Rallee Classicagh, the historic element of Rally Isle of Man, will be included in the 2014 Mintex MSA British Historic Rally Championship.

It will mark the full series’ return to the event for the first time since 2010, although the rally was a round of the asphalt challenge that runs within the championship in 2012.

Among the high-profile championship-registered crews competing in the event this year were outright event winner Ryan Barrett and category winners David Stokes/Guy Weaver, plus locally based Ulsterman Derek Boyd.

Speaking for the championship organisers, BHRCR, secreatary John Hunt said: ‘The team are delighted that so many of our members took part in Rallee Classicagh and particularly that they demonstrated the high level of competitiveness that resulted in the outright win and other excellent overall and class results.

‘We look forward to 2014 when the Rallee will again be part of the championship.’

John Gill, chairman of Rally Isle of Man, is equally thrilled: ‘We want to build Rally Isle of Man as one of the prestige events in historic rallying. The quality of the field in our recent edition was hugely impressive and it’s clear that the competitors hold this event in the very highest regard.

‘Add to that the way that the historic cars and crews have become the crowd favourites in recent years and it is an allround win-win.

‘When we were approached by the championship organisers, it was a very straightforward decision. We simply can’t wait to see the line-up of crews next year and are already looking forward to welcoming them to this classic event.’

Rally Isle of Man 2014 will take place from Thursday, September 11 to Saturday, September 13.

Paul Skelly was in magnificent form to win the coveted Felton’s-sponsored Manx Masters title last Saturday in the sunshine at South Ramsey.

He was simply imperious all day and rounded off a great day’s bowling with a superb 21-11 final win over Colin Kelly.

Skelly surged into a 14-6 lead before Kelly tried to mount a comeback, but the Douglas bowler was just too hot for him to handle on this occasion and he was unable to fight his way back into the game.

In the semi-finals Skelly was pushed all the way by double Manx champion Glynn Hargraves, just getting out 21-20 while Kelly eased passed Trevor Quayle 21-9 at the same stage.

Losers in the quarter-finals were Chas Grills, Juan Hargraves, Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly and Lillian Slinger who was the furthest lady in the competition.

The Masters is one of the showpieces of local bowls, with 32 of the island’s top players qualifying to slug it out for top honours.

As always first-round losers went into the Barista Coffee House-sponsored consolation competition and this year September Festival runner-up David Bradford claimed the title defeating June Festival runner up Matthew Quirk 21-13 in the final.

The final was nip and tuck in the early stages before Bradford had a mid-game surge to move from 11-9 in front to 20-11 ahead before his opponent scored again.

I would like to thank South Ramsey once again for organising and running the competition and a special thanks to Felton’s who have breathed new life into the competition with their sponsorship.

A drug dealer has lost his appeal against his six-year jail term.

Daniel David Hamblett, aged 20, had pleaded guilty to a charge of possession cocaine with intent to supply the class A drug.

He was sentenced to six years’ custody in April by Deemster Alastair Montgomerie.

But his lawyers lodged an appeal, contending that his jail term was likely to be double that which would have been passed had he been sentenced in England.

But the appeal court dismissed his appeal, ruling that it ‘could not be concluded that the sentence imposed by Deemster Montgomerie was manifestly wrong or so excessive as to appear wrong in principle or that it was imposed by way of an error in principle’.

The court heard that on August 4 2011, police officers executed a search warrant at the appellant’s Port-e-Chee Avenue home in Douglas.

Hamblett was not at home but returned by taxi.

In a shed at the back of the premises officers found a set of electronic scales, an open white carrier bag containing five wraps of cocaine and a second white carrier bag containing the same drug.

The total weight of the cocaine was 128.6 grams which had a street value in the Isle of Man of £7,760.

A search of Hamblett’s bedroom revealed a drug dealer’s ‘tick list’ – probably indicating money owed for drugs – and in another bedroom there were empty plastic wraps and a plastic bag with the corners cut out which had probably been used to create wraps. Examination of a mobile phone left in the taxi by the appellant revealed a large number of text messages that indicated he was involved in the supply of Class A drugs, including cocaine.

