A retired teacher who has lived in Ramsey for almost 40 years celebrated his 100th birthday last week.

Roland Park marked the occasion on Thursday at Brookfield Nursing and Residential Home in Ramsey, where he now lives, and was pleased to receive a visit from Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney.

He was presented with a box of chocolates by Sir Richard and there was live piano music, a champagne toast and canapes, with around 35-40 people helping him celebrate.

Mr Park was born in Hetton-Le-Hole in County Durham in October 1916.

He was the youngest of 10 children, having seven brothers and two sisters, and said that he was born into a fairly poor mining family.

Mr Park grew up and was educated in the area and he then went on to work for the Co-op as a draper in nearby Houghton–Le–Spring.

Wed in 1937, Roland and his wife enjoyed a long and happy marriage before he was widowed in 2009. The couple shared one son, Stuart.

Mr Park has two granddaughters and four great-grandchildren.

Following the outbreak of the Second World War, Mr Park joined the armed forces and, following various placements, he was stationed in Nairobi in Kenya and became a captain.

After the war he returned to the UK and went to college for two years. He also took up a one-year placement as a teacher.

Following the completion of his college education, Mr Park returned to Kenya where he worked as a teacher in Nairobi, firstly in Parklands High School, then Kilimani School. Mr Park then opened his own school, the Karen School, and finally worked at St George’s School where he was headteacher.

Mr Park said that St George’s became the first fully integrated school in Kenya in which students from Europe, Asia and Africa were not segregated. In 1967 he moved to Swaziland, again for teaching, until 1978 when he retired.

He moved to the Isle of Man with his wife in 1979 and the couple settled in Ramsey.

His main hobbies are history and reading.

Asked the secret of a long life, Mr Park said: keep active; don’t eat between meals; eat lots of fruit and veg; and also enjoy the odd glass of red wine and beer.

He also said that 37 years’ retirement on the island has helped him live to 100.

Tromode based TV distributor Greenlight International was in Monaco last week promoting Manx enterprise at global sports TV market Sportel.

It’s the largest gathering in the sports television industry and takes place in the principality every October.

Greenlight presented its catalogue of no fewer than 40 motorsport championships to potential broadcast buyers, and promote its own extensive catalogue of content, 75 per cent of which is still produced and distributed by its team in the Isle of Man.

Greenlight sells televised sports championships and documentaries to more than 100 countries across more than 60 broadcasters, producing in excess of 2,000 hours programming each year.

‘We’re proud to be flying the Manx flag ,’ said boss Jon Quayle.

Steam Packet fast craft Manannan will once again stay in Manx waters until at least the end of the year, it’s been confirmed.

In previous years, Manannan has been moored on the River Mersey during the winter before she is taken into dry dock for her annual overhaul.

But at the end of her 2015 season she stayed in Douglas harbour.

The Steam Packet has confirmed that the same will happen again this year.

Manannan’s 2016 season concludes on November 6, and she is not due to resume sailings until March 31 next year.

The fast craft will not sail to Merseyside until early next year for her annual overhaul.

Ben-my-Chree will operate services throughout the winter, including regular sailings to Heysham and weekend services to Birkenhead.

Steam Packet chief executive Mark Woodward explained: ‘We constantly look for ways to improve services and respond to unforeseen circumstances and, while Ben-my-Chree is a very reliable vessel, taking the strategic decision to keep Manannan in Douglas will allow us to reduce the time it takes to resume passenger services should Ben-my-Chree be subject to any damage or mechanical issues.

‘Arrow, which we currently have on charter, will be available to ensure freight transport is continued, and having both vessels on stand-by until after the busy Christmas period will provide an extra degree of support for our vital sea links at this important time of the year.’

In March, five passengers on boat the Manannan were taken to hospital after the fact craft collided with Victoria Pier in Douglas harbour. No one was seriously injured.

‘Systems failure’ was blamed for the collision which caused significant damage to the vessel’s bow.

She was out of service for about 10 days while urgent repairs were carried out at Cammel Laird’s shipyard in Birkenhead. It meant thousands of passengers on the Irish sailings had their travel plans disrupted over the busy Easter period.

