THERE is a slight covering of snow on Snaefell today (Thursday).

And with the temperature dipping a couple of degrees the Met Office expects further showers today and tomorrow to be wintry.

Forecaster Colin Gartshore said: ‘Through today and tomorrow there will be a bit of snow only on the highest parts of the Mountain Road above 1,000ft or so.

‘There could be a few centimetres at times.’

He added: ‘If it gets bad the road will probably be closed but it’s more likely it will just be a slight covering at times.’

It is expected to be colder for the next four or five days.

On Friday, the highest temperature is expected to be 6C.

THE Manx Independent is in shops today.

In this week’s Indy we have the latest on the economic crisis, as a first government department warns its staff over jobs following Chief Minister Allan Bell’s statement earlier this week.

We report from the trial of a man accused of being involved in an axe attack in a Willaston home.

And the Indy meets members of the Manx team of animators who worked on Oscar-nominated Chico and Rita.

There’s the first voucher in our free Get Fit for February offer.

Plus, find out who the latest nominations are in our Pride in Mann awards.

The future of the former prison in Victoria Road comes under the spotlight again. Find out why in today’s Indy.

And we have the latest on the investigation following a fatal house fire in Andreas.

Sport has a report and pictures from the cross country championships, plus the new Golf Union president is announced. And there ares all the usual previews of the weekend’s football, hockey and rugby.

What Where When reveals the names lined up to appear at two of the Isle of Man’s biggest music festivals.

North News pays a visit to the newly opened civic amenity site.

There’s dismay in the south after proposals for a heritage centre in Colby appear to hit an obstacle, South News reveals.

And West News drops in on the Cronk-y-Voddy ploughing match.

The Manx Independent is in shops today.

LOCAL broadcaster Paul Moulton will present the case for the establishment of ManxTV at the first public meeting of the Positive Action Group in 2012.

He will outline The Case for ManxTV at the Manx Legion Club, Market Hill, Douglas, on Monday (January 30) at 7.30pm.

Mr Moulton, who has experience of working with local radio and latterly with ITV Granada, says he feels passionately that the Isle of Man deserves a local visual media outlet to broadcast on local island issues.

He said: ‘I frequently tune into news coverage in the Channel islands via satellite broadcast. There needs to be the same service here in the Isle of Man. Any TV coverage on island issues, in whatever form, would potentially give worldwide coverage of our way of life. I welcome this opportunity to explain my viewpoint to the Manx public.’

Also contributing to the PAG debate will be broadcaster Roger Watterson, former vice-chairman of the long gone Isle of Man Broadcasting Commission, and Graham Cregeen, MHK for Malew and Santon, who chaired last year’s Tynwald select committee on the television licence fee.

Admission to the event is free and open to all.

Floodlight failure at QEII Astro mean no session this week

PEEL Football Club’s scheduled training session on Friday evening has been cancelled because of floodlight failure at the QEII Astroturf facility.

The westerners hope to resume training next week as normal.

THE government has not honoured its promises over funding the loss-making Meat Plant, the House of Keys was told this week.

Middle MHK Howard Quayle, a former president of the Manx National Farmers’ Union, told members that the Department of Agriculture had originally planned to put £1.1 million into the abattoir when the industry lost the red meat derogation – but in the event the sum was only £87,000.

‘Maybe that is why we are in the mess we are at the moment,’ he said.

The red meat derogation, which protected local producers by restricting beef imports and preventing all sheep and lamb imports, came to an end at the beginning of last year.

Ending of production subsidies following the introduction of the Countryside Care Scheme has led to animals being exported for slaughter because farmers could get a better price in the UK.

Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Phil Gawne MHK said it was clear that the Meat Plant was never going to be capable of being run profitably and efficiently.

‘Even if we built a brand-new plant tomorrow, we would still have problems. There are structural problems with the industry that need to be addressed,’ he said.

Mr Gawne said the original proposal to put £1.1 million into the plant was made back in 2007 before the VAT bombshell – and the government’s financial situation had changed dramatically since then.

He said: ‘I think it is easy with the benefit of hindsight to look back at these things and think perhaps had we done things differently [they] would have been a lot better.

‘I do have that benefit of hindsight and I do believe that the department’s original proposal was indeed the right way forward and would certainly have maintained confidence.

‘However, the plans were made back in 2007. At that time, we had not had even our first major hit on the VAT income that the Isle of Man had been enjoying. We have now had a further hit on that income and it would be rather foolish of me, or indeed any minister, to spend vast sums of government money regardless of the absolute need, based on a policy that was established prior to that financial situation occurring.’

Mr Quayle said the situation was like ‘building a new racing car and refusing to spend money on the engine’.

The minister said that in addition to £87,000 paid out in the last financial year to the Meat Plant, it had been agreed in principle that a further £110,000 to £113,000 would be paid out on receipt of a sustainable business plan, bringing the total up to more than £200,000.

Mr Quayle said: ‘I think the industry showed willing and worked with his department for three years, but the promises have not been honoured.’

He said he felt the minister had not addressed the increasing problem of live exports, which he said was clearly not popular with the public.

Mr Gawne said he had made a promise to do everything he could to work with the industry to come up with solutions - and it was not an issue that was solely for his department to resolve.

He said: ‘I am sure we could introduce a variety of measures, which would be wholly unpopular with the meat industry, which could ban live exports. That is not the way forward, in my view. What we have to do is work as a team – that is processors, producers, the department and, indeed, the retailers – to find a solution to this.’

ONCHAN Football Club has submitted plans for a football pitch and clubhouse in Blackberry Lane.

And it has started a fundraising drive to raise £100,000 to cover the cost of the development.

The club currently has an agreement with the district commissioners to use Onchan stadium for its senior teams, but between April and September this is not possible due to contractual reasons.

The club’s president, Onchan MHK David Quirk, described the junior teams as ‘nomadic’. Mr Quirk said: ‘It has always been the goal in the club’s centenary year to try and pick the club up and move it to bigger heights.’ He described the plan as a ‘fitting legacy’ for both the club and the community.

He said the facility was needed because of a growth in membership over the last six years – it now has about 100 youngsters aged between seven and 16 who play at various levels.

He said the club would still use Onchan stadium for senior games, but added: ‘With the demands on the club at all levels we do require a permanent home so we can deliver our plan towards the future.’

