Several of the stars of men’s and women’s Lakeside World Championship in Surrey are expected to toe the oche at the Villa Marina this weekend as the four-day Isle of Man International Darts Festival starts on Thursday.

Among the entry are World Championship runner-up Alan Norris, 2013 world champion Scott Waites and three-time world champ Martin ‘Wolfy’ Adams.

Also making a return to the BDO circuit and the Manx championship is double world champ Ted ‘The Count’ Hankey, a previous winner of the island tournament.

Former world title holder Andy ‘The Viking’ Fordham, who continues his bid to battle back into the darting limelight following illness, is also hoping to compete in the popular Manx championship.

Defending Manx title holder and former world champ Anastasia Dobromyslova will be a strong contender to retain her title but Lancashire’s world champ Lisa Ashton will be keen to show her Frimley Green success was no fluke, while Welsh international Julie Gore – four times a Manx winner – and five times island winner Deta Hedman will be keen to extend their success in the island competition.

Nine-time world champ Trina Gulliver – awarded the MBE in the New Year’s Honours – will be gunning for her third Manx title.

There was local success 12 months ago when Wayne Harrison won the festival’s warm-up singles event. The Laxey player’s success followed islander Colin Tyrer’s victory in the same event two years earlier.

Tournament director Les France of LF Promotions said: ‘The island has a wealth of darting talent – both men and women. This festival of darts gives them the opportunity to test themselves against some of the world’s top players.

‘At the end of the day, this sport is all about confidence. All players have the same number of darts and a few morale-boosting darts from the islanders could see their more experienced opponents buckling and missing important doubles. ‘It would be fitting as we hurtle towards the 30th tournament in 2015 to see a good run for islanders in this year’s competition,’ said France.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is offering £150 to the most successful male islander in the competition, while the top Manx woman will win £100.

This year there is also a £150 bonus on offer to the man or woman notching the highest checkout.

Play at the island championship starts on Thursday evening with the new Isle of Man Classic, the women’s singles backed by Specsavers and the men’s event sponsored by Okell’s Brewery. Prizemoney will be paid down to the last 16 in both events with the men’s winner pocketing £750 and the women’s winner £600.

Friday night sees the mixed pairs while the under-18s do battle for the eye-catching £200 top prize in the Winmau-backed youth championship. More importantly there is a chance for the top teenager to win through to the finals of the Winmau World Masters tournament in the north east of England during the autumn.

Saturday is devoted to the prestigious Isle of Man International Darts Festival singles – with £5,000 going to the men’s winner and £3,000 to the winner of the women’s singles.

And this year for the first time there is a cash bonus for the best checkouts during Saturday’s play. Quids Inn – the popular seafront bar in Douglas – is offering £250 for the highest finish achieved.

They are also providing £100 to the best island checkout on the day.

Sunday - the final day of competition - sees the men’s and women’s doubles played during the morning with the finals of all competitions decided on Sunday afternoon in an exciting climax to the four-day tournament on stage in the Royal Hall.

Admission to the Villa Marina is free of charge for spectators. Competition entry forms are available from the Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal or online at www.visitisleofman.com

Further information is available on 0161 793 6909 or lfpromotions501@btinternet

The wooden door of an optician’s shop in Ramsey has been vandalised.

The incident happened between 4.50pm on Monday and 4.30pm on Tuesday at Sadler and Vanderplank, 34 Parliament Street.

Bodily force was used to force the door from its frame.

The door itself is next to the grassed area on Parliament Street and police want to hear from anyone who saw the damage taking place.

Constable Kathryn Giles, who is investigating the incident, said: ‘This would appear to be an act of vandalism and the perpertrator or perpetrators probably didn’t realise how much cost and inconvenience is caused to the victims as a result of their behaviour.

‘I would like to hear from anyone who has seen or heard anything that would assist in dealing with this incident.’

Port Erin’s lifeboat ‘Muriel and Leslie’ and the Fisheries Protection Vessel Barrule rescued a man from the sea yesterday (Tuesday).

A kayaker was rescued after capsizing and being unable to gain access to his kayak.

