THE Department of Community, Culture and Leisure has announced that Laura Bellwood, Clive Parrish and Graeme Watson have been invited to serve on Isle of Man Sport for a period of four years.

They join two re-appointed members Sarah Corlett and Steve Partington.

Following the retirement of Geoff Karran, Gary Corkhill has been appointed as vice-chairman.

Graham Cregeen MHK, Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure said: ‘I am delighted to welcome Laura, Clive and Graeme to Isle of Man Sport. They will bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and commitment to Isle of Man Sport, which will benefit the development of sport in the island.’

Laura presently works for Thomas Miller Investment following her graduation from university with a BSC (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science. She is a keen sportswoman who has represented the island at athletics, hockey and squash. She has recently turned her attention to golf and triathlon.

Clive is now a self-employed business consultant, having previously worked with HSBC for 30 years. He is presently chairman of the Isle of Man Swimming Association and is a qualified referee. He swims regularly and has recently competed in triathlon, but is passionate about making sport available to everyone.

Graeme was the manager of the former aquadrome at Summerland and, following its closure, the National Sports Centre manager. In 2004 he moved to a new role and is currently access and recreations officer for the forestry, amenity and lands directorate of DEFA, which involves reviewing and planning recreational provision across the department’s 28,000 acre estates.

Graeme presently coaches junior football at Laxey AFC but has played football and volleyball in the past.

A standard social history book turned into an extraordinary real-life Gothic mystery when Catherine Bailey delved into the family archives at Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire.

The end result of her research was not the intended account of the estate workers’ service during the First World War but instead a gripping and ultimately tragic tale of betrayal, deceit, honour and death which confirms the old adage that the truth is stranger than fiction.

Belvoir Castle is home to the Manners family, better known as the Dukes of Rutland, whose association with this corner of England dates back to the 11th century.

Like many other aristocratic families, the Dukes of Rutland have skeletons rattling around in their very grand cupboards, and none more so than the bizarre circumstances surrounding the death of the 9th duke in April 1940.

One of the wealthiest men in Britain, John Henry Montagu Manners, aged 53, ended his days virtually alone, lying on a makeshift bed in a dank, cramped suite of rooms in the servants’ quarters of his magnificent 320-room Gothic-style stately home.

For weeks, as his health had deteriorated, his family, his servants – and even King George VI’s personal doctor – pleaded with him to come out, but he refused.

After his death from bronchial pneumonia at 6am on April 21, his son and heir, Charles, the 10th Duke of Rutland, ordered that the rooms be locked up and they remained untouched for 60 years.

It was only when Bailey began reading through family papers for her research that she came across significant gaps in the records and set out to discover what lay behind the inexplicable omissions.

And she soon found herself unravelling a complex and compelling saga played out in the grand salons of Britain’s stately homes at the turn of the 20th century and on the battlefields of the Western Front.

At its core was a secret so dark that it consumed the life of the man who fought to his death to keep it hidden. In fact, the very last hours of the duke’s life were spent trying to complete his work on the archives, a task that he regarded as so urgent that he refused medical help.

After his death, the archive was closed up and the rooms, where the late duke had obsessively toiled for several years, were sealed off.

It was the end of a bizarre chapter for the Manners family until Bailey turned the pages on the past and discovered that three periods of their family history were missing – 1894 when the duke was almost eight, 1909 when he was working in Rome and 1915 when the country was at war.

At the heart of this mystery, she discovered, were John’s parents, the 8th duke Henry Manners and his wife Violet Manners, an imperious, manipulative woman whose actions, we discover, destroyed the happiness of her son John.

John was their second son; heir to the title was his older brother Robert, Lord Haddon, whose premature death at the age of only nine in 1894 precipitated a series of distressing events for John, beginning with his removal from the family home to live with an uncle because his mother could not forgive him for still being alive when her favourite son was dead.

Years of meddling by his cold, loveless parents, and particularly by his mother, impacted directly on the rest of his life... and on his harrowing death in a cold, soulless archive room in a dark corner of Belvoir Castle.

