Thursday, August 18

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Family Library: Manx Wildlife Trust Mega to Mini - all about sharks. Friday, jolly pirate picnic party, £5. Saturday, super Saturday science and craft, 10.30-noon, plus free drop-in activity all day, 10.30am-4pm.

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

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

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

Friday, August 19

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

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

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

Saturday, August 20

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

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

Monday, August 22

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tuesday, August 23

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday, August 24

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thursday, August 18

• 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.

• Aikido classes at St Johns Methodist Hall at 7pm. For further information contact David on 07925 209472.

• 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 19

• 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 20

• 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 21

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

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

Monday, August 22

• 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 23

• 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 24

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

• 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.

Thursday, August 18

• Age IoM computer training sessions, Douglas iMuseum, Kingswood Grove, 10am–12.30pm.

• Art and creative writing, The Hub, Port Erin, 10am. Also board games, 2pm-3.30pm; chair based exercise, 3pm. Sat, social fitness, 9.30am; Meditation led by IOM Brahma Kumaris, 5.30pm-6.30pm. Tues, bridge, 10am-noon; crafts, 2pm-3.30pm. Wed, yoga, 11am-12.15pm. Men in Sheds – Tues/Wed/Fri, 10am, Thie Rosien, Port Erin.

• Isle of Man Farmers’ Market, Tynwald Mills, St John’s, 11am-3pm.

• Laxey and Lonan Community Choir, Laxey Methodist Church, Minorca Hill, Laxey, 7pm-8pm. No auditions.

• Traditional Aikido, St John’s Methodist Hall, 7pm-8.30pm.

• Manx Gaelic class, intermediate-advanced with James Harrison, Arbory Commissioners’ hall, 7.30pm. Also Fri, intermediate-advanced with Adrian Cain, Manx Museum, noon. Sat, intermediate, House of Manannan, 9.30am; intermediate-advanced with James Harrison, Manx Museum, 10.30am. Tues, intermediate with Adrian Cain, St Matthew’s Church, Douglas, noon; advanced, Rovers pub, Douglas, 1pm; beginners, Patchwork Cafe, Port St Mary, 7.30pm; Arbory Commissioners’ hall with Cathy Clucas, 7.30pm; St John’s House with James O’Meara, 7.30pm.

• Gospel message, Ballaugh village hall, 7.30pm.

• Quiz Night, The Railway, Douglas, 8.30pm. Call 670773.

• Bingo Quiz, Manor Hotel, Willaston, 9pm.

Friday, August 19

• Department of Infrastructure, Isle of Man Transport. Castletown and Laxey prepare for war this weekend, military vehicles, hair-raid shelters and wartime suppers. Laxey station, display of military vehicles from the Military Vehicle Trust, Cumbria branch. Saturday, Castletown, 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, £5 for hair dressed in forties style. Plus much, much more. Sunday, all Saturday’s programme except the veteran’s train will be continued on the Sunday with finale of a motorcade of military vehicles headed by the tank-like Abbot self-propelled military artillery piece, departing Castletown station at 1.45pm, plus much more. Meanwhile the Dining Car Wartime Sunday lunch evacuee train will depart Douglas at 1pm. Bookings call 697457.

• Coffee and chat, Onchan Methodist Church lounge, 10.30am-noon.

• A – ‘mazing’ Spiders. Meet at Cronk y Bing, 2pm.

• Revive Fridays, Trinity Church Hall, Douglas, 5.30pm-6.30pm. Enjoy the company and a faith tea. Call 621004.

• Meditation, The Refinery, Duke Street, Douglas, 7pm. Call 467818.

• IoM Family History meeting, Union Mills Methodist Chapel, talk by Andrew Foxon on ‘Ancient Mann’, 7.30pm.

Saturday, August 20

• Ramsey Horticultural Society summer show, at Waterloo Road Methodist Church Hall. The show will be opened and the prizes presented by Ramsey Town Commissioners’ chairman Lawrie Hooper. Schedules and entry forms are available at Farmers Combine Limited at West Quay, Ramsey, Caleys Stores in Sulby or by calling 815412 or emailing ramseyhorticulturalsociety@manx.net

• Methodist Historical Society Library open Saturday from 10am-noon, 1st floor Loch Promenade Church. Lift access.

