A Peel man has celebrated his 103rd birthday at the Corrin Memorial Home with a visit from Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney.

Jimmy Lorne Clague was born in Toronto in Canada but grew up in the Isle of Man in a cottage in Regaby.

He worked in a convalescence home near Ramsey as a cleaner where he met his future wife, Kitty, who was a nurse there.

As Kitty lived in Peel, Jimmy would cycle 15 miles to meet her. The couple would also enjoy walks on Ramsey beach together and go to a dance hall in Ramsey.

Jimmy and Kitty married, living at St German’s Place and Glenfaba Road in Peel, where they had two children, Paul and Lorna.

He worked at the Brickworks in Peel and later for the forestry board, where he was employed for 24 years.

One of his greatest loves is wine and he was a prominent member of the Peel Wine Circle for many years.

Jimmy served in both world wars in a range of locations including Malta, India and Germany.

He was a guard at the Khyber Pass, between India and Pakistan, where he says it was a challenge to make it from the mess tent to quarters with a plate of food while trying to protect it from the ‘flying dogs’ (large bats).

Jimmy cannot fully extend his left arm due to shrapnel being embedded in his elbow during a bombing.

He moved to the Corrin Home in 2003 with Kitty who sadly passed away earlier this year.

He attributes his long life to hard work and keeping on the go.

We’ve arrived at the final of the 2016 Amber Battle of the Bands this Saturday night.

And what a heavyweight final it’s shaping up to be.

Congratulations go to Aeons who took the third and final heat and who go through to join The Fletcher Christian Mutiny and The Clown Calls For War in the line-up this weekend.

Commiserations go to Eoin O Maol Mhuaidh and Tiger T.

Here’s a quick recap on the finalists.

Aeons, a band whose line-up is made up by ex members of The Water is Rising and The Southern Audio Conspiracy, namely Justin on drums, bass and vocals is Kenny, Scott and Si on guitars and Skippy on vocals and who specialise in all things in the technical metal end of the spectrum.

Next up we have The Clown Calls For War, featuring Brook Wassall on guitar, Lee Stevens on drums and Andy Clucas on bass and vocals.

Style wise it’s pretty much indie and rock with a smattering of influence from the likes of Explosions In The Sky, Mogwai, Oceansize and Muse.

Finally we have 2015 defending champions The Fletcher Christian Mutiny, with Nell Kneale and Justine Lewis on guitars, Stephen Quinn on drums, Keef Lawler on vocals and Andrew Cregeen on bass.

They pick their influences from the heavier end of the spectrum.

It’s a tough one to call. Doors open at 8pm, entry is freeand the music starts at about 9.30pm.

Elsewhere tomorrow night (Friday), singer and guitarist Mae Challis and band will be in action at Jaks Bar in Douglas.

At the age of just 15, Mae won the 2012 Next Big Thing competition at the Gaiety.

She lists her influences from Queen, Oasis, KT Tunstall and Joni Mitchell to more contemporary performers like Hurts, Coldplay, Train, James Morrison, Skrillex, Bruno Mars and Emeli Sande.

With a full band behind (Mark Brabbs on drums, Nell Kneale on guitar and Robbie Sampson on bass), she supported UK pop and soul troubadour John Newman at the Villa Marina and this year released her first single and video, ‘Crazy’.

To finish, The Rockits appear at The Highwayman in Peel on Saturday from 9pm.

Featuring Steve Hull on lead guitar and lead vocals, Ste Clayton on keys, Richard Hannay on guitar and backing vocals, Steve Peverall on drums and Dan Bryans on bass, the band specialise in mainly covers, with influences ranging from 50s artists such as Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and Leon Russell through to more recent rockabilly bands such as the Stray Cats.

As we enter the penultimate week of the season for the top three mixed leagues, there’s an opportunity for titles to be won and lost.

In PwC Mixed Premier League, Jamie Brown’s Bacchas A sit top by one point with a game in hand.

A victory against Castletown Celts will virtually hand them the trophy.

The southern team have a poor record against the champions elect and are unlikely to cause an upset at the weekend.

Just one point off the top lie the first teams of Vikings A and Valkyrs A, and there is a great deal of pride on the line when they take each other on at the NSC.

Steven Underwood’s Vikings took both points last time they met, but Valkyrs look the team on better form at the moment - this one could go either way.

