TRACEY Meredith has been promoted to senior manager of the consulting department at Moore Stephens.

‘It’s great that she’s now part of the senior management team. Tracey thoroughly deserves this promotion,’ said Dawn Webb, partner in Moore Stephens Isle of Man.

‘Her organisation, leadership and hard work really motivate others in the firm.’

Tracey joined Moore Stephens in 2011 after a long career in tax that included working in HMRC and now has developed a speciality in offshore taxation.

She also regularly supports local business by presenting on the basic principles of taxation at the Small Business Start Up Scheme courses run through the Department of Economic Development.

She said: ‘I’m ecstatic – it’s a fantastic way to start 2013,’ said Tracey.

‘I appreciate the confidence the firm has in me to be given this opportunity.

‘I’m really eager to start the New Year building on what has been a successful time at Moore Stephens – I am now looking forward to new challenges ahead and taking the department forward.’

Moore Stephens Isle of Man offers services including personal wealth management and financial planning, fiduciary services, trust and company administration, yachting and aviation services, insurance brokerage/luxury asset insurance, corporate pensions and personal retirement solutions, investigations and forensic, audit and assurance, accounting, corporate recovery, taxation advice and consulting and HR services, all under one roof.

THE future of a highly acclaimed international development programme has been secured thanks to renewed support from the government’s International Development Committee.

Formerly the Overseas Aid Committee, it will remain as the main sponsor of the Small Countries Financial Management Programme (SCFMP) and has committed £300,000 a year for three years.

It covers the cost of delivering an annual two-week programme which brings together officials from finance ministries, central banks and regulatory bodies in small developing countries for a learning experience designed to stimulate fresh approaches to the challenges they and their countries face.

Since its launch by island charity, the Small Countries Financial Management Centre (SCFMC), in 2009, 98 senior finance officials in the Caribbean, Pacific, Africa, and other regions, have completed it.

International Development Committee chairman Phil Gawne MHK said: ‘This approach reinforces our aim of providing nations with the resources and knowledge they need to help themselves, and strengthens the Isle of Man’s reputation as an internationally responsible and co-operative nation.’

SCFMC executive director Tim Cullen said: ‘Improving the capacity of small nations to manage their own financial sectors constitutes one of the most effective uses of overseas development funding, and we hope other countries will follow the island’s positive lead.’

In September, an independent evaluation rated the SCFMP as excellent in the areas of relevance, effectiveness and efficiency.

In the area of sustainability it was rated as modest, with concerns it was ‘not yet on a firm financial footing’.

Mr Cullen said in the longer term, the aim was to raise a further £400,000 a year, for activities endorsed by the evaluation, including annual regional ‘implementation/follow-up’ workshops. It would also enable him to move into an unpaid senior advisory role and appoint a paid executive director.

MEDICS are warning the Manx public after an outbreak of measles in England.

There have been 46 confirmed cases and 50 suspected cases in the North East since September 2012. The outbreak in the North West is continuing with 40 confirmed cases from Heysham and Morecambe, with the majority of the cases are in children. Measles is extremely infectious and children who are not immunised are at a high risk of developing measles. Measles can be a serious illness and should not be dismissed as a common childhood ailment.

In the North East, a quarter of cases required hospital treatment. In the North West, a third were hospitalised and some of them needed intensive care treatment for the serious complications of measles.

The most effective way to prevent measles is by vaccination.

Two doses of MMR vaccine will give a high degree of protection.

MMR is normally offered when a child is around 12 to 13 months of age and a second dose is offered at three years and four months.

The Manx Department of Health offered the following advice to parents:

Ensure that your child has had the recommended two doses of MMR, if old enough to have received it. If the child has not, please make an appointment with your GP surgery for vaccination. If you are unsure whether your child has had the two doses of MMR, please check with your GP surgery.

