A former student of St Ninian’s High School in Douglas, Amy Kay Bannister, has been awarded a £1,000 bursary from the Isle of Man Decorative and Fine Arts Society (IoMDFAS) to support her continued studies.

Amy is in her final year at Loughborough University studying innovation and design in textiles.

She designs and weaves her own fabrics from materials as diverse as silk, paper, bamboo, fine wool and even wire.

As all this is expensive, Amy did some research in search of sponsorship and discovered that IoMDFAS was inviting local arts students to apply for a bursary.

She submitted examples of her work along with a resume of her experience and an outline of her plans.

Her degree course incorporated a year working in the fashion industry, when Amy spent some time assisting local designer Clare Christian as well as working with craft weavers, and with a London fashion designer.

When she came home for the Christmas holiday, Amy met IoMDFAS committee members and took more examples of her textiles.

She told them that her aim was to work in haute couture, possibly in Paris, London or Milan.

She will use part of her bursary to create a prototype of a handbag from her own fabric in the hope that this accessory will hit the catwalk of a leading fashion house.

The money will also enable her to visit specialist galleries.

An 80-year-old former vicar of St Ninian’s Church has been charged with indecently assaulting a young child.

Graham Gregory, who now lives in Brockfield Park Drive, Huntington, York, is accused of committing the offence between January 1990 and March 1990.

The case against Mr Gregory has been adjourned until February 2.

He is yet to enter a plea to the charge.

Bail was granted in the sum of £500 and with conditions that he reside at his home address in York and return to the island on February 1.

Peel commissioners will hold their next surgery this Saturday (January 14).

This is an opportunity to speak directly to a commissioner and Peel MHK Ray Harmer at the town hall between midday and 1pm.

The meetings are usually held monthly from 11am to midday on the second Saturday of the month. Visit www.peelonline.net

Five generations of family and Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney joined Bessie Horne to help her celebrate her 100th birthday.

The celebration took place at Castle View care home, in Peel, where Bessie has lived for three years.

The highlight of the afternoon was when Sir Richard presented Bessie with a gift and birthday card from The Queen.

He gave a speech congratulating Bessie on her milestone birthday before mingling with her family and residents.

Throughout Bessie’s 100 years she has never stepped foot off the Isle of Man.

Mike, one of six children who range in age between 62 and 75, said: ‘ She’s never left the island. She would say: “What’s over there that I want? Everything I want is here”.

‘It’s nice that she could reach that level of contentment.’

Mike explained that it was in stark contrast to her late husband Bernard, who had been around the world.

Bernard served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War and afterwards was a seaman in the Merchant Navy.

Bessie was born on December 9, 1916, in Greeba.

Her journey to school involved walking up the steep hill to Old Marown School, now the Manx language centre Yn Ynnyd Chengey.

She has memories of No Limit, the musical comedy starring George Formby and the Shuttleworth Snap, being filmed at the 1935 TT.

Bessie has lived in Peel since she married in her early 20s. Mike explained his parents’ wedding, in February 1940, was the first in Peel following the outbreak of the Second World War to see the groom wearing military uniform, and was a big community occasion.

She has 14 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

Mike described her as an ‘avid bookworm’.

Castle View manager John Adair said: ‘Castle View is proud it now has two resident centenarians with Elizabeth Kissack having reached the landmark in May. It was wonderful to see so many different generations all come together to share in Bessie’s special day.

‘We always facilitate a family’s wishes for their loved one to celebrate a birthday.

‘Bessie was full of smiles at having her whole family around her and they all thoroughly enjoyed the party.’

Bacchanalians Hockey club has completed its annual fundraising target of £3,000 and present the funds to the staff from Rebecca House, the children’s hospice.

The club arranged for the Rebecca House logo to be embroidered on all club members’ playing shirts, while organising and completing fundraising events such as sky dives, charity auctions, and social events at their Cronkbourne clubhouse.

The club thanked sponsors Ramsey Crookall, a Cains, Canada Life and Manx Business Solutions for all their support.

Let us know about your charity fundraising.

Send details to newsdesk@newsiom.co.im

Every time you email us please include a telephone number.

