Police are appealing for witnesses to an argument between two motorists in Anagh Coar.

The incident happened on Saturday at about 4pm on Cushag Road, below the Heron pub, after a grey Ford Focus pulled into the path of a blue Nissan Micra, causing it and other vehicles to stop.

It’s alleged the argument continued shortly afterwards further up the road, outside a house. Anyone with information should call police headquarters on 631212.

The high winds mean that Snaefell Mountain Railway’s services have been cancelled today.

The bad weather has also led to delays and cancellations for the Steam Packet.

What a different just four months makes.

It was only in May, ahead of the G8 summit in Northern Ireland, that UK Premier David Cameron was urging all British Overseas Territories or Crown Dependencies to ‘get our own house in order’ over tax transparency.

Then last week, having returned from another summit of world leaders, this time at the G20 in Russia, Cameron told MPs that he did not think it fair any longer to refer to any of these offshore centres as tax havens.

His view, however, is not one shared by France which earlier this month placed Jersey, British Virgin Islands and Bermuda on its list of unco-operative states for tax purposes.

It’s all a far cry from the height of the global financial crisis in 2008 when Labour’s little lamented Prime Minister Gordon Brown said there was a need to look again at the relationship between the Isle of Man and Britain – echoing the words of his Chancellor Alistair Darling who described us as ‘a tax haven sitting in the Irish Sea’.

In truth, as Manx government ministers have been keen to point out, the Isle of Man has been leading the field for 15 years when it comes to sharing tax information with other countries.

It’s a policy that ensured we avoided blacklisting by the OECD and has finally got us into the good books of UK Treasury.

It could be argued that we’ve moved too fast, too soon.

Treasury Minister Eddie Teare disagrees: ‘Far from it. We have always been pragmatic. You can’t just say “you can’t do that to us”. We have engaged with the international community. We’ve got brownie points for doing that. The UK government and international organisations realise that we’ve been realistic and reasonable.’

The Manx government signed its first Tax Information Exchange Agreement in 2002 and we now have some 30 such agreements, in force or awaiting ratification, with countries including Argentina, China, India and Switzerland, together with about a dozen double taxation agreements.

Two more TIEAS will be signed this week, with Italy and sub-Saharan Lesotho, the latter the second agreement signed with an African country (the first being Botswana). This is significant as critics claim tax havens are used to siphon money off developing countries.

It was the number of such agreements that enabled the island to be placed in 2009 on the OECD’s white list of co-operative financial jurisdictions.

That same year, at the OECD Forum in Paris, Allan Bell, then Treasury Minister, announced we were to go much further and introduce a major new policy of automatic exchange of tax information with the EU as from July 1, 2011 - one of the first small jurisdictions to do so.

Last year the Manx government announced it was negotiating with the US to implement its Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act and was committed to become the first nation to sign a FATCA-style deal with the UK.

Mr Teare said: ‘I’m on standby to sign both - hopefully within the next month.’

Under these FATCA arrangements, which is likely to become a global standard, automatic exchange will cover not just personal bank accounts as before but details of all account holders, including those whose identities might otherwise be hidden by trusts or companies.

The government last month confirmed its intention to join a multilateral convention, enabling tax information exchange to be extended to developing countries.

An action plan is also being produced on company secrecy, which is likely to be the new frontline in the international debate on tax transparency.

The UK government advocates the setting up of a central public register of beneficial ownership.

But Mr Teare said our legislation in this area is already ahead of many countries including the UK, with laws in place for 10 years to ensure details of true ownership and control of every company, trust and fund are made available to tax and law enforcement agencies.

He said: ‘A central register is not going to deliver what they expect. It will be out of date whereas our system is constantly updated. Placing people’s personal details on public display could leave some open to terrorism and blackmail. I don’t think that’s right at all.’

The Isle of Man Government has no plans to follow the Bank of England’s trial introduction of new plastic notes.

The Bank of England has begun a two month public consultation on the move and expects to make a final decision in December.

The bank has cited facts in favour of the note, such as, the plastic notes are harder to counterfeit, more durable, more environmentally friendly and cheaper.

Treasury Minister Eddie Teare MHK said: ‘Since we introduced the plastic £1 notes in 1983, technology has moved on and the new type of material is, I understand, more robust.

‘We are watching the proposal with interest, especially as this new material appears to have been adopted by a number of countries and seems to function well.

‘Creating new designs of bank notes is very expensive and we would only do so when a need arose. In the meantime we will keep a watching brief.’

