LOVE was not in the air when the women of Douglas Golf Club invited the men to play in the annual Valentine’s Day Massacre competition last week, resulting in 27 hardy golfers taking to the course.

The completion was reduced to just 13 holes as the players braved gale-force winds to take part in a fourball betterball Am-Am.

The scores reflected the playing conditions with the eventual winners being Muriel Cain and Jack Shimmin with a very creditable total of 33 points.

The runners-up were Jackie Murley and Tony Gerrard with 28 and in third place also with 28, but having lost out on countback, were Jackie Clague and Rod Jones.

NEARLY £75,000 has been spent on consultants looking into proposed transport operator licensing regulations, it was revealed in Tynwald.

But no money has been paid to consultants since David Cretney took over as Infrastructure Minister.

Leonard Singer (Ramsey) asked Mr Cretney MHK about consultancy costs in relation to the proposed regulations and, if the proposals are approved, what the total costs to government will be to put its employees through the certificate of professional competency course and to employ the necessary extra staff for the Road Transport Licensing Committee (RTLC).

Mr Singer also wanted to know whether a simplified version of the GB regulations for transport operator licensing suited the island’s needs and whether the consultation procedure complies with the government code of practice on consultations.

The Department of Infrastructure has gone out to consultation on the proposed new operator licensing regulations. If approved they would introduce, for instance, the requirement for operators to park their works vehicles at their operating base and to put employees through a certificate of professional competency course. Concerns have been raised by some operators about the new red tape the regulations would place around their businesses.

Mr Cretney said although no money has been spent on consultants since he was appointed to the DoI, the following had been spent on legal services from Oliver Legal: £16,356 in 2008/9, £38,026 in 2009/10, £10,329 in 2010/11 and £9,860 in 2011/12.

He said £5,000 had also been spent with the legislative draftsman.

In terms of total costs to government if the regulations are approved, Mr Cretney said this was not yet known as it remained to consider which approved bodies and which approved certificates would be appropriate for the purposes of demonstrating professional competency.

He said, should they be approved, the RTLC would employ a temporary administrator and part-time inspector at an cost of up to £80,000 per year.

Mr Cretney said, in response to concerns that regulations based on the GB model would be too onerous, the proposed regulations are less onerous.

He assured Mr Singer the consultation process, which ends on March 9, complied fully with the government code. He assured Mr Singer and those in the trade that he would listen to and take on board all of their views and concerns.

QUESTIONS regarding the plans to build a through road between Ramsey Road and Poortown have been raised in Tynwald.

Douglas South MHK Kate Beecroft asked for a written answer to her questions from Minister of Infrastructure David Cretney MHK.

One of the questions asked was whether Oak Road, in the absence of a district distributor road, is Peel’s new principal traffic route between the A4 Ramsey Road and A20 Poortown Road.

In his response Minister Cretney stated, the department’s policy relating to the hierarchy of the island’s road network 2004 defines Church Street as the optional district distributor, which links Ramsey Road/Peveril Road with Derby Road/Poortown.

He also added this existing road had performed the function of a district distributor for many years

This function has been reinforced through the public consultation and implementation of traffic regulation orders in 2010 on Church Street, Christian Street and Derby Road, which support the Peel traffic and direction signage strategy.

The written response stated that Oak Road has never been defined as a principal traffic route, which is defined as primary distributor road in the hierarchy of the island’s road network 2004, he said.

A primary distributor forms the primary network for towns, accommodating longer distance through traffic and bulk of traffic movements internally.

A district distributor distributes traffic between key areas of the town and forms the link between primary distributors and residential areas.

Ballawattleworth Action Group (BAG) was set up to oppose the decision to make Oak Road a through road.

A worried mother, who is also a committee member for BAG, has raised her concerns for the safety of children if plans for a through road in the Ballawattleworth housing estate go ahead.

The mother of one, who did not want to be named, told last week’s Manx Independent: ‘When there is the safety of so many young children, plus a growing number of babies and toddlers on the estate, it seems negligent on the part of those wishing to build a distributor road through our estate.

‘I would have thought it blatantly obvious that it is a ludicrous idea, where we would just be waiting for an accident to happen. But by then, it would be too late.’

Another major concern for the residents of the estate is that many have said that the deeds of their properties state that the homeowners are not entitled to erect fences, hedges or walls around the front of their properties.

Therefore, if Oak Road becomes a through road people on the estate fear children’s safety will be more at risk.

Committee members for BAG would like to see a ring road built around the outskirts of the Ballawattleworth estate, which is what they feel was the original intention of the Department of Transport (now Department of Infrastructure).

MANX TELECOM’s new sales director has vowed to listen to and understand the ‘challenges’ facing business clients.

