A FINAL plea is being made for homestay places as the registration deadline approaches.

The scheme, which matches visitors to the island with families willing to offer bed and breakfast accommodation, can be offered for any number of nights during TT between May 26 and June 10.

Geoff Corkish MHK, political member with responsibility for tourism for the Department of Economic Development said: ‘We would welcome more residents to join this very popular scheme to enable more TT visitors to enjoy our Island and the TT spectacle.

‘I would like to thank everyone who has registered in previous years and ask them to consider doing so again this year.’

Householders’ properties are inspected by a member of the Homestay team and they then pay a fee of £15 to register their property which will then be covered by public liability insurance.

However anyone wanting to take part in the scheme needs to do so before the final registration date of April 30. For further information see www.visitisleofman.com/homestay.

The Manx Independent is in shops now.

In today’s Indy, the grieving widow of a father who died after a punch-up slams the prison sentence imposed on the man she blames for his death.

There’s a mixed response to government’s credit scheme, announced this week to help parents facing nursery fees following the privatisation of nurseries.

And find out why one charity’s offer to take on the running of the mobile library has been turned down by education chiefs.

Concern is expressed at continued price hikes in petrol.

We have the latest news on who is standing in next month’s local authority elections,

And find out which police officers were honoured in the annual constabulary awards.

Plus there’s an update on fundraising in our Pumps 4 Kids campaign.

Sport reports on the heartbreak for a young Manx enduro star who suffered a horror crash while competing in Chile.

There’s a preview of the annual sports rewards and a look ahead to the old firm rugby match between Douglas and Vagabonds.

Plus, following Saturday’s great cup win, we give player ratings for the Isle of Man team.

What Where When looks ahead to the Shennaghys Jiu festival.

West News reports that a new plan is being drawn up for the land at the centre of the landswap deal site in Kirk Michael.

Discover why a £1,000 reward is being offered after the theft of oil, in South News.

And North News takes a look at a precious collection of dolls’ houses.

CHIEF Minister Allan Bell has branded comments made by some MHKs during the debate on Tynwald pensions as ‘insensitive’, saying they had not enhanced the image of the Manx parliament.

He spoke out following last week’s debate in Tynwald when members voted to contribute to their pensions for the first time.

A 5 per cent contribution will be phased in over three years, starting with 3 per cent from April 1, rising to 4 per cent next year and then the 5 per cent from April 2014.

Education Minister Peter Karran MHK (Lib Van. Onchan) had argued that contributions should move to 10 per cent but his amendment was attacked by Economic Development Minister John Shimmin who accused him of trying to score populist points and pointed out that there were some members with ‘young families who deserve a bit more respect’.

Graham Cregeen (Malew and Santon) suggested many members were worth every penny they earn. ‘I know the hours that I put in,’ said ex-postman Mr Cregeen.

But Mr Bell told the Examiner: ‘I’m very disappointed by a number of comments made from a number of directions.

‘The attempts at one-upmanship during that debate have not enhanced the image of Tynwald at a time when we know full well that large sections of the general public are struggling with their own family finances. Many of the comments had a degree of insensitivity.’

Mr Bell added: ‘The whole issue has been a major distraction when we’ve got incredibly difficult decisions to make to rebalance the public finances.’

But he defended the hours put in by many Tynwald members on behalf of the island.

He said: ‘In spite of all the criticism levelled at certain members, Tynwald members are working extremely hard and very anti-social hours. Some of the derogatory comments made about them are unhelpful and disrespectful. MHKs have stood to best represent their constituents and the interests of the Isle of Man in most difficult circumstances. They are quite sincere in their attempts to improve the quality of life in the island. Their commitment should be recognised and not constantly decried.

‘Tynwald has voted for a contributory pension scheme. I hope we can now move on to tackle the real problems facing government.’

TWO A-level students will be going back to school this summer – in Texas!

Katy Myers and Rosie Watson, both aged 16, will be enjoying lessons vastly different to their term-time studies after they were awarded scholarships to the NASA United Space School at the University of Houston.

They will attend a series of lectures and activities during the busy two-week schedule given by industry experts, astronauts and NASA scientists, all based around Space exploration.

ManSat sponsors the scholarship for two Manx students to attend the programme each year, in conjunction with the Department of Education and Children.

To secure their places they had to write essays on the following topics: Why am I interested in Space?; How can Space be of service to humanity; and How can the Isle of Man play a greater role in International Space activities?

Katy, a student at St Ninian’s High School who lives in Onchan, said: ‘I decided to enter the competition because I’ve always had an interest and passion for Space, which I get from my dad.

‘My parents have always been really supportive in everything that I do, and were there whenever I felt like I couldn’t do it. But it seemed like too good an opportunity to miss.’

Katy said: ‘It still doesn’t seem real that I have won, at first I kept thinking that they had got the wrong person.