Bailey’s fascinating book takes us to the heart of a family tragedy as well as shedding new light on an age when the aristocracy possessed breathtaking powers and influence in both the social and political spheres.

Brilliantly researched, and written with style and depth, this is a horrifying story of love, despair, intrigue, snobbery and upper class eccentricity which reads like fiction but is amazingly – and shockingly – real.

(Viking, hardback, £20)

YOU can follow in the footsteps of your Viking ancestors with the launch of a global treasure hunt.

An innovative GeoTour tourism initiative has been developed linking the sites of Norse assemblies – known as Things – in Norway, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Shetland, Orkney, Highland Scotland and Tynwald Hill here in the Isle of Man, the ancient meeting place dating back at least to the late first millennium AD.

Things have been described as the Viking cradle of democracy because their establishment was an early attempt to introduce a representative system, allowing disputes to be settled in a neutral forum rather than by blood feud.

The success of the system led to it being transported from the Scandinavian homelands to Viking colonies throughout Northern Europe.

Many sites can be identified by their thing, ting, ding or fing place names – examples other than Tynwald including Gulating (Norway), Tingwalla (Sweden), Þingvellir (Iceland), Tinganes (Faroe Islands), Tingwall (Shetland and Orkney), Dingwall (Scotland) and Fingay Hill (England).

The GeoTour has been launched by the Thing Project which has hidden geocaches in and around the thing site locations.

Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunting game played using a GPS or an app on a smartphone.

Players seek hidden items by downloading co-ordinates from {http://www.geocaching.com.geocaching.com}.

Lauren Doughton, place names assistant at Shetland Amenity Trust, said: ‘We’re really excited to be launching this new GeoTour. Geocaching is an excellent way of encouraging people to get outside and explore their local area.

‘For our Norse ancestors the Thing sites would have been a central location within their landscape. Today the only indication we have that many of them existed is their place names. The GeoTour is a great way of bringing these places back to life, and making them accessible to people again.’

Jenn Seva of Geocaching.com said: ‘The Thing Sites GeoTour harnesses the power of geocaching to bring these significant locations to life.

‘Geocaching has always been a global phenomenon. The first Northern European GeoTour pays homage to the roots of our activity and lets us be modern-day explorers ourselves. It’s an unparalleled adventure for geocachers and history lovers.’

Lauren added: ‘We wanted to create a resource that would show the links between all of these different places, and really let people think about the landscape and how people may have experienced it in the past. Geocaching provided us with the ideal opportunity to do this. There was no need to set up expensive on-site interpretation, or intrusive signs. Anyone can take part so long as they have access to the internet, and most people’s phones come with GPS applications.’

Players can start their Thing Sites geocaching adventure by visiting {http://www.geocaching.com/adventures/geotours/thingsites|www.geocaching.com/adventures/geotours/thingsites}. From there you can view download cache co-ordinates onto your GPS device or mobile phone.

NO decision has yet been taken on the future model for public sector housing provision, the Social Care Minister has insisted.

All the island’s housing authorities have been invited to work with government on the way forward for sustainable public housing.

A meeting took place last week to launch the five key pieces of work which will inform new housing policy development.

These comprise identifying future housing needs, provision of suitable accommodation for an aging population, reducing costs of construction, repairs and maintenance and options for affordable housing - helping first time buyers and those outside the public sector to access decent homes.

There is also an option appraisal for a unified housing body - developing a cost effective and consistent quality service across the island to meet increasing need.

Douglas Council claims the government has already made up its mind to create a single housing authority.

But Social Care Minister Chris Robertshaw MHK insisted this wasn’t the case.

He told iomtoday: ‘Local authorities recognise there is a need for change. We’ve got to find a model that really works. No decision has been made about what model that might be.’

Last week’s meeting was attended by all but two of the 17 Housing Authorities, and was the first in a series of meetings to be held over the next few months.

Mr Robertshaw said: ‘I cannot stress enough how important it is that all public sector housing providers work together to develop a robust housing service.

