, and gains valuable experience towards the para-focussed British Para Championships in December.

Emma Hodgson saw a return to form in her favoured event, the 50m freestyle in the 13-14 age group. She produced a lifetime best in the heats to qualify second fastest for the final, only to take another huge chunk off her pb in taking the win and the ASA title in a fantastically executed race.

Kazia Whittaker swam again in her preferred butterfly stroke, this time over 100m, where she produced her second fastest time to date gaining seventh place in the final of the 15 years event.

Alex Bregazzi returned to the pool looking to finish his swimming under head coach Lee Holland with a bang before heading to university in September, and he certainly did that. After a comfortable heat swim in the 18 and over age group he was lying second with a time only four 100ths of a second away from his own senior island record.

He then progressed to the final where he destroyed his record by three seconds to secure the silver. This makes Bregazzi the fastest Manxman over the 400m events in history by a whopping 14 seconds.

Lee Holland was delighted by the results this summer, but still feeling there is a lot more to come from the fast developing sport. ‘Swimming has been selected by Isle of Man Sport for a Talent ID focussed programme to assist the sport and its coaches grow and achieve even more with the help of Paul Jones and Chris Quine.

‘We as a sport are delighted to be selected and hope that this programme will be just the start of the big things you can expect of IoM Swimming Club over the coming years.’

The Isle of Man will be going back to wartime at the weekend.

It’s all part of the Island at War event, which encourages people to dressup in 1940s style and take the train or tram to see what’s going on.

Isle of Man Railways are preparing for guest appearances by Sir Winston Churchill to give some of his speeches plus looking forward to transporting 70 veterans to Castletown on a special steam train.

There is a busy programme of exhibitions, military vehicle displays and war games for children from Friday and continuing throughout the weekend.

There’s also a special Dining Car wartime Sunday lunch evacuee train departing at 1pm on 21 August 2016. Tickets are £30 per person, children under 12 eat free. Book in advance on 697457 or email Steamdining@gov.im.

Plus for the first time, Snaefell summit will play host to two Evenings at War sing-along suppers featuring Winston Churchill and the Fabulous D-Day Darlings.

Tickets for the wartime supper and sing-along on either Friday or Saturday can be booked online at www.rail.im or at the Welcome Centre tel 662525. Tickets are £35 per person including supper, entertainment and tram travel from Douglas or Laxey.

The event kicks off at Laxey Station on Friday with a display of military vehicles from the Military Vehicle Trust Cumbria branch joining local exhibits.

Staff from the Military Vehicle Trust will be posted at Laxey Station with local Explorer Scouts displaying war time scouting skills and manning the field hospital. The Manx Electric Railway’s mail sorting tender will host a letter sorting competition for children as well as having commemorative stamp covers on sale.

There’s free admission to the marquee at Laxey station where you can visit Michael Starkey and Les Clarke with a wartime memorabilia exhibition. Amanda Harvey will be carrying out knitting exhibitions and Les Harvey will demonstate Scroll Sawing. There will be free colouring sheets for the children. The station café will be entering into the fun a wartime theme for staff selling snacks.

Meanwhile at Snaefell Summit there’s a letter boxing activity with the scouts and a crashed Spitfire to view on the ascent to the summit by mountain tram.

The Fabulous D-Day Darlings will be singing live at Laxey Station between 12.30pm and 3.30pm with a special guest appearance by Sir Winston Churchill. At other times local entertainers will take to the stage.

The first wartime supper and sing-along takes place at Snaefell with trams departing Douglas at 6.40pm. Tickets in advance from www.rail.im or tel 662525.

There’s a second chance to enjoy to the wartime activities and displays at Laxey on Saturday with entertainment throughout the day by the island’s Southern Belles.

But the focus moves to Castletown on Saturday with a full programme stretching from the steam station to the town square. Tibi Hair and Beauty will be offering a hair-raid shelter in a vintage bus at the station – charging just £5 to have your hair dressed in 40s style.

