FOLLOWING the success of its former student Sam Barks, performing arts company Theatrix has relaunched its Saturday Drama Club.

The course offers youngsters aged five to 15 the chance to study dance, drama and singing with their own age groups.

They spend an hour on each of the three skills.

‘This kind of training is great fun for every child involved,’ explained principal Susannah Hodgson. ‘And the team building it engenders creates friendships which often last a lifetime, as well as giving children a solid grounding in performance skills.’

She explained: ‘Our original Drama Club used this formula with great success.

‘Many of our students have achieved their dream after learning their basic performance skills with this system, including Sam Barks who is now starring in the film version of Les Miserables.

‘Also, David Ogle recently choreographed Hands Free for the National Youth Orchestra, performed at the Royal Albert Hall.’

‘Unfortunately, Theatrix lost its venue and was unable to continue,’ added Susannah.

‘But now we have been lucky enough to secure Trinity Church hall in Douglas for the foreseeable future, which is ideal as it has plenty of room to accommodate the whole school.

‘I am very proud of the standard of teachers we have secured,’ she added.

‘Chris Maybury, drama teacher at Ballakermeen School is our director of drama; Donna Teare, who recently wrote and produced the Christmas Concert for Scoill Vallajeelt will take on the role of singing tutor.

‘And Katherine Ash, who trained at London’s Central School of Speech and Drama is our drama/dance practitioner.’

Susannah is also planning to develop a Theatrix choir and to continue to stage musical plays to provide students with performance opportunities.

Each year Theatrix students perform numbers from the musicals in front of a live audience and an invited adjudicator to achieve their British Theatre Dance Association Medals. And they can all take examinations to GCSE and A Level, and will ultimately be able to complete professional teaching examinations.

Next term the Mini Stars class for children aged three and four years old will also begin.

Susannah concluded: ‘We would welcome enquiries from performing arts teachers who feel they would like to take part in this exciting project as the school is now nearly full and we will be expanding over the next six months.

To enrol or for a teacher’s application form email theatrix@manx.net or call 431380.

THE island’s schools will open as usual tomorrow.

The Department of Education and Children has made a statement to advise parents that all schools, the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education and the Pre-School Assessment Centre will open as normal tomorrow.

Department officials have taken the decision after detailed discussions with the Met Office, the police and the Department of Infrastructure.

Advice from the Met Office at Isle of Man Airport was taken as recently as 3.45pm today, the local meteorologists having spoken with Met Office headquarters in Exeter about the very latest forecasts.

‘While the pattern of tomorrow’s snowfall remains hard to predict, it is thought that the worst of the snowfall will occur after the normal school closing time,’ said John Gill, head of legal and administrative services.

‘It is always very difficult weighing up whether or not we should close schools, as we appreciate the considerable inconvenience to children, their parents and employers of doing so. However, safety is always paramount,’ Mr Gill continued.

‘Although weather forecasting is very sophisticated, there can always be an unexpected turn of events.

‘We will continue to review the situation through this evening and tonight and will advise parents, via the media and via our own website and Twitter feed, should there be any need to close schools.’

CREATIVE Miles Pettit has left the world of film-making to concentrate on being a baker with his own business in the island.

The 31-year-old is aiming to make a name for himself by opening the Noa Bakehouse in Fort Street, Douglas.

As a visual effects producer his name has been on the credits for hot commercials including Barclaycard, Honda and Adidas.

Now Londoner Miles has returned to the island to concentrate on being a baker. He and his Manx wife Pippa, 31, also have a nine-month-old daughter Anouk Ruby.

He is full of praise for local professionals who have been preparing the bakehouse on the site of the old Quality Furnishings showroom. And family and friends have also chipped in.

The place officially opens for business on Friday (January 18) but Miles has already started selling his bread wholesale and customers include Portofino restaurant, the Bath and Bottle and leading chef Stephen Dedman at the Regency Hotel.

Miles said he is passionate about baking and says every loaf is different.

He and Pippa said their original dream was to run a ‘little bakery by the sea’. They said the site was fantastic and ideal for their needs.

Miles said: ‘We are tenants of the Osbornes, they have been fantastic, really friendly and supportive. In fact everyone has been great in the island. We are really excited about this new business.’ Miles described how he and Pippa love the island and are delighted to be here building up a bakery business where everything is open plan.

He is also full of praise for the Department of Economic Development’s small business start up scheme which he said had been invaluable for learning the nitty gritty of starting your own business.

Miles described himself as a ‘back over’.

Originally from London he came to the island with his family when he was 10 and attended the QE II High School at Peel.

He developed a keen interest in film and got involved in the Manx Multimedia centre where he began to build links with the island’s film industry.

‘I got involved with the Isle of Man Film Commission just when it was starting to happen and I was in the right place at the right time,’ said Miles.

He worked as a camera trainee on films such as Before You Go and Gabriel and Me.

At one time he found himself in London working on a TV film drama project called Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married which was due to be shown on ITV but was canned halfway through.

He recalled being a stand-in for the then little-known actor Gerard Butler who was not so well known then but has since become big in the movie world and is something of a heartthob with adoring fans.

After completing an MA in visual arts Miles went on to join leading London Company The Mill, which collaborates on award-winning moving image, design and digital projects for the advertising, film, TV, games and music industries.

Miles’s name appears on the credits for a string of commercials as visual effects producer at the Mill.

Miles explained the seeds for setting up his own bakery business were sown when he started going to the E5 Bakehouse, an acclaimed East London artisan bakery and coffee shop.

He would work four days a week on his film work and then would spend a day and sometimes the weekends volunteering at E5 which is passionate about sourdough and the lost traditions of our baking ancestors. Using organic, locally-sourced ingredients, they serve daily-baked breads, fresh lunches, homemade cakes and coffee.

