Landline telephone users across the Isle of Man are to set to pay higher charges from next month.

Manx Telecom is increasing the fixed line monthly line rental charge by an average of 3.3 per cent from September 1 (adding between 15p to 70p to the monthly bill depending on tariff), while the £1 discount for paying by direct debit is also being scrapped - except for customers who opt for paperless billing.

Marketing director David Smith insisted: ‘We believe when you benchmark prices with the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands, this is still really good value for money.’

Manx Telecom is currently the sole provider of fixed line services in the island - but it could be set to lose its monopoly over the the next year, with talks on-going with the Communications Commission and other operators.

Mr Smith said it was too early to say whether competition would drive prices down.

He said the MT had to cover the costs of maintaining and improving its fixed line network. Some £25 million has been invested to upgrade it over the last five years, while £100 million has been invested across all services over the last 10 years.

The dawn of the new Manx football season on Saturday signals the return of the island’s ‘favourite hypothetical XI’ - Team of the Week.

Throughout the season, Eric Clague and his hardy band of football-minded cohorts will pace the touchline at many of the island’s pitches, attempting to use their wisdom to rate players from each and every team that makes up the Canada Life Premier League.

During the campaign, there will be 10 Player of the Month and 10 Young Player of the Month awards up for grabs for the island’s in-form players - each sponsored by Canada Life who will present a trophy and champagne to the winners - before a Team of the Year will be selected in May.

Also in the spotlight are Manx football’s men in black - the referees - who will also have monthly awards to contest as well as the overall Referee of the Year accolade.

The first TotW of the 2013-14 season welcomes a few new faces into the fold, beginning with new Rushen United goalkeeper Jay Gandy who impressed in between the sticks for the Spaniards during their 6-3 victory over DHSOB.

Also starring in that contest at Croit Lowey was Gandy’s new team-mate, Adam Cregeen, who was in fine form at centre-back.

Joining him in a three-man defence are two further TotW newcomers - St John’s full-back Ste Martin and RYCOB’s Graham Kennish after they both excelled during their sides’ clash at Mullen-e-Cloie which the Saints won 2-1.

Ramsey got their campaign off to a fine start with a thumping 6-2 victory over newly-promoted Michael United and two of their players make up half of the TotW midfield.

Chris Duggan starred on his debut with two goals and was joined on the scoresheet by Kris Halsall.

The northern duo line up alongside Daniel Bell and Danny Gerrard who went head-to-head at the Bowl. Bell produced a man-of-the-match performance and scored on his way to helping Peel secure an impressive 3-2 victory, while Gerrard stood out in the heart of the Saints midfield.

Leading the attack are three players who scored no fewer than seven goals between them on Saturday.

Danny Oram stole the headlines as he netted a hat-trick on his debut for Rushen in their aforementioned 6-3 victory over Old Boys, while Ashley Webster and Mark Wolfended both helped themselves to braces as Laxey brushed aside Corinthians 6-2 at Ballafletcher.

Claiming the first refereeing honours of the new season is Neshko Marinov who impressed in the middle of the latter game.

Team of the Week

Goalkeeper

Jay Gandy (Rushen Utd)

Defence

Ste Martin (St John’s Utd)

Adam Cregeen (Rushen Utd)

Graham Kennish (RYCOB)

Midfield

Kris Halsall (Ramsey)

Daniel Bell (Peel)

Danny Gerrard (St Mary’s)

Chris Duggan (Ramsey)

Attack

Danny Oram (Rushen Utd)

Ashley Webster (Laxey)

Mark Wolfenden (Laxey

Referee

Neshko Marinov (Corinthians v Laxey)

The 2013 Isle of Man Football Association Futsal League came to an exciting finale recently when the semi-finals and final were closely contested at the NSC.

It was Douglas and District who, after finishing in top spot in the league, came unstuck against a strong continental Claremont Hotel team.

The latter’s attacking flair proved too much for the Douglas side who couldn’t quite take their league form into the knock-out stages.

Instead the impressive Blagoy Smilyanov scored four goals to secure a 6-3 victory.