‘I was so happy that I almost cried when I was told. I didn’t think I’d win it but I’m so glad to have been given this once in a lifetime opportunity.’

She said she hopes to gain a wider knowledge on ‘all things Space-related’, adding: ‘I have so many questions that I’ve been wanting to ask, and it’s exciting to think that being given the chance to meet such influential people within the international Space sector means I might get the answer to some of these questions.’

Rosie, a student at Ramsey Grammar School who lives in Baldrine, said: ‘It feels absolutely amazing to have won – I really didn’t believe I had a chance of even coming close to winning when I entered.

‘It is a tremendous privilege for me to have won this scholarship and I hope to gain a lot from this experience education-wise as we will be learning about Space studies and all the equipment and engineering required for Space travel and research.’

Rosie added: ‘I am looking forward to learning more about NASA, Space-science and exploration and learning about many different cultures and meeting new people from all over the world.

‘This truly will be a life changing experience for me. I am very grateful and appreciate the role that ManSat have played in allowing two students from the Isle of Man to travel to NASA in the USA, something I will remember and that will follow me for the rest of my life.’

The first student to attend the NASA United Space School, sponsored by ManSat, was in 2000.

The partnership with the then Department of Education began the following year.

Between 2001 and 2006, one year 12 student (ages 16-17) was selected each year. Since 2007, two students have made the trip each summer.

THE last Women’s Basketball League games of the season took place at the NSC on Thursday evening.

Fellas 69, Little Devils 25

The first game up saw league runners-up Fellas take on the mighty junior team Little Devils.

Getting off to a flying start in the first quarter were Danielle Murphy with eight points and Helen Cullen with six for Fellas. Failing to convert the points, Little Devils were soon trailing behind towards the end of the first half and heads were down.

The second half saw Fellas steam ahead with impressive shooting from the game’s top scorer Amber Carriage as the whole team continues to look stronger and stronger each week.

A good half-time team talk saw Little Devils up their game after the break with Ellie Shopland leading the way by scoring some brilliant baskets through fast breaks and impressive hustling.

With youth and the dedication of their coaches on their side, these two teams truly are the teams to watch next season.

Buchanan & Pitts Slammers 81,

Saints 46

League leaders Slammers took on Saints with their league champions status already assured after what has been an exceptionally successful year for the team.

Saints, a team who have failed to make headlines this season but who have certainly given their opponents a hard time, had the help of some of their Little Devils team-mates for their final game.

The awesome Sarah Maddrell was, as she has been all season, unstoppable, leading the scoring with a huge 38 points, followed by Lesley Patterson also of Slammers who scored a not-too shabby 20 points during the game.

Saints’ Ewelina Majewska, who has really found her game this year, completed some great lay-ups to contribute nine points to their final score, with Jenny Davies top-scoring for Saints with 12 in her best game of the season. 

Slammers secured the victory easily with a lead of 35 points and will be celebrating the league win and a great season had by all at the annual awards on April 21.

THE Isle of Man’s biggest sporting hero is expected to attend this evening’s (Thursday) Sports Awards presentations at the Villa Marina, although he is on standby for the expected arrival of his first child in the coming days.

In a memorable year that saw Mark Cavendish win the coveted green jersey in the Tour de France, the UCI World Road Race Championship in Denmark and receive an MBE from the Queen, he is hotly tipped to pick up the main award at the Isle of Man Bank-sponsored ceremony - especially after being voted BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year.

I can reveal that the 26-year-old cycling icon will be involved in at least one major announcement at the event.

The other five names nominated for the Sportsman of the Year award are athlete Keith Gerrard, clay shooter Neil Parsons, Commonwealth Youth Games triple medallist swimmer Grant Halsall, cyclist Peter Kennaugh and top British fell runner Lloyd Taggart.

Athlete Harriet Pryke, golfer Emma Harris, archer Aalin George, rifle shooter Rachel Glover and kickboxer Helen Bannan are all hopeful of deposing snowboarder Zoe Gillings from the top spot in the Sportswoman of the Year category, while the under-21 category again includes Aalin and Emma, plus swimmers Charlotte Atkinson and Laura Kinley, high jumper Reagan Dee and badminton player Jessica Li.

The male u21 class sees cyclist Mark Christian, rugby player Phil Cringle, golfer Tom Harris, snooker player Darryl Hill, badminton player Josh Green and European Junior Enduro Champion Daniel McCanney in the mix.

Mark Cavendish, Zoe Gillings and Keith Gerrard have also been shortlisted for the Ambassador category, along with cyclist Andrew Roche, enduro ace David Knight and TT star Conor Cummins. Other category winners to be announced on the night are Disabled, Administrator, Coach and Team of the Year, plus Lifetime Achievement.

