Bike enthusiast and photographer George Lue has put together a timely exhibition which marks both the TT in a couple of weeks’ time and the re-opening of the Fusion bar in Castletown. George is pictured above left with Fusion’s Ben Batoul.

Mr Lue, who works at the airport, is often to be seen not just photographing the TT races and the Manx Grand Prix in various locations around the island but is also a regular at the club meetings held up at Jurby by the Andreas Racing Association.

‘I enjoy taking photographs of all the bikes and I mean all of them. I always make a point of staying right until the end so that I have a photograph of everyone taking part – not just those at the front of the race.

‘If a rider was there in the race I should have a picture of them,’ he said.

Mr Lue uses computer technology to enhance his photographs to create a special atmospheric effect which can be seen in the illustration.

His exhibition will run at the Fusion bar from now. He wanted to thank Cannells for their support. Picture: JM130504 (9)

An author who takes a keen interest in parliamentary affairs has visited the world’s oldest continuous parliament.

Matthew Laban, who has written Mr Speaker: The Office and the Individuals Since 1945, was welcomed by the current Speaker of the House of Keys, Steve Rodan.

Mr Laban, who had visited the parliaments of a number of Commonwealth countries in the course of his research, toured the three chambers of Tynwald and attended a sitting of the House of Keys during which he was able to see the Hansard voice recognition system in operation.

He said he viewed Tynwald as ‘a proper parliament’ that retained its pageantry and formality and added: ‘For a small jurisdiction Tynwald punches far above its weight and, as the oldest continuous parliament in the world, clearly has no need to follow other, later parliamentary models.’

He said it had been interesting to note how the role of Speaker in the House of Keys differed from that adopted in the House of Commons, where the televising of proceedings had led to a shift in emphasis from the office to the individual.

Referring to changing practices regarding the wearing of formal regalia, Mr Laban said: ‘When Betty Boothroyd took over as Speaker from Bernard Weatherill she dispensed with the full-bottomed wig, while John Bercow has chosen not to re-introduce the wig and wears a simple academic gown.’

In his book Mr Laban writes: ‘The Speaker of the House of Keys on the Isle of Man, Stephen Rodan, however, wears the wig and gown all the time in the chamber.

‘Speaker Rodan has explained why he still wears the traditional regalia: “I wear the full-bottomed wig both to emphasis the historic nature of the office of Speaker and to draw attention that it is the office and not the identity of the individual which is important. Individuals come and go, but the office continues.”’

The wearing of formal regalia aside, Mr Laban is confident the role of Speaker will endure: ‘There will always be a need for a presiding officer who can chair debates, understands the “nuts and bolts” of the office and can act as a neutral umpire.’

For Mr Laban, headteacher of a north London primary school, the book was eight years in the making. He now plans to write a study of Crown Dependencies.

Mr Rodan said: ‘Mr Laban’s book is an absorbing and scholarly analysis of the history and role of the Speaker to which I was proud to be invited to contribute. I was also pleased to afford him the opportunity to attend a sitting of the House of Keys where he was able to witness both the traditional and technological components that distinguish Manx parliamentary proceedings. I wish him every success with the book and look forward to reading his next work.’

Two spectators were injured in a crash during the first part of the Manx National Rally last night.

Rally organisers said: ‘The rally was delayed following an accident on the fifth stage, Ballure, when a competing car left the road and collided with two spectators.

‘The emergency services were on the scene swiftly and both, who were conscious throughout, were taken to hospital for check-ups.’

The incident happened on the Hibernia Road.

The rally car’s crew were not hurt.

WEST Douglas voters will get a chance to quiz the Keys candidates in May 23’s by-election in a requisition meeting held at All Saints’ Church Hall, Alexander Drive, Douglas, on Wednesday between 7pm and 9.30pm.

Four candidates are fighting the election, which is being held after the election of Geoff Corkish to Legislative Council.

Schoolchildren brought a new twist to the island’s growing reputation for film-making with a special screening and prize presentation for the first ‘It’s Not Fair!’ One World Primary Film Competition.

Children aged from five to 11 had been challenged to produce a film of no more than four minutes exploring the idea of It’s Not Fair in a global context.

They were free to interpret this in any way they liked and to use any film techniques. The resulting six films which got through to the finals were, in the words of the judges, ‘inspirational and simply amazing’, covering subjects as diverse as global poverty, deforestation and child soldiers.

They also used an array of film techniques including stop motion animation, green screen filming and homemade soundtracks.

The movies were played to an excited audience in the Manx Museum which included the Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood and the Department of Education Chief Executive Stuart Dobson as well as many of the young film-makers, their teachers and parents.

