Rampant ragwort has been highlighted as a growing problem this year for cattle and horse owners in particular.

The brightly coloured yellow flower which grows prolifically as a weed in the island’s hedges and verges may be good for insect life as an abundant source of pollen but is toxic to cattle, highly poisonous to horses and even potentially harmful to humans if handled without gloves.

Chris Kneale of the Department of Environment Food and Agriculture said the plant – which is the island’s national flower – can cause liver damage. Though bitter in taste, once cut he added the plant becomes sweet to the taste and can easily then be eaten by horses in amongst hay.

Mr Kneale added the wet weather last year meant fields had been churned up making it easier for weeds to grow through the grass when the warm weather arrived this year.

Hilary Shimmin of the British Horse Society in the island said it was a real danger for horses: ‘Fortunately you can spot the signs and the effect is not immediate but cumulative. It does not seem to have been cut back this year from the hedges and verges and then it goes to seed and spreads. I keep pulling it up when I’m out and about.’

Environment Food and Agriculture Minister Phil Gawne agreed it posed a problem for grazing animals but added new legislation - the Weeds Act - brought into force earlier this year would help.

The legislation means enforcement notices can be issued to specific landowners requiring them to take action against certain harmful weeds, including ragwort, if they are prevalent on their land, or face a fine.

‘The other side of the argument is that is contributes to our rich bio-diversity,’ Mr Gawne added.

‘It’s rich in pollen and a good resource for certain insects - certain types of moth for example. It is true that in recent years there has been less money available.’

Manx National Farmers’ Union secretary Belinda Leach said growing conditions seemed to have been very favourable this year and wild flowers of all varieties had been abundant.

‘In the old days Highways Board staff used to pull (ragwort) up by hand and it was swept away but that does not happen now,’ she said.

But Bill Corlett, of the Department of Infrastructure said there had been no reduction in the amount of hedge and verge trimming in recent years though it was done less frequently now than 10 years ago.

‘It’s people’s perception,’ he said.

‘If growing conditions are good there is more vegetation because it grows faster. People then think we are cutting less often, but that’s not the case,’ he said.

A mother from Ramsey has accused the island’s public transport director of making the rules up as he goes along after she and her children were refused entry to a bus because their pram was too big.

Verety McKiernan of Queen’s Promenade in Ramsey wanted to travel with her mother, her children aged five and three and her two-week-old baby from Ramsey to Laxey for lunch.

But when they tried to board the number three bus outside the Britannia pub they were told there was no room for their pram because the carry cot part of it would not fold.

‘I was told that no driver would allow that kind of pram on the bus. The driver then added that if he did let me on, if further on a disabled person wanted to get on, we would be asked to get off,’ she said.

‘Clearly I could not hold a two week old baby in my arms for the entire journey. That the driver also thinks it would be acceptable to eject us from the bus part way through the journey, with such small children beggars belief.

‘Thanks to the driver, my family lunch in Laxey was cancelled and my two older children were left in tears.’

An initial response from Bus Vannin’s John Howard said: ‘No prams are banned from our fleet as they are all low floor easy access. All I can do is apologise on behalf of the department.’

However director of public transport Ian Longworth said the driver was right, adding modern buses have a space to carry one pram and a slightly larger space to accommodate one wheelchair.

He said Mrs McKiernan’s pram was larger than the designated pram space and would need to have occupied the wheel chair space. This was permissible provided it could be folded should a wheelchair bound passenger wish to travel. But in this case the pram did not fold. He said the policy was to give priority to passengers in wheelchairs. This would have meant the bus driver asking Mrs McKiernan to leave, possibly at an inconvenient point, if someone in a wheelchair had boarded.

Mrs McKiernan was unconvinced: ‘It’s not a big pram. If the driver had said we could get on and see if it fitted that would make more sense but he didn’t.’

A sign at the Castletown Golf Links Hotel site saying ‘Re-Opening Soon’ has sparked interest among locals.

The wording was put on the sign by owner of the golf course, Peter Vermeulen.

He said: ‘The intention of the wording, whilst admittedly a bit cheeky, is to create public interest in what is going on at the hotel, spark further public debate and get commitment from the owner to address the dilapidated state of the building in the interest of the island, the south, Derbyhaven residents, tourism and the owners of the golf course.