Elsewhere 2011 finalists Magic Carpets were ripped up by new team Cedar as the Whitley brothers - Paul and Stephen - combined to score two goals each to progress their side into the finals for the first time.

The stage was set for a close finale with the result in the league going Cedar’s way in a 6-5 win. Team manager Paul Whitley opened the scoring in the early exchanges, however Kiril Velev’s neat finish pulled Claremont back level

Then Cedar scored three quick goals which took the game away from the hoteliers thanks to Stephen Whitley, Adam Pate and an own goal.

The second half saw a spirited response from Claremont with two goals from Velev and Smilyanov but the well-organised Cedar team responded with two well-taken goals from Gavin Gawne and Stephen Whitley to seal the win and the league title.

A big thank you goes to the referees for their officiating throughout the league and to the players for making it such an exciting league. The league featured 240 goals with an average of 10 goals a game, making it arguably the most exciting league in the island!

For more information about Futsal or if you wish to register your interest in entering a team in June 2014 contact Michael Baker at the IoM FA on 613750 or michael.baker@isleofmanfa.com

Cronkbourne have won the Standard Bank Premiership after they beat second-placed Peel and St John’s by seven wickets at Tromode on Sunday.

They now have an unassailable lead of 30 points with only one round of matches left.

Batting first, the Saints lost both openers to Ally Slack before Greg Hawke and Phil Littlejohns started to rebuild the innings. Max Stokoe then struck to remove Littlejohns, but Hawke battled on.

Stokoe claimed two more wickets before bowling Hawke for 27.

Dean Wales and Paul Nicholson revived western hopes, but a run out and two wickets from Alex Stokoe saw Peel and St John’s dismissed for 106 after 26 overs.

Cronkbourne did not find the going easy against a fiery western attack. Dan Hawke was at his fastest and quickly dismissed one of the openers. An injured Carl Wagstaffe came in at number three with a runner and gave valuable support to Max Stokoe.

The pair cautiously moved the Tromode total forward until Wagstaffe was lbw to Dan Hawke for 21 and Stokoe was trapped by Chris Hawke for 40.

Will Wood then hit out and, aided by Adam Killey, took Cronkbourne to victory and the Premiership title.

Castletown remain in third place after a narrow win at Crosby. The Marown team were dismissed for 138 after a remarkable spell from Mark Williams. From eight overs, five of which were maidens, he took four wickets for only eight runs.

Danny Kniveton struck 33 and Jamie Brown 19, but their low total seemed to put the game beyond Crosby’s reach.

However, they bounced back with a spirited bowling display. The Town batsmen were soon in trouble, but opener Wicus Wessels continued his great run of form.

As wickets fell, he took command with a superb innings of 82 not out. During this he completed more than 1,000 runs for the season.

In a tense finish, Castletown won by just two wickets to take all 10 points.

Joe Rothwell was the pick of the bowlers with 3-22, while Jack Rowlands and Dave Picken each took a couple of wickets.

Ramsey booked a place in the League Cup semi-finals when they chased 190 for victory against Valkyres.

The Douglas side had batted well with good work from Mark Furness (41), Tom Reader (39), Ben Bennett (22), Chris Langford (21) and Auri Ghausi (17no).

The Ramsey openers got their side off to a promising start as Eddie Cleator cracked 37 and Grant Atchison made 39. Skipper Rob Webber came in at number three and his patient 41 not out proved invaluable.

Tom Howard (16) and Brian Arnold (14) helped gather more runs, but there was only one over left when Ramsey reached their target. Tom Reader was the best of the Valkyres’ bowlers with 1 -14 from eight accurate overs.

Cronkbourne, Peel and St John’s, Ramsey and Castletown have now booked their places in the League Cup semi-finals. However, the draw is still to be decided by the final round of league games next Sunday.

St George’s ensured that the defence of their Canada Life Premier League title got off to a winning start with a comfortable 8-1 victory at Castletown Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Liam Cowin broke the deadlock with the opening goal on 10 minutes before Sean Quaye converted a Chris Bass Jr corner to make it two.