• Theatre Tours, Gaiety Theatre, Douglas, 10am. Call 600555.

• The Manx Aviation and Military Museum, Ronaldsway, open 10am-4.30pm daily.

• Laxey Woollen Mills, Glen Road, 10am-5pm. Also open weekdays.

• Green Centre, near Chester Street complex, Douglas. Information about recycling, energy, insulation and environmental matters, 10am.

• Isle of Man Farmers’ Market, Karl B and T, Ramsey, 10am-3pm.

• Isle of Man Farmers’ Market, Villa Marina, Douglas, 10am-2pm. 1ST SATURDAY

• IoM Torch Fellowship Group meeting for the visually impaired. Call 622830 for venue.

• Great Laxey Mine Railway, 11am-4.30pm.

• Coffee and chat, St Mary’s on the Harbour, Castletown, 11am.

• Messy Church, Dalby Schoolrooms, 3.30pm-5.30pm. Call Pauline, 843494. 4TH SATURDAY

• Sporty Church with Ramsey Baptist Church, Bunscoill Rhumsaa’s Auldyn hall, 4.15pm. Call 316013 or email info@ramseybaptist.org EVERY 4TH SATURDAY.

• Bally Cashtal Brass training band of Castletown Band, Queen Street Mission Hall, beginners 4.30pm, main rehearsal 5.30pm. Call Barbara 473582.

Sunday, August 21

• Isle of Man Farmers’ Market, S100 Clubhouse, Castletown, 1.30pm-3.30pm.

• Peel Soapbox Derby on closed roads in the town, practices from 2pm and races from 3pm. This year’s route includes Stanley Road.

• Indoor car boot sale, Morton Hall, Castletown, 2pm, £6 a stall, tables provided. 481532/673320. 50p admission.

• Poetry PopIn with guest speaker Mrs Janet Lees, the Archibald Knox Pub function room, Onchan, 7.30pm-9.30pm.

• Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band rehearsals, Queen Street Mission hall, 7.30pm. Call 473582.

• Meditation and chat, Pure Inspiration, Ramsey, 7.15pm. Call Gary, 817735.

Monday, August 22

• Soundcheck music workshops, 13+ yrs, £100. Mon-Fri. Youth Arts Centre, Douglas.

• Age Isle of Man - free computer sessions for people aged over 50, House of Manannan, Peel, 10am–12.30pm and 1.30pm–4.30pm.

• Afternoon tea dance, Manx Legion Club, Douglas, 2pm-4pm.

• Free life-changing stress / spine / health talks, Align4Life in Lake Road, Douglas, 6.45pm, 629444.

Tuesday, August 23

• Computers for Beginners, Onchan Library, 10am-noon. Call 621228.

• Manx Cancer Help drop-in day, Lisa Lowe Centre, The Old Schoolhouse, Cronkbourne, 11am-4pm.

• Lunch Club, Salvation Army Citadel, Lord Street, Douglas, 11.30am. Call 627742.

• Languid Lizard Watching. Meet at the Ayres, 2pm.

• Douglas Choral Union Meet and Greet session with Tony Finnegan at All Saints Church Hall, Douglas, 8.30pm. Find out more about the society, Tony’s vision for next year’s production of The Producers which he is directing, and expectations for the upcoming auditions in a relaxed environment.

Wednesday, August 24

• Computer training sessions. Leonard Cheshire Disability, Main Road, Onchan, 11am-3pm. Call 679030.

• Call in for coffee at St Peter’s Church, Onchan, 11am and 1pm.

• Bereavement support group, friendly get together for anyone feeling isolated or lonely after a bereavement, Scholl Centre, Hospice Isle of Man, 5pm-7pm. Call 647443.

• School reunion for anyone who started Ballakermeen Junior High School (as it was then) in the mid-1970s or 80s. The event starts at 6.30pm with a tour of the school and was originally just for 1977 pupils but has now been opened to other years. There will be food, a disco and a raffle. Tickets cost £27.50 from the Villa Marina box office. Contact Dawn Bradley for more information via dawn.bradley@talk21.com

• SambaMann percussion workshop, Onchan Silver bandroom, off Onchan Commissioners’ car park, 7pm, email sambamann@manx.net

• Bingo Quiz, Archibald Knox Onchan, 8pm.