If adopted, the first English plastic note would be the £5 featuring Sir Winston Churchill, which could be in circulation by early 2016, followed shortly by a Jane Austen design on the £10 note.

The only plastic note in the Isle of Man is the £1 note, which will cease to be legal tender on October 31. They stopped being produced in 1988. Manx plastic pounds currently sell for a lot more than £1 on eBay.

Australia introduced polymer notes in 1988, and more than 20 countries have since made the switch, including New Zealand and Canada.

Firefighters tackled a fire in a barn on Saturday.

At 12.44pm two pumping appliances from Douglas were sent to a report of a fire in Braaid.

Five large hay bales, stored in the barn, were alight. A jet and hose reel was used to fight the fire and dampen down.

The owner of the property was able to separate the bales involved using a tractor.

There was no damage caused to the structure of the barn.

Crews were on scene for more than an hour damping down and making the scene safe.

The cause of the fire was radiated heat from halogen lighting sited close to the stored bales.

Bacchas A began their Mixed Premier Division title defence with a 5-3 victory over Vikings A on Saturday.

PWC Mixed Premier Division

Celton Manx Celts 4-3 CM Skye Ramsey A

IOMA Group Bacchas A 5-3 Vikings A

Paragon Valkyrs B 2-3 IOMA Group Bacchas B

Vikings B 0-12 Paragon Valkyrs A

PWC Mixed Division One

Celton Manx Cammags 5-5 Fearless Sabres

HQ Harlequins A 2-6 IOMA Group Bacchas C

CM Skye Ravens 10-2 IOMA Group Bacchas Colts

Vikings C 4-1 Paragon Valkyrs C

PWC Mixed Division Two

Celton Manx Cushags 5-0 Vikings D

Celton Manx Southerners 5-1 Paragon Valkyrs D es

IOMA Group Bacchas D 4-0 Fearless Sharks

CM Skye Robins 1-1 CM Skye Rookies

PWC Mixed Under-16s

IOMA Group Bacchas A 5-1 CM Skye Rogues & Rascals

IOMA Group Bacchas B 0-10 Vikings

HQ Harlequins 2-1 Celton Manx Castletown

Full round-up in Monday’s Examiner.

Police are appealing for witnesses to an unprovoked assault which occurred outside the British pub on Saturday night, just before midnight.

The victim was stood near the pub on Douglas quay when he was approached by a group of males and punched on the side of his head.

One of the males responsible is described as being around 18 years of age, wearing a black t-shirt and dark coloured tracksuit bottoms.

The group then ran off before police officers arrived.

PC Dave Kneen is investigating the matter and anyone with information should contact Lord Street Police Station on 631212.

The Isle of Man’s under-18s side went up against a strong Liverpool County FA side in a friendly at the Bowl on Saturday evening.

The visitors produced an impressive first-half performance and recorded a 4-1 victory, despite a spirited response from the Manx late on.

Liverpool almost got off to a flying start in the contest when powerful forward Nathan Iniabere used his pace to latch onto a long ball over the top but his attempted lob over IoM goalkeeper Toby Hedges sailed just wide of the target.

However, it wasn’t long before they found themselves in front when a sublime piece of skill - a Marseille Roulette - by Anthony Shepherd allowed the winger to cross the ball to Liam Molloy who slotted home.

It was soon 2-0 when Dominic McGiveron released Iniabere who used his strength to shrug off a defender before slotting home past Hedges.

However, the Manx keeper was at his best soon after when he superbly blocked another effort from the same player to keep the score at 2-0.

As half-time approached, the hosts piled on the pressure in search of a goal but the outstanding Joe Morling’s effort was deflected onto the post following a corner.

Liverpool then delivered the knockout blow with a devestating counter-attack which saw Joshua Hamilton feed the ball to Shepherd who cut the ball back to the livewire forward and he showed great composure to fire home to give his side a 3-0 lead at half-time.

The visitors began the second half the way they ended the first and were soon 4-0 to the good when Shepherd’s corner was headed in from close-range by Joe Peacock.

To their great credit, the Isle of Man responded superbly and almost pulled a goal back when Morling rounded Liverpool keeper Thomas Anderson, only for his effort to be blocked on the line by Craig Callahan.

Manx substitute Cian Geoghegan then latched onto a long ball behind the visiting defence but was denied by a fine block from Anderson.