The E5 head bakers also share their knowledge and expertise in a weekly bread course.

Miles said his former colleagues in the film world think he’s ‘mad’ to pursue a new career as a baker.

Noa is a Manx word meaning fresh or new and Miles and Pippa are genuinely excited.

Family and friends have rallied round to help including an uncle who came over from England.

Miles said: ‘He’s a trained carpenter and has been absolutely invaluable as have other people including the professional companies who have been so helpful with things such as the electrics and the plumbing.

‘I taught my uncle some of the sour dough process and now he is hoping to start a bakery business of his own in Kent. Like me he has found a passion for baking.’

Miles waxes lyrical about making bread and compares the creativity involved as being something akin to film making.

At the heart of the Noa Bakehouse bread making process is something rather affectionately known as ‘The Mother’.

It’s not a person but a wild yeast.

The Mother is at the heart of the process and Miles says it’s a ‘living wild yeast’ which constantly ferments like a beer.

‘It’s a constant process’, said Miles.

As far as possible he is determind to use local ingredients and customers will be able to sit down and enjoy sandwiches and coffee while watching Miles weave his magic in open view.

Miles and Pippa, who live in Port Erin, also thanked the professional workmen who were hired to work on things like the electrics and plumbing.

Pippa, who is still on maternity leave, is wholeheartedly helping her husband of two years get things ready for the launch.

She and Miles believe there is a place for their bakehouse in the island and there has been a tremendous amount of interest from people passing by and wondering what is going on.

TYNWALD has given support for an armed forces covenant for the island.

Though lacking in legal force, the covenant is a pledge that current and former members of the armed forces in the island should be supported and not disadvantaged by their position.

Moving the order yesterday, Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson, MHK for Rushen, said the island had a long and honourable tradition of citizens serving over the years in the British armed forces, adding the link between the Isle of Man and the North West was particularly strong.

‘There are 3,500 veterans in the Isle of Man and there is a close relationship between the Lancashire and Cumbrian Gunners who were granted the freedom of the borough of Douglas,’ he said.

He added the island had consistently given more per capita to the British Legion poppy appeal than any other region in the British Isles and had held the trophy marking this for the past 37 years.

‘I think they suspect us of having melted it down we have had it so long,’ he said.

‘The covenant is an official declaration of recognition from the government on behalf of the island and community for those who served in all the services.

‘It forms a framework to support services personnel, encouraging integration of service life into civilian life.’

One means of ensuring the terms of the covenant were observed, he said, was to appoint an armed services champion.

‘I am honoured the Council of Ministers has appointed me to be that champion,’ he said.

‘The idea is not to confer any advantage but merely to identify and remove any disadvantage.

Among general support, David Callister MLC said the covenant was an especially good idea if it supported veterans in looking for work after leaving the forces.

The proposal which was seconded by Castletown MHK Richard Ronan was unanimously accepted.

THE Mothers’ Union in the island has launched its ‘10p on a teabag’ appeal, which will be held on February 23 at the Sea Terminal, in Douglas.

The appeal aims to raise £14,000 in aid of Mothers’ Union literacy and numeracy education projects in Malawi in Africa.

The Douglas event, which will run from 10am to 4pm, invites everyone to bring a 10p coin and a teabag. These will then be laid out on the Sea Terminal building floor to make a big chain.

Other events happening on the day include: decorating boxes, a numeracy washing line, large jigsaws, a graffiti wall for messages to Malawi, Malawi-themed quizzes and the chance to sample a taste of the African country.

The appeal has so far raised around £6,000 and hopes to reach its target by Easter. Malawi has suffered decades of underdevelopment and more recently growing HIV/Aids problems.

Further information can be obtained from Jane Cretney on 851060.

‘the time for education is over’.

That’s the message from Douglas Council leader David Christian, who is issuing a strong mesage to individuals and businesses as the town continues to be blighted by litter and dog mess problems.

‘The council, through the borough warden service, will be stepping up action against those who infringe its byelaws, in particular those relating to litter and dog fouling,’ said Councillor Christian.

‘Although the borough wardens dealt with some 860 cases during the past year fewer than 20 fixed-penalty notices were issued. That is set to change.’

A total of 19 litter ‘hot spots’ have been identified around the town, 10 of which – all in high profile locations – the team will be targeting over the coming weeks.

Councillor Christian added: ‘The council wishes to make it clear it will be relentless in its pursuit of offenders, individuals and businesses alike, issuing fixed penalty notices to all those who infringe the byelaws.

‘Of particular concern is the number of businesses and pubs in Lower Douglas failing to comply with legislation that requires them to keep the outside of their premises – front and back – clear of litter.

‘To those the council is sending out a warning: the borough wardens will be entering the premises, fixed penalty notices will be issued and the area monitored for signs of improvement.

‘In support of its efforts the council is calling for government to introduce stronger legislation, on the lines of the UK’s Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act, to give local authorities wider powers to deal with environmental offences and other antisocial behaviour more effectively and swiftly.

‘In the meantime, though, the council’s message is a simple one: littering is a criminal offence. If you are caught littering – and that includes dropping cigarette butts – you will be issued with a £50 on-the-spot fixed penalty notice and you could risk a court prosecution for crimes such as dog fouling offences.’

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HMV, the global entertainment giants, which went into administration on Tuesday, caused anger among Douglas customers after it was revealed it would not be honouring gift vouchers.

With 4,350 jobs and 239 stores throughout the UK at risk, the company is still optimistic that a rescue package can be put together.

This news comes after the recent closure of camera store Jessops which is also in the Strand Shopping Centre.