When arrested and interviewed, Hamblett denied dealing in drugs or having seen the cocaine or other drugs paraphernalia.

Two weeks after he was charged, the appellant claimed in a signed statement that he was merely looking after the cocaine for someone else.

In their judgment, the appeal court judges said the Manx courts were entitled to adopt different sentencing guidelines from those adopted in courts in England and Wales where circumstances justified this.

If you would like to comment on this story, please email opinions@newsiom.co.im

A former nursery worker has been sentenced to a total of five years and three months’ imprisonment after admitting sexually assaulting a child and making indecent photographs of children.

Passing sentence Deemster Alastair Montgomerie noted Andrew James Maddrell, a former employee at the Sandcastles nursery in Douglas, had pleaded guilty to the offences only in August this year shortly before he was due to stand trial, having initially denied them.

He told the 24-year-old, who originally lived off Ballanard Road but who was remanded in custody prior to sentencing, that he had committed a gross breach of trust by his actions.

‘You were employed where you were expected to protect the young and very vulnerable children in your care at the nursery. You were in your 20s and your victim was not even four years old and they were in a place where they were entitled to feel safe.’

To comment on this story, email opinions@newsiom.co.im

Shipping unions are working together to oppose what they describe as a ‘renewed threat to Isle of Man ferry services’.

RMT today (Monday) said it would work alongside the Nautilus union to fight Ellan Vannin Line’s plans for a rival service to the Steam Packet.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/new-shipping-line-delay-1-6007674|Ellan Vannin line had originally planned to offer the service from next month. But there is a delay, as we reported in this story. Click here}

RMT has backed the call for the UK and Manx governments to bring in new controls to prevent what they described as ‘unfair competition’ based on low-cost foreign crews and flag of convenience ships.

The unions says flag of convenience ships ‘threaten to undermine services, jobs and working conditions on the lifeline Steam Packet operation’.

The Ellan Vannin Line, owned by Sea Alliance Ltd, has unveiled plans that it claims will ‘bring down prices and improve customer service’ when it launches a freight service and a passenger service by April 2014.

The unions claim that more than 300 jobs on the Steam Packet are threatened by the plans.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/spc-surprised-rival-has-not-yet-secured-a-ship-or-berths-1-6029221|Click here to read a recent story about Ellan Vannin Line}

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: ‘No one should underestimate the scale of the latest threat to services, jobs and working conditions that is posed by this latest aggressive attempt to undermine the Isle of Man Steam Packet.

‘This is not the first time scavengers have attempted to exploit this life-line ferry route and they will be met with the stiffest possible joint resistance from the trade unions and the local community where the decent jobs and conditions on the Steam Packet are an integral part of the local economy.’

Steve Todd, RMT national secretary, said: ‘Once again the vultures are hovering over the Isle of Man Steam Packet and once again we are mobilising to fight them off.

‘This is an action replay of the failed Mezeron operation which relied on flagged-out ships and an exploited, overseas workforce to try and take out the Steam Packet and the highly-valued service it provides to the island community.

‘The political, public and industrial fight starts now.’

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/how-steam-packet-rival-hopes-to-exploit-a-loophole-in-the-douglas-harbour-link-span-agreement-passengers-could-travel-to-the-isle-of-man-on-the-new-service-for-tt-2014-1-5740053|How we reported Ellan Vannin Line’s plans originally}

Many people question whether the island’s market is big enough to sustain two rival ferry companies. In 2010/11 the Steam Packet was targeted by Mezeron, but the service soon ended.

However, arguably passengers suffered long term because one of the measures the Steam Packet took to beat its new rival was to streamline and to offload one fast craft, the Snaefell. It has never been replaced.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/packet-s-delight-as-mezeron-pulls-out-of-fight-for-freight-1-3081913|To read about the end of the Mezeron service, click here}

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/defending-manx-jobs-1-3265093|The unions also opposed Mezeron’s service}

In the late seventies and early eighties, the Steam Packet faced sustained competition from Manx Line (later part of Sealink).

It took place when there were significantly more tourists using ferries than today but the saga left both companies reeling.

