The island should give small communities a greater say in planning matters in their area and introduce a Localism Act, said Ballasalla and District Residents’ Association (BADRA).

In response, Malew and Santon MHK Graham Cregeen is investigating introducing a Manx version of the UK act.

BADRA chairman Mike Henthorn updated the public on the association’s activities at an AGM in the village hall on April 14.

He said: ‘For too long, central government has hoarded and concentrated power. This creates bureaucracy and leaves no room for adaptation to reflect local circumstances and high costs. It also leaves people in local communities such as Ballasalla feeling “done to” and imposed upon which is the very opposite of the sense of involvement and participation on which a healthy democracy survives. The burden of red tape, expense and oversight by central government has to be reduced and the barriers which prevent local representative groups like the commissioners, local residents’ organisations and other local organisations from getting things done for themselves need to be removed.’

The association has asked Mr Cregeen to investigate, through consultation with government officers and politicians, a change in the law.

‘It will set out a series of measures to achieve a substantial and lasting shift in power away from central government and towards local people. They include new freedom and flexibility for local government, new rights for communities and individuals and reform the planning system to make it more democratic and effective. Not only will this significantly drive down cost to central government but it will ensure that important decisions, for example about housing, are taken locally. Most importantly, it would mean that local organisations such as BADRA, would become recognised as properly constituted bodies within the framework of the legislation and thus have a statutory right to be heard, for example in such matters as clearly defining the Ballasalla village boundaries,’ said Mr Henthorn.

He warned the process will take time and meet resistance. ‘It will change the face of planning for the benefit of small neighbourhoods and communities who will no longer be subjected to inappropriate, dictatorial and in many cases incorrect planning decisions which have blighted communities forever.’

Mr Cregeen said: ‘I have been looking at a few cases in the UK, it’s all to do with neighbourhood planning policy, it allows small places to discuss what types of development goes in their area. Groups can get together and with local authorities work on how they would like the area to be developed in the future, one of the things is to chat with developers.’

He added it could assist in giving a more holistic consideration of a development’s impact on an area. ‘When they built Governor’s Hill, they did not say you are going to have to build a new school ... It’s designing for the future, rather than giving planning permission for 200 houses and when the 198th house is built they think about a new school.

‘For example, when they build Ballakilley (on the border of Port Erin and Rushen parish) what about the infrastructure for that number of people driving to work in Douglas, the roads will be more congested.’

Rather than add another layer of bureaucracy to the planning process, he said it should simplify it, ‘hopefully it will also save money and give more certainty about what it [a development] will look like.’

Mr Cregeen needs the backing of fellow politicians if he is to progress this as a private member’s bill, he said.

Feedback so far from planners has been negative, he said, ‘the planners do not seem to like it. There may be valid reason for concern, it might not work here, but it’s worth having a look at to see if it’s of benefit. You have got to look at Poacher’s Pocket [in Ballasalla], it’s an example of bad planning, they were supposed to be single storey houses now you’ve got big roofs on them with first floors. That’s the frustration, you fight the battle and they impose worse things on them than what was envisaged.’

St George’s march for a second Grand Slam in three seasons continues in Crosby on Sunday evening.

Second-tier Marown play host to the Glencrutchery Road juggernauts in the first round proper of the BCS Vinyl Hospital Cup.

David Brew’s home side produced a good performance in Saturday’s Woods Cup final, but will need to conjure up one of Manx football’s biggest shocks to derail Chris Bass Sr’s clean-sweep plans.

Other Division Two sides facing top-flight opponents are Colby and Douglas and District.

The former will sniff an upset in the air as they travel to relegation-threatened Ramsey Youth Centre and Old Boys.

Colby have challenged near the top of the second tier for the most of the campaign and will look to put behind them an indifferent spell of form to give Youthie a stern test.

D and D will also try and pull off a giant-killing when St John’s visit Noble’s Park.

The hosts’ manager Jimmy Cosgrove has stepped down this week, with player Richard Brant taking over for the final few weeks of the season.

St John’s were ruthless against Douglas Royal in the last round and should have enough fire power to emerge victorious from the first game of Brant’s latest spell in charge.

Elsewhere there are four all-Premier Division ties the pick of which sees St Mary’s take on Rushen at the Bowl.

Beaten FA Cup finalists Ramsey will try and bounce back against DHSOB, while Peel should be favourites to beat Corinthians at Ballafletcher.