Annabel Corkill, aged 13, Emily Toombs also 13, and Suzie Heap, aged 14, raised £400 for Rebecca House, the children’s hospice, with a quiz.

The girls are pictured at Ballawhetstone Riding Stables in Douglas with their ponies.

The money will be used to buy kindles for the children.

Let us know about your charity fundraising.
Send details to newsdesk@newsiom.co.im

Every time you email us please include a telephone number.

Unemployment figures in the island have dropped by 282 in the past year, according to new figures released by the government.

The Cabinet Office’s latest Labour Market Report, based on figures as at December 2016, shows 579 people out of work down by 282 from December 2015.

This is the lowest December figure since 2007 when 571 people were unemployed.

Of the 579 people, 398 are men and 181 are women. Sixteen are aged under 18 and five are requiring work permits.

The number of people under 18 registered with the Department of Economic Development, but not claiming benefits is 36.

In December 2016, 99 people signed on to the unemployment register while 93 people left the register, an increase of six people to the regiser between November and December.

The unemployment rate for December 2016 is 1.3 per cent, the same as for November 2016. The unemployment rate is the proportion of economocally active population registered unemployed.

There has been a decrease in vacancies notified to the job centre. During December 462 vacancies were notified to the Job Centre. At the end of the month 327 remained. Of those, 281 were full-time positions and 46 were part-time.

The sector with the highest number of job vacancies is medical and health services with 63 vacancies. Other, catering and entertainment has 45 vacancies. Egaming has 42 vacancies, retail distribution 30, and public administration 25. The sector with the highest number of unemployed persons was construction with 75.

An Oie’ll Verrey concert will take place in the north of the island on Monday, in celebration of the old Christmas Eve.

The event is being organised by Bride Wesley Guild and will take place in the village’s Methodist School Room, starting at 7.45pm.

Eric Kelly will provide the music and there will be refreshments available.

All welcome.

A 25-year-old woman from Ramsey has been fined £1,200 after admitting to drink-driving.

Nicole Jade McMullan, of Marine Gardens, admitted the charge and was also banned from driving for three years.

The court heard how, on Christmas Eve, at 3.39am, police were called to an accident in Ramsey Road in Laxey.

When police arrived they found the road blocked by a car which had crashed into two parked cars, which were unattended.

McMullan was still in the driving seat of the car, with a passenger beside her. She was said to be slurring her words and failed a roadside breathalyser test.

She was subsequently arrested and taken to police headquarters.

A breath test recorded 91 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres – the legal limit is 35.

In a police interview McMullan made a full admission to drink-driving and crashing the car.

A letter from McMullan was handed in to the court in which she expressed her remorse.

Defending her in court advocate Peter Russell said: ‘This is not going to be a lady who is going to be a coming before the court again.

‘She has a small business as a cleaner which will now be severely curtailed by her disqualification.

‘She admitted in interview what she had done and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

‘She has done everything right since committing the offence.’

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes gave McMullan credit for her guilty plea, and said: ‘I accept your remorse is genuine. Nonetheless this is very serious, you have risked losing your livelihood.’

McMullan was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs. There are 72 days in default of payment.

Two bands have been selected to travel to Ireland following the Arrane Son Mannin competition was held in Peel.

Four bands competed for the prize of £300 and the chance to represent the Isle of Man at this year’s ‘Celtivision’ contest, also known as the Pan Celtic National Song Contest.

Sticking to the rules of the competition, bands must create original music, sung in their own language. The winners go through to compete against bands from Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Brittany and Cornwall.

The four acts in this year’s competition were harpist Christa McCartney, duo Jedoonee Bagoon, Biskeeyn Brisht and the Matt Creer Band.

The three judges, Manx language expert Phil Gawne, Culture Vannin member Claire Kilgallon and former Celtivision winner Laura Rowles, had a tough time choosing from the entries, but eventually they chose Biskeeyn Brisht as the overall winners.

They were fronted by the colourful Ruby Briscoe-Taylor, accompanied by Owen Williams on accordion and David Kinley on guitar and backing vocals, while Gypo Buggane dusted off his trumpet to provide backing instrumentation.