The home side then rallied and Alex Crawley pulled one back with a fine finish.

The hosts battled hard and stayed in contention until shortly before the break when three quick goals put the visitors well in command.

Reece Thompson made it 3-1 before two well-taken goals from Calum Morrissey made it 5-1 at the interval.

It took the visitors some time to find the net during the second period with Town keeper Jake Sansbury in superb form.

A late flourish of three further goals, however, confirmed the comprehensive win with Bass and Ciaran McNulty (2) providing some highly impressive strikes.

The section of central promenade in Douglas which was closed for almost two hours this afternoon (Thursday) after a road traffic collision has now reopened.

Police took the decision to close the road between the bottom of Broadway and the bottom of Summerhill at around 3pm.

Traffic was building in both directions following the accident, which is understood to have involved one motorcycle, and Isle of Man Newspapers chief photographer John Maddrell captured the above image.

Police thanked the public for their patience during the closure.

Some 75 people – including visitors to the Manx Festival of Motorcycling – took part in a ride-out for cervical cancer sufferer Grace Teare.

The event started from the Grandstand, in Glencrutchery Road, Douglas, at 1pm on Sunday.

While three people – William Wallace, Will Hindley and Davey Whorrall – set off earlier so they could complete a lap of the TT course on their bicycles.

It was organised by Grace’s friend David ‘Scotty’ Williams, who said: ‘The response has been phenomenal and I know how much Grace and her family appreciate it.

‘Thank you. I also know that there are other events being organised by other groups to help raise funds and I would kindly ask that you support them and this worthwhile cause where possible.

‘None of us know what is around the corner and we may be the ones in need one day.’

Grace, aged 26, who lives in Douglas with her partner Damon Kilsby and their two-year-old son Robbie, is currently spending each week at Clatterbridge Hospital on The Wirral having chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and then coming back to the island at the weekend.

Remember Me, a charity run by Lesley Turnbull to grant wishes for the children of sick or terminally ill parents, has pledged to cover the travel and accommodation costs for Damon and Robbie while visiting Grace in the UK.

On the day, £600 was collected, which will be used to help Remember Me continue to support the family.

Some people that were passing made a small donation even though they could not take part in the event because of other commitments.

Grace, Damon and Robbie were all looking forward to being there to say thank you to everyone for their support and help but unfortunately Grace was too poorly to attend.

Scotty said that on behalf of all the family Damon wanted to thank everyone for their efforts, support and well wishes.

He reiterated what Grace had highlighted before – the importance of women having regular smear tests, and urged those who were overdue their appointment to make one.

Raffle tickets are on sale on the GT 3000 Facebook page.

It is due to be drawn on Saturday but may be extended depending on ticket sales.

Scotty is also trying to arrange either a silent or public auction at a later date to raise more funds after receiving some great prizes from local people and businesses.

He thanked everyone involved with the ride out for their support.

Thursday evening’s Manx Grand Prix qualifying session was red-flagged at around 7.50pm following four separate incidents on the course at Ballahutchin, Kerrowmoar, Ramsey Hairpin and the Bungalow.

Scott Campbell, Ross Richards and Stuart Hall were involved in the incident at Ballahutchin on the approach to Ballagarey, with Richards and Hall taken by airmed to Noble’s Hospital. Campbell was reported as OK.

John Leigh-Pemberton came off his machine at Ramsey Hairpin and was also taken by airmed to Noble’s, while Gavin Lupton (Bungalow) and Neil Gregory (Kerrowmoar) were both reported as OK following their accidents.

The injuries sustained by the three riders taken by airmed to Nobles hospital are not reported to be serious.

MORE PROBLEMS FOR MCGUINNESS AT CLASSIC TT

John McGuinness’ problems with the Team Winfield Paton continued in Thursday evening’s 500cc qualifying session for the 2013 Classic TT Races presented by Bennetts.

The packed Grandstand was bathed in the early evening sunshine as the Morecambe Missile was first away alongside John Barton but he only got as far as Quarter Bridge before retiring. McGuinness had already missed the previous evening’s session with a reported electrical problem.