‘This is not about bringing all public sector housing into government. This is about the housing professionals and specialists across the authorities, including the housing division within my department, working together, putting aside local differences, to share their ideas, information and potential proposals.’

WELCOME to my Christmas column.

It’s pretty much the same as last year’s. In fact its theme goes back to the day they first decided to allow Christmas shoppers in Douglas to park on the footway of Loch Promenade.

This thoughtful gift from the Department of Infrastructure always gives me the sort of childish pleasure that one is entitled to expect at this season of goodwill to all men.

(You have to wonder why they left women out of this mantra. All it does is remind me of when I overheard one pretty girl asking another: ‘What do they mean when they say we have to be good to old men at Christmas?’).

Back to the prom. I like the parking regime because it allows me to drive along the footway on my way to work every morning. It’s a nice smooth ride, unlike the hell on wheels of the roadway.

I try to be first on the walkway every day at the opening time of 9.30 am. This gives me a clear field.

If there are no persons in yellow jackets around I can crank up the Mini One to any speed I want.

The other morning, with the sun sparkling on an apparently ice-covered sea I reckon I hit . . . well, let’s just say I got to work a little earlier than usual.

You are not always alone, however. One day last week I saw coming towards me that charge of racing cyclists you encounter in Douglas on one of their early day training runs.

They were, of course, on the cycle path, like good boys.

I also get a warm feeling when I see, yet again, the signs saying: ‘Beware Pedestrians.’

They remain an enigma for me. Are they telling pedestrians to beware, to be on the lookout for motorists intent upon running them down?

This seems to be unfair. After all, a walkway is by definition a place for pedestrians by right. They were there first.

It must be that the Department of Infrastructure is telling us motorists to look out for masked and armed gangs of pedestrians intent upon holding us up and robbing us, which they might more profitably do when the motorist is returning to his or her car loaded down with gift shopping.

As far as this Christmas is concerned, I have killed no pedestrians and not been mugged by them. All is well so far.

I would also like to point out that what you don’t see on the walkway are the boys in blue either on foot or in their prowl cars.

Last week the police started their Christmas anti-drink driving campaign. I wonder if the situation is that the best place to drive while sniftered up is the walkway of Loch Promenade.

Now that would really be the Spirit of Christmas.

• IAN K.Bleasedale of Maughold directs attention to a story in the Examiner about plans to build an extension to Ballakermeen High School. It says: ‘Further staff parking will be provided by the demolition of the former funeral directors.’

This sounds like a story worth digging into. It could be a burning issue.

• MANX Radio reported last week: ‘A full investigation will be required to get to the bottom of the complications suffered by colorectal patients following surgery recently.’

That’s a story they should have sat on.

• THIS week’s Manx crossword clue is: ‘Man (not IOM) (5) – BIPED (Glasgow Herald).

THE police have issued a statement to say that they believe the man found last night in the River Douglas was Kevin Wilkinson, of Stanley View, Douglas.

The body of a 52-year-old man being was discovered in the river last night.

Police are not treating the matter as suspicious, but would like to hear from anyone who had seen or had any contact with Mr Wilkinson yesterday (Tuesday), or anyone who has any information about him which could assist in understanding the circumstances of his death.

His family have been informed.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/body-of-man-52-recovered-from-river-douglas-1-5194717|Our report from last night}

TOURISM bosses are inviting all cafes and restaurants to volunteer to be tested on customer service.

This is the sixth year of the quality assurance scheme which was introduced to help visitors and residents choose from the diverse range of eating out options and boost consumer confidence.

The scheme is open to any type of quality eating out establishment from restaurants to coffee shops and fish and chip shops.

The initiative is part of an assessment scheme throughout the British Isles and there are currently 50 members island-wide.

It is based on an independent assessment taking place on issues such as warmth of welcome, service, hospitality, cleanliness and commitment to the use of local produce.

Those who achieve the accreditation are awarded a ‘quality assured’ or ‘highest quality assured’ sign to display outside their premises.

Angela Byrne, head of tourism, said: ‘Our aim is to enrol as many businesses as possible into the scheme to encourage the provision of outstanding quality and service while at the same time enhancing the overall visitor experience and improving the quality of life for Manx residents.