Palace Cinema

• Suicide Squad, 2D, (15). Nightly at 7.30pm.

• Lights Out, (15). Nightly at 7.45pm.

• Finding Dory, 2D, (U). Daily at 2pm and 4pm.

• Pete’s Dragon, 2D, (PG). Daily at 2.30pm and 4.30pm.

Broadway Cinema

• David Brent: Life on the Road, (15). Daily at 4.30pm and 7.30pm.

• Jason Bourne, (12A). Saturday and Sunday at 2pm.

• The BFG, 2D, (PG). Friday at 2pm, Saturday and Sunday at 11.30am, Monday-Wednesday at 2pm.

An 89th minute equaliser from Eoghain Sherrard was enough for a share of the points in a keenly contested 1-1 draw against Douglas athletic at Springfield Road on Wednesday evening, reports Paul Hatton.

With the Pinks playing their first top-flight match at home and following a goal-less first half, the hosts took the lead on 58 minutes when Connor Dowell pounced on a Will Miller back pass to stab his effort into the net.

Chances arrived for both sides although they were at a premium, but the leveller came via a corner which Sherrard latched onto at the far post, directing his header across goal and just inside the left stick to secure a 1-1 draw.

Elsewhere, Laxey eventually emerged victorious 3-2 following a remarkable Canada Life Premier League contest against Corinthians at Glen Road, writes Eric Clague.

The hosts edged an exciting opening period and led 3-1 at the break before the Douglas side hit back in the second and could well have snatched all three points but for a fine goalkeeping display from Danny Mead.

The hosts took the lead after only two minutes when Jonny Shields produced a superb finish on the break to beat keeper Glen Walker.

Two minutes later, however, the scores were level when Danny Oram provided another clinical strike.

A long throw from defender Christian Penswick then allowed Shaun Kelly the opportunity to strongly head home, restoring the home side’s advantage.

On the stroke of half-time Steve Moran’s side extended their lead when Shields added his second after being played in by Declan Cummins.

The visitors looked a much better side in the second period as they pushed Chris Cannell into midfield. Midway through the half Stephen Whitley fired home a fine effort from the edge of the box as the Ballafletcher side pressed for a point.

A string of fine saves from keeper Mead, however, thwarted Andy Thornton’s men as the Whites took control of the game.

Ironically the hosts could well have extended their advantage late on but Shaun Kelly’s penalty kick was well saved by keeper Walker.

Taylorian Productions wanted to stage a memorable show as they celebrate their 10th anniversary.

And with a huge wealth of talent, imaginative direction and impressive professional sets and costumes Oliver! truly will be remembered for all of the right reasons.

The show, directed by John Cumberlidge and produced by Matt James, features a cast of 68 performers, including 31 juniors and even a rescue dog from Ard Jerkyll.

Ben Heath made for a very believable Fagin, and his rendition of ‘You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two’ was one of the stand-out moments for me.

Georgia Maddocks was a vocal powerhouse as Nancy – wow, can she deliver!

And Damian Kneale relished his role as the dark and fearsome Bill Sykes.

The role of orphan boy Oliver is being shared by Joe Locke and William Shooter. And Oliver Sykes and Alex Reynolds alternate playing the Artful Dodger.

Everyone that I’ve spoken to about the show has loved it – and been hugely impressed by the professionalism, enthusiasm and skill displayed by all of the young principals.

It was Joe and Oliver’s turn on the Gaiety Theatre stage the night that I watched.

Joe made it easy for the audience to root for him, and we felt part of his emotional journey from escaping to the Victorian workhouse, to being part of a gang of thieves and pickpockets, and then his eventual rescue from a life of crime.

Oliver was a captivating Artful Dodger and I left the theatre humming one of the show’s most iconic songs, ‘Consider Yourself’.

The production continues to this Saturday (August 20).

Tickets, priced from £22.50, are available from taylorianproductions.net, www.villagaiety.com, the Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal and the Villa/Gaiety ticket hotline on 600555.

