Thirteen students enjoyed a behind the scenes look at the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall.

The trip, involving AS computer science students from Castle Rushen and Ballakermeen high schools and BTEC level three IT students from University College Isle of Man, was part of the Career Ready programme.

A Capital Experience, was organised in partnership with Career Ready, a British Isles-wide charity linking employers with schools and colleges to open up the world of work to young people.

Jo Davies, co-ordinator of Career Ready in the island, said: ‘The minute we arrived into the city the students were engaged and motivated.

‘The MoD work place visit was a great insight into career pathways within government and how accessible these opportunities are for our students.’

In the morning the students joined 1,600 other young people from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to hear from motivational speakers Action Jackson, Alim and Mr Worksmart as well as Career Ready alumni who have achieved career success.

In the afternoon, students were able sit in a Government Minister’s office, visit a little piece of real history with Henry VIII’s wine cellar and network with MoD employees at Whitehall.

University College Isle of Man student Natalie Murphy, said the visit was a ‘10 out of 10 experience’, adding: ‘I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.

‘We all learned loads about the world of work and a got a few tips on how to get ahead early.’

Fellow student Bradleigh Cregeen said: ‘It was a thoroughly enjoyable and interesting experience for everybody involved.’

Career Ready chief executive Anne Spackman said: ‘It is always fantastic to welcome students from right across the country to experience work and life in the capital.

‘We know that for some of them it will have been their first trip to London, and to walk into the glass and marble towers of the capital and realise that they are welcome and that someone like them could work there, is an inspirational moment for students.’

Career Ready has been running in the island since 2014.

It offers a programme of masterclasses, mentoring with professionals, workplace visits and paid internships that helps students prepare for the world of work.

Amendments to the Equality Bill could put the island ahead of the British Isles and most other European countries for the protection it will give to transgender people.

That’s the view of the Sam Hudson, branch secretary of Unison and director of the island’s LGBT charity, the Manx Rainbow Association, after the Bill was given its second reading in the House of Keys this month.

Mr Hudson has been working with Garff MHK Daphne Caine and Ramsey MHK Alex Allinson to address what he believes are ‘deficiencies’ in the Equality Bill, specifically relating to protections for transgender people.

The Manx Bill mirrors the UK’s Equality Act in having a protected characteristic called gender reassignment that ensures that people who are undergoing or who have undergone gender re-assignment are not discriminated in the provision of goods and services and in employment.

At the Keys sitting on January 24, Mrs Caine will be seeking to introduce an amendment so that the Council of Ministers will have the power to replace this characteristic with one called gender identity.

The would provide protections to all transgender people, including those who are non-binary, gender-fluid and regardless of any surgical intervention.

Mr Hudson said the changes are ‘completely in accord’ with the purpose and principle of the Bill in dealing with a transphobia. He said: ’As such, this should not be a controversial matter. The amendment is intended to deal with an obvious gap in coverage. And these protections are needed given the continuing reports of discrimination in workplaces here on the island.’

In addition, outdated terminology, such as the word transsexual, would also be replaced by transgender. And the amendment will eliminate ambiguities in sections dealing with single-sex occupations, the provision of communal accommodation, and jobs legitimately ringfenced for people who have a protection characteristic.

Essentially, the changes will mean that people with a gender recognition certificate are treated no differently than anyone else in employment or in accessing accommodation.

Mr Hudson said: ‘The UK Government is only now coming round to looking into these matters. If the Isle of Man introduces this amendment it would be another achievement for the island in being a world leader in equality legislation.’

Douglas East MHK Clare Bettison is also seeking an amendment to the Sexual Orientation protected characteristic to allow protections for people who have no attractions to others, as the legislation only covers those who have attractions - to others of the same or different sex.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle is due today (Tuesday) to give evidence to a House of Lords select committee looking at the opportunities and risks of Brexit.

Mr Quayle says it will be an opportunity to explain the island’s position to an influential audience.

He will be giving evidence alongside Guernsey States President Gavin St Pier and Jersey Chief Minister Ian Gorst.

The Westminster committee is examining the opportunities and risks of leaving the EU, not only for the UK itself but also the Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories.

