A good samaritan who tried to help out some TT visitors has ended up with a driving conviction after taking a wrong turning on to the Mountain Road one-way system.

A court heard Philip Bollen, of Selborne Drive had offered to give a lift to some New Zealand visitors who wanted to watch the practices from the Bungalow.

But as he approached the Mountain Road from the Creg-ny-Baa Back Road, he failed to spot the one-way system signs and turned the wrong way, heading up the hill towards Kate’s Cottage.

For the prosecution, Michael Jelski said, after about 25 yards, Bollen felt uneasy about the manoeuvre, did a three-point turn and headed back down towards the Creg. The incident happend about 8.50pm after practices on June 4.

He said although he had seen signs and cones he had not appreciated their significance, particularly as there was no sign indicating ‘No right turn’ where the Back Road joined the main Mountain Road.

He said he thought the road was one-way from Ramsey Hairpin to the Bungalow but two-ways from there to the Creg-ny-Baa, and that he was trying to reach the Bungalow to pick some people up and give them a lift.

Bollen, who is 70, admitted careless driving.

Representing Bollen, Stephen Wood said his client was not a TT fan or even a TT follower, and therefore was not familiar with road closures and practice schedules. He did not keep track of media bulletins or social media.

As an act of pure goodwill, he said Bollen had offered a lift to some visitors. Earlier in the evening he had dropped them off in Laxey so they could catch the tram up Snaefell and at the end of practices, he was trying to collect them again from the Bungalow to take them home. Approaching from the side road, he pointed out Bollen would not have had such a good long-range perspective of the road signs and bollards as someone approaching up the hill from Douglas.

‘There is not a “No right turn” sign for people approaching from the Back Road. Had he seen one, he would not have turned right,’ he said. ‘Out of the goodness of his heart he gave a lift to these people and was going to collect them.’

Mr Wood said Bollen had a totally unblemished driving record, and that it had simply been an error of judgement.

Sentencing him, Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said: ‘This was a serious transgression. During TT people have to take extra care not just for motor cycles but for road closures.’

He was fined £350 for careless driving with £50 costs. He was banned from driving for one month in the light of what Mrs Hughes said was ‘substantial mitigation’.

Police have advised a couple they could face prosection for harassment if they continue to post comments on social media about election candidate John Houghton.

Mr Houghton, who is seeking to retain his Douglas North seat in next week’s general election, reported former Third Clerk of Tynwald Marie Lambden and her husband Murray to police, accusing them of harassing him on Facebook.

He claims the posted comments and a video clip shot without his consent were causing him ‘personal alarm and distress’.

Mr Lambden had said he posted on Facebook to ‘draw attention to the shame that Mr Houghton has brought to Tynwald and the Isle of Man’ and insisted he would not withdraw the comment, photos and video.

But police went to see the couple last week with a prepared notice advising them not to post any further comments on Facebook – or face potential prosecution under the Harassment Act.

Inspector Cathryn Bradley told the Manx Independent: ‘Mr Houghton made a complaint and we have investigated.

‘Mr and Mrs Lambden have been advised not to make any more postings, after we sought advice from the Attorney General’s chambers.’

Mr Houghton was suspended from Tynwald in May after he refused to apologise when a standards and members’ interests committee concluded he had ‘lied, bullied and inappropriately interfered in a staffing matter’.

He was referred to the standards committee after being accused of bullying the clerk and deputy clerk of Tynwald and Tony Wild MLC, his conduct precipitating the resignation of the Third Clerk.

In a statement, Mr and Mrs Lambden told the Manx Independent: ‘We have not published anything about Mr Houghton since September 5 as there has been no new information about him on which to comment.

‘Mr Houghton was instructed by the Speaker of the House of Keys on November 5 2014 not to remain involved in a staffing matter at the Clerk of Tynwald’s office.

‘On refusing to accept this ruling, and the authority of Tynwald Management Committee, he complained formally about the conduct of the Clerk of Tynwald and his deputy who were investigated by an independent professional and they were cleared of improper conduct.

‘Mr Houghton was found by Tynwald Court, based on the very detailed report of its standards and members’ interests committee, to have breached a number of standards and to have lied, bullied and interfered in a staffing matter.

‘It is past time for Mr Houghton to admit that he made a mistake on November 5 2014 and many more since including pursuing his claim that he has done nothing wrong. His claims have been dismissed by the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man and the UK Ministry of Justice.

‘Our posts have been based on information in the public domain, requiring many hours of research, and comments have been carefully considered to highlight the behaviour of a senior public figure.’

Two weeks ago we reported that Mr Houghton thought he was being bullied on page 1.

*The other candidates in Douglas North are Karen Angela, David Ashford, Ralph Peake and Lynn Sirdefield.

After a little disruption last weekend, the Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield gets going this Saturday with all four fixtures looking likely to take place.