They eventually had to merge their operations.

{http://www.merseyships.org/this_sorry_mess_3._the_merger_with_manx_line.html|Click here for a view of the situation then}

More on this story in Thursday’s Manx Independent.

Old stager Borderlescott has proved he still has enthusiasm for the racing game. Robin Bastiman’s veteran won over course and distance at Beverley in September 2012. Two starts back he finished a close third at the track. If he wins today then it will be a very popular success indeed. The 11-year-old, with Paul Mulrennan on board seems to enjoy Beverley’s stiff five furlongs. The draw in stall 10 is perhaps not ideal but I still believe he could still come close at the finishing post.

Today, TUESDAY

BEVERLEY: 2.10 Our Channel 2.40 Bold and Free 3.10 Stellarta 3.40 Borderlescott - NAP 4.10 Pilates 4.40 Shadowtime 5.10 Politbureau 5.45 Taxiformissbyron

LINGFIELD: 2.0 Fine Art Fair 2.30 Welease Bwian 3.0 Alpine Retreat 3.30 Candy Kitten 4.0 Canon Law 4.30 Steely 5.0 Keene 5.30 Dalgig

CARLISLE: 3.35 Island Kingdom 4.05 Casper Lee 4.35 Angel Rosa 5.05 Skytrain 5.40 Lothair - NB 6.15 Hunting Ground 6.50 Absent Amy

NEWTON ABBOT: 2.20 Top Totti 2.50 Mr Watson 3.20 Angles Hill 3.50 Strumble Head 4.20 No Woman No Cry 4.50 Nothingbutthetruth 5.20 Listen And Learn

A-level students at Castle Rushen High School are among the first across the British Isles to be studying creative writing.

It’s the first time that exam board AQA has offered the course, and this year six Castle Rushen students have started studying it.

Head of English Nicola Kennedy said: ‘The profile of students coming into sixth form has changed over recent years. We found some of the A-level qualifications weren’t that desirable to them anymore. Some courses are very traditional and academic and that doesn’t necessarily suit all students coming back to us.’

She said staff were also keen to offer something more creative in the English department. And that assessment being divided between coursework (60 per cent) and exam (40 per cent) suited some students better than purely exam-based assessment.

The coursework element involves creating writing in forms including poetry, scripts, short stories and extracts of novels.

While the exam will test students’ ability to write to a particular remit and deadline based around the world of work.

It could include a restaurant review for a magazine or the details for a house on sale.

There are no set texts which means that staff have the flexibility to take into account students’ interests.

Learning is mainly through workshops and students will also go on a number of off-site visits to gain inspiration and find out about different workplaces using creative writing.

In fact, the students will soon be going on the poetry trail in Douglas as part of Manx Litfest.

It’s also hoped that a range of guests will speak to the students about their work.

Skills they will gain include drafting and editing, expressing themselves and their ideas independently, reflecting critically on their work, and giving and receiving feedback.

Mrs Kennedy said: ‘The skills involved here are applicable in most workplaces students might end up in.’

The Isle of Man Victorian Society’s next free event takes place in Lonan New Church on the afternoon of Sunday, September 29, at 3pm.

Local author Robert Fyson will speak about Canon John Quine who was a former vicar of Lonan, as well as having been principal of the Douglas Grammar School, an active freemason, poet, playwright, author, antiquarian and a friend of Archibald Knox.

The hunt is on for the Student of the Year 2013.

Each year, students from the island’s five state secondary schools and the college are put through their paces in a competition to identify the top all-round students from each institution.

Eligible candidates will be sought and nominated by their schools for the categories of citizenship, the arts, academic, sports and endeavour.

The five shortlisted students from each school will be interviewed by a panel from Barclays, who will decide the overall winner in each category. All nominated students will be invited to an awards ceremony scheduled for November 12.

The winners will each be awarded vouchers worth £250 and all other shortlisted students will receive £100-worth of vouchers.

Simon Scott, managing director of Barclays Wealth and Investment Management, said: ‘We are delighted to support the Student of the Year awards for the 17th year in a row. This annual competition celebrates and rewards some of the island’s most talented and outstanding students.

