ST Mary’s kept their faint title hopes alive thanks to an impressive 4-2 victory over Peel at the Bowl in the Canada Life Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

However, the result could have been very different had the westerners been able to make the most of a bright start to the match at the Saints’ excellent new home.

The hosts struggled to get into their stride in the opening exchanges and should have been a goal down within the first minute when Peel playmaker Danny Bell crossed to Andrew Quirk but the midfielder could not guide his header on target. Bell then went close himself when he drove infield from the right wing, cutting across the edge of the area before firing goalwards but his shot was deflected wide and the danger subsequently passed.

With 15 minutes played Peel winger Lee Gale almost broke the deadlock in fine style when he rode a couple of challenges on his way into the hosts’ box before attempting to lob goalkeeper Max Thomas but the Saints No1 read the danger and was able to save. Quirk again went close a minute later but was denied by a combination of Richard Sharman and St Mary’s skipper Dom McGreevy at the last second.

Thomas had to be on his toes once more soon after when a fine run by Peel skipper Danny Lace ended with the left-back teeing up Bell but Thomas was quickly off his line and was able to snuff out his effort.

Peter Langridge’s hosts finally began to grow into the game near the half-hour mark, twice going close through efforts from Steven Priestnal and Connor Gorman, and the game was turned on its head in the space of just a few minutes when St Mary’s ruthlessly punished the visitors in emphatic fashion.

Gorman lifted the ball over the top of the Peel defence for Priestnal to latch on to and the golden boot contender unselfishly squared the ball across goal past keeper Stuart Morris for winger Brian Crellin to tap into the unguarded net from point-blank range.

And just two minutes later the hosts doubled their advantage when the goalscorer turned provider by skillfully working his way past two players before completely wrong-footing the Peel defence with a reverse pass through to Priestnal whose low shot somehow squirmed under Morris’s body before nestling into the back of the net.

However, any thoughts that the Saints would run away with the contest were soon put to bed as the westerners hit back immediately to reduce the deficit. The impressive Bell lifted a delightful pass over the Saints defence to the onrushing Gale who, despite being ushered away from goal, was brought down by Sharman, leaving referee Mark Thomas with no choice but to award a penalty. Up stepped Bell to send Thomas the wrong way and plant his effort right in the top corner to make it 2-1 at halftime.

The hosts almost restored their two-goal lead minutes after the restart when Crellin received a long ball and attempted to curl a shot into the top corner but his effort was matched by a superb fingertip save from Morris.

It wasn’t long before they did find the net, however, as Chris Anderson, Priestnal and Crellin all combined well in the Peel half to set up Gorman who fired a low effort which again somehow squirmed underneath Morris before trickling over the line for 3-1.

Anderson was then forced to leave the field injured on the hour-mark but his replacement, James Murphy, made an immediate impact when he was involved in the next goal for the hosts. He fed the ball through to Priestnal who in turn teed up Crellin inside the area and the wing wizard jinxed his way around Morris before firing into the net.

Another substitute, Peel’s Daniel Pickering, almost made an instant impression from the bench when he collected a loose ball before fizzing a shot goalwards but his effort flew over the bar as the westerners struggled for a way back into the contest.

However, with seven minutes remaining they managed to reduce the deficit again following another excellent run from Lace after he dispossesed Sharman. He surged into the box only to be denied a shot on goal by a superb last-ditch tackle from Adam Pate. However, the ball was fed straight back across goal where Lace reacted quickest to fire the ball home.

It proved too little, too late for the westerners though as St Mary’s were able to see out the game 4-2 to move to within a point of the top four.

St Mary’s: Max Thomas, Richard Sharman, Adam Pate, Dom McGreevy (c), Liam Doyle, Tom Weir, Connor Gorman, Chris Anderson (James Murphy 60m), Steven Priestnal, Martin Reilly, Brian Crellin (Marc Priestnal 67m). Sub not used: Peter Langridge

Peel: Stuart Morris, Andrew Crennell (Tony Duggan 75m), Danny Lace (c), Matthew Woods, Matthew McQuarrie, Rob Cottier, Lee Gale, Danny Bell, Liam Harrison (Daniel Pickering 75m), Kevin Megson (Johnny Kelly 65m), Andrew Quirk

Referee: Mark Thomas

Assistants: John Lovelady and David Murphy

Man of the Match: Crellin (St Mary’s) - a constant threat throughout and was instrumental in his side’s victory

Match rating: HHHHI

CAN lightning strike in the same place twice? Almost if you are Corinthians.

The Whites were victors in the reverse Canada Life Premier League fixture with DHSOB and were 14 minutes away from completing a league double over the Blackberry Lane outfit on Saturday until the hosts struck a much-needed equaliser.

Old Boys should have won comfortably thanks to their dominant first-half performance, but were looking to score the perfect goal, almost trying to walk the ball into the back of the net at times, only to be thwarted by an excellent Corinthians’ rearguard led by defenders Chris Cannell and Darren Cain and some top goalkeeping from Joe Kelly.

