Thursday, February 20

• Manx Retirement Stretch and Flex at the NSC, Douglas, 10am. Also indoor flat green bowling at the NSC, Douglas, from 2pm-3.30pm, call 817007 to book. Saturday, monthly walk at 11.30am at the

Clypse reservoir car park. Tuesday Douglas/Onchan coffee morning at The Cat

With No Tail, Douglas, at 10.30am.

• Northern Ladies Luncheon Club, The Work of a Magistrate, 12.15pm at Ramsey Golf Club.

• Onchan Pensioners Club, Morton Hall, Castletown, coffee morning; Friday, sequence dancing, 2pm-4.30pm; Saturday, Arabian dancing, 9am-1pm; Monday, Bridge, 2pm-5pm and 7pm-11pm; Tuesday, coffee morning including raffle, 10am-noon; Wednesday, whist drive, 7pm-10pm.

• Soundcheck, Youth Arts Centre, Douglas, 6.30pm. Also Monday and Tuesday, 6pm-9pm. Monday, Castletown YC 6pm-9pm and Wednesday Ramsey YC 6.30pm-9.30pm.

Monday, February 24

• Mannin Art Group, 10am, at St Paul’s hall, Ramsey.

• Onchan Ladies’ Choir, Methodist hall, 1.30pm. Call 673453.

• Vannin Bridge, Onchan pensioners hall, 2pm. Also Thursday.

• Possan Aeglagh Manx Speaking Youth Club School Year 6 upwards at Cafe Laare, Lord Street, Douglas, 6.30pm - 8.30pm, subs £1. Call Cathy Clucas on 414331 or email C.Clucas@doe.sch.im for further details.

• Onchan Rotary Club, The Max Restaurant, Groudle Road, 6.30pm.

• Onchan Silver Band practice, the band room, off Main Road, Onchan, beginners 6.30pm and seniors 7.30pm.

• Ayre WI, Grosvenor Hotel, Andreas, 7.30pm. Call 818194.

Tuesday, February 25

• The Tuesday Group, flexible learning room to try your hand at basic crafts, have a chat, coffee and fun, Peel Clothworkers’ School, 1.15pm. Pre-school children catered for. Call 614180.

• Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band rehearsals, Queen Street Mission Hall, 7.30pm.

• Rotary Club of Rushen and Western Mann meet Falcon’s Nest Hotel, Port Erin, 7.30pm.

• Mannin Quilters, Ballabeg Methodist hall, 7.30pm-9pm. Call 628921. Also Wednesday at St Columba’s Catholic Church, Port Erin, 1.30pm-4pm.

• Ballacottier Senior Youth Project for school years 10+, Ballacottier School Youth Room, 7.30pm-9.30pm.

Wednesday, February 26

• Wednesday, Laxey Sketch Club, 1.30pm-3.30pm, Laxey Football Clubhouse, winter indoors, summer outdoors.

• Sulby Art Club, 2pm-4pm at St Stephen’s Church hall. New members welcome. Call 488014.

• The Friendship Club for the over 60s, Onchan Baptist Church. Call 674255.

• Peel Belles WI, St Patrick’s Hall, Patrick Street, Peel, 7.30pm.

• Isle of Man Chess Club, Belsfield Hotel, Church Road Marina, Douglas, 7.30pm. Call Alan Robertson 495097. New members welcome.

Thursday, February 20

• Karaoke, Guys and Dolls, Douglas.

• Ramsey Folk Club, Mitre Hotel, Ramsey, 8pm-11pm.

• Karaoke with Ray Sloane at The Saddle Inn, Douglas.

• Guitar lessons at the meeting room, Archibald Knox, Onchan, 5.45pm-6.45pm.

• Alternative Havana, Fiesta Havana, Douglas. Also, Friday - Full On Fridays.

• Nigel William and son at The Tynwald Inn, St John’s, 8pm.

Friday, February 21

• Ian Thompson at The Queen’s, Douglas.

• Brown Sugar at Jaks, Douglas.

• A musical evening at 7.30pm in Sulby community hall, Clenagh Road, Sulby. £1 members, £2 visitors. All welcome.

• DJ Tim, Second Venue, 21 Victoria Street, Douglas, 8pm. Also Saturday.

• Karaoke at The Albert, Douglas, 9pm.

• Irish traditional music session at The Mitre, Ramsey, 9pm.

Saturday, February 22

• Borderline at The Railway, Douglas.

• 8 Bit Empire at Jaks, Douglas.

• Ian Thompson at The Manx Arms, Onchan.

• Des Kelly and Mannin Black at The Tynwald, St John’s at 8pm.

• Manx music session, The Whitehouse, Peel, 10pm.

• Karaoke with Dobbo at the Decks, Liverpool Arms, Baldrine.

• Karaoke at the Central Hotel, Ramsey.

Sunday, February 23

• One Wo/Man One Guitar at The Mitre, Ramsey featuring Jan Brodie and Paul Cringle. 8pm.

• Ray Sloane Karaoke at Jaks, Douglas.

• Choral Evensong, St German’s Cathedral, 3.30pm.

• Music Box with David Castro at Guys and Dolls, Douglas.

• Karaoke at The British, Douglas.

• Karaoke at The Crescent, Queen’s Promenade, Douglas, 8pm.

• Disco Fever at Macbeth’s, Second Venue, Douglas, 10pm-2am.

Tuesday, February 25

• Manx Youth Orchestra, St German’s Cathedral, 7.45pm–8.45pm

• Acoustic sing-around, The Manor, Willaston, 8.30pm.

• Rock Choir, Youth Arts Centre, Kensington Road, Douglas, 6pm.

Wednesday, February 26

• Karaoke at The British, Douglas.

Thursday, February 20

• Gym time active play for pre-school children, Manx Gymnastics Centre, Douglas, 9.30am. Call 625636. Also Friday and Wednesday.

• Happy Tots, main hall, Willaston School, 9.45am, £1 per family including refreshments. Call 621577.

• Storytime for pre-schoolers, Henry Bloom Noble Library, Douglas, 10am. Call 696461.

• Arbory Tots, from birth, parish hall, Ballabeg, 2pm. Cost £1 per family. Call 832394.

• Toddler Tunes, Community Room, Michael School, 2pm. Call 878090.

• St John Ambulance Cadets (10+), 6.30pm-8pm, Douglas headquarters. Badgers (5+), 5.30pm-6.30pm, Age Concern in Peel. Adults meetings, Thursday, Monday and Tuesday, Douglas headquarters. Friday, Ramsey, St Olave’s Church hall. For all other times and venues call 674387.

• Good News Club for primary school children, Living Hope Community Church, Bayview Road, Port St Mary, 6pm. Email weirfamily55@hotmail.co.uk

• Army Cadets, Scout Hall, Peel, 7pm. Also Tuesday.

Friday, February 21

• Baby and Toddler Group at Glen Maye Chapel, 9.30am-11.30am.

• Tiddlers, parents and tots, Elim Church, Onchan, 10am. Call 434933.

• Parents and tots, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 10am.

• Laxey Mums, Carers and Tots at Laxey Working Men’s Institute 10am - 11.45pm term time. £2.50 per family inc refreshments. Call 466887.