‘Barclays is committed to young people in the Isle of Man. In addition to the Student of the Year scheme, we are also proud to support the Junior Achievement programme, a scheme dedicated to developing workplace skills and entrepreneurship within the island’s schools.”

‘I’d like to thank Jane Taylor for leading on the awards on behalf of Barclays and ensuring the scheme continues to be a success.’

Niall Carey joins Isle of Man Post Office as commercial manager in preparation to take over the role from Russell Cowin, who will leave the business to go on a year’s sabbatical.

Having worked in the banking industry in Ireland, Jersey and the Isle of Man for 27 years, Niall is well versed in business development, managing client relationships and dealing with key decision makers.

On joining Isle of Man Post Office Niall, who holds a masters degree in eBusiness, said: ‘I feel I’ve joined Isle of Man Post Office at a real key time when the recommendation the business should be corporatised is due to be considered by the Council of Ministers soon.

‘The business has a real proactive approach with a strong focus on growing into new commercial markets such as eGaming and introducing new services within the communication chain.’

Jobseekers won’t have to sign on for the dole until the New Year – while part of the main benefits office in Douglas is closed for refurbishment.

Those who claim Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) and normally sign on at Markwell House every two weeks have been told they’re excused from doing so from Thursday this week (September 26) until Monday, January 6.

Social Care bosses insist checks will be carried out to prevent fraud and ensure claimants are still entitled to their benefit.

Work to refurbish the ground floor of Markwell House on Market Street will begin on October 1 and is expected to last at least eight weeks. Normal signing-on arrangements will resume on January 6.

A spokesman for the Department of Social Care said: ‘Jobseekers must still tell the DSC of any changes in their circumstances which might affect their benefit.

‘They must also still record the steps they have taken to actively seek work and that they are available for work each week.

‘The DSC will be carrying out checks that jobseekers have been actively seeking and are available for work during the temporary suspension of signing-on at Markwell House as well as checking that their circumstances have not changed.’

The department has written to all jobseekers affected to inform them of the temporary signing-on arrangements.

Some claimants will still have to sign on at an alternative time and venue, if deemed appropriate by the department.

Jobseekers who have to sign-on every weekday as a condition of their JSA are unaffected.

Anyone who signs on at the Department of Social Care’s offices in Port Erin or Ramsey are also unaffected.

Refurbishment of the ground floor at Markwell House is designed to improve customer service and ‘experience’.

Signing-on is normally suspended anyway for two weeks around Christmas and New Year every year.

Anyone with questions about JSA can still call in to Markwell House by visiting the first floor. All phone and other inquiries will be answered.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/jobseekers-don-t-have-to-sign-on-again-till-2014-1-6076133|Click here to read comments from readers after this story was promoted as part of a preview of this week’s Isle of Man Examiner}

Samantha Kenny, 20, is an undergraduate history student at Edinburgh University. Currently on a exchange year in Delhi, former King William’s College and Castle Rushen High School pupil Samantha looks back on freshers’ week and how student life soon got her hooked.

‘Yesterday, a friend asked my advice on how to enjoy uni. I thought about it at great length, and I believe I’ve come up with a foolproof formula. It’s not hard, it’s not clever; it’s not even original. Ready?

‘Say yes to everything. I mean almost everything. Someone who knows someone who knows someone who’s snogged your flatmate invites you to a tea party? Fab. Someone wants to explore the city on a pogo stick? Enjoy. Three-legged pub crawl? Get on it.

‘At university it doesn’t matter if you’re cool or not – no one is going to laugh at you for your World of War Craft obsession (well; I would - but there’s a society full of people who won’t!).

‘Obviously, this has limits. Steer clear of men with abnormally long fingernails who want to teach you black magic.

‘Because everyone is more or less being themselves, there is a lot less worry about “image”. And if you embarrass yourself on a night out – no one drives, so no one will remember!

‘Go on that spontaneous train ride, see where you end up. Sign up for that training session, see what you learn.

‘The moment I knew I was going to enjoy university life was when I stopped to fix my shoe outside the student theatre building, and was compelled by a friendly American girl with a crew cut to go inside.