Chances repeatedly fell for the hosts but they couldn’t apply the lethal touch.

Shots went wide off target, Mark Burman drove a fearsome shot at Kelly’s body and Callum Stewart’s effort aimed at the bottom-left corner was tipped away by Kelly’s finger-tips.

When the Whites did get out of their half and muster their first clear-cut opportunity of the match in the 33rd minute, they scored.

A DHSOB free-kick was blasted into the defensive wall which the visitors countered. Cain dinked it behind the opposing backline and Kane Ridings got goal-side to guide his effort just inside the far post for the opening goal.

Old Boys looked for a response - Robbie Ward side-stepped his way past two defenders, but his shot was repelled by the diving Kelly. Gary Quirk too had a shot that was parried, before Cain made another goal-line clearance, as remarkably the Whites’ goal remained intact come half-time.

Kelly was called into action again after the oranges, tipping away a long-range effort, but it was only a matter of time before the Whites finally buckled under the relentless pressure.

On 51 minutes, Robbie Ward swung in a corner that eluded the Corinthians’ goalkeeper and Liam Buckley came charging in to level the scoreline.

Corinthians didn’t stay on level terms for long. Ridings turned provider on another counter-attack slipping a pass to Slattery. He struck a sweet shot that flew into the net for a peach of a goal.

DHSOB came again and this time they equalised. Ward bent in a corner that evaded Kelly and found its way into the back of the net.

Both teams had chances to clinch victory but neither side could find a way through, meaning Corinthians walked off the pitch the happier after the final whistle, having wrestled away four points from the DHSOB this season.

Team Check

DHSOB: Sam Holliday, Martin King, Liam Buckley, Iain Ramsay, Drew Ward (Callum Stewart 61m), Michael Hooper (Dean France 83m), Robbie Ward, John Quirk, Gary Quirk (Sean Gavin 61m), Mark Burman, Craig Stewart

Corinthians: Joe Kelly, Matthew Palmer, Darren Cain, Chris Cannell, Cameron Lee, Sam Black, Kane Ridings (Max Neale 77m), Louis Thornton, Blane Slattery (Lewis Griffiths 82m), Josh Ridings, Ruairi Mooney. Sub not used: Stephen Corran

Referee: Andy Lodge

Man of the Match: Cannell (Corinthians)

Match rating: HHHHH

DEFENDING champions IOMA Group Bacchas A continued their good run of form with victory over Manx Telecom Vikings A at the NSC on Saturday.

Karl Moore scored no fewer than four goals for the Tromode side, joined on the scoresheet by Andrew Vernon-Browne and Jamie Brown. Dave Millward netted a consolation goal for Vikings.

Paragon Valkyrs A secured back-to-back victories as they claimed both points from their match with Celton Manx Castletown A. Vic Ferns, Oli Webster, Gareth Morris, Steven Lowe and Greg Miller netted one goal apiece with Chris Caldwell scoring twice.

The points were shared between IOMA Group Bacchas B and CM Skye Ramsey A. Goals from Alex Bell and Tom Wilson gave Bacchas a half-time lead before two goals from Dan Stevenson drew the sides level, but neither was able to find the winning goal.

Wi-Manx Men’s Division One

Paragon Valkyrs B maintained their winning start to the season with a 3-1 victory over Fearless Saracens A.

Goals from Jonny Cain, Clive Callister and Chris Thomas proved enough for the westerners. The name of the Saracens scorer was not received.

Honours ended even between Celton Manx Castletown B and Manx Telecom Vikings B, with neither side able to find the decisive touch in front of goal.

The points were also shared between HQ Harlequins A and IOMA Group Bacchas Colts. Adam Hussey found the net for Harlequins with John Rimmer replying for the Cronkbourne side.

Wi-Manx Men’s

Division Two

CM Skye Ramsey B maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 2-1 victory over Manx Telecom Vikings C.

Tom Howard and Sam Robertson found the net for the northerners, while Micky Collins replied for Vikings.

Paragon Valkyrs C and Celton Manx Castletown C earned a point apiece from their match at QEII on Saturday. Mike Flowers and Lindsay Riordan scored for Valkyrs with Dale Williams getting both goals for Castletown.

Wi-Manx Women’s

Premier Division

Defending champions Manx Telecom Vikings A maintained their 100 per cent start to the season with victory over CM Skye Ramsey A. Sarah Blackman and Katie Errock each scored a hat-trick with Kim Carney and Zoe Carney netting two apiece.

Paragon Valkyrs A ensured they kept pace in the title race with a 4-0 victory over Manx Telecom Vikings B. Andrea Kneen led the way for the westerners with two goals, with Ellan Cleator and Amy Speed adding further goals.

Celton Manx Castletown A secured their first points of the season with victory over Paragon Valkyrs A. Zoe Shimmin grabbed the lion’s share of the goals with a hat trick. She was joined on the scoresheet by Eleanor Gawne with two and Elaine Wiseman with one.

