Tributes have been paid to a popular footballer who collapsed on the pitch during a match at Castletown.

Father-of-three Andrew Cadwallader, 49, of Port Erin, collapsed on his home pitch on Saturday afternoon two minutes before the final whistle in a Canada Life Combination One game against Union Mills.

Paramedics arrived quickly on scene, but attempts to revive the striker proved unsuccessful.

It is understood that he was pronounced dead on arrival at Noble’s Hospital.

Club members laid flowers next to his football boots on the pitch yesterday (Sunday) in tribute to him.

A minute’s silence will be held this weekend before the start of all Manx football games.

A club spokesman told iomtoday: ‘Andy Cadwallader was a well-liked, funny member of Castletown Metropolitan Football Club.

‘He had a wicked sense of humour and always put such effort into every match he played.

‘He will be very sadly missed by all the players, community and friends of Andy and his family.

‘He was a gentle soul and Castletown MFC would like to send its condolences to all his family.’

It was his first season with Castletown.

Mr Cadwallader, a self-employed pest controller, had spent most of his football career with Ronaldsway AFC and had earlier played for Onchan AFC.

Ronaldsway secretary Adam Caddick described Mr Cadwallader as a ‘true Ronaldsway legend’.

Paying tribute on Facebook, Onchan player David Rees said: ‘Legend of Manx football and top bloke.

‘Every kick off I took with him was a pleasure. Taught me how to play senior football, distraught.’

Isle of Man Newspapers football correspondent Paul Hatton said Manx football had lost one its characters, adding: ‘He often said to me he was the most successful player within the Airports’ Cup [a pre-season friendly fixture played between Ronaldsway and Jurby].’

On hearing the news on Saturday, a spokesman for St John’s United Football Club said: ‘After hearing the sad news from Castletown today’s results don’t seem important at all.

‘All at St John’s United express their sincere sympathy to the family, friends and Castletown MFC at the tragic loss of Andrew Cadwallader.’

He leaves three children - two daughters and a son.

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Readers are invited to use the commenting system below to pay tribute to Andrew Cadwallader.

Aiport director Ann Reynolds believes it unlikely that scrapped Flybe routes to the UK could be reinstated via government subsidy.

Flybe announced last week that it was withdrawing its direct summer-only flights to Bristol, Luton and Jersey and not reinstating the Southampton service which was dropped in July, after a two-month reprieve.

The airline is pulling out of Gatwick at the end of March, and having also ended the Glasgow and Edinburgh services operated by franchise partner Loganair in July, this will leave just three direct routes - Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham.

Last week Flybe announced a commercial deal allowing it to continue operating twice-daily flights between Newquay and London Gatwick until October 25, 2014, pending an application by Cornwall Council for UK government Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding.

But Miss Reynolds said she didn’t believe the Manx government would go down a similar route to save threatened services.

She said: ‘I understand that usually PSO routes are vital for the economic development of the region they serve or are in operation in areas of difficult transport – eg in the Highlands and Islands, where there may only be an irregular 12 hour ferry journey between islands, so the government subsidises a small aircraft scheduled flight which takes only an hour, but has few passengers.

‘If there is no air carrier interested in operating the route, as there are so few passengers and/or no potential growth, the member state (in Newquay’s case, the UK Government) may subsidise an operator to provide a minimal service. The operator is determined by public tender.

‘There are currently no known PSO routes in England, so it will be interesting to see what happens with Newquay.

‘I don’t foresee the Isle of Man will be looking to go along the PSO route, as I think it would be extremely hard to prove any of the North West or South East areas are not able to be operated commercially.’

Sure has completely upgraded its Isle of Man network paving the way for the installation of its 4G network early next year.

Andy Bridson, chief executive officer at Sure said: ‘We continue to invest heavily in the Isle of Man.

‘We have been instrumental in providing value into the telecoms market and we will continue to deliver new technologies in both consumer and business markets that provide customers with quality, reliability, value and speed.’

A number of operators in countries across the world, including the UK, have begun rolling out 4G networks and the feedback has been positive, says Sure.

The business claims accessing the internet via mobile devices is set to become a great deal faster and more convenient with the launch of Sure’s 4G service in the second quarter of 2014.

The key advantage of 4G is that it offers data speeds many times faster than existing 2G and 3G networks.