Fergal McKenna says it is vital to focus on how new technology can meet the demands facing customers.

He said: ‘We need to move away from the traditional sales approach of saying to clients: ‘‘Here are our products, which ones would you like to buy?’’ - and move towards a closer relationship with clients which enables us to appreciate the challenges they face and, therefore, enable us to demonstrate precisely how technology can help them.’

Mr McKenna, ‘headhunted’ to the island from a high-powered job in Ireland, told Business News he aims for Manx Telecom growth over the next 12 months.

He said: ‘Business cannot stay static. If we stay static we will die.’

He also wants to improve customer satisfaction scores.

Mr McKenna, 38, has moved to the island with his wife Leah and children Juliet, three, and six months old Fergal junior.

He said: ‘The Isle of Man is a great place to live and work and this is a very exciting time to join Manx Telecom.

‘It is a company renowned for developing and implementing new technologies and this - combined with the Isle of Man’s standing as an excellent international business centre - provides a great platform to attract more global clients.

‘Manx Telecom is in a strong and unique position with many of the products and services we offer and I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues to maximise the company’s potential.’

Mr McKenna graduated from Trinity College Dublin with a BSc in Management and has spent his career working in IT and telecommunications.

Living in Union Mills Mr McKenna is already getting used to a much quicker commute to work than in Dublin where he was with Colt Technology Services.

His responsiblities include dealing with the government sector, small and medium enterprises and the corporate sector.

He cannot stress enough the importance of listening to the customers.

He acknowledges that Manx Telecom has to ‘embrace competition’ and the key is to work harder and to stay ahead of riv als.

‘It means we step up to the plate and be more confident’ he said.

He is mindful that the island as a whole, including the government should be pushing for more business here. ‘If Manx Telecom is to compete then the island has to compete.’

Age has not entirely wearied Brother Aelric of Jarrow and the years have not yet condemned him to a sedate and sedentary lifestyle.

He’s well over 90 and should be taking it easy ... but the year is 686 AD and the former Lord Alaric, Legate Extraordinary to the Roman Emperor, is heading off to Damascus to face siege, kidnapping, a terrifying chase and a confrontation that will settle the future of mankind.

Aelric, Richard Blake’s duplicitous and deadly 7th century antihero, returns for his fourth adventure and this time he must use all his wile and wit to help combat the triumphant Muslim caliphate which is sweeping up from Arabia to threaten Constantinople itself.

Only his natural cunning and courage – death holds little fear for a man already ‘far over its threshold’ – have kept Aelric alive in the dangerous and fast-crumbling Roman Empire.

Aelric is currently teaching Greek and Latin in an old monastery in the wastes of Jarrow where he writes his memoirs and waits for death.

Well that’s the theory... in practice, he’s all set for another amazing mission in the so-called civilized world far from the shores of Britannia.

No sooner has he escaped a siege by northern barbarians on the monastery than he is setting sail for the ravages of the Mediterranean.

In faraway Damascus, Aelric could be very useful to Constantinople’s defenders as he knows the secrets behind Greek Fire, the flame-throwers that have kept what is left of the once-mighty Roman empire safe until now.

But as well as those who seek Aelric’s help, there are other dangerous factions who want to prevent him sharing his knowledge.

Fortunately, Aelric has a ruthless streak, unwithered by the passage of years, but has he met his match this time?

Aelric is a marvellously imagined and wildly eclectic character – when he is not bemoaning his loss of teeth and hearing, his nosebleeds, shivering attacks and other symptoms of old age, he is either harking back to his glorious youth or dispassionately dispatching those who get in his way.

Blake surrounds him with an entertaining mixed bag of characters from the ‘God-bothering’ Brother Cuthbert and Aelric’s put-upon serving boy Wilfred to the psychopathic teenager Edward and the Saracen leader Meekal.

We travel into the heart of a fascinating period of history which saw the survival and resurgence of the Byzantine Empire in the first century of Islamic expansion.

As always, Blake’s plotting is as brilliantly devious as the mind of his sardonic and very earthy hero. This is a story of villainy that reels you in from its prosaic opening through a series of death-defying thrills and spills.

It’s to be hoped that the ageing Aelric will live long enough to take us on another of his remarkable adventures!

(Hodder, paperback, £7.99)

THE government-run Manx Electricity Authority (MEA) has announced two new faces on its board.

Following approval by Tynwald last week, the new members are Bill Mummery and Mike Coleman.

The appointments come after the retirement of Ken Tomlinson, while existing members John Reid and Steve Christian have been reappointed. Elsewhere, Eddie Lowey MLC remains MEA chairman, and John Houghton MHK remains deputy chairman.