IOMA Group Bacchas A made it two wins from two with a 5-0 victory over IOMA Group Bacchas B. Jennifer Vernon-Browne hit a hat-trick with Claire Louise-Lace and Niamh Goddard adding further strikes.

Wi-Manx Women’s

Division One

Celton Manx Castletown B maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 5-0 victory over Manx Telecom Vikings C. After a goalless first half Emma Keig’s Castletown side netted five goals without reply. Keig netted a hat-trick, with Gail Logan and Sophie Van Hooven also getting on the score sheet.

The points were shared between HQ Harlequins A and Fearless Saracens A. Chloe Swales and Carly Craine netted for Saracens with Ali Hird and Helen Cave replying for Harlequins.

Celton Manx Castletown C claimed back-to-back victories with a 6-1 success over IOMA Group Bacchas C. Hazel Knowles netted a hat-trick for Castletown, with Aalish Bridson, Danielle Oates and Tara Masson adding single goals. Cath Griffiths found the net for Bacchas.

Paragon Valkyrs C emerged victorious from their match with CM Skye Ramsey B. Two goals from Carol Whitelegg and a strike from Sian Murphy proved enough for Donna Harrison’s Valkyrs side. Gail Corrin scored the only goal for Ramsey.

Wi-Manx Under-16

Mixed League

IOMA Group Bacchas put the previous week’s heavy defeat behind them as they claimed both points on offer from their match with Celton Manx Castletown. No details of the Bacchas scorers were received, but Robin Masson found the net for Castletown.

The points were shared between Manx Telecom Vikings and CM Skye Ramsey. Andy Ashbridge found the net twice for Vikings with Connor Duggua adding a third. Ramsey replied through Nat Smith and Nick White with two.

Paragon Valkyrs secured their first points of the season with a 2-0 victory over HQ Harlequins. Daniel Kneale and Rory Lavin finding the net.

A BACKBENCH MHK has accused the prosecutions division in the Attorney General’s chambers of being in ‘total disarray’.

John Houghton (Douglas North) claims the Attorney General’s chambers is ‘badly organised’ and he says victims, witnesses, defendants, the police and the taxpayers are all losing out as a result.

In Tynwald today (Tuesday), he was due to ask Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK what actions he was proposing to take to ‘improve the diminished standards of prosecutions’.

But he subsequently withdrew the question in the light of reassurances he said he had been given by Chief Minister Allan Bell.

He told the Examiner: ‘Justice is not being done – and this lies at the door of the Attorney General’s chambers. It’s in complete disarray and I’m not going to allow it to go on any longer. Something has to be done about it. I’m so angry about this.’

Mr Houghton said problems could be traced back to June 2009, when responsibility for conducting prosecutions in the summary courts was transferred from the police to the Attorney General’s chambers. Since then, he claimed, there had been many examples of cases before the High Bailiff being delayed or charges being withdrawn at the 11th hour.

The MHK said cases were delayed or pulled altogether because prosecutors were ‘ill prepared’, adding: ‘They were not ready to proceed because they had not done their homework.’

In other cases, he claimed, serious charges had been reduced to relatively minor ones. He said the delays were costing the taxpayer in additional legal aid, lost court time and costs awarded against the Crown. ‘Hundreds of thousands of pounds are being wasted in legal aid,’ he said.

Victims and witnesses were left waiting to give evidence, he said, and defendants, too, were left in limbo because their defence advocates were not being informed about changes to charges.

The Douglas North MHK said the police were also frustrated by having to wait on a decision by the Attorney General’s chambers over what offence a suspect should be charged with.

He rejected the suggestion that the Attorney General’s team was simply overstretched and blamed the problems on the chambers being ‘badly organised’.

Mr Houghton called for a return to the old system of the police prosecuting in the summary court, and he said that if he was not satisfied that action was being taken, he would table a motion for debate on the issue at a subsequent sitting of Tynwald.

In a judgment last year, former Deputy High Bailiff Alastair Montgomerie revealed that there were growing concerns among defence advocates about cases being prevented from being tried summarily rather than in the higher court.

He said there had been a ‘long line of cases’ where adjournments had been caused by the failure of the Attorney General’s chambers to adhere to a court order, resulting not only in ‘considerable inconvenience but also in wasting substantial time and public money’.

Director of prosecutions Stuart Neale told iomtoday it was not appropriate to comment ahead of the question being asked in Tynwald.

CHIEF Minister Allan Bell has hit back at Ed Miliband after the Labour Party leader launched a new offensive on offshore tax jurisdictions including the Isle of Man.

It was reported in the UK press at the weekend that Mr Miliband would demand that the UK Government forces Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man to reveal the identity of British tax ‘evaders’ with money hidden on the islands.

The Labour leader will this week call for negotiations to begin with the governments on the three islands.

Related Story: {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/miliband_declares_war_on_offshore_jurisdictions_1_4145835|Miliband declares war on offshore jurisdictions}.

And he will also demand ministers follow up the talks with threats to shame the islands on the international stage by placing them on a globally recognised blacklist drawn up the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

‘It’s obviously a very disappointing statement to come from Ed Miliband which primarily is based on a lack of understanding on his part of the progress that the Isle of Man has made over the last decade, and its current status of being on the OECD White List,’ Mr Bell said.