Mr Quayle accepted that we might lower on the list of priorities when it came to the Brexit negotiation but the UK has a legal responsibility for the welfare of the island.

He said the outcome of the proceed is far from certain but added: ‘It is important to keep the island on the Brexit radar, so that our interests are known and recognised as discussions continue. We expect the UK government to keep us advised of developments and listen to our concerns.’

David Kneeshaw

The office is in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It will initially be run by five staff, headed up by RL360’s James Savastano, who has relocated from Dubai to take up the role of regional sales manager for Malaysia.

David Kneeshaw, chief executive at the company’s Cooil Road, Douglas, headquarters, said: ‘Our aspirations for an RL360° office in Malaysia are long held but before we launched we wanted to ensure the framework was properly in place in order that we could fully maximise on the region’s potential.’

‘This framework is now in place, along with all regulatory requirements, and we feel it’s a great opportunity for us, as well as for advisers and their clients in the region.

‘We are looking forward to working closely together with them.’

RL360 will launch a new, Malaysia focused, product in the New Year.

‘We are excited about our new dedicated product, launching in 2017,’ said Mr Kneeshaw.

‘For now, however, we are concentrating on our relationships in the region and making sure the RL360 message is being heard.’

Malaysia is the third wealthiest country in the region by GDP per capita.

London’s Chancery Lane headquartered Keystone Law, which opened an office in the island nearly a year ago, has been listed as a Best Legal Adviser by Legal Week, after collating feedback from almost 800 clients.

The clients of more than 250 law firms were asked to rate their legal advisers in a number of different areas including quality of service and advice, communication, commerciality, transparency and innovation.

In particular, Keystone was applauded for providing ‘clear, concise and pertinent advice’ as well as ‘a quick understanding of the key problems and imaginative solutions’.

The firm was also praised for its ‘City-quality, partner-level advice’ and strong relationships based on a profound business understanding.

Keystone’s managing director and founder James Knight, said: ‘Client feedback is incredibly important to us.

‘We ensure that we listen to their voices, constantly innovating and improving our offering in response, so it’s rewarding to see those endeavours pay off.

‘The Best Legal Advisor report provides genuine responses and serves as an invaluable benchmarking tool.

‘We’re very pleased to have been included.’

Mr Knight spent years of his boyhood growing up in the Isle of Man so the island has a special place in his heart.

Each year the research for the Best Legal Adviser report is carried out between June and September, with the top 20 performing firms garnering Best Legal Adviser status.

Keystone Law IOM was established in the island at the start of this year.

The island team includes seven senior lawyers, covering a wide range of commercial and corporate practices.

The firm’s steady growth over the last year has seen it quickly outgrow its original Douglas office space requiring a move in September 2016 to Keystone’s new island headquarters, The Old Courthouse.

As a landmark building positioned in the heart of Douglas’s business district, The Old Courthouse was said to be a perfect fit for Keystone’s new home.

Keystone IOM managing partner Geoff Kermeen said: ‘Keystone has seen phenomenal success since launching on the island in January. As we approach our first birthday, we look forward to starting the next chapter in our new home in the Old Courthouse.’

Manx Shield leaders Ramsey B suffered their second defeat of the season on Saturday losing 20-12 away at Douglas B who now must take on the mantle as favourites for the title.

First-half tries from Nathan Knights and Tom Dutnall, plus two Bryn Snellgrove conversions saw the teams turn round with Douglas 14-0 ahead.

In the second half Ramsey struck back with tries from Andy Wilson and Jarred Callister and a conversion from Ben Harding however Snellgrove landed two penalties at the other end to ensure the Douglas win. Ramsey remain top of the standings but both Douglas and Southern Nomads have games in hand.

Holders Southern Nomads beat Vagabonds B 31-12 to keep their title hopes alive. Tom Gascoyne and Bryan Kennaugh both touched down for Vagas with Jack Rowlands converting one and after half an hour they were 12-0 ahead. Nomads though came back strongly, especially after the break and tries from Gerard Landels, Fraser Veale, Jack Sleight, Leon Landels and Rob ‘The Machine’ Keelan, plus three Tom Duggan conversions, saw them home safe.