• Theatrix Theatre Company Musical Theatre, Douglas, Saturday noon-2.30pm for ages 8-12. Also Saturday, Babies Irish/mod, 9am. Prep Ballet/Tap, 10am, Babies Ballet/Tap, 11am. Musical Theatre, ages 5-8. Monday, Senior Ballet, 4pm; Senior Tap, 5pm; Senior Jazz, 5.45pm; Adult Irish, 6.30pm; Tuesday, Community Ballet/Tap, 4pm; Beginners Irish, 4.45pm; Junior Irish, 5.30pm; Adult Tap, 6.15pm. Wednesday, Grade 2 Ballet/Tap, 4pm; Novice Irish, 5.30pm; Adult Ballet, 6.15pm.

• Mums and Tots, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 10am-noon. Call 479839.

• Storybox, Family Library, Westmoreland Road, Douglas, 10.30am-11am. Also Saturday, Sticky Fingers craft, 10.30am-noon; Alternate Wednesday, Busy Bee Time for pre-schoolers, 1.45pm-2.45pm. Tuesday, Sing and Sign with Nickie Gaskell, 11am-noon. Call 673123.

• Parents and Tots, upper room, Sulby Methodist Church, 10.30am. Call 897364.

• Onchan carers and tots, parish hall, Onchan, 1.15pm. Call 625328.

• Tiny Tunes, music time for 0-3s, Family Library, Westmoreland Road, Douglas, 1.30pm, £2.50. Call 673123.

Monday, February 24

• Kittens tots and carers group, St Ninian’s Church, Douglas, 10.30am. £1 per family. Call 629683.

• Parents and tots, Dhoon Church hall, 9.30am. Call 426395.

• Parents and tots, St Olave’s Church, Ramsey, 1pm.

• Tots play at Northern Lights Community Centre, Ramsey, 1.30pm-3.30pm. Also tots craft and play on Wednesday, £1.

• Noah’s Ark Tots Group, Church on The Rock, behind Ramsey Bus Station, 9.30am. Call 223669.

• Breastfeeding Buddies drop-in clinic, Village Walk Health Centre, Onchan, 10.30am. Call 656030.

• Daniel’s Den, Methodist Church, Arbory Street, Castletown, 10am. Admission £1. Call 822374.

• Roll’n’Play for preschoolers, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 10.30am.

• Peel Toddler Group, Corrin Hall, Peel, 1.30pm.

• Michael Miniatures’ parents and tots, Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, 2pm. £1.50 per family. Call 491592.

• Onchan Rainbows, 5.30pm. Also 1st Onchan Brownies, 6.30pm.

• Brownies, Corrin Hall, Peel, 6.30pm.

• Manannan Cubs, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 7pm.

• Do Drop Inn Drama Club, children aged 10+, St Paul’s hall, Ramsey, 7pm.

Tuesday, February 25

• Parents and tots, Auldyn Infants School community room, Ramsey, 9.15am-11.15am.

• Parents and tots group, Cronk-y-Berry School, side entrance, 9.30am. Admission £1. Call 469756. Also Thursday, 1.30pm.

• Toddle Inn, mums and tots group, Port St Mary Living Hope Community Church, 9.30am. Call 835091.

• Super Saints, All Saints’ Church vestry, Douglas, 10am-11.15am. Call 427185.

• Foxdale mums and tots, community hall, Foxdale School, 2pm. Call 420234.

• Abbey Acorns, ages 4+ at the Abbey Church, Ballasalla, 3.30pm.

• Peel Footlights Youth Theatre, children aged eight-16, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 4pm. Also Thursday. Call 843819.

• 2nd Onchan Beavers, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 5pm.

Wednesday, February 26

• Parents and tots, Salvation Army Citadel, Lord Street, Douglas, 9.30am. Call 627742.

• Mini Club for parents or carers and their babies, toddlers and pre-school children at Anagh Coar School, 9.30am or Braddan Church hall, 2pm. Call 675091.

• Ballabeg Busy Bugs for under fives, Arbory parish hall, Ballabeg, 10am. Call 429676.

• Mums and tots, Marown hall, Peel Road, Crosby, 10.15am. £1.50 per family.

• Busy Bees parents and tots, Beehive Kindergarten, Onchan, 1.30pm. Also Thursday. Call 674655.

• Ballaquayle Bears Toddler Group, Ballaquayle School hall, 1.45pm-3pm.

• Parent and toddler group, Castletown Youth Centre, Arbory Street, 2pm.

• Mums and tots sessions for babies and pre-schoolers at Foxdale School.. Dads, grandads, grandmas and carers welcome too. 2pm-3.15pm. £1.50 per family. Call Emma 801946.

• Homework Club for year 7s (11-12 year olds), Youth Centre, Arbory Street, Castletown, 4pm. Call 822490.

• The Energy Youth Group, Colby Methodist Chapel. 7pm-8.30pm. Call Jane 492010.

• Snaefell Cubs, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 7pm.

Thursday, February 20

• Tea dance, South Douglas Old Friends’ Association, Finch Road, Douglas, 2pm.

• Dance classes for children, Centenary Centre, Peel, 4pm. Call 450688.

• Modern Line Dance classes for all levels at the Legion hall, Onchan. Also Monday and Wednesday. Call 670308.

• Strictly Come Dancing for beginners, Royal British Legion hall, Port Erin, 8pm. £3.50 per person.

• Irish set dancing above Macbeth’s, Victoria Street, Douglas, 8pm. Call 457268.

Friday, February 21

• 5pm-5.45pm under 6 years ballroom; 5.45pm-6.30pm 6-9 years ballroom; 6.30pm-7.15pm 9-12 years ballroom; 7.15pm-8pm 12+ years ballroom, St Matthew’s Church hall, Douglas. Also Tuesday, 4pm-4.45pm under 8 years ballroom; 4.45pm-5.30pm Dynamites freestyle; 5.30pm-6.15pm 8-12 years ballroom; 6.15pm-7pm Energisers freestyle; 7pm-7.45pm 12+ years ballroom; 7.45pm-8.30pm Explosions freestyle. Call 474063.

• Modern Dance, The Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 5.45pm. Also Thursday at 4.30pm. Tap Jnr, 6.45pm. Also Tap Adv at 7.30pm. Also Beginners Tap, Tuesday at 4.30pm.

• Argentinian Tango beginners class, St Paul’s hall, Ramsey, 7pm. Call 880650.

• Line Dancing, Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, 7pm. Beginners welcome, adults £3.50, children £1.50. Call 878687.

Saturday, February 22

• Dance Time for children, Port Erin Methodist hall, from 9.30am. £2.50 per half hour. Call 835696.

• Ballroom dancing for children of all ages, Royal British Legion hall, Port Erin, 10am.

• Irish dance mixed, 3pm. Also Prim/Int on Monday at 4.30pm and Tuesday at 6.15pm. Beginners on Tuesday at 5.15pm. Stage Snr 4pm. Also Stage Int at 5pm, The Dance Factory, Onchan Park.

• Sequence dancing, Onchan Pensioners’ hall (across from library), 8pm. Call 829669.

• Social sequence dancing, Pulrose Methodist Church hall, Douglas, 8pm. Also Monday, Wednesday and Sunday. Call 842878.

Sunday, February 23

• Perree Bane Manx folk dancing, Ballasalla village hall, 7pm.

Monday, February 24

• Ballet, Viking Works, Riverside, Peel, 5.45pm. Also Thursday at 4.30pm.

• Country dancing, Willaston hall, 7pm-9pm. Call 628521.