‘It seems the statement has more to do with his battle to establish himself as a credible leader of the Labour Party than a concern with the Isle of Man as such.’

When asked whether he thought the reports were damaging for the island, he said: ‘I don’t think it’s damaging at all at the moment.

‘It’s a statement of a politician made while the UK is in some domestic difficulty. At times like this politicians pick scapegoats.

‘It’s happened in the past with the Labour government and it’s continuing now.’

While he said he didn’t believe there would be any ‘underlying problems’ for the Isle of Man as a result, he said he expected ‘some negative comment from the Guardian group’ on ‘what they see as a dysfunctional capitalist system generally’.

The Guardian’s sister newspaper the Observer reported that Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man had not been co-operating with UK authorities’ requests for the identity of people with money on the islands.

Mr Bell hit back at this claim, saying: ‘The Isle of Man is fully co-operative with the UK. We have an automatic tax exchange agreement with the UK and we were the first jurisdiction to agree to an automatic exchange agreement with the whole of the EU.

‘We work very closely with the UK authorities and that level of co-operation was confirmed with the OECD at the G20 meeting in Cannes in September when were put in the top 10 of co-operative jurisdictions.’

Mr Bell has no plans to respond directly to Labour at this stage.

But he said the government would continue its programme of having regular meetings with UK politicians: ‘We will be meeting Labour politicians alongside those of the Coalition to explain the Isle of Man’s position and correct misconceptions that exist.’

He described the Isle of Man’s relationship with the current UK administration as ‘good’, saying Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg told him just last week he had no concerns with the Isle of Man.

‘His only issues are with the fulfilment industry, which are now being resolved through the courts and only affect Jersey and Guernsey,’ Mr Bell said.

Meanwhile KPMG director Greg Jones has criticised Mr Miliband.

He said he was a ‘little dismayed that Mr Miliband has chosen to jump on a bandwagon that departed a long time ago’.

‘Even for someone desperate to deflect attention away from poor leadership ratings, having a go at the offshore islands is a bit obvious and unsubtle,’ he said.

‘Particularly if you can’t get your facts right.’

Tax Justice Network campaigner Richard Murphy has said the move could recoup £2.4bn.

In a recent blog he said: ‘I do, of course, welcome this move by Labour. My hope is it’s the start of a whole campaign on the tax gap.

‘That though is for time to tell. For now it makes very clear that the claim by the Crown Dependencies that they are transparent and all is now well with them is but a hollow sham: that is far from the truth.

‘Now it is time for them to offer real reform if they are serious in their claim that they do not want tax evaders to use them, something that is all too easy at present.’

The Isle of Man Examiner asked the Labour Party central office whether Ed Miliband genuinely believes the Isle of Man is not as well regulated as the UK, and asked the party to provide figures showing the number of people/amount of money that has been put into the Isle of Man illegally and what evidence it had of the island’s non-co-operation with UK authorities.

Men’s side travel to Gibraltar in June

THE island’s men’s football team will travel to Gibraltar at the end of June to take part in the first FA International Shield.

Kevin Manning’s national side will join the hosts, Jersey and Guernsey at the tournament which is hoped will be run every two years.

The draw for the four-team competition will take place next month with the tournament itself taking place between June 28 and 30.

Before that Manning’s men will play the West Yorkshire League in the third round of the Inter-League Cup after Yorks overcame the Liverpool County Premier League 5-4 after extra time on Saturday, The tie is scheduled to be played at the Bowl on either February 11 or 18.

LIBERAL Vannin MHK Kate Beecroft questioned CinemaNX’s accounting practices - telling Tynwald: ‘It’s seem quite bizarre to me.’

She had quizzed Treasury Minister Eddie Teare over an apparent discrepancy in a dividend paid by one CinemaNX subsidiary and the amount received by a second subsidiary.

Mr Teare explained the issue related to the receipt of film tax credits. CinemaNX Productions One Ltd’s accounts to November 30, 2010, showed a tax credit claim of £585,351.

But he said that following negotiations with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs in the UK. the amount of the claim was reduced by to £531,701. This agreed claim was received in two tranches of £505,526 for the period to November 30 2010 – which corresponded to the dividend received in the accounts of the second subsidy CinemaNX Films One – and a further £26,175 for the following year.

Mrs Beecroft (Onchan) asked whether standard accounting practices applied. ‘It seems quite bizarre to me,’ she said.

Mr Teare said she needed to look at the commulated group accounts. ‘Are these available to the public?’ asked Mrs Beecroft.

No, said the Minister, as this was a private limited company. ‘How can he refer me to something which is not publicly available?’ the Lib Van MHK asked.

MOVES to pave the way for an increase in the state pension age were made in Tynwald today (Tuesday).

Social Care Minister Chris Robertshaw MHK successfully tabled two orders which would allow for women’s state pension age to be gradually increased to 65 by October 2018 and to 66 for both men and women by October 2020.