They now have the chance to travel to Carlow, near Dublin, on April 18 to perform ‘Nagh Abbyr Shen’, which translates as ‘Don’t Say That’ in front of the multi-national judging panel, and a chance to win the £1,000 prize.

Matt Creer’s song ‘Ny Boallaghyn Shoh’, meaning ‘These walls’, which he performed with cellist Josephine Evans and fiddler Katie Lawrence, was chosen to go through to the ‘Best Original Traditional Song’ category.

A LibVan MHK is calling for the Manx government to introduce a voluntary living wage.

Ramsey MHK Lawrie Hooper has tabled a motion to next week’s Tynwald sitting seeking Council of Ministers’ support for his living wage proposal.

He wants a voluntary living wage to be introduced by October this year.

Mr Hooper said: ‘Despite the challenging financial times – or perhaps especially because of them – it is essential that people who are working a full-time job are earning enough to meet their cost of living from their salary, without the need to resort to additional government support.

‘Many on-island employers are already part of the UK voluntary living wage scheme for the UK parts of the businesses – and LibVan are sure many more employers would be if there was a similar scheme on-island.

‘A voluntary scheme would allow employers to stand up and be counted and to advertise the fact that they are living wage employers, whilst at the same time giving other employers something to aim for.’

He added: ‘LibVan calls on CoMin to support this motion, to support employers who are already committed to the island and to support people working hard to grow our economy.’

In the Programme for Government unveiled this week, Chief Minister Howard Quayle said CoMin would investigate options to introduce a living wage.

The UK introduced a new National Living Wage of £7.20 an hour for those aged 25 and over, in April last year. But there are also 2,000 accredited living wage employers across the UK who have agreed to pay their staff at least the new voluntary living wage rate of £8.25 per hour.

In the island, the minimum wage is currently £7 an hour for those aged 21 and over, and £6.65 for the aged 18 years and over. The minimum wage committee has consulted on the rate that will be paid from April this year.

The living wage is intended to allow people to cover their cost of living through earnings, whereas the minimum wage is intended to be a safety net below which it is illegal to pay someone. In his 2015 Budget, the then Treasury Minister Eddie Teare said he would encourage employers to move to a living wage.

Kim Carney’s Canaccord Genuity Vikings A side take to the pitch for the first time this season in the PwC Women’s Premier League on Saturday.

The All Blacks are aiming to extend an undefeated record which now stretches back more than 100 games.

Their opponents on Saturday are newly-promoted Harlequins, who will have their work cut out to contain the defending champions.

Carney’s side are already playing catch-up this season, after convincing victories for both Ramsey Crookall Bacchanalians A and LJ Ramsey A sent them into the division’s top two spots.

Bacchas take on Imogen Manning’s Crowe Morgan Valkyrs A in the westerners’ first outing, while Ramsey will start as firm favourites against Partitionware Castletown A.

Over in the PwC Men’s Premier League and the current top two go head-to-head, as Jamie Brown’s Bacchas take on Castletown A in the early game over in Peel.

Bacchas will be expecting to continue their winning run and should claim both points on offer.

The other winning side from the first week are Valkyrs A and they take on Vikings A in what is always a tight affair with nothing to choose between the two sides.

Saturday’s victors are likely to be installed as the main rivals to Bacchas domination of the league.

In PwC Women’s Division One, Donna Harrison’s Valkyrs B will be looking to check Bacchas B fine start to the season, and gain revenge for Anne Harrison’s side putting seven past their C team last week.

Elsewhere in the division, Vikings B face a stern test in their first game against a strong-looking Ramsey B.

Elliot Henson’s Harlequins left it late to snatch victory last week and will look to follow up the win with another against Valkyrs B, who had a frustrating start to the season last weekend.

Their conquerors last week were top side Saracens who in turn will start as favourites against an unpredictable yet dangerous Bacchas Colts side.

James Aitchison’s Ramsey second team complete the Division One line-up; they take on Vikings B in a game that is simply too close to call.

PwC Women’s Division Two next, and the top two meet after their wins in the first weekend.

Gail Logan’s Saracens squad looked hungry last week, and have installed themselves as favourites for this league, but will have to work hard to break down a Castletown B side. Harlequins B and Bacchas C are both looking for their first points of the season.