If you think your child has measles (fever and skin rash) – DO NOT attend A & E, MEDS or your GP surgery. If you require medical advice, please telephone for advice and only if advised to do so attend A & E, MEDS or your GP surgery.

DO NOT send your child to school for at least four days after the onset of rash. In some cases the child may still be unwell after four days; in this case keep your child at home until he/she feels well enough to attend school.

Ensure that the affected child minimised any contact with pregnant women, people who have weak immune systems and babies who are too young to be vaccinated.

KIRK Michael residents opposed to Heritage Homes’ planning application to build 95 homes on land next to Michael School are celebrating after it was thrown out by the Council of Ministers.

The developer has said it will now look to progress an alternative housing scheme for the site.

The controversial scheme was dependent on a land-swap deal, agreed by Tynwald in 2011, involving part of the school’s corner field being conveyed to landowner Pinecrest Investments to afford access to the development.

CoMin followed planning inspector Ruth MacKenzie’s recommendation that the application be refused.

It was ruled the development would ‘neither preserve nor enhance the character or the appearance of the Kirk Michael Conservation Area and would detrimentally affect important views out of the conservation area’.

In addition, it was decided the location of the junction of the proposed estate road at Douglas Road Corner could ‘prejudice future decisions about a possible relief road for Michael’.

Michael MHK Alfred Cannan said: ‘I am pleased for the residents, in particular the residents’ group who put together a thoughtful, detailed and at times inspiring defence of the right to have this thrown out. But it’s been going on for a year and a half. It should never have got to this stage.’

He said questions needed to be asked on whether CoMin was right to have allowed the developer to come back with a second application, saying: ‘It was refused on exactly the same grounds’.

Heritage Homes’ initial plan (11/01250/B) for the same site for 100 dwellings – with associated infrastructure, new school field and playground, public open space and landscaping – was refused in February 2012.

Former Michael MHK David Cannan said: ‘I am absolutely delighted for the people of Kirk Michael that the iconic Douglas Road corner entrance to Kirk Michael has been preserved.

‘I hope this is now the end of the matter.

‘This battle started in 2007 and my fight was carried on by Alfred when I retired. This has been rejected twice. I hope that [developer] Dandara will not pursue this matter further.’

A Heritage Homes spokesman said: ‘Despite the disappointing outcome of this application the land remains zoned for residential development.

‘We will continue to work with the landowner and other parties to try and progress an alternative scheme for this site that will help to meet the need for new housing as recognised by the inspector.’

The inspector said 95 dwellings, including 24 affordable units ‘would meet a need’.

MORE tributes have been paid to Special Olympian Gareth Cowin, who died while representing the island in Korea on Tuesday.

The International Organising Committee of Special Olympics have decided that these games will now be re-named ‘Gareth’s Games’ in his memory.

Ribbons are being produced for athletes from all the countries across the world represented at the games to wear during the closing ceremony.

Chairman of Special Olympics Isle of Man, George Campbell, said: ‘We could not think of a more fitting tribute to Gareth. I have been in contact by phone with Beryl Wooldridge, who is heading up the delegation, over the last 24 hours who has confirmed that whilst the team are all very upset they are rallying together and going out and playing their games for Gareth – exactly how he would have wanted it.’

His former headteacher, Adrienne Burnett, of Ballakermeen High School in Douglas, has also paid a tribute.

She said: ‘We were shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden death of Gareth Cowin, a former student at BHS.

‘Gareth was a cheerful and popular boy at school, and had developed into a fine sportsman.

‘As a student Gareth rose to meet some daunting challenges with determination and good humour.

‘We have followed Gareth’s sporting career with great interest and we are very proud of his achievements.

‘All of us who remember Gareth are very sad to hear that he has lost his life at such a young age, and our thoughts and sincere sympathy are with his family.’

Gareth, who was 25, contracted a virus and his family learned on Wednesday he had died.

He was a part of the floor hockey team, which left the island on Friday and arrived in South Korea on Sunday, ahead of the opening ceremony in Pyeongchang on Tuesday.