He was in the water for around 40 minutes waving his arms, shouting and blowing a whistle all the while getting colder and weaker.

He was spotted by crew members of the FPV Barrule who were nearby, in Fleshwick, undertaking scientific survey work.

The casualty was taken aboard and a call was made for assistance from Port Erin lifeboat.

The volunteer crew were paged and the lifeboat was launched, arriving on scene minutes later.

The man was then transferred onto the lifeboat by stretcher and was taken to a waiting ambulance at Port Erin for transportation to Noble’s Hospital.

Today, WEDNESDAY

CATTERICK PICKS : 2.15 Barneys Honour 2.45 Tiny Dancer 3.15 Morning With Ivan 3.45 The Weatherman 4.15 Dark And Dangerous 4.45 Silk And Roses 5.15 Molly Cat

LINGFIELD CHOICE: 2.0 Angelo Poliziano 2.30 Last Minute Lisa 3.0 Sherston 3.30 Tokyo Brown 4.0 Whitby Jet 4.30 Outbacker 5.0 Waterloo Dock

KEMPTON TIPS: 5.30 Olivers Mount 6.0 Bishop Of Ruscombe 6.40 Emerald Wilderness 7.0 Indian Affair 7.30 DR FINLEY (NAP) 8.0 WILFRED PICKLES (NB) 8.30 Appyjack

Liberal Vannin has defended comments by party founder Peter Karran that the island’s system of government is ‘institutionally corrupt’.

Onchan MHK Mr Karran made the comment in his nomination of Kate Beecroft as his successor as party leader – and later repeated it to the Examiner when he welcomed her election to the post.

It prompted Speaker Steve Rodan to issue a statement condemning Mr Karran’s remarks.

He said: ‘His accusation is patently unwarranted and untrue, and casts a slur on all Members of Tynwald.

‘Words like “corrupt” and “corruption” are heavy with meaning, and if cast around loosely like this without justification are deeply damaging to the general interests of the island. In addition, they are grossly offensive.’

Mr Rodan said he had been approached by and spoken with a ‘substantial number’ of MHKs, and having discussed the matter with Tynwald President Clare Christian, said he was confident that he reflected the general view of members when he ‘deprecated’ these remarks.

But the Liberal Vannin party hit back, insisting it did not believe there was anything inappropriate with Mr Karran’s remarks and suggesting Mr Rodan’s words were ‘more about trying to stifle free speech’.

In a statement, the party suggested that MHKs should look up the meaning of ‘institutional corruption’.

‘Why would individual MHKs and other Members of Tynwald feel that Mr Karran’s statement was casting a slur on them? It was not – as it was only critical of the system of government and not the individuals within it,’ it states.

‘Lib Van believe that any system of government where the income of all parliamentarians is dependent on one person ie the Chief Minister, is undemocratic and institutionally corrupt. We are entitled to have that opinion in the same way that others are entitled to disagree with us.’

It cited three issues – the Pinewood deal, the Sefton bail-out and problems with executive management at Noble’s Hospital – where the party said it believed that ‘this does show that the system is institutionally corrupt’.

Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management has been named Isle of Man Investment Management Company of the Year at the 2014 Citywealth International Financial Centre Awards.

The business was also shortlisted in the Channel Islands Investment Management Company of the Year category.

This is the third year the company has been recognised at the awards.

Dermot Hamill, head of wealth management in the Isle of Man said: ‘We are very proud to have been named the Citywealth Investment Management Company of the Year in the Isle of Man.

‘This was a new category for 2014, and we were very pleased to be the first business to receive this award and be associated with increasing the profile of the island’s finance sector as a whole.

‘Our focus continues to be on providing high-quality investment advice and offering exceptional services to our clients.

‘Winning this award reinforces this.

‘It also demonstrates the wealth management expertise of our employees and the unrivalled advice that we offer our clients.’

Grahame Lovett, chief executive of Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management, Offshore, said: ‘Our clients are at the centre of all we do so this award, because in part it is voted for by our clients, helps to recognise this.