Other retirements on the opening lap of the session included Michael Dunlop, riding the MD Racing Norton, while Mark Parrett and James Hillier both pulled in at Crosby Village.

Barton, on the wemoto.com Kawasaki, was first back to the Grandstand with a lap of 114.058mph, his fastest of the week in the Motorsport Merchandise Formula 1 Class, with Steve Mercer riding the Yamaha Classic Race team machine also posting his fastest lap of the week with 116.493, a time he then improved on his second lap to 117.556.

Mercer’s time was the fastest of the evening but others to show their hand included his Yamaha Classic Racing team team-mate Mark Miller with 113.151 and Dan Kneen’s brother Ryan, who made his TT debut earlier this year, who clocked 115.212 on the DMR Yahama on his second lap of the evening.

In the Motorsport Merchandise Formula 2 Class, James Cowton, the 2012 Newcomer C MGP Racer winner, clocked a very credible 110.301 with Shaun Anderson (105.608) and Chris Barrett (102.235) but the trio were behind Chris Palmer who again finished top of the class with 110.818.

Dean Harrison continued his good form in the Formula Classic Class powering his BSA to 106.758, the fastest time of the evening and the week in that class, with Gavin Lupton (100.906) the only other rider to break 100mph. The Bradford-based racer has undoubtedly established himself as one of the leading road racers on the back of his performances at the TT, Southern 100 and Ulster Grand Prix.

In the 500cc class, with McGuinness experiencing problems, Olie Linsdell can take confidence from another 110+mph lap under his belt (110.442), with Bruce Anstey on the McIntosh Racing/Mobil 1 Norton lapping at his fastest time of the week with 107.927, from Palmer‘s 106.659 riding the Richard Shelton Racing Seeley and Cameron Donald on the Ripley Land Racing Matchless also posting his fastest lap of the week with 106.040.

Friday’s session has the Classic TT, Lightweight and Newcomers B and C out at 18.20 with the Senior, Junior, SuperTwin and Newcomers A out at 19.05.

The motorcycle rider involved in a collision on central promenade in Douglas yesterday (Thursday) afternoon has died.

The 51-year-old man, who has not been named, was from Scotland.

Taking place at just before 2pm, the incident involved a bike and three cars, near to the Castle Mona shops. A section of the promenade was closed for around two hours following the crash.

The rider was taken to hospital with serious injuries, but died in early this morning.

Police are eager to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the collision occur and also those who may have been parked in the area of the shops at the time of the collision. If you can help, contact police headquarters by calling 631212.

There will be no kerbside recycling for residents in Douglas and Braddan between August 26 and 30 because of road closures during the Festival of Motorcycling (the MGP and Classic TT).

Douglas Council and Braddan Commissioners apologised for any inconvenienc.

There will, however, be no change to the wheeled refuse collections in Douglas and Braddan where all wheeled refuse bins must be placed out for collection prior to 6am on the normal day of collection and removed from the collection point once emptied.

For all inquiries call 696445.

When kerbside collections were introduced in 2008, Onchan was included in the scheme. However, the district’s local authority pulled out.

Bosses at the Manx Aviation and Military Museum are keen to solve the mystery of a First World War medal.

Director Ivor Ramsden wants to contact a lady who donated the medal to the museum last weekend.

The medal was issued to Private Robert Callister of Baldrine, who never came home from the Western Front.

Ivor said: ‘I am working on a new exhibition covering the exploits of Manx men and women in the Great War. It will open next year to coincide with the centenary of the start of the conflict and this medal is just the sort of thing we need for display.

‘We always record full details when people donate items but for some reason this time we didn’t and I should be very grateful if the lady would contact me on 822695 or 454596. I should like to know anything she can tell me about Robert Callister because he was one of the many Manxmen who never came home from the battlefields and I should like to acknowledge his sacrifice in our exhibition.’

Private Callister died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, on March 21, 1918, and is buried in France.

Ivor said: ‘We are very keen to hear from anybody who might have items from the First World War who might be prepared to donate or loan them for display. It is even better if the items have a story associated with them.