‘We have made the effort to make a nice clubhouse which walkers come into and enjoy something to eat and drink but when your neighbour has a building in such a dilapidated state it can be detrimental to island.

‘Dandara stated in February 2012 that they will be going through an extensive consultation process with approximately 15 stakeholders, over a four-month period, to determine the views and concerns over what developments should take place.

He said: ‘They consulted with the owners of the golf course and Derbyhaven Residents Society in March and April 2012 and there has been no further word from them or a planning application submitted.’

‘So, we can only assume that in the absence of a planning application or feedback to the stakeholders that they will reopen the hotel, like we did with the clubhouse which was in the same physical state as the hotel, but we did something about it.’

‘If they don’t want to re-open the hotel, then they need to tell the public, tourists, golfers and stakeholders what they are going to do and when,’ he added.

A spokesman for the owner of the hotel site, FI Developments Limited, part of the Dandara Group, said: ‘FI Developments Limited is carefully considering the future of the site and will announce its plans at the earliest opportunity.’

‘Passion, enthusiasm and a love of the Isle of Man,’ is how Trudi Williamson, deputy chairman of Isle of Man Newspapers, sums up what the Awards for Excellence judges are looking for.

The build-up to this year’s Isle of Man Newspapers’ Awards for Excellence continues and entries are being invited for all 16 categories. If you are thinking of entering your company, your public sector or charitable organisation, or yourself as an individual, you have until October 4 to submit your application.

But what makes a really great entry? What are the judges looking for?

Trudi Williamson explains: ‘First of all it is important to stress that neither I nor anyone else at Isle of Man Newspapers is involved in the judging. The judging panel is made up of well-known and respected people from the commercial, public and charitable sectors and the decision is theirs.

‘But what we do hear constantly around the judging table is that they are looking for enthusiasm and passion; they’re looking obviously for Freedom to Flourish values, and they very much like to see benchmarks so that they can judge what industry standards are.

‘They don’t necessarily need the longest application – they need an application that they find interesting. And they like to see measures of success.

‘They’re looking for a love of the Isle of Man as well.’

The application forms, which can be downloaded at www.iomtoday.co.im/afe, invite entrants to show how they have demonstrated the Freedom to Flourish values: resilience, resourcefulness, independent thinking and community loyalty.

‘They match the entry to the Freedom to Flourish values, which is what the application is all about,’ explains Trudi.

Occasionally, with a category such as Volunteer of the Year, an entrant will be nominated by someone else who has admired what they have achieved.

In cases like this, Trudi explains that she will then contact the person nominated directly:

‘I explain that they have been mentioned to us for their work and ask them to fill in the application form themselves. This is because, whilst the information given by a third party may be glowing, it is usually scant.

‘By doing the application themselves we get the full and correct information that the judges need.’

The one award category where the recipient is chosen by Isle of Man Newspapers is the Lifetime Achievement Award and Trudi explains the process for this:

‘The person who is honoured for Lifetime Achievement is the only one who has absolutely no idea on the night that they have won anything! There is no application form submitted and no formal judging process.

‘What happens is that, over the course of the year, people mention to us the names of those who they think would be worthy, so we get input from all areas of the community.

‘In past years, very few of them have been business people – they are people who have done very many wonderful things but often outside their actual role.

‘Last year’s winner, Dot Tilbury, was an incredibly popular choice and a classic example of someone who had made a great contribution to the community outside her normal role – obviously she had a great career but it was all about passion and what she had done for the Isle of Man.

‘It was also a very appropriate time because of the Olympics and success of the cycling and the fact that a lot of the success of Manx cyclists had been attributed to her – and how wonderful that she’s still doing it with all the youngsters!’

Trudi says that one of the most memorable Lifetime Achievement Awards was the one awarded posthumously in 2010 to Mike Kerruish:

‘That even brought a tear to the eye of the presenter on the night, Rory Bremner. He commented that, having done hundreds of awards nights he’d never been moved before by someone he didn’t know but he was very moved by this tribute.

‘Each year, the film footage for the Lifetime Achievement Award is made by Paul Moulton and he managed to capture the poignancy of the award to Mike Kerruish, just as he was able to capture the fun element of Dot Tilbury last year.’