Under the plan (12/00016/B), currently under consideration by the government planning committee, a full-sized pitch would be created in two fields on the east side of Blackberry Lane, above Douglas Old Boys Football Club’s ground.

The land, currently open space owned by the government, straddles the Douglas/Onchan boundary but the club is keen that the pitch is wholly in Onchan.

There would also be a clubhouse and additional parking created. For the community, there are also plans for an orchard, for children to plant soft fruit trees.

‘Eventually, each generation throughout the years will provide a habitat for wildlife,’ he said.

Last year, the club had plans to create a pitch on the west side of Blackberry Lane, but decided to submit new plans after objections from nearby residents, who indicated they would be happy if the development was on the other side of the road. The plan is supported by the IoM FA.

Friday, January 27

• Step in Time, Ballroom Dance, Youth Art Centre, Kensington Road, Douglas, 4-6pm; Also Saturday 10am-1pm, Tuesday 4-6pm, Wednesday 4-6pm, Thursday 4-6pm. Also Dynamix 7-9pm; Also Dance Exchange 4-6pm.

• Sequence dancing, Onchan Pensioners’ Social Club, Morton Hall, Onchan, 2pm.

• Acrobatics, Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 4.30pm.

• Modern Dance, Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 5.45pm. Also Thursday at 4.30pm.

• Tap Jnr, Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 6.45pm. Also Tap Adv at 7.30pm. Also Beginners Tap, Tuesday at 4.30pm.

• Argentinian Tango beginners class, St Paul’s Hall, Ramsey, 7pm. Call 880650 or 324110.

• Line Dancing, Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, 7pm. Beginners welcome, adults £3.50, children £1.50 including tea and biscuits. Call 878687.

Saturday, January 28

• Dance Time for children, Port Erin Methodist Hall, sessions from 9.30am. £2.50 per half hour session. Call 835696.

• Ballroom dancing for children of all ages, Royal British Legion Hall, Port Erin, sessions from 10am.

• Irish Dance Mixed, Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 3pm. Also Prim/Int on Monday at 4.30pm and Tuesday at 6.15pm. Beginners on Tuesday at 5.15.

• Stage Snr, Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 4pm. Also Stage Int at 5pm,

• Social sequence dancing, Onchan Methodist Church hall, Onchan, 8pm-10.30pm. Call 829669.

• Social sequence dancing, Pulrose Methodist Church hall, Douglas, 8pm. Also Monday; Sunday, sequence dancing with latest dances only; Wednesday, sequence dancing. Call 842878.

Sunday, January 29

• Perree Bane Manx folk dancing, Ballasalla village hall, 7pm.

Monday, January 30

• Ballet, Viking Works, Riverside, Peel, 5.45pm. Also Thursday at 4.30pm.

• Irish Dance Prim/Int, Viking Works, Riverside, Peel, 6.30pm. Also Wednesday at 5.45pm. Beginners, Wednesday at 5pm.

• Country dancing, Willaston Hall, 7pm-9pm. Contact 628521.

• Ceroc Dance night, Masonic Hall, Woodbourne Road, Douglas, 7.30pm until 10.30pm.

• Line dancing, Port Erin Methodist Church hall, 8.15pm. Call 436219.

• Modern line dancing, Legion Hall, Onchan. Also Wednesday and Thursday, Call 670308.

Tuesday, January 31

• Adrenalyn, Youth Arts Centre, Kensington Road, Douglas 6-8pm. Also MNYT Junior, 6-7.30pm; Young Magicians 7.30-9pm, Johnny & the Dead 7.30-9.

• Sequence dancing and social, South Douglas Old Friends Assoc, 7.30pm. Admission £1.50.

• Beginners Line Dance, St John’s Football Club, 7.30pm-9pm. Call 462104.

• Sequence dancing with Port Erin Dancing Club, Port Erin Methodist Church hall, 8pm. Admission £1.50.

Wednesday, February 1

• Sequence dancing, Morton Hall, Castletown, 2pm. Admission £1.

• Ballroom dancing for children, Centenary Centre, Peel, 4pm. Call 450688.

• Ballet, Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 4.30pm.

• Modern Line Dance-ercise class for beginner, Legion Hall, Onchan, 7.15pm. £3.50 Ballroom dancing, Villa marina, Douglas, 8pm. Call Ellis Killey 623414

• Rhythmic dance, St Ninian’s Dance Studio, Douglas, 8pm.

Thursday, February 2

• Tea dance, Old Friends Association, Finch Road, Douglas, 2pm.

• Dance classes for children, Centenary Hall, Peel, 4pm. Call 450688.

• Shake It classes, combines Latin moves with karate, Tango and hip hop moves 7pm to 8.15pm.

• Strictly Come Dancing for beginners, Royal British Legion, Port Erin, 8pm. £3.50 per person.

• Irish set dancing Douglas Old Friends’ Club, Douglas, 8pm. Call David on 457268.

Friday, January 27

• MS Society Southern Coffee social afternoon. The Cherry Orchard, Port Erin from 1.30pm.

• Freetime, Youth Arts Centre, 2-4pm, Also Monday 2-4pm; Tuesday 2-4pm Wednesday 2-4pm; Thursday 2-4pm; Art Club 4-6pm, Tuesday 4-6pm; Youth Arts 6.30-9pm: Fame 7.30-9; Glee 6-7.30pm.

• Parent and toddler group, Ballasalla Primary School, 1.45pm.

• Peel Youth Club, girls club, Shore Road, Peel, 4-6pm. Also school years 9 upwards, 7-10pm; Saturday, Drop In, 7-10pm; Monday, Manx speakers, 7-9pm; Tuesday, school years 7-9, 6.30-8.30pm; Soundcheck, 6.30-9.30pm; Thursday, Homework Club, 4-6pm; Monday and Wednesday, school years 4-6, Peel Clothworkers School, 6.30-8pm.

• Youth Club, school years 9 and upwards, Cafe Laare, Lord Street, Douglas, 4-11pm. Also, Saturday, 1-11pm; Sunday, 2-5pm; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 3.30-5.30pm.

• Castletown Youth Club, school years 4-6, Youth Centre, Arbory Street, Castletown, 6-7.15pm. Also school years 7-9, Friday, 7.30-9.30pm; Wednesday, 6.45-8.45pm; school years 9 and upwards, Saturday and Tuesday, 7.30-10pm; soundcheck, Monday, 6-9pm; girls club, school years 9 and upwards, 7-9.30pm.