‘Inside this converted Gothic church, people were talking about Brecht and beer; playmates and poodles – building, acting. There was a man in a cravat and waistcoat reciting AE Housman - and no one was laughing at him! I breathed a sigh of relief and haven’t looked back since.

‘This policy of saying yes to everything has left me writing this in the library, listening to Queen from a stranger’s i-Pod. I’ve just come from a lecture about sex in the Roman world, and am headed outdoors shortly to do a flash mob with my theatre group.

‘This evening, I am proposing a show as stage manager, attending a meeting of my very secret society, cooking for my flatmates, and probably rolling into bed around 2.30am having written my essay.

‘I’m exhausted, surviving on a diet of pasta, coffee, Mars bars and adrenaline, I’ve forgotten what a good night’s sleep is, and haven’t done my laundry in weeks. But I’ve never been happier in my life, and uni has truly got me hooked.’

After being inspired by the hard work that Gerry Pishvaie puts into the Naseem’s Manx Brain Tumour Charity, Kathy Prince put on her walking shoes to raise funds.

Kathy, who raised £205, was determined and completed over 61 miles in this year’s Parish Walk.

Gerry said: ‘Kathy is a very lovely person always going the extra mile to support local charities and Naseem’s charity was very dear to her heart.’

Pictured at the cheque presentation at the Relay for Life at the National Sports Centre, in Douglas, are Emily Garrett, Emma Hanay, Gerry Pishvaie, Margaret Arstall, James Garrett, Kathy Prince and Jennifer Cannell .

Two women have been presented with certificates in recognition of their exceptional service as volunteers.

Carrie Wernham, 24, of Peel and from the Army Cadet Force, and Sarah Mercer, 17, of Port St Mary and from the Combined Cadet Force, were presented with the certificates at Government House by Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood.

Carrie, above right, has been a member of the Isle of Man Army Cadets since January 2008 and is a staff sergeant instructor.

Army Cadets official Andrew Jessopp said: ‘She was given the award for her general conduct, committment and enthusiasm to the cadets.

‘During her service she has demonstrated good leadership skills and recently took command of the island’s largest detachment, based at County Headquarters in Douglas.’

Sarah is a cadet under officer and has been a member of the King William’s College Combined Cadet Force for three years. She is described by the college as ‘a very real credit to her unit, school and family, and a most worthy recipient of her award’.

The Lord Lieutenants’ and Lieutenant Governor’s Certificates are awards given in recognition of exceptional service by a volunteer.

They are intended to supplement honours bestowed by The Queen in the New Year and Birthday Honours Lists and, in precedence, rank after such awards.

The high court has made a restraining order against a woman preventing her from issuing further legal proceedings over her allegation she was kicked in the back by a teacher while at school in the 1970s.

Deemster Sharon Roberts warned Patricia Anne Kelly she would be sent to prison for contempt of court if she disobeyed the order.

Ms Kelly, of Port Erin, alleged she sustained personal injuries when she received a kick to the back from a school teacher while a pupil at Castle Rushen High School in 1974.

In 2000, she brought a claim against the Department of Education which was dismissed for being out of time.

But in 2011 she issued further proceedings against the same department as well as the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Health. She also lodged a petition of doleance against the Department of Home Affairs.

All were deemed time barred except the claim against the Department of Health, for alleged negligent treatment, which remains live. Ms Kelly presented a petition of redress of grievance on Tynwald Day 2007 in connection with the same allegations.

Then, in February this year, Ms Kelly made a new application seeking an extension of time to submit a medical report in her case against the Department of Health, and to revive her claim against the Department of Education.

She argued that Deemster Roberts should not have ruled on her case as she had been a teacher at the time of the alleged incident, her husband was a teacher, and she had been a partner in the law firm Dickinson Cruickshank which had represented the Department of Education.

In a further application made in May, Ms Kelly claimed she had been denied the right of the fair trial under article 6 of the Human Rights Act because of this alleged conflict of interest and requested her case be transferred to the Chancery Court where she would seek ‘restorative justice’.