The last all top-flight affair sees Laxey travel to Union Mills.

The last time these met a couple of weeks ago, a 3-3 draw ensued.

With both sides capable of scoring goals this could go either way.

Finally, Woods Cup victors Gymns will play Ayre United at Tromode, meaning at least one Division Two side will make Monday morning’s quarter-final draw.

ANDY DALRYMPLE

A college engineering student who tried to stop a fight involving a friend has undergone an operation for his injuries.

The teenager, who asked not to be named, fractured his wrist and had to have a metal plate put into his fractured jaw, and metal wire in his teeth to hold them in place.

The incident happened on Central Promenade, Douglas, on the seaward walkway between the bottom of King Edward Road and the Palace Hotel at about 1am on Easter Sunday.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which they believe involved several men.

The 19-year-old, from Douglas, told the Manx Independent that what happened was ‘a bit of a blur’.

‘I think I was assaulted by multiple people,’ he said.

‘I was trying to help my friend.

‘I gave a man a bear hug to try and calm him down and then I was attacked from behind.’

He doesn’t know whether or not he lost consciousness at any point.

‘I sort of remember ringing the ambulance and getting into the ambulance,’ he said.

‘After that I just remember waking up in the hospital.’

After X-rays at Noble’s Hospital revealed the extent of his injuries the teenager underwent surgery later the same day.

The metal plate will be a permanent reminder of the incident while the metal wiring on his teeth will be removed after eight weeks.

The Isle of Man College student was enjoying his Easter holiday and will find out when he returns how his injuries – particularly his injury to his writing hand – will affect his upcoming maths, physics and engineering exams.

‘I’m feeling pretty rough,’ he admitted.

‘I have to take 19 tablets a day at the moment.

‘I can’t get my teeth to clench together so I’m just eating things like soup.’

He added: ‘I’m just annoyed how it happened. It shouldn’t have happened.’

Police would like to speak to anyone who may have been present, or who witnessed the incident.

Anyone with information should contact Lord Street police station on 631212.

Noble’s Hospital has a comprehensive policy on managing violence and aggression, according to a spokesman for the health service.

He was commenting after the Manx Independent reported last week that some staff at the hospital feared for their safety when dealing with violent and intoxicated patients on night time A and E shifts.

We spoke to one member of staff who said that violence had got worse in recent years.

But a Department of Health spokesman this week told the Independent: ‘Noble’s Hospital has one of the lowest rates of violence against staff when compared to acute hospitals in England, with 16 cases of physical assault recorded between April 2012 and March 2013, three of which were in A and E.

‘Twelve of these were caused by elderly patients outside A and E who were either confused or suffer from dementia.

‘The figures would place Noble’s Hospital amongst the 16 safest acute hospitals in England in terms of assaults on staff, out of a total of 161.’

The comments followed a recent court case which saw a young man sentenced to six months’ imprisonment after becoming violent and attacking staff in the hospital’s A and E department.

He had been experiencing hallucinations while under the influence of drugs.

A statement from the Department of Health said the hospital was equipped with security cameras and staff were trained to deal with aggressive patients, with porters on call round the clock if staff needed emergency help.

One criticism, that porters were not based actually in the A and E department, was being discussed, and the practicalities of doing this were under consideration.

Staff have personal panic alarms but panic buttons are in the process of being installed in the department.

The statement continues: ‘There are some A and E departments in the UK which have police stationed within the department. However, these are in areas where the levels of violence are much worse than in the Isle of Man, where it can actally be cost effective.

‘Of the people attending Noble’s Hospital, it is still fortunately a very small percentage of people that cause problems. The department and Noble’s Hospital management are not complacent and are continuously reviewing how aggressive and violent incidents are dealt with.’

An upgrade is to be considered for the hospital’s CCTV equipment, which would give a clearer view and would help in any court proceedings.

The hospital has already responded to the recent attack on A and E staff by issuing them with personal panic alarms, requesting panic buttons to be installed in A and E, providing extra staff training and reviewing its policy and procedures. Staff trainers have also recently visited Broadmoor High Security Training Centre in the UK to update their knowledge.

Dudley Butt, MLC, a political member of the Department of Health, said of the 32,915 A and E patients dealt with in the year ending March 2013, most were polite and appreciative, but he said the violence and abuse by a minority would simply not be tolerated.