Mr Lowey said: ‘I am very pleased that we have retained the services of two members who were first appointed in 2005 and who bring with them much experience about the MEA and the challenges it faces. I would also like to pay tribute to retiring MEA member Ken Tomlinson, who has worked tirelessly for the board during his tenure and we wish him well in his retirement.’

He added: ‘We look forward to welcoming Mike Coleman and Bill Mummery. Mike Coleman comes from an engineering and finance background, as well as being an experienced board member at the Water and Sewarage Authority, while Bill Mummery – who is well-known as managing director of Celton Manx – has a solid background in technology which will provide excellent support for our business development.’

A BAND of ‘muckers’ has been recognised for their hard work and dedication with a prestigious conservation award.

Come rain or shine, the Midweek Muckers work tirelessly to maintain the island’s wildlife habitats.

The volunteers received the Joint Nature Conservation Committee’s (JNCC) Blue Turtle Award for nature conservation in the UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.

The award was presented by Peter Bridgewater of the JNCC to longest- serving mucker Val Craine, who has been a mucker for 19 years at Close Sartfield Nature Reserve.

The team of volunteers meet twice a week and muck in to support the Manx Wildife Trust’s nature reserves.

Sprightly

Ranging in age from 22 to a sprightly 83, the volunteers work alongside the trust’s reserves officer, Tricia Sayle.

She said: ‘The muckers work with a smile throughout the year, week-in-week-out, and undertake the physical work needed to manage the trust’s reserves.

‘Most years they complete more than 2,000 hours of work, which equates to a saving for the trust of £50,000. Without them, the trust would not be able to protect the Isle of Man’s 255 acres of wildlife habitat and rich biodiversity for future generations.’

Their first project was at Close Sartfield Nature Reserve, where five acres of gorse were transformed into a wildflower meadow. The field now contains more than 100 species of wildflower, including six species of protected orchid. The volunteers also manage three other nature reserves.

Val Craine said: ‘I enjoy working outdoors and it certainly keeps you fit, at any age! Where else could you find such great company, spending a morning with like-minded people, helping the environment and the trust, and getting to know the reserves up close all year round.’

The award is based on nature conservation benefit/added value, innovation, community involvement and links to a specific project, or demonstrating long-term commitment and dedication.

JNCC’s Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies programme manager Tony Weighell said: ‘I want to congratulate the Manx Muckers for their efforts in maintaining the nature reserves. There are many community volunteers... helping to work towards a better environment and a greener future for future generations. This is exactly the sort of community-based activity that should be encouraged to conserve and manage biodiversity.’

Minister of Environment, Food and Agriculture Phil Gawne MHK also attended the presentation.

CHICO and Rita lost out in the Best Animated Film category at the 84th Academy Awards.

The highly-rated animation was co-financed by Isle of Man Government company CinemaNX, whose chairman Steve Christian made the trip to Los Angeles for the ceremony.

A team of Manx artists also worked on the colour of Chico and Rita from their Douglas office.

Related article: {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/fingers_crossed_for_chico_and_rita_1_4281889|Fingers crossed for Chico and Rita}.

An Oscar was always a long-shot, as the traditionally illustrated and animated feature was up against digital Hollywood heavyweight studios like Dreamworks – whose Kung Fu Panda 2 and Puss in Boots were nominated, and eventual winner Rango from Paramount Pictures, starring the voice of Johnny Depp and which had an $135 million budget that dwarfed that of Chico and Rita.

GROUNDS maintenance company Groundcare is spreading the word about artificial grass lawns with the help of Gnasher the ‘easibug’.

The Smart car is covered in artificial turf and has been raising miles of smiles throughout the island.

James Graham, boss of Kirk Michael based company Groundcare has been attracting attention all over the island with the car.

The firm holds the island franchise for UK artificial grass company Easigrass.

Gnasher is one of a fleet of Smart car ‘easibugs’ which have hilarious faces. Gnasher’s actually the car’s temporary name as James is arranging for youngsters from Kirk Michael School to take part in a competition to name it officially.

James, 32, said: ‘Everywhere we go in the car people stop to look.

‘We picked it up from the Easigrass base in London and all the way up the motorway people were filming it and taking pictures.’

He said that in the island people of all ages are drawn to the unusual car. ‘One chap told us he had been having a bad day but as soon as he saw our easibug he cheered up and it made his day.’

‘I took my wife Alison out on Valentine’s night and people were staring at the car. I only have to nip to the bank or take my daughter out and the car is the centre of attention.

‘The car is a real head-turner and if it brightens up people’s days then it can only be a good thing.’

James’s children are Connie, four, and 10 months old Matthew. Alison is expecting another child in July.