He said the orders did not amend Isle of Man legislation but that he would be tabling a motion that would do this in due course, in order to remain in line with the reciprocal agreement with the UK. The UK changed its legislation on the issue in November.

Mr Robertshaw’s Douglas East colleague Brenda Cannell questioned why, when the legislation was not yet in force in the island, that he had chosen to introduce the orders. She raised the issue of whether a previously promised review of the reciprocal agreement on pensions was still on the table.

Mr Robertshaw said the introduction of the orders, eventually into law, would do nothing to prevent Tynwald looking at a non-reciprocal arrangement in future. But he said at present the reciprocal arrangement did exist and had to be catered for.

He said the island would spend in the region of £158 million this financial year on pensions and benefits, which was about 38 per cent more than was being spent five years ago. The burden, he said, was rising by approximately £11m/£12m annually and that, by extending the retirement age, government was protecting the size of the state pension as well as protecting upcoming generations’ pension payments.

‘The process of extending the pensionable age as life expectancy increases is the right thing to do,’ said Mr Robertshaw, who received unanimous support for the orders.

THREE of the island’s new businesses have secured themselves £3,000 worth of free advertising with Isle of Man Newspapers each after winning a competition launched last year.

The three businesses – Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids, Checkout 14 Limited and Hazel Walsh Photography – came out as the front runners in the Business Accelerators contest which was judged by members of the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce.

Karen Hanly of Checkout 14 was delighted to receive the news.

‘Wow. That’s excellent. I’ve no idea how many entered but it must have been quite a few,’ she said.

Karen’s business includes catering run from premises in Westmoreland Road and hair and beauty treatments at Salon Rouge in Demesne Road, as well as her latest enterprise: a women only gym which she hopes to open in May in time for her 41st birthday.

Artist and photographer Hazel Walsh was similarly overwhelmed

‘Fantastic. That’s brilliant,’ she said when she received the news.

Hazel, 27, has been the artist in residence at the Sayle Gallery in Douglas over recent months and is in post there until the spring.

Her recent exhibition of photographs of derelict buildings around the island – Mann Abandoned – was also complemented by a book.

She graduated in professional photographic imaging and has also taught photography at the Isle of Man College.

Lee Astin, 29 and his girlfriend Roxanne Mottram, 27, set up Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids in 2010.

The business offers haircuts for children as well as themed parties at their premises on Market Street in Douglas.

Since taking on the franchise, Lee has helped set up branches in the UK and Ireland.

‘That’s really good,’ he said on being told the news. ‘We weren’t expecting that at all, but it’s a really good feeling knowing all the hard work we put in is being rewarded.’

The competition is being run by regional newspapers around the British Isles in conjunction with the Newspaper Society, based in the UK.

It aims to give a boost to smaller and newer business enterprises and was open to any business based in the island which was between one and three years old.

The scheme has the backing of more than 500 newspaper publications and overall is expected to give a £15m boost to local businesses.

As well as free advertising, all winners will also receive free mentoring for a year from an expert in their field of business.

From all the regional winners, an overall winning business will be selected to receive a year’s mentoring from Dragon’s Den star and businesswoman Deborah Meaden.

EDUCATION bosses are considering whether further changes are needed to staffing structure of a newly-merged International Business School and Isle of Man College.

The Department of Education and Children announced in October that higher education would be brought under a single management structure.

It has announced that 18 posts – 15.45 full-time equivalent – could be affected by the proposals and, in some cases, may not be required under the new structure which details 17 potentially available posts (14.9 full-time equivalent).

It is proposed that the finalised staffing structure for the merged institution will be implemented from July 1 this year.

The merged institution is entitled the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education and the International Business School site now known as the University Campus.

A consultation over the staffing structure ended last Friday and director of education Stuart Dobson said a good number of responses had been received.

He said the ultimate aim of the merger would be to provide a ‘more flexible approach’ to higher education in the island.

Mr Dobson told the iomtoday the merger would achieve some savings in terms of having a single infrastructure and he insisted the key driver behind the move was not about losing posts. ‘The key driver is what do we need and how effective can we be – and more importantly, how do we get greater provision in difficult economic times?’

The post of director at the IBS has not been replaced following the resignation of the director Professor Gerald Watts. An inquiry into how the school, based at The Nunnery in Douglas, came to face a potential budget overspend of almost £320,000 was dropped following Mr Watts’ resignation.

Of the staffing consultation, Mr Dobson said: ’We’ve got a good number of responses and we want to take them into account. We will be looking at the responses to see if we’ve got the staffing position right.’

He said the situation had created uncertainty for staff members and his aim was to deal with any issues arising out of the consultation as soon as possible.

CONCERNED women in the Isle of Man are waiting to see what help – if any – is available to those who received breast implants manufactured by Poly Implant Prothèse (PIP).

Last week the island’s Department of Health released a statement saying it was not aware of any women in the Isle of Man who had received the implants, either privately or through the NHS.

But iomtoday has spoken to one Douglas woman who has and it is understood there are others.