Mrs Roberts rejected the suggestion of bias, pointing out she had been a teacher at a different school - Peel - in 1974 and her husband, who is now retired, was not a teacher at the relevant time.

She said she had never been part of the litigation department of Dickinson Cruickshank and never had any involvement whatsoever with Ms Kelly’s legal proceedings from 2000 and 2011.

Mrs Roberts said: ‘This is a clear frivolous and vexatious application on the part of Ms Kelly. It is entirely without merit.

‘The application to transfer is a collateral attack on decisions already made. It is an abuse of process and totally without merit.’

Dismissing both the February and May applications, the Deemster made a general civil restraint order against Ms Kelly preventing her from issuing further court claims or applications without first getting consent.

She said: ‘It is now readily apparent that Ms Kelly has persisted in making a claim or applications which are totally without merit.’

Ms Kelly was given the opportunity to make representations before a deadline of August 30 but chose not to do so.

The restraint order will remain in force until September 2015.

It states: ‘You must obey the direction contained in this order. If you do not you will be guilty of contempt of court and you may be sent to prison.’

If you would like to comment on this story, please email opinions@newsiom.co.im

Yes, I know it’s been hell on wheels – often literally as well as figuratively – driving through all the road works going on in Douglas.

But it hasn’t been all that bad for some of us.

For me it’s even been something of a pleasure to make part of the morning journey to my workplace in Broadcasting House.

There has actually been a lot of eager anticipation also involved in starting to make my way along South Quay on the approach to Douglas Head.

The work there took place last week from the quayside’s junction with the Old Castletown Road to the bottom of Gasworks Hill and the secret has been that it has all been done during the night.

The only sign of digger-pokery the first morning I first turned on the quayside was the discovery that a lot of the old road surface had been torn off, leaving manhole covers sticking up to offer some difficulties.

Otherwise nothing.

But as morning followed morning I began to find a lovely smooth new road surface reaching out in front of me.

By the end of last week it had been plain sailing, or driving if you like, all the way to the roundabout by the old Trafalgar pub.

Now I have to confess that this happy encounter with digger-pokery began to have its hallucinatory moments.

How had it happened, without any traces of what had gone on being left behind, apart from the wonderful finished job?

I began to imagine that in the dark of night a flight of flying saucers from the Planet Mars had come down from the sky loaded with strange-looking workmen (well, stranger-looking than our lot on in the Isle of Man) and heavy duty machinery of futuristic design far beyond our imagination, and their work had been carried out as Douglas town had slept, after which their whole flying circus had taken off as dawn broke.

Well, not so. In fact the whole expedition was mounted with commendable efficiency by the Planet DoI.

All right, mean-minded people will say the DoI had no choice because of the problems of doing the work in the day on one of the busiest and narrowest commuter routes into Douglas. But I discount this motive.

I like to think that the night work decision was taken by the Minister for Traffic Cones, Mr David Cretney, and the Colossus of Roads, Mr Richard Pearson, because they are kindly men who had decided it was time to give us motorists a break by making South Quay a moonlighting job.

After all, Christmas isn’t all that far off. I say Good Old Uncle Dave and Good Old Uncle Dick.

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In last week’s Examiner, in a column written by a person who takes pleasure in exposing to public ridicule the errors made in print by his professional colleagues and others, there was another such. It was stated that David Cameron, Britain’s Prime Minister, was born in 1996 when it should have been 1966.

I have no intention of naming this columnist. I am already embarrassed enough.

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I have had another Manx crossword club sent in, this time by Clive Alford. It was in the cryptic in the Radio Times as follows:

Guy receiving kiss from Douglas (4) – MANX.

When The Claremont Hotel won the award for Company of the Year at last year’s Isle of Man Newspapers’ Awards for Excellence, it was a fitting recognition for going the extra mile to provide a hotel which perfectly fits the Isle of Man’s aspirations as a destination for international business and commerce.

‘We were absolutely delighted to win Company of the Year because it was a culmination of 18 months of hard work from lots of people – the win was great recognition for everybody who was part of that,’ says Mark Wilson, managing director of the Sleepwell Hotels group.