James said people were drawn to rubbing their hands over the nippy little vehicle.

James, who employs a team of five people, said the car had been helping to spread the word about easigrass which he says is all the rage in the UK at the moment - with at least 42 artificial gardens being fitted every week in London alone.

He said artificial turf allows people to enjoy their garden 365 days a year, is child and pet friendly with no more mud or mess and householders enjoy an all year round green lawn.

James’s company has just fitted a synthetic putting green with four holes in a golfing enthusiast’s Douglas garden.

The firm is also due to use artificial turf during work on a sensory garden at the Joey Dunlop centre at Braddan Bridge House.

Enquiries are coming in from all over the island and James believes artificial turf will become a draw for both residential and businesse customers.

Manx-born James worked for various companies as a gardener before deciding to go self-employed about five years ago.

He has not looked back, the company now operates with six vehicles operating all over the island and is shortly due to take delivery of smart new corporate clothing for the staff.

James said: ‘In this business I use the same motto as Walt Disney: ‘‘Keep moving forward.’’ I am passionate about this business.’

He added that he does not subscribe to the ‘doom and gloom’ theories of some commentators in the current economic climate and believes it is important to try and stay ahead in the face of competition.

He added the workforce were like a little family and they all work together as a team. There is also a great sense of camaderie and sense of humour - which can be seen in the fun car which has Facebook following.

Groundcare: 877757.

website: www.groundcare.com

DESPITE feeling ill during the event, Mark Cavendish won the Kuurne-Brusells-Kuurne Classic in Belgium on Sunday after a dominant Team Sky performance.

The 195km race featured a number of breakaways but Team Sky were always present in them.

Last year’s winner Chris Sutton took control along with the rest of Team Sky, leading Cav out and delivering him in perfect style to make it his 77th professional win - his first for Team Sky in Europe.

Afterwards Cavendish was keen to pay tribute to his team-mates, saying: ’I didn’t really have to do anything, the team did everything for me.

‘I was ill all day vomiting but I was always kept at the front by the whole team. When the split went on the Oude-Kwaremont it was perfect as we had three in the front while the other guys stayed with me and we didn’t have to do any chasing.

‘With 50km left I still didn’t feel marvellous but just kept going and was being kept out of trouble all the time. The team took control and dominated it - it was a super display.

‘They controlled it at the end to deliver me and with 250 metres to go I kicked and that was it.”

AVERAGE yearly earnings in the Isle of Man increased by 1.8 per cent in the year from June 2010 taking the gross weekly income for the average full-time worker to £601.15, which is 0.7 per cent less than that earned by his or her UK counterpart.

That is the finding of the latest Isle of Man average earnings survey for 2011.

With retail price index inflation at 4 per cent, it means that the average Manx person’s real disposable income has dropped.

It records that the average full time employee worked for 37.8 hours per week, which includes one hour of overtime.

The gap between the highly paid and the average earner is also highlighted by the median salary which, at £497.81 per week is significantly lower than the average figure.

The survey statistics were taken from a random sample of employees whose employers were asked to fill in a questionnaire giving details of the age, sex, employment and earnings of their employees.

The survey showed the average gross weekly wages for a male manual worker were £484 compared with £744 for a non-manual worker.

For a manual worker the average weekly overtime earnings came to £33.65 and for a non-manual worker they were £8.95.

The equivalent figures for women were £464.90 for a full-time manual worker and £657.94 for non-manual workers. For overtime, the female manual workers earned £29.50 and their non-manual workers earned £7.63.

On average 10 per cent of the population in the island (men and women, manual and non-manual) earned less than £308.89 per week gross, and 25 per cent earned less than £396.16, while 10 per cent of the population earned more than £932.70, gross per week.

In June 2010 the average gross weekly pay for a full time worker was £590.75 and the median was £493.06. Average earnings for 2010 had increased by 3.4 per cent on 2009.

The 2010 survey showed that 10 per cent of people earned less than £301.06 but the higher earning 10 per cent of the population was then earning more than £1011.22 gross per week.

Compared with earnings in the UK, the average male worker in the Isle of Man in 2011 earned 96.3 per cent of that paid to his UK equivalent while the average female in the Isle of Man fared rather better, being paid 105.5 per cent of her UK equivalent. This represents a slight increase on the 2010 figure of 105 per cent. The overall result is employees in the Isle of Man earn on average 0.7 per cent less than in the UK.

Finance, insurance and business workers put in the fewest hours per week with an average of 36 according to both the 2010 and 2011 survey.

Construction workers topped the survey at an average of 42 hours in 2010 and 41 hours a year later.

