The Isle of Man Wind Orchestra has announced its contribution to the Island of Culture 2014 celebrations, which will include performances of new music, a concert tour and collaborations with other groups.

The orchestra will also be collaborating with other cultural groups and this will include a concert with The Gale Force in April and a concert of Celtic music with Manx Gaelic choir Caarjyn Cooidjagh in October.

The centrepiece of this concert will be the first performance of a new composition for wind orchestra and choir by Paul Dunderdale, IoMWO’s musical director.

The year will also include some of the orchestra’s popular annual events such as the annual Wind and Brass Weekend from February 14 to 16, which this year will be led by Rob Wiffin OBE, musical director of the Kew Wind Orchestra and professor of conducting at the Royal Military School of Music, who teaches postgraduate conducting, composition and arranging at the London College of Music.

For this event, the orchestra will be joined by musicians from Bewdley Concert Band who will be travelling to the island from Worcestershire to take part.

Due to the increasing popularity of this event, which is open to musicians the island over and not just IoMWO members, it will be held at St Ninian’s Lower School, Bemahague, Onchan, so that all those who wish to attend can be accommodated. The weekend will end with a concert at the school on the afternoon of Sunday, February 16.

The orchestra will pay a return visit to Bewdley in April to perform in a St George’s Day concert with the Bewdley Concert Band.

Meanwhile, in July the orchestra will host a visit by American composer Clare Shore.

Based in Florida, Ms Shore is only the second woman to earn the doctor of musical arts degree in composition from the world-famous Juilliard School.

She has been invited by the orchestra to join in the cultural celebrations surrounding Tynwald Day and the orchestra will give the European premiere of a new work she has written. IoMWO has chosen to work with her in order to discover more about the American tradition of wind orchestra music, which is vibrant.

The orchestra has its first rehearsal of the new year on Thursday, January 9, at 7.45pm at Marown Primary School and new members are welcome. No audition is necessary.

For further information or to take part in any of the events, contact Michael on 437751, email winds@wm.im or send a message via the website, {http://www.iomwo.com|click here.}

The orchestra will be supported in the year ahead by Sure Isle of Man and the Isle of Man Arts Council.

Sure’s sponsorship will mean students will be able to take part in the orchestra’s events free of charge and will enjoy free admission to its performances.

Michael Morrison, chairman of the orchestra, said: ‘It is important to us that we make our rehearsals and events as easily accessible as possible to young people, so that they can participate, encouraging them contribute to our music-making. We are very pleased that Sure supports this aim.’

Sarah Jarvis, Sure’s marketing manager, added: ‘Members of the orchestra recently performed carols and Christmas music outside our Douglas store and it seemed a natural progression to make an offer of sponsorship. We are absolutely delighted to support the orchestra in this special year for arts and culture in the Isle of Man and are thrilled this will allow greater access to music for youngsters on the island.’

Today, TUESDAY

SOUTHWELL FLAT ALL WEATHER: 12.30 Phoenix Flight 1.0 Jawaab 1.35 Yeah Baby 2.10 Strong Man 2.40 Island Express 3.15 Mucky Molly (NAP) 3.45 General Tufto (NB)

LEICESTER JUMPERS: 12.45 Ashes House 1.15 The Jugopolist 1.50 Muldoon’s Picnic 2.25 Crescent Beach 2.55 Bin End 3.30 Santo Thomas

Strand Facilities Services is celebrating after being awarded a major seal of approval.

Following the annual British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) audit Strand Group Company, Strand Facilities Services, has been accredited for a further 12 months as a BICSc Training Centre.

It is the 18th successive year that the company has achieved the accreditation.

This means that as well as induction courses and ongoing training in-house, it can offer specialist training to other companies and organisations in the island.

Strand Facilities Services is understood to be the only private company in the island to hold the accreditation.

The UK based BICSc auditors assess training standards and processes in a number of areas including health and safety, competency with chemicals and equipment as well as best practice for carrying out specific tasks.

The courses that Strand Facilities Services run usually last from five to seven days and on successful completion candidates are BICSc certified.

All new recruits receive this training before commencing duties and regular refresher courses are also carried out.

Ricardo Amaral, operations manager at Strand Facilities Services and responsible for training within the company said: ‘We’re very proud of the high quality of training we conduct in-house.

‘The cleaning professional training modules developed by BICSc are extremely thorough and mean that all of our team go out ready to tackle jobs efficiently and effectively.