‘The scheme reassures potential customers that they can be guaranteed a good quality experience whenever they see the ‘Quality Assured’ sign displayed outside the premises.’

All successful venues are publicised in a directory which is distributed at outlets throughout the island, including the Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal in Douglas.

They are also featured on the government’s tourism website, {http://www.visitisleofman.com/taste|www.visitisleofman.com/taste}.

To enrol for the ‘Taste Isle of Man’ scheme contact {mailto:taste@gov.im|taste(at)gov.im} or telephone 695700. The closing date for applications is Monday, December 17.

The Isle of Man’s Wound Formulary, a project developed to improve the treatment and management of wounds, such as leg ulcers and surgical wounds, was shortlisted in the ‘Team of the Year’ category at the Nursing Times Awards.

The awards were billed as the ‘nursing Oscars’.

The team members are: Pam Fulton, a tissue viability specialist nurse; Diane Corrin, inpatient services manager at Hospice Isle of Man; Bernie Ross. matron at Brookfields Nursing Home; Caroline Swayne, a district nurse; Jill Wilkinson, a registered nurse at Ramsey Cottage Hospital’ Julie Maddrell, clinical lead podiatrist in diabetes; Elizabeth Whitty, a practice nurse and Vivien Craig, a registered nurse at the hospice.

The team developed a wound care formulary (information on prescribable medicines to treat different wounds in varying scenarios), which was launched in December 2007 and has since been implemented island-wide.

They continue their work, meeting often to review developments in wound care and management

The second edition of the formulary was launched in May this year.

Their work means that consistent and high standards of care are available to patients, wherever they are being cared for, as well as improving the cost-effectiveness of wound care on the island.

There were almost 900 entries for the 2012 awards and the team felt it a phenomenal achievement to be short-listed.

Pam Fulton, who led the project, said: ‘To make changes like these in practice is not always easy, but when you are rewarded like this it makes it worthwhile, not only for ourselves but most importantly for our patients too. We had a wonderful night at the awards and it was great to be a part of this celebration of nursing care.’

THERE is still no agreement between the MHKs and MLCs about electoral reform.

A joint House of Keys and Legislative Council committee was set up in December last year to thrash out the constitutional principles raised by David Callister MLC’s private member’s bill.

Mr Callister’s Electoral Reform Bill calls for the island to be split into eight constituencies, each represented by three MHKs and one MLC, all directly elected.

But its chairman Brenda Cannell (Douglas East) told the House of Keys that the committee could not agree whether the proposed reforms would mean constitutional changes that might be detrimental to the island.

She said that while the majority of the committee felt it would not be detrimental to the island, there were two members who disagreed

‘Turkeys won’t vote for Christmas,’ she said.

While there was a disagreement about the constitutional implications, there was agreement that the bill should continue to its second reading.

David Anderson (Glenfaba) asked why it had taken so long to report back and whether committee in its weighty report had actually learned anything new.

Mr Callister’s bill received its first reading in the Legislative Council in June 2011.

The Keys this week voted unanimously to support the Electoral Reform Bill returning to LegCo for a second reading.

• What do you think? Email {mailto:opinions@newsiom.co.im|opinions(at)newsiom.co.im} or sogn in to add your comment below.

AN MHK was rebuked for unparliamentary language in another heated exchange in the House of Keys over the Pinewood deal.

Yet more questions about Pinewood Shepperton share purchase had been raised by Kate Beecroft (Lib Van, Douglas South), with party leader Peter Karran (Onchan) maintaining that people were ‘smelling something fishy about this whole affair’.

Treasury Minister Eddie Teare MHK insisted that all the information was in the public domain and said it would be interesting to know the names and qualifications of Liberal Vannin’s advisers.

Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK suggested that Treasury might welcome an approach ‘from the individual that the Liberal Vannin members represent so they can bottom these issues out once and for all’.

Mr Teare replied: ‘I would be delighted. That offer has been on the table for months and months, and I have been deafened by the silence in response.’