‘It doesn’t need to be a story of great heroism – tales of everyday life are just as important because they help us to add the personal details that history ignores.’

The museum is open from 10am to 4.30pm every day until the end of September. All work for the new exhibition is done by volunteers but donations will be welcome to pay for materials needed for the cabinets, including wood, glass and lighting equipment.

Some of the island’s leading wedding suppliers will be showcasing their talents at the 2013 Palace Wedding Fair.

The event takes place at the Best Western Palace Hotel and Casino from 1pm till 4pm next Monday (August 26).

Exhibitors will include Balloons To Go, Embellished Elegance, H. Samuel, Graih My Chree, P.A.O.S Stationery, Platinum Cars, Steve Woodley Photography, The Sefton, AB Photography, Katie’s Beauty Lounge, Boxed Off, Erica Stephenson Make-up, K&B Carriages, The Cake Lady, Matt Mosur Photography, Blue Olive Productions, Manx Disco Services, Loleasa Event Design and Manx Wedding Photos.

Nicola Wilkinson, Sefton Group marketing manager, said: ‘We’ve attracted another fantastic range of exhibitors, with some new names joining us this year. The popularity of both the Palace Wedding Fair and the Sefton Wedding Fair, which takes place in February, continues to grow and that’s down to the calibre of exhibitors we are attracting and the fact that both venues remain incredibly popular as wedding venues.

‘What’s also helping is the fact that both hotels are now licensed to stage civil weddings, which means that couples can hold their entire wedding day in just one venue.’

Nicola added: ‘Wedding fairs allow brides and grooms-to-be to meet and talk with suppliers of just about everything they will need for their big day, all under the same roof.’

As an extra incentive, if a couple book their wedding at the Fair on August 26 – for either the Best Western Palace Hotel or The Sefton – both bride and groom-to-be will receive free membership of the Palace Health Club for 12 months.

The Alzheimer’s Society hopes to open a new office in the Isle of Man.

The charity is in the process of gaining legal status and will then seek a location for its office base.

It will employ four part-time paid staff in the office, along with volunteers.

Anne-Marie Cagliarini, locality manager for the Alzheimer’s Society in Merseyside and the Isle of Man, said: ‘We’re just in the process of becoming legal in the island, working with advocates, and what that will enable us to do is set up an office in the island.

‘We’ll have four part-time paid staff and hopefully lots of volunteers, so anybody that’s interested can come along and help us in our work.

‘It will enable us to mirror services that are being provided on the mainland, here on the island, that we know are much needed.

‘That will include specialised outreach services for people with dementia and providing that emotional support and also specialised services like maintaining skills groups, and activities for people with dementia and the carers.’

It is estimated that there are 1,055 cases of dementia in the Isle of Man, with the largest numbers aged between 80 and 89.

‘These are just the cases we know about too,’ said Anne-Marie.

‘There are many that are undiagnosed such as people living alone.’

There are around 750,000 people in the UK living with dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, affecting around 465,000 people in the UK.

Alzheimer’s disease is a physical disease affecting the brain.

During the course of the disease, protein plaques and tangles develop in the structure of the brain, leading to the death of the brain cells.

People wih Alzheimer’s also have a shortage of some important chemicals in their brains.

These chemicals are involved with the transmission of messages within the brain.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, which means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged. As this happens, the symptoms become more severe.

A Dementia Community Roadshow took place on Tuesday and Wednesday aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of the condition, as reported in last week’s Manx Independent.

The Roadshow bus offered a new free Dementia Guide, launched earlier this month.

To order the free guide visit alzheimers.org.uk/dementiaguide or phone 0300 303 5933.

Some 22 youngsters enjoyed an eight-day Irish-Manx exchange.

Last year, a partnership was made between Griese Youth Theatre in Ballitore and the Youth Arts Centre in Douglas, and saw the groups stage Footloose the Musical at the Gaiety Theatre. The groups met in Ireland this year, with the trip ending in a performance of On Track, which explores mental health, culture, peer pressure, friendship and ambition.