‘They are also equipped to handle the more unusual jobs that come up from time to time.’

The Strand Group which is made up of Strand Facilities Services, Storall and Krypton Contract Cleaning, celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, as reported in Business News.

It has grown from just two people to being one of the island’s biggest privately owned employers.

It currently has a staff of 130.

Shore Road in Gansey is closed today for emergency work after the high tides and floods yesterday and on Friday damaged the area.

It is shut from its junction with the Castletown Road to Ballakeighen Corner until 4pm, to enable surface water drainage clearance works to be undertaken.

The service 2 bus will be diverted from Castletown to Port St Mary via Colby and Church Road and vice versa.

Laxey Promenade has also been closed, until 4pm on Wednesday, while work continues to clear storm debris including huge piles of stones and pebbles.

The headteacher of Castle Rushen High School is to retire at the end of August.

Andrew Cole, who will be 60 this year, has led the 840-pupil secondary school for five years.

Parents can pay cheaper fees at King William’s College if their children are talented enough.

The private school in Castletown offers academic scholarships and sport, drama and music awards to youngsters up to a level of 20 per cent of college fees.

The deadline for scholarships for year 7 (aged 11 to 12 from September) is on January 10.

King William’s is a non-selective school at entry, so children who are not academically-gifted can qualify for means-tested fee discounts for further scholarship discounts.

KWC ranks 20th in baccalaureate.eu.com’s Top IB Schools 2013.

But the school boasts that its real difference is the small class sizes, which average 15 and are as low as 10 in the sixth form.

In 2013, 46 per cent of all GCSE grades were also A*/A, and in the sixth form the average IB score was 34 points (which is the equivalent of more than three A*s at A level).

In 2013, 94 per cent of college students achieved their first choice university offer.

Principal Martin Humphreys said: ‘We hope that with the scholarships we offer, together with the fee discounts which we grant on a means-tested basis, an education at King William’s College is open to a very wide spectrum of family incomes.

‘The bursar and I are always happy to meet with prospective parents who may be surprised at the fee support which is on offer.’

For information regarding scholarships, contact denise.jones@kwc.im and for information regarding bursaries, contact paula.westerman@kwc.im.

Fees at the college (per term):

Upper 6 £6,582

Lower 6 £6,582

Upper 5 £5,781

Middle 5 £5,781

Lower 5 £5,781

Upper 4 £4,629

Lower 4 £4,629

What do you think? Is a KWC education worth the money? Email opinions@newsiom.co.im or add your comment to this story.

The inquest into the death of an unemployed Ramsey plumber has recorded a verdict of death by misadventure.

Kieron Gerald Hughes, aged 37, was found dead in a flat at Rectory Court on July 11, 2013.

A post mortem gave the cause of death as the combined effects of alcohol, methadone and self administered intravenous heroin.

Mr Needham thanked the family for the manner in which they conducted themselves during the inquest.

There was a cut in the number of people arrested and charged with drink driving over the festive period.

During the police campaign there were 12 arrests. Three people were charged, five were found to be under the limit and the remaining four have been bailed pending further inquires.

In 2012-13, 19 people were arrested during the same period and 16 were charged.

Today, WEDNESDAY

LINGFIELD FLAT ALL WEATHER: 12.30 Caroline’s Beach 1.0 Secret Millionaire 1.30 Sutton Sid 2.0 Maria’s Choice 2.35 Up Tipp 3.10 Seek The Fair Land 3.40 Skidby Mill (NAP)

KEMPTON POLYTRACK TIPS: 4.10 Lady Lunchalot (NB) 4.40 Pabusar 5.10 Surrey Dream 5.40 Perfect Pursuit 6.10 Indian Affair 6.40 Perfect Haven 7.10 Odin

DONCASTER JUMPERS: 12.10 Thomas Junior 12.40 Great Value 1.10 Act Alone 1.40 My Dads Horse 2.10 Diamond King 2.45 Honest John 3.20 My Legal Lady 3.50 Thurnham

Manx Telecom’s UK markets continue to grow, and to meet demand three staff have been recruited to its off-island business development team with more appointments to follow in 2014.

The telecoms provider has successfully developed its off-island business in recent years, primarily in the UK critical connections sector with its Chameleon product, and in the wholesale roaming solutions sector with MVNE.