This prompted the outburst from Mr Karran who said: ‘Would the Minister not agree that many people outside this House actually appreciate the strong bone and the political balls in this House of the member for South Douglas.’

Speaker Steve Rodan reprimanded him: ‘If there any more outbursts and language of that sort, I shall suspend the sitting. Resume your seat.’

Mr Karran said the party’s researcher was Mrs Beecroft herself who asked the Treasury Minister: ‘Has he not heard of Google alerts? Because if he sets them he will find all the information there – it is readily available.’

Mr Teare replied: ‘I am delighted [she] mentioned the Google alerts and I am sure she will join me in congratulating Pinewood in the excellent results which they announced last week.’

AN Isle of Man based IT consultant is now vice chairman of the UK’s primary group of chief information officers and information technology leaders.

Steve Burrows, who is a leading IT expert in the island and one of the most respected in the UK, has been elected vice chairman of the Effective Leadership in IT group (ELITE), which is the primary forum for CIOs and IT directors in the UK.

ELITE, which is the IT leadership group within BCS The Chartered Institute for IT, has more than 3,500 members, all of whom are recognised IT leaders.

ELITE hosts thought leadership events around the UK both in its own right and as part of major IT industry conferences to help its members maximise the benefits that organisations obtain through their use of IT.

Immediately following the ELITE annual meeting at which Mr. Burrows was elected he chaired an ELITE event in London for a packed audience exploring the behaviours, skills and competencies necessary to make a truly complete chief information officer capable of enabling and leading an organisation at a strategic level.

Mr. Burrows, who lives in Surby near Port Erin, is principal consultant for Isle of Man based business and technology consultancy SBA.

He is also vice chairman of the membership Board for BCS The Chartered Institute for IT, a director of the Isle of Man section of the Institute, and both a chartered director and a chartered IT professional.

UK Chancellor George Osborne’s announcement that the planned 3p rise in fuel duty has been dropped will cost the Manx taxman dear.

Manx Treasury Minister Eddie Teare MHK has given his initial reaction to yesterday’s UK autumn statement.

He said: ‘No doubt the headlines will be that the 3p rise in fuel duty due in January 2013 has been abolished. This will cost the Treasury around £2 million a year, but I am sure it will be welcomed by the island’s motorists.’

Motorists in the island pay the same duty as the UK under the customs agreement.

Mr Teare added: ‘The main thrust of the Chancellor’s speech appears to be to encourage work, paid for by restricting the rising cost of benefits for certain groups.

‘We share that objective, and will be reviewing our own plans in light of his announcements today.’

Treasury officers will study the detail of the statement for any other areas of interest relating to the Isle of Man.

ONE of the cars involved in an accident that injured a schoolboy at a bus stop rolled down a hill unoccupied on to the main road.

Today’s Manx Independent has pieced together more of what happened in Onchan earlier in the week.

The newspaper also includes some glowing tributes to Lawrence Gell, who was obviously a well-loved man. He died this week in Peel while working for the Water Authority.

The paper also includes reports from two inquests.

The coroner suggests that we might never know what really happened to make Stephen Osborne lose control of his bike during MGP practices.

In the other, he suggests that part of the TT course should have a speed limit.

We also have a story about a man who’s been jailed after a friend used his gun to kill himself.

The Manx Independent also has its usual great coverage of sport and two What’s On pages.

It’s in the shops now.

Picture it ... long-distance runner Mo Farah joining forces with his fellow British Olympians Zara Phillips, Bradley Wiggins, Jessica Ennis and Tom Daley for an action-packed adventure, and you can join in the fun!

Mo, gold medallist in the London Olympics 5,000 and 10,000 metre races, has taken a break from his track training to become the star of a quirky new ‘Where’s Wally’ style puzzle book which puts our sporting heroes in the spotlight.

‘Team Mo’ has very sportingly decided to visit some of the best events Great Britain has to offer, and you get a ticket to ride with them. The catch is that you’ll have to find them first!