• Youth Club, school years 7-9, Douglas Youth Centre, Kensington Road, 7-10pm. Also Saturday, school years 9 and upwards.

• Laxey Youth Club, school years 4-6, Laxey School, 7.30-9pm. Also school years 9 upwards, Laxey Youth Centre, New Road, 7-10pm; school years 7 and 8, Wednesday and Thursday, Laxey Youth Centre, New Road, 7-9pm.

• Youth Club, school years 9 and upwards, Cronk-y-Berry School, Douglas, 7.30-9.30pm. Also, Wednesday, school years 4-6, 7-8.30pm; Thursday, school years 7-9, 7-9pm.

Sunday, January 29

• Task and DFC children’s club, Abbey Church, Ballasalla, 10.45am.

Monday, January 30

• Gym time active play for pre-school children, Manx Gymnastics Centre, Glencrutchery Road, Douglas, 9.30am. Call 625636. Also Wednesday and Thursday - 14/10/11

• Daniel’s Den, Methodist Church, Arbory Street, Castletown, 10am. Admission £1, Call 822374.

• Mannin Art Group, St Paul’s Hall, Ramsey, 10am. For further details email mailbox@manninart.org

• Onchan Ladies’ Choir, Methodist Hall, 1.30pm. Call 673453.

• Onchan Pensioners Club, bridge, 2pm; bingo 7pm, Morton Hall, Onchan. Also Tuesday, coffee morning, 10.30am-midday; Wednesday, Onchan Ladies Club, 2pm, whist, 7pm; Thursday, coffee morning, 10.30am-midday; bingo, 7pm; Friday, sequence dancing, 2pm.

• Peel Craft Club, the family room, Peel Methodist Chapel, 2pm-4pm.

• Sulby Youth Club, school years 4-9, Sulby School, 6-8pm.

• Onchan Rainbows, 5.30pm. Also 1st Onchan Brownies, 6.30pm.

• Onchan Rotary Club, The Max Restaurant, Groudle Road, Onchan, 6.30pm.

• Brownies, Corrin Hall, Peel, 6.30pm.

• Ayre WI, Grosvenor Hotel, Andreas, 7.30pm. Call 818194.

• Sulby WI, St. Stephen’s Church Hall 7.30pm

Tuesday, January 31

• Onchan Pensioners’ Social Club, Morton Hall, 10.30am. Also Thursday.

• The Tuesday Group, flexible learning room to try your hand at basic crafts, have a chat, coffee and fun, Peel Clothworkers’ School 1.15pm. Pre-school children catered for. Call 614180.

• Baldrine WI, Methodist Sunday School, Baldrine, 2pm. Call 818194.

• Braddan WI, Methodist Church Hall, Union Mills, 2pm. Call 818194.

• Peel Footlights Youth Theatre for ages eight-16, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 4pm. Contact 843819. Also Thursday.

• Cheerleading, All Saints Church Hall, 4.30pm. Contact 254499 or email gengym@manx.net

• 2nd Onchan Beavers, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 5pm.

• Youth Club, school years 4-6, Ballaugh Village Hall, 6-7.30pm. Also, school years 7-9, 7.30-9pm.

• Isle of Man Chess Club, Belsfield Hotel, Church Road Marina, Douglas, 7.30pm. Call 495097 or email Zahed.miah@gov.im

• Army Cadets, Scout Hall, Peel, 7pm. Also Thursday.

• Rotary Club of Rushen and Western Mann meet, Falcons’ Nest Hotel, Port Erin, 7.30pm.

• Glen Maye WI, St James’ Church Hall, Dalby, 7.30pm. Call 818194.

• Mannin Quilters, Ballabeg Methodist Hall, 7.30pm. Call 628921 or 628655.

• Ballacottier Senior Youth Project for school years 10+, Ballacottier School Youth Room, 7.30-9.30pm.

Wednesday, February 1

• ‘The Waves’ by Virginia Woolf with EAC Book Circle, Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin, 1.30pm.

• Busy Bees parents and tots, Beehive Kindergarten, Onchan, 1.30pm. Also Thursday. Call 674655.

• Ballaquayle Bears Toddler Group, Ballaquayle School Hall, 1.45-3pm.

• Homework Club for year 7s, Youth Centre, Arbory Street, Castletown, 4pm. Call 822490.

• Snaefell Cubs, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 7pm.

• Youth Group Computer Club, Commissioners Office, Close Corran, Braddan, 7pm. Call 686057.

• Youth Club, school years 4-9, Ballasalla Community House, 7-9pm.

• Peel Pensioners Club, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 7.30pm. Call Elaine on 844972.

• Isle of Man Photographic Society, Assignment Competition, ‘Song, Book or Film Title’, Thie Ellyn, off Withington Road, Douglas. 7.30pm.

Thursday, February 2

• Harbourside WI, St. Paul’s Church Hall, Ramsey, 10am Call 818194

• ‘Colour Matters’ with Elizabeth Rae for Manx Floral Art Luncheon Club, Wentworth Suite, Mount Murray Hotel, Santon, 11am. Followed by luncheon at 1pm. Call 827265

• The Dalby Art Group, St James’ schoolrooms, Dalby, 2pm. Bring your own equipment. Call Cheryl on 843471.

• Avondale WI, Onchan Community Centre, 2.15pm. Call 818194.

• 2nd Onchan Beavers, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 5pm.

• Guitar Lessons, Meeting Rooms, Archibald Knox, 5.45-6.45pm.

• Santon Beavers, Kewaigue School, 5pm. Also Cubs at 6.30pm. Call 623244.

• Good News Club for primary school children, Living Hope Community Church, Bayview Road, Port St Mary, 6pm. Email weirfamily55@hotmail.co.uk

• Arbory Youth Club, school years 7-9, Ballabeg Village Hall, 7-9pm.

• Onchan District Explorers, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 7.30pm.

Friday, January 27

• 3 Million at the Bay Hotel, Port Erin.

• Dickie Kelly at the Whitehouse, Peel 9pm.

• Little Miss Dynamite at The Creek, Peel.

• Soul Suspects at Jaks, Douglas.

• Little Miss Dynamite, Friday at The Creek, Peel

• Thai Night, authentic food and music, The Railway, Douglas, 6pm. Also Wednesday.