• Ceroc dance night, Masonic Hall, Douglas, 7.30pm-10.30pm.

• Line dancing, Port Erin Methodist Church hall, 8.15pm. Call 436219.

Tuesday, February 25

• Oriental dance exercise, Gena’s Dance Academy, Peel, 10am. Also Wednesdays, The Gym, Ramsey. Call 300020.

• Linedancercise at John’s football clubhouse every Tuesday evening 7.30pm-9pm call 467285.

• Sequence dancing with Port Erin Dancing Club, Port Erin Methodist Church hall, 8pm.

Wednesday, February 26

• Tea Dance at St John’s Methodist hall, live music with Eric and Jimmy, 2pm. Call 842548.

• Ballroom dancing for children, Centenary Centre, Peel, 4pm. Call 450688.

• Ballet, The Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 4.30pm.

• Latin Line Dancing, 7.30pm. Beginners welcome. Royal British Legion hall, Port Erin, call 835098.

• Ballroom dancing, Villa Marina, Douglas, 8pm. Call 623414.

• Rhythmic dance, St Ninian’s dance studio, Douglas, 8pm.

Thursday, February 20

• Age Concern - free computer training sessions, Douglas iMuseum, Kingswood Grove, 10am–12.30pm.

• Manx Footpaths Conservation Group Walk, Glen Wyllin, 10.30am.

• Isle of Man Farmers’ Market, at Tynwald Mills, St John’s, 11am-3pm.

• Manx Gaelic class with Cathy Clucas, Arbory Commissioners’ hall, 7.30pm. Call 838527.

• Manx Gaelic class, intermediate-advanced with James Harrison 7.30pm at Arbory Commissioners’ hall. Friday, intermediate-advanced with Adrian Cain, noon at the Manx Museum, Douglas. Saturday, intermediate 10.30am at House of Manannan in Peel; intermediate-advanced with James Harrison 10.30am at the Manx Museum, Douglas. Tuesday, intermediate with Adrian Cain, noon at St Matthew’s Church in Douglas, advanced 1pm at the Rovers pub in Douglas; beginners 7.30pm at Patchwork Cafe in Port St Mary. Call 451098.

• Bingo Quiz, Manor Hotel, Willaston, 9pm.

• Quiz Night at The Railway, Douglas, 8.30pm. Call 670773.

Friday, February 21

• Willaston Weekly drop-in Centre, Willaston Methodist Church, Barrule Road, 10am-noon.

• Drop-in for coffee and a chat, Sulby Methodist Church, 10.30am-noon.

• The Manx Aviation and Military Museum, 10am-4.30pm. Also Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4.30pm. Free admission. Donations welcome.

• Coffee and chat, Onchan Methodist Church lounge, opposite commissioners’ office, 10.30am-noon.

• Relax Fridays noon-2pm, Trinity Church hall. Bring your sandwiches and enjoy free tea, coffee and company. Call 628374. Also Revive Fridays 5.30pm-6.30pm. Enjoy the company and a faith tea. Call 621004.

• Friday Lunchtime Choir, Salvation Army Citadel, Lord Street, Douglas, 1.15pm. All welcome.

• Meditation at The Refinery, Duke Street, Douglas, 7pm. Call 467818.

• Pantomime – Aladdin, Phurt le Moirrey, 7.30pm. Also Friday. Plus Sunday 2.30pm. Call Cynthia 473276. Tickets from Aries Fashion.

Saturday, February 22

• Theatre Tours, Gaiety Theatre, Douglas, 10am. Tickets for adults £7.50, children £4, family £20. Call 600555.

• Laxey Woollen Mills, Glen Road, 10am-5pm. Also open weekdays.

• Green Centre, opposite Iceland, Chester Street complex, Douglas. Information about recycling, energy, insulation and environmental matters. Zero Waste Mann, Isle of Man Friends of the Earth and Manx Energy Advice Centre. Open from 10am.

• Isle of Man Farmers’ Market at Northern Lights Community Centre, Ramsey, 10am-1pm.

• Coffee and chat, St Mary’s on the Harbour, Castletown, 11am.

• Milntown House Tours every Saturday at 2pm. Call 812321.

• Sporty Church, Bunscoill Rhumsaa’s Auldyn Hall, from 4.15pm-5.30pm. Bible-based story and prayer. A Ramsey Baptist Church event. Call 316013; email info@ramseybaptist.org; or see the website www.facebook.com/rbcim EVERY 4TH SATURDAY.

• Manx Breast Cancer Support Group Curry Night at Tower House with Shenanigans. 7pm-12pm Tickets from Scissors in Onchan or call Jules on 484950.

Sunday, February 23

• Junior Achievement car boot sale in Shaw’s Brow car park, Douglas, noon-3pm. Free entry.

• Isle of Man Farmers’ Market, at S100 Clubhouse, Castletown, 1.30pm-3.30pm.

• Car Boot Sale, Morton Hall, Castletown, 2pm.

• Big Fat Pub Quiz at the Outback Bar, Douglas, at 6pm. Tickets are £5 per person and includes buffet. Tickets from The Children’s Centre, Woodbourne Road, Douglas, and the Outback. For more information email Susie Cox at susiecox@thechildrenscentre.org.im or call 676076.

• Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band rehearsals, Queen Street Mission Hall, 7pm.

• Meditation and chat at Pure Inspiration, Ramsey, 7.15pm. Call Gary on 817735.

Monday, February 24

• Age Isle of Man - free computer sessions for people aged over 50 at House of Manannan, Peel. Lift available and coffee shop, 10am–12.30pm and 1.30pm–4.30pm.

• Lent Lunches at the Methodist Church, Waterloo Road, Ramsey, from noon to 1.30pm. Soup followed by fruit pudding. £5. Organised by the Northern Churches in support of Griah – home for the homeless charity.

• MS Society coffee morning, Cherry Orchard, Port Erin, 1.30pm.

• Afternoon Tea Dance, 2pm-4pm, Manx Legion Club, Douglas.

• Shorties, pirate adventure. Children’s Soft play centre, Alexandra Road, Castletown, also Tuesday.

Tuesday, February 25

• Computers for Beginners, Onchan Library, 10am-noon. Call 621228.

• Manx Cancer Help drop-in day, Lisa Lowe Centre, The Old Schoolhouse, Cronkbourne, 11am-4pm.

• Lunch Club, Salvation Army Citadel, Lord Street, Douglas, 11.30am. Call 627742.

• Douglas and Onchan Branch of IoM Anti-Cancer Association AGM, 7.30pm at The Cat With No Tail, Douglas. Call Becky on 481941.

Wednesday, February 26

• One World Centre Shop, Duke Street, Douglas, open for Fairtrade tasting and bicycle smoothie maker, 10am-4pm. Also Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

• Computer Training Sessions for everyone. Leonard Cheshire Disability, Main Road, Onchan, 11am-3pm. Call 679030.

• Call in for coffee at St Peter’s Church, Onchan, 11am and 1pm.

• Bereavement support group, friendly get together for anyone feeling isolated or lonely after a bereavement, however or whenever it occurred, tea, coffee and a chat, Scholl Centre, Hospice Isle of Man, 5pm-7pm. Call 647443.

• Samba percussion workshop, no experience necessary, Onchan Silver Bandroom, off Onchan Commissioners’ car park, 7pm. Cost £3, email sambamann@manx.net

• Manx Gaelic class with James O’Meara, St John’s House, 7.30pm. Call 843436.