This comes about only with the help and assistance of volunteers and the co-operation of the respective clubs.

Many thanks once again to Western Vikings, Emerging Nomads and Dom Winrow for making sure last week’s match went ahead.

This week defending champions PDMS Southern Nomads get their campaign under way with a comparatively easier game against Noa Nomads.

The men in green have lost playmaker Conor Stephens to Douglas in the close season and they came unstuck in a big way against Winnington Park in the Cheshire Bowl.

The side must now concentrate on the domestic competition and should pick up maximum points here.

Nevertheless, Noa are performing a function for the club as a whole and since its birth last season it’s been interesting to watch the players mature and move upwards in the Nomad structure.

Early leaders Western Vikings head for the Mooragh Park to play James Wren’s Ramsey B.

It was the northerners who took the honours home and away last season, but with no match fitness, Vikings may just fancy their chances.

Kevin Mellor ran in four last Saturday and with that kind of form, Vikings may just edge Ramsey out.

Vagabonds B, under the stewardship of John Cannan this season, get their season up and running with Emerging Nomads the visitors at Ballafletcher.

Emerging have in the past run Vagas close and this won’t be a stroll in the park. Vagas should, however, have the muscle on the day to take maximum points.

In the final Shield match of the weekend Castletown host Douglas B at Poulsom Park.

Town beat a Douglas third team in a pre-season friendly, but a well-organised Douglas B may just be too much for them.

Douglas put 60 past Ramsey B in pre-season and appear to have too much firepower for Town.

Fixtures: Saturday, September 17

South Lancashire/Cheshire Division One

Douglas v New Brighton @ Port-e-Chee ko 1.30pm

South Lancashire/Cheshire Division Three

Newton le Willows v Ramsey @ Newton le Willows ko 2pm

Women’s NC North One

Doncaster v Vagabonds @ Doncaster

Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield all ko @ 2.15pm

Noa Nomads v PDMS Southern Nomads @ King William’s College

Ramsey B v Western Vikings @ Mooragh Park

Vagabonds B v Emerging Nomads @ Ballafletcher

Castletown v Douglas B @ Poulsom Park

l Round-up of all Saturday’s rugby in next week’s Isle of Man Examiner - on sale Tuesday morning.

CASTLETOWN TRAINING

l Castletown RUFC training takes place every Wednesday evening at 7pm at Poulsom Park. All welcome. More information at Facebook.com/castletownrufc

Head to Jaks in Douglas this Saturday night and you’ll catch three-piece outfit Powercut.

Formed back in 2009 and comprising members John Percival on bass, Simon Watson on drums and Ian Bradley on guitar, they play a set that ranges from The Kinks and The Who at one end of the spectrum through to the more modern day offerings from the likes of The Kaiser Chiefs, Razorlight, The Kings of Leon and Green Day at the other.

For more details visit www.facebook.com/Powercut-33638987057

Symbollix make their way to the Queen’s Pub on Queen’s Promenade in Douglas this Saturday. The band roots itself in mostly 70s classic rock.

The setlist combines the likes of ZZ Top, The Who, Wings, Bad Company, Whitesnake, Cream and The Rolling Stones and the band features John Ruscoe, George Hughes, John Ryan, Martin McEvely and Stewart Steptoe in the line-up.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/groups/379000418888939/

The annual Amber Battle of the Bands line-up has now been confirmed.

Due to run throughout November at the Douglas-based venue, the heats are shaping up nicely. Commencing on November 5, rock and pop singer/songwriter Ian Thompson will go up against indie/etherial rock boys, The Clown Calls For War. These two bands will in turn battle it out against post hardcore outfit, Ignite The Sky.

November 12 sees last year’s entrants Han FX and Matt Kelly do battle with last year’s winners, The Fletcher Christian Mutiny. In turn they are joined by In The Blood in their first visit to the competition.

The final heat on November 19 sees acoustic troubadour Eóin Ó Maol Mhuaidh up against folk/reggae influenced songstress Tiger T, who in turn will fight it out against a new metal behemoth on the block, Aeons.

Each heat winner will take home £175, will go through to a three band showdown on November 24 and will be in with a chance of winning £750.

I’ll be giving a full round down of each artist and round up of the events as they happen.

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

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’s all to play for with action across all five Manx senior and under-16 mixed hockey leagues this weekend.

First up on Saturday afternoon, Partitionware Castletown Celts host their most troublesome of guests in Ramsey Crookall Bacchanalians A. Defending champions Bacchas have a wonderful record against Mike Taylor’s southern club, having hit 20 goals in their two games last year.

The reds side contains some excellent defenders, but only the most ardent of Town supporters could see them keeping the attacking threats of Andy Whiting, Kim Carney and Jamie Brown at bay. Bacchas will fully expect to take the two points from this one.