And she adds: ‘Look out for this year’s Lifetime Achievement winner who we are already working on!’

For more information see www.iomtoday.co.im/afe

University scientists looking at the feasibility of using seaweed that washes up on Manx beaches as biogas have launched a questionnaire into residents’ energy attitudes.

The online questionnaire covers the level of support for development of different energy support in the island, including biomass, onshore and offshore wind farms, tidal power and solar energy.

Advantages and disadvantages of each of these sources are then looked at.

Participants’ attitudes towards the environment are examined – how much they agree or disagree with statements such as ‘The Earth is like a spaceship, with very limited room and resources’.

Felicity Greenwell, one of the team of researchers, said: ‘We will gather all responses together to create a report which may be used for academic publication and for the MEA and Manx government to see.

‘We have no political/environmental/financial agenda and are just interested in people’s thoughts – whatever they may be.’

The feasibility study is exploring the ecological and social potential for seaweed to provide an alternative gas supply source. The island is being considered as a case study to identify ‘real barriers and solutions’ for the potential of seaweed growth from across UK coastal waters.

Growth will be assessed in four areas around the island’s coastline.

Sociological and technological feasibility studies are also being carried out by Durham University Business School researchers to address public acceptability and stakeholder perceptions towards this technology.

Dr John Bothwell has said the removal of seaweed from Douglas beach is about the least damaging way to get some benefit from seaweed biomass without affecting the environment.

But he said there was definitely potential to scale up the amount of biomass that’s being turned into bioenergy. He said cultivating very large amounts of seaweed offshore might affect existing marine life, for better or worse.

The questionnaire can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/s/IoMEnergy

The organisers of a sponsored pram relay along Douglas seafront are looking for participants to take part.

The event, on Sunday, September 8, is in aid of The Jane’s Big Push campaign to raise £20,000 to refurbish two rooms on the labour ward at Noble’s Hospital into a home-from-home birthing room.

It will start at midday from the Sea Terminal building and walkers will work in teams to complete the distance of the TT course – 37.73 miles – 10 return trips of Douglas promenades.

Event organiser Aimee Pease, of Antenatal Personal Training, explained why she was supporting the campaign: ‘I qualified as an antenatal educator and doula earlier this year and I have set up my own business offering private antenatal classes, pregnancy relaxation classes and I am working as a doula so will be spending time up at The Jane with my clients.

‘I have had three children myself and I really enjoyed the experiences of childbirth. I want other mums (and dads too) to be able to enjoy their experience too.

‘I know by helping raise money for The Jane’s Big Push it will help create an even nicer environment for mums to be to relax and enjoy their experience of childbirth.

‘Everyone who has a baby on the island needs the facilities of The Jane so it’s important we have the best environment possible.’

Aimee is looking for anyone who is willing to walk at least one return length of the promenade with a pram.

Children are welcome to join in too with either a toy pram or a bike, so the whole family can participate.

Walkers will be placed into a team on the day and will be walking in at least pairs so that they are not walking past 4pm.

Alternatively, groups of four or more people can register as a team and cover the full distance between them.

For more details, or to register your name and get a sponsor form, contact Aimee on 217624 or email antenatalpersonaltraining@gmail.com

SMP Partners has appointed Jayne Corlett as a manager within the compliance team.

Jayne has more than 13 years’ financial regulation experience, joining SMP from the Isle of Man Financial Supervision Commission, where she spent eight years as a manager in the funds and investment services team.

Before that she was involved in the authorisation of collective investment schemes with the UK Financial Conduct Authority.

SMP Partners managing director Mark Denton said: ‘Jayne’s deep understanding of funds and investment vehicle regulation and compliance will be vitally important to us as we continue to build our fund administration business.

‘With the recent acquisition of the Chamberlain fund business and new fund clients on the horizon, her introduction to our team could not have been more timely. I also see her extensive regulatory experience being invaluable to our wider group as we take the necessary steps to respond to the recently introduced international reporting regimes.’

Jayne added: ‘I have known the business from a regulatory perspective for many years and the opportunity to join such a highly respected and well managed group had great appeal and excitement.

‘I am looking forward to working with Mark and my new colleagues to support the development of the compliance function and to contribute to the group’s future success.’

The Government’s Office of Human Resources (OHR) has been awarded the prestigious Investors in People (IIP) Gold Award.