If you haven’t already, grab yourself a ticket to see Taylorian’s show before it is too late!

Isle of Man TT Marshals Association is appealling for more locals to support the early sessions for the Classic TT and MGP.

Online signing on is now open and TTMA officials are encouraging locals to sign up as soon as possible to ensure the early qualifying sessions go ahead.

Go to the TT Marshals’ website at iomttma.com and click the on-line sign up link. Paper forms can be collected and returned to the marshals office behind the Grandstand.

The annual Island at War event returns this weekend with the main activities taking place in Laxey and Castletown.

The event kicks off at Laxey station tomorrow (Friday) with a display of military vehicles, field hospital, exhibitions and activities. And the action continues until Sunday when the grand finale will be a motorcade of military vehicles headed by the tank-like Abbot self-propelled military artillery piece. It will leave Castletown station at 1.45pm.

Saturday will see 70 island veterans travel by steam train to Castletown for a tea party.

See www.rail.im for more details.

Should dogs be permitted on Port St Mary beach during the day time in the summer on a discretionary basis?

That is the question being posed by the local authority.

At the moment, dogs are banned in the daytime during the summer months.

But commissioner Michelle Haywood said dog owners should be able to use ‘common sense’ and if there are people on the beach, keep their dogs off it.

The suggestion prompted comments on Facebook, and last week she said: ‘Someone posted a photograph of someone walking their dog at 9.07am and said: “This is disgraceful”.’ But she added that in the thread of comments which followed ‘some sensible things were said’.

Chairman Bernadette Williams said the dog mess gets washed out to sea and comes back on to the beaches.

Ms Haywood said: ‘Yachts [moored in the harbour] are dropping their discharge.’

She added: ‘We have got until May, when the by-law comes into force, to see what people think about it.’

Ian Skelly said: ‘We could invite two or three of the most vociferous to talk about it.’

Mrs Williams said: ‘People that vote for you vote for you to put a point of view forward, that’s why you are sitting around this table.’

Mr Skelly replied: ‘I know people on both sides of the fence.’

‘But you have your own view as well,’ replied Mrs Williams.

Andy Phair said: ‘I’m here to represent the people of Port St Mary, not my own views.’

Clerk Alastair Hamilton said: ‘You cannot keep all the people happy all the time.’

Alec Merchant added there needed to be ‘a problem to justify changing the by-laws’.

One of the most prestigious awards at Isle of Man Newspapers’ Awards for Excellence is the award for Business Personality of the Year.

Last year’s winner, Jennifer Houghton, who is managing director of Annexio, tells us what it meant to her.

‘I was obviously very excited about winning and still get congratulated now and again, which I’m very honoured by,’ she says.

‘I was quite relaxed the night before as I honestly didn’t think I would win, and when I did win one of my first thought, as I was walking up to the podium, was that I should have had my hair done properly!’

Her CV is impressive. Born in California with a Swedish mother and a German father, she is a qualified accountant, having also studied music and microbiology at university.

Jennifer worked for Deloitte for 17 years.

She came to the island 12 years ago and two years later married Jay Houghton, a director of Petrolink.

She loves the island and has settled happily here, despite having previously lived in seven countries and moved 27 times.

Jennifer speaks four languages which comes in useful at Annexio, where she heads up a team made up of 12 different nationalities.

The company specialises in the secondary lottery market and provides both B2B and B2C services using their bespoke platform.

One of Jennifer’s major achievements was successfully obtaining an online gaming licence for Annexio which was granted on April 1st 2011.

In 2013 Annexio was the fastest growing online gaming company on the Isle of Man.

In her spare time Jennifer loves running to keep fit – she has run the London Marathon and another 30 half-marathons for charity.

As well as the various charities she runs for, she is also on the board of trustees for the Diana Princess of Wales Care at Home Trust, which provides hospice at home care, and is currently raising money through their Raad ny Foillan Challenge, walking a different section of the coastal path each month.

She is also a committee member of the Isle of Man branch of the Institute of Directors and was awarded ‘International Director of the Year’ by the Institute of Directors Isle of Man branch in 2016.