In the other game in the division, league leaders Bacchas B will look to maintain their strong start but will come up against Nick Hamer’s fiercely-determined Harlequins side.

Both sides play at a frenetic pace and played some excellent hockey in their opening fixtures last weekend. This one is too close to call, but should be a thrilling watch.

PwC Mixed Division One next and another game well worth viewing as LJ Ramsey aim to continue their quest to get back to the Premier League against Canaccord Genuity Vikings B.

The fixture list hasn’t been kind to the All Blacks, with probably their toughest two games immediately and they will want to get something out of this one.

Also chasing promotion is Dave Hall’s Crowe Morgan Valkyrs B who will start as favourites against Vikings C, having beaten their second team last week.

They would be wise not to underestimate Ian Perry’s side though, who made a fine start with victory last week.

Saracens Sabres and Bacchas C will look to get their campaigns up and running in the final game, as they seek their first points of the season.

Two of the top three go head to head in PwC Mixed Division Three, as Castletown Cammags take on Tim Leeming’s Colts side in what promises to be a tight affair.

The victors will most probably find themselves at the top of the league jointly with early pace-setters Ramsey Ravens, although Harlequins Colts will aim to spring a surprise on the greens.

Jenny Lantry takes her Ramsey Rookies side out west to face Valkyrs C and will be aiming head back north with the spoils.

Finally to PwC Mixed Division Three where the top two of Valkyrs D and Castletown Southerners go head-to-head. Having each won their first fixture, both will be looking to make it two out of two.

Rounding off Division Three, Harlequins B will aim to get the better of Saracens Sharks in their first game of the season.DAVE CLARK-WILSON

New British Rally Champions Elfyn Evans and Craig Parry lead the way after Thursday’s opening night’s three stages of the 138.com Rally Isle of Man.

The DMack Tyres Ford Fiesta pair grabbed the lead on SS2 5 Tons Bridge (Tholt-y-Will) from early leaders Craig Breen/Scott Martin, who were then sidelined with oil pressure issues on their DGM Citroen DS3 four miles into SS3 Pond Road at St Judes.

Evans again went quickest to extend his overnight lead to 12.3s over Tom Cave/James Morgan (Fiesta), with Mark Higgins/Darren Garrod struggling on the fast stages with an under-geared sister car to Evans. They lie third, just 0.4s down on Cave.

Swedish driver Fredrik Ahlen holds fourth despite his Fiesta having no power steering throughout the night, with the unit changed in service.

BRC2 Champions Matt Edwards/Will Rogers complete an all-Ford top five.

In the Classicagh rally category there is a terrrific battle under way, former winners Ryan Barrett and local co-driver Paul McCann sneaking an overnight lead of just 0.3s from Will Onions and Jamie Edwards, with Guy Woodcock and local Richard Skinner just 4s back in third, all in MkII Ford Escorts.

In the Nationals Welshmen Meirion Evans/Iestyn Williams (MkII Escort) lead by 1.1s from leading locals Andrew Leece/Graham Fargher (Mitsubishi Evo 8) with Donnie MacDonald (Evo 9) third.

Sadly expected frontrunners Ashley Field/Janice Moore retired their Darrian GTR+ with electrical probems, gearbox problems halted Ollie Mellor’s Proton and locals Stu Bainborough/Charlotte Shiimmin suffered differential failure on their Evo 6.

Today, Friday, is a testing 13-hour day, taking in 11 stages from 9am to 10pm for the leading cars, headlined by the double run through Castletown this evening at 7pm.

138.com Rally Isle of Man - end of day one (SS3 of 20)

International

1 Elfyn Evans/Craig Parry (Ford Fiesta R5) 14m13.7s

2 Tom Cave/James Morgan (Ford Fiesta R5) 14:26.0

3 Mark Higgins/Darren Garrod (Ford Fiesta R5) 14:26.4

4 Fredrik Ahlin/Morten Abrahamsen (Ford Fiesta R5) 14:36.1

5 Matt Edwards/Will Rogers (Ford Fiesta R5) 14:43.5

6 Desi Henry/Liam Moynihan (Skoda Fabia R5) 14:44.6

7 Rhys Yates/Tom Woodburn (Ford Fiesta R5) 14:47.8

8 David Bogie/James O’Reilly (Skoda Fabia R5) 14:52.9

9 Jamie Anderson/Ross Whittock (Ford Fiesta R5) 15:00.1

10 Jonny Greer/Kirsty Riddick (Citroen DS3 R5) 15:08.7

Classicagh

1 Ryan Barrett/Paul McCann (Ford Escort MkII) 16:02.1

2 Will Onions/Jamie Edwards (Ford Escort MkII) 16:02.4

3 Guy Woodcock/Richard Skninner (Ford Escort MkII) 16:06.4

National

1 Meirion Evans/Iestyn Williams (Ford Escort MkII) 15:39.4

2 Andrew Leece/Graham Fargher (Mitsubishi Evo 8) 1540.5

3 Donnie MacDonlad/Amdrew Falconer (Mitsubishi Evo 9) 15:48.8

A woman from Onchan has been fined £300 and had her driving licence endorsed with four points for using a mobile phone while driving.