The same player then headed just over following a cross from Rob McCowliff while the excellent Morling continued to cause the Liverpool defence all sorts of problems and sent a fierce half-volley just over the bar.

He was eventually rewarded with a goal his performance deserved when he slalomed his way through the Liverpool back four and reached the byline before cutting back and firing in from a tight angle past Anderson to give the home support something to cheer about.

Final score: 1-4

Isle of Man squad: Toby Hedges, Jordan Kelly, Tom Wood, Tom Cowley, Robert McCowliff, Phillip Kelly, Joe Morling, Connor Birch, Daniel Corkill, Tom Jarvis, Cian Geoghegan, Tom Smith, Matthew Kent-Lloyd, Brody Patience, Charlie Robinson, Chris Biddulph.

Liverpool squad: Thomas Anderson, Craig Callahan, Benjamin Cooke, Callum Davis, Aaron Doran, Abdul Fatu, Joshua Hamilton, Jake Higgins, Nathan Iniabere, Jeffrey King, Christopher Lowe, Dominic McGiveron, Liam Molloy, Joseph Peacock, Aubrey Rogers, Anthony Shepherd.

TT 2013 saw huge growth in viewing figures, latest statistics show.

TT press officer Simon Crellin said television, radio and print media coverage as well as the online audience saw ‘double digit growth’ compared with 2012.

Department of Economic Development political member Laurence Skelly MHK said: ‘The TT Races now provide a real profile and platform for the Isle of Man worldwide as well as generating visitors to the island.’

ITV4 said North One TV shows generated almost a million more viewers than 2012, with an audience of more than 6m.

Monster Energy Supersport 1 had an average audience of 684,000 and a peak of 725,000.

Next day highlights programmes were screened in the USA.

North One TV chief executive Neil Duncanson said: ‘The TT Races is now one of ITV’s key sports properties.’

The iomtt.com website, run by Duke Marketing, had over 1m unique users over the two weeks, compared with just under 800,000 last year.

The website’s live timing service, TT Live was seen by about 200,000 fans.

Followers of the Isle of Man TT Facebook page grew to more than 140,000 during the race period and Twitter users up to nearly 40,000.

There was a growing number of online fans from countries including Brazil, India, Japan, Poland and Italy.

The new Isle of Man TT Races app, created by Agency Mobile, was downloaded 73,000 times across the race fortnight. It was the most downloaded sports app on iTunes during the event.

There were 1.86m successful connections to the digital services provided by Manx Radio via iomtt.com and the TT Races App.

Mannin Media, producers of the TT races official programme, saw a 9.5 per cent rise in its sales. It’s the highest circulation since the 2007 Centenary TT.

Passenger sailings to and from the Isle of Man will resume this afternoon after high winds caused the cancellation of a number of services.

The Manannan fastcraft sailing to Liverpool is to leave Douglas at 2pm, an hour earlier than scheduled due to forecast adverse weather, and passengers are asked to check in by 1.15pm.

If all goes to plan, the return sailing is set to leave Liverpool at 6pm, also an hour earlier than scheduled, and passengers are asked to check in by 5.15pm.

Meanwhile, the Ben-my-Chree is scheduled to leave Heysham at 2pm and is expected to reach Douglas by 5.45pm. The vessel will then leave Douglas for the return sailing at 7.45pm, reaching Heysham at 11.15pm.

As things stand, Tuesday’s sailings will run to schedule.

The Steam Packet’s sailing information line can be reached by calling 01624 645745.

ITo discuss a booking, the reservations team can be contacted on 661661 (IoM), 08722 992 992 (UK) and 0044 8722 992 992* (Eire and outside UK).

Songs of Praise is to record a programme in the Isle of Man.

Today’s Isle of Man Examiner has the details.

For the main story on page 1, we ask the Sefton Group about the future of the Castle Mona Hotel in Douglas.

Inside, we reveal the latest on the Isle of Man Festival, which was meant to go ahead in the summer, but which was cancelled.

On page 4 we report on the island’s moves in tax transparency and reveal when the FATCA deals are due to be signed.

We also meet a man from Baldrine who plans to enter the Mr Universe competition. You’ll have to look at the photo in the paper to see if you think he has a chance.

The paper also reveals that a new private school has opened its doors to the public.

The back page leads with the Rally Isle of Man.

The island’s favourite newspaper is in the shops now.

A glass window of a chip shop was smashed over the weekend.

It happened at a shop in Bourne Place, Ramsey.

The damage occurred some time between 9pm on Saturday and 10am on Sunday.