Gareth had represented the island in 2009 in the World Winter Games in Idaho, USA, and was a part of the World Summer Games football squad in Athens in 2011.

His devastated team-mates played on after his death after his family insisted that that is what Gareth would have wanted.

DOUGLAS North MHKs are calling for a reduction in rent for tenants of Willaston estate whose homes are blighted by damp penetration and structural problems.

John Houghton and Bill Henderson have written to Social Care Minister Chris Robertshaw urging him to reduce rents for the tenants in 111 homes affected by this ‘serious and deteriorating situation’.

They have formally applies to his department to apply the status of ‘Special Situation’ to all tenancies on Willaston estate and implement a rent reduction for those tenants by a maximum of 10 points.

If approved, affected tenants could have their rents reduced by as much as £12 per week.

The two MHKs say the properties should be monitored under Special Situation Status until they are brought up to an acceptable standard.

Douglas Council housing chiefs believe cavity wall insulation installed in the homes under a central government scheme could be to blame for the damp problem. They warn that if a pilot scheme to remedy the problems isn’t successful up to 130 houses in Willaston may have to be demolished.

But the Social Care Minister insists the problem isn’t the installation of cavity wall insulation but because the external fabric has reached the end of its effective life.

In their letter Mr Houghton and Mr Henderson say: ‘The department will be aware of a very serious and deteriorating situation on Willaston estate whereby penetrating and rising damp break-out is affecting these properties. The principal cause acknowledged by all is due to the cavity wall insulation programme which was applied a number of years ago.

‘Other properties have been identified with serious structural failure and properties and are no longer weather-tight, or resistant to rising/descending or penetrating damp.’

Douglas Council’s housing maintenance department lists 111 properties affected by damp in Willaston. That figure is rising, say the two MHKs. A pilot scheme is under way on six homes on the estate to investigate the problems and identify the causes.

The work will involve renewal of the roof coverings, fascias, soffits and rainwater goods as well as rebuilding the outer leaf of the external walls.

BUSHY’S beer tent will be in place for this year’s TT festival, it’s been announced.

The future of the iconic landmark of the TT festival came into question after Douglas councillors decided to put the lease of the Bottleneck car park site for the TT fortnight, which the tent has previously occupied, out to tender.

Bushy’s tweeted on Wednesday (January 30): ‘Well the good news is the tent is back.’

Bushy’s managing director Martin Brunnschweiler is relieved the brewery has been awarded the 2013-15 lease of the site for TT.

‘Relieved is my initial reaction,’ he said. ‘We are very pleased, [we] have to get our heads down now; got a lot of work to do with only three-and-a-half-months to sort it all.’

TT fortnight this year is May 25 to June 9.

Mr Brunnschweiler hopes the fact Bushy’s secured the contract proves to Douglas Council that it’s getting ‘good value for money’ from the company.

This was the first time the contract was put out for tender after 15 years of Bushys’ occupation.

The lease of the Bottleneck car park has been renewed in three year slots based on negotiations.

AN acting Attorney General has been appointed.

John Quinn has been appointed – officially by the Queen – for a period of 12 months and will act as legal adviser to the Lieutenant Governor, Council of Ministers, government departments and statutory boards, while the current role holder, Stephen Harding, is suspended pending a court case.

The acting Attorney General will offer guidance on matters of law and he will also be responsible for representing the Crown in the prosecution of offences and for the drafting of government legislation.

Mr Quinn is a past president of the Isle of Man Law Society.

He said: ‘It is a great honour to be appointed by Her Majesty The Queen to the post of Acting Attorney General. I will endeavour to serve the Crown and the Isle of Man community to the best of my abilities over the next 12 months. This is a challenging role and one I am very much looking forward to.’

Mr Quinn will take up the appointment in March.