The Manx Craft Guild and WI will set up their wartime wares in a large marquee next to the station. Refreshments will be provided by the perennially popular Scouts cakes and drinks stall. The Scouts will also be organising a Chinese whispers game for children plus demonstrating wartime scouting skills at the station.

Seventy of the island’s veterans will take a special steam train from Douglas to Castletown, arriving at our ancient capital at midday.

Many will be transported by the Military Vehicle Trust (Cumbria section) to Castletown Square for an invitation only tea party at the Civic Centre.

Local musicians will sing them in at the station while the Fabulous D-Day Darlings will sing live on stage to welcome the veterans at Castletown Square. Parking will be suspended so visitors are advised it’s best to go by public transport. Steam train departures from Douglas are at 9.50am, 11.20am, 12.50pm, and 2.30pm. From Port Erin steam trains leave at 10am 11.30am, 1pm and 2.45pm.

In Castletown Square vehicles from the period including a traction engine, steam lorry, steam car and charabanc will add to the atmosphere.

You have to book for the Snaefell wartime supper and sing-along. Tickets in advance from www.rail.im or tel 662525.

All Saturday’s programme except the veterans’ train will be continued on the Sunday in Castletown.

But the big finale on Sunday will be a motorcade of military vehicles headed by the tank-like Abbot self-propelled military artillery piece. They will depart Castletown Station at 1345.

The Fabulous D-Day Darlings will be performing at the square and station supported by Roc Vannin choir and Sir Winston Churchill will give speeches at intervals during the day.Cast members from Peel Centenary Centre’s production of ‘Allo ‘Allo will contribute to the wartime ambiance.

Meanwhile the Dining Car Wartime Sunday lunch evacuee train will depart Douglas at 1pm. Bookings tel. 697457 or email Steamdining@gov.im.

The seventh Michael Produce and Horticultural Show attracted a great entry on Thursday, with an exceptional display of plants and flowers.

The event at Michael School was opened by Anne Corlett, and included afternoon tea and viewing of the entries.

An auction of produce was held in the evening, following which cheques for £400 were presented to both Michael School and Isle of Man Bowel Cancer.

Organisers thanked auctioneer Brian Corlett, event sponsors and helpers, and everyone who entered and helped make the event possible.

Results:

Marylin Maberry Cup, Best Fudge, Ann Barron; Anna Kenaugh Cup, Plain Bonnag, Janet Griffiths; Tommy Barker Cup, Victoria Sponge baked by a man, Chris Corlett; Janet Foss Cup, Chocolate Cake, Ann Barron; Alf Reynolds Cup, Sweet Peas, Barbara Lawrence; Tom Archard Cup, Tomatoes, Billy Lowe; George and Belle Keig Shield, Best Vegetable in Show, Brunswick Gardens; George and Winnie Foss Cup, Pickled Onions, David Foss; Robert Brew Cup, colour picture of Glen Wyllin, Mike Clague; David Bailey Cup, Best Children’s Exhibit, Evan Christian; Norman Barton Cup, children’s poetry, Roo Hyett; Stephen Christian Shield, Honey, David Cannan; Truda Barton Shield, Fruit Scones, Voirrey Cashin; John Kennaugh Cup, Best Potatoes, David Foss; Cashin Cup, best children’s handwriting, Freddie Mooney; Henry and Fred Boyde Cup, Dahlias, John Kneen; Radcliffe Cup, Adult Victoria Sandwich, Sue Johnson; Pre-school monster vegetable, Alfie Heward; Monster vegetable, 4 to 11 years, Freddie Crowe; Stocken Memorial Cup, children’s posy of flowers, Alfie Heward; Renshaw Cup, best exhibit in adult crafts, Isla Griffiths; Tom Dalby Cup for best exhibit in show, a begonia entered by Sue Moore.