The upper glass window to the shop’s door was damaged.

Cronkbourne Cricket Club’s David Smith has been named as the third Standard Bank Player of the Month of 2013.

Smith overcame Will Wood, Greg Hawke, Bruce Wagstaffe, Wicus Wessels and Andy Ronan to claim the award, which covered the period to the end of August.

Chris Till, head of technical banking at sponsor Standard Bank, said: ‘It was yet another difficult decision this month, with some strong candidates. It was good to see the nominations came from across a number of clubs and highlights the breadth of talent in the island.

‘All the nominees should be congratulated for their achievements, but after deliberation by the judging panel, Smith was chosen following his excellent performances throughout the month which included a 98 in the Standard Bank Premiership, two further 50s (including a 72 no) and an average of nearly 78.5 across all competitions.’

He added: ‘Standard Bank has been supporting the IoMCA for 18 years and it is a delight to see the level and consistency in the standards of the players being nominated for this award.

‘That is testament to the hard work that goes into Manx cricket by the IoMCA and the individual clubs. The panel and I look forward to reviewing the final Player of the Month for this season and to having what is set to be another difficult decision.’

This is the fourth season in which individuals who make an outstanding contribution in a match or who display a consistently high level of performance, have the opportunity to be recognised. During the year four awards are up for grabs by players nominated by the Isle of Man Cricket Association (IOMCA).

The winner of the Standard Bank Player of the Month receives a £50 sports voucher, a Standard Bank shirt and cap plus a certificate.

Wow, just wow! Marown have won the Isle of Man Bank-sponsored Division One title for the first time since 2001, ending Onchan’s decade of total dominance.

But where do you start? How, in all seriousness, can it be possible to sum up the sheer drama which led to the most enthralling climax in the history of the league?

This season has been so extraordinary in every way that it is difficult to know if there are enough superlatives in existence to do it justice. 

Marown had led the way all season until last week where they sat out, allowing Onchan the chance to seize the initiative and move into a five-point lead at the top of the table.

With Onchan taking their turn to miss a game on Monday, Marown travelled to the fortress of South Ramsey knowing that if they did enough to draw level with the reigning champions at the summit, the fate of the title race would be in their hands.

But they didn’t do enough, South Ramsey put in a brilliant performance to become only the second team to defeat the Crosby outfit this season with a 6-4 win, changing the entire complexity of the title race in the process.

Going into the final set of fixtures on Wednesday evening the maths were simple; if Onchan at least matched the Marown result they would pick up their unprecedented 11th straight league title.

Anything less and Marown would reclaim the coveted title which has eluded them for more than a decade.

It was always going to be tight with the champions travelling to South Ramsey and the Crosby men having arguably the easier tie away at Castletown B, but nobody could have predicted the drama that unravelled on that fateful night with the championship decided by the final bowl in the final game of the final match of the season.

From the off both home teams made it evident that they were not going to lie down and roll over as they gave as good as they got in the early exchanges, with both matches locked in stalemate at the halfway point, advantage Onchan.

Town captain George Foy picked up a third consolation point for his battling troops before Marown finished off an under-par 7-3 victory leaving their chances of league glory in the hands of destiny.

With news filtering through from Ramsey that Onchan were ahead 4-3 on games and skipper Peter Slinger 19-12 ahead of South’s Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly in the final game, things did not look good for the challengers who, by this point, were huddled around a mobile phone in the Sidings with John Kennish vividly commentating on the final act.

At 20-14 adrift Kelly was as down and out as Marown’s title challenge, but he steadily forced his way into the game as he attempted to come back from the brink.

End after end he applied the pressure asking more and more questions of the Onchan skipper who didn’t seem to have any answers and, somehow, against all the odds he completed a miraculous solo display to win his game and, despite his team going down 4-6 on the night, handed the title to Marown.

Praise must go to South Ramsey who played their part so admirably to the bitter end, but spare a thought for Onchan, they left everything on the green and accepted their lot graciously, they have been great champions in victory but are now even greater ones in defeat.

This season belongs to Marown and every season, like every game is not won or lost on the last end, is about what goes before to get you to the point that counts which really matters.

My congratulations go to Neil Withers and his team for clinching a clean sweep as Colin Kelly picked up the league merit for an undefeated season to add to the Rayner Shield they won earlier in the season.

However, as much as I hate to be so clichéd, the real winner this year has been the sport of bowls. 

The relegation dogfight was even more insane with no fewer than five teams in the firing line with only one match remaining.