It is apparent from the moment you walk into the Claremont that there has been a substantial investment in the building itself: the marriage of the Victorian façade with a smart, modern interior has been beautifully executed. And Mark is rightly proud that every penny spent has come through reinvestment in the business rather than relying on government assistance.

But winning Company of the Year takes a good deal more than financial investment, as he goes on to explain:

‘We have undertaken an extensive renovation in The Claremont in order to create a high-end corporate product which was suitable for demanding business travellers. We invested a significant amount of money doing that, but it wasn’t just about spending cash. You can invest in the infrastructure of your business as we have and of course we are rightly proud of the results but it is not the end of the process. We have to ensure that we are meeting ever changing consumer demands and therefore we must underpin that investment with detailed product research and attention to our customer feedback. Ultimately we must then support the physical product with the highest quality hospitality and customer service.

‘We were also very keen that we recognised our staff and in particular made sure that our management were given the tools that they needed to run their business. So part of the process of upgrading the client offering was that we also invested in our management team. Our senior people attended a six month college course to advance their all-round skills, particularly in learning how to cope with the new challenges they would face through the significant change to their business.’

A key part of the refurbishment of the Claremont was to provide the business traveller with the little touches that combine to give an exceptional, all-round product, such as satellite television, complimentary WiFi, Aveda luxury toiletries, Tempur orthopaedic mattresses, iPod players and bespoke Nespresso machines in premium bedrooms.

Mark explains: ‘When it came to the bedrooms, the whole ethos was that we wanted to mirror a product that you would find in a high-end European hotel so when people arrive and reach their bedroom the impressions they have are of a modern establishment but on Douglas Promenade on the Isle of Man. So you’ve got the charm of the island, its unique location, natural beauty and heritage, and that is paired with a very contemporary, business-led hotel.

‘We now have regular business clients who come from all over the world to stay with us and they come back time and time again because we are meeting their needs. The Isle of Man prides itself on being a forward-thinking business destination and for that you have to have a forward-thinking business hotel as part of the overall product.

‘The sort of client we are now attracting, will bring business to the island and help to create employment opportunities for people here. They want to come to a destination which is serious about doing international business. We set out to create a hotel product suitable to do just that, and all the feedback we’re getting to date shows that we have achieved our goal.’

This year, The Claremont is sponsoring the Award for Customer Service and Mark is only too aware of its importance:

‘Clearly in any industry where you are in contact with the general public – and I think that’s 99 per cent of businesses in one way, shape or form – the element of customer service is critical because people will vote with their feet if you don’t get it right. Nowhere more so than in what we do, which is hospitality, so customer service is clearly something that we are very passionate about and something which we strive to achieve at an exceptional level.’

The Award for Customer Service is not just intended for private sector companies – the winner last year was the Isle of Man Aircraft Register, who were delighted to show that the public sector can also provide exceptional customer service.

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If you think your business organisation can demonstrate excellence in customer service, why not enter this year’s Isle of Man Newspapers’ Awards for Excellence?

Entries close on October 5 and you can download entry forms at www.iomtoday.co.im/afe

This pretty looking bunting held aloft on Douglas seafront actually depicts a sad statistic.

Each paper figure represents one of the 246 adults who have reported to police to have been a victim of domestic abuse in the past three years up until March.

Victim Support Isle of Man staff and volunteers created the bunting to show the extent of the problem.

‘Over the last few years more victims of domestic abuse have had the courage to come forward and have been supported,’ said Victim Support manager Paula Gelling.

‘Without identifying those individuals, we wanted to show the island’s community how much goes on behind closed doors and this is just the tip of the iceberg. The action of exerting power and control over another person by committing assault, intimidation and creating fear in any situation and in domestic situations, is not acceptable.’

Paula revealed that domestic abuse victims are often stripped of their confidence and self esteem and that this statistic only reveals the number of adults to report being victims and doesn’t take into account the number of children potentially affected by witnessing such abuse.

‘It is hard to establish the number of prosecutions and convictions in these type of cases because they are recorded differently,’ added Paula.