Team Sky and England Rugby’s head sports nutrition consultations are to give island athletes and coaches hints on how their diet can improve their performance.

Dr James Morton and Professor Graeme Close will kick start this year’s Isle of Man Sport’s Coaching Development Programme with a seminar on September 24.

Dr Morton helped Team Sky secure another victory at the Tour de France with Chris Froome and will share his expertise in performance nutrition for endurance athletes.

Graeme, the head nutritional consultant to England Rugby, will talk about nutritional demands for team and power-based sports. He is also the lead nutritionist to Team GB ski and snowboard and supports Isle of Man winter Olympian, Zoe Gillings-Brier.

Trevor Christian, who coordinates the programme, said: ‘It is a real coup to be able to bring two of the world’s leading experts in sports nutrition to the Isle of Man.’

The seminar will be held at Keyll Darree Lecture Theatre, in Braddan, from 9.30am to 12.30pm. Tickets are free and can be booked by emailing trevor.christian@gov.im to book. Call Trevor on 688590 for more details.

A Foxdale man has been convicted of assault causing actual bodily harm (ABH) after twice punching a pub landlord.

Richard John Melia, of Brookfield Terrace, hit Rovers Return licensee Guy Armstrong-Rossiter and will be sentenced on September 20 after the preparation of a probation report.

Prosecutor Hazel Carroon told the court how, on April 22 at 11.30pm, police were called to the Douglas pub in Church Street after reports of a man refusing to leave.

When officers arrived Melia, 37, was being restrained on the ground by members of the public outside the pub.

Witnesses said that he had assaulted the licensee, Mr Armstrong-Rossiter, who had visible facial injuries.

Melia was said to have smelled of alcohol, and told police: ‘I’ve been attacked.’

Earlier in the evening Melia was said to have been refused entry to the pub by Mr Armstrong-Rossiter, who said that he was heavily intoxicated and suggested to him that he get some food.

Melia insulted the landlord before heading off in the direction of the Outback pub around the corner.

But 10 minutes later he returned, confronting Mr Armstrong-Rossiter in the pub saying: ‘I’m gonna have you. I’m gonna smack you.’

Melia pressed his forehead against the landlord’s then suddenly punched him on the jaw.

The landlord staggered backwards and fell to the floor. He got up but Melia then punched him in the left eye.

He was restrained by the landlord, helped by two people who were in the pub.

Melia’s rage continued as he swore, and said: ‘I’m going to kill you.’

The landlord was said to have suffered a broken tooth and contusion of the left eye.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes accepted that her summary court powers would be sufficient for sentencing.

Bail was granted.

A 10-year old boy was left with fractures, lacerations and severe swelling to his foot and ankle after falling from a float when it hit a pothole.

The float was part of the fancy dress parade going to Castletown Square in the town’s festival on August 6.

Dominic Kennaugh-McCallum was on the CADS (Castletown Ale Drinkers) Titanic -themed float. As it turned from the Crofts into Arbory Street, it hit a pothole and tipped over, propelling Dominic on to the road. The wheels went over his foot and he sustained hairline fractures to his foot and ankle and lacerations to his leg.

He was treated in hospital.

His mum Bobbie called the Department of Infrastructure to report the incident and warn about the pot hole.

‘They said there was nothing they could do,’ said Bobbie. ‘Even to apologise would be nice ... the roads in Castletown are disgraceful.’

She added the department had already filled in some of the potholes. She said: ‘It will stop more accidents, it’s amazing more do not happen, particularly to people on bikes.’

Dominic’s being brave about his injuries said Bobbie, but his summer holidays are ruined. His foot she said is swollen ‘ and he has cancelled soccer training, swimming survival and a trip to Liverpool.

CADS – who Dominic helps with bucket collections – presented him with a T-shirt. Dominic is the youngest recipient ever. ‘He was made up with it,’ said Bobbie.