Katie McIntyre Druggan, of Whitebridge Road, was also ordered to pay £50 prosecution costs.

Druggan, aged 32, did not attend court but sent a postal admission for the offence.

Prosecutor Barry Swain told the court how, at 6.12pm on July 20, an off-duty policeman spotted Druggan driving up Michael Street in Peel.

He noted that she was looking down to the footwell of the car and was holding a mobile phone in her right hand with her thumb on the screen.

He said that he got close enough to see that Druggan had a ‘Pokemon Go’ application on the phone screen.

The officer said that the area was busy with traffic and pedestrians at the time.

He spoke to Druggan the next day and when quizzed about the incident she said: ‘I had no wifi but I did have my phone in my hand.’

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said in court: ‘It was clearly not being used for an urgent call or text message.’

A 25-year-old care worker from Port Soderick has been fined £1,000 and banned from driving for two years after admitting drink-driving.

Aaron Bellis, of Old Castletown Road, failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 61 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres - the legal limit is 35.

Bellis pleaded guilty to drink-driving and was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs.

A second charge of burglary was withdrawn.

The court heard how, on August 29 at around 2am, Bellis went into Pizza King on Queens Promenade in Douglas.

The owner said that she had known him for almost 20 years and that he had, at times in the past, worked there.

It was said that Bellis was clearly intoxicated and that he vomited in the staff toilets.

The woman took Bellis’ car keys off him and ordered him a taxi before going upstairs.

It was said that Bellis then went upstairs and told her that his taxi had arrived, so he was given back his car keys.

However, later that night two witnesses said that they found Bellis sat in his car at Marine Drive.

The witnesses said that they took Bellis’ car keys from him and he got out of the car and became aggressive.

Police were called and Bellis was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

During a police interview Bellis admitted that he had been driving.

Defending Bellis in court, advocate Deborah Myerscough handed in two letters of reference on behalf of her client.

Ms Myerscough told the court that Bellis only had one caution previously and asked that he be given credit for his guilty plea and co-operation with the police.

She said: ‘It was out of character. My client had been experiencing some difficult personal circumstances but he accepts that is no excuse and he is sorry for his behaviour. He understands he is facing a ban today. He works shifts as a care worker seven days a week all over the island.

‘So the loss of his licence is going to have a very significant effect indeed. His remorse is genuine and he wants to apologise to the court and police officers involved.

‘He accepts this is nothing but his own fault but he does only have one previous caution.’

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said: ‘While you were abusive to the two men at the scene you were co-operative with the police when they arrived and at police headquarters. You have lost your good character through this. It is made more serious by the fact that you tricked a friend who took the keys away from you and betrayed the trust she put in you.’

The first eagerly-anticipated showdown between title favourites St George’s and Peel takes place in the Canada Life Premier League this Saturday afternoon.

Geordies are aiming to claim a remarkable seventh league title in a row and have gotten their campaign off to a flying start, with five wins out of five. They were given an almighty scare by Laxey last weekend though, trailing by two goals before coming back to win 3-2 at Glen Road.

Some questions remain over their strength in depth and, with key strikers Ciaran McNulty and Calum Morrissey still sidelined through injury plus Sean Quaye suspended, this could be a good time for Peel to play them.

The westerners will be brimming with confidence following their 17-0 record league victory over Ayre on Saturday, in which Ashley Webster netted a staggering 11 goals to go top of the golden boot standings in his first game of the season.

However, while Geordies may be without Messrs Morrissey and McNulty, the likes of Chris Bass Jr, Sam Caine and Johnny Myers have all shone during the early stages of the campaign.

Expect a tough game which could go either way, but Geordies should just nick it.

Away from that mammoth clash, there’s also big battle expected to take place at the Bowl where league leaders St Mary’s entertain fourth-placed Rushen United.

The Saints have enjoyed a superb start to the season and top the table by a point, albeit having played a game more than Geordies, and will fancy their chances against the Spaniards.

The Croit Lowey side suffered their first defeat of the season against St John’s last week but bounced back with a hard-fought victory over Corinthians so this should be a tight contest.

Elsewhere in the top flight, there’s a potentially proverbial relegation six-pointer when the bottom two go head-to-head in Andreas, defence-shy Ayre United hosting northern rivals Ramsey in a tasty-looking derby.