Speaking about winning the award for Business Personality of the Year, Jennifer adds: ‘I may have been the first woman to have won the award, but I am certain that I won’t be the last.’

Are you entering this year’s Awards?

Isle of Man Newspapers’ Awards for Excellence offers 16 awards categories, including Business Personality of the Year.

There are categories 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 excellence-awards.im

Not many Manx students can boast of having a doctorate from the USA, but former Ramsey Grammar student, Dr Katie Taylor, can do exactly that.

Last month Katie was awarded a PhD in education with an emphasis in exercise physiology, and she now holds a position at Eastern Washington University.

She first studied at the University of Idaho in 2010 after the DEC awarded her the Ella Olesen scholarship, but loved it so much she returned in 2012 to study her PhD.

Katie said: ‘I owe a lot to Ella Olesen and the DEC for their support of my endeavours,’ and vowed: ‘I will always be a Manx girl at heart.’

The Ella Olesen scholarship is awarded annually to a female graduate who has received Department of Education and Children funding through university.

At Idaho, Katie was national student representative for the North West chapter and as a result assisted in organising conferences, co-hosted a competitive student knowledge competition, and shared her Manx culture.

But that’s not all - she was also given many other exciting opportunies; from sitting in on committees for the American College of Sports Medicine to conducting a variety of research studies in the exercise physiology lab.

And from travelling all over the US for conferences to visiting San Diego, California to see the Star of India, a ship built in Ramsey.

Her dissertation explored the relationships between physical activity and quality of life in people with debilitating bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

John Gill, the DEC’s former head of legal and administrative services, flew all the way to Idaho in order to see her graduate.

Hollie Jaques, the 2016/17 scholar, starts her Idaho ‘journey’ this month.

Government consultation is ‘fundamentally flawed’ because many online response forms cannot be filled in without overcoming technological issues.

That is the view of Port St Mary commissioner Ian Skelly after he attempted to respond online to the recent survey regarding scallop conservation in the Bay Ny Carrickey closed area.

When Mr Skelly tried to fill in the form with his views on the continued closure of the bay to fishing with static gear, he experienced some technical problems.

He emailed Fiona Gell at the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture that had issued the consultation and wrote it does ‘not provide the survey in a format that people can easily fill in’, adding: ‘Without a lot of time and personal effort wasted, the scallop survey format is especially difficult. I passed it on to a friend in IT and it has even defeated him unless he spent considerable time trying to convert it from PDF format to one that can be completed electronically. If this is repeated across all consultations no wonder responses are poor – or is it another clever way to manipulate stats?’

Dr Gell apologised and replied attaching a copy of the consultation form.

But Mr Skelly said the problem is ‘endemic’ across government departments.

He said it will dissuade people from giving feedback, particularly the older generation.

He said: ‘The man in the street will just give up and not do it. It makes the consultation flawed and wrong.

‘It’s not just the DEFA, it’s endemic across government. They will get flawed results all the time. If that is the case, what’s the point of doing it?’

A government spokesman said a form was added to the consultation 10 days ago after this issue was raised.

It will assist those seeking to respond before the September 5 closing date.

A Douglas taxi driver has hit out at the lack of road markings and condition of roads in the island.

Stewart Douglas said he had even offered to paint signs on a taxi rank at the Villa Marina himself but was told he would be charged with a criminal offence if he did.

He said that his passengers arriving in the island often comment on the condition of Manx roads and the lack of signs.

Mr Douglas, aged 54, is originally from Los Angeles and moved to the island 15 years ago. He has worked as a taxi driver here for 13 years.

He said: ‘When I pick up tourists a lot of them comment about the appalling conditions of our roads.

‘They also comment about the lack of signage for taxi ranks. I’ve been writing to Highway Services about this for five years.

‘I challenge you to go down to the Villa Marina taxi rank and pretend that you do not live here and look for evidence stating that it is a taxi rank.

‘For many years, I have been contacting the Road Transport Licensing Committee (RTLC) who say they have nothing to do with it and I have also contacted the Department of Infrastructure’s Highway Sevices Division but have received no response.

‘I have even been told that if I paint the taxi rank myself I will be charged with painting graffiti by the police.