More on this story in Monday’s Examiner

INVESTIGATIONS are continuing to identify the cause of unreliable results of hormone testing of tissue from breast cancer patients, MHKs heard.

It was announced last week that Noble’s Hospital is reviewing the cases of a number of patients who are receiving treatment for breast cancer.

A total of 22 patients have been contacted directly by the hospital and have been invited to attend a clinic appointment to discuss their treatment with the breast care team.

The issue is not with the diagnosis of breast cancer, which is correct in all cases, but with the subsequent hormone testing of tissue which is carried out to decide the appropriate additional treatment for individual patients.

It is likely that a similar number of further patients will be identified by the end of the review which could look at cases going back three years.

Replying to a Keys question from Brenda Cannell (Douglas East) about why the hormone testing was wrongly diagnosed, Mr Anderson said: ‘It would be wrong to speculate while the investigations are on-going and limited information is available. To do so would not be of benefit to our patients.

Mrs Cannell said she was aware of ‘at least one confirmed case’ where a patient had developed secondary cancer.

But Mr Anderson declined to comment on areas of clinical confidentiality.

He said: ‘The department has already notified all patients currently known to be affected. Arrangements are being made for these women to be seen as soon as possible. Tests are being undertaken on a further set of results at a laboratory in the UK. Any further patients who need to have their treatment reviewed will be seen promptly. At present, all hormone tissue testing is being undertaken by a laboratory in the UK.’

NEWLY-appointed general secretary of the Prospect union, Mike Clancy, listened to public sector concerns over the Scope of Government report and redundancy negotiations during a visit to the island on Tuesday.

Mr Clancy, who took up the position on January 1 after being deputy general secretary since 2005, met public sector members in the Manx Electricity Authority and Government Officers’ Association.

He said there were some major concerns for the public sector as a result of the Scope of Government review – and that this was causing ‘considerable anxiety’.

At this month’s sitting,Tynwald approved the principle of a smaller, simple and less bureaucratic government. Government departments, statutory boards and offices have until December 31 to review all service delivery functions.

Mr Clancy said that as the Manx government considers contracting out some services, it should take into account mistakes made by the UK government.

He said in some cases, benefits in terms of cost reduction had not been delivered, and that service delivery was now being insourced.

When asked what stance the union would be taking with negotiations, he said: ‘We are up for a constructive discussion about difficult issues but we won’t be pushed around.’

He said the union wanted to work with government to deal with the challenges the government faces but that it had to be a ‘two-way street’ with government working to address members concerns.

‘People will remember how they are treated at this time when the economic conditions give employers a bit more leverage. Government is no different in that respect. How well they take into account staff issues will be remembered.’

Mr Clancy said members were also anxious about proposed changes to public sector redundancy.

The government is reviewing rates of redundancy pay civil servants can receive. At present, a civil servant could be eligible for a lump sum severance payment of up to three years’ pay. The employees’ side has proposed cash compensation in cases of compulsory redundancy to be based on length of service up to a maximum of 12 months’ pay. In cases such as voluntary redundancy, the maximum would be 21 months’ pay.

Prospect has about 1,800 members in the island.

BUSHY’S beer tent will be in place for this year’s TT festival, it’s been announced.

The future of the iconic landmark of the TT festival came into question after Douglas councillors decided to put the lease of the Bottleneck car park site for the TT fortnight, which the tent has previously occupied, out to tender.

Bushy’s tweeted on Wednesday (January 30): ‘Well the good news is the tent is back.’

Bushy’s managing director Martin Brunnschweiler is relieved the brewery has been awarded the 2013-15 lease of the site for TT.

‘Relieved is my initial reaction,’ he said. ‘We are very pleased, [we] have to get our heads down now; got a lot of work to do with only three-and-a-half-months to sort it all.’

TT fortnight this year is May 25 to June 9.

Mr Brunnschweiler hopes the fact Bushy’s secured the contract proves to Douglas Council that it’s getting ‘good value for money’ from the company.