Castletown B’s well-earned three points against the now champions has left them in the precarious position of second from bottom one point above Noble’s Mixed who, without a game, were defenceless in their quest to remain in the top flight.

Mixed will definitely be relegated and, while precedent would usually see Town joining them in the second division, they may be saved by a league restructure which has been muted to balance up the top tier.

However, they will have to wait until after the annual general meeting later in the year to know their fate.

Frank Watson’s Peel A deserve a mention for an Houdini-like escape as they somehow managed an 8-2 win to move out of the drop zone and finish a solitary point above Town - anything less would have left their future hanging in the balance.

Port Erin A charged out of the blocks on Monday last week, defeating then second-placed Port St Mary B 8-2 away from home to tie up the league title with a game to spare and finish off a good season.

They have had a great campaign and are worthy champions who will be relishing a return to the top flight next season, however they lost their way a little in the middle of their campaign and consistency will be the key to first division survival.

Congratulations to the club and if they can get their green running well and win their home games next term they could have a long stay ahead of them in Division One.

With Port St Mary B falling so heavily on Monday evening, the battle was well and truly on for the second promotion place.

Port faced an unenviable trip to Finch Hill A and, while they put in a brilliant performance on Wednesday to run out 6-4 winners, they could only sit and watch on Thursday as Castletown C thundered past them with a monumental maximum 10-0 win over Finch Hill B to make history.

Town will now become the first club to have three teams in the top tier and the C should be congratulated for a tremendous season.

Noble’s Park A began the week with a great 7-3 win over high flying North Ramsey B to put them in pole position for the title.

A follow up 7-3 win away at Port Erin B on Thursday was enough to see them crowned champions and it is fantastic to see this great club moving back up the divisions and hopefully a return to former glory.

North Ramsey themselves picked up a 7-3 win midweek away at Douglas to leapfrog Onchan C and finish second in the table.

It is incredible to think that it is their inaugural season in league bowls and John Breen and his men should be lauded for their achievements.

I don’t have the words to summarise such an epic season of bowls across all divisions.

I don’t know if I will ever see another season like this one, with all the drama and anticipation building to the crescendo of the final bowl of the final day of the season, but this year has left me wanting more and I am metaphorically salivating in anticipation of what next year has in store.