Controversy has surrounded the French company following revelations that from 2001 they were using industrial-grade silicone instead of the more expensive medical-grade silicone.

The news was followed with concerns that the affected implants may be more prone to rupturing, and the health implications of industrial-grade silicone leaking into the body.

Lori Corlett received PIP implants in February 2007 from the Harley Medical Group in the UK, and she is aware of at least two other Douglas woman from the Isle of Man in the same situation.

Lori said she was assured that they were proper implants, though it is now known that that was not the case.

She said: ‘Ideally I would like to take them out and replace them. Yes I chose to have implants, but I did not choose to have industrial-grade silicone put into my body.’

The issue of who is responsible for any health implications is now being argued. The Harley Medical Group aid it would not pick up the cost of replacing PIP implants for its patients, as it believes it was mis-sold them.

Without help from the NHS or the Harley Medical Group, Lori would face a £2,600 bill to have the implants removed. She is concerned that the UK Government regulatory body overlooked the fact that PIP was not using medical standard silicone and the implants were okayed for use in the UK.

Estimated figures of women in the UK who may have received PIP implants have been as high as 30,000 to 40,000 – leaving a chance that more Isle of Man patients who underwent private surgery in the UK could be affected.

The Department of Health, however maintain that it remains unlikely for many others on the island to have received PIP implants, although it says the situation will be closely monitored.

Calls for all affected women to have their implants removed at no cost to themselves have been rebuked by UK health officials, who say that removal can cause risks in itself and would only be considered if, after medical examination, a doctor concludes there are genuine grounds for doing so.

Lori is part of a Facebook group called PIP Implant Protest Group and asked anyone who wanted to talk to her about the issue join the group or contact her through Isle of Man Newspapers.

KEEN collector of maritime memorabilia Captain Nigel Malpass has acquired these lustrous images of Ramsey literally ‘shining by the sea’.

The two scenes of vessels in Ramsey Bay were captured on lantern slides, which he has purchased at auction from a seller in Bristol.

He believes the pictures were taken on August 25, 1902, when King Edward and Queen Alexandra visited Ramsey – hence the bunting being deployed as well as the vessels being ‘dressed overall’.

Captain Malpass, who is chairman of the town commissioners, is also a member of the Ramsey Regeneration Committee and he is excited about a forthcoming project that will brighten up the property adjacent to the Lifeboat Station on Queen’s Promenade.

The premises is popularly called ‘The Wooden Indian’ for reasons known only to Ramsey folk!

He tells us that the Ramsey Grammar School art department is planning a ‘paint-athon’ where pupils will create a series of murals of historical and modern scenes, in situ, over a 24-hour period at the end of March.

Isle of Man-based Manx2.com has promoted general manager David Buck to the position of managing director.

David, well known in Isle of Man aviation, joined the company as head of schedule co-ordination in April 2011, having previously worked as operations manager with FLM Aviation, one of Manx2.com’s partner carriers.

Originally trained in the Royal Air Force as an air traffic control assistant, he left in 1989 to work for Air UK, which later became KLM UK.

David moved to the island in June 2000 to take on the role of operations projects co-ordinator with Manx Airlines.

He then worked for BA CitiExpress as an operations manager, then EuroManx as director of ground operations before joining FLM Aviation.

His role will include overseeing scheduling and business planning as well as much of the day to day management of the company.

David said: ‘As an aviation enthusiast with nearly 30 years in the industry, and over 10 of those in the Isle of Man, I’m enjoying my work with Manx2.com and am excited about my new role as managing director.’

Chairman of Manx2.com, Noel Hayes, said: ‘David’s tremendous aviation experience and expertise, and in-depth knowledge of island aviation operations have already been of great value to Manx2.com in helping us deliver excellence to our customers.’

His promotion to managing director is a recognition of his skills and hard work and will further expand his role at Manx2.com where he will continue to lead the implementation of our plans for 2012 and beyond.’

THOMAS Miller (Isle of Man) Limited celebrated the successful relocation of its office to Samuel Harris House, St Georges Street, Douglas, with a champagne and canapé reception on Thursday night.

The move sees the entire Thomas Miller operation in the island back under one roof after three years of occupying two sites in Douglas.

In addition to the opening, the company was pleased to reveal a number of paintings commissioned for the boardroom and reception of the office from local artist Anna Clucas.

Anna exhibited a number of other paintings during the evening.

Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood made a special appearance alongside more than 100 guests from the government, the business community, staff and friends.

Chairman of the Thomas Miller Group, Hugo Wynn-Williams, welcomed guests and thanked them for their continued support over the years.

He spoke about the various businesses within the company including the Hellenic Mutual War Risks Association (Bermuda) Limited which now manages over $90bn of Greek Shipping.

In particular, Hugo highlighted the warm and helpful welcome that was received 22 years ago from the government, regulators and the business community when the company first moved to the Isle of Man.

Since its incorporation in 1988, TM (IOM) and its sister companies have become some of the leading providers of insurance and investment management in the island.