Commissioners’ chairman Richard McAleer said: ‘I was horrified to hear of this incident. My initial thoughts are for the young lad involved and I hope he makes a speedy recovery. The commissioners have been actively chasing up the repair of such potholes around the town and it is a disgrace that it has taken such an unfortunate incident to get action from the DoI.’

Infrastructure minister Phil Gawne said: ‘We can only fix what we know about. Please everybody call the department or use our “app”, we have a 24-hour response period for potholes. I want to apologise to the people concerned and am sorry that the boy was injured.’

The island’s legal system has been lambasted and described as ‘heavy-handed’ after court cases involving tiny amounts of cannabis.

Last week a 30-year-old woman appeared in court charged with having an amount of cannabis almost too small to weigh.

Tanya Margery Corkill, of Alder Road, Pulrose, was sentenced to a 12-month conditional discharge for having 0.2 grams of the drug, said to have a street value of between £1.06 and £4.

In January 2015, a 28-year-old, Martin David Kewley, of Empire Terrace, Douglas, was put on probation for six months for having £1.59 worth of cannabis, weighing 0.3 grams.

Well known chef and former Keys candidate David Buttery, known as Butch, was sentenced to 160 hours’ community service for cultivating and possessing the drug after five plants were found at his home in November 2014.

Mr Buttery told police he put the cannabis in his food to help with relief for medical problems.

He said of the latest 0.2 grams drugs case: ‘It is ridiculous that time and resources are still being used to prosecute and criminalise people for cannabis.

‘We have shown how progressive the island can be by sanctioning gay marriage, but we continue to make ourselves a laughing stock with these pointless and heavy-handed arrests.

‘I watched the ITV4 documentary “TT Blues” where our local cops told the viewers how it was their job to keep the riders safe, whilst bikes hurled past at 150mph on open roads.

‘Later on they were shown kicking down the door of some poor bloke’s flat, then carting him off in handcuffs for smoking pot. On his own in his own home! ‘Exactly who are they keeping safe here?’

Responding to the issue, Chief Constable Gary Roberts said: ‘It should be noted that no one is prosecuted for a first possession-only offence so long as they make an admission and attend a drugs awareness programme.’

Unveiling his latest annual report last month, Mr Roberts expressed his concern that drug users were being prosecuted for possession of small quantities of cannabis.

At that time, he told the Manx Independent: ‘I’m concerned we are prosecuting offenders for very, very small amounts of drugs.

‘There is a question whether the justice system is always the right place to deal with this type of very low level offence, especially for those who are young and who have very few previous convictions.

‘It’s not the best use of public resources. It’s not just a policing issue.’

Mr Roberts went on to explain that the police’s hands are tied by the law as it stands, under which a first offence results in a caution and a second offence a referral to the drugs arrest referral scheme. Subsequent offences result in a court appearance.

The Chief Constable also said that he had begun talks with the Attorney General to try to determine whether existing cautioning and prosecution policies were still relevant.

It was estimated the cost of prosecuting Martin Kewley for having £1.59 worth of cannabis was £5,000.

Advocate John Wright said: ‘The prosecution has to decide two things: if there is sufficient evidence and if it is in the public interest. But other things are also considered, such as: do we need to make an example; the person’s previous record; or whether they’ve been on any rehabilitation courses. People think defence costs are high but these would only have come to around £160 if someone was represented by the duty advocate and it was paid by legal aid.

‘I had a case about five years ago when a man who was drunk went into a supermarket and lay in a chest freezer. He squashed three packets of frozen pizza but co-operated and offered to pay for them. But the store insisted it wanted to prosecute. He was charged with criminal damage and given a conditional discharge.’

Keystone Law’s offshore expansion to the Isle of Man has secured a shortlist spot for the client acquisition prize in The Lawyer magazine’s 2016 awards.

The awards recognise and applaud business services excellence in law firms, barrister’s chambers and other legal services providers across the entire market.