Game 21
Division: One
BALLAUGH A (4) (150) 6, CASTLETOWN B (4) (133) 4:John Keenan 21, John Alderson 16; Harry Kelly 21, Ron Williams 11; Dave Foulis 18, Ian Watson 21; John Maddrell 21, Collin Holland 11; Gordie Moore 15, George Foy 21; Peter Graham 20, Derek Lewney 21; Edgar Cowin 13, Peter Oates 21; Bob Unsworth 21, George Peach 11.
CASTLETOWN A (7) (152) 9, PEEL SUNSET A (1) (120) 1:Bob Clark 21, George Gadsby 9; Michael Collister 21, Tommy McMeiken 20; Ben Dugdale 5, Jack Beecham 21; Nathan Cooil 21, Jerome Surridge 11; Andy Clark 21, Leslie Halsall 20; Mike Hargraves 21, Frank Watson 20; Trevor Quayle 21, Daniel Fenton 17; Tony Dugdale 21, Ian Christian 2.
DOUGLAS A (6) (140) 8, NORTH RAMSEY A (2) (130) 2:Paul Skelly 21, John Cannan 16; Stuart Garrett 21, Brian Colquitt 20; Matthew Keggen 21, John Radcliffe 14; Paul Kelly 21, Jimmy Moffatt 12; Ian Moore 21, Mike Skelly 13; Keith Rise 5, Gary Merrill 21; Mark Kneen 21, Tony Smart 13; Steve Crampton 9, Robert Monk 21.
NOBLE’S MIXED (3) (129) 3, PORT ST MARY A (5) (145) 7:Tony Schofield 12, Ron Maycox 21; Nigel Thomas 20, Ewan Cooil 21; Tommy Collister 21, Arthur Looney 10; Paul Leece 16, Ray Maddrell 21; John Ruscoe 9, Juan Hargraves 21; David Thomas 21, Robbie Cooil 13; Steve Cook 21, Ray Watterson 17; Peter Lees 9, Milton Cubbon 21.
SOUTH RAMSEY A (4) (152) 6, MAROWN A (4) (140) 4:Chas Grills 17, Dean Kipling 21; John Kennish 21, Peter Kelly 15; Peter Collister 21, Luke Hyland 17; Dido Kelly 20, Colin Kelly 21; Andy Kennish 21, Mike Cain 8; Adrian Skinner 11, John Gelling 21; Alan Moore 20, Neil Withers 21; Sid Bolton 21, Phil Kelly 16.
Division: Two
CASTLETOWN D (6) (159) 8, ONCHAN B (2) (111) 2:Philip Taubman 21, Brian Woodall 11; Peter Curtis 21, Peter Kniveton 9; Kevan Osborn 21, Dave Kelly 6; Brian Redman 21, Paul Bailey 17; Matthew Shanahan 16, Terry Moore 21; Ernie Mellin 17, Peter Wallis 21; Dave Hollingworth 21, Peter Karran 9; Billy Jones 21, Mike Alexander 17.
FINCH HILL B (5) (131) 7, BALLAUGH B (3) (129) 3:Billy Long 21, Dave McTaggart 7; Peter Hughes 14, Brian Lace 21; Kevin Skillicorn 21, Richard Faragher 11; Roland Hamley 6, Alan Kelly 21; Dave Jones 21, Bert Quayle 18; Roger Ritson 21, Phil Faragher 16; Malcolme Black 6, Charlie Howland 21; Sefton Dent 21, Peter Corlett 14.
PEEL SUNSET B (4) (138) 6, FINCH HILL A (4) (133) 4:Jack Lee 21, Peter Partington 11; Alec Taylor 9, Paul Dougherty 21; Billy Lyall 21, Billy Willson 19; John Lightfoot 17, Mervin Sayle 21; Phil Parker 21, Arthur Halsall 14; Alan Cromwell 21, Bill Cairns 5; Ian Pendlebury 18, Tony Epifani 21; Darren Young 10, Keith Fearnley 21.
PEEL SUNSET C (2) (102) 2, CASTLETOWN C (6) (152) 8:Lenny Kerruish 17, Philip Smith 21; Dougie Allan 21, Alan Phair 6; Gordon Corrin 5, Ross Moore 21; Clyde Quine 9, John Holden 21; Tony Carroon 21, John Matheson 20; Peter Daugherty 13, Mark Saunders 21; Mike Ashmole 12, Jeff Kinley 21; David Corkish 4, Willie Corkill 21.
PORT ST MARY B (2) (125) 2, PORT ERIN A (6) (156) 8:Louis Callister 21, Bernie Durcan 18; Brian Corrin 20, Steve Durcan 21; Juan Drinkwater 21, Derek Cadamy 12; Sam Palmer 9, David Cain 21; Archie Collister 7, Peter Addison 21; Ashley Qualtrough 13, Harry Minor 21; Richard Darnill 18, John Watters 21; Ray Shooter 16, Seamus Whelan 21.
PORT ST MARY C (2) (106) 2, DOUGLAS B (6) (157) 8:Brian Lowe 21, Thomas Rougvie 11; Robert Hirst 17, Gordon Wynne-Smythe 21; Dave Saxon 18, Geoffrey Mayles 21; Chris Oates 21, Bob Berry 20; Alan Robertson 7, Paddy Kinsella 21; Peter Lowe 11, Roy Williams 21; Karl Drinkwater 6, Pat O’Donohue 21; Colin Leece 5, Clive McGreal 21.
Division: Three
BALLAUGH C (6) (151) 8, PEEL SUNSET D (2) (117) 2:Tony Quine 21, Chris Skillicorn 10; Jason Fenton 21, Peter Kelly 17; John Looney 14, Ray Hardman 21; Steven Bradley 21, Bernard Kaighin 19; Gary Griffiths 21, John Iveagh 5; Philip Quayle 21, Paul Baker 6; David Hewitt 11, Ted Cain 21; Steve Grant 21, Bert Quayle 18.
DOUGLAS C (0) (0) 0, NOBLE’S PARK B (8) (168) 10:w/o 0, Tom Collins 21; w/o 0, Peter Collins 21; w/o 0, Steve Hall 21; w/o 0, Michael Cooper 21; w/o 0, Les Warburton 21; w/o 0, Graham Moore 21; w/o 0, Bob Callow 21; w/o 0, James Palmer 21.
NOBLE’S PARK A (5) (157) 7, NORTH RAMSEY B (3) (132) 3:Mark Quinn 18, Ray Skelly 21; Joe Bullock 21, John Breen 18; John Singleton 21, Steve Parker 8; James Harrop 19, Steve Walmsey 21; Brian Cain 15, Lee Christian 21; Les Brookes 21, Geoff Porter 19; David Quayle 21, Maurice O’Reilly 19; Stewart Cubbon 21, Trevor Jones 5.
ONCHAN C (5) (153) 7, PORT ERIN B (3) (120) 3:Roger Payne 21, Peter Blower 9; Ken Clarke 21, John Ryder 6; Bernie McPhee 20, Ken Horsley 21; James McNee 21, Ken Jackson 16; Les McLellan 21, Graham Dobson 12; David Higgins 21, Ben Mowle 14; Derek Anscomb 9, Derek Allen 21; Kevin Stannard 19, Ed Benson 21.
SOUTH RAMSEY C (4) (133) 5, SOUTH RAMSEY B (4) (133) 5:James Evans 21, Steve Moore 11; Austin Hart 7, Stefan Kelly 21; David Corkill 21, James Ian Moore 16; Anthony Kelly 21, Allan Kennaugh 8; Tony Marley 13, Christian Caley 21; Tony Hart 21, Franz ten Donkelaar 14; Bernard King 15, Colin Gook 21; Robert Snape 14, James Teare 21.