Colby face a tough task as they host Laxey at the Station Fields, while fellow promoted side Douglas Athletic welcome DHSOB to Springfield Road and the final game of the day sees St John’s travel to Garey Mooar to take on Union Mills.

Walter the homing pigeon never made it back.

He was found in the Farmhill garden of Sue and Tony McMaster this week.

They traced his owner through the ring on Walter’s leg. He set off from southern Ireland on Saturday of last week but was the only one who didn’t make it home to just outside Belfast. He had sustained some minor injuries during his journey.

The owner has asked if Walter can get a lift from anyone booked on the ferry to Ireland. They can release him when they get there - and hopefully he will find his way home. Ring Sue on 671829 if you can help.

Fencing along the Isle of Man Steam Railway line was not maintained to a good enough condition to stop a cow straying into the path of a train, a Deemster has ruled.

But lawyers for the Department of Infrastructure say the department will appeal against the decision.

Moorhouse Farms took the DoI to the small claims court seeking damages after a heifer broke through a fence near the Ballagawne crossing in Colby in August 2013 and died after it was struck by a steam locomotive.

The farming company argued the department should pay compensation as it had a responsibility to maintain the fences, and some of the railway posts dated back to when the line first opened in the 1870s.

Moorhouse Farms director Kirrie Jenkins researched the deeds which showed as part of the compulsory purchase of land to build the line, the railway company was obliged to erect and maintain ‘proper and sufficient’ fencing. This responsibility passed to the government when the railway was nationalised in 1978.

Former Tynwald president Noel Cringle, who also farms on land adjoining the line, gave evidence for the claimant and said the maintenance of the fencing had always been the responsibility of those in charge of the railway.

But director of public transport Ian Longworth wrote to the claimants the month after the accident, telling them it was not the responsibility of the railway for the fencing to be stock proof and it was ‘merely an indication of our boundary’.

The court heard there had been a ‘somewhat veiled threat’ to claim for damage to the locomotive, although the evidence of the guard was that there was no damage to the train. No counter claim was issued.

Lawyers for the DoI argued in court that farmers had an obligation to prevent their animals trespassing onto the line. They claimed that the department had a responsibility only to maintain the existing fencing and not to upgrade it.

They said the fencing was regularly inspected and when last checked just seven days before the accident, no defects were found. It went without saying that the DoI could not be expected to review all the fencing alongside the 15 and a quarter mile line 100 per cent of the time, they added.

The fencing at Ballagawne has since been repaired, with the posts replaced, although it had taken a year to do so.

But Deemster Sharon Roberts giving her judgment in court this week, found that the defendant had not maintained the fencing in good condition.

She said: ‘I have little problem in reaching the conclusion that the fencing was insufficient so as to comply with the statutory requirement to maintain in good condition stock proof fencing.’

Dr Roberts said it was possible that a defect had been overlooked at the time of the inspection.

She awarded damages of £952.10 for loss of the animal and costs but rejected the claim for damages for stress and costs of legal research.

But the lawyers for the DoI told the court the department will be seeking to appeal and Dr Roberts granted them leave to do so. The case will now go to the appeal court.

A deal to produce a $30m action movie based on the TT has been announced at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The film, less than inspiringly titled ‘Isle of Man’, is set to start production in March.

Writer and director is Ben Younger who found fame with Boiler Room (2000) and Prime (2005) and whose boxing biopic Bleed for This premiered at the Telluride film festival this month. He has been working on the project for more than five years.

The plot for Isle of Man revolves around an American motorcycle racer who comes out of retirement to compete in the TT.

Bold Films is funding the $30m project for De Luca Productions.

‘I’m thrilled to be partnering with Bold Films on what is an absolute passion project,’ said Younger in a statement.

‘The TT is the last, great, dangerous race on Earth and I am excited by the idea of bringing this new world to a general audience. Over 200 racers have lost their lives on this island. I want to do their stories justice.’

Manx Treasury Minister Eddie Teare said that the project was not using any Isle of Man Film funding. ’

Co-producer Gary Michael Walters said: ‘Isle of Man is a muscular action film wrapped around a great character.’

A potentially vital game in the battle for the top four in JCK Division Two takes place this Saturday when Marown travel to Braddan.

The latter are off to a flying start this season, winning each of their four games so far to lie second in the table three points behind Foxdale having played two games less. With the leaders enjoying a week off, Braddan could find themselves top of the pile by Saturday evening.

On paper the Swans will be expected to make it five out of five when they take on seventh-placed Marown, but the Crosby side have bounced back from a poor start to the season and have now won their last three successive matches so this could be a good contest.

Elsewhere, Douglas Royal will be red-hot favourites to stay level on points with Braddan when they travel to Bemahague to take on Governor’s Athletic, but the hosts will be buoyed from recording their first ever first team victory last time out against Michael United.