This was the first time the contract was put out for tender after 15 years of Bushys’ occupation.

The lease of the Bottleneck car park has been renewed in three year slots based on negotiations.

OFFER some Manx hospitality to TT visitors and earn yourself up to £1,500 tax free – that’s the offer being made to householders as the government seeks to boost its Homestay register.

To join the scheme for the TT festival, people need to register their homes in exchange for a small fee.

Homestay can be offered for any number of nights during the TT, which runs this year from May 25 to June 9.

Figures so far suggest an increase in the number of visitors which is why the government has issued its plea. Anyone wanting to sign up has until April 26 to do so. The registration fee is £15 and in return householders receive public liability insurance up to a maximum of £5m.

Accommodation can be offered on a self catering basis or householders can offer to provide meals. Last year, to help meet increasing demand for TT accommodation, temporary chalets were erected in Noble’s Park.

For further information download the Homestay Hosts’ information pack from.visitisleofman.com/homestay. Anyone wanting to register for the scheme should call the Homestay team on 686802 or email homestay@gov.im

A VAN and a motorcycle were involved in an incident last night (Wednesday) which led to a road in the south of the Isle of Man being shut while investigations took place.

The motorcyclist, who is understood to be man from Port St Mary, sustained serious injuries, while the driver of the van, a man from Ballasalla, was uninjured.

The incident happened at around 6.10pm on the main Douglas to Ballasalla Road in the area of Ballawoods Straight, between the Blackboards and Ballasalla.

The road was closed whilst police conducted enquiries at the scene.

Police are eager to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Headquarters on 631212.

COMMUNITY libraries across the island are getting together to celebrate this year’s National Libraries Day.

Special events and promotions start from Monday, leading up to the day itself, Saturday (February 9).

Onchan Library, in Main Road, Onchan, is one of a number of libraries taking part.

Librarian Pam Hand explained: ‘It’s not just a celebration of what libraries can do, but an important reminder of the vital services they provide at the very heart of our small local communities.

‘These libraries give everyone access to books, not just for pleasure but for learning too. Through working with their different communities, libraries can provide a service perfectly tailored to suit their individual needs.

‘As well as recommending great books and connecting you with the internet, local information and events, libraries offer a choice of extras too – storytelling, activities, book groups and more.’

Onchan Library is inviting people to drop in to find out more about its recently launched audio download service – which enables members to choose from 950 unabridged audio books and download them for free from the comfort of your home or using the library’s wi-fi hotspot.

There will be a display on ‘The Onchan Story’, books to give away and children are invited to dress up as a superhero for activities based on the theme of Captain Underpants.

In fact, many of the libraries taking part have activities based on the children’s series by American author and illustrator, Dav Pilkey.

At Castletown Library, there will be Captain Underpants activities for children, and books and book bags to give away.

The Family Library, in Douglas, will be asking everyone to contribute to its favourite book wall and all suggestions will go into a prize draw. There will also be ‘Reading Gives You Superpowers’ Captain Underpants activities and crafts sessions throughout the day.

Ramsey Library is holding a ‘monster book sale’ and there will be Captain Underpants goodies.

Meanwhile, at the Ward Library, in Castle Street, Peel, there will be a display of information from a range of local organisations, clubs and charities, from Monday.

Visitors may find something they are interested in joining or volunteer to help, or a club or hobby they were not aware had a branch in Peel.

There will also be a book amnesty so there’s no need to be embarrassed about returning overdue books, and a book sale.

A lucky dip draw will be held after the event, with the chance to win free membership to the library for the year.

The George Herdman Library, in Port Erin, is offering free children’s membership on the day as well as a fines amnesty. There will also be free goodies.

Contact the participating libraries for more information.

THE public regard the government these days as a dictatorship, a backbench MHK claimed in the House of Keys.