Chameleon is Manx Telecom’s suite of Smart SIM Solutions aimed at the SSM (strongest signal mobile) and M2M (machine to machine) sectors in the UK and Europe.

Chameleon is already the mobile product of choice for a wide range of connection critical markets including providing protection for remote workers, remotely monitoring systems or improving business efficiency.

The technology solves the problem caused by the UK’s topography which prevents individual mobile network operators guaranteeing 100 per cent coverage, especially in rural areas.

Chameleon can overcome this problem by selecting the best connection automatically based on signal strength.

Suzanne Mealin has been promoted from a role within Manx Telecom’s corporate sales team to become account manager for Chameleon customers.

Manx Telecom’s MVNE (Mobile Virtual Network Enabler) allows a small number of business partners all over the world to sell its roaming solutions.

Manx Telecom provides access to its network infrastructure and 400 roaming agreements which in turn allow the business partners to focus their efforts on their core strengths – for example sales, marketing, and customer service.

John Cowell and Grant Proctor have both been appointed as business development account managers and will work with their own subset of partners to maintain and develop those roaming solutions, and ultimately grow the revenues generated by the off-island team. John has been promoted from an engineering role with Manx Telecom, while Grant has joined the company from Alcatel-Lucent.

Tom Meageen, head of business development at Manx Telecom, said: ‘All three appointments are part of a strategy to expand our off-island business by continuing to explore new markets for innovative products such as Chameleon and Smart SIM Solutions. I wish Suzanne, Grant, and John every success in their new roles.’

Manx Telecom is currently in the process of recruiting a sales manager and account manager for its Off-Island Business Development Team.

The deadline for applications has now closed and the individuals appointed to both posts are expected to be in place by early 2014.

Christmas can be a difficult and confusing time for bereaved children, where feelings of loss and confusion are inevitably mingled with feelings of happiness.

Cruse Bereavement Care has offered support for bereaved young people and their families for a number of years through its Children in Need-funded CruzKids project.

This funding recently enabled the charity to launch CruzKids Junior, aimed at primary school aged children.

It includes a Sunday group, which since its first meeting in November, has supported 15 referrals.

There is also a group of children, currently being seen on a one to one basis, who will hopefully progress to the weekly group sessions in the near future.

Children’s service co-ordinator Julie Dransfield said feedback from children, carers and parents had been ‘very positive and encouraging so far’.

Research by the charity showed a service designed to support bereaved primary school aged children would be of ‘great benefit’.

Julie said CruzKids, co-ordinated by Gill Skinner, provided much needed support for young people and their families including the opportunity for young people to attend a residential weekend to facilitate group work.

And the charity wanted to provide a ‘tailored approach to meet the needs of younger children to facilitate support, growth and understanding’.

She said after a death, many children may want to share their story and experience. They may feel the need to share what happened, how it happened and what it was like for them as an individual.

They may have a lot of adjustments to make in their home and school life.

‘Telling their story in a safe, caring, non judgemental environment is a healing experience and can help them to come to terms with their loss and new way of being.’

Support is on offer for bereaved primary school aged children, parents and care teams. This can be carried out at home, in one to one sessions at school or within a group.

Julie said: ‘Each child will have the opportunity to tell their story, address fear and anxieties and receive acknowledgement and acceptance of their feelings.

‘Collectively we hope to facilitate and restore a sense of safety in the world for them after the death of a loved one, whilst respecting and observing their ways of coping and readjustment .

‘We help children with any overwhelming emotions whilst giving them the opportunity to remember the person who has died.’

The CruzKids Junior Sunday group, meets at Café Laare in Douglas, and usually sees five to seven children and three Cruse team members.

Sessions enable children to get to know each other, gain listening skills and to feel comfortable discussing death, grief and ways that may help the symptoms of their loss be less painful and more insightful.

They look at ways to remember the deceased and new coping mechanisms to help support each individual on their journey.

Julie said: ‘We use an array of media to ensure each child has a voice – or a paintbrush. We use story-telling, art, crafts, music ,dance and play.’

She added: ‘Being part of the group allows children to feel less isolated, they are able to open up, share narratives and gain new perspectives.

‘The important thing is that the children feel safe and have fun in addition to tackling sensitive feelings.’

Once formed the group runs in a closed format to allow the children to build trust and bonds.

The group cycle runs for eight to 12 weeks. Once finished, they will then have the opportunity to attend a monthly social gathering to maintain contact and build a social group.