Other shops closing in the town centre in the last year have have included the Manx Electricity Authority shop and healthfood store Julian Graves. The biggest high street casualty in the island in recent years was Woolworths, which shut in 2008.

John Shakespeare, manager of the Strand Shopping Centre, said: ‘The news is a blow to Douglas and the island’s economy but it’s not over yet. There is a lot of interest in HMV, it’s one of the best shops on the island and the UK, so there is quite a bit of optimism that some sort of rescue package could happen. Hilco, which already owns HMV Canada, have been mentioned.’

Mr Shakespeare said that there had been customers coming in asking about the vouchers and said it was advisable to hold on to them as the position may change if a rescue package for HMV was forthcoming.

‘I’ve got vouchers too,’ he said, talking about customers’ concerns.

Asked if he thought the recent spate of closures was down to more people shopping online, he said: ‘I think it’s more down to the culture of the banking system and inherent debt.

‘The internet has been around for a long time now, but everyone likes to come into HMV to look around. The Isle of Man shop is one of the best in the region, the staff are brilliant and provide a great service. The current situation isn’t their fault. The shop is in one of the best locations in town, HMV isn’t dead yet.’

HMV going into administration is a blow to British high street shops. A request for a £300m lifeline was refused by suppliers. Deloitte have been appointed as administrators and will attempt to find a buyer for the business. HMV shares will be suspended.

‘HMV is high profile because it’s one of the best shops, so obviously their going into administration will attract more publicity,’ said Mr Shakespeare.

The Strand Shopping Centre says it has 35,000 visitors per week with up to 70,000 at Christmas. There are currently three units available for rent in the centre and Mr Shakespeare says there is current interest in the former MEA unit.

Hilco UK has been operating in Europe for over 10 years and was founded out of a partnership between UK Management and the Hilco Group in the US. Other companies such as Universal have also been linked with a takeover of the ailing entertainment giant. Reflecting the rise in online sales, the Isle of Man Post Office reported that they are now delivering 27 per cent more packages than they did in 2008, over half a million extra compared with 2008.

ILS FIDUCIARIES is promoting the Isle of Man and the company’s extensive portfolio of eGaming services at two of the industry’s largest global events.

Totally Ice will be staged at Excel Court in London from February 5 until February 7 and iGaming Asia Congress will be held in Macau from March 12 until March 14.

Group new business development manager Richard MacNee said: ‘We are very much looking forward to representing ILS and the Isle of Man at these industry-crucial events.

‘As a leading international fiduciary services provider, ILS is well placed to attend these key events. We are very much looking forward to exhibiting and to the opportunity to promote the Isle of Man as an eGaming centre of excellence to a global audience.

‘This is also a great opportunity to learn about the exciting prospects emerging in the constantly evolving Asian and European markets.

‘These events provide the perfect venue for local and international companies to be introduced and form relationships and we are delighted to contribute to the Isle of Man’s exposure around the globe.’

Totally Ice is a key event in the gaming calendar with thousands of senior gaming professionals from around the world making the journey to London every year for the event, which is on course to be the most international and complete gaming exhibition ever staged.

More than 400 exhibitors will attend from across the betting, bingo, casino, lottery, mobile, online and street gaming sectors.

iGaming Asia Congress is the region’s leading showcase for gaming technology and new product innovation.

It provides an ideal opportunity to bring together the best of Western technology and experience, with the market knowledge of those doing business in Asia.

More than 300 exhibitors and speakers from around the world will attend the event in Macau.

At both events ILS will be exhibiting as part of the Isle of Man Government Department of Economic Development’s stand.

On a weekday evening in September 1974, 46 enthusiastic young men lined up at Mission Bay, a saltwater lagoon near San Diego in California, to test their endurance in a new athletic event.

The Mission Bay triathlon was a world first and it was well after dark when the last of the exhausted triathletes made their way across the finishing line.

In the great spirit of sport and adventure, they had come along after a day at work to swim, cycle and run until their legs felt like they didn’t belong to their bodies any more.

Since that autumn evening nearly 39 years ago, the triathlon has become a prestigious world and Olympic sport with Britain’s own brilliant sibling team, Alistair and Jonny Brownlee, winning gold and bronze respectively in the London 2012 games.

The official distances for each element are now a 1,500m swim, a 40km bike ride and a 10km run although other triathlon distances do exist and are used in some races.

The arrival of a whole new breed of professional athletes who have trained specifically for the triathlon has seen the sport’s popularity rocket to new heights and triathlon is now one of the UK’s favourite routes to getting fit.

And there could be no better introduction to the benefits of the sport than Haynes’ new and definitive Triathlon Manual, written by ex-Marine Commando PT instructor Sean Lerwill, who reveals that with its three distinct elements, triathlon training offers more variety and less risk injury.

This accessible and fully illustrated guide is aimed at both newcomers who have decided to give triathlon a go and those who have already taken part and are eager to improve their performance.

As well as information and advice on training and the individual events, Lerwill provides invaluable tips on health, injuries, nutrition, motivation, psychology, supplements, conditioning training and specially focused advice for women and children.

Most people approach the sport with experience of one discipline and then master the other two over time. This superbly produced and easy-to-read manual looks at each sport separately before combining all three in preparation for competitions, such as the gruelling Ironman, considered by many to be the ultimate endurance test.

Ironman was the brainchild of U.S. Navy Commander John Collins who finished a lowly 35th in that original Mission Bay race and involves a much-expanded triathlon consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride and a marathon 26.2-mile run, raced in that order and without a break.

With a Foreword by Jack Johnstone, founder of that first triathlon back in 1974, this comprehensive and fascinating manual will inspire readers to follow a unique training routine, gain a real sense of achievement and maybe even take that first step to becoming a top triathlete!