‘The only evidence of a taxi rank is a tariff sheet, which is many years outdated, on a post. The fares on that are years old.

‘There is no correct signage or road markings. Not only is this situation inconvenient for the public, but it makes it unsafe as this area has become a “free for all”.’

He added: ‘Any pedestrian walking past the Villa can’t see that there is a taxi rank there. If you are not from the island you wouldn’t know.

‘Moreover, all taxis pay an annual licence fee and annual car tax, so I don’t know why we are not entitled to the expense of a little bit of paint and signage.’

Mr Douglas says that other taxi ranks around the island are not much better.

He said: ‘Victoria Street is not much better. And they took away a taxi rank outside Bordellos [on Loch promenade].

‘Outside Tesco and the Hilton is always full of people parking so we have nowhere to park. If we park in the loading bay in front of Barclays we get moved on.’

A Department of Infrastructure spokesman said that they had no record of Mr Douglas reporting the matters to them and said of the Villa Marina taxi rank: ‘Department of Infrastructure Highway Services are responsible for the signage and lining there but they have no record of the problem being reported to them.

‘However they have now arranged for the correct signage and lines to be put in place.’

A motorist who breached a driving ban to go to McDonald’s has been sent to prison.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said Kevin Hughes had left her with no choice after committing his sixth driving ban breach.

The court heard Hughes, of Heather Crescent, Pulrose, was watching television with his partner on April 7, when a late-night advert prompted him to go out in search of fast food.

To add insult to injury, when he arrived at the take-away it was closed.

Defending Hughes, Lydia Mulligan told the court the 50-year-old had only recently been released on licence from the prison.

‘He made a mistake which he described as a “stupid glitch”,’ she said.

‘He has done so much since leaving prison to turn his life around and he is angry that this one point has landed him before the court again.’

She said far from making a flippant comment, her client was frustrated because he had done so much to put his life back in order.

He had a provisional licence and insurance policy to cover the car, she said, but was unaware the policy was invalidated by his failure to comply with the provisional licence requirements.

‘At the time of the earlier offences, he had what he describes as “a raging heroin habit” but since then he has re-evaluated his life choices and taken steps to sort his life out. He is reconciled with his family and he says he has been heroin free for three and a half years,’ she said,

Hughes’ parents were both ill and he needed the car for work.

Apart from the one blip, he had operated entirely within the law, she said.

The defendantadmitted driving while disqualified.

Though his ban period had ended, he had not yet retaken and passed a driving test.

He also admitted having no car tax, which had expired almost a year previously in May 2015, and having no insurance.

Passing sentence, Mrs Hughes noted the offence was committed during his release on licence from a previous prison sentence.

‘You have five previous offences on your record for driving while disqualified. Anyone committing one offence faces prison, so someone on their sixth surely faces custody, as in this case.

‘You were subject to a licence following your release from prison on December 10 for a more serious offence. Some four months later you chose to drive despite being on licence and despite your earlier convictions. You knew the consequences.

‘Not only were you unaccompanied and not displaying L-plates, but you also said you were completely stupid and I endorse that: it adequately sums it up,’ she said.

Noting there were no grounds to suspend custody, she sentenced him to three months’ prison for driving while disqualified.

His licence was endorsed, he was banned from driving for a year and must take and pass an extended driving test. No separate penalty was imposed for having no car tax or insurance.

Because the offence occurred while he was released on licence, he must also serve a further three months from his previous sentence, making six months in total.

Tromode teenager Nathan Draper has been selected by Team GB to ride the Tour de l’Avenir, which gets underway tomorrow, Saturday.

Organised by Tour de France organisers ASO, the Tour of the Future (English translation) forms the final round of the UCI Under-23 Nations Cup.

It starts with a 140km stage between Le Puy-en-Velay and Veauche and includes eight stages, totalling 899km (559 miles of racing), concluding on Saturday, August 28 in the small mountain town of Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves in the Rhône-Alpes region of south-eastern France.

Much of the route is through the Alps, with Thursday’s stage going from St Gervais (Mont Blanc) to Tignes.

The penultimate stage next Friday is another extremely tough test from Val d’Isère to Valmeinier.