• Manx Music session, Tynwald Hill Inn, St John’s, 8.30pm.

• Irish Traditional Music session, The Mitre, Ramsey, 9pm.

• Kiaull as Gaelg, The Albert, Port St Mary, 9pm.

• Full On Fridays, Fiesta Havana, Douglas. Also ‘Alternative Havana’ on Thursday.

Saturday, January 28

• Skeet at The Sidings, Castletown

• Shades of Purple, Cat with No Tail, Governor’s Hill, Douglas.

• Age of Steam at The Pinewood, Pulrose.

• Dickie Kelly at the Mitre Ramsey 9pm.

• Blues At The Institute, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 7.30pm.

• Power Cut at Jaks, Douglas.

• 3 Million at The Creek, Peel.

• Manx Music session, The White House, Peel, 10pm.

• Karaoke with Dobbo at the Decks Liverpool Arms, Baldrine.

• Karaoke at the Central Hotel, Ramsey.

Sunday, January 29

• One Wo/Man One Guitar at The Tynwald Hill Inn, St John’s. 8.00pm.

• Karaoke at The Crescent, Douglas

• Ray Sloan Karaoke at Jaks, Douglas.

• Karaoke at the British, Douglas.

• DJ Karaoke & Disco at Jaks, Douglas.

Monday, January 30

• Omri Epstein, Piano & Ori Epstein, Cello, Ramsey Grammar School, West Hall, 7.45pm

Tuesday, January 31

• Acoustic Sing -a- Round, The Manor, Willaston.

• Soundcheck, live bands, Basement Youth Arts Centre, Kensington Road, Douglas, 6.30pm. Also Rock Choir. Singing 6pm-7pm. Also Thursday and Saturday.

• The What You Want Acoustic Music Club, The Manor, Willaston, 8.30pm.

Wednesday, February 1

• Karaoke at the British, Douglas.

Thursday, February 2

• Ramsey Folk Club at The Britannia, Ramsey, 9pm.

• Karaoke with Ray Sloane at The Saddle Inn, Douglas.

• 1hr guitar practise sesion 5.45-6.45pm, Archibald Knox meeting rooms, Onchan. Free for all levels.

Friday, January 27

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• For One Night Only: Peel Centenary Centre is featuring the work of Artist Charlotte Jane Henry. Her exhibition is open this Saturday evening, from 6.30pm to 9pm.

• ‘Drawings’. Group display of drawings and sketches by 17 artists, Sayle Gallery, Douglas. Until February 5. • Local artists exhibition, Isle Gallery, Tynwald Mills, St John’s, Wednesday-Saturday, 11am-5pm and Sunday 2-5pm. Until January 31.

• Our Sporting Life exhibition, Manx Museum, Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm. Until September 1.

• Art exhibition by the Erin Arts Club art group and textile workshop, Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin. Until February 2.

• Friends Exhibition, Garretts Gallery, Unit 11, Kirby Farm Industrial Estate, Vicarage Road, Braddan, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, 10am-6pm. Until February 29.

Friday, January 27

• Pilates, St John’s Methodist Church Hall, 9.30am. Contact Liz 427401. Also Wednesday 6.15pm,Thursday, 6.15pm and Friday 9.30am.

• Walk and talk, NSC, Douglas, 10am. Also Monday, Pulsom Park, Castletown, 10.30am and Noble’s Park, Douglas, 5.30pm; Tuesday, NSC, Douglas, 10am; Wednesday, Ramsey Rugby Club, 10am; Thursday, Harbour Lights Cafe, Peel, 10am. Call 688592.

Walk and talk, Earroo Nane House, 1 Snaefell View, Threshold Estate, Jurby, 10am.

• Chair-based exercise sessions, Port Erin Methodist Church hall, 2pm; Monday, Ramsey Town Hall, 10.30am; Tuesday, Castletown Sandfield residents lounge, 2pm; Wednesday, Westland’s Residents Lounge, Peel, 10.30am; Thursday, Onchan Youth and Community Centre, 1.30pm. Call 642668.

Manx ABC Boxing, Palace Terrace, Douglas. Juniors, 6pm. Seniors (age 16+), 7pm. Beginners welcome. Also Monday and Wednesday.- 14/10/11

• Tai chi chuan, Murrays Road School, 7.30pm. Call 612305.

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

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

Saturday, January 28

• Pregnancy yoga, All Saints Hall, Douglas, 10am. Call 461461.

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

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

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

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

• Gentle Circuits, NSC, Douglas, 11am. Also Thursday. Call 688588.

• Gymnastics and dance, St Ninians School, Douglas, 2pm. Also Wednesday, Call 254499.

Monday, January 30

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

• Pilates, St John’s Methodist Church Hall, 9.30am Call 427401.

• Aquafit, NSC, Douglas, midday. Also Tuesday ay midday and Wednesday at 6pm. Call 688556.

• Arthritis exercise, NSC, Douglas, 1pm. Call 688588.

• Fencing for ages 7 and up, Andreas Parish Hall, 4.30pm. Also Tuesday, Arbory Parish Hall, 4pm and Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, 6.30pm; Wednesdays, Scoill Ree Gorree Sports Hall, Ramsey, 5pm; Thursdays, Onchan Community Hall, 7.30pm. Call 880863.

• Circuit Training, NSC, Douglas, 6pm. Also Wednesday at 7pm. Call 688588.

• Beginners Pilates, Rushen Primary School, Port Erin, 6.15pm. Also Improvers at 7.30pm; Beginners also Wednesday at Victoria Road Primary School, Castletown, 7.30pm. Call 491963.

• Zumba, NSC, Douglas, 6pm. Call 688588.

• Exercise Boot Camp, Corrin Hall, Peel, 6.15pm. Also Wednesday, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 6pm; Thursday, Glen Vine Church Hall, 9.15am.

• Zumba Fitness, Morton Hall, Castletown, 3.30pm. Also Tuesday, Glen Helen Inn, 7pm; Wednesday, Corrin Hall, Peel, 6.30pm; Thursday, Jurby Parish Hall, 6.30pm. Call 230369.

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

• Aerobics and body toning, bring your own mat, Park View Hall, Kirk Michael, 7pm. Also Thursday, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 7pm. Call 455924.