With former Royal manager Tony Sewell now in charge of Governor’s, expect an interesting battle.

Castletown’s fine start to the season has unravelled in recent weeks but will fancy their chances against lowly Michael United at the Stadium, while bottom side Malew face a tough trip to fourth-placed RYCOB.

Douglas and District will be aiming to pile more misery on Pulrose United at Springfield after the latter lost 10-2 to Douglas Royal last time out, while the final game sees Onchan travel to Tromode to take on promotion hopefuls Gymns.

With less than a week to go until the general election, polling cards have been dropping through voters’ letterboxes.

Polling stations across the island will be open from 8am to 8pm on election day next Thursday.

This election will see the 24 members of the House of Keys returned from 12 two-seat constituencies for the first time.Boundaries have been adjusted to create similar population sizes in each constituency and achieve equality of political representation.

The new boundaries were approved by Tynwald after a three-year process involving a series of reports by the independent review committee, political debates, public consultations, community meetings and extensive media coverage.

Anyone who is still unsure of which constituency they are in can find out by typing their postcode into the online mapping section of the government website www.gov.im/map

Anyone who is on the island’s electoral register but does not receive a poll card is still entitled to vote. Further guidance is available via the voter enquiry helpline 685754 or elections@gov.im

This year, a tactile voting device is being introduced to help partially sighted electors to vote.

The results of the election will be announced by the returning officers on the night and successful candidates will be sworn in as MHKs at the first sitting of the House of Keys on Tuesday September 27.

Della Fletcher MBE, electoral registration officer, said: ‘It is in everyone’s interests to see a strong turnout on September 22 and your vote will help to shape the future of the Isle of Man.’

Peel’s 11-goal hero Ashley Webster did just enough on Saturday to make it into the latest Isle of Man Newspapers Team of the Week.

The striker’s remarkable individual haul in the westerners’ 17-0 Canada Life Premier League victory over Ayre secures him a place in the hypothetical XI.

Webster’s tally was a record for the Premier League but not the top-flight, current Isle of Man FA manager Nick Hurt having hit 15 goals against St George’s in a Division One encounter in 1999.

Joining Webster in the TotW’s three-pronged attack are Peel team-mate Kerron Christian and DHSOB’s targetman Craig Murphy.

Christian bagged a mere brace in the rout against the league’s bottom side, who have now conceded a whopping 65 goals in six games.

Murphy also netted a couple in Old Boys’ 3-1 victory over Colby to take his total for the season to seven.

Also troubling the scorers on Saturday afternoon was Rushen’s Jamie Johnston who put in a man-of-the-match performance as United beat Railway Cup qualification rivals Corinthians 2-1 at Croit Lowey. Joining the former Union Mills player in midfield is Chris Bass Jr (St George’s) and Andrew Chadwick (St John’s).

Bass Jr makes his second TotW appearance of the campaign after helping his side to battle back from two goals down against Laxey to win 3-2 and maintain their 100 per cent start to the season.

Edging out Geordies skipper Frank Jones and Ramsey duo Wael Kassim and Tom Bentham for the final place in the TotW’s midfield ranks is Chadwick.

The former junior island cap impressed as the Johnners held early season pacesetters St Mary’s to a 0-0 draw at Mullen-e-Cloie. It was the first points the league leaders have dropped this term.

Also catching the eye in that match were August Player of the Month Alex Harrison and Chadwick’s St John’s team-mate Nick Leung.

Harrison stood out in the Bowl outfit’s backline as they kept a fourth clean sheet of the season. Counterpart Leung was also equally impressive as his side shutout Kevin Middleton’s title contenders.

Joining the aforementioned duo at the back is Ramsey’s Matty Montgomery and Rushen’s Aaron Hawley.

The latter impressed in the unusual position of centre-back for the southerners, while Montgomery helped his side to a first victory of the season as the northerners beat Union Mills 2-0 at Ballacloan. Claiming the coveted goalkeeper jersey is Old Boys’ Sam Holliday who did well between the sticks against Colby.

Finally refereeing honours this week are split between the ever-green Peter Lewis and Stuart Kneen. The pair couldn’t be separated after both enjoyed fine games with the whistle at the weekend.

Team of the Week

10/09/16

Goalkeeper

Sam Holliday (DHSOB) TotW apps this season: 1

Defence

Matty Montgomery (Ramsey) TotW apps: 1

Alex Harrison (St Mary’s) TotW apps: 2

Aaron Hawley (Rushen) TotW apps: 1

Nick Leung (St John’s) TotW apps: 1

Midfield

Chris Bass Jr (St George’s) TotW apps: 2

Andrew Chadwick (St John’s) TotW apps: 1

Jamie Johnston (Rushen) TotW apps: 1

Attack

Kerron Christian (Peel) TotW apps: 2

Ashley Webster (Peel) TotW apps: 1

Craig Murphy (DHSOB) TotW apps: 1

Referee(s) of the Week: Peter Lewis (DHSOB v Colby) and Stuart Kneen (Rushen v Corinthians)

Try the very best Manx produce and enjoy demonstrations from top chefs at this year’s Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival.