Brenda Cannell (Douglas East) spoke out as Chief Minister Allan Bell came under fire for the decision to sack Bill Henderson as member of Treasury.

Douglas North MHK Mr Henderson lost his government job after Treasury Minister Eddie Teare claimed he could no longer trust him after he changed his mind over whether to support the government on the tuition fees policy.

Mrs Cannell said: ‘Does the Chief Minister appreciate that the public out there are regarding his government these days as a dictatorship? Not a true democracy, but a dictating government. There have been four sackings in the time of this administration.’

Those previous sackings have all take place within the Department of Education – Zac Hall and John Houghton lost their jobs as department members for failing to support the Minister over the pre-school privatisation and they were then followed by Lib Van leader Peter Karran, who was ousted for breaching rules on collective responsbility over the Pinewood deal.

Mr Teare and Mr Bell have previously told Isle of Man Newspapers that Mr Henderson’s sacking had nothing to do with collective responsibilty but about a breach of the Minister’s trust.

In the Keys, however, the Chief Minister appeared to suggest this was a matter of collective responsbility.

He told MHKs: ‘In matters of collective responsibility, the same standards are expected of a Minister in respect of their Council of Ministers participation, as are expected of a political member in respect of their departmental participation.

‘However, it is the circumstances of each case that must be considered and the intent to the person involved in any suspected breach of the Code. In any case, where a breach is suspected, the event and the evidence will be reviewed. Any mitigating circumstances will be taken into account.

‘The Code is not a rule book and while some people try to draw comparisons between certain scenarios and suggest that any penalty ought to be the same, in my experience no two issues are identical.’

Michael MHK Alfred Cannan suggested that Mr Henderson had been ‘perfectly entitled to change his mind and support his pre-declared position on university fees.’

But Mr Bell replied: ‘I think by now, the member for Michael must understand the principle of collective responsibility. Mr Henderson’s case is no different from anyone else’s.’

Mrs Kate Beecroft queried how Mr Henderson could have ruled by collective responsibility, when he was in Treasury not Education. Mr Bell replied that he would have been covered by the same rules as the tuition fees issue was very much part of the Budget.

Vagabonds’ women’s game with Northwich postponed, while Douglas B’s Manx Shield clash with Nomads is moved to Ramsey

THE recent wet weather has brought about a couple of changes to this Saturday’s scheduled rugby.

Vagabonds’ women’s clash away at Northwich in NC North One has been postponed with the West Cheshire outfit unable to secure an alternative pitch with their own ground water-logged. The game will be played later in the season, but only of it affects promotion or relegation.

In the Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield, the match that will see Southern Nomads crowned as champions again has been moved from Douglas B’s Port-e-Chee ground to Ramsey’s Mooragh Park with the former pitch also suffering from the effects of the weather.

Kick-off in that match has also been brought forward slightly to 2pm.

The day’s other two games in the Manx Plate and Manx Cup prelim rounds go ahead as scheduled.

Saturday’s Fixtures

Women’s NC North One

Northwich P-P Vagabonds @ Northwich

Manx Cup Preliminary Round

Western Vikings v Castletown @ QEII School ko 2.15pm

Manx Plate Preliminary Round

Vagabonds B v Emerging Nomads @ Ballafletcher ko 2.15pm

Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield

Douglas B v Southern Nomads @ Mooragh Park ko 2pm

WELL-KNOWN island film and video artist Simon Buttimore has produced an exciting new exhibition to be launched at the Sayle Gallery tomorrow (Friday).

The exhibition, which will include interactive, immersive film installations, animations and live streaming from locations across the island and the UK, will intrigue and delight anyone who is interested in how film and similar genres can be perhaps the most immediate and confrontational of art forms.

Simon, a Sayle Galley Artist and a member of the Retina group, has co-opted many of his friends and collaborators to contribute to This is Art.