‘Our business is dedicated to offering the best investment solutions to our clients and continuing to innovate our products and services in anticipation of their future wealth management requirements.’

The Citywealth International Financial Centre Awards, which are in their third year, cover a number of jurisdictions including the Caribbean, Channel Islands, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Luxembourg, Singapore and Switzerland.

The awards were established to highlight the excellence of the advisors and managers in the private wealth sector in major international financial centres.

The Manx Electrity Authority today announced that it is to increase its charges.

From April 1, tariffs will increase by 2.5 per cent, and the ‘prompt payment discount’ will reduce from 2.5 per cent to 2 per cent.

The MEA blamed ‘rising fuel costs over recent periods’ and as part of the government’s budget rebalancing programme for the rise.

More on this story in tomorrow’s Manx Independent

Canadian-based international Superbike racer Dan Kruger has signed to race for the Penz13.com BMW Racing Team a this year’s TT and North West 200 alongside Simon Andrews.

The German team has years of experience in road racing scene and with their direct support from BMW Motorrad, expectations are high for the 2014 campaign.

‘It has always been a dream of mine to not only race the TT but also be aligned with such a world-class team on factory-prepped machinery,’ said Kruger. ‘I can’t wait for our first test in Europe next month. If all of this wasn’t enough, I’m really fortunate to have Simon Andrews as a team-mate.’

Kruger’s race season will also include the Suzuka 8-Hour Endurance race in Japan this July with a Japanese team and the Superbike Championship in China, which kicks off in a fortnight’s time at Zhuhai.

‘I really need to thank Rico Penzkofer and the entire Penz13 .com BMW Racing Team for making this opportunity happen, allowing me this chance of a lifetime,’ he continued.

Team principal, Rico Penzkofer, said he is really looking forward to this season, in particular having a Canadian racing for him at the TT and also giving Simon Andrews a chance to show the world that he is back from serious injury and he means business.

‘Dan has really dominated over in China these past few years and is ready to take on a new challenge.

‘He shows the maturity needed to safely take on the TT. I am really looking forward to working with him and I am pretty confident he will adapt to the BMW very quickly,’ he added.

Kruger will travel to the island shortly, meeting with officials for a mandatory two-day newcomer induction which will include several instruction laps with TT rider liaison officer ‘Milky’ Quayle.

A plan by the Department of Infrastructure (DoI) to make parking improvements in Port Erin has been supported by the local authority.

Some of the suggestions had been under consideration for several years and others were new ideas.

One involves the lack of a loading bay for large vehicles delivering to stores. There is an issue with where lorries currently stop in Church Road to unload goods because they block access to other businesses.

The DoI proposed the loading area be in Orchard Road, but the authority has concerns, mainly because this road is narrow.

Disabled parking bays to be relocated to the end of parking areas for easier access and egress, was another proposal.

Also some double yellow lines in Station Road could be removed. As part of the regeneration plans for the railway station – to incorporate the bus station into the railway station – a pedestrian crossing would be moved.

Commissioner Nick Watterson proposed the board accept the DoI’s plan and was seconded by Phil Crellin. They will also raise concerns about having a loading bay in Orchard Road.

The discussion about changes to the waste delivery service in the island is really about reforming local authorities said Port Erin commissioner Phil Crellin, February 25.

The authority discussed a series of questions posed by the Department of Infrastructure about changes to the waste service.

Martin Norbury proposed they respond they, ‘support reform as a vital means of maximised cost savings for the Isle of Man residents but are conscious of the impact on existing staff.’ He was seconded by Nick Watterson.

Mr Crellin said it is really about: ‘Do you mind if central government undermines your core function’ and the formation of regional authorities.

‘We are going to lose housing and refuse collection, that will reduce our viability. Comin will come down and say you do nothing but street columns and cut grass, it’s not viable, let’s have a southern authority.’ He said there should be greater openness. ‘Sometimes you do not want to answer what you do not believe in. If want to get rid of refuse get rid of it, and we will be the last people who sat on Port Erin Commissioners.’