Search out Mo, Zara, Bradley, Jessica and Tom in the teeming crowds as they prepare to run, cycle and swim in the triathlon, take on skilled judo champions, race 100 metres legend Usain Bolt on the track and showcase their dives in the pool.

But that’s not all! Just when you think you’ve found everyone, there are ten other hidden things you have to find. And for those brave enough to take on the challenge, there’s a gold medal hidden in there too.

There’s a checklist box to tick off each person or item when you have found them in the 15 all-action puzzles and if you really, really get stuck, the answers are helpfully provided in the back of the book.

Where’s Mo is the ideal Christmas gift for good sports of all ages ... packed with colourful illustrations and reminders of our brilliant Olympic successes, this is a book to entertain both children and adults, and ward off the festive boredom.

So, what are you waiting for? On your marks, get set and go find Mo!

(John Blake Publishing, hardback, £9.99)

Full league programme this weekend after Railway Cup break

Saturday, December 8

2pm kick-offs

Canada Life Premier League

Corinthians v DHSOB

Gymns v St John’s

Laxey v Union Mills

Marown v Castletown

Ramsey v Peel

St George’s v Rushen United

JCK Division Two

Ayre United v Michael United

Braddan v Ronaldsway

Douglas Athletic v Onchan

Douglas Royal v RYCOB

Foxdale v Colby

Pulrose United v Malew

Canada Life Combination One

Castletown v Marown

DHSOB v Corinthians

Peel v Ramsey

Rushen United v St George’s

St John’s v Gymns

Union Mills v Laxey

JCK Combination Two

Colby v Foxdale

Malew v Pulrose United

Michael United v Ayre United

Onchan v Douglas Athletic

Ronaldsway v Braddan

RYCOB v Douglas Royal

--------

Sunday, December 9

10.30am KO

Appleby 15-17 Division One

Peel v Ayre United

St George’s v Union Mills A

Colby v Laxey

Appleby 15-17 Division Two

Braddan v Ronaldsway

Ramsey v Onchan

Union Mills v Rushen United

Warehouse Fitness Women’s Floodlit Cup

At the Bowl

Peel v Colby 2.10pm

Corinthians v DHSOB 3.40pm

ABOLISHING universal free eye tests would be ‘foolhardy’ and would cost more in the long run if serious conditions like glaucoma go undetected.

That was the warning given to Health Minister David Anderson who was quizzed in the House of Keys over his department’s plans for free eye testing.

Replying to a question from John Houghton (Douglas North), Mr Anderson insisted his department did not intend to abolish free sight tests.

But he said it has been considering a range of options relating to the future provision of ophthalmic services, including the continuity of free NHS eye sight tests for all.

The Minister said the policy of free to all tests was ‘not sustainable’ and was preventing the department from developing services in other areas such as screening of glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

He told MHKs: ‘The review of the current sight testing policy is not a savings measure nor is it an attack on good healthcare.

‘On the contrary, the department is focusing on making the best use of limited resources so as to provide an opportunity to improve ophthalmic services in specific areas of patient need.’

Mr Houghton said that at a presentation to Tynwald members, the Optometrists’ Association had made very clear their concerns about abolishing universal free eye tests.

‘Early recognition and diagnosis of conditions found by ophthalmologist is the way forward,’ he said.

Kate Beecroft (Lib Van, Douglas South) said the department was being ‘penny wise and pound foolish’. ‘Free eye tests save an awful lot of money in the long run,’ she said.

Brenda Cannell (Douglas East) said that such a ‘huge’ change in policy would require Tynwald approval.

Mr Anderson said any proposed change would go to the Council of Ministers (CoMin) and it would be for CoMin to decide whether it would then be brought before Tynwald.

He insisted that a ‘large amount’ of the community would continue to get free eye tests even if means testing was introduced.

‘If we thought this was going to be detrimental we would not be doing it,’ he said.

The Minister said the consideration of options had involved on-going discussions with the Association of Optometrists and meetings had been held between that body and his officials in February, April and July.

He said: ‘I am sure that members will appreciate that in the present climate, more than ever, we need to concentrate out limited resources on where they are most needed and where they will have the most effect.