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

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

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

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

• Zumba, Carrefour Health Club, Douglas, 8pm. Aso Wednesday at 9.45am; Thursday at 6.30pm.

Tuesday, January 31

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

• Thighs, Bums and Tums, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 9.30am. Also Thursday. Call 335635.

• Aquafit, Western Swimming Pool, Peel, 1.15pm. Also Thursday, 7pm.

• Southern Gymnastics Club, Castle Rushen High School, from 5pm. Also Thursday, Ballasalla School, from 4pm. Call 473741.

• Pilates for Horse Riders, Ballaugh, 5.15pm and 6.30pm, Call 465115.

• Pilates, St Paul’s Hall, Ramsey, 6.15pm. Call 491449.

• Zumba, Fiesta Havana, Douglas, 7pm. Email sjh@manx.net

• Tai Chi Chuan, Lezayre Parish Community Hall, 7pm.

• Badminton club, Arbory School, Ballabeg, 8pm. Call Liz on 832904.

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

• Qigong, Community Hall, Clenagh Road, Sulby, 7pm. £5 per session, Call 878607.

• Body Toning, NSC, Douglas, 7pm. Also Wednesday at 11am. Call 688588.

• IOM Karate Federation, Murrays Road School, Juniors 7pm, Seniors, 7.30pm. Call 612305.

• Arbory Badminton Club, Arbory School Hall, 8pm. Call 832094.

Wednesday, February 1

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

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

• Pilates, Braddan Church Hall, 5.30pm and 6.45pm. Call Suzanne 465115.

• Thompson Travel Netball Club junior training, Braddan School, 6pm. For ages 10-14.

• Yoga (Iyengar inspired) Every Wednesday 6 pm to 7.30 pm At Studio 2, The Gym, Mooragh Promenade, Ramsey. All abilities welcome Please call 452015.

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

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

• Beginners yoga, St Ninian’s Dance Studio, Douglas, 6.30pm.

Thursday, February 2

• Fitness league exercise class, Ballafesson Church hall, Port Erin, 10.30am. Call 832759.

• Tai Chi Chuan, Lezayre Parish Hall, 2pm. Call 813222.

• Northern Gymnastics Club, Ramsey Grammar School, 5pm.

• Braaid Fencing Club, Foxdale School, 5.45pm. Call 801832.

• Aqua Zumba, NSC, Douglas, 6pm. Call 688588.

• Western Athletics Club, QEII High School, 6.30pm.

• Peel Badminton Club, Corrin Hall, Peel, 7pm.

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

Friday, January 27

• Parents and tots including craft activities, upper room, Sulby Methodist Church, 9.10am. Call 426219.

• Peel lifeboat station will be running several events to fundraise for the RNLI’s SOS Day – this Friday (January 27).

The fundraising arm – the Ladies Guild – is holding a coffee morning in St Patrick’s Church hall, Patrick Street, Peel, 10am-noon.

In the evening the Guild will be hosting a quiz evening in Peel Legion, Douglas Street, Peel.

• Age Concern Isle of Man free computer sessions, Ramsey Town Hall, down stairs, 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3.30pm, also Tuesday 10am-12.30pm, Also Wednesday and Thursday Southlands Port St Mary, 2pm-4.30pm, Also Monday 10am-12.30pm, Wednesday and Thursday new iMuseum, Douglas, 10am-12.30pm.

• Laxey and Lonan Branch of IOM Anti-Cancer charity shop, opp. Total Filling Station, Laxey, 10am-4pm. Also Saturday.

• Storybox, Family Library, Westmoreland Road, Douglas, 10.30am. Also Saturday, Sticky Finger Craft for 6 years and over, 10.30am; Wednesday, Busy Bee Time for pre-schoolers, 1.45pm. Call 673123.

• ‘Soup or Spud’ event in aid of RNLI SOS Day, St Catherine’s Hall, Church Road, Port Erin, 9am-3pm. Baked potatoes and soups available between 11am and 2.30pm.

• Coffee and chat, Onchan Methodist Church lounge, opposite commissioners’ office, 10.30am-midday.

• Learn Manx with Adrian Cain, beginners midday-1pm, intermediates 1pm-2pm, Manx Museum, Douglas. Admission free, Email greinneyder@mhf.org.im 838527 or 451098.

• Friday Lunchtime Choir, Salvation Army Citadel, Lord Street, Douglas. 1.15pm.

• Onchan carers and tots, Parish Hall, Onchan, 1.15pm. Call 625328.

• Tiny Tunes, music time for 0-3s, Family Library, Westmoreland Road, Douglas, 1.30pm. Cost £2.50. Call 673123.

• Meditation at The Refinery, Duke Street, Douglas, 7pm. Call 467818.

• ‘The Strange Manor Murders’ by Rushen Players, murder mystery dinner, Ballasalla Village Hall, 7.30pm. Booking essential, 833372.

Saturday, January 28

• The Art Market, Strand Shopping Centre, Douglas, 9am-5pm.

• ‘The Largest Drawing Room in Europe: Venice in the XVIII century’ with Olga Eggert, Centre for Manx Studies, Stable Building Teaching Room, Douglas, 10am-5pm. Fee £25, concessions £15. Adult education class run in conjunction with the University of Liverpool. Contact Hazel Marshall 695777.

• Theatre Tours, Gaiety Theatre, Douglas, 10am. Tickets for adults £7.50, children £4, family £20. Call 600555.

• Marriage By Design, pre-marriage relationship time for engaged couple planning to marry this year, Ramsey Town Hall, 10am-4pm. Call 491043.

• Drawing for pleasure. Learn to sketch before summer. The Centenary Centre, Peel 10am. Call 843480.

• Sporty Saturday Bike Race Challenge, Manx Museum, Douglas, 11am-1pm and 2-4pm. Free admission.

• Coffee and chat, St Mary’s on the Harbour, Castletown, 11am.

• Isle of Man Farmers Market, at Northern Lights Community Centre, Ramsey, 10am-1pm

• Family Line Dancing, Corrin Hall, Peel, 7pm. Call 428483. Bring a plate of food to share.

• Burns Night, Palace Hotel, Douglas, 7.30pm. Contact 676033.

• ‘A Night To Remember’, IOM Yacht Club, Port St Mary, 8pm. Tickets £8 in aid of RNLI SOS Day. Titanic themed charity event, period dress optional.