• Bingo Quiz, Archibald Knox Onchan.

Thursday, February 20

• Free Female Football Fitness Sessions, NSC sports hall, Thursdays 7am – 8am, also noon-1pm. Michael.baker@isleofmanfa.com

• Zumba at 9.30am-10.15am, Total Tone at 10.15am, call Jane 201811. Legs, bums and tums at 7pm-8pm, call Lisa 438150. Also Monday, High Intensity Circuits at 6.30am, Wednesday and Friday 6.30am, call Shelley 487270. School Drop Boot Camp at 9.30am, also Wednesday and Friday at 6.30am, call Errol on 488105. Vibro-Step classes at 12.15pm and 7.15pm, also on Wednesdays and Fridays at 12.15pm-12.45pm and Tuesdays and Fridays at 9.15am-9.45am, call Shelly 487270. Tuesday, Tae-Bo at 5.45pm-6.30pm, Kettlebells at 6.30pm-7.15pm, call Kate 347160. Wednesday, Kettlebell Core, 6pm-7pm, also Saturdays at 9.30am-10.30am, Call Kelly 220220. Elite Fitness, Douglas.

• Thighs, Bums and Tums, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 9.30am. Also Tuesday, call 335635.

• Yoga, Iyengar (mixed) 9.30am-11am, Tuesday (men only class) 7pm-8.30pm; Wednesday (mixed) 6.45pm-8.15pm, 10 Perwick Bay, Port St Mary. Call 452791.

• Wheelie Active Parents (mums and buggies) 9.30am – 11am, Villa Marina reception, £2. Also Walk and talk, Peel promenade, outside Harbour Lights Cafe, 9.45am – 11.30am, £1.50. Friday, Walk and Talk, NSC, 9.30am–11.30am; also Mondays, Poulsom Park, Castletown, 9.45am – 11.30am, £1.50. Racquet Sports and Boccia, 12.15pm–1pm NSC, £1.75, Walk and Talk, 5.30pm–7pm, NSC, £1.50. Tuesdays: Walk and Talk, NSC, 9.30am–11.30am, £1.50. Walk and Talk, Ramsey Mooragh Park, (meet Rugby Club), £1.50, 9.30am–11.30am. Call Gianni 688556.

• Pilates 9.30am and 10.45am, Hot Yoga 6pm and 7.30pm, Friday, Kettlebells 7am and 1.10pm, Get Yoga Fit 10am, Hot Yoga 6.30pm, Saturday, Hot Yoga, 10am and 11.30am, Sunday, Hot Yoga 10am and 11.30am , Monday, Kettlebells 7am and 1.10pm, Get Yoga Fit 10am, Warm Pilates 5pm, Hot Yoga for Beginners 6.30pm, Tuesday, 7am Hot Yoga, 5.30pm Pilates, Wednesday, Kettlebells 7am and 1.10pm, Get Yoga Fit 10am, Hardcore 6 pack ABS 5.45pm, Pilates 6.30pm at The Gym, Ramsey. Call 812100.

• Fitness league exercise class, Ballafesson Church hall, Port Erin, 10.30am. Call 832759.

• Gentle Circuits, NSC, Douglas, 11am. Also Saturday. Call 688588.

• Pilates 2pm, 5.30pm and 7pm beginners to intermediate, 38 Woodbourne Square, Douglas. Call 491449.

• Chair-based exercise sessions, Onchan Youth and Community Centre, 1.30pm. Also Friday, Port Erin Methodist Church hall, 2pm; Monday, Ramsey town hall, 10.30am; Tuesday, Castletown Sandfield residents’ lounge, 2pm; Wednesday, Westlands’ residents’ lounge, Peel, 10.30am. Call 642668.

• Tai Chi Chuan, Lezayre parish hall, 2pm. Call 813222.

• Iyengar inspired yoga classes, Children’s Yoga, 3.45pm-4.45pm, reception to Year 3 and 4.45pm-5.45pm, Year 4 to teenagers. Men’s Yoga, 6.30pm-8pm, mixed ability. Hatha Yoga, Monday, 9.15am-10.45am mixed ability for over 60s. Monday, 11am-12.30pm, Hatha Yoga. Wednesday, 7pm-8.30pm mixed ability. All at Laxey Football Club. Call Jane on 863130 or janepycroft@manx.net

• Unite, mixture of Yoga and Pilates, 4pm-5pm. Also, Fridays 6pm Legs Bums and Tums, 7pm Aerial Suspension Fitness. Saturdays, 9.30am Zumba and 10.30am Aerial Fitness. Mondays, 6pm Zumba and 7pm Aerial Yoga. Tuesdays, 6pm, Fitness Pilates and 7pm Kettlebells. Wednesdays, 6pm, High Intensity Interval Training and Fitness Yoga. Jillian’s Unique Fitness Solutions 48 Loch Promenade Douglas.

• Manx Fencing Club, Ashley Hill School, Onchan, 4pm. Also seniors at Ballakermeen High School, Douglas, 5pm; Tuesday, Arbory village hall, beginners at 4pm and Grade 1+ 5pm; Wednesday, Ramsey Grammar School, juniors at 5pm and seniors at 6pm, also at Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, juniors at 6.30pm and adults at 7.30pm.

• Southern Gymnastics Club, Ballasalla School, 4pm. Also Tuesday, Castle Rushen High School, 5pm. Call 473741.

• Northern Gymnastics Club, Ramsey Grammar School, 5pm.

• Men on Mats - Core Strength/Pilates Class Thursdays 6pm-7pm. £8. Jillian’s Unique Fitness Solutions, 48, Loch Promenade, Douglas. Call 376574.

• Anti-gravity Yoga at Savina’s Secret Studio, Glen Falcon Road, Douglas. 6.30pm. Call 203502.

• Western Athletics Club, QEII High School, 6.30pm.

• Zumba, Carrefour Health Club, Douglas, 6.30pm. Also Monday, 8pm; Wednesday, 9.45am.

• Cardiotone, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 7pm-8pm. Also Monday 7pm-8pm. Call 452729/863602.

• Peel Badminton Club, Corrin Hall, Peel, 7pm.

• Aquafit, Western Swimming Pool, Peel, 7pm. Also Tuesday, 1.15pm.

• Aerobics and body toning, bring your own mat, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 7pm. Also Monday, Park View Hall, Kirk Michael. Call 455924.

• Yoga, Cooil Methodist hall, 7.15pm. Call 494489.

• Fencing for all ages. Ashley Hill School, 7.30pm. Also Monday, Andreas parish hall, 4.30pm; Tuesday, Arbory Parish hall, 4pm and Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, 6.30pm; Wednesday, Scoill Ree Gorree sports hall, Ramsey, 5pm. Call 880863.

• Pole fitness class at Savina’s Secret Studio, Glen Falcon Road, Douglas, 7.45pm. Call 203502.

• Zumba, The Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 7.30pm. Call 425270. Also Tuesday.