Isle of Man Sport Aid recipients will receive their sponsorship packages for the coming year and two new additions to the IoM Sporting Hall of Fame will be announced.

Guest of honour is twice Superbike World Champion James Toseland.

l Please support our island’s leading sportsmen and women. Admission to the balcony area will be available from 8pm for just £3. Commonwealth Youth Games volunteers can pick up free tickets from the Villa booking office by producing their invite.

WHY is the price of fuel here so much more than it is in the UK?

Questions about the reasons for recent hikes in pump prices – and what action could be taken to ease the pressure on hard-pressed motorists – were raised in the House of Keys.

Chairman of the Office of Fair Trading David Quirk said the main driver for spiralling prices was the price of crude oil and the Sterling-Dollar exchange rate which had resulted in a 10.6 per cent increase this year and was completely outside the control and influence of the island.

He pointed to an OFT investigation into liquid fuel prices, published in April 2010, which concluded there was no evidence of fuel wholesalers and retailers in the island making excessive profits – and those profits had actually declined since the last inquiry in 2006.

It blamed the higher prices here on the small size of the Manx market, additional costs incurred in supplying bulk fuel to an island community and lack of competition from supermarkets.

That same report recommended that a price differential should be in the order of 5 per litre with the UK average.

But the price difference with the UK rose from 3.17p a litre for unleaded petrol at the end of 2010 to reach a high of 7.82p a litre at the end of last year before falling back to a figure of 5.48p a litre at the beginning on March this year. Since then pump prices have risen again, with unleaded currently at a new record high of 147.9p.

Kate Beecroft (Lib Van, Douglas South) asked Mr Quirk: ‘What is the OFT doing to investigate this large differential? The OFT does not have sufficient teeth.’

Juan Watterson (Rushen), while accepting the underlying factors of crude price costs and the Dollar/Sterling exchange rate, asked what the trigger point for action would be.

Former chairman of the OFT, Bill Henderson (Douglas North), pointed out that the OFT didn’t have powers to investigate per se, and any inquiry would have to be at the behest of the Council of Ministers. He withdrew a question he had tabled on the issue.

Peter Karran (Lib Van, Onchan) was sceptical at claims that higher transportation costs were to blame and claimed: ‘This mostly relates to profiteering.’

Mr Quirk replied: ‘I’ve seen no indication of excessive profits.’ He stressed the OFT was not a regulator but said its rules were being reviewed.

Nobody does ‘epic’ better than Kate Furnivall...

From the author of the best-selling The Russian Concubine comes another sweeping, sumptuous and sensuous novel which this time transports us to the heat of Malaya in the chaos caused by the attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941.

And what a treat it is ... romance, action and suspense, all set amidst the uncertainties and dangers of wartime, guarantee there’s never a dull moment

High emotion, high drama and high seas are the hallmarks of a vibrant and very visual story rich in atmosphere and location, and peopled by colourful characters drawn from both sides of the cultural divide.

Connie Hadley is the glamorous wife of wealthy Malayan rubber plantation owner Nigel; they have a luxurious home, own acres of land, possess an army of servants, a lively seven-year-old son Teddy and live amidst a tropical paradise.

Life should be perfect, but it isn’t ... while Nigel loves the stifling heat, the rich tapestry of exotic vegetation and mixing with the other colonials at the clubhouse, Connie nurses a longing to return to the coldness of England, and devastating secrets that could destroy her marriage and family.

There’s no love lost between husband and wife and Teddy is the only glue that keeps them together.

Amidst rumours that the Japanese are heading towards Malaya, Constance is driving into the local town, Palur, when her car hits and kills local woman Sai-Ru Jamat. The woman, whose 16-year-old twins Maya and Razak witness the tragedy, curses Connie with her dying breath.

Overcome with guilt, Connie finds work for the young Malaysians on the plantation but they harbour a grudge against the woman with her ‘pretty white feet in her pretty white shoes.’

On the day of the infamous attack on Pearl Harbour, as Japanese Zero aircraft attack Palur, Connie takes the decision to flee to Singapore on the family’s boat, The White Pearl.

She sails with her husband and son, the twins, three friends and the enigmatic boat dealer Fitzpayne, who is the only one who can navigate the islands of the South China Sea.

In desperation, short of food and constantly in danger, fear strips away good manners, tensions arise on the yacht and anger causes deadly divisions between friends as hidden truths rise to the surface.

Survival will not just depend on charting a course through rough seas...

From the domestic to the social and political, through peaceful times and turbulent times, The White Pearl is an exhilarating voyage of discovery full of dark surprises, betrayal and murder.

Don’t miss the boat...

(Sphere, paperback, £6.99)

ISLAND international Max Stokoe will be running three cricket camps at Cronkbourne Cricket Club over the Easter holidays.