Simon is fascinated with the way film and video can be influenced by earlier art movements while subverting them into a very 21st century movement of its own and Retina, which is a group of VJ artists interested in sound and vision, special effects processing and video art installation is a part of this.

Members of the Retina Group include Ally Robertson, Danny Kneale, Andrew ‘Otty’ Ottin, Martin ‘Ingy’ Kerr, Gypo Buggane of Ballagroove Records, Elli Kelly and ‘Smeg McSmeg’.

‘There is more to “art” than paintings on walls,’ said Simon.

‘You won’t see my films, my installations, in someone’s living room, but my work is a valid art form which I believe can excite imaginations, encourage others to experiment with their own art, and show that there is a thriving contemporary art scene here in the Isle of Man, but perhaps not where you expect to see it.

‘I hope that art lovers, and those who are intrigued by what they might see, will come along to the exhibition and enjoy it.’

Sayle Gallery volunteer Suzy Holland added: ‘This is Art is full of fascinating pieces of video and installation art, so not exactly “buyer friendly”, but we do have DVD copies of Simon’s recent film Mooncalf, costing £5, which is a great way of enjoying Simon’s work at home.’

This is Art is sponsored by the Isle of Man Arts Council and continues until Sunday, February 24.

The Sayle Gallery is in the Villa Marina Arcade, on Harris Promenade, Douglas.

It is open 10am – 5pm Tuesday to Saturday, 1.30pm – 4.30pm on Sundays, and 1pm – 5pm on Mondays.

www.saylegallery.com

FORMER Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown is the next guest speaker to appear for a Sporting & Dining Club evening at the Gaiety Theatre.

The event, which takes place on Wednesday, March 27, follows the popular An Evening With… format used by the club for guests including Michael Portillo in 2011 and Julian Lloyd Webber in September.

An Evening with Paddy Ashdown – A Brilliant Little Operation offers a chance to spend an evening in the company of Lord Paddy Ashdown – the man they called the ‘action man’ of British politics. The description wasn’t only a tribute to his striking physique and love of exercise, but also to his early experience as a commando in the Marines.

Paddy’s presentation centres on the first full account of how the Cockleshell Heroes mounted the greatest commando raid of World War Two, as well as his career as a leading politician. His is a complete account, as it tells for the first time of the remarkable canoe raid on German ships in Bordeaux harbour in December 1942 – by the man who served in the Special Boat Section formed after it.

Paddy chanced to meet the raid’s leader, Blondie Hasler, just once, and has now written the definitive account of the amazing wartime raid his hero led. Delving deep into French archives, tracing surviving witnesses now into their 90s, and drawing on his own commando experience, he discovers the real truth about the Cockleshell raid to be a disturbing saga of interdepartmental rivalry and misinformation in Whitehall that made the whole operation far more difficult than it need have been, and may well have led to unnecessary deaths.

A Brilliant Little Operation was published in September 2012.

In his political career, Paddy was elected leader of the Liberal Democratic Party in 1988 with more than 70 per cent of the vote. He helped to restore the party fortunes at a bad time in its history. He resigned the leadership in 1999 and went on to become the United Nations High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, a position he held from 2002 until 2006.

He was knighted in 2000 and became a life peer in 2001. He is a qualified Mandarin Chinese interpreter and published his autobiography A Fortunate Life in 2009.

The evening begins at 7.30pm.

Tickets start at £17.50 with concessions available. They can be bought at the Sea Terminal Welcome Centre, the Villa or Gaiety Theatre reception, from the box office on 600555 or online at www.villagaiety.com

• Other Sporting & Dining Club events include a sold out evening with Kevin Keegan tonight (Thursday), nights with Bernard Gallagher at the Palace Hotel on April 25, Fogarty and Witham at the Gaiety Theatre on May 31, George Galloway at the Gaiety Theatre on November 13 and Anne Widdecombe at the Palace Hotel on November 21.

www.sportinganddiningclub.com

BEING fully submerged in the modern age now, it is ironic that we appear to be taking a backward step on Darwin’s Evolution of Man chart.