‘The department is appreciative of the advice provided by the Association of Optometrists in relation to the categories of people who it is felt should continue to receive free NHS sight tests. [Their] views in this area have been taken fully into account.’

• What do you think? Email {mailto:opinions@newsiom.co.im|opinions(at)newsiom.co.im} or sign in to add your comment below.

THE sister of a pillion passenger killed on the Mountain Road during this year’s TT festival has called for the government to introduce more speed limits.

Dawn Wilkinson made the comments at the inquest of Amanda Heather McNicol who died when she was hit by another motorcycle after falling from the pillion seat of her husband’s Honda CBR900RR.

Coroner John Needham recorded an accidental death verdict on Mrs McNicol who was pronounced dead at the scene, near the 32nd Milestone after a 6am ride with her husband on May 30.

He added: ‘I will be making a report to the Department of Infrastructure on the issue of a speed restriction in respect of this portion of road at the time that it is one-way during the TT.

Mr Needham said Philip McNicol and his wife were visiting the island for the first time and had completed a number of laps of the TT Course. The previous day they had been unnerved by another bike which undertook them on the mountain and Mrs McNicol had reminded him to use his mirrors.

‘We know that Mr McNicol had seen two riders travelling up very quickly behind him as he approached Brandywell. After Brandywell he moved into the side of the road and was looking in his mirrors. He drifted into the ditch and the accident was bound to happen,’ he said.

The court heard Mr McNicol’s bike hit the banking at the side of the road and Mrs McNicol had been thrown into the road.

‘Then it is a matter of fate and it is unfortunate that Amanda took a different trajectory from Mr McNicol. She was catapulted into the path of [Giles] Day’s Yamaha,’ Mr Needham said, adding: ‘In my view the Yamaha which hit Amanda was probably travelling at 80mph.’

He said there was a combination of factors at work including a lack of speed restriction through the one-way mountain road, a high proportion of motorcycles which were statistically more likely to be involved in accidents and riders wanting to ride faster than they would do in other circumstances.

‘There is a risk people see the mountain as providing a track day experience,’ he said. ‘I can’t say that if restrictions were in place Amanda would be with us today but it is likely in my view that she would be.’

A statement from Giles Day, whose Yamaha R6 was behind Mr McNicol and hit Mrs McNicol, said he saw the other bike hit the bank and catapult across the road.

‘I had nowhere to go. I hit what I thought was the bike and went over the handlebars,’ he said.

A post-mortem report from Dr Christopher Clague said Mrs McNicol, a 49-year-old businesswoman from York, died principally from head and neck injuries.

Offering his condolences, Mr Needham said he thought death was probably instant.

Thursday, December 6

Palace Cinema

• Skyfall (12A) Nightly at 7pm. Saturday and Sunday 2pm.

• Great Expectations (12A) Nightly at 7.30pm.

• Hotel Transylvania (U) Saturday and Sunday 2.30pm.

Broadway Cinema

• The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2. Friday and Saturday 7pm and 9.30pm. Sunday-Thursday 7.30pm, Wednesday 2pm.

• Rise of the Guardians. 3D Friday-Thursday 4.30pm, Saturday and Sunday 2pm. 2D Saturday and Sunday noon.

Thursday, December 6

• The Rat Pack Christmas Party. Music concert, 8pm, Royal Hall, Villa Marina.

• Gullivers Travels. 7.30pm. Gaiety Theatre.

Thursday, December 6

• Pilates 9.30-10.30 and 10.45-11.45. Belly Fit 17.30-18.30 and 19-20.30 Beginner Vinyasa. Also Friday 9.30-11 Ashtanga Half Primary Series Yoga. 12.30-14.00 Hatha Traditional Yoga; 18.00-19.30 Advanced Vinyasa Yoga. Monday 7-7.45 Kettlebells. 11.00-12.30 Vinyasa Yoga, 13.10-13.50 Kettlebells, 17.00-18.00 Pilates. 18.00-19.30 Vinyasa Yoga. Tuesday 9.30-10.30 Bellyfit. 11.00-12.30 Meditation and Relaxation. Tuesday 17.30-18.30 Pilates. 19.00-20.30. All levels Kundalini Yoga. Wednesday 7.00-7.45 Kettlebells. 13.10-13.50 Kettles. All at The Gym, Ramsey.