Sunday, January 29

• ‘Soap Our Saloons’, car wash in aid of RNLI SOS Day, Port Erin Lifeboat Station, 10am-2pm.

• Sunday School, Sulby Methodist Church, 10am. Also youth group for school years 7 and up at 7pm. Call 450104.

• Table-top sale in aid of the Manx Youth Band, in the Jim Crosbie Memorial Bandroom, in the former Red Cross Building, in Park Road, Douglas, from midday. To make a donation contact Angie on 498864.

• Baby and child boot sale, All Saints Church Hall, Alexander Drive, Douglas, 2-4pm. No admission but there will be a donations bucket for SANDS Stillbirth charity.

• Fishing workshops for beginners, includes both river and sea, bait, spinning and fly fishing, at Adventurous Experiences lecture room, Patrick Road, St John’s, by Kelvin Tastagh, owner of Kelvin’s Tackle, 2pm. Entry £3 donation to RNLI. Call Kelvin, 478224.

• Charity Table Top Sale, Manx Youth Band Hall, Park Road, Douglas 12 noon. Call 498864.

• Ramsey car boot, St. Paul’s Hall, Ramsey. Sunday 29th, January. 1.00pm-3.30pm. To book call or text Phillippa 338636.

• Laxey School is holding a table top sale at the school. From 1pm – 3pm, admission 50p. Call on 861373.

• Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band rehearsals, Queen Street Mission Hall, 7pm. - 14/10/11

Monday, January 30

• Breastfeeding Buddies, The Salvation Army Citadel, Ridgeway Street, Douglas. 10.30am. Call 656030

• Roll’n’Play for preschoolers, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 10.30am.

• Parents and tots, St Olave’s Church, Ramsey, 1pm.

• Peel Toddler Group, Corrin Hall, Peel, 1.30pm.

• Action Songs and Rhymes, from birth upwards, The Children’s Centre, Woodbourne Road, Douglas, 1.30pm. Also Tuesday, Sulby School, 9.30am; Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 2pm; Wednesday, Auldyn School Community Room, 9.15am and 10.30am.

• Michael Miniatures’ parents and tots, Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, 2pm. £1.50 per family, Call 491592.

• Vannin Bridge, Onchan Pensioners Hall, 2pm. Also Thursday.

• Onchan Silver Band practice, The Band Room, off Main Road, Onchan, beginners, 6.30pm and seniors 7.30pm.

• MS Society coffee morning, Cherry Orchard, Port Erin, 1.30pm.

Tuesday, January 31

• Manx Cancer Help drop-in day, Lisa Lowe Centre, Woodbourne Road, Douglas, 11am-4pm.

• Parents and tots group, Cronk-y-Berry School side entrance, 9.30am. Admission £1, Call 469756. Also Thursday, 1.30pm.

• Toddle Inn, mums and tots group, Port St Mary Baptist Church, 9.30am. Also Wednesday, Living Hope Community Church, Lancashire House, Santon, 9.30am. Call 835091.

• Autumn Break, lunch, tea and cakes, St Mary’s on the Harbour, Castletown, midday-1pm. Free admission but donations welcome.

• Laxey mums and tots, Laxey Pavilion, 1pm. Call 438408.

• Manx Gaelic conversational class with Adrian Cain, The Rovers, Douglas, 1pm. Also Manx Gaelic class with Brian Stowell at Isle of Man College, Douglas, 7pm. Call 623821.

• Whist for Hospice, Michael Methodist Church, 7.30pm. £2.

• Foxdale mums and tots, community hall, Foxdale School, 2pm. Call 420234.

• Abbey Acorns, ages four and above, the Abbey Church, Ballasalla, 3.30pm.

• Peel Footlights Youth Theatre, children aged eight-16, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 4pm. Also Thursday. Call 843819.

• EFT group for therapists, looking after the healers by Bill Tucker, Healing of Mann, Ramsey, 7.30pm. Email www.healingofmann.com £6 per session.

Wednesday, February 1

• Parents and tots, Salvation Army Citadel, Lord Street, Douglas, 9.30am. Call 627742.

• Mini Club for parents and tots, Anagh Coar School, Douglas, 10am. Also 2pm at Kirk Braddan Church. Call 675523.

• Textile workshop with Lorraine Cleasby, Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin, 10.30am. EAC members £5, visitors £8.

• Carers and tots, St James’ Schoolrooms, Dalby, 10.30am-noon. Call 843471 or cherylcousins@manx.net

• Busy Bees parents and tots, Beehive Kindergarten, Onchan, 1.30pm. Also Thursday. Call 674655.

• Parent and toddler group, Castletown Youth Centre, Arbory Street, Castletown, 2pm.

• Bereavement support group, friendly get together for anybody feeling isolated or lonely after a bereavement, however or whenever it occurred, tea, coffee and a chat, Scholl Centre, Hospice Isle of Man, 5pm-7pm. Call 647443, 668192 or 647449.

• Samba percussion workshop, no previous musical experience necessary, Onchan Silver Bandroom, off Onchan Commissioners car park, 7pm. Cost £3, contact sambamann@manx.net

• Manx Gaelic class with James O’Meara, St John’s House, 7.30pm. Call 843436.

• Bingo, South Douglas Old Friends Association, Finch Road, Douglas, 8pm.

• Bingo Quiz, Archibald Knox, Onchan, 9pm.

Thursday, February 2

• Quiz Night at The Railway, Douglas from 8.30pm. Call 670773.

• Happy Tots, Main Hall, Willaston School, 9.45am £1 per family including refreshments. Call 621577.

• Storytime for pre-schoolers, Henry Bloom Noble Library, Victoria Street, Douglas, 10am. Call 696461.

• Step-In for tea, coffee, chat and music, Onchan Baptist Church, 10.30am.

• Isle of Man Farmers Market, at Tynwald Mills, St John’s, 11am-3pm.

• Parents and tots, Auldyn Infants School Community Room, Ramsey, 1.30pm.

• Arbory Tots, from birth upwards, Parish Hall, Ballabeg, 2pm. Cost £1 per family. Call Emma 420477.

• Toddler Tunes, Community Room, Michael School, 2pm. Contact 878090.

• The Children’s Centre Parent Support Group, informal chat with family support workers, at Douglas Family Centre, Woodbourne Road, 7-9pm.