Monday and Tuesdays camps are aimed at those aged 13 and over, while Wednesday and Thursday’s are for 10 to 13 year olds.

The following week (April 9-10) six to nine year olds will be catered for. The camps run from 9am to 3pm each day and cost £30 per child - this includes lunch.

Please email maxstokoe@hotmail.co.uk to book your child a place or for more information.

NFU Marvels 45, PokerStars 38

Looking to gain some revenge for their loss in the cup semi-final against the same side, Marvels were on the back foot from the opening tip as Armands Balodis and Eric Hibbs dominated the inside to give PokerStars the early lead.

However, Marvels soon turned the quarter around with pressure defence and balanced scoring which gave them a one-point lead. The second quarter saw Ross Wilson put on an inside clinic of his own as he led the Marvels to a crushing 15-4 quarter score which threatened to bury the game.

Fred Roman went on his own tear in the third as Marvels kept leaving him unguarded under the basket and this carried over into the fourth as PokerStars managed to claw it back to a single-point deficit with four minutes to remaining.

Kyle Mills scored a tough lay-up to stretch it to three but PokerStars couldn’t find the tying shot and had to foul to get the ball back. Cameron Boyd had ice in his veins and calmly sank four free throws to seal the game.

Celton Warriors 58,

Ron Smith’s Turkeys 36

With both teams looking to finish the season on a high, it was the Warriors who leapt out of the gate, opening up on a 14-0 run before Turkeys registered their first basket through Gavin Stevenson.

A tight second quarter gave neither team any more ground despite an excellent shooting display from Andrew Fitzpatrick and this was recycled in the third to give Warriors a 19-point lead.

Turkeys tried to make a run but every basket was met with a Fitzpatrick response and, in the end, the first quarter run was the deciding factor as Turkeys failed to get closer.

Ron Smith’s Turkeys wave goodbye to island team star Stevenson, who is returning to his native Ireland permanently, and will be disappointed not to send him on his way with a more competitive showing.

Microgaming Cavaliers 45, Phillies 30

With the league title already in the bag for the Cavs and the Phillies locked into a third place finish, the only thing at stake was Cavs’ unbeaten league record.

They opened strongly against a weakened Phillies team with reigning MVP Paul Kilic on imperious form, nailing three of his eight three-pointers in the first quarter. The Phillies couldn’t find their shooting touch over the tall Cavs zone and were held to only eight points in the first half.

Kilic and Bob Gibson dominated the scoring in the second half and, despite Phillies starting to find their range, the mountain was too big to climb and Cavs ran out comfortable winners.

Tigers 70, Manx Demolition 34

Tigers signed off the season with a convincing win over the young MD side on the back of an excellent all-round game from Sean Doyle and Chris Kennish but the MD team can be very proud of the progress made this season and will be looking to make some noise next year.

THE Isle of Man Golf Union Island Games Am-Am is to be played at Peel Golf Club this Sunday, April 1 sponsored by Steve and Linda Keegan.

The format is a shotgun start at 9am. A teams will tee off at 8.50 and wait until the official start before playing their second shots.

Tee positions are as follows:

1st tee - Peel Lady Captain; 2nd - The President’s Men; 3rd - (A) Premier Flouring and (B) Dhoolish Four; 4th - Learner Drivers; 5th - Evans Boys; 6th - PSM Strollers; 7th - (A) 4 Wisemen and (B) Pully Bullies; 8th - The Good, Bad and Uglies; 9th - Scots+1; 10th - Duttons Diamonds; 11th - (A) Island Squad 1 and (B): Worthings Wonders; 12th - Island Squad 2; 13th - Island Squad 3; 14th - (A) Big Guns and (B) Ramsey Roamers; 15th - Douglas A: 16th - Douglas B; 17th - Wendys Hackers: 18th - (A) That’s Nice and (B) Island Junior Team.

COSTINGS being used to justify the closure of the Glenside residential home in Douglas were queried in the House of Keys.

The Department of Social Care says residential care is a high-cost model that is no longer affordable in the face of both financial constraints and growing numbers of older people.

It claims the average cost of keeping somebody in residential care is £39,000 a year, compared with £6,700 for homecare.

But in the Keys, Zac Hall (Lib Van, Onchan) queried the figures with the Minister Chris Robertshaw.

He said: ‘The department certainly appears to be trying to promote the move from residential care to community-based care as a cost saving, but would he not agree with me that comparing £39,000 a year for residential care with £6,000 for home care is wholly distorted and inappropriate?

‘Would he further not agree with me that £6,000 for home care will only cover about one or two hours a day, if that, which is probably only enough for minor cases, so what is the realistic figure for home care, which includes weekends, holidays and night cover?’

But the Minister said he stood by the figures.