It is the highest accolade in people management practices from an independent and internationally recognised body.

And the OHR, which provides specialist human resource services across Government, has become the ninth organisation in the island to achieve the top level accreditation.

Jon Callister, chief officer of OHR, said: ‘We believe that the implementation of the standard assists us to develop a professional, competent and confident workforce, able to consistently deliver quality public services for the benefit of our customers.’

At the heart of IIP is a framework which sets out outcomes that represent good practice in the way people are led, managed and developed.

To achieve the Gold Award some 165 evidence requirements have to be met.

The OHR, which employs a total of 69 full-time and part-time staff, exceeded this – it met a total of 171 evidence requirements in the entirely interview-based assessment carried out last month.

The Office was set up in April 2011 as part of Government’s transformation programme.

It brought together the specialist human resources services that had previously been located within the various departments, boards and offices of Government.

Its services include employment advice to managers and staff, recruitment services, learning and development, industrial relations service and policy development, health and safety advice, and staff welfare.

The Personnel Office, which was one of the offices included in the amalgamation, had previously held the IIP Standard Award for just over four years.

This award was transferred to the OHR in 2011.

IIP requires that organisations are re-assessed to ensure they are still meeting the required standards every three years.

And it was from this re-assessment that the OHR was awarded the IIP Gold.

Mr Callister said that IIP specialised in transforming business performance through people, using the framework of best practice.

Without being prescriptive, the framework outlines what organisations need to do to in order to align their people with what they want to achieve as an organisation.

He said: ‘The IIP journey which OHR embarked on following its inception in 2011, where individuals were brought together from various departments and offices within Government and were required to work as a team, has been an interesting one.

‘Change is never easy and this was no exception.

‘Early on it became evident that in order to build staff engagement, OHR needed a new and individual identity, which accurately reflected our joint values and vision.

‘We needed to become a cohesive entity where we felt we belonged and of which we could be proud.’

He said: ‘The executive team of OHR was supported in the use of the IIP framework, and a working group from within OHR was identified to identify what needed to be done and how to do it.’

A staff survey was completed which identified areas which required attention or improvement.

And team workshops were conducted where individuals were given the opportunity to discuss what OHR would ideally look like.

Remedial actions were recorded on an action plan, which was then approved by the executive team and a date was reserved for the final IIP Assessment.

Mr Callister said: ‘This allowed OHR one year to make the necessary improvements to develop into the engaged, motivated, efficient team that we knew we could be.’

He said: ‘By using the IIP framework we believe that we have achieved much of what we set out to do, and are committed to continuing to make improvements within our Office to ensure that we enable us to live up to our vision – “Empowering people to deliver quality public services”.’

In July the IIP assessor interviewed 19 members of staff on a one-to-one basis over a period of three days.

And the assessor gathered from them practical examples of how OHR met the IIP requirements.

Mr Callister said: ‘Our assessment clearly indicated that our people enjoy a good working environment, where they are recognised for their contribution and have access to quality learning and development when required.’

In the report, the assessor said: ‘The organisation had developed its vision and values through involving staff groups and this had proved successful with staff who really felt that this was a beneficial exercise in ensuring that the values reflected the behaviours expected at OHR.

‘As a result people could identify and align themselves to these areas and subsequently described to the assessor how they were synchronised in line with the way that they worked at OHR.’

It continues: ‘People were also clear on the actions which supported the values and could see how these were linked to their overall performance.’

A number of high value items were stolen from within a rucksack on Lower Promenade, Port Erin, between 6.30pm and 8.30pm on August 7.

A number of bags had been placed on the sea wall opposite the wave shelters while a rugby training session took place on the beach.

The area is believed to have been busy at the time due to the fine weather.

Anybody who may have information relating to this crime or may have seen persons acting suspiciously in the area are asked to contact PC Arnold at Port Erin Police Station on 832222 or by email on robin.arnold@gov.im

A motorised trike was damaged after being moved by a group of young men in Ramsey at around 5pm on Saturday, August 10.

The group, described as being aged 18 to 20 years, ran out of Bourne Concourse, Peel Street.

As the group exited into Chapel Lane they shouted loudly among themselves as they moved the vehicle.

If you have any information, call Ramsey Police on 812234.