Finally to PwC Men’s Division Two, where Bacchas C host a Castletown B side who are fresh off the back of a fine victory last week.

Vikings Colts will look to claim both points on offer against Harlequins B as they aim to stay top of the league.

Saturday’s fixtures:

PwC Men’s Premier League

11.05am Ramsey Crookall Bacchanalians A v Partitionware Castletown A @ QEII

Umpires: Connor Duggua, Ian Duggua

12.05pm Ramsey Crookall Bacchanalians A v LJ Ramsey A@ QEII

Umpires: John Harrison, Lindsay Riordan

2.05pmCrowe Morgan Valkyrs A

v Canaccord Genuity Vikings A @ QEII

Umpires: Vic Ferns, Peter Foxton

PwC Women’s Premier League

12.35pm Ramsey Crookall Bacchanalians A v Crowe Morgan Valkyrs A @ NSC

Umpires: Tim Leeming, George Powell

2.05pmLJ Ramsey A

v Partitionware Castletown A @ RGS

Umpires: Paul Hunter, Rob McKenzie

2.05pm Canaccord Genuity Vikings A

v Harlequins A @ NSC

Umpires: James Harrison, TBC

PwC Men’s Division One

11.05amCanaccord Genuity Vikings B

v LJ Ramsey B @ RGS

Umpires: Paul Hunter, Sandra Smith

3.35pmRamsey Crookall Bacchanalians Colts

v Saracens A @ NSC

Umpires: Jamie Brown, TBC

3.35pmCrowe Morgan Valkyrs B

v Harlequins A @ QEII

Umpires: Vic Ferns, TBC

PwC Women’s Division One

12.35pmRamsey Crookall Bacchanalians B

v Crowe Morgan Valkyrs B @ CRHS

Umpires: TBC, TBC

12.35pmLJ Ramsey B

v Canaccord Genuity Vikings B @ RGS

Umpires: TBC, TBC

PwC Men’s Division Two

11.05amRamsey Crookall Bacchanalians C

v Partitionware Castletown B v @ NSC

Umpires: Andrew Bentley, Jess Tarpey

2.05pmHarlequins B

v Canaccord Genuity Vikings Colts @ CRHS

Umpires: Helen Cave, Alison Middleton

PwC Women’s Division Two

11.05amHarlequins B

v Ramsey Crookall Bacchanalians C @ KWC

Umpires: TBC, TBC

11.05amSaracens A

v Partitionware Castletown B @ CRHS

Umpires: Barry Powell, TBC

PwC Mixed Under-16s

3.35pm Harlequins v Saracens @ CRHS

Umpires: Ben Cunningham, Susan Taylor

3.35pmCanaccord Genuity Vikings

v LJ Ramsey Rogues and Rascals @ RGS

Umpires: TBC, TBC

There are three important games in the Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield which resumes again this week after a few weeks off.

The headline fixture without doubt will be at Mooragh Park where leaders Ramsey B host holders Southern Nomads.

The two sides met earlier in the season when Ramsey were especially weak and were thrashed 155-0.

Since that game, however, they have strung together a run of results which pushed them clear at the top of the table.

Ramsey have two games left and must win both to stand a chance.

Nomads have three games to go and must do the same.

This effectively means that the loser of this fixture will be out of contention, although whatever the result Ramsey will remain top for one more week at least.

Nomads were impressive against Western Vikings in the Manx Cup preliminary round on Saturday.

Adam Young was exceptional in the backline and Harry Catlow at number eight caught the eye in the pack.

Ramsey’s play was focussed around number eight Craig Long, but a knee ligament injury will keep him sidelined this week and his carrying and scavenging will be difficult to replace.

On paper, this looks like a Nomads win despite Ramsey having home advantage.

Elsewhere in the Shield, old rivals Douglas B and Vagabonds B will meet at Port-e-Chee.

Both are behind with their fixtures although so far Douglas have lost only the once and have beaten Nomads twice.

They have an easier run in too and are currently favourites for the title.

They should beat a Vagabonds side which has struggled all season.

Finally at King William’s College Emerging Nomads take on near neighbours Castletown.