He said: ‘These are aggregate figures representing an average across a variety of different services provided to a variety of individuals with a variety of different needs, and it is certainly, without hesitation and doubt, absolutely clear that residential care costs – and we should know what they are because we run the homes – are in the figure that we identified and I am confident that figures on the home care side are also accurate.’

Mr Robertshaw said that the prime motivation here was what was best for the older residents, rather than any cost-saving measures.

He said the detailed plans for Glenside’s phased closure by 2014 and the relocation of its residents was ‘progressing well’.

Detailed assessments of the specific needs of the residents affected were due to begin over the next couple of weeks, he said.

‘All efforts will be made to take their wishes into account,’ he told MHKs.

He added that most – 61 out of 64 – personal staff interviews had also been completed and a joint staff newsletter had been produced.

LIFE-SAVING in the island has been boasted by the arrival of 13 electronic chest compression devices.

Thanks to the generous donations totalling £120,000 from six local charities, the Department of Health (DoH) has been able to purchase the LUCAS chest compression devices for use across the island.

The new devices will enable trained medical staff to carry out other importance medical procedures while the chest compressions are taking place.

The equipment will be used at the minor injury unit at Ramsey Cottage Hospital, in ambulances and at Noble’s Hospital. During the TT festival and Manx Grand Prix, LUCAS will be on board the air ambulance.

Fifty staff have been trained to use the device and the DoH has plans to train at least 50 more.

Performing chest compressions to revive a patient is very tiring – the latest UK resuscitation guidelines recommend that, in general, people need to push harder and faster to a rate of 100 to 120 compressions a minute when providing chest compressions in an attempt to save life.

Rescuers who are providing chest compressions start to tire after one minute and the standard of the compressions can diminish to only 80 per cent efficiency after this time, while after a period of five minutes this is reduced further to just 20 per cent.

The charities that made donations are Henry Bloom Noble Healthcare Trust, Isle of Man Branch of the British Heart Foundation, League of Friends of Noble’s Hospital, League of Friends of Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital, Ramsey Cottage Hospital Welfare Trustees and Microgaming Health and Care Trust. Paramedic Clinical Supervisor Steve Crowe, who pressed to have the devices in the Isle Of Man, said: ‘As well as the physiological benefits of LUCAS, such as increased blood pressure to the brain, heart and other vital organs, the LUCAS allows the ambulance and hospital clinicians to concentrate on the many advanced treatments that can be administered, effectively freeing up a pair of hands.’

The safety of ambulance crew will also be increased, due to the fact they will no longer need to stand for long periods unsecured in the back of a moving ambulance while providing manual chest compressions.

ISLAND radio stations 3FM has announced it is forming a ‘strategic alliance’ with Energy FM – and is launching an on-demand, online TV news service named myTV.im

Energy will be moving to 3FM’s base on Victoria Street in Douglas in May and the news operations and sales teams will be combined. They will broadcast from separate studios and listeners will be able to tune into both stations as normal. 3FM Ltd managing director Ron Berry insisted that it was not a merger and both companies would remain separate. He said the move would save costs and broaden the target audience.

He said the alliance would have no impact on jobs.

3FM has also teamed up with Greenlight Television to launch myTV.im next month, which will provide 12 to 15-minute long news bulletins from 5pm five nights a week, and these will be available online and via a mobile app.

Thursday, March 29

• Our Sporting Life exhibition, Manx Museum, Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm. Until April 25.

• Past Times in the Parish of Patrick, photographic exhibition, Patrick Church, 10am-4pm daily. Until March 31.

• Felicity Wood and Olive Wassall exhibition, Hodgson Loom Gallery, Laxey Woollen Mills, Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm. Until April 14.

• ‘Expressionismo’ by Maria Arminda Dias Cunha Maia, Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin. Until March 31.

• ‘ Coast To Coast’ - Tracey Harding exhibition, Sayle Gallery, Douglas. Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm, Monday, 1-5pm, Sunday, 1.30-4.30pm. Until April 1.

• Friends Exhibition at Garretts Gallery Launch. Until April 28. Opening hours. Sat/Tues/Weds 10am-6pm.

• April 3 ‘Phoneography’ by Michael Clarke, Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin. Until April 27.

Thursday, March 29

• MRA Indoor Flat green Bowling at the NSC, Douglas 2-3.30pm.

• Fencing Club. Manx F.C., 6-7 Ashley Hill School, Douglas. 4-5pm, Juniors, 5-5.45pm Seniors Ballakermeen School (Cavaliers). Wednesday 5-6pm Juniors, 6-7pm Seniors, Ramsey Gr. School (Silverblades). 6.30-7.30pm Juniors, 7.30-9.30pm Adults. Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael. Tuesday 4-5pm beginners, 5-5.45pm Grade 1 above Arbory Village Hall.

• Port Erin WI, Port Erin Methodist Church Hall, 9.30am. Call 818194.