Sure says: ‘In fact 4G will provide the replacement technology that the world has been waiting for, a service for the home that provides high speed broadband and mobile, without the need to pay for a home phone line. 4G data performance will be the same or better than home broadband speeds.’

In a statement Sure say that over the next six months there will be a significant shift in technology which will see 4G being like 3G ‘on steroids’, and to allow the island to gain maximum advantage, Sure is upgrading its entire network.

A spokesman said: ‘This provides the first genuine opportunity for wireless mobile speeds to overtake landline speeds and is happening in a world where data and access to the internet, at high speed, is becoming a basic expectation.

Mr Bridson said: ‘Many of us already use our mobile devices for accessing the internet, but 4G is set to revolutionise the ease and speed woith which we can access all types of media.’

Sure’s news comes as Manx Telecom continue to move towards 4G.

Last month Business News reported Manx Telecom is linking up with global firm Huawei as it invests £10 million in 4G over the next three years. In addition to building the network’s infrastructure, Huawei will also supply the latest 4G devices enabling customers to take advantage of super-fast services with increased mobile broadband speeds several times faster than current 3G services.

Huawei will also update Manx Telecom’s 2G & 3G networks to the latest generation technology, improving performance across the entire mobile network.

Mike Dee, Manx Telecom chief executive officer said: ‘Building a 4G network is a significant undertaking in terms of both investment and engineering.

‘Over the next three years we will invest £10million in 4G and we are very excited to announce our partnership with Huawei. ‘

Island-based Hansard Global plc has announced a change in its directorate.

The company has appointed Andy Frepp as an independent non-executive director of the company with effect from January 1, 2014.

Andy is a Fellow of the Faculty of Actuaries and, having joined Barrie and Hibbert in 2007, was the chief executive Officer until Barrie and Hibbert was acquired by Moodys in 2012.

He is currently managing director responsible for Moodys’ Analytics Insurance Solutions.

Prior to Barrie and Hibbert he held numerous roles within Scottish Widows from 1988 to 2007.

From 2003 to 2007 he was the director of sales and marketing for Scottish Widows Investment Partnership, the asset management company of Scottish Widows.

He was also the president of SWIP US Mutual Funds and a board member of SWIP external funds. Andy will be joining the Audit, Remuneration and Nominations committees of the company.

Dr Leonard Polonsky, chairman of the company, said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Andy Frepp to the Board.

‘He brings with him a wealth of experience and my fellow directors and I look forward to working with him in the years to come.’

The number of people out of work in the island has risen by 53 in the last month.

Statistics released today by the Treasury’s economic affairs division show that the number of registered unemployed in November stood at 1,117.

Twelve months ago there were 103 fewer people registered unemployed.

The news comes after job losses were announced over the last month at {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/travelwatch-anger-as-flybe-to-close-isle-of-man-base-1-6253019|Flybe}, the {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/thirty-to-lose-jobs-at-mount-murray-1-6250562|Mount Murray Hotel}, {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/business/company-lays-off-20-at-six-kingdoms-service-centre-1-6258837|Six Kingdoms} and {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/award-winning-factory-to-close-with-loss-of-35-jobs-1-6300017|CVI Technical Optic Ltd in Onchan.}

Many of those job losses have yet to be recorded in the official statistics.

During the month 198 people signed on and 145 people signed off. Of the total unemployed, 779 are male and 338 are female.

The Manx unemployment rate, 2.5 per cent, still compares favourably with most of the rest of the world.

In the UK it’s 7.6 per cent; USA 7 per cent; Republic of Ireland 12.5 per cent; Germany 6.9 per cent; Spain 27 per cent.

There were 280 positions vacant and held on file at the end of the month.

A detailed look at the unemployment figures shows there are skills shortages in some areas, for example in engineering, education, healthcare and for electricians, while there are far more people with a retailing or bar work background looking for work than jobs available.

More details in Thursday’s Manx Independent.

Heritage Homes has made a legal bid to quash a planning condition preventing it from redeveloping the Castletown Golf Links Hotel.

In the high court, the lawyer acting for the developer described as ‘perverse and absurd’ a condition in the Southern Area Plan that does not permit new or replacement buildings in Langness unless their use is connected with the golf course.

But Derbyhaven residents and the owner of the Castletown Golf Links, Philip Vermeulen, have challenged the move by Dandara.