Nomads burst Ramsey’s bubble last week and thoroughly deserved the win too. They should pick up the points here.

Fixtures: Saturday, January 14

South Lancashire/Cheshire Division One

Douglas v Wigan @ Port-e-Chee ko 2pm

South Lancashire/Cheshire Division Two

Vagabonds v Port Sunlight @ Ballafletcher ko 2.15pm

South Lancashire/Cheshire Division Three

Old Bedians v Ramsey @ Old Bedians ko 2.15pm

Women’s NC North One

Vagabonds v Halifax @ Ballafletcher ko 1pm

Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield all ko @ 2.15pm

Ramsey B v PDMS Southern Nomads

@ Mooragh Park

Douglas B v Vagabonds B @ Port-e-Chee

Emerging Nomads v Castletown

@ King William’s College

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

First this week we head out to The Creek in Peel where tomorrow night four-piece Soul and Classic Blues band Borderline will be taking to the stage.

The band play a set that mixesRhythm ‘n’ Blues, Rockabilly, a little Country and Western, 60s Soul and Delta blues. Think Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, BB King, Muddy Waters and Jerry Lee Lewis.

If that sounds like your cup of tea, then you can’t go far wrong.

In other news, The Big Beat are back! The core fund raising team of six drummers first appeared on the scene back in 2014 with their Big Beat For Hospice event at The Villa Marina and raised over £20,000 for the organisation in the process.

The next event is scheduled to take place in The Promenade Suite at The Villa Marina from February 24 to 26, and will be in support of Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation.

Proudly supported by PokerStars through their Helping Hands programme, the event will see the team of six drummers, Andy James, yours truly, Noah Egelnick, Jonny Peacock, Ben O’Hare and Martin Rigby, play along to music, in unison, for over 50 hours.

Commenting on the partnership, Martin Rigby from The Big Beat said: ‘With only a few short weeks now till the next Big Beat we cannot thank the PokerStars enough for supporting us through their charity programme, Helping Hands.

‘From our first contact with the team it was clear we held a shared passion for helping our local community.’

With further promotional appearances due to take place in the lead up to the main event, it looks like it’ll be a bust few weeks for the Big Beat Team.

Martin added: ‘Donations for The Big Beat can be made via www.justgiving.com/thebigbeatIOM. We also have Big Beat t-shirts and mugs available for sale at our events, if anyone wants to reserve any merchandise please let us know, either via our Facebook page www.facebook.com/TheBigBeatIOM, or email thebigbeatiom@gmail.com.’

Finally this week, some sad news that has also come to light was the death of Manx drummer and percussionist, Roger Leece.

Roger was a long time member of both Pink Floyd tribute, Pigs On The Wing and Two Tone/Ska band, Buncha’ Skankers amongst many other musical ventures over the years.

A very well loved and respected friend and musician to many on the island and further afield who will be very much missed.

RIP Roger.

Whether it’s for the running, walking, strengthening, chatting or the good coffee, fitness group Southern Striders has 25 devoted members who turn up regularly at The Hub, Thie Rosien, at 9.30am on Saturdays.

This friendly group welcomes new people of all ages to join them.

‘We are not an athletics club and the only competitive voice you will hear is the one in your head trying to get you to stay in bed on a cold, grey Saturday morning,’ said co-ordinator Janet Bridle.

‘You may have seen us walking or jogging around Port Erin and Port St Mary on a Saturday morning, and maybe we look like an elite group of runners, but if only you knew the truth!

‘We are indeed elite in one aspect – we chat and drink excellent coffee afterwards. We will often leave The Hub together in a group but will always have the option of taking a shorter route back and allowing the more intermediate among us to forge on ahead.’

Participants, whose ages range greatly, walk or jog and do strengthening and conditioning exercises.

Lesley Christian, who runs the chair-based exercises (11am to midday), said: ‘We would like to invite all of you who want to take up running but can’t quite take that seemingly big step. Or maybe you have fallen off that particular wagon and getting back is proving a bit difficult? We will introduce you slowly and carefully to the art of jogging while helping you to gain strength and flexibility that will keep you strong and avoid injuries.

‘You will never be the one at the back that is left behind – we will always be there encouraging you along.’