At QEII, Western Vikings beat Castletown 54-7. Tries for Vikings came from Paul Wheeldon, Joe Whitelegg, Ed Alderson, Winkie McLeod, Olly Creasey, Liam Sweeney and Jack Radcliffe (2). Joe Whitelegg kicked two conversions and Ryan Burke four. Castletown’s consolation score came from Kunal Patel with Will Welsh converting.

Results: Saturday, December 17

South Lancs/Cheshire Division 1

New Brighton 10-35 Douglas

South Lancs/Cheshire Division 3

Ramsey p-p Newton le Willows

Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield

Douglas B 20-12 Ramsey B

PDMS Southern Nomads 31-12 Vagabonds B

Western Vikings 54-7 Castletown

Full round up in this week’s Examiner.

The government has announced who’ll be taking over as the top civil servant in the Department of Economic Development for the time being.

The news comes following Chris Corlett’s decision to step down as chief executive of the department to pursue new opportunities outside the government.

Mark Lewin will be the Interim chief executive from January.

Mr Lewin joined the department in 2012 following a career on and off the island that included senior director positions across the banking, information technology and the Sefton Group and is currently the executive director for government technology services within the Cabinet Office.

Department Minister Laurence Skelly MHK said: ‘I am really pleased to secure Mark as the interim chief executive.

‘His breadth of experience and strong connections with the private sector will no doubt serve the department well over the coming months. As our economy continues to grow, increasingly so do our digital aspirations and Mark’s experience in establishing the Digital Strategy for Government will further complement his role in leading the department on an interim basis.’

Mr Lewin said: ‘I have a great deal of respect for Chris and for the vitally important work the department does on a daily basis in supporting the economic health of our Island. Before joining Government in 2012, I worked extensively with the private sector and government in economic development activities from the early days of the private sector e-business consultative committee and then as director of two of the banks on the island.

‘I therefore have seen first-hand how joined up government and the private sector can work together to deliver effective operational services and to identify and deliver targeted economic growth.

‘Over the coming weeks I am looking forward to working with the Minister, the members and the staff within the department to ensure that its critical services continue to be delivered as successfully as possible.

‘I will be working with my fellow chief officers and the new administration in the construction of the programme for government as continued economic growth and diversity will clearly need to remain central to supporting our future vision for “Our Island: A special place to live and work” and one that is inclusive, tolerant and sustainable.

‘Finally, 2017 is a different landscape to when the department was created in 2010 and although the department has played a vital role in ensuring 32 years of unbroken economic growth, the recent work looking at the island’s economic future called Vision2020 and Beyond, has helped us understand the opportunities and start to identity new areas to build on for the future. Consequently working with staff from across government and the private sector we will be initiating an immediate strategic review for the department. The conclusion of this together with options for the future will be the bedrock upon which a new chief executive can be recruited later in 2017.

‘Finally I would just like to add my best wishes to Chris, to congratulate him and the whole team for what has been achieved thus far and I am looking forward to continuing that positive journey going forward.’

Mr Lewin had more than 20 years’ experience at the Royal Bank of Scotland Group including positions as head of technology for RBS International, head of operational strategy for RBS wealth management division as well as managing director Isle of Man Bank.

He was also the chief operating officer of the Sefton Group from 2008 to 2010.

Click here to read last week’s story about Chris Corlett standing down

Dalby Schoolrooms hosted community carol singing by candlelight on Sunday evening.

Mince pies and hot punch were also served up at the event and donations were made to the Disaster Emergency Appeal for Yemen.

The Dalby carollers will be out around Dalby tonight (Tuesday). Everyone is invited to join them. They will be meeting at the top of Dalby Hill for a 6pm start.

All money raised will go to Rebecca House, the children’s wing of Hospice Isle of Man.

St James’ church in Dalby will host a ‘kids’ crib service’ on Christmas Eve at 6pm.

This will feature a performance of the Nativity story as well as carols.

Later that evening a midnight candelit communion will be held, starting at 11.30pm, led by Reverend Cheryl Cousins and Canon Brian Kelly.

Growing global use of the renminbi (RMB) combined with the Isle of Man’s strong business links with China is giving local firms a growing opportunity to support trade between Europe and the Far East.

That’s the message from the head of HSBC’s commercial banking business in the Isle of Man.