The Steam Packet said it made Herculean efforts were made to provide alternative sailings. Additional crew were brought in to increase passenger capacities and extra Ben-my-Chree sailings were scheduled to Heysham and Belfast.

The temporary repair had worked well, said Mr Woodward, ensuring Manannan’s performance was not affected during the season.

But over the winter a permanent repair will be carried out of the port side wave-piercing sponson.

The work over the winter will restore the visual appearance of the sponson so it matches the starboard side.

A couple from Ballasalla fraudulently claimed benefits despite one of them working undeclared for a parcel delivery service.

Melanie Jane Carr and Brian Carr, both of Douglas Road, together netted more than £8,500 they were not entitled to after failing to disclose Brian Carr’s work for the My Hermes delivery service.

But in mitigation, the court heard the couple had been short of cash and, far from funding a lavish lifestyle, had simply used the money to cover day-to-day household expenses.

James Robinson, for the prosecution, said 41-year-old Melanie Carr had claimed various different benefits, including Income Support, after becoming unemployed and unfit for work.

Mr Robinson said Melanie Carr was a dependant of her husband who was also claiming benefits. But he said the social security department was tipped off Brian Carr was working undeclared for the Hermes delivery service.

Details were requested from the company, who confirmed Mr Carr’s employment details, including hours worked and earnings.

According to Hermes, he started working for them in January 2015 and pay was based on the number of deliveries made.

The court heard Mrs Carr said she thought it was unnecessary to declare anything under 16 hours’ work but accepted she should have notified the authorities. Her overpayment was just over £4,550.

After a tip-off about 52-year-old Mr Carr, social security officials interviewed him and he told them he had been out of work since 2013 and needed money to pay rent and other expenses. However, he knew he should have declared his earnings. His overpayment was calculated at £4,150.

Both defendants admitted charges of benefit fraud.

Representing Mrs Carr, Deborah Myerscough said her client was mortified and had made efforts to repay the money.

‘This has been extremely distressing for her. They were living frugally and the money was just spent on basic every day matters,’ she said.

After repayments already made, Mrs Carr still owed £3,585, the court was told.

Acting for Mr Carr, Ian Kermode said his client’s claim had started out as a legitimate one and he was now sincerely sorry for not declaring his work. Had he done so, it may not even have affected his claim, he said.

Magistrates’ chairman, Pat Costain, sentenced Mr Carr to 160 hours’ community service. She told Mrs Carr the custody threshold was passed but she noted she was not fit to do community service. Instead, she received a six-week prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Home favourites Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins were denied a fairytale victory in a thrilling finale to the Six Day London track cycling event, writes Phil Jones.

Defending champions Moreno de Pauw and Kenny de Ketele overhauled their illustrious rivals by grabbing a lap in the closing stages of the final Madison chase and won the sprint to the line to take the victory on points.

De Ketele and de Pauw, winners of multiple Six Day titles across Europe in recent years, led the competition from day two until midway through the fifth.

An enthralling Madison victory for Cavendish and Wiggins on Saturday meant they leapfrogged the Belgians heading into the last day.

But the British duo’s hopes were dashed by a powerful final-day performance from de Ketele and de Pauw on Sunday, the latter pair declaring this as their their biggest Six Day victory by far.

Cav and Wiggo won the Derny final in style and went all out for the win in the hour-long Madison chase. The two teams were level heading into the final 40 laps, with de Ketele and de Pauw launching the race-winning solo attack in the final 30 circuits of the Lee Valley track, making the junction with 10 to go.

Defeat left Cavendish and Wiggins downbeat, but respectful of their opponents. ‘It’s been brilliant,’ said Mark. ‘Crowds have been phenomenal every night and that’s what it’s about.

‘The noise was just like when we won the world championship in March. We fought and we’re happy we could be in this position. We didn’t know how we’d be, so to be fighting for the win was incredible.