They want the Golf Links Hotel to be retained as a hotel, and believe both landscape proposals relating to Langness in the Area Plan should be scrapped as their don’t afford sufficient protection for the area - and they argue a new plan should be developed specifically for the peninsula.

Fort Island Developments, in which Heritage Homes owns a 50 per cent stake, purchased the Golf Links Hotel in 2012 for £2.5 million. The landmark hotel had been closed since 2007.

South African businessman and Derbyhaven resident Philip Vermeulen believes the hotel is a national asset and should not be turned into flats.

Landscape proposal LP21 states that ‘new or replacement buildings on Langness should not be permitted except for use ancillary to the operation and use of the golf course or, in the case of the former hotel site, for hotel accommodation’.

Elsewhere, the Area Plan states that proposals for redevelopment of the hotel will not be permitted unless it can be demonstrated it’s no longer commercially viable.

In court, Heritage Homes’ advocate Tom Maher said the government accepted LP21 should be removed. He told the court: ‘LP21 is a perverse, unlawful policy. Everybody now agrees this should not be there - it’s absurd. Government concedes an error was made. The politicians over-ruled the expert civil servants.’

He pointed out LP21 applies to the whole of the Langness E11 area which includes Derbyhaven. And he claimed the challenge by Mr Vermeulen, the Golf Course company he owns and the Derbyhaven Residents’ Society, was an ‘apparent attempt to frustrate any development’ of the hotel. He argued Mr Vermeulen appeared motivated by commercial factors. A deferred judgment is expected.

The Home of Rest for Old Horses in Richmond Hill, Braddan, is holding Christmas Opening weekends this Saturday and Sunday as well as the following weekend (December 14 and 15, and 21 and 22).

The café will be serving home-made vegetable soup, toasties, cakes, tea and coffee. The gift shop will be open, a raffle held and Santa will be in his grotto with some of the home’s donkeys. Free admission.

The home will be open fom 10am to 4pm.

Live audio webcasting of all parliamentary proceedings will be introduced next year.

MHKs voted unanimously to support the move during last week’s House of Keys sitting. MLCs also backed the proposal in the Legislative Council that same day.

Live sound-only webcasts of proceedings in the Keys and LegCo will be available on the tynwald.org website from January 28. There will also be a play back facility so you can listen to items you’ve missed.

Infrastructure Minister David Cretney tabled the motion for a live and listen again audio system on behalf of the Tynwald management committee.

He told MHKs: ‘It is an important principle of parliamentary democracy that proceedings of the legislature should be open and accessible.

‘In ancient times this meant holding our sittings on a Hill, where the Lord of Man with his Council and Keys would be clearly visible to all. Today we meet indoors. But there are public galleries in all three Chambers, and anyone is welcome to attend.

‘People cannot always come in person. Whether they have come in person or not, people may wish to find out about our proceedings after the event.’

All Tynwald proceedings are broadcast live on Manx Radio but for Keys sittings only question time is broadcast and LegCo is not covered at all.

The Tynwald website was launched in May last year and is now ready to launch audio webcasting.

Mr Cretney told MHKs: ‘Technology moves on. Sound can now also be webcast over the internet, and this technology has been adopted by many other parliaments.

‘This is not just a technical innovation. It is a way of letting more people listen, to more of our business.’

The impact of online shopping on high street sales has been revealed in a survey of the island’s retail sector.

A retail strategy report commissioned by the Department of Economic Development will be laid before this week’s Tynwald sitting.

It included the results of a survey of 1,000 households which reveals how increased online shopping has affected levels of trade, particularly in Douglas, which now attracts 60 per cent of expenditure on high street comparison goods, compared with 70 per cent in 2006.

Market share across the island has fallen from 84 per cent to 70 per cent.

However, one retail centre has bucked the trend – Tynwald Mills’ market share has increased to just under 6 per cent from 3.5 per cent.

Given this trend towards online shopping, the strategy recommends that more work is done to develop an effective Manx retail presence on the internet.

The Retail Sector Strategy, drafted by consultants PBA Roger Tym in collaboration with leading retailers Peter Horsthuis of Robinsons, Stephen Bradley of Tynwald Mills, Manx Co-op’s Andrew Corrie and JAC Stores’s Chris Blatcher, as well as Carol Glover from Isle of Man Enterprises.