Perhaps the most interesting game in the Premier League at the weekend sees Harlequins A take on Emma Leeming’s Bacchas B.

Quins are desperate for a point that would move them off the bottom of the table and ahead of Celts, and claimed one last time these two sides met.

If they can, it could prove to be crucial going into the final game between them and Celts next weekend.

Charlotte Oldfield’s LJ Ramsey A has been dominating PwC Mixed Division One, and will deservedly seal the title with two games left to play if they can plot their way past Saracens Sabres.

Steve Cottier’s Sabres won’t give anything away easily, having taken a point off second-place Valkyrs B last week.

Dave Hall’s side will want to put that behind them as they host Bacchas C, and will be keen to claim both points as Vikings’ second team breath down their necks for second.

It’s derby day in the final game in Division One, as Vikings’ seconds meet Vikings’ thirds. It will be far from plain sailing for the second team, as Ian Perry’s side cannot afford to lose this one, particularly if Bacchas C can claim a point against Valkyrs B.

If the top two leagues titles are on the verge of being claimed, it’s certainly not the case in PwC Mixed Division Two, which looks like going all the way to the wire.

Bacchas Colts looked to be in pole position, but a defeat to fellow Colts side Harlequins has let Castletown Cammags back into first spot.

Both the title protagonists play against northern opposition this week, with Bacchas taking on Ramsey second team Ravens and Cammags playing Rookies. Both will be confident of securing victory, but with the prospect of any mistakes being so vital, expect tensions to run high.

In the other game in Division Two, Paul Nuttall will be making sure that his Harlequins Colts side are not still celebrating their victory last week and are fully focused on their game against Valkyrs C. Should they consolidate last week’s scenes and win, the relegation and promotion battle look like going to the final game in a nail-biting division.

Finally, to PwC Mixed Division Three. Though the leaders Valkyrs D still have four games left, it’s tough to see how anyone can overhaul their four-point lead.

Castletown Southerners will try on Saturday, having defeated them in their last outing. Harlequins B face Saracens Sharks to round off the Saturday’s hockey.

Saturday’s Fixtures:

PwC Mixed Premier Division

2.05pm Ramsey Crookall Bacchanalians A v Partitionware Castletown Celts @ CRHS

Umpires: Gary Corkhill, Andy Winslade

12.35pm Harlequins A

v Ramsey Crookall Bacchas B @ RGS

Umpires: Tim Leeming, TBC

2.05pmCanaccord Genuity Vikings A

v Crowe Morgan Valkyrs A @ NSC

Umpires: Ian Duggua, John Harrison

PwC Mixed Division One

2.05pmRamsey Crookall Bacchanalians C

v Crowe Morgan Valkyrs B @ QEII

Umpires: Vic Ferns, Peter Foxton

12.35pmLJ Ramsey A v Saracens Sabres @ NSC

Umpires: Paul Hunter, TBC

12.35pm Canaccord Genuity Vikings B

v Canaccord Genuity Vikings C @ NSC

Umpires: TBC, TBC

PwC Mixed Division Two

2.05pm LJ Ramsey Ravens

v Ramsey Crookall Bacchanalians Colts @ RGS

Umpires: Jess Tarpey, TBC

11.05am LJ Ramsey Rookies

v Partitionware Castletown Cammags @ NSC

Umpires: George Powell, TBC

12.35pmCrowe Morgan Valkyrs C

v Harlequins Colts @ QEII

Umpires: Connor Duggua, TBC

PwC Mixed Division Three

12.35pm Partitionware Castletown Southerners

v Crowe Morgan Valkyrs D @ CRHS

Umpires: Helen Cave, Alison Middleton

11.05amHarlequins B v Saracens Sharks @ CRHS

Umpires: Lindsay Riordan, Andy Winslade

PwC Mixed U16

11.05amRamsey Crookall Bacchas

v Canaccord Genuity Vikings @ QEII

Umpires: Peter Foxton, TBC

3.35pmRogues & Rascals v Harlequins @ RGS

Umpires: Emily Middleton, Alexandria Smith

3.35pmSaracens v Crowe Morgan Valkyrs @ QEII

Umpires: Vic Ferns, TBC

A Liverpool man stored heroin between his buttocks while breaching an exclusion order banning him from the island, a court has heard.

Tony Murray, aged 26, of Leeds Street, pleaded guilty to possession of the drug and breaching the order and will be sentenced on December 20.