The overall winner was Sulby School for a film that contrasted the lives of children in the Isle of Man with others in developing countries.

Other awards were given for Best Emotional Impact (Braddan for a film about child soldiers), Best Soundtrack (Foxdale), Best Costume (Michael), Best Call to Action (Onchan) and Best Animation (St Thomas’, Douglas). Sulby also won Most Informative.

The event was created by One World Centre director Rosemary Clarke, who said: ‘We wanted to provide a fun and creative way for children to explore subjects which are by their nature very serious.

‘The fabulous response to the film competition shows that children were able to understand how unfair life can be for others and also find very different ways of illustrating this and grabbing our attention. Each school introduced their film in person and it was clear they learned a lot from the film-making process, as well as studying their chosen topics.

‘We are indebted to Sure for their sponsorship of this event. We also received a lot of help from Christy De Haven and Dave Armstrong at MannIN Shorts who gave technical advice and are also providing a film workshop for the winning school.

‘This is the first in what we hope will be a regular annual event for primary schools and has set the standard very high.

‘We’re really looking forward to what the children will produce next year.’

A new resource that will benefit all pregnant diabetic women in the Isle of Man has been donated to Noble’s Hospital’s diabetes centre.

On Tuesday, The Manx Diabetic Group presented a foetal monitor – worth £6,800 – to the centre following a request from the team.

Joanne Clague, of The Manx Diabetic Group, explained that pregnancies for women with diabetes are categorised as high risk.

‘Women are seen, ideally, before they get pregnant and up to six weeks post-natal every two weeks at a joint diabetic/obstetric clinic where they are seen by a specialist diabetologist, specialist nurse, dietician, obstetrician and specialist midwife,’ she explained.

‘But the numerous growth scans of their babies and CTG (cardiotocography) monitoring had to be done on another site at a separate appointment.

‘Having a monitor in the diabetes centre means the scans can be done at the same appointment.’

She added: ‘So it’s a new resource that will benefit all diabetic pregnant women in the Isle of Man.

‘There were 35 through the service last year, which is about 3 to 4 per cent of the overall delivery rate.

‘It doesn’t sound like a lot in terms of numbers but the care for these women is highly specialised.’

The Manx Diabetic Group, formed in 1986, has bought a range of equipment for the centre.

It includes seven 24-hour blood pressure monitors, three continuous monitors, a computerised digital fundus eye camera and slit lamp and three computer review stations, one of which was for use by Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital.

In addition, the organisation, which is affiliated with Diabetes UK but is an independent entity, has made donations towards an Argon laser machine for the hospital’s eye clinic.

Earlier this year, the group celebrated the success of its campaign to wipe out a children’s waiting list for specialist diabetic insulin pumps.

Pumps 4 Kids, a joint initiative with the Manx Independent, raised more than £55,000 – well exceeding its original target of £20,000.

The diabetes centre provides multi-professional team assessment, screening, treatment and management to diabetes patients. It aims to provide a ‘one-stop approach’ to clinic attendance.

Joanne (seated) is pictured presenting the foetal monitor to diabetes centre staff Jan Clark, Sherilea O’Boyle, Dr Arutha Krishnan, Tarun Ghosh, Regan Baggley and Suzanne McVay.

THE Michael Jackson impersonator who has performed for the King of Pop himself will bring his tribute show to the Villa Marina on Friday, May 24.

US singer Navi has performed as Jackson for the last 24 years in more than 250 international shows within 57 different countries, across five continents.

His show King of Pop - The Legend Continues was launched in Dubai in 2009 after the star’s death.

The following year Navi performed in front of a sell-out crowd at London’s 02 arena before embarking on his first tour of theatres, corporate events and festivals.

He is now known as the world’s number one Michael Jackson tribute artist and proudly promotes himself as the only impersonator to have been personally invited to perform for and work with the legend over many years.

He even received a standing ovation from Jackson after performing at the singer’s 45th birthday party in LA and was consequently invited to the Neverland ranch.

He describes these as ‘very nervous times’ as to meet the legend was one thing but to perform for him was no easy feat.

Navi was later hired as a decoy to distract fans and press when Michael visited the UK.

A die hard fan, Navi famously stood outside the Santa Maria courthouse in 2005 where Michael was facing child allegation charges (he was found not guilty) dressed as the singer holding a sign saying ‘Smooth but NOT a Criminal’.

Forging a friendship with the Jackson family, the tribute artist has continued to work with the MJJ Estate after his idol’s death.

In his show, Navi performs all the Jackson classics offering the audience an experience as close to the real thing as possible.