The annual event will take place on Saturday and Sunday (September 17 and 18) in the Villa Marina Gardens.

A whole host of exhibitors will showcase their produce during the weekend such as Betty’s handmade pie and mash, Jabali with its African cuisine, Isle of Man Creamery, Taylor Made Cakes, Jerk Mek Ya, Roots Beverages and The Fish Market by Robinson’s.

Shoprite will be showcasing Manx meats from Andreas Meat Company and there will be pop-up versions of the Alpine cafe and Harbour Lights restaurants.

New to the festival this year is Thalay Thai, who use locally-reared meat to create Thai dishes, hot dog company Dave’s Delicious Dogs created by American-born island resident Dave Valkema, and Stixx, makers of gelato sticks and fresh fruit ice lollies.

As well as trying out the various local food and drink, attendees will be able to watch a variety of demonstrations.

Special guest chef Gareth Wyn Jones, who is the subject of ‘The Farmer and the Food Chain’, a documentary about three generations of farmers in North Wales, will speak about his life in farming and his TV career as he gives cookery demonstrations on both days.

Demonstrations from Little Fish Cafe, Richard Ashcroft from Patchwork Cafe, and a cocktails masterclass from The Courthouse will also take place.

On Sunday, the Isle of Man Student Chef of the Year and Chef of the Year will also be announced.

Audrey Fowler, marketing officer for the Department of of the Environment, Food and Agriculture, said: ‘The festival was conceived as a way to help local producers to introduce their food to a wider audience and it now receives support from government as part of the Food Matters Strategy.

‘Every year, the numbers of exhibitors and visitors has grown and, last year, the increasing popularity of the festival meant that it broke even for the first time.’

In addition, there will be plenty of activities to keep youngsters entertained in the children’s activity marquee with Manx professional cook Linda Hewett.

Children will be able to get stuck in to a range of food-based activities using a variety of local produce.

They will also have the chance to watch cows being milked, stroke calves and Manx Loaghthan sheep, and learn more about Manx bees.

There will also be a family activity quiz available from the Noble’s Hospital stand in the Manx Produce marquee.

Entertainment on Saturday will come in the form of Ruth Keggin and Dave Kilgallon, Loose Crew, The Shads, Joshua T and The Whalebones and the Fecktones.

On Sunday, NyFenne, Perree Bane, Skeddan Jairg, Bree and The Mollag Band will keep crowds entertained.

Opening hours are from 10am to 9pm on Saturday and between 10am and 5pm on Sunday. Tickets cost £3 per day for adults or £5 for the weekend. Children under 16 go free.

For more information and the full programme of events visit www.gov.im/food

There is an entry of 230 for this Sunday’s Ramsey Bakery-sponsored End to End Walk over a distance of 39.2 miles from the Point of Ayre to The Sound.

Registration will take place at Manx Harriers clubhouse, National Sports Centre perimeter road, this Friday between 5-8pm. There will be no signing on before the event on Sunday morning.

Organised by Isle of Man Veteran Athletes Club, the event features Parish Walk winner and record holder Richard Gerrard, who starts as clear favourite.

Other leading names include recent Guernsey Churches winner Sam Fletcher, David Walker, Vinny Lynch, five-time Parish Walk winner Robbie Callister and this year’s women’s Parish Walk winner Karen Chiarello.

Further names likely to feature prominently are Adam Cowin, Michael Bonney, Robert Currey, Adam Killip, Andrew Dawson, Matthew Haddock and Brian Kelly in the men’s class, plus Jayne Farquhar, Marie Jackson, Karen Lawrie and Stephanie Quayle in the women’s.

Please note the road between the Round Table cross roads and Ballakillowey will be one way for all vehicles in a southerly direction between 1pm and 4.30pm. At this crossroads, turn right onto the A36 heading towards Port Erin. The event starts at 8am.

www.endtoendwalk.org

A new initiative to get adults back into sport has been launched.

The ‘Swings of Things’ activity sessions are aimed at adults who would like to try something new and have a go at sports they may not have tried before.

Attendees can try out table tennis, badminton, short tennis, squash and racquet ball at weekly sessions held at the NSC.

The sessions take place on Monday mornings from 9.30am to 11.30am during term time.

Once a month, a new sport such as walking netball and rugby, cricket and tri golf will be on offer for participants to have a go at alongside the established sports.

Fully trained coaches will also be on hand to help participants get started.

The initiative was launched this week with a free session. Attendees tried out the weekly sports that are available and also had the opportunity to take part in taster sessions of the sports on offer monthly.