The same survey in 2008 showed average gross weekly earnings to be £568.76. Average earnings had gone up by 3.2 per cent from June 07 to June 08 compared with a rise in the retail prices index of 6.3 per cent over the same period.

Average earnings overall in the Isle of Man were 1 per cent lower than in the UK but women still earned 104.2 per cent of that paid to their UK equivalents.

The bottom 10 per cent of earners received less than £288.46 gross per week and the top 10 per cent exceeded £954.23.

Ballafletcher outfit beat Gymns 3-0 in MBL Division One

DOUGLAS Royal bounced back from last weekend’s Floodlit Cup final disappointment to defeat Gymnasium 0-3 in the MBL-sponsored Division One.

Donna Shimmin (2) and Katie Halsall scored the goals in the first half for the Ballafletcher outfit.

Current champions Corinthians maintained pole position with a 0-5 victory over Castletown. Leading 0-3 at half-time, Sarah O’Reilly (3), Shannon Groves and Toni Beresford netted for the Whites.

In MBL Division Two, Ramsey maintained their push for the title with a 1-2 win over Rushen at Croit Lowey. After a goal-less first half, Lauren Stoutt and Claire Bush netted for the northerners, the southern response came via a Carole Kneen effort.

The remaining second division fixture was postponed as Colby were unable to field a team against Peel.

A full round-up of all the women’s football will appear in this week’s Manx Independent.

AGRICULTURE Minister Phil Gawne heads to London for urgent talks with Tesco, we reveal.

Read the Chief Minister’s pledge following the Budget.

Pupils launch a petition to save the Family and Mobile libraries.

A fashion store has been saved from closure, we report.

A 102-year-old Peel woman shares her memories of the Great War.

Find out what happened during a delivery test run for the new Tesco Express store that’s set to open in Castletown.

South News reports on a government minister’s reservations on the Southern Area Plan.

North News reports on minehunter HMS Ramsey’s progress in the Gulf.

West News reports on the inquiry that’s been set up into the Michael School land swap deal.

Sport has Manxman Keith Gerrard’s success in the cross-country as well as St John’s win over Ayre in the football. There’s also a round up of all the weekend’s rugby and hockey.

The Examiner is in shops from Monday afternoon.

A TYNWALD select committee is to investigate delays in civil legal cases.

The call for a select committee inquiry was made in Tynwald by Douglas North MHK John Houghton, who claimed that delays and other difficulties in the management of civil legal proceedings regularly led to ‘many years of wasted time and unnecessary additional costs’.

He said he had no doubt that legal aid is regularly ‘squandered’ in such cases.

Advocates in civil cases funded by legal aid charge £165 per hour, but where legal work is privately funded, the hourly rate charged was ‘virtually unlimited’, the MHK told the court.

He said: ‘Costs are incurred in the legal process long before a case reaches the steps of a court and usually involves many hours of an advocate’s time at great expense.’

Mr Houghton said people faced real frustration and trauma waiting for cases to be dealt with, paying advocates tens of thousands of pounds, often leading to financial hardship and even poor health as a result. He highlighted the fact that one constituent’s legal case that had recently been settled out of court after 10 years. ‘The legal costs alone amounted to £60,000. I’m quite sure that the respondent’s costs will have amounted to a similar figure.

‘What I’m absolutely certain of is that had this case been managed in a more pro-active and efficient way, the case could have been resolved within 12 months rather than 10 years and the legal costs would have amounted to a fraction of the final total.’

Mr Houghton said that often when evidence is finally established or proved – even in the simplest of scenarios – settlement is reached out of court. ‘I’ve seen this frustrating situation repeated time and time again in dozens of cases,’ he said.

He called on a select committee to be set up to examine a number of typical cases to identify core reasons for delays and other problems.

He suggested that such a committee could also establish an acceptable route to be followed, which would ensure skeleton arguments are provided at an early stage of proceedings to decide whether or not there was a case to be answered.

Mr Houghton’s motion was carried unanimously by Tynwald, with the court voting Mr Houghton, Brenda Cannell (Douglas East) and Tony Wild MLC to be the three members to sit on the committee.

A MAN who was told he would never live a normal life due to his health condition, has been nominated for a Pride In Mann award.

Andrew Baillie, 24, from Ramsey, has been nominated for the award in the category of volunteer for his dedicated work with Ramsey lifeboats.

The dad of two suffers from Crohn’s disease and, as a result of his painful condition, he had a colostomy bag fitted at just 14 years-old.

Andrew also suffers from bad asthma and Vasculitis Disease, which means he finds it difficult in the cold and humid weather to breathe.

Despite having a peg feeding tube in his stomach and being on many different types of medication, the full-time carpet fitter has not let his condition stop him doing what he wants.