Prosecutor Hazel Carroon told the court how, on November 4, police received information that Murray was in Douglas, despite being banned from entering the island until 2018.

Officers went to a flat in Fairfield Terrace and found Murray there and arrested him.

When he was arrested and searched police found a small wrap between his bottom cheeks.

Murray said to police: ‘It’s heroin.’

The court heard how Murray had been jailed for five years in August 2011 but released in September 2013.

A five-year and four month exclusion order, banning him from the island, came into force upon his release from prison.

The wrap was weighed at 15.86 grams but analysis of the substance found only a trace of diamorphine.

The majority of the substance was made up of paracetamol and caffeine.

During a police interview Murray said that he had come to the island for a week, visiting his girlfriend while on holiday.

He said that he was a regular heroin user and used it every day.

Murray said he had bought the drug after arriving on the island and it cost him £150.

Defending Murray in court, advocate Dawn Jones said: ‘Referring to the facts, my client did say during his police interview when he purchased the drugs he was told it was a very low grade and that is why it only cost £150. It was not sufficient to inject and could only be smoked.

‘He gave that explanation in the interview. It is correct as only traces of the drug were found, insufficient to give any percentages even.

‘So what he said in interview has been borne out in the analysis.’

Mrs Jones said that, regarding the exclusion order, Murray had believed that it was at an end.

The advocate said: ‘He believed it started in August 2011 and ended in August 2016, but the duty is on him to check.

‘But he didn’t come to the Isle of Man knowing he was in breach of the order. He hasn’t been back until now. He has close friends here and believed it was OK to see them.’

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes accepted jurisdiction for the case saying that her summary court powers would be suffice for sentencing.

The case was adjourned pending the preparation of a probation report which will consider all options, including custody.

This was the scene outside Wilkins this morning as the Douglas jeweller began its closing down sale.

The Strand Street shop is closing after more than 100 years in business.

To read our story about the decision to close click here

News of the closure was reported on page one of the Manx Independent earlier this month.

Police in Peel are appealing for information after vandals tried to puncture tyres on a car parked at the Town Hall.

The car was there from Friday until Sunday when its owner Jane Woodhouse returned, and drove over four plastic spiked strips which had been placed under the car’s tyres.

Mrs Woodhouse’s husband Paul said: ‘My wife was leaving for work at about 3pm on Sunday from the Town Hall and as she drove off she felt a bump.

‘She got out of the car and saw these strips had been placed under the tyres.

‘She had driven over them but luckily we took the car to a garage and they confirmed there was no damage.

‘The mechanic said, as the tyres had a lot of tread left on them, the strips had not damaged them, but if they had been worn tyres they could have popped or caused a slow puncture.

‘My wife could have been driving and had a blow-out at speed and there could have been a fatality.

‘The police said they have viewed CCTV footage of the area but said it is too dark to see anything.

‘The people who did this need to be caught and prosecuted. There could have been a serious road accident.’

Mr Woodhouse posted his own appeal on Facebook with the message ‘Please Please Please, share this with all your Isle of Man friends and let’s get these people caught and prosecuted before they kill someone.

‘My main concern is not any damage done but if they do it again there could be a serious accident.

‘We have lived in Peel since 2002 and never had any problems with anyone.’

Police are appealing for information on their Western Neighbourhood Policing page. Anyone with information is asked to contact Constable Breeshey Craine at Peel Police Station on 842208.

Once again it could be all change at the top of the table in JCK Division Two, with league leaders Castletown enjoying a week off.

Town currently sit a point clear of Douglas Royal who will leapfrog them should they get the better of Gymns in Tromode on Saturday afternoon. That will be no mean feat as Gymns are a tricky side, but the latter’s inconsistency coupled with Royal’s goalscoring prowess suggests that the visitors will be favourites to win.

Should the Whites slip up then it is Braddan who will most likely capitalise as they travel to Bemahague to take on Governor’s Athletic, a game which they will be expected to win quite comfortably, although Tony Sewell’s men have already caused a few upsets this season so you can’t rule them out.

The fourth team that could conceivably find themselves top of the pile by Saturday tea-time is Onchan and the in-form Os will be red hot favourites to claim all three points on offer at home to Malew.

Douglas and District will be hoping to complete a memorable double when they travel to Billy Goat Park to take on Foxdale. The sides met in August when the Noble’s Park outfit stunned the promotion hopefuls by grabbing the lion’s share of seven goals in a superb 4-3 victory.