(Haynes Publishing, hardback, £21.99)

TWO sides prepare to put their 100 per cent starts to the season on the line when IOMA Group Bacchas host Paragon Valkyrs A at the NSC on Saturday afternoon in a game that could have a major impact in the Wi-Manx Men’s Premier Division title destination.

Both have made impressive starts to the season and will be determined to claim victory here and steal the advantage in the title race.

This promises to be a much tougher affair than the games they have played so far and could go either way.

Wi-Manx Men’s Division One

HQ Harlequins will be hoping to extend their winning run to three games when they meet Celton Manx Castletown B in Saturday’s lunchtime fixture at Castle Rushen.

Mat Shanahan’s Harlequins side have been in impressive form so far this season and will begin this game as favourites to claim the points.

Anthony Cooke’s Castletown will be looking to bounce back from their opening day defeat and secure their first points of the season.

Wi-Manx Women’s Premier

Defending champions Manx Telecom Vikings A put their unbeaten record on the line when they meet IOMA Group Bacchas A who also have made an 100 per cent start to the season.

Kim Carney’s Vikings side have begun the campaign in impressive form including victory over rivals Valkyrs A.

A win here will see them take an early advantage in the title race.

Opponents Bacchas have also enjoyed an impressive start to the season but may find this match a step up and Cath Griffiths’s side will need to be on top form if they are to avoid defeat.

Wi-Manx Women’s Division One

The top two sides in Wi-Manx Women’s Division One go head-to-head when IOMA Group Bacchas C meet CM Skye Ramsey B at QEII on Saturday afternoon.

Sue Richardson’s Bacchas are unbeaten so far this season and victory here will see them extend their lead in the title race.

Gail Corrin’s Ramsey side will be aiming to build on last week’s victory over Vikings C and inflict a first defeat of the season on the Tromode side.

Wi-Manx Mixed U16s’ league

A close match is in prospect when CM Skye Rascals host IOMA Group Bacchas at the Grammar School on Saturday morning.

Bacchas currently hold the advantage in the title race and will be keen not to slip up against second-placed Rascals. Both sides will be gunning for victory in a match which could go either way.

Saturday’s Fixtures

Wi-Manx Men’s Premier Division

IOMA Group Bacchas A

v Paragon Valkyrs A NSC 2.05pm

Mark Entwisle John McCarrick

IOMA Group Bacchas B

v Celton Manx Castletown A NSC 3.35pm

Jamie Brown John Harrison

CM Skye Ramsey A

v Manx Telecom Vikings B RGS 2.05pm

Gary Corkhill John Pearson

Manx Telecom Vikings A

v Paragon Valkyrs B NSC 11.05am

John Harrison Garreth Roome

Wi-Manx Men’s Division One

IOMA Group Bacchas C

v Celton Manx Castletown C KWC 12.05pm

Andrea Kneen Unappointed

IOMA Group Bacchas Colts

v Paragon Valkyrs C RGS 12.35pm

Karl Flint Rob McKenzie

HQ Harlequins A

v Celton Manx Castletown B CRHS 12.35pm

Geoff Callister James Russell

Fearless Saracens

v CM Skye Ramsey B CRHS 11.05am

Peter Foxton David Quayle

Wi-Manx Women’s Premier Division

Celton Manx Castletown A

v Paragon Valkyrs A KWC 1.35pm

Andy Bentley Mike Taylor

Celton Manx Castletown B

v Paragon Valkyrs B KWC 3.05pm

Ian Duggua Laurence Watterson

CM Skye Ramsey A

v IOMA Group Bacchas B RGS 3.35pm

Unappointed Paul Gould

Manx Telecom Vikings A

v IOMA Group Bacchas A NSC 12.35pm

Clive Callister Jonny Killey

Wi-Manx Women’s Division One

IOMA Group Bacchas C

v CM Skye Ramsey B QEII 2.05pm

Nigel Birken Barry Powell

Paragon Valkyrs C

v Fearless Saracens QEII 11.05am

Vic Ferns Mark Moyer

Manx Telecom Vikings B

v Celton Manx Castletown C QEII 12.35pm

Unappointed

Manx Telecom Vikings C

v HQ Harlequins A CRHS 2.05pm

James Van Dort Nick Wallinger

Wi-Manx Mixed Under-16s League

Celton Manx Castletown

v Manx Telecom Vikings CRHS 3.35pm

Helen Cave Sue Taylor

CM Skye Rascals

v IOMA Group Bacchas RGS 11.05am

Matt Grice Sandra Smith

Wi-Manx U11 Girls’ League Results

Vikings A 5 Bacchas B 1

Gwen Williams 2 Ellie Rodd

Anna Marcantoni 3

Vikings B 0 Valkyrs 3

Lea Dawson

Daisy Loader

Finnola Martin

Vikings C 0 Bacchas A 2

Leah Jay

Breesha Jansen

Valkyrs 4 Bacchas B 1

Lea Dawson 2 No scorer received

Sienna Dunn

Daisy Loader

Southern 1 Vikings B 1

Feena Corkill Abbie Williams

Vikings A 3 Bacchas A 1

Anna Marcantoni 2 Charlotte Irving

Gwen Williams

Southern 1 Vikings C 0

Feena Corkill

THE latest installment of the Isle of Man Newspapers’ Team of the Week unsurprisingly features several players who starred in the top-of-the-table clash between St George’s and Laxey in the Canada Life Premier League on Saturday.

Geordies won the match at Glencrutchery Road 1-0 thanks to Ciaran McNulty’s second-half strike which means the Saints are now five points clear with a game in hand.