‘We’re majorly disappointed that we didn’t win for all the people who turned out, but to lose to Kenny and Moreno - it’s not like we haven’t lost to the best Six Day riders in the world. We’re world champions and we got to ride in front of our home crowd, so we’re happy with that.’

l Six Day London 2017 tickets go on general sale at 11am tomorrow, Wednesday, November 2 at www.ticketmaster.co.uk/sixdaylondon

A number of Barclays’ employees visited business customers to spend a day learning about their businesses as part of National Customer Service Week.

Managing director of Barclays in the Isle of Man, Simon Scott, spent a morning with the management team at the Mannin Hotel, assisting the team with the day to day running of the busy hotel and learning about the different roles in the business.

Director at Barclays, Stuart Nelson, also spent an afternoon with Hospice Isle of Man at its warehouse where the local charity sells a large selection of furniture and household items.

Stuart’s morning included assisting volunteers with moving furniture from the warehouse.

Head of business banking and captive insurance, Gareth Rowlands, and relationship manager, Janice Harper-Watson, spent a day with the Meals on Wheel team, helping to pack and load the meals ready to be delivered to customers.

Relationship manager, Lynne Ralph, worked with the team at the Cu Plas Callow showroom where she assisted with the cleaning of the shop floor as well as learning about the different products the company sells to its customers.

Barclays’ staff also visited a number of other local businesses during the week including Tea Junction, Age Concern Isle of Man and Spill The Beans.

National Customer Service Week is a UK-wide initiative to raise awareness of customer service and the vital role it plays in successful business practice and the growth of the UK economy.

During the week-long event, Barclays’ employees also took part in internal training with a different customer service-related theme and activity each day. These included focusing on customer priorities, highlighting Barclays’ digital services and promoting cyber security and fraud awareness through a Tea & Teach session.

The team also conducted exit surveys with customers at the Barclays Castletown, Ramsey and Douglas branches to get feedback on their customer service experiences.

Simon Scott, said: ‘National Customer Service Week is a great opportunity for us to engage with our personal and business customers to discuss their customer service experiences and spend a day in the life with the companies we work with to learn more about their businesses.

‘Customer service training and engaging with our clients in branch were also a focus of our activity during the week as it is important to ensure our team’s customer service skills are up to date and relevant so we can successfully assist our customers with a variety of queries. Many of our customers now engage with us digitally online, through mobile banking and the Barclays Pingit App so this year we created a specific digital agenda to discuss the changing technology that is available to our clients and to highlight best digital practices among our employees.’

An inquest has ruled that an 87-year-old man suffered an accidental death after choking on a piece of liqourice.

John James Kilpatrick, who lived in a flat at Kings Reach, Ramsey, died after being taken to hospital on August 13 after the blockage led to a cardiac arrest and anoxic brain injury.

Coroner of inquests Jayne Hughes said that death was due to acute global cerebral anoxia, due to, or as a consequence of, accidental inhalation of a foreign object.

Mrs Hughes added that advanced dementia also contributed to Mr Kilpatrick’s death as it caused him to take the large piece of liquorice.

A piece of liquorice six centimetres long and two centimetres wide was recovered by police.

Mr Kilpatrick was born in Whitehaven in Cumbria on September 5, 1928. He was married for 65 years.

Statements were read out from Mr Kilpatrick’s wife Joyce, paramedic Jason Banks, doctors at Noble’s Hospital and police who attended the scene.

Mrs Kilpatrick said that her husband had been in good health until around four years ago when he developed vascular dementia.

He also had a history of coronary heart disease and chronic obstructive airways disease.

He struggled with walking, reading, watching TV and writing.

Mrs Kilpatrick said that, on August 13, Mr Kilpatrick had just come back from a morning walk.

She left him standing in the living room as she went to make a drink.

She next heard him gasping and calling to her. Mrs Kilpatrick tried rubbing her husband’s back and front, then went to get neighbours for help.

An ambulance was called but the crew said that they were in Ballasalla and it would take some time to get there.

Police attended and tried to resuscitate Mr Kilpatrick before paramedics arrived.

Paramedics did manage to start his heart but after Mr Kilpatrick was put on life support in the intensive care unit, doctors told his wife that he would not recover.