When they are old enough, they will have the chance to join CruzKids. CruzKids was started about seven years in recognition that many young people feel isolated. Peer support was seen to be the most appropriate and beneficial means of support.

It meets monthly at Cafe Laare, and its older members are working towards a Level 2 qualification (equivalent to GCSE) in mentoring. This reflects the fact the group has evolved into one where everyone looks out for each other.

Young people go along as and when they feel the need.

Its biggest event is the annual residential weekend, held in September at the Venture Centre for youngsters aged nine and over.

Gill said: ‘It allows the opportunity to meet with others, share experiences, participate in the outdoor activities on offer and to see those attending grow in confidence over the weekend really is priceless.’

Contact the Cruse office on 668192.

Douglas High School Old Boys cruised into the first round proper of the Paddy Power FA Cup with a 7-0 win at second tier Douglas and District on Saturday.

The Noble’s Park outfit worked tirelessly in defence throughout restricting their more illustrious visitors to a two-goal lead at the interval thanks to strikes from Gary Quirk and Darren Hudgeon.

However, the 2009 winners stepped up a gear in the second 45 netting a further five times. Hudgeon completed a well-taken hat-trick with another two goals, joining Cal Stewart (2) and sub Robbie Ward on the second-half scoresheet.

Despite missing several first-team regulars Jimmy Cosgrove’s JCK Division Two charges made a resolute start to proceedings producing some sterling defence led by former Old Boys full-back Luke Stewart to quell the predicted strong start of the Premier League side.

D and D keeper Andy Courcey quickly emerged as one of the game’s key figures, the stopper producing the first of several good saves to deny Hudgeon’s crisply hit shot from distance in the 13th minute.

The hosts’ early resistance was broken just a couple of minutes later when Gary Quirk forced home after some pin ball in the D and D box.

Old Boys continued to press forward, David Quirk firing against the bar after Hudgeon’s raking cross from the left had found his lunge at the far post.

D and D mustered a couple of sorties into the opposing half and nearly found themselves on level terms only for David McDaid’s barnstorming run to end with a shot over Danny Mead’s bar before Jon Conroy’s effort was blocked by Martin King.

At the other end of the pitch Hudgeon continued to pose a threat and his header was cleared off the line by D and D full-back Andy Gosnell.

Just as it looked like the hosts would hold their opponents to a one-goal lead at the turnaround, Hudgeon half-volleyed in from the edge of the area to double the away team’s advantage.

Hudgeon nearly grabbed a second on the stroke of half-time but Courcey was up to the task pushing the former’s ambitious flick onto the bar.

Old Boys’ keeper Mead was forced off with injury at the half-time interval, defender Lee Ford taking up the gloves.

D and D hadn’t had chance to test the stand-in stopper’s skills before Old Boys added a third.

Another Old Boys half-time replacement was involved, Nick Bass squaring the ball to Hudgeon who coolly completed his brace.

Kennedy’s men began to take advantage of some tiring D and D limbs, ramping up the pressure on the home goal.

Cal Stewart twice went close for the visitors before former DHSOB striker Daniel Clague-Stewart should have perhaps reduced arrears for the home side when he headed narrowly ashy McDaid’s free kick in from the right.

Cal Stewart finally notched his first of the day in the 72nd minute when his curling shot found the back of the net despite the best efforts of Courcey.

Ward then slotted in a low free kick to make it 5-0, before another two goals rained in in the encounter’s final 10 minutes.

Top scorer Cal Stewart made it six with another firmly struck shot before Hudgeon fittingly completed the scoring in the 86th minute with his hat-trick strike.

Gary Quirk nearly added an eighth at the death as the Blackberry Lane outfit homed in on the 9-1 scoreline the last time these two met in this competition, but his volley found the bar in resolute fashion.

Team check

Douglas and District Andy Courcey, Luke Stewart, Andy Gosnell, Richard Brant (c), Ben Skelton, Kevin Doyle (Joe Lewis 81m), David McDaid, Danny Scott, Steve Horner (Peter Kirkham 46m), Jon Conroy (Aaron Bradley 73m).

DHSOB Danny Mead (Robbie Ward 46m), Martin King, Phil Knox, Lee Ford, Mike Hooper, Chris Coxon, Cal Stewart, Craig Stewart, David Quirk (Nick Bass 46m), Darren Hudgeon. Sub not used Iain Ramsay.