Never think you are too old to start, added Janet: ‘I never jogged until I joined Southern Striders when I was 50. I intended never to jog, I don’t like jogging at other times, I don’t like running alone. I can now do 5k a week and I love it!’

There’s the small matter of southern bragging rights at stake this weekend when Rushen United and Castletown go head-to-head in the Friends Provident FA Cup.

In what is arguably one of the standout ties of the preliminary round, tensions will be high at Croit Lowey as the Spaniards host the Mets in the first meeting between the two sides for exactly three years. In 2014, the teams played out a cracking rollercoaster match as they shared the spoils in a 4-4 draw in the Premier League.

Since then, the Reds have been relegated but have regrouped, made significant improvements both on and off the pitch and are now vying for promotion back to the top flight.

With Rushen flying high in fourth place in the Premier League, it’s hard to look past the Spaniards claiming victory this weekend, but form often goes out of the window in derbies and Town will be desperate to bounce back from their defeat to Douglas Royal last time out.

Elsewhere in the prelim round, there’s an interesting all-Premier League clash at the Bowl where St Mary’s host St John’s in a battle of the Saints. Currently lying second in the top flight, St Mary’s were dealt a blow to their title hopes when they were edged out by Corinthians last time out, so they will be keen to get back to winning ways straight away.

St John’s will be no pushovers and go into the game in confident mood having thrashed Ayre United 8-1 on Saturday to seal the Tangerine’s relegation. Having said that, the two sides met in the league just a few weeks ago when St Mary’s ran out 7-1 winners so the hosts will certainly begin as favourites.

A close game could be in store at Balleira Road where Michael United host Governor’s Athletic in an all-Division Two affair. The home side remain without a win so far this season but this game gives them a decent opportunity to correct that statistic and possibly reignite their season. However, Governor’s have won their last two games and will be confident of extending that run.

Douglas Athletic will be favourites to progress to the first round proper as they travel to second division outfit Malew, likewise defending champions Peel make the trip to Tromode to face Gymns.

Two of JCK Division Two’s promotion contenders will be aiming to spring a surprise in Saturday’s Friends Provident International FA Cup ties.

Current second-tier leaders Douglas Royal have been paired with Douglas High School Old Boys in one of the weekend’s 10 preliminary round ties.

Royal have been in good form this campaign, losing only twice as they’ve propelled themselves to the top of the league ladder.

Mid-table top-flight Old Boys haven’t had a game since they lost to Douglas Athletic on December 14 and might be a bit rusty against their Ballafletcher hosts who scored a good 7-2 win over Castletown on Saturday.

Division Two side Onchan’s top-four push has lost a little momentum in recent weeks thanks to postponements and a defeat at the hands of RYCOB.

This week David Rees’s Os host Premier League side Ramsey in what should be a good cup tie at the Nivison.

The Yellows have only lost once at home this campaign, and will sniff a cup-set against a Ramsey side that is third-bottom in the Premier League.

There’s a couple of intriguing all-top flight affairs.

Laxey host Corinthians, while Union Mills welcome Colby to Garey Mooar.

The Miners and the Whites have shared a win apiece in their two league encounters this season, suggesting this one might need extra-time to decide a victor.

Mills and Colby looks equally finely poised.

The game will act as a pre-cursor to the two teams’ forthcoming Premier League double header, the results of which will go a long way to determining who extends their stay in the top flight beyond the end of the campaign.

Union Mills defence is the joint second most porous in the division and this might just give Colby the edge in this tie.

Last season’s beaten finalists St George’s start their cup campaign away at Ayre United.

The latter’s relegation from the top flight was confirmed with defeat by St John’s at the weekend. The Tangerines will be fearing a double-figure loss like they have suffered in the pair’s two league meetings.

Teachers have seen an increase in the number of children entering primary school lacking basic social skills since pre-school provision was privatised.

National Union of Teachers president Anne Swift raised the issue during a visit to the island earlier this week.

Lacking the social skills to be able to share equipment or cope in a classroom environment with one teacher, a lack of language development and not even being toilet trained were some of the concerns teachers had over reception class pupils (ages four and five).

‘Schools are having to do a lot of work helping children get on with each other so they don’t have behavioural issues,’ she said.