To make the cut for the client acquisition award, Keystone Law needed to demonstrate a significantly increased sales culture over the past year, which coincided well with the launch of Keystone Law Isle of Man in January 2016.

Since setting up shop in the island, the founders of Keystone Law Isle of Man have been able to deliver to their clients a compelling combination of local expertise and direct access to senior Isle of Man lawyers, paired with the additional benefit of bespoke access to 200 highly experienced and specialised lawyers in other major jurisdictions as part of the growing Keystone international network.

In placing Keystone Law on the shortlist, the judges of The Lawyer awards recognised the number and quality of clients which have been instructed by Keystone Law in a short period of time - as a direct result of the establishment of Keystone Law Isle of Man, attracted by its model and depth of expertise.

Alongside the client acquisition category, Keystone is also a finalist for the Agile Working award, thanks to its newly implemented ‘Set Up and Go’ lawyer initiative.

The project perfectly demonstrates the firm’s flexible working ethos, to ultimately increase the efficiency and scope of client services by ensuring that all appropriate services are readily accessible.

With just five firms nominated in one category and three in the other, Keystone fought off strong competition from a number of leading international law firms to secure its spot.

The final winners will be announced at a ceremony held at The Brewery in London on Wednesday, September 28.

Geoff Kermeen, managing director of Keystone Law Isle of Man, said: ‘It is particularly pleasing at such an early stage in the lifetime of Keystone Law Isle of Man to obtain such high profile recognition for our strategic impact upon the already stellar growth and success of Keystone Law.

‘We thank the management team of Keystone Law for their hard work and boundless energy and enthusiasm for our project and, most of all, our clients for their faith and support in our first months.

‘We hope that we have repaid that faith with the highest standards of client care and legal service, and pledge to continue to do so in the next stage of our continued growth in the Isle of Man.’

Max Stokoe powered Cronkbourne to victory in Saturday’s Tinker Cup final.

He smashed an amazing 116 from 116 balls as his side made 265 for 7 against Crosby.

His innings, which lasted 141 minutes, included 11 fours and four sixes.

Batting first, Cronkbourne made a good start and had 82 on the board before Gareth Rowlands struck.

The Marown spinner trapped Adam McAuley lbw for an excellent 38 from 42 balls.

Jaco Jansen was bowled by Dave Picken for 20 and Nathan Knights fell to Ryan Windell for 25.

All this time Stokoe had been blazing away and went to his century with a massive six.

The total had reached 215 when he was finally dismissed by Windell.

More wickets fell, but Carl Mellors (34 not out) guided the side to 265 for 7 after their 40 overs.

Picken ended with 3-40 while Gareth Rowlands bowled well to return 1-39.

In reply Crosby made a determined effort to get the runs.

Martyn Oates and Kevin Kniveton had an opening stand of 47 before Oates was bowled by Jansen for 23.

Shortly afterwards Kniveton fell for 28 and Cronkbourne tightened their grip on the match.

Jansen was pulled out of the attack through injury, but Stuart Mellors and Alex Stokoe set about the middle order.

Their progress was held up by 23 from Danny Kniveton and a defiant innings from skipper Jack Rowlands.

Batting sensibly, he had made 39 when he was brilliantly caught one handed by Eddie Beard.

Thanks to Mellors (4-39) and Alex Stokoe (2-35), Crosby were dismissed for 169, giving the Douglas club victory by 96 runs.

They have now won the Tinker Cup a record 18 times.

CRICKET RESULTS

Tinker Cup Final

Cronkbourne 265 for 7 (Max Stokoe 116, Adam McAulay 38, Carl Mellors 34no: Dave Picken 3-40, Floris Venter 1-27, Gareth Rowlands 1-39); Crosby 169 (Jack Rowlands 39, Kevin Kniveton 28, Danny Kniveton 234, Martyn Oates 23: Stuart Mellors 4-39, Matt Ansell 2-31, Alex Stokoe 2-35). Cronkbourne won by 96 runs.

senior island side

heads to euros in sweden

The Isle of Man national team fly to Sweden to play in the ICC World Cricket League – Europe Division Two, today (Tuesday).