Alongside a live band and dancers, he sings all the hits including Smooth Criminal, Beat It, Billie Jean, Black or White, Thriller and Man in the Mirror.

He will also dip into the Jackson Five back catalogue singing classics such as I Want You Back, ABC, Can You Feel It and Shake Your Body.

The show, which is suitable for the whole family, also prides itself on offering the best quality in sound, lighting and video projection.

Sample Navi’s work on YouTube.com

The show starts at 8pm.Tickets start at £18.

They are available from the Villa box office on 600555, at the Villa reception or Sea Terminal Welcome Centre, or online at www.villagaiety.com

THE public is being asked to report litter trouble spots to help a local volunteer group clean up the island before thousands of visitors arrive for the TT.

The project is the idea of the established beach cleaning group Beach Buddies, which is planning an eight-day campaign to target not just beaches, but also glens, parks and footpaths.

‘The Big One TT Tidy Up’ will start this coming weekend, and runs until May 19 at venues all over the island.

‘This is an idea we wanted to start for last year’s TT, but we simply didn’t have enough volunteers,’ said Beach Buddies founder Bill Dale.

‘However, in the space of a year we now have more than 900 volunteers on our list, and we are in a position to make a major impact on the Island in time for this year’s TT.

‘You don’t need to be an existing Beach Buddies volunteer to take part. Anyone is asked to join in, even if it means just collecting a shopping bag full of rubbish in the road outside your front door.’

Beach Buddies has organised a series of daily events, including midweek sessions lasting around one hour, beginning each evening at 6.30pm.

Braddan Commissioners is the first local authority to sign up to be involved, with three cleaning sessions organised for one evening next week in the Braddan Bridge area and the TT Access Road.

The Isle of Man Open Water Swimming Group will take part in their first ever beach cleaning session when they get involved in a session in the south of the island later in the week.

‘We have already announced the venue of some events at places where we know there is a litter problem, but we are asking the public to report any areas which they believe are in urgent need of a tidy up before the TT, and we will set about sorting it out,’ added Mr Dale.

‘It’s a chance for everyone on the Island to make a contribution, whether it’s just cleaning up a few items from the street outside their front door or to contact us about a particularly bad spot which would require a team to tackle it.’

Timetable:

Monday, May 13: Braddan Parish, 6.30pm, Braddan Church

Tuesday, May 14: Poyll Dhooey, 6.30pm, The White Bridge

Wednesday, May 15: The Sound, 6.30pm, Sound car park

Thursday, May 16: Ramsey beach, 6.30pm, Northern prom, opposite Rugby Club

Friday, May 17: Port Erin, 6.30pm, Lifeboat House roadside

Saturday, May 18: Peel-Fenella-Castle, 10.30am, Fenella Beach car park

Sunday, May 19: Scarlett Trail, 10.30am, Scarlett car park

Contact Beach Buddies at beachbuddies@manx.net

Peel Town Commissioners’ are going to apply to the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture for a licence to help tackle the seagull problem in the town.

Following Castletown Commissioners success of obtaining a licence to destroy gull eggs this is something that the commissioners hope to achieve in the Peel.

At a recent public meeting, the commissioners agreed to apply for a licence from January 2014 for a period of two years.

Chairman Kate Felton, who stressed that this was an all-island problem, stated that when the chicks are in the nest the seagulls become very aggressive and attack people.

Peel has had an on-going problem with seagulls, the topic was once again raised by worried residents at last months’ Peel Town Commissioners surgery.

Previously in Peel residents and visitors have complained that they had seagulls pinching food out of their hands, and some people are “terrified” of the birds.

Commissioner Neil Cushing stated that maybe the commissioners could apply for the licence, and have a service where they can use the licence to cull eggs on owners properties at a cost, it would allow home-owners to tackle the problem without putting the owner at risk.

The board would also like to remind the public not to feed the seagulls in the area.

Options for teachers to break with the English government pension scheme will be outlined at a meeting tomorrow (Tuesday).

National Union of Teachers assistant secretary for pay and pensions Andrew Moore will hold an open meeting for teachers at St Ninian’s Lower School, in Onchan.

NUT island branch secretary Karl Flint explained: ‘He intends to explain where the unions are with regard to negotiations over pensions with the current [English] government and to clarify exactly what the scheme means for teachers on the island.

‘But he is also looking to the future to give some idea of the options that might be available to teachers in the island.’

At present teachers’ pay, pensions and conditions are in line with the English government but Mr Flint said: ‘It doesn’t have to be so.

‘We have always guarded that in the past but we are always open to possible change if it’s in our best interests to do so.’