Michael Sweeney, winner of the 2010 Junior MGP race, signalled his intent with the fastest lap of the first timed Manx Grand Prix qualifying sessions on Tuesday evening.

The Skerries man, one of the top 10 seeds in the new qualifying system, posted an impressive 116.299mph (19:27.91) on his R6 Yamaha to top the Junior leaderboard from Stephen Harper on 114.279.

James Cowton, who finished fourth in last year’s Junior MGP and won the newcomers C race, showed he will again be a contender in the Junior race next Wednesday with the third fastest time of the night of 113.797 with Stephen McKnight also posting a lap in excess of 113mph.

Sweeney later switched on to his ER 650 Kawasaki and posted the fastest lap of the SuperTwin session with 110.238 (20:32.12), although 1993 Formula One TT race winner Nick Jefferies, who also won the 1983 Senior MGP, clocked a notable 107.278mph (21:06.12) on his first timed session on the Mountain Course since 2002.

Dave Taylor topped the Lightweight session with a lap of 104.087 (21:44.95) from Dave Corlett (103.065) and Anthony Redmond (102.522).

An impressive group of newcomers posted their first 100mph plus laps, led by Neil Lyons from Drumree in Northern Ireland. Marc Livesey, Jason Corcoran, Christopher Dixon, Richard McLoughlin and Anthony Cooper all showed early promise ahead of the Newcomers A race scheduled for Wednesday, August 28, posting laps in excess of 105mph.

Callum Collister (103.599) topped the Newcomers B Race with Ben Rea (98.077) the fastest in the Newcomers C class.

Tonight’s (Wednesday) MGP session starts at 6.20pm for Senior, Junior, SuperTwin and Newcomers A with the Lightweight and Newcomers B and C going together with the Classic machines at 7.05pm.

Flags have been raised over the sunken gardens on Loch Promenade and in Noble’s Park after Douglas Council was awarded Green Flag accreditation for both sites by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy.

Council leader Councillor David Christian said that winning the two Green Flags at the first attempt had served to inspire the council to aim for accreditation for more of its green spaces, such as one of its garden squares, in the future.

Left-hand flag: sunken gardens team Stephen Bagnall, Peter Christian and David Kelly with Council leader Councillor David Christian and head of parks David Hewes. Right-hand flag: assistant head of parks Graham Newsome and regeneration and community advisory committee lead member Councillor Stephen Pitts with Noble’s Park team Dave Gaggs, Andrew Hockaday, Peter Cowin, Dave Mahon and Andy Sayle.

Jon Morley, managing director of Bespoke Recruitment Limited, has been recognised as a Fellowship (FIRP) of the Institute of Recruitment Professionals.

Jon started off in the recruitment industry 12 years ago and was appointed as a director and shareholder of a local agency aged just 24.

Since then he has gone on to pass both the Certificate and Diploma in recruitment practice and formed his own company, Bespoke Recruitment Limited, seven years ago.

Jon’s has years of experience specialising in financial recruitment across executive and board-level appointments, general permanent recruitment, and contract and temporary roles.

The Isle of Man Office of Fair Trading wishes to make the public aware of a safety notice issued by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK.

The MHRA is asking people with diabetes not to use certain lots of a specific type of blood glucose test strip because a fault in some of the strips may mean that people could overestimate the amount of insulin they need to take.

The test strips affected by the manufacturing fault are called the GlucoMen LX Sensor blood glucose test strips.

They are used with the GlucoMen LX and GlucoMen LX PLUS blood glucose meter and they are manufactured by Menarini in Italy.

The manufacturing fault has now been resolved and there is currently no evidence that any patients in the UK have been adversely affected by tany faulty testing strips.

People can check if they have the affected test strips at home by looking for the lot numbers on the tubs of test strips.

Lot 3212219249, expiry date 31 August 2014 and Lot 3212214249, expiry date 31 August 2014.

About 850 students from the island’s five secondary schools will obtain their GCSE results and other equivalent qualifications such as BTECs today (Thursday).

These are one of the end products of two years of study in key stage four (years 10 and 11).

This year, for the last time, some students will have already completed units from their GCSEs in January or June last year as the GCSEs have largely become modular.

Under the UK coalition government, the English exam boards will be required to return to linear assessment in 2013.