The other countries taking part are Spain, Gibraltar, Germany, Israel and the hosts Sweden.

The fixtures take place from Wednesday until Saturday with each side playing five T20 games in four days.

The island’s first match is against Germany, the tournament favourites.

Over the past few years there has been a remarkable growth of the sport in that country.

They now have 218 teams (including 50 youth sides) and more than 5,000 registered players.

Much of this has arisen from the influx of migrants, particularly from Afghanistan.

The German government has generously funded cricket, believing it will help integrate newcomers into the community.

The ICC has also made large grants available and there are predictions that the German team will make a spectacular rise up the rankings.

On Wednesday afternoon the Manx face Gibraltar who used to be managed by ex-island cricket development officer Gareth Dawson.

He has now moved on to join the coaching team at Gloucestershire.

After that it is just one match a day in the mornings until Saturday, but if rain intervenes, then games will be re-arranged for the afternoons.

The island squad is: Phil Littlejohns (capt) (Peel & St John’s); Matt Ansell, Adam Killey, Nathan Knights, Sam Mills, Adam McAuley (Cronkbourne); Danny Kniveton (Crosby); George Burrows (Finch Hill); Chris Hawke, Dan Hawke, Kieran Cawte, Akkie van den Berg, Ollie Webster, Nick White (Peel & St John’s). The manager is Greig Wright.

CRICKET FIXTURES

Wednesday, August 17

ICC Europe Division Two (Sweden)

Isle of Man v Germany (10am)

Gibraltar v Isle of Man (3pm)

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Thursday, August 18

ICC Europe Division Two (Sweden)

Israel v Isle of Man (3pm)

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Friday, August 19

ICC Europe Division Two (Sweden)

Isle of Man v Spain (10am)

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Saturday, August 20

ICC Europe Division Two (Sweden)

Sweden v Isle of Man (10am)

Blincoe Cup Final (1pm)

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

Maurice Trace

Foxdale approached the JCK Division Two campaign with renewed optimism and rightfully so with their new-look squad.

Dale have been busy in the transfer window and have a point of prove, kicking off their season with an impressive 3-1 victory over relegated Marown at Billy Goat Park.

The visitors came into this western derby battle-hardened following last season’s sojourn in the Canada Life Premier League.However, Dave Brew’s side were without the attacking services of Stuart Morris and Niall Quayle and that proved the Crosby’s side Achilles heel. Marown battled hard defensively and in midfield, but lacked a real attacking edge.

Foxdale’s determination was shown from their early stages, Antony Corkill heading narrowly over the crossbar. This early pressure from Robbie Jack’s men resulted in the opening goal with only nine minutes played. The visitors conceded a free-kick just outside the penalty area and Aaron Costain drove a low, tame shot was that parried. Team-mate Charlie Harrison was the quickest to react, steering the ball into the net.

Ten minutes later, Foxdale asserted their authority with a second. The Miners took a quick free-kick on their right, catching Marown off-guard.Kevin Pulman crossed for fellow new signing Jay Chatwood to direct his header into the net.

Foxdale’s pressure was relentless and Ali McQuarrie was lucky to stay on the pitch after wrestling Costain to the floor when he was clean through. From the resulting free-kick, Costain curled a shot narrowly wide.

Marown mustered a response. Joey Rothwell, arguably their best attacking outlet, went close twice either side of the break and Sam Cubbon sent a free-kick narrowly off target.

Just after the hour mark, Foxdale firmly put themselves in control with a third goal. Costain instigated a move along the right, Chatwood charged into the box only to be tripped by an outstretched leg. Costain blasted the resulting spot-kick to the left hand side of the net, only to have to retake it again following an infringement. The former Peel striker’s second attempt had the same effect as he netted his side’s third.