In addition, Mr Moore will discuss the benefits of the optional Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

Mr Flint said: ‘We are hoping it will appeal to not only older members for whom retirement may come in the next 10-15 years.

‘But also younger members who are feeling the pressure of the recession and the increased cost of pensions which is now over 8 per cent for virtually all teachers, rising eventually to 12 per cent for the highest paid teachers.’

During his visit, Mr Moore will also meet the public sector pensions authority, which has responsibility for the management and administration of the majority of the public service pension schemes in the island.

In December, we reported that the NUT in the island was looking into the possibility of teachers pensions coming under the Manx government’s unified pension scheme.

In England, the NUT and National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers have agreed a joint strike strategy to show their continued opposition to Education Secretary Michael Gove’s changes. The first strike is set for June 27 in the North West of England.

The meeting at Bemahague starts at 4.15pm.

Michelle Hotchkiss is a member of Appleby’s corporate and commercial department in the Isle of Man, having joined the firm in 2002.

She has experience in a broad range of corporate and commercial matters arising in the corporate finance, banking and asset finance, insurance and financial services sectors.

Michelle acts for many international financial institutions, law firms, insurance companies and corporate service providers, advising on a full range of the key and complex legal issues that affect both their own businesses and those of their clients.

Kyle Sutherland is a member of Appleby’s corporate and commercial department in the Isle of Man, joining in August 2010.

He is qualified to advise on both the laws of the British Virgin Islands and Isle of Man, and specialises in a broad range of banking and finance and corporate and commercial disciplines in those jurisdictions, ranging from joint venture work, restructurings, mergers and acquisitions, asset finance transactions, private placement and listing work.

Nick Verardi, Appleby Isle of Man partner and local corporate and commercial practice group head said: ‘These are well deserved promotions for key members of our team.

‘The experience and professionalism of both Michelle and Kyle has always been highly valued by the team here in the Isle of Man and I am delighted this has been recognised at Group level.’

‘Corporate and commercial is one of our core legal service lines and these promotions are testament to the continuing strength of this practice.

‘They also reinforce our position as the leading law firm in the Isle of Man.’

Appleby group chairman, Frances Woo said: ‘These promotions come at an exciting time in our development when we are focused on our international growth, greater depth of our teams and maintenance of our presence as one of the leading offshore legal and fiduciary groups.’

The announcement follows a number of recent appointments and promotions by the Appleby Group.

A ‘freak accident’ is how the events were described that left two teenaged spectators needing hospital treatment following a crash during Friday night’s opening leg of the Manx National Rally.

The young men were taken to Noble’s Hospital, and it is believed one has since been transferred to Alder Hey Hospital, after they were hit by a competing car that lost control on the Hibernian Road towards the end of the Ballure stage, causing the rest of the evening’s racing to be cancelled. The rally crew were uninjured though the two teenagers suffered severe bruising of the hip and facial injuries respectively.

Both remained conscious as emergency services arrived swiftly, though one is thought to have been transferred to Alder Hospital in Liverpool for further treatment on his facial injuries.

Clerk of the course Mark Ellison said the collision was still being investigated, and the precise cause of the crash remains unclear.

‘It’s best described as a freak accident, that no one can prepare for,’ he said. ‘There was nothing wrong with the car, and both lads were 8-10 foot high on a bank, in a safe place. It’s hard to believe how they got hit. We’ll do further investigating to see if there’s anything we can do for the future from our point of view.’

Mr Ellison added that both had been under adult supervision. The Ballure stage is new for this year, taking in Ramsey hairpin to the Gooseneck before turning into Hibernia.

The Manx government is set to abandon its ambitious green energy target – after admitting it will be impossible to achieve in time.

Now instead of a commitment to have 15 per cent of energy generated from renewable sources by 2015, it’s proposing to follow an EU target of cutting greenhouse gases by 80 per cent from 1990 levels by the year 2050.

Green campaigners have expressed their dismay.

Phil Corlett of Isle of Man Friends of the Earth said: ‘We are bitterly disappointed that the 15 per cent electricity from renewables by 2015 policy unanimously voted through by Tynwald members has just been shelved. It is pretty shocking really.’

Read the full story in today’s Isle of Man Examiner - in shops now.

Olympic gold medal winner Peter Kennaugh produced an impressive ride to win the 58th Lincoln Grand Prix on Sunday.

The Team Sky rider was drafted in to make a rare appearance in Team Isle of Man colours as a replacement for Darren Bell and showed his class in the 105-mile race.

The Manxman led an early breakaway with Marcin Bialoblocki (UK Youth) and Team Raleigh’s Tom Scully before eventually powering to a 15-second victory ahead of Bialoblocki.