Today, THURSDAY

SOUTHWELL SELECTIONS : 3.55 Alpha Tauri 4.25 SIR GEOFFREY (NAP) 4.55 Orwellian 5.25 Needs The Run

CARLISLE CHOICE: 2.40 Dotties Dilema 3.15 Volcanic 3.45 Prosecco 4.15 Blake Dean 4.45 The Shrimp 5.15 Garth

WINCANTON TIPS: 2.30 Gentleman Jon 3.0 Islandmagee 3.35 Dragon’s Den 4.05 Benbens 4.35 Slaney Star 5.05 Rossa Parks 5.40 The Cider Maker

KEMPTON: 5.55 My Guardian Angel 6.25 PRETTY BUBBLES (NB) 6.55 Basil Berry 7.25 Jolly Red Jeanz 7.55 Swift Blade 8.25 Waveguide 8.55 High On The Hog

Full details have been announced for the Isle of Man leg of The Queen’s Baton Relay, which as an integral part of the build-up to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games this summer.

The Queen launched the relay at Buckingham Palace on October 9 and that signalled the start of the Baton’s 118,000-mile journey to all Commonwealth nations and territories – including a visit to the Isle of Man in May.

The baton will arrive here on May 16 from the Guernsey and Jersey legs of the relay and will be accompanied by a BBC TV film crew.

Inside the baton is the monarch’s message to the Commonwealth, which will remain hidden until the opening ceremony.

The Manx itinerary is as follows:

Friday May 16:

Baton and mascot arrive at Ronaldsway in the afternoon to be greeted by Commonwealth Games Association officials and politicians.

The baton party travels to Castletown and the Old House of Keys to be met by the President of Tynwald, chairman of the commissioners, and representatives of Manx National Heritage.

Procession from castle to Castletown Square.

Baton arrives in Douglas via steam railway.

Baton on display at a Team Isle of Man fundraising dinner at the Villa Marina.

Saturday, May 17:

Baton attends Manx Youth Games at NSC. The baton will be carried onto the athletics track accompanied by some Team Isle of Man competitors selected for Glasgow 2014, and young athletes competing in the Manx Youth Games.

Around midday the Baton arrives in Regent Street, Douglas, for photo opportunities with the public and to be met by VIPs.

Baton arrives at Laxey Station and is met by the Speaker of the House of Keys, MHKs, and representatives of heritage groups. The baton will take the mines train to the waterwheel and then onto the Cornmill, and a walking relay to Laxey village.

Baton goes via the Mountain Railway to the top of Snaefell.

Sunday, May 18:

At around 9am the baton will be present at the Colin Nelson Mountain Time-Trial cycling race which starts and finishes at the TT Grandstand.

Later in the morning the baton visits House of Manannan and is met by chairman of Peel Commissioners, and representatives of Manx National Heritage.

In the afternoon the baton visits Moore’s kipper factory.

Visit to Douglas Yacht Club with the Baton party taking to the water leading a flotilla including (depending upon the weather) sailing to the Tower of Refuge.

Monday, May 19

Visits during the day to the offices of companies which are paying to support the games, and known as Team Isle of Man Champions.

The baton then flies from Ronaldsway to Northern Ireland.

It will leave on Monday May 19 and continue to its journey with the next stop being Northern Ireland.

The relay will culminate at the opening ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games on July 23.

Isle of Man Newspapers’ Commonwealth Games coverage is sponsored by CityWing.

Nedbank Private Wealth has appointed Simon Prescott to develop its growing northern connections.

Mr Prescott has relocated to the Manchester area where he will focus on building relationships with independent financial advisers (IFAs) and intermediary companies across the north of England.

Mr Prescott, a senior business developer, originally from the North West, has been with Nedbank Private Wealth for more than six years and was formerly based in the Isle of Man office.

He has played a key role in promoting the bank’s investment capabilities and discretionary investment management services to intermediary companies based in the UK and internationally.

Greg Horton, managing director of Nedbank Private Wealth, said: ‘Simon’s appointment reflects our growing commitment to the north of England, and his valuable experience in the local market and his strong strategic awareness will be a key influence in expanding our client base in the region.’

Mr Prescott said: ‘I am extremely pleased to take on this new role.