Activities also included a trip to Dublin Zoo, watching the Dublin Tenement experience, scriptwriting, voice workshops, storytelling, set design, exploration of the Quakers in Ireland, and Gaelic and Irish music and culture.

The trip was funded by Leargas, the national agency in Ireland for the Youth in Action programme.

Daniel Ntuiabane was one of the top performing GCSE students in the island.

The 16-year-old Ramsey Grammar School student was thrilled when he found out on Thursday he had scored an outstanding 11A*s and an A.

It means Daniel, of Grove Mount, Ramsey, is a step closer to his dream of becoming a doctor.

It comes as the education chiefs announced that across the island’s five secondary schools, a record 69 per cent of entries were passed at the higher grades, A* to C.

The A* to G pass rate for full and short course GCSEs was also at a record high of 99.3 per cent.

Monday’s Isle of Man Examiner will include all the results from schools around the island, plus reports and reaction.

Matthew Bostock took Manchester velodrome by storm last week, winning two silver medals in the British National Youth Track Championships.

Just one week after securing the overall honours in the prestigious Errigal International Youth Tour in Ireland, the Team Royal London 360 rider won silver in both the individual pursuit and points race for under-16s.

British Cycling president Brian Cookson OBE described the youth championships as an opportunity to spot future Olympic champions and Matthew certainly came to the notice of the GB talent spotters with his performances.

On the first day of competition he qualified for the 2,000 metre pursuit final in the second fastest time of the day, a remarkable achievement considering that he is still a relative novice at track racing.

In the final, against the much more experienced Joe Holt (County Cycles RT), the young Manxman clocked an amazing 2min 21sec to take the silver medal some three seconds behind Holt.

In what was his debut at the distance, Matty was using Jake Kelly’s bike, with Victoria Kinrade’s wheels and wearing Rob Dooley’s helmet. The only item of his own was the seat!

Joseph Fry (RST RT) beat Stuart Balfour (Ronde-Bicycle Outfitters) in the run-off for the bronze medal.

Three days later Matthew bagged his second silver medal in the hotly-contested points race. He was in the thick of the action throughout the race, taking maximum points in the final sprint to secure second place behind a rampant Holt.

The Glen Vine youngster rounded off a very successful week with ninth place in the 500m time trial and 21st in the scratch race in which he was caught with just five laps to go after being in a promising break with Joe Holt and Joseph Fry.

Matthew Draper also competed in the u16 boys, finishing 14th in the pursuit, 18th in the points, 20th in the 500m sprint, 22nd in the scratch race and 25th in the time trial.

Several other Team Royal London 360 riders competed in the championships. In the u16 girls Elizabeth Holden was a fine fifth in both the points race and pursuit, 10th in the scratch race and 11th in the 500m time trial, one place ahead of team-mate Victoria Kinrade, who qualified a good ninth in the sprint but failed to reach the final.

Eleanor Davies and Conor Davies competed in the under-14 omniums consisting of a pursuit, a sprint, a time trial and a scratch race. Both improved as the day went on, Eleanor eventually finishing 14th overall in the girls and Conor 28th in the boys.

Sophie Black of Manx Viking Wheelers was also in Manchester to compete in the junior championships. Racing against the recently-crowned double world champion Danielle Khan (Solihull CC), Sophie did very well to finish seventh in the sprint and time trial, ninth in the scratch and 10th in the pursuit.

Despite still getting over a nasty gash on his right foot from a recent trip away, Lloyd Taggart won the Peel Heritage Trail Run on Friday evening.

The event, organised by Western AC, formed the final round of the No Rest for the Wicked series and received the second biggest entry of the week (topped only by the marathon and half-marathon).

Taggart was the only runner to complete the relatively flat 6.9-mile course in under 40 minutes, but he was kept honest by Ben Corkill, who some are tipping as the man most likely to be the first local to defeat Taggart in a fell race on Manx soil!

Having also finished runner-up to Taggart in the Peel Hill Race four days earlier, this time he was only 25 seconds adrift over a longer course.

Ben Scott of the organising club completed the top-three, while Jackie Lee was the first woman in 15th place, 47s ahead of Rebecca Wallace.