Despite being on the wrong end of the scoreline, Laxey shot-stopper Andy Perry was in superb form in between the sticks for the Miners and thus dons the TotW gloves. The former Ramsey custodian is one of a select few goalkeepers who have managed to frustrate the usually free-scoring Geordies and produced an excellent save to deny McNulty from the penalty spot in the first half.

Lining up in a three-man defence in front of Perry are two other players from that match, Julian Ringham and Neil Brogan, as well as St John’s utility man Johnny Holland. Geordies full-back Ringham produced a typically efficient performance for the league champions and helped his side keep their seventh cleansheet of the campaign so far.

Laxey skipper Brogan was in excellent form at the heart of the visitors’ defence on Saturday, providing a calming influence on his team-mates as he contained the threat of Geordies attack.

Away from Saturday’s big game. Holland was in fine form for St John’s as the Mullen-e-Cloie outfit got the better of western rivals Peel 3-2 in Friday night’s match. Holland’s performance at left-back earns him a second TotW appearance of the season.

Holland’s team-mate Ant Moore also impressed in that game for the Saints and lines up in a four-man midfield. In his penultimate game before returning to university in America, Moore delivered a dynamic performance in the middle of the pitch to help his side move level on points with third-place St Mary’s.

Alongside him is another Geordies player, Conor Doyle, as well as Jack Saxon and Michael Callister. Like Moore, Doyle earns his first TotW appearance this season following a fine display against Laxey in the aforementioned top-of-the-table clash, while Corinthians’ Callister also makes his seasonal debut after grabbing a goal in his side’s 5-0 demolition of Ramsey at Ballacloan.

Saxon was in inspired form for Rushen United on Saturday as he produced an excellent display on the right wing for the Spaniards as they defeated high-flying St Mary’s 3-0 on their own patch at the Bowl.

Also on top form in that game was Rushen forward Mike Williams who netted two goals against the Saints - including a superb diving header from a Saxon cross - to put the hosts to the sword and is rewarded with his third Team of the Week appearance of the season.

Next to him in a three-man forward line are DHSOB striker Callum Stewart and Gymns’ Steven Cretney.

Stewart was at his ruthless best as he netted a hat-trick in his team’s 5-0 drubbing of Marown at the Memorial Playing Fields while completing the latest Team of the Week is Cretney who grabbed Gymns’ goal during their 1-1 draw with Union Mills a point which could prove crucial in their bid to stave off relegation.

That game in Tromode was officiated by Glen Weir who picked up joint Referee of the Week honours following a strong showing in the middle. Joining him is Willia Cowley who oversaw the Marown v Old Boys game in Crosby.

Team of the Week

Goalkeeper

Andy Perry (Laxey)

Team of the Week appearances: 3

Defence

Julian Ringham (St George’s) TotW apps: 2

Neil Brogan (Laxey) TotW apps: 4

Johnny Holland (St John’s) TotW apps: 2

Midfield

Jack Saxon (Rushen) TotW apps: 3

Ant Moore (St John’s) TotW apps: 1

Conor Doyle (St George’s) TotW apps: 1

Michael Callister (Corinthians) TotW apps: 1

Attack

Mike Williams (Rushen) TotW apps: 3

Callum Stewart (DHSOB) TotW apps: 4

Steven Cretney (Gymns) TotW apps: 1

Referee(s) of the Week

Glen Weir (Gymns v Union Mills)

RotW apps: 1

Willie Cowley (Marown v DHSOB)

RotW apps: 2

A WEEK off for Canada Life Premier League pacesetters St George’s gives the chasing pack chance to make up some ground on the table toppers.

Second-placed Laxey gave a good account of themselves in defeat against Geordies, but will be ruing not taking any points off their title rivals.

This week the Miners should bounce back with the visit of struggling Ramsey to Glen Road in a northern derby of sorts.

The Ballacloan outfit currently sit second bottom of the standings, two points adrift of Gymns and safety.

Having played two games more than the Tromode outfit, the northerners need to start picking up points soon if they are to avoid slipping out the top-flight’s trap door in May.

However, with the Miners eager to close the five-point gap on St George’s expect a scoreline similar to the 0-4 Laxey racked up in the return fixture.

Gymns will also face an uphill struggle to claim some points this weekend with in-form DHSOB the visitors to Tromode.

Aside from St George’s, Brian Gartland’s Blackberry Lane outfit are the top-flight’s form team, winning their last five, and should be strong favourites to claim the spoils this one.

Arguably the game of the day takes place at Croit Lowey where Rushen host St John’s.

The Spaniards are also a team in good fettle, claiming maximum points in their last four games, including an impressive 0-3 win over St Mary’s at the Bowl at the weekend.

St John’s also scored a good win last time out, beating western rivals Peel 3-2 on Friday evening. Midfielder Ant Moore plays his last game for the Johnners before returning to his studies in the USA, while defender Nick Leung looks set to miss out with work commitments taking him off-island. His loss will be a blow, but with player-manager Nick Hurt leading from the front the Saints are more than capable of bursting United’s recent bubble especially if tricky winger Mike Williams is sidelined by the injury he suffered against St Mary’s last week.

Elsewhere Marown’s survival hopes face another stern test with a trip to mid-table Corinthians on the agenda this week.

Fourth-bottom Castletown will also do well to claim anything from a visit to Peel, while St Mary’s should come out on top against Union Mills.

MICHAEL United will embark on their quest for a league and cup double when the GH Corlett Woods Cup roars into life this weekend.

The annual cup competition for sides in the second division will begin with five fixtures on Saturday, with the pick of the games arguably occurring at Victoria Road where Braddan host in-form Colby.

The southerners have won four and drawn one of their previous six outings while the Swans have two victories in that time which would suggest a win for the visitors.