A recent survey from HSBC Commercial Banking, the ‘RMB Internationalisation Survey 2016’, shows that almost a quarter of companies are now using the RMB to do business with China. The poll of 1,600 decision-makers across 14 countries, also showed that the use of the RMB has grown 7 per cent around the world over the past 12 months.

Significantly from the Isle of Man’s perspective, 68 per cent of businesses in Europe expect to see an increase in RMB business over the next 12 months, above the global average of 43 per cent, whilst 66 per cent of European businesses are planning to expand or start business with China this year compared to the global average of 40 per cent.

However, the report also shows that few firms are capitalising on the Chinese government’s flagship ‘Belt and Road’ trade initiatives, the name given to a series of policy developments and infrastructure projects designed to spur USD2.5 trillion of cross-border commerce annually.

Just 22 per cent of European respondents said they understand the opportunities Belt and Road presents, while only 12 percent of those ‘aware’ businesses in Europe are working on a strategy.

The Isle of Man has established strong connections with Greater China, positioning itself as a gateway to Europe for Asian investors and businesses.

In April this year, the jurisdiction signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce in China following a government and industry visit to Shanghai to foster cooperation between the two regions.

Warwick Long, head of commercial banking, HSBC Channel Islands and Isle of Man, said: ‘China remains an engine of economic growth and the RMB has quickly become the world’s fifth most widely used payment currency.

‘With London positioning itself as a European RMB hub and given the Isle of Man’s strengths in cross-border finance, close relationship with the UK and knowledge of the Far East, there is a real opportunity for it to be a significant supportive player in this growing and exciting area.

‘The Belt and Road projects in particular are already presenting huge opportunities for companies that can help develop physical infrastructure such as highways, ports and telecommunications networks. The island should be alert to those opportunities and certainly HSBC, which has such strong roots in China and large presence in the islands, is keen to support this anticipated growth in RMB.’

First laid out by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, the Belt and Road blueprint aims to develop two corridors linking China to the world.

The ‘Belt’ refers to the historic overland Silk Road trading routes connecting China via central Asia to Europe and the Middle East. The ‘Road’ refers to the maritime equivalents to the south, linking China, Southeast Asia, India and Africa.

Athol Street based Ramsey Crookall has announced the promotion of Nicola Morrison as senior manager.

Nicola is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment with more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services sector. She said: ‘I am looking forward to the challenges ahead in my new role with Ramsey Crookall who are celebrating their 70th birthday this year’. Nicola will have overall responsibility for the day to day running of the compliance department and will take on responsibility for special projects and development across the business as a whole. 

Joanna Crookall, chief executive officer, said: ‘We are delighted that the firm will have the benefit of Nicola’s extensive expertise and experience in a wider range of areas going forward at an exciting time in our history.’

Howard Quayle says if a controversial traffic calming measure proves not to work he will ask for it to be removed.

Mr Quayle, speaking as Middle MHK rather than as Chief Minister, spoke out as the scheme on Strang Road, Union Mills, continued to prompt criticism from residents and motorists.

Cars, buses and lorries almost come to a standstill as they try to squeeze past a chicane of new planters that jut right out into road.

Mr Quayle said: ‘I don’t support them but I’m not a specialist highways engineer. They [Department of Infrastructure] are adamant this will work.

‘However, if it proves it doesn’t work I have asked for them to be removed. The residents are not happy and the people using the road are not happy either.

‘At the end of the day, if people observed the speed limit we would not be in this mess.’

He explained that the problem with speeding traffic came about when the road was resurfaced and speed bumps removed.

‘Traffic speeded up considerably,’ he said.

‘Residents’ cats have been killed, wing mirrors ripped off and one car has been hit three times.

‘I asked highways to do something and they came up with the planters system, which residents didn’t support – they wanted the speed bumps back.’

A DoI spokesman said the aim of the scheme was to reduce the speed of vehicles using the route.

‘There has been virtually no compliance with the 20mph speed limit on Strang Road and traffic surveys carried out in 2014 and in 2015 demonstrated that more than 13,000 drivers per week were exceeding the limit.

‘Drivers travelling in both directions were recorded at speeds in excess of 87mph – and up 99mph.

‘This type of driver behaviour puts lives at risk and is unacceptable to most people.’