Paul Craine, co-ordinating adviser for 11-19 education said: ‘We are hopeful that our results will hold up well.

‘There are some uncertainties in the background.

‘Exams regulator Ofqual have indicated that some of the grade boundary issues that related to English last year may be visible in maths and science this year.

‘Exam boards have been under pressure to reduce the number of higher grade passes.’

The results will open doors both for further study, perhaps progression onto level 3 qualifications (such as A levels and Level 3 BTEC awards) in sixth forms or at Isle of Man College, or for employment.

In 2012, 52 per cent of students returned to school to join the sixth form and a further 31 per cent enrolled at Isle of Man College – making a total of 83 per cent remaining in education.

Mr Craine said: ‘It is vital that students receiving results have thought through their options and are ready to seek advice from schools, from Isle of Man College or from the Careers Service.

‘It is also important for students trying to make use of their results to secure work or study places to reflect on the wide range of other skills that schools have been working to help them develop –readiness, resilience, resourcefulness, reflectiveness, relationships, remembering.

‘These dispositions will be as important in the week ahead as the qualifications themselves.’

Last year, the A* to G pass rate for full course GCSEs exceeded 99 per cent for the first time, with 99.1 per cent of entries being successful.

Some 17.4 per cent of entries produced A or A* grades, compared with 19.1 per cent in 2011. And 64.4 per cent of the full GCSE entries were passed at the higher grades, A* to C, compared with 67.2 per cent last year.

The Department of Education and Children will issue a statement this afternoon, outlining the overview of results across the island’s five secondary schools.

Amendments to the island’s relationship with the European Union will not require Act of Tynwald in future, under Council of Ministers’ proposals.

But any substantive changes to Protocol 3 will still need Tynwald approval.

CoMin has begun consultation on the European Union (Amendment) Bill 2013. Its purpose is to amend the 1973 European Communities (Isle of Man) Act to include the treaty allowing Croatia to become an EU member state last month and the protocol that followed the Irish referenda on the Treaty of Lisbon.

Since 1973 there have been a number of treaties which have either amended how the European institutions work or provided for the accession of new member states. In each case, Protocol 3 has remained entirely unchanged. To amend the protocol would require the agreement of all member states.

CoMin is proposing in future it should be possible to make treaty amendments by an Order rather than requiring an Act of Tynwald, saving both parliamentary and government time. But this power would not allow for the 1973 Act to be amended as a result of any possible future substantive change to Protocol 3 which would still require an Act of Tynwald to be implemented.

Former pupils of Ballakermeen High School are being encouraged to dig out their flares for a bash at the Crescent nightclub in Douglas.

The reunion will take place on Friday October 25, starting at 7.30pm, and is being organised by Michele Cubbon (nee Lyall) and Alison Corlett (nee Looney).

The two women are hoping as many as possible of their classmates who were at the school between 1974 and 1977 will show up.

Michele said: ‘We did one 10 years ago when we were 40 and we had an amazing turn out. One person made the trip from Alaska!’

In the run up to the reunion, everyone wishing to attend is being encouraged to find pictures of themselves and their friends taken in the era.

‘We want to make copies of them and put them up on the walls,’ Mrs Cubbon added.

Contact Michele on 473614, cubbon@manx.net or Alison (nee Looney) on 417632, alison.corlett@me.com

Online dress shop LMF LMF has recruited Ariana Dening as fashion intern.

LMF LMF, which stands for Love My Figure, Love My Fashion, is an innovative venture which offers women the chance place their measurements in a body shape calculator and then shop for their shape.

Launched in June 2013, the outlet celebrates all body shapes and sizes, and aims to help women find the perfect fitting dress.

The appointment of Ariana comes as LMF LMF releases its new collection of Motel dresses, following their latest photo shoot in the Isle of Man.

Ariana said: ‘Having studied in the fields of both fashion and the creative arts, I feel so privileged and excited to now be working within the industry with Laura as part of the LMF LMF team.

‘The brand ethos is massively important and embracing body shape and size is a subject that I’ve always felt so strongly about.

‘To be able to work actively in such an environment is, of course, amazing!

‘We’ve so much in store at LMF LMF and I’m eager to learn the ins and outs of working within the fashion industry, especially so close to home!’