Stuart Fayle was called into action for first time when Dean Wales’s excellent cross-field pass picked out Connor Gilbert. His low, angled shot was well claimed by the shot stopper.

Foxdale had chances to extend their lead. Costain and Pulman went close with free-kicks and Harrison was clean through only to be thwarted by shot-stopper Andre De-Brissac .

Marown netted a consolation in the closing stages, Rothwell’s cross from the right hit the far post, only to rebound off Fayle and into the net.

Billy Goat Park will be a feared location for second-tier teams this campaign. Are Foxdale’s this season’s dark horses? Come May 2017 we’ll have a clearer picture.

TEAM CHECK

Foxdale: Stuart Fayle, Craig Lemaire (Kenny Walker 76m), Antony Corkill, Jack Smith, Adam Hayes, Frazer Campbell (Andrew Mackie 79m), Kevin Pulman, Stephen Bettrridge, Charlie Harrison, Aaron Costain, Jay Chatwood (Liam Cannan 69m).

Marown: Andre De-Brissac , Sam Cubbon, Ali McQuarrie, Andy Marshall, Matt McQuarrie (Dean Wales 30m), Ashley Higginbotham, Ali Morris, Kevin Druggan, Alex Marley (James Crook 63m), Joey Rothwell, Connor Gilbert.

Referee: Chris Taggart

Bookings: Campbell, Costain (Foxdale) Cubbon, A. McQuarrie (Marown)

Man of the Match: Pulman (Foxdale)

Match rating: HHHHH

l Due to the unavailability of the Memorial Playing fields, the two clubs’ combination fixture was played at Billy Goat Park.

Callan Wade put the Miners in front, Billy Woodbridge netting Dale’s second before half-time. Marown hit the woodwork twice after the break, however, Foxdale scored their third when Matty Moffatt headed Wade’s cross home at the far post.

Foxdale’s combi only won one fixture last season and they’ll be going through the archives to find the last time both teams won on the same day.

St Mary’s began the new Canada Life Premier League season with a 3-1 win over promoted Douglas Athletic at the Bowl.

Much of the talk pre-match had about the Saints’ raft of summer signings, but it was a club stalwart that proved the match winner on Saturday.

Steven Priestnal bagged a second-half hat-trick to seal Kevin Middleton’s maiden victory since taking over the managerial reigns in the close-season.

Athletic gave as good as they got for much of the first 45 of their Premier League debut, but just as they were building up a head of steam they lost the influential Lee Ford to a serious leg injury.

The half-hour delay while the former DHSOB midfielder was tended to, took the sting out of their threat.

Priestnal struck twice in the first 15 minutes of the second half before Jamie Clague pulled one back for Brian Gartland’s Pinks.

The former Saints player-manager, however, decisively killed the game off minutes later when he bagged his third of the encounter.

More than half of the St Mary’s starting XI were making their first competitive start for the club since since, or in some cases re-signing, for the club during the recent transfer window.

It was St Mary’s talisman Priestnal, however, who enjoyed the game’s first real chance when he pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the area before drawing a fine save out of Athletic keeper Matthew Quirk.

Athletic striker Connor Dowell was a lively figure in the early throes of the encounter and he stung the palms of Chris Cowin in the St Mary’s goal with a well-struck shot.

The Saints were looking to pick out Priestnal’s new strike partner Darren Hudgeon with long balls.

One such pass from deep was misjudged by the otherwise impressive Quirk. Hudgeon nipped in, rounding the keeper, before trying to square the ball to the unmarked Priestnal for a tap in. James Aire came to Athletic’s rescue though, the centre-half cutting out the danger and preventing a certain goal.

Although an open game, St Mary’s continued to create the more clear-cut goalscoring chances, Quirk denying Hudgeon and Priestnal in quick succession.

Ford’s injury disrupted the end of the half, but Athletic did have one golden chance to snatch the lead just before half-time when Martin Cowan poked narrowly wide after being picked out by Dowell in the area.