• Yoga, Cooil Methodist Hall, 7.15pm. Call 494489.

• Fencing for all ages. Ashley Hill School, 7.30pm. Also Monday, Andreas Parish Hall, 4.30pm; Tuesday, Arbory Parish Hall, 4pm and Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, 6.30pm; Wednesdays, Scoill Ree Gorree Sports Hall, Ramsey, 5pm. Call 880863.

• Zumba, The Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 7.30pm. Call 425270. Also Tuesday.

Friday, November 7

• Zumba Classes, Friday at, Silvercraigs Hotel, Queens promenade, 9.45am and 10.25am. Creche facility. Zumba Masterclass for beginners, Zumba Gold and Zumba Fitness Classes for ladies and mums and tots. Also Tuesday.

• Yoga, Morton Hall, Onchan, 6.30pm. Call 494489.

• Tai chi chuan, Murray’s Road School, 7.30pm. Call 612305.

• Indoor bowls, Legion Hall, Port St Mary, 7.30pm. No experience necessary.

Saturday, December 8

• Pregnancy yoga, All Saint’s Hall, Douglas, 10am. Call 461461.

• Yoga, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 10.15am. Also Monday.

• Yoga, Arbory Parish Hall, 10.30am. Call 494489.

• St Mary’s AFC mixed under 11s training, Pulrose Football Fields, 10.30am. Call 405859.

• Tae Kwondo beginners, Pinewood Complex, Pulrose, 10.45am. Also 6-7yrs, Wednesdays at 5.30pm and Monday and Wednesday, 8-13yrs at 6pm, all ages at 7.15pm. Text 432152.

• Gymnastics and dance, St Ninian’s School, Douglas, 2pm. Also Wednesday. Call 254499.

Sunday, December 9

• Yoga and Nutrition. Karma Yoga Studio, Douglas. 6-7.30pm.

Monday, December 10

• Ladies’ activity morning, NSC, Douglas, 9.30am. Call 688556.

• Cardiotone, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 7pm. Also Thursday. Call 452729.

• Deep Water Aquafit, NSC, Douglas, 7.15pm. Call 688588.

• Women’s self-defence classes, British Legion Hall, Port Erin, 7.30pm.

• Kirk Michael Badminton Club, Park View Hall, Kirk Michael, 8pm. Call 878536.

Tuesday, December 11

• Fit2Go walking sessions, Car Park, Station Road, St John’s, 9am. For ladies looking to improve their fitness. £3.

• Pilates, The Hall at Church on The Rock, Ramsey, 6.15pm. Call 491449.

• Zumba Toning, Jurby Parish Hall, 7.40pm. Also Monday, Morton Hall, Castletown; Wednesday, Corrin Hall, Peel. Call 230369.

• Early Morning Boot Camp 6.15am-7am. Also Wednesday and Friday. Evening Boot Camp, 6pm-6.45pm. Tuesday and Thursday, 9am-9.45am, Saturday. Also Kettlebell Classes Wedesday, 6pm-7pm. Saturday, 8am-8.45am. Marown Millennium Hall. Call 465335 or email totalwellbeing@manx.net

Wednesday, December 12

• Gentle yoga, ladies class, Gena’s Dance Academy, Peel, 9.30am. Call 456782.

• Pilates, NSC, Douglas, 12.10pm. Call 688588.

• Valkyrs Hockey Club training, QEII Astro pitch, Peel. Juniors (8+), 6pm; Seniors (13 and up), 7.30pm. Call 801802 or email cathkilley@manx.net

• Lyengar inspired yoga, Wednesday, 6pm till 7.30pm, Brightlife, Andreas. Contact Kel on 452015 or kelandsi@manx.net

• Bowling club night, Port Erin Bowling Club, Breagle Glen, 6.30pm.