With Foxdale now winless in four games, D&D will be hoping to spoil the party once again.

An interesting game is in prospect at Springfield Road where Pulrose United entertain in-form Marown, while RYCOB host bottom-of-the-table Michael United.

The Department of Infrastructure appears to be mounting a charm offensive to promote its work.

In a press release issued this morning the deparment says it is ‘continuing to prioritise the maintenance of key assets to help underpin the social and economic wellbeing of the Isle of Man’.

It also describes a ‘comprehensive programme of work’ aimed to ‘secure the long-term integrity of the island’s highways, bridges, retaining walls, harbours and breakwaters’.

The department is currently resurfacing the northern end of Douglas Promenade as a short-term fix until a full reconstruction scheme can be progressed.

Click here to see what the Minister said in Tynwald.

Click here to see photos of the work this week

Work is also taking place to regenerate the main road through Higher Foxdale, to apply the finishing touches to the replacement bridge in Laxey, and to refurbish Ramsey’s 120-year-old navigation lighthouses.

The 2016-17 strategic maintenance programmes for highways and structures are available on the department’s website.

The reports feature information about individual schemes, including costs, as part of what the department says is its ‘commitment to public engagement and openness’.

In addition to its current and recent projects, the department carries out routine maintenance of s roads such as pothole repairs identified by the public via the ‘report a problem’ website and mobile phone app.

Minister Ray Harmer MHK said: ‘The department is responsible for providing a good quality infrastructure that supports our people and the growth of our economy.

‘It is important to invest in the maintenance of our assets, as carrying out work now means we can avoid the need for more costly interventions in the future.’

He added: ‘Work of this nature can sometimes lead to disruption, but the relatively short-term inconvenience must be balanced against the long-term benefits. For example, roadworks may lead to longer journey times for a period, but the improvements result in highways that are capable of meeting traffic, utilities and drainage requirements for the next 40 years or more.’

The department tries to keep roads open wherever possible, but full closures are sometimes required, particularly when roads have to be excavated to a depth of more than two metres to install sewer, gas or water mains, electricity cables and telecoms services. The complexity of what is beneath the ground has a significant bearing on the duration of a road closure.

All major schemes have input from the strategic infrastructure group – comprising the Department of Infrastructure, Manx Utilities, Manx Gas and Manx Telecom – to promote partnership working and to avoid the need to dig up the same stretch of road again in future years.

Mr Harmer added: ‘People may question the length of time required to complete certain road works, but there are always a number of constraints to take into account.

‘These can include staff working hours, maintaining access to properties and businesses, and the need to avoid the TT, MGP and Christmas periods

‘Also, it’s almost impossible to compare highway schemes. The resurfacing of a motorway lane in the UK will be vastly different to reconstructing a failing road in the Isle of Man where we have to dig down a couple of metres to install new foundations, storm water drains and electricity, water and gas services, while ensuring existing services to homes and businesses continue without interruption.

‘The department has introduced flexible shift patterns, mobile technology and more efficient machinery in recent years to reduce costs and speed up the delivery of highway schemes. We will continue to look at smarter ways of working as part of our focus on keeping the Island’s structural assets in good order.’

Mr Harmer’s predecessor, Phil Gawne, also promoted the department’s work. Click here for a reminder.

The date for the 2017 Manx Telecom Parish Walk has been brought forward one week from the originally advertised one of June 24.

Entries for the Saturday, June 17 event open this Thursday and, for those who sign-up early, fees will be £30 for those entering before January 31. Manx Telecom mobile customers will receive an additional £5 discount thanks to the event’s title sponsor if they enter before that date.

All entries must be made online at www.parishwalk.com.

Between February 1 and March 31 the fee will be £35, and £40 from April 1 until the final closing date on May 7.

St Mary’s Canada Life Premier League title credentials face another stern examination this Saturday.

The Saints lost to Laxey 2-1 at the weekend and now trail leaders St George’s by five points at the head of the standings.

This time out, Kevin Middleton’s charges welcome fellow Cu-Plas Railway Cup semi-finalists Peel to the Bowl.

The Saints won the pair’s meeting earlier in the season 1-0 and should go into this game as marginal favourites.