• Candlelit Centenary Celebration at Dhoon Church and Hall, Glen Mona. Acoustic music in the church followed by refreshments in the hall. 7.30pm.

• Manx Gaelic class with Cathy Clucas, Arbory Commissioners’ Hall, 7.30pm. Call 838527.

• Bingo Quiz, Manor Hotel, Willaston, 9pm.

Friday, January 27

Broadway Cinema

• The Descendants (15). Nightly 7.30pm, also Wednesday 2.30pm.

• Alvin and The Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (U) Saturday and Sunday 2.30pm

• The Secret of Nimh (U) Saturday and Sunday 1pm

Palace Cinema

• War Horse (12A) Nightly 7pm. Also Saturday and Sunday 1.30pm

• The Sitter (15) Nightly 7.30pm

• Sherlock Holmes A Game of Shadows (12A) Saturday and Sunday 2pm

Friday, January 27

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Saturday, January 28

• The Next Big Thing grand final, Gaiety Theatre, Douglas, 8pm. Tickets £8, concessions available.

POLICE have named the 74-year-old man who died after a fire at his home in Andreas.

He was Edward Walter Corlett.

Mr Corlett died on Monday after suffering injuries in the blaze, which happened in the bedroom of his home in Larivane Meadows earlier that day.

Fire officers received the call just after 9.30am and two appliances from Ramsey Fire Station and one from Kirk Michael attended.

By the time they arrived the fire had been put out by another occupant. Both occupants were taken to Noble’s Hospital for treatment.

Crews were at the scene for three hours.

Detective Constable Alan Shimmin said: ‘An investigation is ongoing into the cause of the fire, which was contained to one room, however at this stage there do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances. Our thoughts go out to Mr Corlett’s family and I would ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.’

Injury forces Scottish racer to call it a day

SCOTTISH TT ace Keith Amor has announced his retirement from racing after being advised he would need more surgery after a spill last year.

The Honda Legends rider {https//twitter.com/#!/keithamor|Tweeted earlier today|Keith Amor’s Twitter account} : ‘Unfortunately after visiting my surgeon yesterday my worst fears came true, I need more surgery so I have decided to retire from racing.’

THE owner of the Douglas musical instrument shop that was burgled on Wednesday evening has said he believes the thieves ‘cherry picked’ specific valuable guitars.

Five acoustic models, worth a combined total of over £7,000, were stolen from Peter Norris Music on Finch Road at about 9pm, most notably a custom-made Lowden F35 worth £3,500. Other models included a Seagull Performer worth £1,100, a Seagull SWS Maratime Folk worth £1,080, a Tanglewood TSR 2 worth £1,540 and a Yamaha F370 worth £165.

‘They came through the bottom glass pane of the front door which was kicked in,’ said shop owner Ken Mitchell. ‘If it was a straight smash-and-grab they would gone for the electric guitars straight in front of that door.

‘Instead they walked about 20 feet into the separate acoustic showroom, and took four wall-mounted guitars and one – the Lowden – from a stand in the corner. They obviously cherry-picked the guitars they wanted, having been in to the shop and looked around beforehand.’

The clinical nature of the crime has sparked speculation that the theft was ‘made to order’ with potential buyers for those particular guitars already in mind, which presents the possibility that the instruments may no longer be on the island.

Ken said: ‘We do stock bespoke guitars, so it’s not unusual for guitars of that value to be in the shop. But the redwood Lowden is very distinctive, I went to the factory myself and picked that out.’

The exception is comparably low value Yamaha, which may have been taken in confusion as it was displayed next to its higher priced Seagull counterparts.

Peter Norris Music is insured, but Ken described the loss of such valuable stock, and with it the profits their sales would have generated, as ‘horrendous’ for the business, though they were able to negotiate the broken glass to open as normal on Thursday morning.

Police say a small group of males were seen leaving the area at the time of the theft with the guitars, walking along Kingswood Grove in the direction of the Manx Museum.

Anyone with information should contact DC Shimmin or PC Neil Hastie on 631212. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

RUNNING a successful small business can be really challenging at the best of times but, in the current financial climate, there are so many more issues requiring the attention of the key decision makers within the business.

If you are a director of a small business it is vital that you have a good grasp of what is happening, both within the business and the external environment, and tight control of resources, both financial and non-financial.

Ann Clayton, education officer for the local branch of the Institute of Directors, said: ‘When running your own small business it is hard to balance your time between day to day activities and growing the business to secure its long term success in a fast changing environment. A highly effective board of directors should be able to plan and manage the growth, rather than being reactive to situations. This should lead to a highly effective company able to cope with new challenges.

‘The first step to achieving this is to have a clear strategy that is known to everyone in the organisation. If you don’t know what you are trying to achieve how will you know whether you are on the best course and whether you have achieved your goals? If there is no strategy a lot of time, and therefore money, can be wasted doing the wrong things even if you do them well!

‘The second step is to understand the finances and what the figures are telling you. Many people say they have a mental block to figures and accounts and therefore never fully understand the messages within them. If explained to you in a way that you could understand more easily, the accounts would cease to have that ‘scary’ feel. Good quality and relevant management information is also vital for you to monitor trends, efficiencies, changes in markets, etc.

‘The third step is to understand the legal and regulatory framework within which your business operates, ie the ‘‘rules’’ governing the business, so that you can fully understand your duties and responsibilities as a director of a small business. It is also important to have a well run and formal process for making decisions at board level. There are corporate governance principles for small businesses which give guidance on good practice and the effective running of board meetings.’

These aspects will be covered on a course called Directing a Successful Small Business to be run by the Institute of Directors in the Isle of Man.

The three day programme covers the three key fundamental areas described above:

Strategy, March 29:

l Developing your strategic thinking

l Market Analysis

l Managing Risk

Finance, April 19:

l Decoding the terminology and understanding your accounts

l Your financial role

l Tools to monitor the health of your business including liquidity and profitability

l Sources of viable finance

Business Structure and the Law, May 17:

l Understanding your duties and responsibilities

l The legal status of your business

l The purpose of the board

l Running board meetings

The course is available to Institute of Directors members and non-members. Each delegate has the option of whether to attend one, two or all three days and a discounted rate is available for bookings for all three days made and paid for by the end of February 2012.

This course was run for the first time in 2011. Bernie Murphy, managing director of OSA Recruitment, one of the delegates, said ‘The three day course was a wonderful introduction and insight into what is expected of you as a director within a small business.