Draper, 19, will be the youngest member of the Great Britain team and will be riding alongside Jon Dibben, Gabriel Cullaigh, Scott Davies, Tao Geoghegan-Hart and James Knox.

Recent winners of the Tour de l’Avenir include Nairo Quintana, Warren Baguil and, last year, Marc Soler.

l Peter Kennaugh is riding for Team Sky in the last of the Grand Tours, La Vuelta a Espana (Tour of Spain), which also begins on Saturday, while Anna Christian is guesting for the Racing Chance Foundation in the Tour D’Ardeche, a UCI six-day women’s race in the south of France. More cycling in this week’s Manx Independent.

Michael Dunlop will be astride MV Agustas in next week’s Senior and Junior Classic TT after securing an 11th-hour deal with Black Eagle Racing.

He is replacing 2014 Junior Classic TT winner Lee Johnston who suffered a broken collarbone in a practice spill during last weekend’s Ulster Grand Prix.

Dean Harrison won last year’s Senior race on the MV triple and will be defending his title alongside Dunlop in the same David and Mark Kay Black Eagle team.

Ian Lougher will be similarly MV mounted, for John Chapman.

Dunlop will also be aiming for his third win in the Superbike category on Steve Wheatman’s XR69 Suzuki.

‘I really enjoy the Classic TT and I was disappointed to be missing out on some of the classes,’ said Michael, ‘so I was very happy when I got the call from the Black Eagle boys about riding their MVs.

‘It’s a shame that Lee has been forced to miss out through injury, but we have seen how strong the bikes have been over the past couple of years and hopefully I can repay the guys in the team with two more wins.’

Gary Johnson has meantime been drafted in to replace namesake David Johnson in the Team York Suzuki/Big Dog Classic Racing set-up for the Superbike race on Bank Holiday Monday.

Australian David was also injured during practice for the Ulster on a guest ride with the Wilson Craig Honda team. He suffered multiple fractures.

Other interesting changes for the Classic TT include Conor Cummins replacing the injured Ryan Farquhar alongside John McGuinness on the Team Winfield Paton twins in the Senior and Dan Kneen riding a ZXR750 Kawasaki for Mistral Racing in the Superbike event.

l Qualifying is scheduled to commence on Saturday evening (weather permitting). Roads will close at 5pm and a speed-controlled lap for newcomers will set off at 5.20.

A timed session for Senior and Junior MGP machines will follow, followed at 6.30pm with the Classic TT Senior and Junior; Lightweight and Supertwin MGP bikes.

Monday to Friday sessions start at 6.20, with roads closing from 6pm.

Reports in next Tuesday’s IoM Examiner and Thursday’s Manx Independent.

It’s that time of year again!

The annual Amber Battle of the Bands will take place throughout November.

If you’re over 18 years of age, a covers or originals band, a solo artist or a singer/songwriter then get in touch via their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/pages/Amber-Bar/317692424912775

Next we move on to local covers artist Ian Thompson.

If his covers gigs with his trio, that boasts a setlist made up of songs from the The Kinks, David Bowie, The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel and the like, sounds like your type of night out then you can’t go far wrong.

Ian will appear at Jaks Bar in Douglas tomorrow (Friday).

For more information see www.facebook.com/ianthompsonmusician/

Staying with Jaks and on Saturday you’ll see the prolific gigging machine that is 9 Mile Smile.

The band is made up by vocalist Angela Wells, guitarists Graham Smith and Grant Evans, bassist Lewis Thompson and Johnny Wade on drums specialise in covers from the likes of anything from the now ubiquitous Kings Of Leon via The Stereophonics to Blondie and Michael Jackson via Amy Winehouse and Aretha Franklin.

A good time band and well worth having a look at if you’re in the area. See www.facebook.com/9MileSmile

Truman Falls released their latest album ‘Headswims’ back in April and have undertaken a number of shows on their subsequent promotion campaign.

Indeed ‘Oberon’, the first single to be lifted from the album was released last month.

This Saturday sees the band continue the campaign trail at the Centenary Centre in Peel, from 8pm.

The band led by singer/songwriter Simon Rea will be joined on the night by fellow band members Paul Teare, Dave Armstrong, Jonny Peacock, Anna Goldsmith and Mark Burrows.