However, form often goes out of the window in cup competitions and Braddan actually defeated Colby 2-1 last time the two sides met back in November.

With a six-point lead at the top of JCK Division Two, Michael are firm favourites to win the title and they will be hoping to replicate Union Mills’ heroics from last season by also achieving cup success.

Standing in their way this weekend are Douglas and District who make the journey northwest to Balleira Road. D&D were on the receiving end of an 8-1 hammering last time they faced Barney Kelly’s men so they will be eager to produce a much-improved performance but the hosts should have more than enough to win again.

In a repeat of one of last weekend’s fixtures in the second division, lowly Malew make the long journey north to face Ayre United in Andreas.

The Tangerines won the latest league fixture 7-1 to leave the Clagh Vane outfit rooted to the foot of the table and a similar result could be on the cards again this time around.

Also on the end of a heavy defeat last time out was Ronaldsway, 9-1 at the hands of Michael, so they will be hoping to fare much better against an out-of-form Onchan side at the Factory Fields.

Both sides crashed out of this competition at the quarter-final stage last year so will be eager to go further this time around but this one is too tough to predict and could go either way.

The final game in the GH Corlett Woods Cup this Saturday sees Pulrose make the trip to Billy Goat Park to go head-to-head with Foxdale.

With eight points seperating the sides in the league, in the latter’s favour, the hosts will be expected to progress but Pully have the talent in their squad to spring a shock and book their place in the next round.

All games kick off at 1.30pm.

TYNWALD unanimously voted through guiding principles to reduce the scope of government - despite concerns that progress in this area has been too slow.

Chief Minister Allan Bell warned members: ‘This is going to be a challenge to every single member of this chamber on a level we have never seen before.’

The Council of Ministers’ report called on Tynwald to approve the principle of making government smaller, simpler and less bureaucratic.

All government departments, boards and offices will need to review all options for delivery of services by December 31 this year.

Options include contracting out services to external operators or ‘corporatising’ them – that is, running them on a more commercial basis by government-owned companies.

Mr Bell made it clear that wholesale privatisation was not on the agenda at this stage – and hoped that assurance would give some comfort to staff.

Some members questioned why departments were being given until the end of the year to review how their services are delivered.

Alfred Cannan (Michael) said: ‘It’s almost six-and-a-half years since the first scope of government report was produced.

‘I have to say it feels like Groundhog Day [referring to the Bill Murray film in which the same day is repeated time and time again]. I do not feel we are moving any further.’

He criticised financial salami slicing of department budgets. Meanwhile, the ‘monolithic public sector will continue to grind its way inexorably onwards’, he said. ‘There is a danger that empires will remain untouched.’

Howard Quayle (Michael) agreed, calling for quicker progress and pointing out that there would be no appetite for unpopular decisions ahead of the next general election.

Kate Beecroft (Lib Van, Douglas South) said there was ‘little of substance’ in the CoMin report. ‘More details are needed. It’s quite fluffy,’ she said.

David Callister MLC described the report as a ‘map on the way ahead’. ‘I don’t see how members can actually vote against it.’

Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Phil Gawne insisted that departments were already making savings and indeed his department was 20 per cent slimmer than it was three years ago. ‘It hasn’t happened without pain. Let’s not pretend we will wait until the end of 2013 before we start anything.’

His comments prompted Leonard Singer (Ramsey) who accused Mr Gawne of a ‘silo mentality’ by saying he had already done his bit.

Peter Karran (Lib Van, Onchan) suggested the report’s recommendations were ‘somewhat fudged’. ‘We are going to have to be much more tough.’

The Chief Minister said the challenge to reduce the scope of government was not going away. ‘There is no hiding from this,’ he said.

A NEW York newspaper is priding itself on finding its female readers the perfect man.

With his ‘cute British accent’ and all the attributes 9,000 women said they wanted, it turns out to be none other than a Manxman.

Ian Clague, aged 50, grew up in Ramsey and went to Albert Road School before winning a scholarship to King William’s College when he was 11.

The former marathon runner, who studied mathematics at the University of Cambridge, now lives in Brooklyn, in New York, and works as a hedge fund manager at Auldyn Partners in the financial district.

The New York Daily News went out to find Mr Perfect after revealing the results of a survey by an online dating site into what women look for in a man.

They described Ian as having everything the women wanted ‘and then some’, saying: ‘You’re welcome, ladies.

‘He earns more than $150,000, he has a graduate degree, he has brown hair and green eyes, and he’s athletic, doesn’t smoke and only drinks socially.’

On hearing the news, Ian said: ‘I meet all of those things? How amusing!’

He added: ‘I’m very scientific, so if 9,000 women say I’m the perfect man, you can’t argue with that!’

Ian has had two spells of living in New York, and has been there this time for about eight years. He returns to the island about once a year – when he loves to go hiking.

According to the New York Daily News, Ian ‘is available, but will likely be snapped up’.

And it looks like he agreed: ‘Once this story is published, the odds will definitely be in my favour!’

Ian who was married before and has two children, has been dating in New York for four years.

He said he was ‘open to a serious relationship with all the warmth that brings’.

Describing his Mrs Perfect, he said: ‘I seem to gel with brunettes and the most beautiful women in the world have an unusual combination of hair and eye colour — like black hair and blue eyes.’

‘I keep in shape, so it would be nice if she did, too,’ he added.

He’s also looking for an adventurous woman willing to try new things – like jet to Istanbul with him.

His perfect date would involve a ferry ride up East River with the New York skyline in the background, to an oyster bar which has ‘every oyster imaginable’.

His parents, Norman and Mona, moved to the island from Liverpool when Ian was three and have lived in Park Road, Ramsey, for 40 years.

Mona said: ‘Mr Perfect he is not! He knows that, and that is why he says it is “hilarious”.’