Due to technological advances, many of us sit hunched over computers and steering wheels all day leading to appalling posture and minimal movement.

But the Alexander Technique, a fairly unknown method, offers a remedy to correct bad habits and therefore improve both health and performance.

The only STAT (Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique) registered teacher in the island is Sue Rotheram who runs Posture Plus in Patrick.

She moved to the island from North Yorkshire in October but has been visiting students here for several years.

The horse rider who worked as a school teacher for 20 years said: ‘What first drew me to the Alexander Technique was an article in a riding magazine which said how useful it was for horse riders. I started having lessons to improve my riding position but soon realised other benefits. And that planted the seed for me to teach it.’

The technique was developed in the 1890s by Frederick Alexander, an Australian actor who worried his hoarse voice would end his career. He worked out he was straining his vocal organs through tension in his entire neuromuscular system.

‘The technique is partly hands on,’ explained Sue, whose great-great grandfather was Manx, ‘I can feel where there is tension or problems. But the other part is just making people aware and then showing them how to change. However, Alexander discovered when he corrected a position or movement he was over-compensating and therefore creating another bad habit. So instead of doing something he just thought about doing it. Even by thinking a movement the brain sends a message to that muscle.’

She said: ‘Most problems stem from overusing some muscles and neglecting others. As the imbalance is corrected, you adopt a more effortless upright posture and you stop slouching. The technique can be used in everyday life and to improve performance in professions including sport, music and acting.

‘Through experience and observation you learn how your co-ordination works, how you create tension and how you can prevent or release it.

‘You can improve difficulties with co-ordination and movement; joint and muscle problems; breathing disorders and stress-related conditions. It can enhance rehabilitation after operations, injury or illness and provide support through pregnancy. You can become really alert, balanced, relaxed, focused, effective and confident.’

She added: ‘People normally start to think about their posture when they’re old and getting twinges but I’m starting to see younger people suffering with back issues. And I’m hoping some doctors will refer people to me. STAT research shows the Alexander Technique is more cost effective in treating back pain than medication.’

Sue owns a British warmblood horse called Charlotte and has particular experience of using the technique with horse riders. She said: ‘I use the technique everyday when I’m riding. I’m not a riding instructor or trainer of horses, I’m purely looking at the rider’s position and breathing. If you have an imbalance you will be transferring that to the horse.’

She gives one-to-one sessions, introductory talks and workshops to clients of all ages at her studio as well as in Ramsey, Andreas and at Glebe Farm Stables in St Marks.

The first session is £35 and subsequent lessons are £30. Taster sessions lasting 20 minutes cost £5. Call 457526, email suerotheram@manx.net or visit www.posture-plus.co.uk

YOUNGSTERS aged 10 to 19 are invited to take part in a special three-day West End Les Miserables workshop at Ballakermeen High School next month.

The sessions will take place between February 14 and 16 and will be led by West End cast member Scott Garnham who has just finished appearing in Les Miserables in London with our very own Sam Barks.

Scott graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Most recently he appeared in the 25th anniversary production of Les Mis playing the role of Feuilly, Marius (understudy) and Enjolras. However, he has also appeared as Jose Reize in the UK tour of the hit Take That musical Never Forget and before that he worked in New York at the New Victory Theatre in an adaptation of Jason & the Argonauts.

His other credits include Ronan Corr in the West End production and national tour of Eurobeat; Billy in the tour of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice; Mr Jappy in Sundowe, produced by Cameron Mackintosh, and he took part in the Les Miserables LIVE in Concert at the O2 Arena, performing to more than 19,000 people.

Tickets cost £120. Sessions take place 10am - 3.30pm on the Thursday and Friday, and 10am-1pm on the Saturday. There is limited space so book now by calling 676082.

www.lesmisworkshop.com

www.scottgarnham.com