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

• Onchan Pensioners Club, coffee morning, Morton Hall, Onchan, 10am-noon. Also bingo, 7pm. Friday, sequence dancing, 2pm; Monday, bridge, 2pm; bingo 7pm; Tuesday, coffee morning, 10.30am-midday; Wednesday, Onchan Ladies Club, 2pm, whist, 7pm.

• The Dalby Art Group, St James’ schoolrooms, Dalby, 2pm. Bring your own equipment. Call Cheryl on 843471.

• Avondale WI, Onchan Community Centre, 2.15pm. Call 818194.

• Youth Club, school years 9 and upwards, Cafe Laare, Lord Street, Douglas, 3.30-5.30pm. Also Tuesday and Wednesday; Friday, 4-11pm; Saturday, 1-11pm; Sunday, 2-5pm.

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

• Onchan Book Group, Onchan Library, 6pm. Call 621228.

• Arbory Youth Club, school years 7-9, Ballabeg Village Hall, 7-9pm.

• The Isle of Man Children’s Centre Parent Support Group, informal chat with family support workers, at Douglas Family Centre, Woodbourn Road, 7pm-9pm.

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

• Youth Club, school years 7-9, Foxdale School, 7-9pm. Also Tuesday, school years 9 and upwards, 7-9.30pm.

• Laxey Youth Club, school years 7 and 8, Laxey Youth Centre, New Road, 7-9pm. Also Wednesday. Friday, school years 4-6, Laxey School, 7.30-9pm and school years 9 upwards, Laxey Youth Centre, New Road, 7-10pm.

• Isle of Man Photographic Society Annual Competition, Thie Ellyn, off Withington Road, Douglas 7.30pm. Also 30th Annual Competition.

• Onchan District Explorers, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 7.30pm.

Friday, March 30

• Parent and toddler group, Ballasalla Primary School, 1.45pm.

• Castletown Youth Club, school years 4-6, Youth Centre, Arbory Street, Castletown, 6-7.15pm. Also school years 7-9, Friday, 7.30-9.30pm; Wednesday, 6.45-8.45pm; school years 9 and upwards, Saturday and Tuesday, 7.30-10pm; soundcheck, Monday, 6-9pm; girls club, school years 9 and upwards, 7-9.30pm.

Monday, April 1

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

• Mannin Art Group, St Paul’s Hall, Ramsey, 10am. Email mailbox@manninart.org

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

• Peel Craft Club, the family room, Peel Methodist Chapel, 2pm-4pm.

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

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

• Do Drop Inn Drama Club, children aged 10 and above, St Paul’s Hall, Ramsey, 7pm.

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

• Sulby WI, St. Stephen’s Church Hall 7.30pm.

Tuesday, April 2

• Twins/Multiple Births Club, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 10am. Contact 426395.

• St John’s Art and Craft Group, Methodist Hall, St John’s, 9.40am. Bring your own art and craft with you. Call 851364.

• Onchan Pensioners’ Social Club, Morton Hall, 10.30am. Also Thursday.

• 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.

• Computers for Beginners, Onchan Library, 10am-noon. Call 621228 or e-mail onchan.library@onchan.org.im.

• April 2 – ‘The Freedom Trail’ with Charles Wilson for EAC Monday Luncheon Club, Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin, 12.30pm. Members £13.50, visitors, £14.50

• Peel Footlights Youth Theatre for ages eight-16, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 4pm. Contact 843819. Also Thursday.

• Cheerleading, All Saints Church Hall, 4.30pm. Call 254499 or email gengym@manx.net

• Isle of Man Chess Club, Belsfield Hotel, Church Road Marina, Douglas, 7.30pm. Call 495097 or email Zahed.miah@gov.im

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

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

• Glen Maye WI, St James’ Church Hall, Dalby, 7.30pm. Call 818194.

• Glen Maye WI, Dalby Church Hall, 7.30pm. Call 818194.

• Santon WI, The Church Centre, Church Road, Santon 7.30pm. Call 818194

• Mannin Quilters, Ballabeg Methodist Hall, 7.30pm. Call 628921 or 628655.

Wednesday April 4

• MS Society coffee morning, Harbour Lights, St Paul’s Square, Ramsey, 10.30-midday.

• ‘The Moonstone’ by V. Collins with EAC Book Circle, Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin, 1.30pm.

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

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

• Homework Club for year 7s, Youth Centre, Arbory Street, Castletown, 4pm. Call 822490.

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

• Youth Group Computer Club, Commissioners Office, Close Corran, Braddan, 7pm. Call 686057.

• Youth Club, school years 4-9, Ballasalla Community House, 7-9pm.

• Jurby & District WI, Jurby Parish Hall, 7.15pm

• Peel Pensioners Club, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 7.30pm. Call 844972.