He said: ‘The department takes the safety of staff extremely seriously and endeavours to ensure a safe working environment. There is a zero tolerance approach to violence and aggression against staff and where assaults do occur we work with the police to prosecute individuals where necessary. Even just one physical assault is one too many and we take the concerns of staff extremely seriously and work closely with unions on staff safety.’

There are posters in the hospital advising patients on acceptable behaviour. Staff are fully trained in techniques to deal with situations of aggression.

The department says the hospital’s portering and security team is on hand 24 hours a day and staff have been fully and professionally trained in control and restraint techniques to UK Home Office standards. The hospital also has a close working relationship with the police in dealing with incidents of assault and aggressive behaviour.

Mr Butt continued: ‘It is important that this incident is placed in context. While wholly unacceptable behaviour, we can be grateful that incidents of physical assault on hospital staff are rare. In fact Noble’s Hospital has one of the lowest rates for staff assaults when compared to other acute hospitals in England.

‘But we are not being complacent and additional measures to improve safety for staff, in A&E in particular, have already been put in place, with more to follow.

‘Patients who are violent are often intoxicated from the use of alcohol or drugs, and this is the root cause of their violent behaviour. It is not that people are purposefully presenting at A&E with the intention of causing trouble. That said, anyone attending A&E needs to remember that they are responsible for their own behaviour and that being intoxicated is no excuse for violence.

‘The vast majority of patients attending A&E for treatment – 32,915 between April 2012 and March 2013 – are polite, courteous and deeply appreciative of the assistance and care our staff provide.

‘The message is clear – unacceptable behaviour ranging from verbal abuse, to threatening behaviour, to actual physical assault will simply not be tolerated.’

Manx archery sisters Aalin and Kirsten George have been included in the Great Britain squad which will compete at the European Outdoor Youth Championships next month.

The event takes place between May 19-24 in Ljubljana, Slovenia and will see more than 300 archers from around the world taking part.

The Cavendish Scholarship recipients’ inclusion follows a selection shoot of the UK’s top youth archers at Lilleshall recently and they will be part of a team of 12 male and seven female archers in both junior (under-20) and cadet categories (u17) in recurve and compound categories.

The athletes will compete in both individual and team events at the Stožice Hippodrome, which is situated just outside Slovenia’s capital city Ljubljana.

Great Britain is sending the third largest team to the championships and Aalin, 18, will be representing GB in the compound discipline alongside 12 other archers.

She will be joined in the women’s junior team by Sophie Brown and Erin Prior.

Kirsten has been selected as part of the women’s cadet compound squad with Lucy Mason and Isabelle Carpenter.

Following the qualification round, the archers will compete in a head-to-head event which is run in the same format as the Olympics/Paralympics, with a 70m target for the recurve archers and a 50m target for the compound archers.

Lloyd Brown, Olympic coach of Archery GB: ‘We have high hopes for our team at this event.

‘It gives them a chance to shoot against the best archers in their age group, which will tell us exactly where they are at and whether the training in the off season at the regional performance academies has paid dividends.’

The European Outdoor Youth Championships has been held since 2000 and is organised by the European World Archery Federation.

For more information or to follow the girls’ progress at the European Outdoor Youth Championships visit www.worldarchery.org

The Archibald Knox Ball in aid of Manx Cancer Help on Saturday, September 6, has attracted such a lot of support a larger venue has had to be secured.

The ball, with joint patrons Katie Melua and James Toseland as guests of honour, will now be held in a marquee in the grounds of the Ballanette Estate, Baldrine.

The charity’s fundraising co-ordinator Ally Martin said: ‘The combination of our internationally-renowned patrons and sponsorship from the respected name of Celton Manx resulted in every table selling out in just days for the ball which was due to be held at the Mount Murray Hotel.

‘The hotel has always been extremely supportive of Manx Cancer Help and we’ll be working with them for future events. Given the interest the ball was generating, however, we had to look for a venue with a larger capacity. The Ballanette Estate, where we held our diamond anniversary ball two years ago, seemed the ideal solution so we were delighted when the estate’s owners, Stuart and Barbara Clague, kindly agreed to allow us to use their land again.

‘With the change of venue we now have more tables available for the ball that’s set to be a memorable event in the year the Island celebrates the 150th anniversary of the birth of Manx-born Archibald Knox, some of whose work has been generously lent by private collectors for display during the evening.

‘Once again we should like to extend our sincere thanks to James and Katie, Stuart and Barbara Clague, Celton Manx and everyone else who is helping us in our work to support all those affected in some way by cancer.’