The household survey findings indicate shifts in food spending patterns since 2006 are also revealed in the household survey findings.

Just under half of all spend (49 per cent) goes to stores in Douglas, compared with 60 per cent in 2006. Store openings and reinvestment in the interim by Shoprite and Co-op have attracted increased shares of expenditure to Ramsey (20 per cent, up 2 per cent), Peel (9 per cent, up 3 per cent) and Port Erin (7 per cent, up 1 per cent).

Multiple retailers, none of which are headquartered in the Isle of Man, operate 17 per cent of non-food stores – in Douglas this rises to 36 per cent.

Some 40 per cent of bulky goods spending was in out of town stores.

The strategy identified an action plan to tackle four key aims - supporting variety and competition, maximising on-island expenditure, developing the indigenous retail sector and creating high quality town centre retail environments.

This included the idea of setting up a Town Centre Enabling Fund, which could buy up land and use surplus public sector properties to attract private retail development.

But the DED has ruled out such a move, at least in the short term, noting in its report to Tynwald: ‘This is aspirational and there is an acceptance within the working group that funding is unlikely to be available in the current financial climate.’

The strategy also considers the impact of the ‘Tesco tax’, under which 10 per cent corporate tax rate was extended in April this year to major retailers with an annual profit of more than £500,000.

It means Tesco, M&S and other UK giants will now pay tax to the Manx exchequer based on profits generated here, rather than to the UK taxman.

However, the report notes that some Manx retailers are also subject to the extension, reducing their scope for additional investment.

Is the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure out of control with its spending?

That was the question levelled by Michael MHK Alfred Cannan at Minister Graham Cregeen in the House of Keys.

He said it seemed to be the attitude of some departments to ‘spend, spend, spend’.

In the soon to be scrapped DCCL he cited examples including new double-decker buses, minibuses and the bendy bus trial.

Mr Cannan asked the Minister why his department has an expected overspend of £500,000 this financial year.

The Minister said the figure was an estimated shortfall in net expenditure made on September 30: ‘The estimated shortfall arose as a result of projected savings that are unlikely to materialise due to not implementing articulated buses and delays in procuring the systems necessary to introduce a revised fare structure and reduce lost monies on the buses.’

He added: ‘The department is confident that as a result of the efforts of the management and the co-operation of the Treasury a supplementary vote is currently viewed as unlikely.

‘However, as we are still less than eight months through the financial year, any prediction regarding the end of year position remains an estimate.’

Chief Minister Allan Bell has welcomed a commitment from the UK Government to further strengthen its working relationship with the island.

Mr Bell held positive discussions with Lord McNally, Minister of State for Justice, during the British-Irish Council in Jersey.

Since then, Lord McNally has written to the Chief Minister to reaffirm his support towards the island’s partnership with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) – which manages the UK Government’s constitutional relationship with the Crown Dependencies – and other key UK departments.

In the letter, Lord McNally said: ‘I also recognise that engaging internationally is an area which is increasingly important to the Isle of Man.

‘I understand that there may be occasions where you wish your voice to be heard separately on issues where you feel strongly that interests differ significantly from those of the United Kingdom.’

He added: ‘The relationship between the UK and the Isle of Man is a positive and mutually beneficial one and it is vital that we continue to be good neighbours to one another.

‘My department will continue to work with you to find further ways to improve our processes and help ensure that our relationship is managed as effectively as possible.’

The MoJ has worked on enhancing a number of areas in line with the recommendations of a Justice Select Committee Report in 2010.

Mr Bell said the vast majority of Manx legislation is now processed for royal assent within 20 working days.

And it has also helped to promote greater awareness of the island across Whitehall and to facilitate discussions with other UK departments on a range of important issues.

‘We are looking to explore further ways to represent ourselves on the international stage and the MoJ is providing valuable assistance in this area.’

Mr Bell added: ‘Lord McNally knows the Isle of Man very well and I look forward to working with him in the months and years ahead.’

Police are appealing for witnesses to an incident involving a blue Ford Ka, which was parked in Princes Street, Douglas, between 1pm and 1.50pm last Thursday (December 5). Another vehicle, possibly a works van or pick up, has reversed into the front of the Ford Ka causing damage. The weather at the time of the incident was particularly bad and the driver of the van may not be aware of any collision. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked call police headquarters on 631212.