Laura Faulds, managing director of LMF LMF, said: ‘We are delighted to have Ariana on board as our fashion intern. She is bright, with a natural flair for creativity and an eye for detail.

‘We have lots of exciting projects on the go at present and Ariana is bringing with her enthusiasm and passion for our ethos.’

You can see Ariana’s latest Behind the Scenes blog post on LMF LMF’s Motel photo shoot on their website www.lmflmf.co.uk

Thursday, August 22

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

• Walk and talk, Harbour Lights Cafe, Peel, 10am. Also Friday, NSC, Douglas, 10am; Monday, Poulsom Park, Castletown, 10.30am; Tuesday, NSC, Douglas, 10am; Wednesday, Ramsey Rugby Club, 10am. Call 688592.

• Pilates 9.30am and 10.45am, Hot Yoga 6pm and 7.30pm, Friday, Kettlebells 7am and 1.10pm, Get Yoga Fit 10am, Hot Yoga 6.30pm, Saturday, Hot Yoga, 10am and 11.30am , Sunday, Hot Yoga 10am and 11.30am , Monday, Kettlebells 7am and 1.10pm, Get Yoga Fit 10am, Warm Pilates 5pm, Hot Yoga for Beginners 6.30pm, Tuesday, 7am Hot Yoga, 5.30pm Pilates, Wednesday, Kettlebells 7am and 1.10pm, Get Yoga Fit 10am, Hardcore 6 pack ABS 5.45pm, Pilates 6.30pm at The Gym, Ramsey 812100.

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

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

• Pilates at noon and 2.15pm. Also balance pilates at 1.30pm on Tuesdays. All at the Church on the Rock, Ramsey. Also 9.15am Pilates at Woodbourne Square, Douglas, at 9.15am on Tuesdays. Call 491449.

• Chair based exercise sessions, Onchan Youth and Community Centre, 1.30pm. Also Friday, 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. Call 642668.

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

• Iyengar inspired yoga classes, Children’s Yoga, 3.45pm-4.45pm, reception to Year 3 and 4.45pm-5.45pm, Year 4 to teenagers. Men’s Yoga, 6.30pm-8pm, mixed ability. Hatha Yoga, Monday, 9.15am-10.45am mixed ability for over 60s, Monday, 11am-12.30pm, Hatha Yoga, Wednesday, 7pm-8.30pm mixed ability. All at Laxey Football Club. Call Jane on 863130 or janepycroft@manx.net

• Manx Fencing Club, Ashley Hill School, Onchan, 4pm. Also seniors at Ballakermeen High School, Douglas, 5pm; Tuesday, Arbory village hall, beginners at 4pm and Grade 1+ 5pm; Wednesday, Ramsey Grammar School, juniors at 5pm and seniors at 6pm, also at Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, juniors at 6.30pm and adults at 7.30pm.

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

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

• Get Back Into The Swing of Things - badminton, squash, table tennis and mini tennis, includes equipment and a coach, NSC, 2pm-4pm.

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

• Zumba, Carrefour Health Club, Douglas, 6.30pm. Also Monday, 8pm; Wednesday, 9.45am.

• Cardiotone, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 7-8pm. Also Monday 7-8pm. Call 452729/863602.

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

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

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

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

• Fencing for all ages. Ashley Hill School, 7.30pm. Also Monday, Andreas Parish hall, 4.30pm; Tuesday, Arbory Parish hall, 4pm and Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, 6.30pm; Wednesday, Scoill Ree Gorree sports hall, Ramsey, 5pm. Call 880863.

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

Friday, Friday August 23

• Pilates St John’s Methodist hall at 9.30am and The Studio, Falcon Road, Douglas, at 1pm,Monday - St John’s Methodist hall at 9.30am and Colby Methodist hall at 6.15pm,Wednesday - St John’s Primary School at 5.15pm and 6.15pm. Equipment provided. Ring Lizzy Main on 427401 or visit http://pilates-isle-of-man.co.uk

• Zumba Classes at Silvercraigs Hotel, Queen’s Promenade, 9.45am and 10.25am. Creche facility. Zumba Masterclass for beginners, Zumba Gold and Zumba Fitness Classes for women and mums and tots. Also Tuesday.

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

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

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

• Tai chi chuan, Murray’s Road School, 7.30pm. Call 612305.