Celton Manx executive director Bill Mummery said: ‘Clearly the work of Manx Cancer Help married to such a high-profile couple as Katie Melua and James Toseland as joint patrons and the legacy of Archibald Knox is proving an irresistible draw. As sponsors we are pleased to be associated with what will undoubtedly be a landmark occasion in the island’s social calendar and we wish Ally and her team every success.’

To buy a table or individual tickets, contact Ally Martin, 679544, or email ally@manxcancerhelp.org.

The penguins are back! Two of them are now relaxing in deck chairs on the gate posts of Barbara and David Cole’s house in Victoria Road, Castletown.

Last November, one of the landmark birds was vandalised and wrenched off the post. Broken bits were found nearby, but it was very badly damaged.

In stepped Dave Mousley, a Port Erin resident, whose drive to work at Veros Digital in Douglas, takes him by the penguins every day. After he found out about the vandalism, he vowed to reinstate the penguin.

David’s background in model making, film and TV special effects, means he has the skills and contacts to help with a replacement. But as the US company that originally manufactured the penguin had gone into liquidation tracking one down was hard.

Thanks to the internet, he managed to find a matching penguin – in Texas.

He said: ‘I have spent a lot of time on collectors’ blogs and auctions seeing if I could locate one as once we knew a repair was not viable due to the missing piece, the only options were to recast from the intact one or find a replacement.

‘We couldn’t access the moulds so we had been arranging to create a new latex mould and cast one, which is in itself quite tricky for such a large piece. Just as I was ordering the materials to do this, I got a note on a blog in Santa Cruz from a guy who had this one and so there he is!’

The penguin made the long journey from Texas to Castletown, arriving two weeks ago.

Dave said: ‘It’s been a pleasure to help ... and I am pleased I was able to resolve this in time for spring and visitors returning to the island.’

A delighted Barbara said: ‘I don’t think anyone envisioned just what a task it would be ... most people would have given up months ago, it’s so refreshing to find someone who sticks to their word.’

Fire crews in Douglas were called out to two kitchen fires in quick succession last night (Friday).

Three crews firstly attended a smoke-filled flat in Pulrose at 8.45pm.

A forced entry had to be made and two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and using a thermal image camera entered the building carrying a hose reel.

The occupier of the flat was guided outside to a place of safety, and hadn’t sustained any injury.

The fire was isolated to a grill pan which had been left unattended in the kitchen. Due to smoke logging throughout the property a positive pressure fan was used.

Sub Officer Paul Hunt said: ‘A neighbour had acted swiftly upon hearing the smoke alarms sounding from within the property, reporting the incident via 999 and requesting the help of the fire service.’

The second call-out came at 9.15pm following a report of a fire at a property containing flats on Queen’s Promenade.

Crews were faced with a smoke-logged flat on the second floor of the property - the occupants were already safely evacuated outside.

The fire was isolated to a pan on the hob with damage being sustained to the kitchen area. A positive pressure fan was put to use clearing smoke from the flat.

Sub Officer David Cowley said: ‘The occupier of the flat had acted swiftly in attempting to extinguish the fire and removing the pan outside.’

For advice and guidance regarding fire safety for owners and occupiers of flats please contact the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue flats team on 647328.

It is important to ensure that all internal doors within a property are kept shut in particular at night or when a property is unoccupied to prevent the passage of smoke. Please ensure that you have working smoke alarms and that they are regularly tested.

Saturday, April 26

Ascot Hotel Junior Cup first round

DHSOB 6-0 St John’s Utd

Douglas Athletic 4-1 Pulrose Utd (after extra-time)

Gymns 2-0 RYCOB

Malew 2-4 Corinthians

Onchan 1-3 Marown

Peel 7-2 Colby

Rushen Utd 3-2 Ayre Utd

St Mary’s 5-3 Union Mills

JCK Division Two

Foxdale 1-6 Douglas Athletic

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Ascot Hotel Junior Cup second round draw

Peel v Gymns

Douglas Athletic v Corinthians

Marown v Rushen United

DHSOB v St Mary’s

Douglas beat Ramsey 48-0 at the Mooragh Park in the Manx Cup semi-final on Saturday thanks to a classy performance by stand off Bryn Snellgrove who accounted for 28 of the Douglas total.