l Game 22 results, league tables and final competition reports next week.

Angela Katz is the Isle of Man Swimming Association’s new development officer.

‘My role has been primarily created to focus on the development of aquatic sport and I hope to work closely with the local swim centres to ensure that the association has a better understanding of what is happening in swimming across the island,’ said Angela.

‘Swimming is a great sport and while we already have lots of great swimmers in the island we want to try and create a clear pathway in to our sport and encourage more children to get involved. We have great hopes for the future of swimming and I’m looking forward to help bring them to fruition in due course.’

Katz previously worked at the Castletown Swimming Pool organising and streamlining the swimming lessons at the pool.

Angela’s new role will help the association continue to develop swimming and she will be working closely with head coach, Lee Holland. She also hopes to build relationships with everyone involved in aquatic sport in the island and help where she can. This will include working with Isle of Man Sport, the private swim schools and the government to maximise opportunities for all.

‘We are really pleased to appoint Angela as the association’s new swimming development officer,’ said chairman of the Isle of Man Swimming Association Clive Parrish.

‘Angela is really passionate about the sport and with her enthusiasm, we hope to develop swimming further and take it to the next level. The association wouldn’t have been able to appoint Angela without the continued support of AXA Wealth International.

‘We are fortunate to be in a position where we can now invest in the sport and appoint a development officer to help us improve our swim programme for the benefit of both present and future generations.’

The number of visitors to the TT this year shot up, according to official government statistics released today (Tuesday).

The findings show:

*Almost 40,000 visitors came to the island for the TT in 2013, up 27 per cent on the comparable figure for 2010.

*On average, they stayed 6.5 nights and spent £668 on the trip – a total of £26.2 million.

This represents an economic benefit to the island of £18.9 million and a tax benefit of £3.5 million.

*The number of TT visitors in the island on any one day reached a peak of just over 25,000 on Sunday, June 2 (‘Mad Sunday’).

*Seventy-three per cent had been to the island previously for TT, and 24 per cent tend to visit for other events such as the Southern 100 and Manx Grand Prix.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/huge-rise-in-isle-of-man-tt-viewers-1-6053766|The news comes after figures showed a big increase in interest in the TT on television.}

The results are based on 6,160 interviews conducted with passengers leaving the island between Monday of practice week and Wednesday following Senior Race Day.

{http://www.gov.im/categories/travel,-traffic-and-motoring/passenger-survey|More details here}

There will be more on this story in Thursday’s Manx Independent.

With just 98 days to go till Christmas, Douglas is looking for buskers to add atmosphere to the town centre during the festive season.

Town centre manager Michelle O’Malley wants street performers to register for a pitch in the town centre and entertain shoppers.

‘Street entertainment makes for a great atmosphere in the town centre at any time of the year, but especially at Christmas,’ she said.

‘We’re inviting applications from all types of artists - solo singers and musicians, brass bands, community choirs, instrumental groups - anyone who can add to the mix of street theatre.

‘Demand for pitches is always high, especially for the Thursday late-night shopping evenings, so I’d advise performers to come forward now as we’re drawing up a timetable and allocating slots for this peak period.’

For the Christmas season street entertainers must apply to Douglas Development Partnership, the body that issues busking licences on behalf of Douglas Council, no later than Thursday, October 24.