His fiancée, Sophie Gerrard, who nominated him, is proud of how far he has come in his life.

She said: ‘Andrew has done amazingly well, after everyone told him he would most likely be bed-ridden for the rest of his life. He thought he would show them how wrong they all were and now, at only 24, he has joined the lifeboat crew.’

Sophie stated that Andrew became tried very easily, but somehow managed to live such a good life, despite his medical conditions.

She said: ‘Andrew is amazing, inspirational and a credit to himself and deserves to be recognised for his bravery and strength. He joined the lifeboat [crew] and is a valued crew member.’

A surprised Andrew, who joined the team at Ramsey Lifeboat a year ago, said: ‘To be nominated is a bit of a shock, to be honest. I’m very surprised. I joined the lifeboats because I wanted to help people and it looked interesting. Part of the reason for joining was because I wanted to prove to myself that I could do something. I really enjoy it.’

Pride in Mann is an awards scheme from Isle of Man Newspapers and Flybe which aims to recognise unsung heroes in the Manx community. The competition sees the public being invited to nominate people they feel are worthy recipients of an award across 10 categories. Each person nominated will be recognised in one of our newspapers and later there will be a public vote to find the categories’ winners.

The categories for this year’s Pride in Mann awards are: Promotion of Manx Culture, Performer of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Sporting Achievement, Young Person of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Linking with Schools, Customer Service and Family Business.

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Pride in Mann is an awards scheme from Isle of Man Newspapers and Flybe which aims to recognise unsung heroes in the Manx community.

The competition sees the public invited to nominate people they feel are worthy recipients of an award across 10 categories. Each person nominated will be recognised in one of our newspapers and later there will be a public vote to find the categories’ winners.

The categories for this year’s Pride in Mann awards are: Promotion of Manx Culture, Performer of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Sporting Acheivement, Young Person of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Linking with Schools, Customer Service and Family Business.

------------

Who will you nominate?

You can find a downloadable nomination form by clicking {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/pride_in_mann_1_4040786|this link.}

FASHION retailer Peacocks has been saved in the island after the UK chain was bought out of administration by Edinburgh Woollen Mill.

On Thursday administrators KPMG announced Edinburgh Woollen Mill had bought the Peacocks brand, 388 stores and concessions.

Some 224 outlets were not included in the sale, but among the ones saved was the branch in the Strand Shopping Centre, in Douglas, and the concession in Shoprite’s Victoria Road branch, also in Douglas.

Making the announcement last week, Chris Laverty, one of the joint administrators at KPMG, said: ‘Like many other retailers, Peacocks suffered from a decline in consumer spending due to the tough economic conditions and this, combined with a surplus of stores and unsustainable capital structure led to the business becoming financially unviable.

‘However, a strong brand presence and loyal customer following meant that Peacocks attracted a great deal of interest from both trade and private equity bidders, leading to today’s successful sale.’

The deal does not affect Bonmarché, which has had an outlet in Strand Street for almost four years, and employs nine staff, seven of whom are part-time.

There was hope that the Strand Street shop could survive when Bonmarché was acquired by private equity firm Sun European Partners in a £10 million deal.

Some 230 stores have been saved – but 160 more are facing closure, including the island’s.

In January, it was reported that the future of Peacocks and Bonmarché was uncertain after the stores’ owner was put into administration. It came after discussions with lenders broke down.

At the time Mike Carr, branch manager of Peacocks in the Strand Shopping Centre, said: ‘It’s quite a shock. We are sort of hopeful but are preparing ourselves for the worst.’

Peacocks has been located in the Strand Shopping Centre, since the centre opened. It employs 15 members of staff, part-time and full-time.

Mr Carr declined to comment on KPMG’s announcement.

THREE outstanding saves, late on, from keeper Christian Steriopulos helped holders Rushen United advance to the quarter-finals of the Cu-Plas FA Cup at the expense of a spirited Peel side, at Croit Lowey on Saturday.

The match, in fact, turned out to be an absorbing cup tie, full of action, packed with excitement and with both sides enjoying periods of pressure.

The two teams, though, took time to settle as neither had played for a month, but gradually it was the home side that began to gain the upper hand.

There was no real surprise then when the Spaniards took the lead as an unmarked Adam Cregeen slammed home Chris Kneen’s cleverly flighted cross.

The home side, however, failed to build on their advantage and as a result Peel spurred on by Lee Gale and Danny Bell began to turn the tide.

Kerron Christian was, in fact, played in by Gale but the tall striker squandered a golden opportunity.

Christian, however, made amends, soon after, as he cleverly steered home the equaliser, that followed some patient build-up from the red and whites.