Friday, February 21

• Pilates at The Isle Gallery, Tynwald Mills, St John’s at 9.30am and The Studio, Falcon Road, Douglas, at 1pm; Monday - The Isle Gallery, Tynwald Mills at 9.30am and Colby Methodist hall at 6.15pm; Wednesday - The Studio, Falcon Road, Douglas 9.30am and The Isle Gallery, Tynwald Mills at 5.15pm and 6.30pm. Equipment provided. Ring Lizzy Main on 427401 or visit http://pilates-isle-of-man.co.uk

• Zumba Classes at Silvercraigs Hotel, Queen’s Promenade, 9.45am and 10.25am. Creche facility. Zumba Masterclass for beginners, Zumba Gold and Zumba fitness classes for women and mums and tots. Also Tuesday.

• Acrobatics, Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 4.30pm.

• Manx ABC Boxing, Palace Terrace, Douglas. Juniors, 6pm. Seniors (age 16+), 7pm. Beginners welcome. Also Monday and Wednesday.

• Yoga, Morton Hall, Onchan, 6.30pm. Call 494489.

• Tai chi chuan, Murray’s Road School, 7.30pm. Call 612305.

• Indoor bowls, Legion Hall, Port St Mary, 7.30pm. No experience necessary.

Saturday, February 22

• Pregnancy yoga, All Saints’ hall, Douglas, 10am. Call 461461.

• Yoga, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 10.15am. Also Monday.

• Yoga, Arbory parish hall, 10.30am. Call 494489.

• Fun and fitness, NSC, Douglas, 11am-noon. Call 688588.

• St Mary’s football club mixed under 11s training, Pulrose football fields, 10.30am. Call 405859.

• Tae Kwondo beginners, Pinewood Complex, Pulrose, 10.45am. Also 6-7yrs, Wednesdays at 5.30pm and Monday and Wednesday, 8-13yrs at 6pm, all ages at 7.15pm. Text 432152.

Sunday, February 23

• Reikido, The Royal British Legion, Port Erin, 11am-12.30pm. Also Monday 8pm-9pm. Call Nick on 398955.

• Yoga and Nutrition, Karma Yoga Studio, Douglas. 6-7.30pm.

Monday, February 24

• Women’s activity morning, NSC, Douglas, 9.30am. Call 688556.

• Beginners Yoga, 10am, Karma, 2nd Floor, 8 Victoria Street, Douglas. Also at 10am (over 60s half price £5).

• Begin to Run ( running club for all abilities), Douglas seafront, meet Jubilee Kiosk, noon – 1pm, cost £2, call Trevor Christian for more details on 688576.

• Stretch ‘n’ Flex exercise, NSC, Douglas, noon. Call 688588.

• Disability Swimming Sessions, NSC, Douglas, 3pm-4pm, £1.55. Also Tuesday, 6pm-7pm.

• Aquafit, NSC, Douglas, 1.30pm. Also Tuesday at noon and Wednesday at 6pm. Plus Deepwater Aquafit on Monday at 7.15pm, and Thursday Deepwater at 6pm. Call 688556.

• Circuit Training, NSC, Douglas, 6pm. Also Wednesday at 6pm. Call 688588.

• Exercise Boot Camp, Corrin Hall, Peel, 6.15pm. Also Wednesday, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 6pm; Thursday, Glen Vine Church hall, 9.15am.

• Cardiotone, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 7pm. Also Thursday. Call 452729.

• Women’s self-defence classes, British Legion hall, Port Erin, 7.30pm.

• Kirk Michael Badminton Club, Park View hall, 8pm. Call 878536.

Tuesday, February 25

• Fit2Go walking sessions, car park, Station Road, St John’s, 9am. For women looking to improve their fitness. £3.

• Pilates at 9.15am, 38 Woodbourne Square, Douglas. Pilates at 6.15pm Trinity Church, Ramsey. Also, Balance and Pilates 1.30pm Cooyrt Balleigh, Ramsey, (no floor exercise). Call 491449.

• Cheerleading, All Saints’ Church hall, 4.30pm. Call 254499.

• Pilates, the hall at Church on The Rock, Ramsey, 6.15pm. Call 491449.

• Zumba, Fiesta Havana, Douglas, 7pm. Email sjh@manx.net

• Tai Chi Chuan, Lezayre parish community hall, 7pm.

• IoM Karate Federation, Murray’s Road School, Juniors 7pm, Seniors 7.30pm. Call 612305.

• Badminton club, Arbory School, Ballabeg, 8pm. Call Liz on 466370.

• Early Morning Boot Camp, 6.15am-7am. Also Wednesday and Friday. Evening Boot Camp, 6pm-6.45pm, Tuesday and Thursday, and 9am-9.45am Saturday. Also Kettlebell Classes, Wednesday, 6pm-7pm, Saturday, 8am-8.45am, Marown Millennium Hall. Call 465335.

Wednesday, February 26

• Gentle yoga, women’s class, Gena’s Dance Academy, Peel, 9.30am. Call 456782.

• Balance and Pilates 10.30am Manx Legion Club, Douglas. (No floor exercise). Call 491449.

• Gentle body toning, NSC, Douglas, 11am. Call 688588.

• Chair-based exercises/Stretch and flex, NSC, Douglas, noon. Call 688588.

• Thompson Travel Netball Club junior training, Braddan School, 6pm. For ages 10-14.

• Valkyrs Hockey Club training, QEII astro pitch, Peel. Juniors (8+), 6pm; Seniors (13+), 7.30pm. Call 801802.

• Iyengar inspired yoga, 6pm-7.30pm, Brightlife, Andreas. Call Kel on 452015.

• Bowling club night, Port Erin Bowling Club, Breagle Glen, 6.30pm.

Plans are coming together for the revived Douglas Carnival.

It will be biggest community event staged in the capital this year and take place on Saturday, July 19.

Town centre manager Michelle O’Malley said: ‘Douglas Carnival is free to enter but those taking part will need to complete an entry form, available for download from douglascarnival.im.

‘It’s still early days yet, but we’ve already drawn up a whole range of categories, such as best float, best walking group, best band etc.

‘These and many others will attract some fantastic prizes – some cash, others goods or services. There’ll also be more music, live bands…maybe even a headline act, but we’re keeping that under wraps for now. What’s important right now is to get creative, think “carnival” then log on for your entry form.’

Council leader Councillor David Christian said: ‘There is a great deal of work being put in behind the scenes to ensure that Douglas Carnival is a spectacular event that will attract people from all over the island.

‘The festivities are due to start around 2pm on the walkway along Harris Promenade where there will be family-focused activities including entertainment, stalls and concessionary outlets. Then at 6.30pm the whole of Douglas promenade is set to come alive with a parade of floats, bands, groups and cavalcades and later the street festival switches to the North Quay which will host the after party.

‘This presents the perfect opportunity to enter into the spirit of Island of Culture 2014 and “Be Inspired. Be Involved”. For the after party we want to see the harbourside take centre stage and for all the cafés, pubs, restaurants and other businesses there to really get behind the event and come up with ideas that will not only create a great party atmosphere but also increase footfall and spend because, as I said in my recent budget speech, for Douglas Carnival to be a true success it must bring commercial benefit to the town.’

Douglas Carnival used to be one of the big events of the year, when the town still enjoyed mass tourism.

But as tourism declined, it faded and it was last held about 20 years ago.

We have ‘complete confidence in the integrity’ of the Health Minister.

That was the conclusion of Speaker of the House of Keys and chairman of the Tynwald Standards and Members’ Interests Committee Steve Rodan told Tynwald as members approved a report into the conduct of David Anderson.

The committee had investigated claims that the House of Keys was misled by the Minister over a letter signed by hospital consultants highlighting concerns over patient safety at Noble’s Hospital.