Busking slots are provided free of charge.

The government is wondering whether to build a bus station for Douglas on Lord Street . . . the site of the former bus station.

This week it launched a public consultation on a proposed change to the interim planning guidance for the ‘Lower Douglas Master Plan’.

This change concerns the Lord Street site currently used as the bus station.

Planning guidance for key sites within the government’s Lower Douglas Master Plan was finalised in October last year following a public consultation.

The proposed change within the interim planning guidance for Lower Douglas relates specifically to the Lord Street site, which used to house the former bus terminal building and still has the main central Douglas bus stops on along its border with Lord Street.

Consideration has been given in recent years to relocating Douglas bus station, but the proposed amendment to interim planning guidance for lower Douglas now states that, in light of last year’s consultation, any development of the Lord Street site ‘should investigate the potential to integrate improved bus interchange facilities within the development located off/alongside the Lord Street frontage’.

At one stage, Victoria Street was touted for a possible bus station. But that idea was abandoned. {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/u-turn-over-victoria-street-bus-interchange-1-5362291|Click here to be reminded about that story.}

Laurence Skelly MHK, Department of Infrastructure political member with responsibility for planning and building control, said: ‘The proposed amendment to the planning guidance comes after we reviewed the information and views gathered as part of last year’s public consultation.

‘The suggested revision asks the public if they believe the Lord Street site should be considered for improved bus station facilities, and whether they agree with the wording used within the planning guidance that relates to the Lord Street site.

‘The location of the main Douglas bus interchange is an important issue, and one that clearly generates widespread public interest. I would therefore urge anyone who has a view to submit it to the consultation, which will run until October 28.’

The DoI says that the interim planning guidance document forms the basis for the department’s ‘vision of creating a key gateway area to Douglas and the island, based around the “Middlemarch” site, Lord Street and North Quay’. The guidance will be used as a policy document to assist in determining planning applications made within that area, and will eventually be incorporated into the Area Plan for the East, on which work has started.

The proposed Lord Street change to the Interim Planning Guidance can be viewed {http://www.gov.im/about-the-government/government/government-consultations/|here}. Alternatively, it can be viewed at the Planning and Building Control Division, Murray House, Mount Havelock, Douglas, IM1 2SF.

The government today (Monday) published a consultation response report detailing the comments received in response to the Landlord and Tenant (Private Housing) Bill consultation.

The proposals include creating a centralised register of private sector landlords and that they and their properties meet a set of minimum standards.

The Department of Social Care has also reviewed the voluntary registration scheme as a consequence of comments made throughout consultation process and in applications for the voluntary scheme. As a result the DSC will be making some changes to the wording of the minimum standards and the application form to ensure that it is as clear and simple as possible to complete.

The full Landlord and Tenant (Private Housing) Bill consultation response report can be found {https://www.gov.im/socialcare/ConsultationDetail.gov?id=365|here}

Health chiefs are warning that there is a shortage of a vaccine needed for people travelling to tropical countries.

The island, and the rest of the world, does not have enough yellow fever vaccine.

Yellow fever is a viral disease transmitted by several species of mosquito.

It is caused by the yellow fever virus, which belongs to the Flaviviridae family.

It is endemic in tropical regions of Africa and South America where the World Health Organisation estimates about 200,000 cases occur each year, with 30,000 deaths.

Since July 2013 there has been interruption to vaccine supplies.

A Department of Health spokesman said: ‘Please be aware if you are heading off on long-haul holidays, to one of the countries where yellow fever vaccination is required that this vaccine is in short supply until at least January 2014.

‘There is very little vaccine available on island and the on-going shortfall in vaccine availability cannot be helped.

‘If you are looking at booking a holiday to a country where yellow fever is present and vaccination is required, perhaps consider a different destination where your health would not be at such risk and the same advice applies for business travel at this time until supplies are restored.’

The spokesman added that there were four registered yellow fever vaccination centres in the Isle of Man and that the public were welcome to contact any of them to discuss yellow fever vaccinations.

He added: ‘Please be aware that the four yellow fever vaccination centres locally and the Isle of Man Public Health Directorate have been working together to try to overcome the vaccine shortfall and source vaccines from alternative supplies.

‘The vaccine shortages are worldwide.

‘Your GP practice may not be a designated yellow fever vaccination centre, so although they may provide all your other travel advice and any vaccinations you require, they won’t be able to administer yellow fever vaccination.’