As part of the Thomas Miller Group of Companies, which has 12 offices over four continents, TM (IoM) is the second largest office employing more than 45 people across its three main businesses; Thomas Miller Investment (Isle of Man) Limited, Thomas Miller Risk Management (Isle of Man) Limited and Hellenic Mutual War Risks Association (Bermuda) Limited.

Ian Jarrett, chairman of Thomas Miller (Isle of Man) Limited said: ‘I am delighted with the new premises.

‘We have provided the staff with an open plan working environment which facilitates easy communications through the businesses.

‘It is an exciting period for the company as we look to expand and promote the services we offer from the Isle of Man office. It was a pleasure to celebrate the move with our friends.’

l The Thomas Miller Group of Companies was founded in 1885. As a world leader in providing insurance services for the International shipping and transport sector, Thomas Miller manages a large percentage of the foremost insurance mutual companies.

TT VISITORS over the next two years could be accommodated in temporary sleeping box accommodation.

London-based company Snoozebox Ltd has applied (12/0001/B) to government planners for a 240-bed facility in Noble’s Park, Douglas.

Mark Savage, of agents Savage & Chadwick Architects, explained: ‘Snoozebox is a temporary hotel concept which provides accommodation at major motorsport and other events.

‘The company has been in discussion with the Department of Economic Development and the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure concerning the provision of a 240-bed facility at TT 2012 in response to substantiated survey figures which indicate that there is again likely to be a significant shortage of bed spaces when compared to visitor numbers.’

Snoozebox provides hotel bedroom pods within converted storage containers, linked by a walkway/staircase access gantries.

Food and drink is provided in a tented marquee next to the bedroom pods.

The facility needs no mains service or drainage, with electricity provided by temporary generators, drainage held in a sealed container, and water provided from a storage tanker.

Related article: {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/pre_fab_hotel_for_the_tt_1_3954874|Pre-fab hotel for the TT}

Mr Savage said: ‘The siting of the Snoozebox complex is deliberately positioned to minimise any impact on surrounding residential properties and to be as close as possible to the Grandstand and Paddock complex.’

Seven days is required either side of the event to set up and then dismantle the complex. This also allows for time to train the staff.

DED member Geoff Corkish MHK has previously expressed his support for the concept, saying that ‘in principle it is a great idea and I think this should provide excellent temporary accommodation for TT visitors’.

Douglas Council, which owns the park, also supports the move.

STAFF in the Department of Health (DoH) will be offered the chance to get healthy with some regular Zumba Fitness classes for the workplace.

Supported by the Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association, the DoH’s public health directorate has been providing Zumba taster sessions for all staff and it is hoped that next month will see the scheme being introduced on a permanent basis.

The initiative aims to increase the health and well-being of the workforce by increasing their daily amount of physical activity and to motivate them to continue with exercise in the many classes and activities available around the island.

Interest from staff has been huge, with hundreds registering their interest in taking part.

Michelle Poyzer, senior health promotion officer and licensed Zumba Fitness instructor, said: ‘Motivating people to exercise is much easier if they are enjoying what they do. The emphasis with Zumba fitness is to have fun and enjoy each session.

‘It is exercise in disguise and is not about learning dance routines that are technically perfect, but giving it a go, moving your body, burning calories and having a laugh at the same time.’

Theresa Grainger, executive officer for Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association, said: ‘It has been well researched that being active and keeping a healthy weight can reduce your risk of developing some of the more common types of cancer.

‘These free Zumba taster sessions have been a great, fun way to support people to understand the benefits of exercise.’

To find a Zumba Fitness class near you, log on to {http://Zumba.com|Zumba.com} and click on ‘find a class’, putting Isle of Man in the search engine.

BACKBENCH MHK John Houghton withdrew a Tynwald question about ‘diminished standards’ of prosecutions with the Attorney General Chambers – saying he had been given reassurances on the issue by Chief Minister Allan Bell.

Mr Houghton (Douglas North) has been demanding action following concerns that cases before the summary courts were being delayed or withdrawn at the 11th hour.

He claimed the Attorney General’s chambers were ‘badly organised’ and he said victims, witnesses, defendants, the police and the taxpayers were all losing out as a result.

In Tynwald on Tuesday, he was due to ask the Chief Minister what actions he was proposing to take to ‘improve the diminished standards of prosecutions’.

But instead he told the court: ‘In the light of assurances I’ve been given by the Chief Minister, I wish to withdraw the question.’

Mr Houghton said problems could be traced back to June 2009, when responsibility for conducting prosecutions in the summary courts was transferred from the police to the Attorney General’s chambers.

The MHK said cases were delayed or pulled because prosecutors were ‘ill prepared’.

He said the delays were costing the taxpayer ‘hundreds of thousands’ in additional legal aid, lost court time and costs awarded against the Crown.

Victims and witnesses were left waiting to give evidence, he said, and defendants, too, were left in limbo because their defence advocates were not being informed about changes to charges.

And he claimed the police were also frustrated by having to wait on a decision by the Attorney General’s chambers over what offence a suspect should be charged with.