Its report cleared Mr Anderson of deliberately misleading the House but found that his statements were not correct.

It concluded he was badly let down by the officers who advised him - and that the department’s chief executive, David Killip, deserved censure.

Mr Anderson had been accused of misleading the House of Keys on June 11, 2013 and again in a personal statement on June 25, by saying some of the consultants had withdrawn their support for the letter.

In fact, the report found, the consultants stood by both the content of the letter and the medium.

But the Minister voted against two of the three conclusions, about the inaccuracy of his statements and the cause.

He said: ‘The committee has reached its conclusions without testing the evidence and has taken the evidence of the four that allegedly “withdrew their support” and dismissed Mrs Scotts’s [hospital manager Barbara Scott] evidence without giving her the opportunity to call on a witness, even after my letter to prompt them.

‘I believe Mr Killip, who has, I think, unjustly been castigated in this report, like me knows Mrs Scott to be an honest and truthful individual and took her report in the same view.

Mr Killip accepted that he is the senior officer in the department and therefore took criticism squarely on his shoulders.

‘If Mrs Scott’s evidence had been the body of evidence the committee accepted, I doubt if any blame would be laid at his door.’

The report was approved with 15 votes for and eight against in the Keys, and six for and three against in Legislative Council.

The latest plan for Callow’s Yard has been put on hold by applicant Roy Tilleard.

The plan (14/00007/B) by Mr Tilleard promises to fundamentally alter the nature of the town centre by turning it from retail to residential agreed residents who attended a packed public meeting on February 11.

Last Monday, February 17, the local authority agreed to object to the application – despite the fact it is on hold, it is still ‘active’ – and will request that one comprehensive plan for Callow’s Yard is drawn up.

Castletown Commissioners’ chairman Kevin Weir said the plan was a step ‘too far’ for the people of Castletown.

At the meeting, the public voted unanimously against the plan and so did the individual commissioners that were there.

Mr Weir said last Monday that Mr Tilleard’s agent requested a meeting with the local authority and ‘selected parties’.

‘What is on the table I have no idea. Roy Tilleard has asked planning for a postponement of the closing date for objections to the plan

‘An advisor in government said just get it [the authority’s decision] in. The public gave us their opinion. We have put in the marker we are concerned about this.’

Commissioner Alwyn Collister said: ‘It was improper us being asked to take a vote [at the public meeting]. We should have had the right to discuss this ourselves.’

Clerk Eddie Convery pointed out: ‘This is the fourth meeting at which this application has been discussed.’

Mr Weir said it would be better for the board to agree their opposition beforehand to present a united front at the meeting, ‘without that we go into the meeting with him on the back foot.’ Then they could try to find some ‘common ground’ with Mr Tilleard.

Commissioner Colin Leather said: ‘It’s very easy to say we want retailing to stay, but when there are empty shops where do we go from here?’

Commissioner Richard McAleer proposed they object to the plan and he was seconded by commissioner Andrew Thomas.

The authority’s letter of objection, done in consultation with a planning specialist, said the proposal, ‘would significantly undermine the vitality, viability, diversity and character of the town’. There were also concerns about car parking and it being contrary to area plans.

Mr Weir said when they meet Mr Tilleard, they will also invite the town’s traders, heritage group and MHK Richard Ronan.

Although it will be held in private, the minutes – normally also kept private – will be made public.

Everyone who was at the public meeting has the right to know what was discussed, said Mr Weir. ‘Mr Tilleard takes it or leaves it on that basis. If he makes a statement, that’s fine.’

He added, given Mr Ronan’s commitments with Tynwald this week, it would be best to hold it after this week.

‘Because the application is on hold, there is no need for it to be this week. It would be advantageous for all to be present.’

Mr Thomas said: ‘We should ask Mr Tilleard to withdraw all the planning applications as a gesture of good faith. Then the whole of planning at Callow’s Yard could be explained ... I would like them removed and explained. After that we should make sure there is one comprehensive plan not just a series – drip, drip, drip, like water on stone. This [the comprehensive plan] could be agreed by all stakeholders. The feeling in that room [when there was the public meeting] was incredible.’

Commissioner David Parnell added: ‘All stakeholders should come to the meeting with no preconceived ideas, there should be a clean slate.’

Mr Thomas said: ‘We have all got to come with a view to making the future work.’

An early outcome now appears unlikely in the bus drivers dispute due to the ‘complexity of the issues’ a statement from the chairman of the panel assessing the case has said.

Chairman of the three-person panel looking at the case, Douglas Stewart, issued the following statement.

‘The chairperson is aware that an early indication of the decision would have been appreciated by both parties.

‘However, the complexity of the issues and the length of the evidence was such that no decision can be announced with any immediacy – but every effort will be made to announce the outcome as soon as possible.’

The panel, which also included Mr Peter Murcott and Mrs Fiona Robinson heard the case over three days last week and it was hoped that a decision could be reached this week.

The drivers and the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure are in a long-running battle over changes in terms and conditions of the drivers’ contracts.

The Children’s Centre is challenging pub quiz teams across the island to take part in a ‘Big Fat Pub Quiz’ event to raise funds for its charitable projects.

The quiz is being held at the Outback Bar and Nightclub in Barrack Street, Douglas, on Sunday, February 23, at 6pm. Tickets are £5 per person with a maximum of six people per team. A half-time buffet is included in the ticket price.

There will be questions about music, general knowledge, film and TV, and sport. Teams can also win raffle prizes and take part in other games during the evening. The quiz master is former Douglas Mayor Councillor David Ashford.

Tickets are available from The Children’s Centre, Woodbourne Road, Douglas, and the Outback. For more information call 676076.

Chris Walmsley has come a long way since the horrific accident which left him with severe injuries in 2006.

Now, the expertise and equipment which is being used to help him on his long road to recovery is being made available to others.

His mum, Carol, has set up Hope Home Care Limited and taken on premises at Harcourt Drive in Balthane industrial estate, Ballasalla.

The facilities were brought in with Chris in mind but Carol said others may benefit from them too.

‘We are offering care in the home, as are others I know, but specifically brain injury care as our staff are all trained in this area,’ she said.

‘We can offer care to anyone who needs it – from the cradle to the grave as the saying goes, and one of our team members is highly experienced in child care.

‘That’s not to say we will only care for folks with a brain injury though – we want to offer a range of care to anyone who needs it, and we are fortunate in having many contacts with specialists, not only here but in the UK too, so we can tap into specialist training as and when necessary.’

Facilities at the unit include a therapy room equipped with a standing frame, therapy tables, hoist, slings, treadmill, vibration plate, multi gym, exercise bike, trampette and floor mats.

Carol said the ‘star of the show’ was the hydrotherapy pool and jacuzzi, which Chris, aged 35, went in for the first time earlier this month.

‘He absolutely loved it, he relaxed and really enjoyed it. I’m so proud of him and I’m convinced he’s got much more to give.’

There is also a shower, toilet and kitchen facilities, as well as a training/meeting/conference room.

Chris is now in the standing frame at least three times a week and he is doing chewing exercises.

The family saw a big step forwards a couple of weeks ago when he wiped his mouth with a towel several times.

For more information, call 827917.

Tynwald has approved all but one of the recommendations of an inquiry into the government’s bail-out of the Sefton Group.