The decision was taken to stop treatment and Mr Kilpatrick passed away.

In her statement, his wife said: ‘I could see he was only existing and not alive. I knew he was gone.

‘I don’t think he knew what was happening, which is God’s blessing.’

Paramedic Mr Banks said that when he arrived he managed to clear the airway of what looked like consolidated liquorice.

A doctor’s report said Mr Kilpatrick was ‘unresponsive’ and a prolonged period of airway blockage had resulted in cardiac arrest and anoxic brain injury.

Pizza chain Domino’s has been given planning approval for a takeaway and restaurant in two vacant units at The Village Walk, in Onchan.

The premises, at units 24B/C, may be open to serve customers between 11am and 11.30pm.

The takeaway is not allowed to operate between 2.30am and 11am.

In the bid, it said the takeaway and restaurant would create approximately 30 jobs.

A group of religious leaders in the Isle of Man have spoken in support of Bishop Robert Paterson.

The leader of the Church of England in the Isle of Man, who held his farewell services on Sunday before he retires from the post, was vindicated by a church tribunal led by Canon Geoffrey Tattersall, who is also the island’s Judge of Appeal.

It came after former Arbory and Castletown vicar Jules Gomes made complaints against the Bishop.

A statement reads: ‘On behalf of Churches Alive in Mann we, the leaders of the major Christian denominations on the island, having considered the adjudication of Canon Geoffrey Tattersall QC, stand in support of Bishop Robert Paterson.

‘We also wish to affirm our satisfaction with both the process and the result of the Disciplinary Tribunal of the Diocese of Sodor & Man delivered on 27/10/2016.

‘As he retires, we wish to acknowledge the personal leadership of Bishop Robert who has strengthened the relationships between island churches through his dedication and service to the island community during his ministry.’

It is signed by Capt Simon Clampton, Salvation Army Territorial Leader; Rev Des Deehan, Elim Pentecostal leader; Msgr John Devine OBE, Catholic Dean for Isle of Man; Rev Richard Hall, Methodist Superintendent, Isle of Man; Rev Bill Leishman, Baptist Minister; Rev Dawn Mather, URC lead minister; Rev Jonathan Stanfield, lead pastor of Living Hope Community Church.

The Bishop spoke to us last week as he prepared to retire.

Nedbank Private Wealth has scooped two accolades at the 2016 International Investment International Fund and Product Awards.

The business picked up awards for Best International Wealth Management Provider (UK) and Best International Private Banking Service (non-UK).

The bank has now accumulated an incredible 27 awards in a 16-year unbroken record of achievements at these prestigious industry awards.

The results were assessed by an independent team of experts.

The Best International Wealth Management Provider award was open to financial advisers, banks and so-called wealth management boutiques providing wealth management services to UK clients.

In judging, the panel took into account growth of the business, level of service, support to target markets, technology and recent product enhancements.

The Best International Private Banking Service award was open to banks that provide services to expatriates. In judging, the panel took into account the range of current, deposit and savings products available, minimum entry levels, currencies options, and other related financial services. Now in their 17th year, the International Investment International Fund and Product Awards are in honour and recognition of groups who are at the cutting edge of distributing financial products and services internationally.

Greg Horton, managing director at Nedbank Private Wealth, said: ‘I am delighted we have been recognised at these awards for a 16th consecutive year as it provides such a sound independent endorsement of our team’s consistency and ongoing commitment to our clients and our business. To be recognised as the best provider for both UK and non-UK clients unquestionably reaffirms our position as one of the leading integrated banking and wealth management businesses, both domestically and abroad.’

Pictured above, Greg Horton, left, managing director of Nedbank Private Wealth, accepting one of the awards from comedian Rob Deering, who was the host for the evening.

The emergency services were called to attend a two-vehicle road accident at Ballaglonney, Santon, yesterday (Monday) afternoon.

The drivers of both vehicles were able to get out of the vehicles before being treated for minor injuries by paramedics at the scene.

Fire crews made sure the vehicles were made safe so that they could be recovered, and the road reopened after around an hour.