Referee Gerry Thomson

Man of the Match Hudgeon (DHSOB) Mercurial front man grabbed a well-taken hat-trick

Match rating HHHHH

The wind finally returned to Rushen’s Spanish Armada at Croit Lowey on Saturday with a much-needed 7-1 win over southern rivals Malew in the Paddy Power FA Cup.

Rushen manager Neil Curphey wanted a response following two successive defeats and his players responded.

Notable performances came from hat-trick hero Aaron Hawley, the tireless Harry Best and Alex Maitland, who was a figure of composure in the Spaniards’ defensive heart.

The gulf between Premier League and Division Two is massive, butwith only nine minutes played Malew briefly began to dream of a shock when they took the lead.

A long throw-in was launched into the mixer, and Alex Graham reacted the quickest firing in a shot that took a deflection before hitting the net.

Rushen’s riposte came three minutes later.

Stephen Riding’s cross from the left picked out the run of Mike Williams, who directed his header into the roof of the target for the leveller.

The hosts took the lead for the first time with 19 minutes played.

Ryan Crawley cut in from right, struck a left-foot shot that hit the post before rebounding off the goalkeeper’s head and into the goal.

Most of the first half, however, was a forgettable affair with too many stray passes and heavy touches.

After the break, Rushen’s third goal was the most outrageous this humble hack has seen during my time reporting. Riding crossed from the left where Ciaran Brown, who was positioned on the edge of the penalty area, volleyed in using his heel.

Time for Aaron Hawley AKA ‘Big Ron’ to take centre stage.

The hosts’ captain started his demolition job netting his side’s fourth after being put clear and exquisitely chipping over stranded Malew net-minder Alex Mazzotta.

Hawley was on target again eight minutes later, guiding his effort low and into the bottom left corner of the Malew net to put Rushen firmly in control.

The Croit Lowey faithful were treated to another wonder goal from Crawley on this occasion.

Daniel Pownall’s cross was laid off by Hawley for the youngster to unleash a speculative effort that hit the inside of the right post before nestling in the net.

Tony Sewell came close to pulling a goal back following a rare second-half Malew attack only to see his effort cleared off the line.

The Spaniards completed a much-improved showing with a seventh. Jordan Watterson won possession, passed to Williams on the edge of the box. He teed up Hawley to complete his hat-trick.

There were other incidents of note. An island coach got his car stuck in the mud whilst attempting to drive off, a Malew player walked off the pitch midway through the second half and a referee’s assistant picked up an injury. Welcome to the crazy and wonderful world of the Manx FA Cup.

Team check

Rushen: Jay Gandy, Alex Guy (Dale Corrin 75m), Stephen Riding, Chris Shimmin (Michael Baker 75m), Alex Maitland, Ciaran Brown (Jordan Watterson 54m), Ryan Crawley, Harry Best, Michael Williams, Aaron Hawley, Daniel Pownall

Malew: Alex Mazzotta, Ian Mahon, Ash Egan, Daniel Thirlwell, James Hinchcliffe (Tony Sewell 73m), Ben Gregson, Charlie Dellborg (Shaun McEntee 64m), Alex Graham, Adam Drewett, Dean Kinley, Louie Jennings (Rob Bell 75m)

Referee: Colin Coole

Assistants: Matty Shaw, Anthony Page

Bookings: Crawley, Hawley (Rushen), Hinchcliffe, Drewett, Kinley, McEntee (Malew)

Man of the Match: Hawley (Rushen)

Match rating: HHHHH

What was the Star of Bethlehem – and would it have been visible from the Isle of Man?

Those are some of the questions that Howard Parkin will be answering at the first network meeting of the year for the island branch of the University of the Third Age.

It takes place on Thursday from 2pm at St John’s Mill.

And non-members are invited to go along for a taster session to see if they enjoy it.

The island branch now has more than 140 members who have set up a wide range of interest groups.

From this month, the list has grown further, and now includes singing for pleasure, creative writing, music appreciation and a social group.

Vice-chair Ravina Talbot said the group entered 2014 in a good position, and hoped it would continue to grow.

She said the biggest success at the moment was the geology group. It is hoped that it will link up with a Geologists’ Association field trip to the island in September.

A highlight of 2013 was guest speaker Dr Paul Bradley, a junior doctor at Noble’s Hospital, who spoke about his expedition to achieve a life-long ambition to climb Mount Everest. Members were so moved, a collection after the talk raised more than £200 for the Jack Quirk Renal Fund.