Just before the interval Rob Cottier’s side could well have taken the lead but an effort from Bell squeezed the wrong side of an upright.

The visitors continued to assert their influence after the interval and keeper Steriopulos had to remain alert to deny efforts from Simon Cowley and Liam Harrison, but soon after the westerners took a deserved lead when Steriopulos initially saved a Harrison header, before Bell dramatically hooked home the resultant re-bound.

The goal appeared to spur Mark Heywood’s side back into action and Andy Bunce was unfortunate to see a powerful header rebound off the Peel cross-bar.

With Rushen on top Steve Riding fired inches wide, before Cottier was forced to clear off the Peel goal-line. The pressure finally told, when Josh Kelly produced a clever cross and Jack Saxon rose to find the top corner of the net.

Then, with just 10 minutes remaining, Saxon, who had looked dangerous on the left, delivered an inviting cross which substitute Michael Williams superbly headed home.

The visitors did their best to fashion an equaliser but there was to be no beating the southern custodian.

Firstly a header from Christian looked goal-bound before Steriopulos somehow managed to push it clear before Neil Birchenough produced a powerful header from right in front of goal that the former Colby keeper acrobatically touched over the bar.

At the final whistle, Peel had every right to feel slightly disappointed that the game at least didn’t stretch into extra-time.

Island manager Kevin Manning could not fail to be impressed by Steriopulos’s performance and was one of the first to congratulate the keeper after the game.

Team Check

Rushen: Christian Steriopulos, Ted Pepper, Chris Kneen (Ciaran Brown), Adam Cregeen, Michael Baker, Chris Shimmin, Steve Riding, Andy Bunce (Michael Williams) Jack Saxon, Aaron Hawley, Josh Kelly.

Peel: Stuart Morris, John Kelly, Daniel Lace, Andy Crennell, Matty McQuarrie, Rob Cottier, Lee Gale, Danny Bell, Liam Harrison (Neil Birchenough), Matty Woods (Simon Cowley), Kerron Christian.

Referee: John Lovelady

Assistants: Peter Lewis and Mark Thomas

Man of Match: Steriopulos (Rushen) A superb display.

Match Rating: HHHHH

Attendance: 314

ON this occasion, the job was finished. The previous time these two teams met in the Cu-Plas-sponsored FA Cup first round match, the original fixture was abandoned at half-time because of a downpour.

Last Saturday, there was a downpour of goals as St George’s brushed aside a youthful looking Foxdale, firing in nine goals without reply as Geordies’ Grand Slam bandwagon gathers even more momentum.

After seven minutes on the clock, the Glencrutchery Road outfit scored their first.

Johnny Myers’s sprayed his pass to the left. That was collected by Ciaran McNulty who squared it to an advancing Conor Dempsey to slot in at the near post.

Foxdale’s task was made much harder after conceding a penalty on the quarter hour mark when they were reduced to 10 men. Chris Bass Jr bent his corner which was met by Craig Lemaire’s out-stretched hand on the goal-line.

Geordies pleaded for leniency but referee Peter Beighton laid down the letter of the law and dismissed the Miners’ full-back. McNulty made no mistake converting the resulting penalty.

With 25 minutes played Geordies got their third following a foul on the left flank.

McNulty aimed his free-kick at the far post and Myers leapt highest, directing his header across the six-yard box for Sean Quaye to tap in.

McNulty scored his side’s fourth after Dempsey gave chase to a through-ball.

Foxdale keeper Stuart Naisbitt’s clearance was intercepted by the Geordies youngster who teed it up the former Gymnasium man to tuck inside the left post.

McNulty completed a first-half hat-trick after Myers crossed from the right. Quaye flicked it onto the striker and he converted with an out-stretched leg to make it 0-5.

After the break, the visitors continued their goalscoring vein, McNulty’s cut-back on the left was collected by Dempsey. His shot was parried by Naisbitt, but Frank Jones reacted the quickest to score from the rebound.

Jones netted again after Sam Caine intercepted a Foxdale clearance, his cross picked out the midfielder free at the far post to drive in.

Naisbitt was the busier of the two goalkeepers pulling off a number of fine saves, but Grant Dawson, his opposite number was mostly a spectator. However, the visiting shot-stopper pulled off an excellent claim from a Stuart Morrison free-kick.

Caine was the goalscorer for the eighth, battling and breaking free from their hosts’ back-four to tuck into the bottom left.

Bass Jr completed the scoring after being a recipient of the diagonal through-ball, tucking his shot past Naisbitt at the near post.

Who can derail the St George’s express? Corinthians will give it a go come the quarter-final this weekend.