Tickets can be purchased from Peter Norris Music, Douglas; Shakti Man in Ramsey; Thompson Travel in Port Erin; Celtic Gold in Peel or online via www.etickets.im/cc/

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Steve Leach brings the latest rumblings, murmurings, news and views on forthcoming events in and around the island’s music scene. Help support the scene by emailing leachsteve@hotmail.com

It could be a memorable weekend for Valkyres Cricket Club as they celebrate their 50th anniversary.

To mark the occasion there will be a special match and reception at Tromode.

On top of this, on the previous day, they meet Peel and St John’s B in the final of the Blincoe Cup.

Valkyres have won the trophy only once (in 2010) while their opponents can boast of six cup victories.

To reach this year’s final the Saints beat Crosby and the holders Ramsey, while the Douglas side knocked out Union Mills and Isle of Man Schools.

Alex Williamson skippers the Peel B team and is facing serious problems as holidays, injuries and unavailability of players could seriously weaken his squad.

Valkyres have not yet announced their starting XI but they have plenty of all-rounders which is essential for the Blincoe format.

The final is two innings of 16 overs per side, while the maximum number of overs per bowler is two.

These games usually provide some spectacular cricket and great entertainment for spectators. The venue is Mullen-e-Cloie with a 1pm start and the umpires are Tim Mansfield and Geoff Collier.

CRICKET FIXTURES

Thursday, August 18

ICC Europe Division Two (Sweden)

Israel v Isle of Man (3pm)

Friday, August 19

ICC Europe Division Two (Sweden)

Isle of Man v Spain (10am)

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 Valkyres B

(at Mullen-e-Cloie)

l On Wednesday morning the Isle of Man lost their first match in the Euros to tournament favourites Germany. They amassed 166 from their 20 overs with Akkie Van Den Berg taking 3 -32 and Kieran Cawte 2 -24.

The Manx were dismissed for 66 - Danny Kniveton made 16 and Phil Littlejohns 15.

The fledgling Canada Life Premier League season continues with another intriguing set of fixtures this Saturday afternoon.

The pick of the day’s games is arguably at Ballafletcher where Corinthians welcome potential title challengers and last year’s runners-up Peel.

The westerners began their campaign with a narrow and hard-fought 1-0 win over St John’s last Saturday before a potentially tricky clash with Old Firm rivals Rushen United on Wednesday and this weekend’s game should also prove tough.

Corinthians brushed aside a new-look DHSOB on the opening day and took on Laxey on Wednesday so they will be hoping to push Peel all the way.

If newly-promoted Douglas Athletic are to avoid getting dragged into a dreaded relegation battle later in the season then they would do well to pick up at least a point on their trip to Ayre United but fellow top flight newcomers Colby face a mammoth task away at champions St George’s.

Geordies put the Tangerines to the sword on the openinf day of the season and should extend their unbeaten run in the top flight flight to 35 games this weekend.

Elsewhere, there’s an early kickoff at Croit Lowey where a north-versus-south battle takes place between Rushen United and Ramsey, with the hosts hoping to continue their fine start to the season.

St Mary’s got their campaign off to a winning start at home to Douglas Athletic and should claim another three points against Laxey on Saturday, while Union Mills welcome DHSOB to Garey Mooar buoyed by their opening day win over Colby.

The fixtures computer has thrown up some potentially tasty clashes in JCK Division Two this weekend.

One of the matches of the day could well be at Springfield Road where early leaders Pulrose United take on the side tipped by many for league glory this season, Braddan.

With Andy Glover leading the line, the Swans are expected to lead the charge for the title but Pully got their season off to a flier with a thumping 13-2 win over Governor’s Athletic so should be full of confidence.

The dark horses this season are Foxdale who face a tricky battle at home to Douglas Royal, two teams aiming for silverware. A win for either side could set the platform for a good season.

RYCOB and Marown both lost their opening games and will therefore be desperate to claim the spoils when they meet at Scoill ree Gorree on Saturday, while there’s a double header at Noble’s Park where Onchan play Douglas and District and Governor’s Athletic ‘host’ Castletown, while Michael United travel to Gymns.