The department said that the speed bumps that were previously in place had a ‘limited effect on speeds’ while installing bus-friendly humps that would be effective would be at the expense of much of the parking on the road.

Another alternative was to remove most of the parking from Strang Road and increase the speed limit, but this was considered inappropriate at this time, the spokesman said.

The department believes that the planters are an ‘innovative approach’ to traffic calming.

Moreover, it claims that they have proved to be successful measure in the UK, with planters replacing speed bumps in ‘many areas’.

The spokesman added: ‘Initial feedback and observations suggest that traffic speeds have reduced significantly since the introduction of the planters.

‘The department continues to monitor the road and is making minor adjustments to optimise the scheme.’

When the exact positions of the planters have been finalised the department will paint the required parking restrictions on the road and remove the police cones.

Plans have been submitted to refurbish and redevelop the former Isle of Man Bank branch in Onchan.

Onchan-based company Gold Properties Limited (16/01372/B) has applied for alterations and additions to form a restaurant, commercial units and four flats, a mixture of one and two bedroom.

In a planning statement by Ellis Brown Architects submitted as part of the application, it states: ‘The applicant has recently acquired the property, which is in a reasonable but deteriorating condition, greatly in need of attention both internally and externally.’

The proposal is to convert the former banking hall and service counters to become a restaurant.

‘The applicant has restaurant experience and considers the proposal to be very viable in this prominent location, the planning statement says.

‘Onchan has limited good quality public/ community facilities such as this and this proposal would make a very a positive contribution to the village centre.’

The ground floor would also be extended on both sides of the building, to provide two commercial units.

The upper floor of the building will remain as residential and the existing space would be laid out as two two-bedroom flats, maintaining the access from the side of the building.

A two-bedroom flat would also be created above one of the commercial units.

And a one-bedroom flat would be created on the lower ground floor.

It involves removing the garage and plant room.

The two infill elements are designed to be contrasting to the existing building with glazed facades and flat roofs.

The land at the rear of the property would be re-organised to remove a high wall, adjust the levels and create the on-site parking for the application, which would total six spaces.

The planning statement submits this provision would be ‘adequate’.

The applicant has a licence to remove a number of trees.

The bank branch closed its doors to customers in February 2015.

The organiser of a daredevil stunt show in which a ‘human cannonball’ from the Isle of Man died has been given a 12-month community order and his firm fined £100,000.

Scott May and the company, Stunts UK Ltd, admitted failing to ensure the safety of his workers at the 2011 event in which Matthew Cranch died.

Mr Cranch, aged 24, who came from the Isle of Man but moved to the UK, was killed when a safety net collapsed during the show in Kent.

May, aged 40, had pleaded guilty at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court.

Mr Cranch, who had joined the show about four weeks before his death, suffered multiple injuries when the safety net, designed to catch him after he was fired into the air, failed.

The prosecution, brought by Maidstone Council, said a mechanism which triggered the release of the net was not properly set, and was not necessary for the stunt.

Mark Watson, prosecuting, told Maidstone Crown Court: ‘It [the mechanism] introduced a wholly unacceptable level of risk in relation to this stunt which was unnecessary.’

Tanya Robinson, representing May, of Higher Bosavern, St Just, near Penzance, Cornwall, said she believed her client had done enough to protect his staff.

‘It was far from a cowboy operation, doing anything to make a profit,’ she said.

Judge Jeremy Carey said the offence was ‘committed through omission rather than act’.

Mr Cranch’s family said they would ‘never be able to accept or recover from his loss’.

Our report from earlier this year about the court case

A 32-year-old man from Douglas has been charged with assault after an incident in the capital on Saturday night.

At about 11.40pm a man was allegedly seriously assaulted outside a property on Empress Drive, Douglas.

Police say he received significant facial and head injuries and he is currently still being treated at Noble’s Hospital where he is in a comfortable condition.

Arkadiusz Rybczynski , of St Catherine’s Drive, was arrested at the scene and he has been charged with assault.

He appeared via a video link before the Deputy High Bailiff today and has been remanded into custody until January 17.

Another person also arrested at the scene has been released with no further proceedings.

Detective Sergeant Nick Haxby said: ‘At this time the motive for the assault is still unknown.