The Manx government has set up an online book on condolence for former South African president Nelson Mandela, who died last week.

The tributes page is on its website.

It can be found {http://www.gov.im/nelsonmandela|here}

A service remembering Mr Mandela is taking place today.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/uk-news/uk-leaders-attend-mandela-service-1-6305820|UK prime minister David Cameron and all his living predecessors are there.}

The drama continues! Another edge-of-the-seat encounter, another passage through to the next round of the FA Inter-League Cup as the Isle of Man defeated West Yorkshire 3-2 with the last attack of the game at West Ridings FC on Saturday.

The last time these two teams met saw a real roller-coaster encounter with the Manx triumphing 4-3 at the Bowl thanks to Chris Bass Jr’s injury time winner.

On this occasion the match went into extra-time after a 1-1 stalemate before the drama began to unfold and the Men clinched victory.

Although the hosts had a few half chances within the opening throes of the contest, the visitors soon began to settle into their footballing rhythm and mustered the first telling opening when goalkeeper Tom Greenwood had to be alert to produce a double save to deny Lee Gale and Ciaran McNulty.

Despite the Manx having to defend a few set-pieces, they created the next clear cut-chance when Frank Jones squared a pass across goal and Chris Bass slid in but somehow blazed his effort over the open goal.

The Manx played two diagonal balls over the top, the first occasion, McNulty passed across goal, Daniel Bell drove his effort against the post, a similar move resulted in the opening goal on 32 minutes. Bass’s dinked pass released Jones who chipped it over the advancing goalkeeper and raced in to guide home, just to make sure.

Both teams continued to battle it out, however, YorkBoth teams continued to battle it out, but Yorkshire scored an equaliser right on the stroke of half-time.

Following a move engineered along the left wing, the ball was played inside for Steven Tierney to drive home into the bottom left corner.

After the break the English side started promisingly enough while the Manx were caught on the back foot, Max Thomas producing a double save to keep the scores level.

Steve Burns’s men did find their way back into the match although much of this period saw both defences on top, cutting out telling passes or chances blazed over the target from both sides.

However, the Manx could have won the match towards the end of 90 minutes. Bass’s cross from the left found McNulty free at the far post and the striker drove a powerful effort that was repelled by Greenwood.

Substitute Sam Caine almost made an immediate impact when his shot was deflected wide and soon after the Yorkshire net-minder was the Manx’s nemesis again when Caine’s cut-back found Bass but, somehow, Greenwood saved to divert the danger wide.

Despite the Manx having a few nervy moments, the score remained 1-1 as the match went into extra-time.

Both teams continued to battle it out and the Manx recaptured their lead on 103 minutes. Caine raced into the penalty area from the left and squared it across goal to connect onto Jones’s diagonal run who guided his effort into the bottom right corner for 2-1.

However, hardly a minute had been played in the second quarter of extra-time and the hosts levelled for a second occasion. A free-kick was punched clear by Thomas and the ball was played back into the mixer for James Parkinson to head into the Manx goal.

The thought of a lottery of a penalty shoot-out crossed through people’s minds, however the Manx had one more throw of the dice and scored the decisive winner on 119 minutes.

Following a throw-in Caine drew out Greenwood, passed into McNulty’s path who drove the ball into the unguarded net, starting a goal celebration frenzy from the sidelines and securing a quarter-final at home against West Riding in the next round of the FA Inter League Cup.

IoM v West Yorkshire: Max Thomas, Julian Ringham (Sam Caine 70m), Sean Quaye, Johnny Myers, Stephen Riding, Daniel Bell (Marc Kelly 95m), Liam Cowin, Frank Jones, Lee Gale (Conor Doyle 87m) Ciaran McNulty, Chris Bass.

Sure-sponsored Vagabonds did just enough to squeeze past Ramsey 5-10 at Mooragh Park in the all-local clash in South Lancashire and Cheshire Division Two on Saturday.

Vagas put in a workmanlike forward performance and bagged a try in each half after Ramsey had no answer for the visitors’ well-drilled set-piece play.

Despite the difference in the respective league positions, this was always likely to be a close game.

Ramsey suffered some early disruption after losing hooker Zach Claydon with a collarbone injury and it soon became apparent that their reshuffled pack was going to struggle in the set-piece.