Athletic were made to rue Cowan’s miss eight minutes into the second half when Priestnal grabbed his first of the season and the afternoon.

Chris Cowin’s goal-kick was flicked on by Hudgeon and the St Mary’s marksman did the rest slotting a neat finish past Quirk.

Brian Crellin pulled the strings in midfield all match and he produced a great piece of individual skill before dinking the ball over the Athletic back four and finding the run of Hudgeon.

Quirk came off his line well to produce another good stop to thwart the former Old Boys man a debut goal.

The Ellan Vannin stopper, however, could do nothing about Priestnal’s second strike of the match two minutes later as the St Mary’s number nine fired a thumping shot into the back of the net.

Athletic did their best to rally and nearly hit back in quick fashion, but Martin Cowan couldn’t captalise when Cowin spilled substitute Daniel Pennington’s free kick.

The Pinks good spell continued and they pulled a goal back in the 75h minute when Clague poked home after good work by Dowell.

Hopes of an equaliser were dashed almost instantly as two minutes later Priestnal broke the Athletic offside trap before netting his third of the fixture.

Priestnal’s strike took the wind out of Athletic’s sails and they nearly conceded a fourth in the final few minutes when young replacement Josh Molyneux went through on goal only to be denied by Quirk.

TEAM CHECK

St Mary’s: Chris Cowin, Harry Weatherill, Karl Clark, Alex Harrison, Kyle Logan, Jamie Devine (Daniel Swan 84m), Sam Gelling, Brian Crellin, Nathan Halsall, Darren Hudgeon (Josh Molyneux 75m), Steven Priestnal.

Douglas Athletic Matthew Quirk, Graham Duggan (Daniel Pennington 56m), Lewis Daly, William Penhallurick, James Aire, Stephen Cowan, Jamie Clague, Lee Ford (Patrick Gallagher 27m), Ryan Gartland, Connor Dowell (Darren Shields 81m), Martin Cowan.

Referee: John McCallum

Assistants: Raluca Birjac and Blazej Szczawinski

Booked: M. Cowan, Gartland (Douglas Athletic)

Man of the Match: Priestnal (St Mary’s) Striker showcased his tremendous finishing, with well-taken hat-trick.

Match rating: HHHHH

A Douglas councillor has announced her defection from the Liberal Vannin party to the island’s new Green Party.

Eagle-eyed iomtoday.co.im readers spotted Catherine ‘Cat’ Turner in a photograph of the inaugural meeting and asked if she’d switched.

The councillor for St George’s Ward said she was keen to clarify that she left on the best of terms with LibVan.

‘I’m extremely grateful to LibVan, and especially Leader Kate Beecroft and founder Peter Karran, as well as the rest of the executive, for the support they’ve given me, and for my start in political life. I’m proud to have been associated with LibVan.

‘I fully expect the new Green Party, committed as it is to (among other things) transparency, accountability and a fair society, to have a great deal in common with LibVan – and should the Greens be successful in getting members elected to the House of Keys in due course, I would imagine there will be a number of areas where they might support similar views.

‘I have found the LibVan membership to be committed to social justice, a healthy business environment and an open and accountable government.

‘I therefore leave LibVan with the greatest fondness, gratitude and respect.

‘However, it’s no secret that I’m a passionate environmentalist - and am delighted that a Green Party is at long last being established. Although its policies are yet to be finalised, I’m joining in anticipation of their being consistent with those of Green parties worldwide....which is to say, focused on the four principles generally espoused by ‘Greens’: social justice, sustainability, democracy at grassroots level, and peacefulness/nonviolence. These principles inform my own political aims, which are for an open, honest and fair society and a thriving economy, community and environment based on sustainable activity both locally and internationally.’

Green Party Isle of Man has filled registration papers, but registration is yet to be confirmed as completed.

Cat Turner often writes the Isle of Man Examiner’s green column.