Thursday, March 29

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

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

• Walk and talk, Harbour Lights Cafe, Peel, 10am. Also Friday, NSC, Douglas, 10am; Monday, Pulsom Park, Castletown, 10.30am and Noble’s Park, Douglas, 5.30pm; Tuesday, NSC, Douglas, 10am; Wednesday, Ramsey Rugby Club, 10am. Call 688592.

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

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

• 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, Westland’s Residents Lounge, Peel, 10.30am. Call 642668.

• Tai Chi Chuan, Lezayre Parish Hall, 2pm. Call 813222.

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

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

• Braaid Fencing Club, Foxdale School, 5.45pm. Call 801832.

• Aqua Zumba, NSC, Douglas, 6pm. Call 688588.

• Pilates, St John’s Methodist Church Hall, 6.15pm. Also Friday, 9.30am; Wednesday, 6.15pm. Call 427401.

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

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

• 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 ages 7 and up, Onchan Community Hall, 7.30pm. Also Monday, Andreas Parish Hall, 4.30pm; Tuesday, Arbory Parish Hall, 4pm and Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, 6.30pm; Wednesdays, Scoill Ree Gorree Sports Hall, Ramsey, 5pm. Call 880863.

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

Friday, March 30

• Walk and talk, Earroo Nane House, 1 Snaefell View, Threshold Estate, Jurby, 10am.

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

• Tai chi chuan, Murrays Road School, 7.30pm. Call 612305.

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

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

Saturday, March 31

• 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.

• St Mary’s AFC 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.

• Gymnastics and dance, St Ninian’s School, Douglas, 2pm. Also Wednesday, Call 254499.

Sunday, April 1

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

Monday, April 2

• Pilates, Monday, 9.30am-10.30am St John’s Methodist hall

Also Wednesday 6.15pm-7.15pm, Thursday 6.15pm-7.15pm, and Friday 9.30am-10.30am. Contact Liz Main, 427401. Also Pilates beginners class at King William’s College, Castletown, Monday, 6.30pm-7.30pm

• Zumba, NSC, Douglas, 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.

• Deep Water Aquafit, NSC, Douglas, 7.15pm. Call 688588.

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

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

Tuesday, April 3

• Fit2Go walking sessions, Car Park, Station Road, St John’s, 9am. For ladies looking to improve their fitness. Cost £3 per session.

• Pilates for Horse Riders, Ballaugh, 5.15pm and 6.30pm, Call 465115.

• 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.

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

• Qigong, Community Hall, Clenagh Road, Sulby, 7pm. £5 per session, Call 878607.

• Body Toning, NSC, Douglas, 7pm. Also Wednesday at 11am. Call 688588.

• IOM Karate Federation, Murrays Road School, Juniors 7pm, Seniors, 7.30pm. Call 612305.

• Zumba Toning, Jurby Parish Hall, 7.40pm. Also Monday, Morton Hall, Castletown; Wednesday, Corrin Hall, Peel. Call 230369.

• Arbory Badminton Club, Arbory School Hall, 8pm. Call 832094.

Wednesday, April 4

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

• Pilates, NSC, Douglas, 12.10pm. Call 688588.

• Pilates, Braddan Church Hall, 5.30pm and 6.45pm. Call Suzanne 465115.

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

• Valkyrs Hockey Club training, QEII Astro pitch, Peel. Juniors (8 and up), 6pm; Seniors (13 and up), 7.30pm. Call 801802 or cathkilley@manx.net

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

• Beginners yoga, St Ninians Dance Studio, Douglas, 6.30pm.

Thursday, March 29

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

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

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

• Irish set dancing Douglas Old Friends’ Club, Douglas, 8pm. Call David on 457268.

Friday, March 30

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

• Modern Dance, Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 5.45pm. Also Thursday at 4.30pm.

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

Saturday, March 31

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

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

• Irish Dance Mixed, Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 3pm. Also Prim/Int on Monday at 4.30pm and Tuesday at 6.15pm. Beginners on Tuesday at 5.15.

• Stage Snr, Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 4pm. Also Stage Int at 5pm.

• Sequence dancing every Saturday night at 8pm Onchan Methodist Church Hall. Beginners welcome - Call Jen Quayle 829669.

• Social sequence dancing, Pulrose Methodist Church hall, Douglas, 8pm. Also Monday; Sunday, sequence dancing with latest dances only; Wednesday, sequence dancing. Call 842878.

Sunday, April 1

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

Monday, April 2

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

• Irish Dance Prim/Int, Viking Works, Riverside, Peel, 6.30pm. Also Wednesday at 5.45pm. Beginners, Wednesday at 5pm.

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

Tuesday, April 3

• Sequence dancing and social, South Douglas Old Friends Association, 7.30pm. Admission £1.50.