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

Saturday, August 24

• 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.

Sunday, August 25

• Yoga and Nutrition, Karma Yoga Studio, Douglas. 6-7.30pm.

Monday, August 26

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

• Beginners Yoga, 10am, Karma, 2nd Floor, 8 Victoria Street, Douglas. Also at 10am (over 60s half price £5).

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

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

• 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 Class, 6.30pm-7.30pm - 8.30pm, Morton Hall, Castletown. Also Wednesday 6.30pm-7.30pm and Zumba Toning Class, 7.30pm-8.30pm, all at Corrin Hall, Peel. Call Sue on 230369.

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

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

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

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

Tuesday, August 27

• Fit2Go walking sessions, car park, Station Road, St John’s, 9am. For ladies looking to improve their fitness. £3.

• Cheerleading, All Saints Church hall, 4.30pm. Call 254499.

• Pilates, the hall at Church on The Rock, Ramsey, 6.15pm. Call 491449.

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

• Tai Chi Chuan, Lezayre Parish community hall, 7pm.

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

• IoM Karate Federation, Murray’s Road School, Juniors, 7pm, Seniors, 7.30pm. Call 612305.

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

• Early Morning Boot Camp, 6.15am-7am. Also Wednesday and Friday. Evening Boot Camp, 6pm-6.45pm, Tuesday and Thursday, and 9am-9.45am Saturday. Also Kettlebell Classes, Wednesday, 6pm-7pm, Saturday, 8am-8.45am, Marown Millennium Hall. Call 465335.

Wednesday, August 28

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

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

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

• Valkyrs Hockey Club training, QEII astro pitch, Peel. Juniors (8+), 6pm; Seniors (13+), 7.30pm. Call 801802.

• Iyengar inspired yoga, 6pm-7.30pm, Brightlife, Andreas. Contact Kel on 452015.

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

Thursday, August 22

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

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

• Bailey Murray Academy of Irish dancing classes 4.30-7.30pm at Gena’s Dance Academy, Peel. Also Irish dancing adult classes 9-10pm. Friday Irish dancing classes 9am-12pm.

• Modern Line Dance classes for all levels at the Legion Hall, Onchan. Also Monday and Wednesday. Call 670308.

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

• Irish set dancing above Macbeth’s, Victoria Street, Douglas, 8pm. Call 457268.

Friday, August 23

• 5pm-5.45 under 6 years ballroom; 5.45pm-6.30pm 6-9 years ballroom; 6.30pm-7.15pm 9-12 years ballroom; 7.15am-8:00 12+ years ballroom, St Matthew’s Church hall. Also Tuesday, 4pm-4.45pm under 8 years ballroom; 4.45pm-5.30pm Dynamites freestyle; 5.30pm-6.15pm 8-12 years ballroom; 6.15pm-7pm Energisers freestyle; 7pm-7.45pm 12+ years ballroom; 7.45pm-8.30pm Explosions freestyle. Call 474063.

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

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

Saturday, August 24

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

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

• Zumba for Fun in Jurby Parish hall, 11am.

• Irish Dance Mixed 3pm. Also Prim/Int on Monday at 4.30pm and Tuesday at 6.15pm. Beginners on Tuesday at 5.15pm. Stage Snr 4pm. Also Stage Int at 5pm, Dance Factory, Onchan Park.

• Sequence dancing, Onchan Methodist Church hall, 8pm. Call 829669.

• Social sequence dancing, Pulrose Methodist Church hall, Douglas, 8pm. Also Monday, Wednesday and Sunday. Call 842878.

Sunday, August 25

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

Monday, August 26

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

• Country dancing, Willaston hall, 7pm-9pm. Call 628521.

• Ceroc dance night, Masonic Hall, Douglas, 7.30pm-10.30pm.

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

Tuesday, August 27

• Oriental Dance Exercise, Gena’s Dance Academy, Peel, 10am. Also Wednesdays, The Gym, Ramsey. Call 300020.

• 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. £1.50.

Wednesday, August 28

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

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

• Latin Line Dancing,7.30pm. Beginners welcome. Royal British Legion Hall, Port Erin, 835098.

• Ballroom dancing, Villa Marina, Douglas, 8pm. Call 623414.

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