There was an excellent entry of 86 runners for the event, which was followed by a buffet supper and series presentation.

Peel Heritage Trail Run, Western AC, Friday (6.9-miles): 1, Lloyd Taggart 39min 41sec; 2, Ben Corkill 40.06; 3, Ben Scott 41.35; 4, James Wren 43.14; 5, Peter Bradley 43.40; 6, Andy Watson 44.45; 7, Paul Cawley 44.45; 8, Stephen Quirk 45.01; 9, Paul Kennish 45.07; 10, Nigel Maddocks 45.09; 11, Ian Goatman 45.09; 12, Christian Varley 45.44; 13, Matthew David (100 Marathon) 45.48; 14, Richard Shipway 45.59; 15, Jackie Lee 46.34; 16, Rebecca Wallace 47.21; 17, Geoff Rice 47.35; 18, Steve Lyons 47.41; 19,Tom Melvin 47.49; 20, Murray Lambden 47.50; 21, Richard Highfield 48.42; 22, Judith Quane 48.44; 23, Tom Hughes 49.09; 24, Michael McCale 49.16; 25, Peter Callin 49.35; 26, Chris Kirk 49.59; 27, Paul Rodgers 50.24; 28, David Griffin 50.25; 29, Illiam Quane 50.34; 30, John Norrey 50.36; 31, Chris Reynolds 50.40; 32, Robert Quane 50.42; 33, Miles Shimmin 50.46; 34, Conor McCaughan (Leprechaun RC) 50.54; 35, Barry Cowin 50.55; 36, David Harrison 50.57; 37, Mike Reaney 50.58; 38, Rob Campbell 51.05; 39, Rosie Craine 51.26; 40, Steve Kennaugh 51.31; 41, Simon Atherton 51.50; 42, Neil Wilson 51.57; 43, Peter Cooper 52.29; 44, Barry Moore 52.43; 45, Phil Motley 52.49; 46, Shaun Hubbard 53.03; 47, Karen Shimmin 53.29; 48, Dawn Yates 53.37; 49, Kewin Kerruish 53.43; 50, Jenny Garside (Trawden AC) 54.10; 51, James Garside (Trawden AC) 54.10; 52, Steve Kelly 54.19; 53, Helen Taylor 54.27; 54, Charlie Whipp 54.38; 55, Glen Weir 54.45; 56, Les Brown 55.18; 57, James Graham 55.18; 58, Matthew McSevney 55.44; 59, Antony Boyd 56.13; 60, John Watterson 56.21; 61, Lawrence Dyer 56.38; 62, Mark Spiers 56.46; 63, Maggie Watkins 56.57; 64, Sharen Gardner 57.31; 65, Jerzy Matuszewski (Stockport) 58.28; 66, Zoe Craine 58.39; 67, Michael Crook 59.03; 68, John Critchley 59.06; 69, Adam Huxham 59.35; 70, Dave Anderson 59.38; 71, Suzanne Wild 59.45; 72, Chris Littler (Halamshire Hrs) 60.57; 73, Lucy Fern (Nimrod Runners) 61.28; 74, Terri Salmon 62.07; 75, Debbie Mackie 63.27; 76, Colin Crooks 63.37; 77, Moira Hall 65.03; 78, Roger Ashby (Pennine) 65.14; 79, Jonathan McNeill 68.02; 80, Jackie Moore 68.35; 81, Eric Lee 68.38; 82, Geoff Hall 69.16; 83, Alison Corlett 70.25; 84, Suzanne Garside (U/A) 72.18; 85, Paul Killey 72.23; 86, Monica George 75.02.

Health bosses have moved to restore public confidence in bowel surgery at Noble’s Hospital.

Colorectal surgery was temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure in November last year following higher than expected complication rates. All four patients who experienced complications were under the care of one general surgeon.

Surgery resumed in May after an independent review concluded it was safe to do so.

Liberal Vannin MHK subsequently leaked extracts from the review report - and accused Health Minister David Anderson of misleading a Tynwald committee by playing down its conclusions. Ten backbench MHKs have since called for Mr Anderson to be replaced.