• Beginners Line Dance, St John’s Football Club, 7.30pm-9pm. Call 462104. - 14/10/11

• Sequence dancing with Port Erin Dancing Club, Port Erin Methodist Church hall, 8pm. Admission £1.50.

Wednesday, April 4

• Sequence dancing, Morton Hall, Castletown, 2pm. Admission £1.

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

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

• Modern Line Dance-exercise class for beginners, Legion Hall, Onchan, 7.15pm. £3.50

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

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

Thursday, March 29

• Brown Sugar at, The Outback. Douglas.

• Karaoke at Guys and Dolls, Douglas.

• Soundcheck, Basement, Youth Arts Centre, Kensington Road, Douglas, 6.30pm. Also Saturday and Wednesday.

• Ramsey Folk Club at The George Hotel, Ramsey, 8pm.

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

• Guitar Lessons, Meeting Room, Archibald Knox, Onchan, 5.45pm to 6.45pm.

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

Friday, March 30

• Dickie at The Whitehouse Peel.

• David Castro at Sam Webbs, Douglas.

• Brown Sugar at, Jaks Pub. Douglas.

• Songs from Grease and Dirty Dancing, Villa Marina, Douglas. Tickets £20, concessions available.

• Family Concert, Scoill Ree Gorree, Ramsey, 7pm. Admission £3 for adults, £1.50 for children. Followed by Family Ceildh, Masonic Hall, Ramsey, 8.30pm. Part of Shennaghys Jiu festival.

• Little Miss Dynamite at The Creek Inn, Peel.

• Chillerz at the Queens, Douglas.

• Karaoke, The Albert, Douglas. 9pm,

• Thai Night, authentic food and music, The Railway, Douglas, 6pm. Also Wednesday.

• Manx Music session, Tynwald Inn, St John’s, 8.30pm.

• Irish Traditional Music session, The Mitre, Ramsey, 9pm.

• Kiaull as Gaelg, The Albert, Port St Mary, 9pm.

Saturday, March 31

• Dave Stewart at the Heron, Douglas.

• Dickie at The Mitre Ramsey.

• Age of Steam, at The Northern, Ramsey.

• DJ Karaoke & Disco at Jaks, Douglas.

• Psychoholic at Jaks Douglas

• Manx Music session, The White House, Peel, 10pm.

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

• Karaoke at the Central Hotel, Ramsey.

• Music Workshop, Northern Lights Community Centre, Ramsey, 11am. Also Music in the Pub, Mitre Hotel, Ramsey, noon; Bree session, Northern Lights Community Centre, Ramsey, 2.30pm; Harp workshop, Mitre Hotel, Ramsey, 2.30pm; Concert, Promenade Suite, Villa Marina, 8pm. Part of Shennaghys Jiu festival.

• Brown Sugar at the Pinewood, Pulrose

• Sounds of the Cave, Royal Hall, Villa Marina. Free entry before 10pm.

• Powercut at The Creek Inn, Peel.

• Jimmy Gillespie at The Queens, Douglas

• The Fletcher Christian Mutiny and Mr Eliminator and the Deadly Vipers at The Clarendon, Douglas.

Sunday, April 1

• One Wo/Man, One Guitar, One Night at The Tynwald Inn St John’s. Supported by The Cronk Illiam Scratchers.

• Unplugged acoustic concert, St John’s Church, 2.30pm. Free admission. Also Ceilidh, Masonic Hall, Ramsey, 8pm. Admission £5 for adults, children £3. Part of Shennaghys Jiu festival.

• The Mariners Choir concert and service, St Olave’s Church, Ramsey, 6.30pm.

• Karaoke at the British, Douglas.

• DJ Karaoke & Disco at Jaks, Douglas.

• Karaoke at the Crescent, 8pm-midnight, Queen’s Promenade, Douglas.

Monday, April 2

• Music in the Pub, Trafalgar Hotel, Ramsey, noon. Also Band Night, Nightlife, Ramsey, 8pm. Admission £10. Part of Shennaghys Jiu festival.

Tuesday, April 3

• Acoustic Sing -a- Round, The Manor, Willaston.

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

• The What You Want Acoustic Music Club, The Manor, Willaston, 8.30pm.

Wednesday, April 4

• Karaoke at The British, Douglas.

Thursday, March 29

Palace Cinema

• The Hunger Games (12A) Nightly 7pm. Daily matinees 2pm.

• Wrath of the Titans (12A) Nightly 7.30pm. Daily matinees 2.30pm and 4.30pm.

• We Bought a Zoo (PG). Daily matinee 11.30am

Broadway Cinema

• The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists (U), left. Nightly 7pm. Saturday to Thursday 2pm and 4.30pm.

• Ibiza My Way or the Highway - Part 1 (18) Nightly 9.30pm