Controversy surrounded the bail-out deal announced in April last year, in which government approved a £1.3m loan repayable over five years and a £3.2m sale and lease back agreement for the Middlemarch site (on the corner of Lord Street and Walpole Avenue in Douglas).

At the time, Chief Minister Allan Bell said it was designed to prevent the debt-ridden group from going under.

It later emerged the Sefton Group had been given an earlier government loan of £450,000 April 2012 to clear the company’s significant debts.

The Economic Policy Review Committee’s brief was to consider whether government acted within the law and within existing scheme guidelines and codes of practice.

It concluded ‘the government acted in a manner which stretched its powers to the limit – and, we think, beyond’.

There will now be a review of the law to government to support a company which falls foul of the Enterprise Act 2008 over payment of income tax and national insurance, but, where there is no suggestion of dishonesty.

The Financial Assistance Scheme guidelines will be reviewed to set out more clearly the process for handling applications for support by enterprises that are in financial difficulty.

And the Enterprise Act will be re-examined, with a view to creating a better framework for supporting businesses on the island.

A recommendation that Treasury should examine the situation in respect of the Sefton Group and the impact on local businesses who did business with it, on a quarterly basis failed.

The Council of Ministers had argued it would be ‘entirely inappropriate for the Treasury to monitor the many trading relationships of any private sector enterprise, let alone a PLC, with its creditors’.

Douglas South MHK Kate Beecroft (Lib Van) had called for the committee to re-examine the issue, saying there were still ‘loose ends’.

But her amendment failed to get sufficient support.

The company behind The Abbey Restaurant at Ballasalla has been given the green light to develop the former Hop Garden at Santon.

Bravo Foods Limited’s application for a ‘small, high quality country hotel with bar and restaurant facilities, small function suite and associated ancillary accommodation’ was approved by planners.

The company says its plans are a ‘natural next step in its expansion’ following its success at The Abbey.

The work involves refurbishing the original building on New Castletown Road and demolishing the outbuildings.

These are described as being ‘completely out of keeping with the context’.

The refurbished original building would then be extended and connected to areas of new-build, including a one and three quarter storey annex building.

The Forge will feature 22 bedrooms while about 170 patrons could be accommodated in the bar and restaurant.

A courtyard will be created, with views across one of the two ponds on site and towards woodland.

In the design statement it says it will ‘create significant employment opportunities, both directly and indirectly, to local supply chain partners’.

The bid was approved with a condition that before work starts, measures to mitigate the potential impact of flooding are approved by planners. There are two interconnected ponds on site, fed by Crogga River.

The Salmon family announced in March 2013 it had sold the business after running it for more than a decade.

Professional IT services company Skanco Business Systems Ltd is seeking to expand its business in the Isle of Man with the appointment of Dee McLoughlin as business development manager.

Over the last five years as a sales account manager at Skanco, Dee has managed and developed some of its top accounts, focusing on driving new projects through and introducing new products to the island’s businesses.

Managing director David Butterworth said: ‘With the island’s economy continuing to grow, we’re looking to increase business and we see Dee as a crucial part of this.

‘During her time at Skanco, Dee has proven to be a key asset to the company and we’re delighted that she has taken on the challenge of this new role.’

The position will see Dee build on her experience, proactively focusing on new business development within both Skanco’s existing customer base and new businesses on the island.

Dee said: ‘I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to develop new business for the company and am very excited to be working alongside such a strong and dedicated team.’

For the second year running, Dee will be responsible for co-ordinating Skanco’s IT Showcase, which takes place at the British Hotel’s Embassy Room in Douglas on February 27. The event will see many UK specialists from respected IT vendors such as Microsoft, HP, Symantec, Veeam, VMware and Citrix on hand for appointments and drop-ins, offering first-hand advice to attendees.

Dee said: ‘This showcase is an opportunity for our customers and the island’s IT professionals to connect with market leading vendors either on a one-to-one basis or simply to find out about new products or solutions arriving on the market this year.

‘The event shows once again that although we are a local company, Skanco can offer globally recognised specialist solutions to island-based companies.’

Graduating from Sheffield Hallam University with a Sports Science degree, Dee began her career as a trainee recruitment consultant in Leeds, West Yorkshire, focusing on new business generation. 

Over the six years with the ATA Group PLC, she worked her way up to running the Manchester team. 

Dee moved back to the island in 2008 and started working at Skanco as an account manager. 

Dee added: ‘From day one, Skanco has given me the tools to succeed in my role, from providing access to the continuous technical training required to support our clients, to funding professional courses such as marketing at the International Business School.’

Skanco’s core business is providing complete IT solutions to businesses on the island.

It has continued to develop since its inception in 1985, in particular over the past five years, as a result of growing the expertise and skills within the technical team and the training and development of a successful and confident sales team.

The owner of a business which operates from the picturesque Tholt-y-Will glen says a forthcoming road closure will have a devastating effect on her trade.

Susannah Goodson, who runs the Tholton Tea Room wheat-free patisserie, said the closure from March to May, to rebuild a retaining wall at the side of the road, coincided with two of their potentially busiest weekends of the year.

Writing on the social networking website Facebook, she said: ‘As it stands at the moment there is no access, including for pedestrians or walkers. I don’t know what arrangements are made for residents.

‘It’s 10 weeks of trading just wiped out. I have already bought stock for opening in early March. I can’t believe this. Somebody doesn’t want our business to succeed.’

Speaking to the Isle of Man Examiner, she said: ‘I don’t know who decided this and how long ago but it was a bit of a shock to find out from the road closure notice in the local paper that we can’t open at the normal time.

‘May Day Bank Holiday weekend and Easter week can be very busy, one of our busiest periods if the weather is good. It will also affect the Bistro upstairs. I’m told by the contractors that the minimum is about eight weeks if the weather is good but it is likely to be nearer 12.

‘I was planning on opening in March as usual but now it’s not feasible until the road has reopened. I live in Sulby so my drive in would be much longer.’

Mrs Goodson added it would have been quite possible for the Department of Infrastructure (DoI) to contact her via the telephone number displayed on the tea room or by putting a message through the letterbox, but nothing was received.

‘We rent the building from the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture and we will be asking them for some kind of compensation,’ she said.

Karl Meier who runs the Bistro in the same building at Tholt-y-Will was also worried by the closure: ‘It doesn’t so much affect my business as destroy it. I have a list of 70 or 80 regular customers to call and tell them we will not be opening in March as planned. The road is closed for three months: I don’t know where I go from here. I have to remain closed for the three months while the work is done because in practice they close the Mountain Road so often – bad weather, fallen trees, roadworks, accidents. Then it’s questionable if it’s worth opening just for three months in the summer.

‘The government have known for two or three years the work was needed and if they had told us, it would not have been a problem, but now we have bought stock. I also have to tell two staff there’s no job for them.’

Ian Hutchinson who lives at Tholt-y-Will and whose family also owns and rents out Corrody Cottage said the DoI had been in contact with them to warn of the impending road closure.

He said they did not expect any major impact on the holiday cottage bookings but he added they had some worries about access to Ramsey and Douglas because all journeys would be via the Mountain Road while the work was carried out.

‘Travel to Ramsey is pretty much unaffected for us whether it’s over the mountain or via Sulby. The problem could be that the closure is at a time when we are most likely to have snow which could close the Mountain Road. We have been assured that every effort will be made to keep the road open.’