‘I look forward to delivering our award-winning range of services to IFAs across the region and establishing long-term and mutually beneficial relationships, particularly with intermediary companies who are looking for a dedicated professional investment management company to assist with the management of client funds.’

Mr Prescott is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investments (Chartered MCSI).

Government is opening up its financial information to the public via a new website designed to increase the transparency of its accounts.

The Treasury online facility at http://financereports.gov.im provides information that is more up to date and more detailed than has previously been available in traditional paper formats.

It has taken 18 months to develop at a cost of about £20,000.

Treasury publishes three main financial reports each year – the Budget, the unaudited Detailed Government Accounts and the audited, statutory Annual Accounts.

The new website is updated throughout the year and includes two reports – the Summary Budget Report providing financial results in the same format as the Budget and the Detailed Revenue Report providing income and expenditure analysed both by department and by income or expense category. Further analysis can be obtained by clicking on the chosen item and drilling down to the next level of detail.

Public consultation has been launched on the draft development brief for the former Isle of Man Prison site in Victoria Road, Douglas.

The brief, which sets out guidelines for development proposals to consider, states the aim is ‘to encourage and influence the redevelopment’ for ‘purely residential use, which may incorporate some residential/day care uses’.

The prison closed in 2008, and the building was demolished last year. View the brief on the government’s consultation website or at the planning office at Murray House.

Consultation ends on April 11.

An enthusiasts’ society has criticised delays in repairing damage to the Manx Electric Railway by a landslip.

Treasury Minister Eddie Teare has said he can’t guarantee when the line will reopen north of Laxey following the landslide at Ballaglass.

According to the MER Society, the landslip occurred during bad weather around two months ago near the Ballaglass power station affecting the trackbed and preventing trams from running over that area.

In a statement, the Society said: ‘It should have been obvious that an early assessment and repair of the area was desirable to allow advertised summer services to commence as planned on April 4.

‘Yet with just over five weeks to go, the area is still waiting to be assessed, before any repairs can start, putting at risk much needed revenue streams not only for the tramway but also business who rely on trade from the MER both along the route and at the Chief Minister’s constituency of Ramsey.

‘Given the remaining short time before the start of the summer season, it is entirely possible that, yet again, tram services to Ramsey may be cancelled – remember the fiasco during 2008’.

Colin Kniveton, chief officer of the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure, said: ‘Preparations to investigate the problem are being finalised and I expect to receive a report detailing the cause of the problem, the extent of the damage and the potential remedial works and costs by the end of March.’

But the MER Society spokesman said: ‘It is not entirely clear why such a lengthy delay has occurred at the Manx Electric Railway. Is governmental emergency funding not designed for such a situation? The urgency should now be to get the area repaired, the Manx Electric Railway fully reopened to the north and later sort out why there has been a delay, or who is responsible.’

The Men’s Basketball League enters its final scheduled games on Thursday evening.

After that, the division splits into top and bottom four and each group plays a round robin to determine the final league standings.

This ensures that all teams should have competitive games to finish the season, but also there’s little chance of a title being settled early.

These two groups are settled, but there’s jockeying position still to fight for at both ends of the table.

The Cavaliers v Phillies game is the one to watch though, with a Phillies win putting them in an almost unassailable position at the top.

A Cavs win, however, keeps both teams neck and neck for the finish.

The earlier season meeting saw Phillies take a narrow one-point win after a missed last-second free-throw from Sean Doyle, so this could be another great game.

Marvels and Rams also face off in a battle for the sixth-seventh slot going into the final round too.

Full round-up in Tuesday’s Isle of Man Examiner.

Organisers of an annual charity auction in Douglas are hoping to have raised around £4,000 from their efforts.

Shaun Hogg, who organises the event each year, said numbers were slightly down on last year but he thought around 180 people attended and no final figures had been calculated as yet.

‘We are always grateful for whatever we get and and we would like to thank everyone for their generosity,’ he said.