For more information contact 801032.

Peel Harbour is to be dredged this month after continuing concerns over a build up of silt in the harbour.

Director of Ports at the Department of Infrastructure, Ann Reynolds, said: ‘Currently the position is, weather permitting we are aiming for the Taroo Ushtey, the harbour work boat, to start preparatory works towards the middle of this month, and we are preparing to start in earnest with the May Queen, the Department of Infrastructure dredger, in early February.

‘We are writing to all berth owners to let them know how we will be handling the dredging operation and how we will allocate temporary berths as the programme progresses.’

‘The harbour was last dredged in 2012.

‘When it is dredged the boats are relocated temporarily within the harbour while the dredging takes place.

‘Silt is carried down the River Neb, particularly after heavy rainfall. This is a natural process; stopping the silt entering the harbour would require major civil engineering works.

‘We try to limit the inconvenience by dredging during the winter period, when the harbour is not busy and with full consultation with the marina users.

‘The works are always programmed to take place between January and May to allow for fish migratory patterns.’

Peel Port manager, Captain Pete Best, said: ‘Work will start in the middle of this month, so we’ll be letting everyone know.’

We reported in September last year how dredging of the harbour was planned between January and May 2014.

A dredger is used to remove materials from the bottom of a body of water.

Dredging is usually carried out at least partly underwater, in shallow seas or fresh water areas to gather up bottom sediments and dispose of them at a different location.

Despite the weather-affected postponement of its New Year’s Day launch, things are looking exciting for the Ramsey Forest Project.

Three-hundred trees were all set to be planted at four sites across Ramsey – the Grove, Mooragh Park, Royal Park and opposite the former Grand Island Hotel site – to get underway the Manx Wildlife Trust’s 30-year project to increase woodland cover in the area from 20 to 30 per cent, to improve ecological conditions and provide opportunities for new outdoor recreational facilities.

This will be rescheduled to later in the month, but project talisman Andree Dubbeldam of the MWT was able give some insight into how the wider plans are shaping up.

‘I think it’s going well,’ he said.

‘The three things we need are: land owners support, which we’ve got; volunteers, which we’ve got lots of; and funding, which is ongoing but we’ve got some positive leads. It’s something that will cost quite a lot of money over the next 30 years, but I’m hopeful.

‘We’ve got really good ideas of mini-projects. The most exciting is “Ramsey Co-active”, a two-kilometre adventure trail at Claughbane Plantation, next to Elfin Glen.’

Mr Dubbeldam explained the plan is to make use of larch trees felled to prevent the spread of disease.

‘We’re hoping to get hundreds of trees to make a playground every child dreams of!’ he said. ‘Otherwise it [the larch] would all go to waste. The most heartening support [for the wider project] has been from Ramsey Town Commissioners, who have been the most positive. They are the representatives of the local community so that’s brilliant.

‘Other people have been phoning with ideas. We could see artistic skills coming out of the woodwork!’

Four tries from tireless back-rower Ross Pulman helped Vagabonds on their way to a bright start to 2014, seeing off visitors Southport 45-5 at Ballafletcher in South Lancashire and Cheshire Division Two on Saturday.

In contrast to the storms that blighted the rest of the weekend, the afternoon’s dry and calm weather was perfect for a lively game of rugby.

The pre-match talk in the Vagabonds changing room was all about making amends for the tight 11-10 loss away at Southport earlier in the season. With the first fixture of the new year always a difficult one to get the best squad on the plane, Vagas knew they had an opportunity to pick up some league points.

The opening score came early when a lineout in Southport territory gave the pack a platform to maul over the line and let number seven Pulman touch down for his first.

The early signs were good, the side-stepping evasiveness of stand-off Aidan O’Shea and the lines being ran by centres Mark McGreal and Tom Gascoyne kept defenders guessing, and O’Shea broke to pop to that man Pulman. Not even his festive midriff plumpness could slow the flanker down as he broke through heavy traffic to score.

Soon after, Gascoyne sliced through the middle, and - hauled down just short of the line - was able to offload to scrum-half Leigh Kennaugh who went under the posts.

This brought Southport to life though; responding quickly with a try of their own when their number eight broke down the flank to score in the corner.