Vagas’ number eight, Joe Louw, had the first scoring chance of the game after a clever piece of play from hooker Ron Hunter. His low throw to the front of the line engineered a gap in the Ramsey defence; Louw thundered through but was felled short of the line.

At the other end, Ramsey flyer Pete Richardson got a half chance wide on the right but a superb cover tackle from Ross Pulman cleared the danger.

In the final minute of the first half the deadlock was finally broken. Vagabonds were awarded a kickable penalty inside the Ramsey 22. Skipper Kev Birchall elected to gamble for a try and his intuition paid off. The penalty was kicked to the corner and Vagas selected the catch-and-drive lineout as their weapon of choice. The lineout ball was secured, the forwards tucked in and shunted for the line.

Just when the drive ended, it looked like Ramsey may steal the ball until number eight Louw took charge and wrestled his way over from close range for a 5-0 half-time lead.

Vagabonds started the second half pretty much where they left off in the first. They set up camp inside the Ramsey 22 and used the forward to pound the Ramsey defence. Seven minutes in, Leigh Kennaugh was over the line but held up.

Shortly afterwards, Louw was over for a second time but he made a double movement and Ramsey were able to relieve the pressure with the resulting penalty.

The lead was finally doubled 27 minutes into the half with what was a virtual carbon copy of the first try. A penalty on the Ramsey 22 gave an opportunity to kick for the corner. From the lineout the drive began and, as it faltered, hooker Ron Hunter spun off the back and over the line.

Ramsey threw everything forward and in stoppage time were rewarded. Josh Carine started the break, finding Fintan Cummins who angled for the touchline before delivering an inch-perfect pass to Nick McCudden who went for the try and gave Ramsey a useful losing bonus point.

Today, Wednesday

LEICESTER SELECTIONS: 1.40 The Bull Hayes 2.10 Balbriggan 2.40 Bertie’s Desire 3.10 Foxcub

HEXHAM TIPS: 12.50 Regal Encore 1.20 Hellorboston 1.50 The Thirsty Bricky 2.20 Crackerjack Lad 2.50 Alf The Audacious 3.20 Great Ocean Road

LINGFIELD PICKS: 12.30 Abigails Angel 1.0 Charlotte Rhodes 1.30 The Holyman 2.0 The Great Gabrial 2.30 Hawkeyethenoo (NAP) 3.0 Keene 3.30 Skidby Mill (NB)

KEMPTON CHOICE: 5.40 Our Gabrial 6.10 Scottish Boogie 6.40 Lowther 7.10 Katy Spirit

The jury in the trial of Attorney General Stephen Harding have retired to consider their verdict.

Mr Harding, 52, of Glen Vine, denies perjury and acts against public justice.

The jury of five men and two women retired at 1.10pm to consider their verdicts on the ninth day of the trial at Court of General Gaol Delivery,

Itex (Isle of Man) Ltd is under new ownership following a management buyout by Alyson Hamilton Lacey and James Cochrane.

Alyson and James have acquired the offshore IT business from the C5 Alliance Group, which purchased Itex Holdings operations in the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey in June 2013.

Managing Director Alyson said: ‘The Itex brand has long enjoyed a strong reputation in the Isle of Man and this is an exciting opportunity to build on the excellent products and service levels that have become our calling card over the years.

‘We have maintained a strong alliance with C5 and will continue to work closely with them.

‘This is the dawn of a new era for Itex (Isle of Man) – we have made a substantial investment in acquiring the business and we have great plans for the future, which will be unveiled over the coming months.’

Itex (Isle of Man) is a highly accredited provider of technology solutions for offshore markets, using its partnerships with leading global vendors to deliver independent advice and solutions to businesses, including the Manxcloud, launched in 2009 and delivered from state-of-the-art certified datacentres located in the Isle of Man.

James said: ‘We are renowned for the expertise and professionalism of our team, who take great pride in their deserved reputation as “service heroes” – whatever the issue, whatever the time of day, they deal with it.

‘We want to build on this reputation to create a “family business” ethos and provide a strong platform for the future development of Itex (Isle of Man).’

A Bill aimed at enabling the Post Office to seek new revenues to protect its services has passed its second reading in the House of Keys.