‘It has helped me balance my time between day to day activities and growing the business to secure long term success in a fast changing environment. I would recommend this course as it is perfect both for current directors and those who are in a new business start up process’.

The local branch of the Institute of Directors is keen to help local businesses become even stronger and has worked hard to be able to bring IoD courses and other events to the Isle of Man for the benefit of both members and non-members.

For details contact Ann Clayton on annclayton@manx.net

AT the riding school at Grenaby Estates in Malew, troubled kids have been benefiting from the therapeutic effects of working with horses.

The results have been so positive that staff at the farm have been nominated in the Linking With Schools category in the Isle of Man Newspapers/Flybe Pride in Mann awards.

Ballakermeen High School’s Melanie Christian said: ‘For the last three years Grenaby have offered the use of their horses and riding school to students who are autistic and have social, emotional and behavioural conditions. This therapeutic programme has had a fantastic benefit to our students and would not have been possible without the support of Grenaby Estates.’

Grenaby Estates owner Iain Fairbairn, who said the nomination was ‘unexpected, but nice’, said: ‘Equine therapy seems to help kids relax and develop social skills. The children that come to us are special needs, or from challenging social backgrounds and have difficulty socialising.’

He added: ‘The idea is that these kids develop a trust and empathy with horses, and pick up things like patience and mutual respect and develop a bond. Hopefully they can then apply these skills when dealing with people.’

A quick internet search into the theory of horse-assisted psychotherapy reveals there is a possibility that contact with horses releases oxytocin, a hormone that reduces anxiety, and opens learning receptors. There are even accounts of autistic children having uttered their first words on horseback.

‘It’s clearly therapeutic,’ said Iain. ‘We’ve seen two or three kids with frustration and anger they struggle to deal with, and come to us supervised by carers as they have a violent history. But they arrive and are in awe of these large, silent creatures, and it has a profound calming effect on their personalities. We’ve never had any behavioural issues with the kids, they are polite and respectful.’

Iain added: ‘Horses are quite gracious creatures, and return respect with respect, so the kids get a reaction out of them and it gives them confidence.’

The whole scheme began thanks to the efforts of Grenaby riding instructor Lucie, who had learned of equine therapy in her native Czech Republic. Lucie began a teaching role with special needs children at Ballakermeen, and persuaded the educational authorities that sessions at the riding school would be beneficial to the kids.

Initially the children just spend time around the horses, and if after time they are sufficiently confident, they get to ride.

‘Often the riding is tentative, but a few have gone on to jumps and cross-poles, which is a great achievement,’ Iain acknowledged. ‘Aside from Ballakermeen, we also take kids from the Children’s Centre. It’s not a commercial activity, it’s a feel-good thing. It’s rewarding for us and for the kids.’

Iain spoke of one particular success story: ‘One child who was prone to fits saw the frequency of the fits reduced dramatically after spending time with us at the riding school. We don’t know of a medical explanation for why, other than maybe being with the horses had a calming influence on his psyche.’

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Pride in Mann is an awards scheme from Isle of Man Newspapers and Flybe which aims to recognise unsung heroes in the Manx community.

The competition sees the public invited to nominate people they feel are worthy recipients of an award across 10 categories. Each person nominated will be recognised in one of our newspapers and later there will be a public vote to find the categories’ winners.

The categories for this year’s Pride in Mann awards are: Promotion of Manx Culture, Performer of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Sporting Acheivement, Young Person of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Linking with Schools, Customer Service and Family Business.

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Who will you nominate?

You can find a downloadable nomination form by clicking {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/pride_in_mann_1_4040786|this link.}

MAGGIE Young, who been described as a inspiration, has been nominated for the teacher of the year category in the Pride in Mann awards.

Mum of three Maggie, who previously taught in Canada and Dubai, has worked at the Isle of Man College for 18 years in total.

Currently her main role is coordinating the primary school teaching programme, despite the time and diligence Maggie devotes to the programme, her other major achievement was in liaising with the Department of Education and Children to create a distinct Manx Qualified Teacher Status (MQTS). At the time the island could not offer a teaching training course with English Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), because the UK Government said that students had to teach in English schools.

She was instrumental in the creation of the island’s own version of the qualification, which has now also extended to complete the training of secondary school teachers here in the island.

The lecturer in teaching training in the Isle of Man College was shocked to be nominated for the award.

She said: ‘It is very flattering that I have been acknowledged when there could be a number of similar deserving teachers right across the education sector in the Isle of Man. I feel particularly embarrassed about being singled out when there are good teachers.’

Maggie got into teaching after being inspired whilst working in a senior secretarial role, when a work colleague told her he thought she should think about going into teaching.

She took on his advice and has since gone on to inspire other people through her teaching.

Working with students and helping them find out what they are good at, identifying their strengths and seeing the person they go from, and their achievements and success, is what Maggie enjoys the most in her role.

Maggie will be coming up to her retirement in the next couple of years and this is one of the reasons her proud daughter Chloe Munden, nominated her mum for the award, she said: ‘She really deserves recognition and praise, not only for being a great teacher and colleague, but for being the most caring and helpful person you could meet, even to people she does not know.

‘She really is an inspiration. Anyone who has come across Maggie in her professional life would, I am sure, support this application.’

Chloe also stated that ‘Maggie does not only give up her time for her students but also her colleagues’, she said: ‘She gives up huge amounts of her own time to help students, who are struggling with assessments or other aspects of their course, as well as trainees who have difficult personal problems. There have been several students who would not have been successful, had it not been for Maggie sitting patiently with them for hours, counselling them through a difficult time in their lives or explaining writing styles, argument or referencing systems.’

------------

Pride in Mann is an awards scheme from Isle of Man Newspapers and Flybe which aims to recognise unsung heroes in the Manx community.

The competition sees the public invited to nominate people they feel are worthy recipients of an award across 10 categories. Each person nominated will be recognised in one of our newspapers and later there will be a public vote to find the categories’ winners.

The categories for this year’s Pride in Mann awards are: Promotion of Manx Culture, Performer of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Sporting Acheivement, Young Person of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Linking with Schools, Customer Service and Family Business.

------------

Who will you nominate?

You can find a downloadable nomination form by clicking {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/pride_in_mann_1_4040786|this link.}