The pace of the game slowed down after that, promising moves ended in mistakes as Vagas looked for the bonus-point try. Winger Sam Games was kept busy with some big hits and turnovers, and the pressure finally told when a seven-man Vagas scrum (number eight Andre Pretorius was receiving treatment) earned a penalty. This was tapped and shipped wide to space where McGreal finished it off. O’Shea’s two conversions left it 24-5 at half-time.

Three more converted tries followed in the second half. McGreal scooped a pass from the floor to keep a flowing move alive that saw Pulman come off Kennaugh’s shoulder for his hat-trick, before finding his way through several defenders off a lineout move in the pick of his four tries.

McGreal was rewarded for a solid afternoon’s shift with a second try when he collected a chip over the top from O’Shea to bring up the final 45-5 scoreline, which saw Vagas overtake Southport to go fifth in the table.

An extra practice session for the 2014 Isle of Man TT is being planned to take place between 10am and 1pm on Thursday, May 29.

Organisers have released news of the proposal, which is said to be ‘subject to public consultation’.

The regular evening practice sessions will remain in place. Roads will close at 6pm and reopen around 9pm on Saturday, May 24, and then each night from Monday, May 26, through to Friday, May 30.

Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson said: ‘We have proposed an additional qualifying session this year to mitigate against restricted practice time to ensure that machines and riders are given every opportunity to practice ahead of races. Last year we had to postpone the Superbike Race to allow riders to get additional practice time.

‘We will be consulting with all relevant parties to ensure that the additional session may be possible in order to minimise any perceived disruption to the public. I would like to thank both the Isle of Man Government’s Department of Infrastructure and the Isle of Man TT Marshals Association for their support.’

Racing-wise, the schedule is broadly the same as 2013 with four race days, starting with the Dainese Superbike Race on Saturday, May 31, at 11am followed by the first Sure Sidecar Race at 2pm.

The first Monster Energy Supersport Race will set off at 10.45am on Monday, June 2, with the RL 360 Superstock Race following at 2pm.

Wednesday, June 4, will see three races, beginning with the SES TT Zero Challenge at 10.45am followed by the second Monster Energy Supersport Race and concluding with the second Sure Sidecar Race.

The race meeting concludes on Friday, June 6, with the bikesocial.co.uk Lightweight TT ahead of the traditional climax of the meeting, the PokerStars Senior TT.

I am not privy to the innermost thoughts of the editor of the Examiner, Mr Butt, (Good morning sir, I trust I find you well), but I suspect he will be thinking, with weary resignation, that my column for this week is going to about the New Year.

Bitter experience will have taught him that ageing columnists, intellectually bankrupted by the rigours of the festive season, can’t think of anything else.

So, if this column doesn’t appear, you know what he’s done with it.

What I propose is something on the lines of Old Tel’s Almanac for 2014. It’s the kind of thing the others do. So, what do I forsee for the year ahead in the Isle of Man, as if anybody gives a damn.

Let’s start straight away. Tomorrow will be held on January 7th. It will last all day. If you wish to see if I’m right just get out one of those calendars you got for Christmas. It will be in there.

Expanding on this theme I will say that January 3rd will be my 83rd birthday. This was easy. It was actually last Friday. My birthday was on January 3rd last year as well. I know these things.

But enough of me and what’s left of my future in journalism. What is the future for the Isle of Man in general in 2014?

I can say with confidence that the road works on the Peel Road in Douglas will be completed. What? You want to know when? Give me a break. I’m doing my best. I can also say that the road works on Douglas seafront will not be completed in 2014 and that’s doing my best as well.

What else for 2014? Well it’s going to be windy. But you know that already. There will also be some snow and some rain and, perhaps, some sunshine. No, I can’t say exactly when. Try the meteorological office at Ronaldsway and see where that gets you.

Tynwald Day will be celebrated on Saturday July 5th at St John’s.

Yes, everybody knows that and if they don’t there’s always their Christmas calendars.

What I can say is that the Queen and Prince Philip will not be attending. No, I’ve not been hacking the telephone at Government House. I don’t know how to do that, not yet anyway.

Mind you, if they do come everybody will be pleased. That I can be certain of.

Finally, the year 2014 will end on December 31st at midnight and I will be sitting at my typewriter wondering what to put in my next column in the Examiner.

New Year 2015 do sir?

l Captain Stephen Carter, Douglas harbour pilot, wishes to point out that official statistics suggest that 20 per cent of all road accidents are caused by drunk drivers. Does that, he asks, mean 80 per cent are caused by sober drivers?