She described Ian’s two brothers as being ‘just as handsome but happily married’.

BILL Henderson MHK has been sacked from his role in the Treasury.

Treasury Minister Eddie Teare MHK says he can’t work with the North Douglas member any more.

The dispute came over Mr Henderson’s stance on tuition fees.

The Council of Ministers yesterday agreed to Mr Teare’s request to remove Mr Henderson from his department and the government made the announcement that he’d been sacked at lunchtime today.

Mr Teare said: ‘Treasury is a department with a special role and special responsibilities. For us to function effectively on behalf of the public there has to be mutual confidence within the Treasury team, and there can be no breach of trust between a minister and his political members.

‘I am sorry to say that as minister I no longer have confidence and trust in Mr Henderson as a member of Treasury and I cannot continue to work with him.

‘For the sake of the coherence of the department I have had no alternative but to recommend that his membership be terminated.’

The minister added: ‘I believe this is the responsible thing to do, but I am personally saddened by this situation.

‘I valued Mr Henderson’s contribution to Treasury in the past and enjoyed working with him.’

Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK said: ‘Treasury is arguably the most important department in government and its members receive extra remuneration in recognition of its special status. Its work to secure the island’s financial future is certainly too important to be undermined by a breakdown in trust within the team, and the Council of Ministers has recognised this point.’

Mr Henderson does not have another departmental job in government.

Bill Henderson said that he had a ‘pre-declared position and public commitment to the continued funding of tuition fees’.

He said: ‘This sends a clear message to all members of Tynwald – “Do what you are told, you are not free to express yourselves and if you do you will pay for it.”

‘Unlike Mr Crookall [the MHK for Peel, who’s the Minister of Education], I was elected on points of principle laid out in my manifesto, preceding manifestos and, unlike Mr Crookall, I stand by the pledges made which I was elected upon. My constituents where good enough to believe in me, vote for me and give me a position in parliament and the last thing I intend to do is turn my back on their trust and dump on them.

‘That is the real reason for my dismissal.’

He added: ‘Further, I fully understand circumstances can change and it is over a year since the general election, and I know the cost of fully funding the students awards.

‘However, this is no justification as to why I should betray the people who put me here, and the public in general.

‘It is my firm belief that there is much more government can achieve by way of savings, reducing its size and delivering its services in different ways. We are not at the point yet where the public, and especially our young people, their futures and their families, should be made to suffer as an easy savings target,’

He continued: ‘Student awards is easy prey to pick off. It involves no great degree of change, thinking or effort from Mr Crookall to inflict this reckless, damaging and negligent change on our young people and their families.

‘As far as I am concerned the Council of Ministers are deliberately avoiding their responsibilities by failing to set national priorities – what is it they wish to support and protect for the island as far as possible thus enabling a balanced, measured approach to budgetary planning?

‘Not the piecemeal approach we are witnessing currently. There has to be an overarching, consistant, cross-governmental and uniform approach.

‘In turn this would give Treasury and all government departments a clear steer as to what is expected and required of them.’

Mr Henderson added: ‘I also include here a suspicion that some of our own businesses and individuals are not paying the correct amounts of tax that they should be or what is being claimed as expenses for tax relief – together estimated to run into huge figures.

‘I fully realise that we have to re-balance the national budget and we will have to go through a fair degree of pain to achieve that. Again, it has to be on a prioritised, planned and consistant approach with total honesty and transparency. When that has been achieved, and if still necessary, only then can we begin to think about increased or new charges passed on to the community,’ Mr Henderson said.

‘It is completely disingenuous for the Council of Ministers to take the public for granted and treat our citizens with contempt – expecting a “quiet acquiescence” to some of its current, disjointed damaging and uninspiring savings tactics.

‘Nor is it acceptable to use Tynwald as the “CoMin Rubber Stamp” for ill-conceived plans and use Tynwald Members as the ‘CoMin scape goats’ and excuse when things go wrong. I’m not running away from my responsibilities, as some ministers have inferred. Far from it and my public record speaks for its self on important national issues.’

More on this story in Monday’s Examiner

SNOW is sticking in parts of the island and it is set to get worse later this afternoon.

The Department of Infrastructure says the intensity of the show is to increase at 5pm.

‘If you have the option to be home by then it may be wise,’ a spokesman said.

‘West and high ground are likely to be worst affected.’

The Mountain Road has been closed since last night.

In addition, the following roads have also closed:

A3 From Ballacraine crossroads through to Douglas Road corner Kirk Michael (The Glen Helen Road). However, that is being re-opened soon after 2pm.

A36 Sloc / Shoulder Road from Ballakillowey housing estate Rushen to A3 Foxdale Road, Malew

B10 Brandywell Road/ Beinn-y-Phott Road closed due to snow From Barregarrow crossroads to Brandywell Corner A18 Mountain Road

A14 Tholt-y-Will Road from Bungalow down to former Tholt-y-Will Hotel

B22 Injebreck Road from West Baldwin Reservoir to Brandywell Cottage (B10)

C37 Druidale Road

The weekend’s sporting fixtures have been hit. {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/sport/football-news/weather-hits-football-fixtures-1-5332596|Click here for more details.}

King William’s College and the Buchan School, Castletown, closed early.

Coaches collected pupils from the Buchan at 1.45pm and left KWC at 2pm.

The schools say any child who could not be collected early would be supervised.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education and Children’s youth service is closing its clubs and projects this evening amid forecasts of worsening weather conditions.

Seventeen clubs and projects were scheduled to run tonight, the length and breadth of the island.

With the Met Office predicting widespread snow at all levels, the department says it considers it prudent to cancel the sessions. It has apologised to users for the inconvenience.