The Department of Education and Children announced in 2012 that it was privatising its teacher-led pre-schools and introducing credits for use with private and voluntary providers.

Under the credit system, parents could initially get a standard universal credit of £800 a year towards the cost of pre-school education or a higher credit of £1,500 a year for low-income families on benefits.

That level of credit provided, on average, just under five hours a week of free nursery care or just under nine hours per week for the higher credit.

But at the July Tynwald sitting, the standard credit was raised to £1,700 per annum, giving a child the chance of attending sessions up to 10 hours per week or 12 and a half hours a week of pre-schooling for those from families on the higher credit.

Mrs Swift said that in 2012 the DEC, then led by Minister Peter Karran, had ‘picked the wrong thing to cut’ and that studies showed that there were better outcomes for children if there has been investment in early years’ provision.

She described the quality of the private pre-school providers as ‘variable’.

A DEC spokesman told the Manx Independent the 2012 change had established a ‘more universal system’ but added: ‘It has become clear, however, that this universal system still needs to be extended and we will continue to work in partnership with schools and pre-school settings in order to ensure that all pupils are ready for school, by the time they start in reception classes.

‘Though it is impossible to ascribe a single cause, there is anecdotal evidence, that in some areas teachers have identified poorer social skills, though, of course in areas where previously there had been no provision the evidence appears to demonstrate an improvement.’

The DEC is working on an Early Years Strategy ‘which will include enhancing the current pre-school provision across the island,’ the spokesman added.

Education Minister Graham Cregeen’s 2016 election manifesto stated: ‘The introduction of pre-school vouchers has had mixed results. I would investigate if the provision would produce better results if pre-school worked with, or alongside the education provision within our primary schools.’

In the Programme for Government the Council of Ministers has pledged to improve standards and availabilty of pre-school education.

A granite memorial to Manx poet, inventor, engineer and explorer William Kennish will be shipped to Northern Ireland this week for cutting to shape.

The finished memorial is to be placed on Kennish’s grave, which currently lies unmarked in Green Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

Once it has been cut to shape it will return to the island for its final finishing and engraving in Peel.

William Kennish lived from 1799 to 1862.

He was born in the island but emigrated to America in 1848. As a Royal Navy explorer he helped find the location for the Panama Canal and invented the first ‘gun commander’ system for a warship in 1828.

Last year, the William Kennish Memorial Trust was set up to raise money to mark Kennish’s final resting place on the 155th anniversary of his death, on March 19.

The trust was formed by author and chairman of the Manx Victorian Society, Bob Stimpson and Roy Moore, who is a direct descendant of the Kennish family.

Mr Stimpson also wrote a 2011 book on Kennish entitled ‘Forgotten Manx Genius’.

He said: ‘We are halfway to our £5,000 funding target. On January 15, in Peel, and January 28, in Ramsey, Roy and I will be giving an illustrated talk about William Kennish to promote the fundraising and to hopefully seek donations.

‘We have got a Manxman who has had a building and stamps named after him but he lies in an unmarked grave, and that needs to be corrected.’

In 2014 the Department of Education and Children (DEC) named its Engineering Training Centre at the Isle of Man College after William Kennish, and he was also featured on Panama Canal commemorative stamps.

The talk in Peel will be held at the Sailor’s Shelter on East Quay at 7.30pm, while the Ramsey one will be at St Paul’s Church Hall lounge at 7.30pm.

Admission is free to both events but donations are welcomed.

The talk will tell of Kennish’s life from his humble beginnings in Maughold, his naval career, his life in the Isle of Man and his explorations of South America.

There will also be details of his later family connections to the Statue of Liberty and the characters in PG Wodehouse’s stories.

Fire crews were called to the Blackboards in Ballasalla in the early hours of this morning after a car crashed and rolled down a bank.

The driver, who was alone in the car, escaped serious injury but needed to helped out of the vehicle.

Firefighters used a ladder and an improvised handrail to walk the driver to the roadside where they were met by paramedics.

A statement from Station Officer Tony Duncan, at Fire Service Headquarters in Douglas, said that the accident was due to adverse driving conditions, due to a recent snow shower.