‘I do know that there were two males and a female at the scene along with members of the public in the area immediately before the assault and I am appealing directly to them to contact the Criminial Investigations Departmeent as their information is vital in piecing together why this assualt took place.’

CID’s number is 631301.

Leonard Cheshire Disabillity will be hosting a Christmas tea and coffee morning at its centre in Onchan tomorrow (Wednesday).

The event will take place from 10.30am to midday at Willow House on Main Road, above and behind the village library.

For more information contact helaina.crawford@leonardcheshire.org or call 372439.

The fire service tackled two incidents involving burning rubbish today.

Officers from Douglas station was sent just before 11am to a report of rubbish burning in the area of Foxdale.

The fire at a farm just off Tosaby Road involved a large pile of rubbish.

Attending crews identified a quantity of asbestos near to the fire and put in place precautionary safety procedures for crew welfare.

At the same time a second report of burning off was reported.

A crew from Castletown was sent and found the fire at a property near South Barrule plantation.

Again a large quantity of rubbish was involved.

The fire service said that there are strict guidelines in place for the disposal of waste materials and could result in enforcement action.

A spokeman said: ‘Uncontrolled burning of waste produces smoke, malodours and particulates which pollute the environment, can be hazardous to health and affect the amenity of the locality as well as being a nuisance to neighbours.

‘We would also remind people if you are having a legal bonfire please inform the Emergency Services Joint Control Room (ESJCR) on 697327 and inform them first this will help to reduce any unnecessary callout of the emergency services.’

Firefighters were called to a blaze at a recycling centre this afternoon.

The fire was within an industrial bailer at a recycling centre at Tromode.

When they got there crews faced a large industrial unit heavily smoke logged.

Operators had tried to extinguish the fire before calling 999 but the fire had spread deep into the recycled material.

Fire crews working with staff were able to extinguish the fire but had to clear the building of smoke before removing all the recycled material that had been involved.

Two fire engines were committed for two hours making the scene safe

There was no structural damage to the building however there was some fire damage to the bailer unit.

Fees and toilets were at the forefront of councillors’ discussion on Douglas golf course during their recent meeting.

A quirk of the membership charging system for the golf club meant fees were charged from April to April and even someone joining later in the year, in October, for instance, would pay the same fee as for a full year, then have to renew in April. The club’s professional Michael Vipond said the club had turned away potential new members as a result, and asked if a pro-rata fee could be introduced.

Councillors noted it was possible to use the golf course on an individual fee-per-game basis, which could be done until the membership renewals came around in April. Further discussion is to take place in February.

A call was made for toilets half way around the course.

At least one member supported the idea but the consensus was there was greater need in other areas of Douglas such as the promenade, for example.

Golfers had managed without toilets half way round the course for the past 100 years, councillors noted.

>> Council to consider building houses on Douglas Golf Club course

A health survey originally sent to just 7,000 households has been opened up to the whole of the island.

Conducted by the Department of Health and Social Care, the survey initially ran between November 28 and December 11 and was sent to randomly selected households from the publicly available property database.

The survey questions focus on general health and wellbeing, diet, physical activity and lifestyle choices.

Questions include ones on mobility, self-care, what activities you do, pain or discomfort, anxiety and depression, illnesses you have had, convenience foods, fizzy drinks, exercise, healthy foods, smoking, alcohol, drugs, charities and volunteering.

Anyone completing the survey can choose which questions they feel comfortable answering and leave others blank.

It is estimated that the survey will take around 20 to 30 minutes to complete and all answers will remain anonymous.

Anyone completing the survey must be aged 18 years or over and be a permanent resident on the Isle of Man.

The initial representative sample collected between November 28 and December 11 will be analysed separately from the additional data.

You can complete the survey online or download it from www.gov.im/healthandlifestylesurvey, and paper copies, as well as additional information, are available from the Public Health Directorate by calling 642661.

Anyone with further questions can contact Health Intelligence, Public Health Directorate, Cronk Coar, Noble’s Hospital, Strang, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM4 4RJ.

You can also email via publichealth.dhsc@gov.im

All answers supplied will be treated in confidence and in accordance with the Isle of Man Data Protection Act 2002.