David Pytches, a leading lawyer at Appleby’s Isle of Man office, will be among the delegates at a prestigious international private client conference in Italy.

The Legal Week International Private Client Forum 2016 takes place in Cernobbio on Lake Como from November 10 to 12.

The conference, entitled ‘Wealth in the Age of Extremism’, will include talks from respected legal, financial and political commentators, and discussions and breakout sessions on topics ranging from Offshore Firewall Legislation to the Future of Trusts.

Former leader of the Liberal Democrats Menzies Campbell, now Lord Campbell of Pittenweem, will be keynote speaker at the Forum, which is attended by leading senior private client advisors from around the world. He will speak on ‘The Age of Extreme Politics’.

David, counsel (solicitor, England & Wales) in Appleby’s Private Client and Trusts department in the Isle of Man, will have the opportunity to listen to the presentations, engage in discussions and meet colleagues from other international law firms.

Mr Pytchessaid: ‘There are many challenges and opportunities in the private client industry as economies around the world go through periods of uncertainty and change, such as in Europe following the Brexit vote.

‘In addition, there are frequent regulatory variations in multiple jurisdictions to be aware of, and an apparent growth in what is termed ‘‘extreme politics’’ as campaigning in many nations becomes more polarised and confrontational, as we are seeing in the US presidential race. These may all have an impact on the affairs of private clients around the world.

‘Attending conferences like this provides an opportunity to understand the latest developments and their implications, hear from experts and ensure we are in the best position possible to continue delivering the excellent client services Appleby is internationally renowned for.’

He added: ‘The Forum provides a diverse programme of presentations, discussions and breakout sessions ensuring a lot of important ground is covered during the three days.

‘Topics include managing client affairs in the most volatile nations, cross-jurisdictional court actions, rapidly emerging jurisdictions and dealing with the ‘‘leaking’’ of a client’s financial affairs to the media. There are many vitally important issues due to be raised during the conference, allowing delegates to return better informed and equipped to manage challenges and opportunities on behalf of their clients.’

David, who has attended several international conferences since joining Appleby in October 2015, previously headed up the Conyers Dill & Pearman trust team in the Cayman Islands.

He advises institutional and private clients on all aspects of the formation and administration of complex trust and foundation structures.

Author Jeff Garland will lead a discussion about courtship, partnership and marriage in literature tomorrow (Wednesday).

The Isle of Man Literary Society is hosting the event at the meeting room in the Archibald Knox pub in Onchan.

Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

To find out more phone Jeff on 664796 or email him on jeffgarland@wm.im

A wooden fence in the grounds of Onchan School has been damaged.

It happened at about 4pm on Sunday. Police believe it was caused when a large wooden cable roll was deliberately rolled into the fence.

Constable David Thommeny said that the damage would cost around £70 to repair and the money will have to come from the school funds.

He said: ‘This is a crime that has been committed by people who appear to have no consideration for others. If anyone was in the area and noticed a large wooden roll being played with contact police on 631212.’

For the fourth year in succession Anagh Coar Primary School has won the award for having the most pupils completing the Summer Reading Challenge.

Supported by the Henry Bloom Noble Library the challenge - this year celebrating ‘The Big Read’, the 100th anniversary of the birth of children’s author Roald Dahl - tasked children to register at the library, then read six books over the school holidays and attend activity sessions and collect incentives along the way.

In recognition of the school’s achievement borough librarian Jan Macartney, together with senior library assistant Shirley Moore, organiser of inspirational activity sessions for young readers, presented head teacher Rob Coole with a £100 book token donated by Douglas Council..

A review is being carried out into NHS-funded fertility treatment.

New Health Minister Kate Beecroft told MHKs last week that the Clinical Recommendations Committee has been tasked to review current policy and make recommendations on eligibility and criteria.

She told the House of Keys that her department’s policy is to fund up to three cycles of intrauterine insemination (IUI) or donor intrauterine insemination or a single cycle of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) plus up to one cycle using egg donation.

This policy was approved in 2010 and the annual budget was set at £40,000 per year. In 2015-16, expenditure on fertility treatment was within its budget, but in previous years was overspent, Mrs Beecroft said.