The auction which takes place at the Palace Hotel, is to raise money for the Hogg Motorsport Association which, along with the Rob Vine Fund, finances medical equipment for use around the the Mountain Course as well as other motorsport events in the Isle of Man such as the S100 races, meetings at Jurby, car rallies and stock car meetings at Onchan stadium.

This year saw a large number of paintings and photographs donated and an original painting by artist Paul Parker was sold for £410.

Former Manx Grand Prix racer and Senior race winner Nigel Barton, who runs an hotel in the Lake District, donated a weekend for two. This proved a popular item and was sold for £170, Mr Hogg said.

‘There were lots of excellent photographs which were selling for £40 to £50 so there were bargains to be had and another popular item was a large panoramic photo of Parliament Square.’

Mr Hogg thanked radio presenter Chris Kinley, who acted as auctioneer, and Terry Holmes of the TTMA who ran the raffle. Thanks also went to the staff at the Palace Hotel and all buyers and donors. Anyone still interested in buying any left over items should contact Mr Hogg on 427771.

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See lots of pictures from this event in the Manx Independent - in shops now.

Problems have been identified with the roadworks on Peel Road.

It means part of the road will have to be relaid.

The Manx Independent has the story on page one of this week’s edition.

Also on page one is a remarkable image of the Ayres, much of which is under water after the wet winter.

Inside, we report on:

>A landlord suggesting that a mosque could be set up in a former church in Douglas.

>A new bylaw that could stop people drying washing in their own gardens.

>The inquest into a prisoner, which heard that medics had been warned he could react badly to a drug.

>The latest Keys debate on the toilet tax.

>Castletown Commissioners’ latest meeting regarding the development at Callow’s Yard.

>The visit of Manx Grand Prix newcomers

>The itinerary for the visit of the Queen’s baton which is to come to the island before the Commonwealth Games

>A father who believes the removal of a bus shelter could be dangerous

Our Island Life section looks forward to the craft fair weekend and includes a picture special of Maughold’s pancake races.

The Independent includes 12 pages of sport, with enduro star David Knight dominating the back page.

The paper also includes a seven-day television guide and the Isle of Man’s two-page What’s On guide.

The Manx Independent is in the shops now.

The Auto-Cycle Union has welcomed the launch of a UK government consultation that would allow motorsport events to take place on closed public roads in the United Kingdom.

At present, only the Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Northern Ireland and Ireland permit road closures.

The Oliver’s Mount races in Scarborough run on a parkland course.

The UK’s Road Traffic Act states that it is illegal to organise or participate in a race or trial of speed on the public highway, but the ACU (the governing body for motorcycle sport in the UK) have assisted the Motor Sports Association in pushing successive governments to devolve power to local authorities to enable them to suspend the Road Traffic Act without having to resort to an Act of Parliament.

Such an amendment would enable competitive motor sport events such as road racing, sprints and hill climbs to take place on closed public roads.

The ACU is now calling on the two-wheeled community to respond to the consultation and demonstrate what it describes as the huge groundswell of support there is for these proposals.

The ACU has produced a guide to the process and provided some template answers. See http://www.acu.org.uk/News/2014/02/Government-launches-consultation-on-Closed-Road-Motor-Sport/

It is hard to determine what kind of effect such a change in legislation would have on the Isle of Man and the TT in particular.

On one hand it may enhance the current road racing set-up if yet more interest was instigated through the country.

Alternatively it could prove detrimental if a number of half-decent courses were established, leading to the TT and MGP losing its ‘uniqueness’.

In truth, such a radical change in the UK’s Road Traffic Act is unlikely to occur with any great impact and the likelihood of anything more than a three or four-mile long course being set-up will be no threat to the Isle of Man’s current healthy set-up.

Over the years there have been talks of major road courses through the mountain regions of Argentina and Japan, while the Isle of Man authorities were involved in intensive negotiations regarding the setting up of a TT World Series a couple of years ago.

It all seems to have gone quiet on that front at the moment.

There could well be more credence in the idea of road racing throughout the UK, but we will have to see firstly how the consultation process pans out and what the UK Government believes any subsequent change to the Road Traffic Act would have on the community and the economy, if any.

l The consultation period runs until April 10.