The westerners have only picked up one point from their last three games and are badly missing the attacking threats of Lee Gale and Josh Kelly.

If Ash Webster returns this week though, the seventh-placed Sunset City side have the ability to turn around their recent run of bad form.

Only five points separate third from eighth, and two of the teams in that pack go head-to-head at the weekend.

Third-place Rushen host fifth-place St John’s at Croit Lowey in what should be another close game.

The pair have both won four of their last six, but home advantage might just give the Spaniards the edge over a Johnners side that won the reverse fixture 4-2.

Elsewhere, St George’s will be hoping to take advantage of any St Mary’s slip up to extend their lead at the top of the table.

The reigning champions host Douglas Athletic this week in what should be another three points for Chris Bass Sr’s men.

Athletic all but secured their top-flight survival last week with a 9-2 win over bottom side Ayre, but will struggle to get anything out of a Geordies side that has won 13 out of 14 this campaign.

The bottom two’s hopes of adding to their survival fund looks slim this weekend.

Rock bottom Ayre host DHSOB in what should be a fairly straightforward win for Wayne Kennedy’s Blackberry Lane outfit.

Union Mills, who currently sit in the division’s other ejector seat, welcome Laxey to Garey Mooar. The Miners will be on a high after beating St Mary’s last week and should have enough in their locker to edge past Mills.

Corinthians host Ramsey in the day’s final game aiming to maintain their form ahead of the Railway Cup semis.

A fun night was had by all at the SAS Events-promoted cycling awards and social night at Noa’s Bakehouse, Douglas on Saturday.

The evening was arranged to present the awards for the increasingly-popular Bikestyle handicap road race series, which it was announced at the function will be increased from six rounds to nine next year.

The handicap races are generally better attended than the traditional longer events, with maximim fields of 65 riders regularly achieved.

For 2017, there will be three races on Thursday evenings in May leading up to TT fortnight, followed by three after the TT and two more in late July, with the final event scheduled for August 3. All will be based at Jurby Parade Ground and the events over a set distance of four laps (26 miles).

Entries for the series are already open on the SAS Events website (www.sasevents.im), with provision made for the overall entry fee to be paid in three instalments.

Round one is scheduled for Thursday, May 11 at 7pm. Entries officially close May 4, unless the maximum field is reached earlier.

One of the highlights of an entertaining and light-hearted evening at Noa’s was the Static Bike Sprint Championship, involving ‘cycling’ flat-out over a set distance of a flying 200 metres.

Set-up by Richie Cryer, the youngest competitor was 12-year-old Nathan Slack and the oldest his grandmother Jean Slack, who shall we say is more than 60 years his senior.

Incredibly, the Ellan Vannin CC president produced a time of 16.98 seconds, not the slowest by any means, and not too far short of the times set by Olympian Peter Kennaugh and seasoned former pro Andrew Roche.

The final shoot-off was between ‘full-time biker’ Tom Mazzone and ‘part-time cafe stopper’ Andrew Brooks, with Tom winning with a time of 10.54 seconds from 2015 winner Andy’s 10.68. Scott Morgan was third, 11.02, and Andrew Radcliffe fourth, 11.69.

The evening, which also included the presentation of the Canada Life International 10 League awards, raised £500 for St John Ambulance.

Two is the magic number for several of those within the latest Isle of Man Newspapers Team of the Week.

Five of the hypothetical XI plus the Referee of the Week are all making their second appearance of the Canada Life Premier League season.

Laxey goalkeeper Andy Ball is among the aforementioned quintet after he produced an impressive performance between the sticks as title contenders St Mary’s were beaten 2-1 at Glen Road.

In front of the former RYCOB stopper is a three-man backline that is made up of Daniel Lace (Peel), Iain Ramsay (DHSOB) and Sean Quaye (St George’s).

Lace makes his second TotW outing of the term after the veteran full-back produced a Man of the Match showing in the westerners’ 1-1 draw with in-form Corinthians.

Centre-back Ramsay was one of Old Boys’ better turns as they overcame second-bottom Union Mills 3-1 at Blackberry Lane.

Quaye was Geordies’ unlikely goalscoring hero as the league leaders beat Colby 8-1 at the Station Fields. The former Isle of Man FA skipper bagged a hat-trick as Geordies opened up a five-point gap at the head of the standings.

In midfield, Quaye’s Geordies’ team-mate Joey Morling is joined by DHSOB’s David Quirk, Corinthians Phil Kelly and Laxey skipper Fraser Vaughan.