TEAM CHECK

Foxdale: Stuart Naisbitt, Scott Kermeen, Jack Smith (John Kelly 60m), Matt Venables, Craig Lemaire, Stuart Morrison, Andrew Chadwick, Liam Leece, Gavin McLaughlan, Stephen Bettridge, Liam Cannan (Michael Cawte 50m). Sub not used: Andy Cover

St George’s Grant Dawson, Liam Cowin (Neil Brogan 75m), Sean Quaye, Johnny Myers, Julian Ringham, Ciaran McNulty, Chris Bass Jnr, Sam Caine, Andy Bass, Frank Jones, Conor Dempsey (Lee Dixon 83m)

Referee: Peter Beighton

Assistants: Winston Taylor, Gerry Thomson

Bookings: Quaye (St. George’s)

Sent off: Lemaire (Foxdale)

Man of the Match: McNulty (St. George’s)

Match rating: HHHHH

THE Douglas B back line was on fire at Mooragh Park on Saturday when they swept Ramsey B aside 46-6 in the opening game of the 2012 Shimmin Wilson Manx Trophy.

Liam King was the target man for Douglas with a second half hat-trick, but all the hard work was done in the first half with Scott Goodall pulling the strings from stand-off.

Ramsey took the lead after six minutes with a Dan Bonwick penalty but Douglas hit back four minutes later and took the lead. Mike Hebden sliced through the Ramsey midfield to set up a ruck and scrum-half Andy Jones spotted that Ramsey weren’t guarding the sides of the ruck and he sneaked down the blind side for the opening try. Scott Goodall converted and Douglas were 7-3 in front.

The lead was doubled 10 minutes later. Douglas forwards piled on the pressure inside the Ramsey 22 and Ben Dutnall crashed in from close range but was just short of the line. Jones recycled quickly and when the ball was moved wide, Ryan Maddox was in for the try. Goodall again converted to make it 14-3.

Douglas picked up their third of the game on the half-hour mark. Maddox intercepted a Garry Vernon pass and sent Goodall clear to make it 19-3.

Bonwick added another penalty for Ramsey but before the half ended Douglas were in for two more tries. Mark Dimsdale crashed upfield from a tap penalty and his neat offload sent Jack Moore clear. Goodall converted to make it 26-6.

In stoppage time at the end of the half, right wing Carl Conroy raced clear from 40 metres to effectively end the contest at 31-6.

Ramsey started the second half much better and the scrum and lineout started to secure clean ball. They were however unable to break the Douglas defence. The pace in the Douglas back line meant that Douglas were very dangerous on the counter attack and that was essentially the story of the second half.

Twenty minutes in and a man down, with Simon Ward in the bin, Douglas counter-attacked and Liam King raced clear. Four minutes later he got his second and the hat-trick was finally completed in stoppage time at the end of the half.

Douglas now look forward to the Manx Shield play-off against Southern Nomads this Saturday.

In the Shimmin Wilson Manx Bowl, Vagabonds B edged out Emerging Nomads 13-10 at Ballafletcher. Tom Gascoyne bagged a try for Vagas and the rest of their points came from the boot of Michael Oates.

Rugby Results

Shimmin Wilson Manx Trophy

Ramsey B 6-46 Douglas B

Shimmin Wilson Manx Bowl

Emerging Nomads 10-13 Vagabonds B

LATEST property transactions to be recorded at the General Registry in Douglas, are as follows:

Dermot Martin Hamill and Valerie Anne Hamill sold 11 Manor Drive, Farmhill, Douglas, for £475,000 to Marian Sarah Kenny, of Linden Cottage, Linden Avenue, Port St Mary.

Tracey Bell sold 111 Woodbourne Road, Douglas, for £270,000 to Paul John Devo, of 2 The Hollows, Victoria Road, Douglas.

Barry John Hay and Rachel Mary Hay sold 21 Falkland Drive, Onchan, for £233,000 to James Duncan Hammall and Caitlin Marie Hammall, of 27 Cronk-y-Berry, Douglas, who in turn sold 27 Cronk-y-Berry for £214,000 to Luke Jay Samuels and Nola Frances Fairbairn, of 23 Bray Hill, Douglas.

Anthony and Trudi Elaine Sewell sold 12 Wallberry Mews, Farmhill, Douglas, for £193,000 to David Neil Morrison, 17a Berrywoods Grove, Douglas.

Mona Developments Ltd, of 32 FInch Road, Douglas, sold 1 and 2 St Georges Terrace, Douglas, for £30,000 to Howstrake Commercial Ltd, of Rosemount, Phildraw Road, Ballasalla.

• We publish details of all house sales in the island unless we receive a written request from the police or probation service.

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