Ken Callister, principal youth officer, said: ‘It may be that in some areas, the snowfall isn’t as bad as in others but we have to consider the safe movement of staff and members, who don’t all live in the locality of our projects and in some cases have a considerable distance to travel.

‘We apologise to those who attend our sessions for the inconvenience this cancellation will cause. It is never easy to take these decisions as weather patterns can change so quickly, but we felt we needed to err on the side of caution.’

Café Laare in Lord Street, Douglas, which operates as a drop-in centre and where young people can shelter while waiting for a bus, will open up.

Ramsey Youth Centre junior football, scheduled for 9.30am tomorrow, has been cancelled.

Bus Vannin’s Service 5C journeys between Peel and Kirk Michael are now diverting from Poortown Road via Ballaquane Road and the coast road (and vice versa).

Have you had any problems?

Taken any photos?

Contact newsdesk@newsiom.co.im

{http://www.visitisleofman.com/webcam/webcam.aspx?webcam=9|Click to see what it’s like on the mountain right now}

THE inclement weather has already forced the postponement of several Manx football fixtures this weekend.

In Saturday’s GH Corlett Woods Cup preliminary round, Ronaldsway’s game at home to Onchan has been called off,

The DHSOB v Gymns and Laxey v Ramsey contests in the Canada Life Premier League and the Canada Life Combination One matches between Gymns v DHSOB and Ramsey v Laxey have also be called off.

Meanwhile, two fixtures in the Appleby 15/17 Division One on Sunday have also succumbed to weather, Ramsey v Braddan and Ronaldsway v Onchan.

More postponements are expected so keep checking back here or follow us on Twitter @manxfootyblog

AN online tool is helping schools to reduce power bills while proving useful in the classroom.

Energy Eye is a computer programme that allows users to monitor electricity use through tailored graphs and charts to see where waste occurs and where savings can be made.

Schools’ electricity bills totalled £835,000 in the financial year 2011/12.

A simple conversion of schools’ meters has given them access to Energy Eye, which is being rolled out across government sites that consume the most power.

Mark Smith, of the Manx Electricity Authority, is deploying the programme across government and training schools’ head teachers and site managers in its use so they and their pupils can get the most from it.

He explained: ‘It enables schools to analyse their power usage in a variety of ways and identify possible cost savings.’

Schools can review the previous day’s data each morning in formats they choose and pre-set their requirements so the same data is produced daily, weekly, etc.

As power use surges when it’s dark or cold, Energy Eye allows schools to compare electricity usage to weather over a period of time. Power use trends over time can be analysed by pupils as part of their lessons. Charts can pinpoint where equipment has been left on overnight. Schools can compare data across education, using the key performance indicator of units of electricity per square metre and taking into account the size, age and energy efficiency of buildings.

And he said the pupil-friendly dashboard was proving popular with schools’ eco-councils and the like.

To encourage the use of Energy Eye, the Department of Economic Development is, in conjunction with the Department of Education and Children, launching the first Junior Energy Awards this term,

Primary classes and secondary eco groups will submit projects they have carried out using the programme. They will be judged on how imaginative they are, how they are applied, and how much they can potentially save.

Judging takes place in July and winners from each category will visit either the energy from waste plant in Braddan or the MEA’s combined cycle gas turbine plant at Pulrose.

The best projects will be showcased alongside those entered into the wider Energy Awards at the DED’s Energy Expo marquee at the Royal Manx Agricultural Show in August. Energy Eye is funded by the Isle of Man Government’s Energy Initiatives Capital Fund.

Peter Longworth, of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, said: ‘Energy Eye is already in use at 55 government sites, including many schools, and has already proved invaluable in identifying sites with unusual consumption patterns, poor power factor or excess available supply capacity, all of which can be readily improved.’

A CYCLING duo who cycled 450 kilometres through Vietnam and Cambodia have helped to raise almost £12,000 for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

Paul Hampson and John Hughes, of Summerhill Road, Onchan, aren’t stopping there – they have already signed up to their next charity challenge – cycling alongside the Great Wall of China in April.

For their first challenge, the pair, who are the owners of Hampson Hughes Solicitors, in Liverpool, were joined by three employees.

The money raised cycling to Angkor Wat was donated to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital’s Imagine Appeal, which aims to improve the quality of life for children in hospital by providing the latest medical equipment, improving the environment and facilities and funding essential research.

They chose the charity as one of Paul’s friends has a son with severe birth defects and has been treated there since birth.

Paul, aged 33, said: ‘The cycling was tough as the temperature was around 38-40C each day.

‘There was not a lot of cloud so we had to wear plenty of sunscreen and cover up as much as possible. So the hardest thing was dealing with the heat.’

He said: ‘The scenery changed between rice fields as far as the eye can see and small paths that went through jungle tracks.

‘As we were in the Mekong Delta we cycled across lots of bridges with one of the group falling in the river on one occasion. Vietnam was very rural and we stayed in the provincial capital towns along the route.’

He said it was the local people that made the trip: ‘As we cycled through rural areas in every single home the families came out of their homes to shout “hello” and wish us good luck.’

Paul and John, aged 32, worked up to their trip – which took place in November – by spending their weekends doing long practice cycles, working up to 120k. They also spent five hours a week in the gym.

Paul and John are now working towards their next trip, which is also to raise money for Alder Hey. Paul said: ‘We are really looking forward to this and have been training at weekend it the Isle of Man. We have not been to China yet and cycling across a country is a great way to see the country and its people.’’

Later this year they also hope to complete a challenge in aid of an island charity.

To make a donation, go to {http://www.justgiving.com/Hampson-Hughes-Solicitors|www.justgiving.com/Hampson-Hughes-Solicitors}