Morling makes his first TotW appearance of the campaign of the season after helping put Colby to the sword.

Quirk was on the scoresheet in Old Boys victory over Mills, while second-timer Vaughan grabbed the winner as Laxey inflicted St Mary’s second defeat of the season.

Kelly came on at half-time as Corinthians battled back from a goal down to earn a point from their encounter with Peel in Colby.

The TotW’s three-man attack have all appeared already this season.

Rushen’s mercurial attacker Jack Saxon earns his fourth TotW call-up after netting a brace as the Spaniards completed a league double over Ramsey at Ballacloan.

Also at the double in that 6-2 win was Saxon’s team-mate Jamie Johnston who struck twice in the northern capital to earn his second TotW stripes of the sesaon.

The top-flight’s highest individual scorer on Saturday was Douglas Athletic’s Martin Cowan.

The Pinks targetman lands his second TotW call-up of the season after hitting four as bottom side Ayre were beaten 9-2 at Springfield Road.

The Referee of the Week honours go to John McCallum after he enjoyed a good game in the middle as Laxey played hosts to St Mary’s.

Team of the Week 19/11/16

Goalkeeper:

Andy Ball (Laxey) TotW apps: 2

Defence: Iain Ramsay (DHSOB) TotW apps: 1

Sean Quaye (St George’s) TotW apps: 4

Daniel Lace (Peel) TotW apps: 2

Midfield:

Joey Morling (St George’s) TotW apps: 1

Phil Kelly (Corinthians)TotW apps: 1

Fraser Vaughan (Laxey)TotW apps: 2

David Quirk (DHSOB)TotW apps: 1

Attack:

Jack Saxon (Rushen)TotW apps: 4

Martin Cowan (Douglas Athletic)TotW apps: 2

Jamie Johnston (Rushen)TotW apps: 2

Referee:

John McCallum (Laxey v St Mary’s)RotW apps: 2

Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK today headed a delegation from the Isle of Man attending the 28th British-Irish Council (BIC) summit in Cardiff.

Mr Quayle and Graham Cregeen MHK, Minister for Education and Children, took part in discussions on a range of issues, including the consequences of the UK’s Brexit vote and the importance of early years education.

The BIC, established under the terms of the Good Friday peace agreement, is a forum which brings together the governments of the UK, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey.#

As well as contributing to the summit’s main agenda, the Chief Minister had meetings with key figures including the First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones, Scottish External Affairs Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop, and Robin Walker, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the UK Department for Exiting the EU.

Members of the Manx delegation also took part in a meeting with their counterparts from Jersey and Guernsey.

Mr Quayle said: ‘This was my first BIC Summit as Chief Minister and it was good to continue the island’s engagement with our friends and neighbours through this important forum. The British-Irish Council gives the Isle of Man a seat at the table alongside all the other governments of these islands, allowing us to build relationships and develop our understanding of the challenges facing all BIC members.’

The Chief Minister added: ‘I was particularly pleased that Early Years education was on the agenda for this Summit, as this was one of the issues highlighted as a priority in the Framework for a Programme for Government which I presented to the November sitting of Tynwald.’

Mr Cregeen said: ‘Our new administration in the Isle of Man recognises the importance of the Early Years in building firm foundations for children and families. We are committed to ensuring lifelong learning, from Early Years onwards, while also ensuring the education is aligned with economic needs.

‘I very much welcome the opportunity that the BIC offers the Isle of Man to collaborate and share early years policy and practice across all member countries.’

There will be an exhibition of seasonal floral art tomorrow (Saturday) and on Sunday in St John’s Methodist Hall.

Its title is Frosted Twigs and Winter Sparkle.

Eileen Gill, one of the organisers of the exhibition, said: ‘This is our fifth floral art exhibition giving us the opportunity to create large pieces of work using new and innovative techniques, and presenting the newest and unusual flowers.

The Floreat Design Group was formed in 1998 with the aim of pursuing modern contemporary floral art and hold workshops five to six times a year.

‘Members are drawn from all of the island’s flower clubs. Support from the Isle of Man Arts Council has meant they have continued to grow and are now the leading floral art group on the island.

‘With members having studied European and British tutors they continue to develop their creative skills, embedding the philosophy of the continually growing creative industries on the island.’