Nigel Foster, highway services manager, confirmed the A14 Tholt-y-Will Road to Sulby Glen would be closed for vehicle or pedestrian access by Tholt-y-Will plantation from 6am on February 19 to 6pm on May 19, but could reopen sooner if work is completed ahead of schedule.

The closure is to allow repairs to be done to the retaining wall below the road.

He pointed out the affected area at the side of the road has been coned off for some months and that access to properties will be maintained, as well as access for emergency vehicles.

Parking is suspended on the closed section of road and the alternative route is via the Mountain Road.

Imported milk and bread could be served in school meals as part of a cost-saving policy to centralise services, critics claim.

Ramsey Commissioners have written to Chief Minister Allan Bell urging him to ensure government tenders only for produce that is locally sourced.

During the Budget debate this week, Michael MHK Alfred Canann said the government’s procurement policy was wrong and needed to be changed back.

The Chief Minister announced last month that catering services would be brought together within the new Department of Health and Social Care as part of a move to share government services with the aim of saving more than £4m a year.

In his letter to Mr Bell, Ramsey Commissioners clerk Peter Whiteway said: ‘It is understood this process will mean the cessation of supply to Ramsey Grammar School of produce from local butchers and the local bakery, that this position will similarly apply for other schools in Peel and Castletown, and it has been suggested that the centralised tendering process may permit the importation of meat and bakery produce from off-island.’

Mr Whiteway said the commissioners viewed the proposals with ‘grave concern’ – not only because of the need for a varied and nutrious diet for school children but because of the ‘considerable’ impact this may have on local suppliers.

In Tynwald, Mr Cannan said local suppliers would be ‘cut out of the loop’. He said: ‘It appears it is the cheapest option or nothing, even if that means buying bread and milk from the UK. As a Manxman I want to see local industry succeed, as a resident I want to see my towns thriving and as a parent I want to know my children are eating locally grown, healthy food. This particular procurement policy is wrong and must be changed back.’

Centralised procurement was introduced in 2010, generating significant savings. It is understood that most suppliers have been local. It is the management of catering not the production of meals being centralised.

In a written reply to a Tynwald question, Mr Bell said some island secondary schools have stopped using Manx bread. He said there was no government policy requiring departments to use Manx produce. The prison, too, has stopped using Manx bread as have some care homes.

Today, FRIDAY

EXETER PICKS : 2.20 Pleasant Company 2.50 Midight Belle 3.20 Lundy Sky 3.50 Legacy Gold (NAP) 4.20 Dare To Endeavour 4.50 Thomas Wild

WARWICK SELECTIONS: 3.10 Barton Gift 3.40 Bennys Mist 4.10 Raven’s Tower 4.40 Bally Sands

LINGFIELD TIPS: 1.30 Tax Reform 2.0 Lily Edge 2.30 Devon Drum 3.0 Reginald Claude 3.30 Seamster 4.0 Pearl Nation 4.30 Lady Sylvia 5.0 Candy Kitten (NB)

WOLVERHAMPTON CHOICE: 6.0 Flow Chart 6.30 Give Us A Belle 7.0 Unc;e Bernie 7.30 Upholland 8.0 Queen Aggie 8.30 Luv U Whatever

A row has broken out between Peel’s MHK and a Peel Town Commissioner after the recent requisition meeting held over the controversial ‘toilet tax’.

In an email sent to Tynwald, members of the Legislative Council and the press after the meeting, Peel commissioner Ian Davison accused the town’s MHK Tim Crookall of saying that ‘he had already agreed with Mr Bell, was voting for the tax and he did not care what his constituents thought and that if he was wrong this would reflect in the next [general] election in 2016, if he stands for re-election’.

Mr Crookall responded in an email to Mr Davison, also copying in politicians and press.

He strenuously denied that he had made such a statement during the meeting, saying: ‘I categorically state that at no time at all did I say “I do not care what my constituents thought”, also, I did not say anything about “if I stand for re-election”.

‘What I did say was that the constituents would judge me at the next election.’

Mr Crookall then asked Mr Davison to retract the statement.

But Mr Davison has replied to the request in a further email, saying: ‘I am unprepared at this time to retract any words that you disagree with, which you say were not the words you used at the requisition meeting, until I speak again with the people at the meeting who put this particular question to you and ask them again for clarification.

‘The recollections were written with consultation with some of the people at the meeting who asked you questions.

‘I will ask the television people for a copy of the recording made and then a decision can be made based on exactly what you did, or did not, say and if any of the comments need to be retracted then they will be.’

Mr Davison’s email went on to say: ‘I did hear at the meeting that decision had been agreed by the Council of Ministers of which Mr Bell is the Chief Minister, it therefore seems that you have agreed with Mr Bell on this decision does it not?

‘Or are you prepared to stand against him and vote no?

‘If there was care for what the constituents thought, you would have asked their views first, and stood with what the majority of the constituents voted you in to do, which is represent their views.’

A petition against the tax, with more than 6,300 signatures, was handed to Tynwald on Tuesday (see page 3).

The commissioner also confirmed that he and Peel’s Geoff Birkett had responded privately to Treasury Minister Eddie Teare MHK over an issue regarding his inability to attend last week’s requisition meeting.

Other members of government that did attend the meeting were Social Care Minister Chris Robertshaw and Michael MHK Alfred Cannan.

PwC Men’s Premier Division

A close game is in prospect when IOMA Group Bacchas B meet Vikings A at the NSC on Saturday afternoon.

John McCarrick’s Bacchas side have enjoyed a good start to the season including a victory over this week’s opponents.

Neil Crowe’s Vikings side have struggled in recent weeks and will be determined to end a two-match losing streak and claim victory.

PwC Men’s Division One

The top two sides in the PwC Men’s Division One go head-to-head as Fearless Saracens A meet Vikings B at Castle Rushen on Saturday.

Ian Perry’s Vikings side currently occupy top spot in the division and will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run to three games and stretch their lead in the table by claiming victory the points on offer.

Opponents Saracens can leapfrog Vikings in the standings if they can claim victory.

Andrew Winstanley’s side have already claimed victory over Vikings once this season but will need to improve on last week’s performance if they are to claim the double.

PwC Men’s Division Two

Vikings Colts will be aiming to close the gap at the top of the table when they meet Paragon Valkyrs C in the late fixture at the NSC.

Ian Duggua’s Vikings side will be high on confidence having claimed back-to-back victories in recent weeks.

Opponents Bacchas have struggled so far this season and will be determined to claim victory as they look to distance themselves from bottom spot in the division.

PwC Women’s Premier Division

IOMA Group Bacchas B prepare to meet LJ Skye Ramsey A in the lunchtime fixture at the Grammar School still searching for their first point of the season.

Anne Harrison’s Bacchas side have struggled thus far during the campaign and will be determined to claim victory here as they look to avoid relegation.

Ellen Robinson’s Ramsey side will be looking for victory as they look to move into the runners-up spot in the division. The northerners were victorious over the Tromode side earlier in the season and will feel confident of completing the double.

PwC Women’s Division One

Paragon Valkyrs B will be looking to extend their unbeaten record to six games when they meet LJ Skye Ramsey B.

Alex Jones’s Valkyrs side have been in impressive form so far this campaign conceding just one goal in their winning streak.

Opponents Ramsey have been in good form themselves losing just once this season.

Victory for the northerners could see them leapfrog Valkyrs and claim top spot in the division.