Douglas North MHK David Ashford welcomed the review but pointed out that the 2010 budget was actually a halving of the previous funding.

He said: ‘It is an important area to many people. In fact, since I have tabled this question I have been contacted by many couples who are concerned about the funding in this area.’

The island’s first and only dental nurse trainer is stepping down after 12 years.

Susan Kennedy set up and ran the island’s dental nurse training course when no alternative provision existed in the island, organising paperwork from her front room and running classroom sessions in hired premises.

And over the years 105 dental nurses have cause to smile after graduating from her course with flying colours. In its first year, the course attracted 30 students and gained a pass rate 11 per cent higher than the UK average.

‘When I started work in 1992, practices would simply train their nurses to their own way of working. But with support from my boss at the time, I gained my Certificate in Dental Nursing,’ she said.

‘There was no training in the island at the time and having experienced the difficulties of training in islolation, I developted the dental nurse training course for the Isle of Man.’

In the first few years Ms Kennedy operated the courses free of charge. She co-ordinated and organised the course as well as teaching on it part time, helped out by a number of professional colleagues. By the time she ran the second course she was accredited by the National Exam Board for Dental Nurses and her pass rate remained above the UK average.

But Ms Kennedy, who is 43 and lives in Douglas, said things have now moved on.

‘It’s been a difficult decision, but there is a UK training organisation and there are also on-line courses, which was not an option when I started out,’ she said.

‘I think we always went above and beyond for our students and we had excellent tutors, but I do have other plans now for the future,’ she said.

‘I just want to thank everyone who supported me and extend good wishes to all my past students.’

Last week HMV confirmed that it is to close its doors at the end of January.

The well-known music shop, which sells CDs, DVDs, games and technology products, announced that it will close its store in the Strand Shopping Centre as a result of a change of ownership of the centre.

UK retail giant Sports Direct bought the shopping centre in July third year.

HMV has said the eight staff are ‘in consultation’ and aims to relocate as many of them as possible to other stores.

The Examiner visits Strand Street to find out whether residents will miss the music shop, what other shops they miss in the island and what shops they would like to see here.

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CHRIS BRANNIGAN, 31, DOUGLAS:

‘I don’t feel very strongly about the closure of HMV. I don’t use it, I use online music services and on-demand services for movies. I think people still do buy CDs and DVDs but personally I don’t. Everything’s so easily available online you don’t really miss much. Like it or lump it, online seems to be where it’s going.

‘A Selfridges would be nice here but, again, you can get that online as well.’

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TOM MUNRO, 63, DOUGLAS:

‘I listen to a lot music and when you go in places like that you’ve got a choice. I buy 40/50 year old rock music, they have it in and you just have to ask. I bought a film, Easy Rider, which is around 40 years old and they had it on the shelf. I don’t use Netflix and things like that, I don’t really know what they are.

‘I think it’s good to have a choice in our town. I didn’t even know HMV was closing down, I will definitely miss it. I remember going to record shops when I was 18 and you used to have a look around and listen to music while you were in there and it changed your taste. I remember a guy called Jeff Healey, I’d never heard of him until I was in a record shop and I was a great fan after that.

‘I’m quite concerned that it’s closing. I suppose I’ll have to get CDs and things online like where everybody else gets them. You can buy them on Amazon and things like but I don’t like buying things online. I like to feel it, have a look it and listen to it.

‘I don’t buy anything online at all, maybe it’s my age. I like to pick up and pay for what I’m buying.

‘I think we need to keep stuff like that alive, people come here like bikers or whoever are into music. It’s some of the heritage we’ve got and I think music is one them.’

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GARETH CLUMPUS, 36, DOUGLAS:

‘It’s quite sad because it’s been here for quite a while, and there’s no where else to buy CDs and DVDs really is there? I do use HMV now and again for CDs, not so much DVDs, and they have all the quirky stuff in there as well that you can’t really get anywhere else. I’ll probably have to buy my CDs on the internet now from Amazon or somewhere.