Annette Bratt, co-organiser, said: ‘We thoroughly enjoy the art we create and are looking forward to showcasing the great talent we have locally. The exhibition attracts some fantastic entries and members of the group are on hand to answer any questions. Hopefully some of the pieces will even inspire people to take an active interest in floral art.’

Former Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK has branded the resurfacing of Douglas Promenade a waste of taxpayers’ money.

He was speaking after his successor, Ray Harmer, agreed to a temporary fix for the road from Broadway to Summer Hill.

The work is being carried out now.

Speaking on MTTV Mr Gawne said: ‘We shouldn’t waste taxpayers’ money.

‘That is clearly a waste of taxpayers’ money.

‘[When I was Infrastructure Minister] I said to the department and the engineers there is no way we are going to do a temporary two or three-year resurfacing, wasting hundreds of thousands of pounds.’

Mr Gawne failed to be re-elected in the general election in September.

But his successor, Ray Harmer, said: ‘It is a short-term fix and it is necessary because the road has got so bad.’

Earlier today the Department of Infrastructure listed a number of projects that it said helped to underpin the island’s social and economic well-being

Should the Isle of Man’s minimum wage be increased?

That subject is being reviewed by the government and the public are being asked for their views.

The results of this review will enable the Department of Economic Development’s minimum wage committee to make recommendations for any changes to the rate of the Minimum Wage to become effective in April 2017.

Laurence Skelly MHK, Minister for the Department of Economic Development, said: ‘Ensuring that the minimum wage is set appropriately is a vital part of our ongoing aim to protect the Isle of Man’s vulnerable population and ensures high standards of living.

‘The minimum wage should demonstrate that work pays and encourage individuals to play an active role in the development of our economy.

‘Responses from a variety of interested parties will be used by the committee to form their recommendations and I encourage any interested individual, business, industry body or trade union to get in contact.’

The committee wants written submissions in relation to:

· The wider social and economic implications of any minimum wage to be prescribed under the Act.

· Its likely effects on employment, especially among disadvantaged groups.

· Its likely effect on inflation and its impact on the costs and competitiveness of businesses.

· The costs to industry and public authorities on the Island.

· Its impact on pay, employment and competitiveness in low-paying sectors and small businesses.

· Its effect on different groups of workers.

· The effect on pay structures.

· The interaction between minimum wage rates and the tax and benefit systems.

The minimum wage committee would like to hear from workers who are earning the minimum wage. In particular, the committee would like examples of those workers’ weekly income and expenditure. Submissions are also sought from the 16-21 age group concerning the rate of the minimum wage.

Submissions should be addressed to: The Secretary to the Minimum Wage Committee, Department of Economic Development, Nivison House, Prospect Hill, Douglas, IM1 5ET or by e-mail to dedemployment@gov.im.

Submissions must be received on or before December 9.

The current minimum wage is

aged 21 years and over - £7 an hour

aged 18 years and over - £6.65

aged 18 or over, receiving training accredited by the DED and within the first six months of employment with his or her employer - £6.65

who is over compulsory school age but not 18 - £5.40

In the UK the figures are different

For people over 25, it’s £7.20 an hour; Aged 21 to 24, £6.95; aged 18 to 20, £5.55 and under 18, £4.

There will be no reintroduction of a scheme for perpetual care of graves in cemeteries run by Douglas Council.

An earlier scheme to look after graves in the borough’s cemeteries was shelved in 2001 after it became too costly to run.

The possibility of reinstating the service was considered in 2014, but again abandoned as not viable.

The council’s Regeneration and Community Committee was once more asked to consider reinstating it but remains opposed to the idea.

A report provided to the committee by the council’s head of parks suggested it would be too expensive, with a projected cost of £345 per year per grave.

Councillors were told any such scheme would be limited to a 40 year period and would need to be paid for, with no liability placed on ratepayers.

Over a 40-year period the cost would be something over £14,000 and, if five per cent annual inflation were factored into the equation, the cost would be approaching £43,000 per grave. The cost would be payable by whoever signed the agreement and held the deeds for the grave.

Any such charge would have to be payable in advance at the start of the agreement, councillors were told. The cemetery budget currently funds existing perpetual care arrangements, put in place before the scheme was abolished.

No requests have been made to the council for perpetual grave care.