The visitors led 24-0 at half-time with tries from Snellgrove, skipper Glyn Hooson-Owen and Liam King, with Snellgrove converting all three and adding a penalty for good measure.

King and Snellgrove both struck again in the early stages of the second half to give Douglas an unassailable lead and in the final stages, both crossed again to complete their hat-tricks.

Douglas now face Vagabonds in next week’s final at Ballafletcher.

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Castletown edged out in friendly

Castletown’s end-of-season friendly ended in defeat for them as they lost 24-5 to Manchester. Dave Walsh crossed for Town in the first half and the teams turned around tied at five apiece. In the second half though, Town faded and Manchester took the game.

Results

Manx Cup semi-final

Ramsey 0-48 Douglas

Shimmin Wilson Manx Bowl

Ramsey B v PDMS Emerging Nomads late kick off

Friendly

Castletown 5-24 Manchester

A world expert on climate change is to give a talk in the Isle of Man

{http://www.climate.unibe.ch/~stocker/|Professor Thomas Stocker} co-chairs ‘Working Group I: The Physical Science Basis’ of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Its Summary for Policymakers – based on a 1,535-page report assessing more than 9,000 scientific publications – was approved by IPCC-member governments in September last year.

This IPCC assessment cycle will be completed by the ‘synthesis report’ in October, which will bring together the physical impact and economic aspects on human-induced climate changed.

As professor of climate and environmental physics at the University of Bern’s Physics Institute in Switzerland, Thomas Stocker is widely regarded as a world expert in the science of climate change.

Phil Gawne MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, said: ‘The working group looked at evidence of climate change from around the world and confirmed, with even greater certainty than before, that it’s happening at an unprecedented rate and that, through the burning of fossil fuels and land use practices, humans have been the dominant cause since the mid-20th Century.

‘As part of raising awareness of this hugely important issue, I am pleased that Professor Stocker has agreed to visit the Island to talk about the findings of the working group.’

There’s a chance for members of the public to hear and question the Professor at the Manx Museum, Douglas, on Tuesday, May 13, at 6.15pm, with doors opening at 6pm.

Tickets are free but places are limited. To book, register via {http://tinyurl.com/k5cwbtl|this site} or email Kristian.Cowin@gov.im stating the number of seats you require.

Mr Gawne added: ‘In light of recent publications by the IPCC Working Groups II and III, which looked at climate change impacts, adaptation and vulnerability and the mitigation of climate change, my department will also be inviting speakers from these groups to the island to present their findings at a later time.’

The IPCC was established by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Meteorological Organisation in 1988 to provide the world with a scientific view on the current state of knowledge in climate change and its potential environmental and socio-economic impacts.

According to a press statement, the Isle of Man Government is committed to addressing the risks posed by climate change through appropriate adaptation, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 80 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050 and by introducing an energy efficiency scheme for domestic and commercial properties.

The foundation of the Manx Labour Party will be remembered at a meeting next Thursday (May 1), with a talk entitled ‘The Great War and the Creation of the Manx Labour Party’.

The guest speaker is party member Pat Skillicorn, who has a Master’s degree from the University of Liverpool awarded for her research on the topic.

Spokesman David Carter said: ‘Our origins came out of the general strike in the Isle of Man in 1918 over the withdrawal of the bread subsidy, which was eventually restored. The Workers’ Union then created the Labour Party in the island.’

The event will be held at South Douglas Old Friends Association, Finch Road, Douglas, starting at 7pm. All welcome.

A community heritage centre could be created in Ballaugh from a former railways goods shed, if Ballaugh Heritage Trust’s plans are approved.

The trust has applied (14/00396/B) to government planners for the conversion of the shed – owned by Ballaugh Commissioners and currently used for storage – in Station Road.

In April 2012, the commissioners agreed to rent the shed to the trust for 10 years – for a sum of £10 per year with a condition it was only used as a heritage museum and for holding heritage exhibitions.

The trust, set up in 2005 to preserve, develop and conserve buldings and amenities in Ballaugh, believes the goods shed’s preservation is ‘imperative’ as ‘it is the sole survivor of its type’.

In the planning statement it says the building would be used to house a permanent exhibition highlighting the history of Ballaugh and the special nature of the Curragh.

It continues: ‘It will also be used as an educational resource, especially for schools in the area, as a showcase for community work and an additional focal point for visiting railway enthusiasts.’

In addition, part of the plans will see 20 metres of rail track being reinstated between the goods shed and the former loading ramp.