Domestic abuse is defined as any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.

This can encompass, but its not limited to psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotion abuse.

Victim Support assists anyone affected by domestic abuse – as well as crime and fatal road traffic collisions – providing emotional support and practical help.

The emotional support the team provides is supportive and non-judgemental. The service is confidential and safeguarding children is a key priority.

Anyone affected, or anyone interested in fundraising or volunteering for the charity, can contact Victim Support by phoning 679950, emailing iomvictimsupport@manx.net or calling in at Victim Support, at 6 Albert Street, Douglas.

The Attorney General’s Chambers has defended itself against criticism from a Maughold parish commissioner, after a man found to be growing cannabis in an unused Dhoon quarry was cautioned and released.

As the Manx Independent exclusively revealed last week, commissioner Mark Cowley, a former police detective inspector, discovered the plants and called the police, which led to the arrest of a man, who was subsequently cautioned on advice from the Attorney General’s representative.

Mr Cowley has since complained to the chambers, on the basis that in his experience in the police force the size and nature of the cultivation warranted a charge of possession with intent to supply.

When contacted by iomtoday, the Attorney General’s Chambers replied: ‘As with all matters brought to the attention of the Attorney General’s Chambers, the advice in this particular case was provided after careful consideration of all the facts that were presented at the time by the Isle of Man Constabulary.

‘Correspondence has been received from a member of the public and a response will be issued in due course.’

The AG’s Chambers decides whether to prosecute.

This week, Chris Gregory, playwork development officer for The Childrens’ Centre, envisages a world where our children

play in, enjoy and respond to nature, and invites readers to come to a forthcoming event where we can help this happen

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We adults, generally, have an aversion to dirt – children on the other hand love it!

If a child doesn’t enjoy occasionally jumping in puddles, digging holes or making mud pies, it’s more likely the imposed attitudes of dirt averse adults in that child’s life than the actual opinion of the child themselves.

Part of the reason that from a young age we have a fascination with places that leave us dirtiest, such as the woodlands and beaches, is that these environments have been essential to our evolution.

These natural spaces offer children some of the richest playgrounds available, with strong evidence suggesting that the more time children spend in touch with nature the happier and healthier they are.

The decline of children’s outdoor play is no secret – a recent survey by The Children’s Centre showed that ‘90 per cent of the island’s parents believe that their children spend less time playing outside than they did as a child’.

If this is indeed the case, the island’s children could be at a higher risk of physical and mental illnesses such as obesity, ADHD and depression to name but a few.

I look at my 18 month year old niece, Harriet, who came to visit the island for the first time earlier this year.

She was given the grand tour of all the island’s sites, but for all she saw and did, it was the trips to the glens and beaches that undoubtedly excited her the most.

Nature stimulated her senses. The look of awe and wonderment as she looked up at the green canopy above her in the glens and the joy as she splashed in the sea was clear to all.

Further evidence of this childhood affinity with nature is demonstrated at The Children’s Centre by their play development team.

This team of playworkers encourage thousands of children every year to play in the naturally rich locations available to them on their own doorsteps.

By moving their initiatives away from the lacklustre, sterile and conventional man-made playgrounds; to the island’s glens and woodland, their initiatives have become increasingly popular, demonstrating fewer injuries and fewer behavioural issues.

We want our children to be healthy; we want them to find their place in the world; we want them to conserve the island for future generations to enjoy.

For this to happen, children need the freedom to access nature, to enjoy it, play in it and get dirty... at least as often as they touch a screen.

On October 4 and 5 The Children’s Centre is hosting ‘the defining feature of childhood’, a free-to-attend conference which investigates barriers to children’s play, examining the importance of outdoor play and highlighting what we can do to support children’s Right to Play.

The conference closes with an advance showing of Project Wild Thing, a film documenting the struggles of self-appointed Marketing Director for Nature David Bond as he tries to get children back in touch with nature.

It promises to be a great event. The content is the same on each day, so you can choose whether the Friday or Saturday suits you best (as long as you hurry to reserve a slot!)

To book your place, email chrisgregory@thechildrenscentre.org.im