More in Thursday’s Manx Independent.

Steve Burns enjoyed a winning start to his tenure as Isle of Man national side manager with two victories over the weekend.

The Men travelled to Greater Manchester to play matches against non-league outfits Hyde and Stalybridge Celtic and returned with two impressive wins. After a 10-month break since the FA Inter League Cup final without a match, the reds showed no signs of rustiness as they triumphed 7-2 against an experimental team of Hyde reserves and first team players from nearby Abbey Hey FC on Saturday.

Lee Gale and Ciaran McNulty led the way with two goals apiece while Chris Bass Jr and Gale’s Peel team-mates Daniel Bell and Matthew Woods also found the net - the latter on his first appearance for the island.

Buoyed by that win, the Men then produced a big performance to defeat Stalybridge Celtic 3-0 on Sunday, with Ashley Webster, Calum Morrissey and McNulty grabbing the goals for the Manx side.

Paul Bird won his third Manx National Rally in five years when he and co-driver Aled Davies took victory in a dramatic event at the weekend.

Co-favourites with Mel Evans and Mark Glennerster to win the event, ultimately it was dark-horses Jason Pritchard and Phil Clarke who provided the stongest opposition when coming to within 3.4 seconds of snatching the glory.

Defending REIS–Get Connected MSA Asphalt Rally Champion Damian Cole, with Darren Garrod reading the notes, were third while the Cannells were the leading crew in a solid fourth, three places up on Andy Leece and Graham Fargher.

More in today’s Examiner and in Thursday’s Manx Independent.

Airline Flybe has announced it is in talks over a possible sell-off of its slots at Gatwick.

EasyJet is reportedly among the bidders for the 25 pairs of slots at Gatwick, which could fetch as much as £20m for Flybe.

In a statement, Flybe said: ‘Flybe notes the recent speculation in the press. The board announces that it is in discussions with a number of parties which may or may not lead to a transaction regarding the exchange for

compensation payment of the Arrival and Departure Slots at Gatwick Airport.

‘Discussions are on-going and there can be no certainty as to whether any transaction will be forthcoming.

‘A further announcement will be made as soon as appropriate.’

Flybe operates four return flights each weekday from Ronaldsway with three at the weekend.

The MEA has warned that it’s received reports from customers of hoax calls from so-called represenatives of the MEA.

These calls appear to be based around checking customer account, direct debit information and an energy efficiency questionnaire.

But the MEA has said that is is not currently undertaking any customer surveys and should the authority require personal information from a customer ‘this would be done formally either via letter or via one of our secure electronic portals’.

Members of the public are advised to not give out any personal information and to report any calls of this nature via the MEA’s customer services team on 687687.

A mechanical engineer died from multiple injuries due to or as a result of crush injuries, in the vicinity of the sewage treatement works in Balleira Road, Kirk Michael, coroner John Needham found.

55-year-old Charles Gareth Sowden died after a drilling, shipping container came down on him, an inquest heard on Friday. Work colleagues freed Mr Sowden and tried to perform CPR. His death was confirmed by a medical examiner at 12.28pm on May 1.

Mr Sowden, orginially from Burnley, but living in Castletown Avenue, Douglas, was formally identified by his wife.

The Chief Minister says he is keeping all government positions under review following last week’s mini-reshuffle - to ensure all members are pulling their weight.

Alan Bell said it is unfair that some members were not making the same level of commitment and contribution as their colleagues.

And while last week’s reshuffle saw only minor changes to government department memberships and statutory board chairmanships, he has indicated there will a wider review over the next 12 months - which will include ministerial positions.

Mr Bell said: ‘This was a fairly limited readjustment of positions following the recent elections to the Legislative Council, which provided an opportunity to talk to all members about their work for government.

‘It is important for members to change roles from time to time, to develop a breadth of experience and understanding of the wide variety of issues that government deals with.’

But he added: ‘I’m sure all members are sincere in their desire to improve services government provides to the community. There is no doubt, however, that over the years the commitment and workload of some members far exceeds that of others.

‘It is important, bearing in mind the salaries that people are paid for extra responsibilities, that we ensure equality of workload across the Tynwald membership.

‘We have to ensure those members appointed to key positions deliver on our expectations. It is very unfair on those members who put in very long hours to be sitting alongside others who are less committed and yet getting paid the same salary.’

Mr Bell said he had decided not to consider ministerial positions in last week’s mini-reshuffle and he wanted to settle department memberships in light of the LegCo election. But he added: ‘There will be a wider review over the next 12 months.’