This week, the Department of Health made public its action plan that has developed out of the review. But it has refused to publish the review report itself, with the Minister insisting it is a confidential document.

He has accused Lib Van of being irresponsible in quoting selective extracts from the report.

Mr Anderson said: ‘I’m concerned the public may have been misled and alarmed by the partial information that has been circulated to promote a particular political agenda, so I am keen that the public are provided with a more balanced picture.

‘Although the review document is for internal purposes and is private and confidential, the department has published the action plan it has developed, which consists of seven short term recommendations – all of which were implemented earlier this year – and six longer term recommendations, on which work is progressing.

‘So the majority of work has already been done with the rest well under way.

‘The consultant colorectal surgeon, upon completing his independent external review at the end of last year, did determine that on the whole it would safe for colorectal surgery at Noble’s Hospital to resume. However, senior management at Noble’s Hospital decided to take the precaution of ensuring that all of the short term recommendations were first in place before taking that step.’

He added: ‘Medical and surgical best practice continues to change and adapt with near constant improvements and innovations, as the recommendations and action plan show.

‘This plan ensures that the team at Noble’s can continue to develop services that take account of these advances, whilst making sure that patients undergoing highly complex and high risk procedures, such as bowel surgery, are as safe as we can possibly make them.’

Not all surgeons have recommenced elective colorectal surgery at Noble’s.

The extracts of the leaked report show one patient had an unnecessary operation. in another case a post-op infection was not investigated appropriately and in a third there had been a ‘very risky’ approach to managing a leak.

The action plan can be downloaded from the Department of Health’s website.

More than 400 participants and 37 teams will take part in the fourth Isle of Man Relay for Life, which starts tomorrow (Saturday).

The 24-hour non-competitive relay at the National Sports Centre track, sponsored by Celton Manx, starts at midday.

It raises funds for Cancer Research UK, now an Isle of Man registered charity, and money raised will go towards centres, treatment and research which directly benefits island patients.

The event’s format has been changed this year to make it a community style family fun day so the whole of the island community can be a part of it.

A VIP reception for cancer survivors will follow the opening lap of honour to start the event.

At a ‘fun day’ from midday until 5pm, entertainment will include an aerobics warm up, pilates and yoga classes, and a space hopper race.

Adults can treat themselves to a massage, and children can have their faces painted, watch Cookie the Clown, or take part in activities including a mini relay, treasure hunt, and craft activities.

A Big Relay Duck Race starts at 4.30pm.

Stalls and refreshments will sell purple ice cream, scones and popcorn.

Dot Tilbury will host a ‘Miss Relay’ pageant for the teams.

At dusk, the relay stops while candles of hope are lit to line the walking track, signifying hope and remembrance for those loved and lost to cancer.

A minute’s silence will be kept in remembrance.

Anyone can dedicate a candle in return for a donation.

The evening will see a movie night, and hot chocolate and cookies, and the following morning a closing ceremony including entertainment from Samba Mann and prize presentations at midday at the close of the relay.

There will also be health and cancer awareness information on display from both Cancer Research UK and local cancer charities.

Senior Cancer Research UK nurse Ruth Stafferton will be attending the relay too.

Guy Martin was ruled out of the inaugural Classic TT after turning up too late to register for Saturday’s Bennetts 500cc event.

The Ulster Grand Prix hat-trick hero travelled home to Lincolnshire on Sunday while many of his fellow TT stars journeyed direct to the island for the opening Classic practice sessions on Monday and Tuesday.

When Martin failed to turn up for the Wednesday evening either, whispers went round the paddock that he was likely to be turned away if he arrived the following day.

And that is precisely what happened as when he did attempt to sign on with the Classic TT organisers on Thursday afternoon he was refused a start.

‘I had some work to catch up on at home and as Andy Molnar [the bike’s owner] told me the bike wasn’t ready, I didn’t rush over to the island,’ said Martin.

‘I didn’t know that you had to complete two laps of the course by Wednesday evening, which is apparently what the rule is.’