The Manx Northern Railway began operating in 1879, linking Ramsey with St John’s and Douglas.

Ballaugh station was the main stop between Kirk Michael and Ramsey.

From the start, it featured a crossing loop, cattle platform and a siding with goods shed.

Untreated sewage could continue to be pumped into the seas around the Isle of Man until 2021.

Three locations where raw sewage is currently pumped into the Irish Sea, at Peel, Laxey and Baldrine, will not be improved in the current phase of the Government’s Regional Sewage Treatment Strategy (RSTS), which is nearing its halfway point.

Their upgrades are part of phase two of the RSTS, scheduled to begin in 2016 and run until 2021 if funding is approved by Tynwald.

Phase one, for which Tynwald approved funding in 2011, has seen upgrades to many of the island’s sewage treatment facilities that are not part of the IRIS system.

Over the last two years the Isle of Man Water and Sewerage Authority (now the Manx Utilities Authority) have completed upgrades to treatment works in Dalby, Glen Maye, Patrick, Jurby, Bride, Corrany and Glen Mona. Work is currently underway at Kirk Michael, Port Lewaigue and Maughold.

However, with the exception of the ongoing work at Port Lewaigue, none of the five outlets that pump raw sewage into the sea - at Peel, Andreas, Ramsey, Laxey and Baldrine – have been upgraded to date.

A new facility to replace the untreated sewage outlets at Andreas and Ramsey has been included in phase one and is currently scheduled for completion in November 2015.

It is estimated that at the conclusion of phase one in 2016, up to 85% of the island’s sewage will be treated.

Scheduled to proceed between 2016 and 2021, phase two will take in Peel and the surrounding area, Laxey and Baldrine, Sulby and Ballaugh and villages in the island’s Central Valley.

But plans to replace or upgrade existing sewage treatment works in these areas are dependent on Tynwald approving funding for phase two of the regional strategy. No dates have yet been fixed for phase two works.

Three of the island’s beaches - Peel, Kirk Michael and Ramsey - failed to meet minimum standards for safe bathing in the 2014 Good Beach Guide, published last week by the Marine Conservation Society.

An update from Manx Utilities on Wednesday said: ‘The Manx Utilities Authority has made good progress with the implementation of the Regional Sewage Treatment Strategy.

‘The phase one investment programme commenced with smaller, simpler developments, with the larger and more complex projects planned to be designed and constructed between now and 2016.’

Youngsters received their gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards from Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood in a ceremony at Government House.

A record number of young people entered on to the scheme this year, with more than 400 taking up the challenge, 315 bronze, 80 silver and 40 gold.

Alison Gawne, awards co-ordinator with the Youth Service, said: ‘Gaining the gold award is a big achievement because it’s at least 12 to 18 months of their lives that they have committed to doing things.

‘They also set themselves quite high goals for what they want to learn or achieve.’

She said it was held in high regard by prospective employers, colleges and universities.

Receiving their gold award were: Nathan Allen, Louise Coase, Breeshey Cowin, Joshua Riordan, Juan Riordan, Kirree Swift, Rosie Walker, Jessica Ward (all of The Foundry); Bridget Bale, Colin Bankes-Jones, Ben Cotton, Thomas Doyle, Natalie Kneen, Erin McNulty, Moira Pain, Harry Snape, Katia Tastagh, Beth Vickers (Queen Elizabeth II High School); Duncan Churcher, Juan Churcher, Jessica Corner (Ramsey Grammar School); Rachel Pooley (Castle Rushen High School); Joseph Callister (independent).

Expeditions – at least four days – took place off-island including sea kayaking at the Isle of Skye and walking in the Lake District.

They volunteered in areas including as a hockey coach, primary school assistant and the Manx Museum library.

Skills gained included driving, lifesaving and speaking Manx while for the physical section activities included a range of sports. Youngsters also completed a five-day residential stay.

Two men have been arrested and are in custody at police headquarters after a female pedestrian was killed on the Tholt-e-Will road yesterday (Saturday) evening.

No further details about the victim, who died at the scene, or the men under arrest have been released.

The incident happened at 4.50pm and involved a dark blue Ford Focus hatchback. The road remained closed overnight.

Police would like to speak to anyone who may have seen the vehicle being driven on the Mountain before the incident.