Post Office vice-chairman Richard Ronan said to maintain profitability and support services on the island, it was vital the Post Office could ‘continue its strategy of diversification and expansion into international markets’.

The Post Office (Amendment) Bill clarifies its main duty remains the delivery of letters.

Mr Ronan said: ‘This ensures that the focus of the Post Office remains on this vital area and that the provision of other services is available to the Post Office to allow it to introduce new products and services in a similar manner to other postal services around the world.’

The Bill also proposes to modernise its powers to take account of technologies introduced since 1993, when the last Act was brought in, including digital communication and data management, and hybrid mail solutions.

Mr Ronan said postal industries have had to change over the last 20 years following the introduction of new technology and customer expectations.

‘To protect their universal service obligation, they have sought to modernise and seek to extract more value from each piece of mail they handle and seek new opportunities.’

‘As with most change, the changing environment and technology in use poses both a threat and an opportunity.

‘Postal services around the world have faced significant challenges to their profitability.’

In the last five years the Post Office has lost 22 per cent of the volume of mail posted on island, which equates to a shortfall in revenue of over £2m.

Michael MHK Alfred Cannan raised his concern the Post Office would get powers that would directly interfere with existing private enterprises.

He said this would not create a ‘level, equitable playing field’.

A number of MHKs expressed disappointment there would not be a presentation on the Bill until next month.

It received its second reading, with only David Quirk (Onchan) voting against.

The Bill leaves open options for the operating model of the Post Office, such as corporatisation. This will be a matter for the Council of Ministers.

Misadventure was the verdict on a Southern 100 sidecar competitor who died after an accident during this year’s event.

Robert Leonard Paul Thomas, known as Paul, was the passenger in outfit number 10 driven by Anthony Houghton when he was thrown out of the chair at speed on the section of the course known as Osborne’s on the final lap of the final sidecar race on July 11.

The accident happened in warm, dry and sunny conditions on Thursday - the final day of racing - and the meeting was abandoned afterwards while investigations were carried out.

Mr Houghton, an experienced sidecar competitor who took part in the TT and was a S100 regular, said they had been around 10 yards behind outfit number nine, after Ballabeg hairpin.

‘Number nine seemed to slow down, perhaps because he missed a gear and we went to the right hand side. We were slightly behind at that stage. Number nine then moved to the right and collided with our front passenger wheel-arch with its right side. The force pushed us into the right hand kerb. I don’t think he saw us. We went down the kerb for 20 yards. We got back on to the road and lurched left and rubbed the bank on the other side.

‘If I hadn’t pulled out along side I would have run into the back of him. He had slowed quite a lot,’ Mr Houghton said.

Mr Houghton said he had not been aware Mr Thomas had parted company from the outfit.

Darren Hope was the driver of the other sidecar, number nine, with passenger Paul Bumphrey. Mr Hope who had also competed previously in the TT and S100 races, said he had missed a gear after Ballabeg hairpin and he felt a ‘light nudge’ on his right foot but did not realise the seriousness of the incident until later.

‘I was packing away when the chief scrutineer came to take the bike away and I knew then something serious must have happened,’ he said.

Mr Bumphrey said he felt only a slight contact then realised the passenger was missing from the other outfit and had tried to alert someone by gesticulating with his hand.

An accident investigation by Constable Edward Radcliffe said Mr Houghton’s outfit, with Mr Thomas as a passenger, was trapped between the kerb and Mr Hope’s machine. Mr Houghton’s outfit had been raised off the ground briefly by the kerb and had twisted as it re-established contact with the road, dislodging Mr Thomas from his position in the chair.

Mr Thomas, a gardener who lived at Ballasalla, had been thrown from the outfit, making contact with the wall at the side of the road, a boulder in the hedge and a utility box at the side of the road. Two witnesses told the court how they had witnessed Mr Thomas ‘barrel rolling’ down the road.

A post mortem examination by Dr Ervine Long found death was caused by massive blunt force trauma to Mr Thomas’ head, spine, chest and abdomen and he would have been beyond help.

Recording his verdict, coroner John Needham said: ‘He was not conscious at the end and would not have been aware. His injuries were not survivable, as the post mortem report confirmed.’ Mr Needham thanked the marshals and paramedics and offered condolences to Mr Thomas’ family: ‘He died doing something he loved, but this is still a huge sadness for you.’