Douglas Borough Cemetery was founded in 1899 and had a major upgrade earlier this year. The £2.9 million project started in 2014 and ended in January. Around £1.8 million was spent on buildings, the rest on improvements to paths the drive and railings in the cemetery as well as improving facilities for mourners.

Disabled toilets were provided and there was an upgrade to the cremation facilities. Improvements were carried out to waiting areas and disabled access was provided.

A new and larger cremator was installed and the existing one was overhauled, the building itself was painted, floodlit and had CCTV installed.

Experts are to talk about their favourite parts of the Isle of Man in a special event next week.

The University College Isle of Man will host ‘A Manx Miscellany’, a half-day symposium on Manx history and heritage, on Saturday, December 3.

Eleven speakers will talk for 15 minutes each about their favourite part of the Isle of Man.

The talks will include elements of geology, archaeology, social history, and folklore from across the island, from Andreas in the north to Perwick Bay in the south.

Rory McCann will explain the geological development of the northern plain, and what evidence still remains today, while Peter Beighton will discuss the more recent history of Andreas, and also the correct way to pronounce it!

Ian Radcliffe will explore the history of Ballaugh, looking at the way in which the landscape has changed over the last 150 years due to erosion, and introducing us to some of the local characters.

Louise Strickett will take us on a tour down Glen Dhoo, looking at its geology and natural environment, its archaeology, and the people who used to live there.

Karen Galtress will examine the impact of people and climate on the landscape of the Sulby Glen, from the formation of the landscape to the present day.

Chris Callow will take us on an historical tour of Groudle Glen, where we’ll learn about this important route between Douglas and Laxey, and about the earliest reference to a corn mill in the area.

Three of the papers will explore different parts of Douglas. Petra Dudek will look at the development of the harbour since 1654, while Andrea Heard will focus on the development of North Quay, or the ‘smugglers’ quay’.

Alan Cooper will examine the history of Millmount – the site on which the National Sports Centre now stands – tracing its history from poor-quality farmland to its role as an important national asset.

Further south, David Killip will focus on Castletown as the ancient capital of the Isle of Man, from the medieval period to the mid-19th century, when Douglas became the island’s capital.

Susan Woolard will look at the history of Perwick, Fistard, and Glen Chass, using map evidence and other sources to examine the development of these three villages.

This half-day symposium forms part of University College Isle of Man’s public lecture series in history and heritage.

Each of the speakers was a student on last year’s Introduction to the Isle of Man evening course.

One of their assignments was to give a 15-minute presentation about their chosen part of the island.

The presentations were so interesting that the college has asked the students to present them again - this time to a public audience.

‘A Manx Miscellany’will take place in the Lecture Theatre at Elmwood House (behind the St John Ambulance Centre, off Glencrutchery Road) from 9am to 2pm on December 3.

No booking is required. Tea and coffee will be provided.

Further details about the lecture series, together with videos of last year’s lectures, and a programme for the half-day symposium, can be found at http://catrionamackie.net/lectures/.

Keeley Smethurst from Ramsey Co-op (right) presents a cheque for £727 to Breast Cancer Now representative Kim Makin.

The money was raised by holding a pink Friday/Saturday in October as part of breast cancer awareness month.

Satellite technology has helped scientists understand more about basking sharks.

Flowrider, an eight-foot long make, was tagged by the Manx Basking Shark Watch research team.

He was in a large group of at least 20 basking sharks that visited Manx waters on a single day on August 7, 2015.

In January 2016 Flowrider became the first basking shark satellite tagged in Manx waters to travel to waters off Morocco.

The satellite tracker has found him there again on Tuesday, November 15.

A spokesman said: ‘Flowrider has shown a very interesting migratory pattern, travelling from Manx waters, popping up off the Moroccan coast in January 2016.

‘We didn’t hear from his tag again until March 31 this year when it signalled as being up off the French coast.

‘He must have found a good surface plankton bloom to feed from offshore of La Rochelle as he kept on coming to the surface there for two weeks.

‘He then popped up for a day near Brest, France.

‘In May 2016 he had been surface feeding off the southern Irish coast for a week.

‘He then travelled to the north of Ireland and we didn’t hear from his tag again until he popped up off Morocco for the second time!’

When the shark watching team adds the results of all basking shark researchers together they say they start to see an overall pattern of seasonal migrations between British, French, Spanish and Moroccan waters that will enable marine planners to make ‘informed marine management decisions’.