Detective Inspector Mark Newey, leading the investigation, said: ‘As part of an ongoing investigation into this matter, police would appeal to any witnesses who were on the Mountain Road in the vicinity of the Mountain Mile and the Bungalow who may have seen this blue Ford Focus and the manner in which it was being driven prior to 4.50pm.

‘Anyone who believes they have seen the vehicle and witnessed how it was being driven can contact their local station or the headquarters switchboard on 631212.

‘I can confirm that two men are currently detained under arrest at police headquarters and that no one else is currently being sought in relation to this collision.’

The third annual Great Glen Maye Duck Festival is on Saturday, May 10, at 1pm, in the National Glen in Glen Maye.

Organisers say there will be ‘duck-related’ events near the lower picnic site. Open races take place at 2.15pm and 3.25pm.

The race entrance fee is £2, which covers both races or £1 if you bring your own duck.

Among the prizes are a return ticket for a car and two adults on the Steam Packet. Plastic racing ducks can be bought at Elaine’s Flowers in Peel, or on the day itself.

There is also going to be a corporate race at 2.45pm where companies can sponsor a duck for £10 for the chance to win a trophy and £100.

All proceeds are for Glen Maye Chapel and Community Centre. Last year money raised helped to repair the roof.

For further details call Pat Costain 842873 or Paul Craker on 845681.

BCS Vinyl Hospital Cup

Douglas and District 1-3 St John’s

St Mary’s 2-1 Rushen

Ramsey 0-1 DHSOB

Gymns 0-1 Ayre

Marown 0-8 St George’s

Union Mills 1-1 Laxey AET Union Mills win on penalties

Corinthians 0-7 Peel

Rycob 2-2 Colby AET Youthie win 4-2 on penalties

JCK Division Two

Onchan 1-2 Douglas Royal

Paddy Power Masters Football

Ronaldsway L-L Ayre

Warehouse Fitness Women’s League

Colby L-L Gymns

Dhsob 1-7 Castletown

Three members of a Union Mills family have raised nearly £3,500 so far for a wildlife charity after finishing the London Marathon.

Renee Berber and her children Ross and Kelly completed the 26.2-mile distance last Saturday to raise money for Save the Rhino International, with 23-year-old Ross running under the weight of a 10 kilogram rhino costume.

The idea to run as a family was the brainchild of 49-year-old Renee, who was born in Zimbabwe and moved to the Isle of Man in 1989 ahead of the birth of her children. After a spell in London the family returned to the Isle of Man in 2010.

Mrs Berber said: ‘My family owns a game reserve in Botswana, and my son was a gamekeeper at a reserve in South Africa for two years, so we have a serious interest in conservation.

‘I also turn 50 this year and I wanted to take on a big challenge, so we decided as a family to do the London Marathon together.’

Ross was one of 15 runners who took on the marathon in one of the rhino suits which were supplied by Save the Rhino International and have become one of the most famous costumes to appear in the annual event.

Made up of a solid plastic torso and separate head, the heavy ensemble is suspended on a runner using a built-in harness.

Mrs Berber ran alongside her son during his epic challenge: ‘The rhino costume weighed over 10 kilos and there was only a small gap between the head and the body for him to see out of, but he did so well. He couldn’t walk for a few days after the marathon as he had such big blisters on his feet, but he’s recovered now and is planning on taking part in the Race the Sun event for the Children’s Centre.’

Despite the hardship, Renee said that the experience was ‘amazing’: ‘It was the most beautiful spring day, the atmosphere was incredible and the crowds were fantastic. We’ve already started planning our next family challenge - we’re going to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.’

To donate, visit their JustGiving page at http://tinyurl.com/kn2n5ur

The annual Picnic in the Park and Sports Day, organised by Castletown Festival committee, returns to Poulsom Park on Sunday, May 18.

The event begins at 1pm and this is a community afternoon with lots of attractions such as ‘Tootie the Tank Engine’ for children to ride on, plus a sports programme with 40 events.

There are refreshments including fish and chips, car boot stalls, classic cars and more.

Musical entertainment will be provided by the Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band.

The selection of this year’s Castletown Festival Queen takes place.

The winner receives a Steam Packet travel voucher for a return trip for a car and two people plus £50, a sash and a trophy (all prizes will be presented to the winner on festival day).

Entrants must permanently live in Castletown or Derbyhaven and be aged between 13 to 18.

Turn up at the stage in the park from 2pm.

The winner will be crowned in Castletown Square on festival day, Saturday, August 2 (and must be available all festival day and for all rehearsals).