Lesley Patterson, of Manx Sport and Recreation, said: ‘In line with our Strategy for Sport, we would like to encourage people back into a sport that they perhaps haven’t played for a while or to try something new.

‘It’s about having fun, meeting new people and developing new skills.

‘Don’t worry if you aren’t at Olympic standard – this is about playing at your own level and enjoying what you do. We all have to start somewhere.’

Each session costs £3.15, which also includes refreshments.

Passport to Sport, which allows free access to swimming pools and NSC activities for all carers or helpers of individuals with disabilities or long term health related issues, can also be used for the sessions.

Passport to Sport is available to all individuals with a physical, learning and sensory impairment that need the support of a carer or helper to enable them to participate in physical activity.

For more information about the Swing of Things initiative call Lesley Patterson on 686852 or email Lesley.Patterson@gov.im

As prey animals rabbits naturally live in large groups and need company to feel safe, and so they should always be kept in pairs.

A well-bonded pair that have enough space will play together and groom each other, and watching them interact is one of the main pleasures of rabbit ownership.

They need to be neutered, though, to avoid fighting between same-sex pairs or unwanted litters between bucks and does.

All of the rabbits rehomed by the ManxSPCA are neutered, microchipped and vaccinated.

The small animals unit frequently assists adopters with the rabbit bonding process by introducing an owner’s existing rabbit to a ManxSPCA one in the pens at Ard Jerkyll.

The rabbits are placed into adjoining pens to begin with for a day or so, and then they meet each other for the first time in ‘neutral territory’ for short periods of time, building up to longer spells together.

The pair are given up to two weeks to bond in this way, and because the process is such a gradual one there is a high success rate.

This is a service that we provide free of charge to rabbit adopters, so that we can give the adoption process the best chance of succeeding.

We have several single rabbits looking for new homes, including the very pretty Aniseed.

She is an 18-month-old Flemish giant who is a very cheeky girl and keeps jumping into the food bucket to pinch pellets.

She is one of only two giants we have left at Ard Jerkyll having had several in our care over the summer months.

They are affectionately known as ‘gentle giants’ and Aniseed typifies this nickname with her friendly and sociable temperament.

Keeping rabbits and guinea pigs together was once a common occurrence.

Although they are sociable creatures, they should not be kept together because their respective diets are different and potentially harmful to another species.

And what about keeping rabbits with cats and dogs? This needs careful management because most cats and dogs will instinctively see rabbits as potential prey.

The experienced staff in our small animals unit are more than happy to give bespoke advice to potential rabbit adopters, and they all have experience of multi-pet households.

Over in the kennels most of the dogs we have in our care at the moment are unsuitable for multi-pet households – ideally they all need to be the only pet in a home, but an adopter’s specific domestic circumstances would always be taken into consideration.

We’re not completely sure how Toby, the elderly spaniel/Staffie cross, would react to other animals because he has been the sole pet in a household for so many years.

Sadly, Toby’s previous owner has had to move into a residential home and so he has entrusted the care of his beloved best friend to us.

Toby is fit and well and he has no vices.

He is an affectionate, loving and friendly boy, but he does need to go to the toilet fairly frequently during the day (simply due to his age) and so he can’t be left alone for more than a few hours.

Toby looks like no other dog – he is has a black and white roan coloured coat, short legs and a very, very waggy tail.

If you think you could offer him a loving retirement then come and meet him.

At the other end of the age spectrum we have a lot of young kittens in the cattery at the moment of all colours and temperaments, but we also have lots of people wanting them!

We would urge anyone wishing to adopt a kitten to register their interest by filling out a home-finder questionnaire, available on our website or from Ard Jerkyll.

If you’re not actively seeking to adopt an animal from us then please show your support in another way by coming along to the Big Charity Car Boot Sale being held at the Tynwald Mills marquee on Saturday, September 24, from 11am to 3pm. You will be able to bag a bargain or two from a wide variety of stalls and, even though it’s far too early to mention the subject, you might find a few Christmas presents as well! There are just a few spaces left if you would like to book a stall – contact Rosie on lairdscott76@gmail.com for further information.

Those with an interest in Castletown housing have until the start of October to make their views known.

A government consultation to assess housing needs and the suitability of potential sites runs until October 7.

Work has already started on the Castletown Housing Land Review which focuses on housing need, possible suitable building plots and the best approach to developing them.

Details of the sites under consideration can be found on the website at www.gov.im/chir, along with an explanatory note, response form and the provisional housing needs assessment.

Completed forms can be emailed to PlanningPolicy@gov.im or posted to Planning Policy Team Cabinet Ofice, Sea Terminal Douglas, IM1 2RF

Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Richard Ronan said he was delighted the housing review had reached the consultation stage and it was important for interested parties participate,