There’s only one answer. Yes.

l John Corrin joins those who like to report Manx crossword clues and offers the following from the Sunday Times: Explorer goes south of isle of medicinal plant (8) – Mandrake.

l One more ratepayer’s letter to local authorities: ‘Will you please send a man to look at my water, it is a funny colour and not fit to drink.’

This week, Cat Turner looks at more ideas for healthy, environmentally friendly and low-cost food - this time, fast food!

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There’s a well-aired complaint that ‘healthy’ food is a luxury available only to the well-off.

And it’s not always unjustified - after all, in areas where large numbers of folks are on, or near, the poverty line you’ll also find obesity, and physical and mental health problems, at rates higher than the overall average for a country.

This isn’t just because fatty, salty, sugary processed ‘food’ is often the cheapest: grocery shops, fishmongers and restaurants serving healthier options aren’t always in high supply either.

I’ve found myself having to take a long walk or several buses to get good fresh local food, and that’s not always easy on an island that’s still pretty car-centric.

One idea that’s taken off in other countries is that of ‘Food Trucks’ - a solution idea to both the dearth of cooked food for those with no cooking facilities, and lack of access to healthy, local food in one swoop.

One scheme, for which the £30,000 odd startup money was raised on crowdfunding platform Kickstarter, is based around a second-hand and retrofitted fast food truck - a bit like those mobile chippies and burger vans seen at festivals - which turns up regularly to serve healthy, locally sourced meals at affordable prices in less well-off residential neighborhoods.

Of course, it’s a challenge for the owners to find fresh produce food in season right now, in these chilly climes.

There are places in the world where strawberries, bananas, lettuce, broccoli, and other produce grows year round - but the British Isles isn’t one of those places.

‘It really helps having good connections with local growers — who can keep us in touch with what’s the most affordable and available winter crops at this time of year,’ say the owners - citing also their relationships with growers working under cover or in hydroponic setups.

As local gardeners will know, getting fresh food out of the frozen ground isn’t nearly as easy, or as much fun, in winter as it is in summer: but there are options.

A decent variety of squashes, root vegetables and other hardy or under-cover veggies enables the truck to offer a decent mix in its menu.

In addition, local farmers and fishermen sell the team good-value fish and cuts of meat when they’re available.

To turn the limited winter produce options into truck-worthy entrees, the team has a trained chef on board.

In addition to the fresh offerings, they also make and sell reasonably priced preserves such as apple chutney made from local apples.

‘Funky,’ ‘local,’ and ‘fresh’ are not words typically associated with low-cost fare, though - so how can an outfit like this keep its costs down? Well - the Fast Fresh Food business plan describes its approach to food procurement as ‘gleaning,’ a term which goes back to an old testament commandment that farmers leave the edges of their crops available for the poor to pick up.

So the Fast Fresh Food truck picks up seconds and overstock from local growers, helping both itself and them. For a grower selling at a farmer’s market, it can be really hard to sell an entire of courgettes or lettuce in one or two days - but if they have leftovers and beat up vegetables, the truck team will use them.

This ‘take-whatever’s-available’ attitude is also helpful on the non-veg side.

Rather than asking a farmer for a supply of fillets, for example, the FFF team picks a price point and sees what’s available.

This can make for some quick thinking and necessary creativity in the menu, and the team use a slow-cooker and other slow-food methods to get the best out of less tender cuts!

It’s a great idea, with the potential to get food that’s affordable, quick, and healthy to people - and at the same time avoiding surplus produce being wasted. If there were one on the island, I’d use it.

But better yet - imagine if a truck like this distributed good nutritious fresh to those in real need, those who might be reliant on food banks and similar organisations.

What if, as well as (or instead of) a much-needed parcel of non-perishables, families could be given vouchers exchangeable for meals at the food truck - which the truck team could then use to buy more fresh produce? It could be a great way to introduce more good health into needy peoples’ diets, and at the same time support local producers AND prevent their surplus produce from going to waste. Triple win!

STOP PRESS: IoM Friends of the Earth’s first meeting of 2014 takes places on Wednesday (January 8) at 7.30pm at the Green Centre (near to Iceland Supermarket in Douglas). Please come along if you’d like to find out more, and maybe start the year off well by joining us and getting involved in our campaigns and activities. You’ll be very welcome! For more information, email iomfoe@manx.net or join us on the day.