‘When Index and Woolworths used to be here that was good. I think there should be more shops, more shops are always better,you always get the people who don’t want to shop online.

‘Maybe there should be more music and DVD stores to replace HMV and maybe more clothes stores, you don’t really have many men’s clothes stores on Strand Street but there’s loads of women’s stores.’

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LEWIS AND LAURA MOON FROM PEEL:

Laura said: ‘We’re definitely disappointed. We do use it, especially Lewis who goes to HMV about once a week. It’s not the same experience buying music on the internet, it’s nice to go into a shop and be able to listen to tunes and enjoy the whole experience. It’s not as much fun buying music online.

‘I don’t think there particularly needs to be more shops, it’s fine as it is. TK Maxx is the best shop on the high street.’

Lewis said: ‘There’s no where to go now is there? Maybe the second hand shops? I miss Faze 2, it’s still there but it only sells motorcycle things now. It used to sell music equipment which was really cheap but they’ve stopped doing that now. I used to like Index as well that was good, I wouldn’t mind that back.

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LISA COSTAIN, 19, FOXDALE, AND KATIE CALLOW, 19, RAMSEY:

Katie said: ‘I won’t miss HMV as I never go because I download music. I think there needs to be more clothes shops in Strand Street.’

Lisa said: ‘I won’t miss it either because I never really go in there, I just get everything online. I miss Woolworths, it was just my favourite. I’d like to see JD Sports here but Sports Direct is coming over now.’

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ELENA OANA MODROGAN, 39, DOUGLAS:

‘I don’t feel very good about it closing. I go there quite often, mostly for films. I didn’t think about what I would do now it’s closed, I think I will have to order online.

‘We only have TK Maxx which offers diversity so if I need to go shopping I have to go to Liverpool. I go about once a month because most of the time when I order from Amazon it sometimes doesn’t come in time, or the size is not good. I would love more diversity in clothing here.’

The board of Ramsey Commissioners has resolved that a tenant representative should be co-opted onto the housing committee, with a view to improving tenant representation/involvement.

The independent member would participate fully in all activities of the Housing Committee – except the allocation of properties. He or she would have the same rights and responsibilities as the other members, including voting rights.

The tenant representative would be entitled to an attendance allowance and would be expected to be proactive and participate fully in the Housing Committee meetings and attend training sessions. They would be required to sign up to the same code of conduct and confidentiality protocols as the other full members, but would not attend the monthly board meetings, except in the public gallery.

The position will be advertised shortly, either by way of a letter to all tenants, or by public advertisement, after which interviews will take place.

A grumpy wandering swan has been creating problems in Castletown by standing in the middle of the road, harassing shop keepers, hissing at and chasing people and even mugging children!

The audacious swan, an older female, is in search of food, claim Barbara Cole and Paige Havlin, who are both residents and wildlife enthusiasts, and have been drawn into caring for her.

‘She’s been walking in the square and Malew and Arbory Street,’ said Paige.

‘She’s been chasing people, been into shops and even nicked a sandwich! She is quite friendly, but it’s not unusual for swans to be friendly if someone has been feeding her before.’

Barbara suspects the swan was fed by someone who has now stopped.The swan is accustomed to getting breakfast served in the harbour, so when she realises it isn’t coming, she hungrily goes in search of it from people.

She stands outside the bakery waiting for it to open, peers longingly into Radcliffe’s Butchers and has even drifted into the Castle Arms pub (known as the Glue Pot) seeking sustenance.

Given there are narrow, winding streets between the harbour and shops, and a series of hazards in the square, the swan has had some near misses with cars and buses.

Paige works in Malew Street, and has been called on many times to help herd the bird back to the harbour.

The local authority and businesses have put up posters asking people not to encourage the swan’s poor behaviour by feeding her away from the harbour area.

The good news is she can be easily herded out of danger and is happy to be led back to the harbour.

Barbara has also started to deliver breakfast to her before she goes out searching for it – even taking into account the adjustment to Greenwich Mean Time at the weekend – and she has found after this, she is happy to spend the rest of the day foraging in the harbour with the other birds.