THE island’s queen scallops fishery will close on January 31, it has been announced.

Concerns about a number of queenie beds in the territorial sea had already led to their voluntary closure.

But from February 1, the queenies fishery will be closed until the new season starts on June 1.

Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Phil Gawne MHK said: ‘Having carefully reviewed scientific advice from Bangor University, and their own experience of catch rates and catch composition at a meeting on December 15, the Queenie Management Board wrote to me, recommending closure of the fishery from January 31, which I am happy to confirm.

‘A significant number of queenie fishermen have been extremely concerned about certain queenie beds within the territorial sea and, as a result, the board already agreed to a voluntary closure of the majority of queenie beds, and a maximum of any two 14-hour days in the fishery on one specified fishing ground to the south of the island. I understand that all fishermen adhered to the voluntary closure and effort restraint once advised.’

He added: ‘I sincerely applaud the steps that the fishermen and processors on the Queenie Management Board have taken, and I will not, however, allow one or two skippers to risk the future of this fishery in the cavalier fashion that we have seen in evidence elsewhere in the Irish Sea this year.’

Management

The Queenie Management Board is made up of queenie fishermen and processors from both the Isle of Man and the UK, and is tasked with advising the department on management of this fishery.

Staff at the DEFA monitor the activities of all vessels fishing in the territorial sea, and will immediately alert the department if vessels are found to be fishing for queenies elsewhere in the territorial sea.

Scallop fishermen faced an uncertain start to the season in November after the UK imposed a 15-metre limit on the length of their boats.

The crisis lasted for three days until a deal was struck allowing Britain and the Isle of Man to take advantage of surplus fishing time not required by France. The matter was dictated by the Fisheries Management Agreement with the UK, which requires the island to go along with what UK law dictates.

The limit was imposed as the UK has exceeded its EU scallop fishing totals. But the move also affected Manx boats, even though they have not exceeded that limit and also have a non-fishing season.

You don’t need to have visited the ancient and mysterious city of Istanbul to soak up the terrific atmosphere in Laurence O’Bryan’s superb debut novel.

But if you HAVE walked through the amazing light, heat and bustling busyness of one of the world’s most culturally diverse centres, or toured its wealth of historic buildings, then you’ll get a double kick out of this cerebral, action-packed conspiracy thriller.

The beauty, power and history of Istanbul – the cosmopolitan city where East meets West and the power base of the old Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires – come to life in a fast-moving and yet learned tale of murder, plague, explosive secrets and long-lost treasure.

There are all the enigmatic twists and turns of a Dan Brown best-seller but here we have a plot that is less frenetic and more credible, two very human lead characters and enough historical facts to fill a separate book.

O’Bryan is steeped in the history and unique character of Istanbul and takes his readers on a ‘day tour’ of the old city in a bonus chapter at the end of his book.

Since his doctor wife was killed while serving with the Territorial Army in Afghanistan, Sean Ryan has become ‘a hollow human robot with a ghost haunting it.’

He throws all his energies into the Institute of Applied Research in Oxford, an organisation dedicated to new technology which he co-founded and which is currently focusing on digital images of mosaics in Istanbul’s magnificent Hagia Sophia museum.

When he is informed that his colleague and friend Alek Zegliwski has been savagely beheaded during his work at the sacred and culturally sensitive archaeological site, Sean flies out to Istanbul to identify the body.

There he teams up with British diplomat Isabel Sharp, a shrewd operator but not, as she points out to Sean, ‘James bloody Bond,’ and the two set out on a dangerous mission to discover the reason why Alek was murdered.

At his hotel, Sean is handed an envelope of photographs belonging to Alek and is soon made brutally aware that someone wants him dead too.

Meanwhile, London and other European cities are trying to handle what appear to be well co-ordinated riots after police raids on mosques, and it looks increasingly as if Alek’s death was linked to new threats of Armageddon.

As he begins to unravel the mystery of the mosaics in the photographs and inch closer to snaring Alek’s assassin, Sean is haunted by his friend’s last words to him that ‘the Devil is caged under Hagia Sophia. Let’s hope I don’t disturb him?’

And evil really does seem to be at work when a lethal virus is unleashed on the city and panic spreads fast. Time is running out for Sean and Isabel, they must go underground, in more ways than one, to catch the killer before it’s too late...

The Istanbul Puzzle is an impressive debut; well written, beautifully descriptive, and with a smart dialogue and a compelling air of menace throughout, it has plot that is both fascinatingly addictive and frighteningly feasible.

It is also the first of what promises to be an exciting new series, so log onto www.lpobryan.wordpress.com if you want early details of our daring duo’s next adventure in The Jerusalem Puzzle.

(Avon, paperback, £6.99)

NORTH Ramsey Bowling Club is running a fundraising quiz night at the end of this month.

The event will take place at Ballacloan football clubhouse, Ramsey from 7.30pm on Friday, January 27 and will cater for teams of six maximum.

Tickets are available at £2 each from club secretary Jean Radcliffe 813217; John Cannan 453484 or Tony Smart 400498.