Old Firm duo Rushen and Peel go head-to-head at the Bowl this evening in the final of the Ascot Hotel Junior Cup.
The westerners go into the tie as slight favourites having won the Canada Life Combination One title already this season, but cannot afford to underestimate the Spaniards who saw off fancied DHSOB in the semis and are the competition’s most successful side having lifted the trophy 15 times.
Kick-off is 7pm.
Island manager Steve Burns has said victory on Saturday was the least his squad deserved after all the hard work they have put in over the last few months.
‘I’m absolutely delighted for the players because they’ve worked so hard and put so much effort in.
‘I’m also delighted for the coaching team because they have also put a lot of work in as well.
‘This is the culmination of all of that and to get this little bit of success is absolutely superb.’
‘I’m so proud of every single person who has been involved including all the lads who are part of the squad but haven’t been involved today.’
Reflecting on the two late Hertfordshire goals that made for a tense finish to proceedings at the Bowl, Burns said: ‘We made it a little bit difficult for ourselves again, but at the end of the day it’s very hard to quibble when they played so well.’
Victorious skipper Sean Quaye added: ‘We left ourselves a bit open and in hindsight we should have maybe took the 3-0 and played a bit of football.
‘We went a bit gung-ho and tried to get a few more goals and that left us suspetible on the break.’
‘Then we were hanging on and it was heart in your mouth stuff, but we were the deserving winners.
‘With the pace of Ciaran McNulty, Frank Jones, Chris Bass and Lee Gale in attack we were always dangerous and there’s not many teams at this level that can cope with that.’
l More reaction in Thursday’s Manx Independent.
John Kennish etched his name further into the annals of Isle of Man crown green bowling history with an unprecedented eighth Canada Life International Manx Championship title.
He ended the drought for his eighth title eight years on from his last with a 21-12 victory on his home green at South Ramsey over five-time champion Colin Kelly.
This win signifies another momentous milestone for Kennish as it flags his 100th men’s singles open title - the first local to notch up an historic century.
The final was a cagey affair in the opening exchanges with Marown man Kelly edging into a 6-5 lead.
Kennish then took control, but Kelly dug in to find himself trailing by a solitary chalk at 9-10. This is when Kennish went into an overdrive and, with seven unanswered points, saw himself cruise into an unassailable 17-9 lead.
Kelly, himself a great champion, dug deep but didn’t have enough to mach the imperious Kennish on this occasion and the Ramsey man saw out a brilliant 21-12 win over his arch adversary.
The sight of arguably the island’s top two bowlers for the past decade in the final was like seeing the normal order of things restored after Kennish had failed to make it to the main event since his victory over Paul Dunn at port Erin in 2006. There is no doubt that this must have played on his mind and he will definitely feel like he has exorcised some demons with this win, and who knows maybe 10 titles is not beyond the realms of possibility for the greatest of all Manx Champions.
Kennish had to be on his best all day and started off with an extremely high quality opener as he saw off the challenge of Bob Clark (Castletown) 21-16 to book his place in the quarter-finals. He was simply on fire in his next game against David Bradford (Onchan) and was too hot to handle as he picked up a magnificent 21-7 victory to set up a semi-final showdown with Paul Skelly (Port St Mary).
Despite giving it his all, this was never going to be Skelly’s day and Kennish secured his final berth with a hard-fought 21-13 win.
Kelly was equally as devastating on his run to the final and a 21-4 win over fellow Marown bowler Ian Kissack in his first game on finals day set him on his way in fine style. He backed this up with a solid 21-12 win over former champion Phil Kerruish (Onchan) in the quarter-finals before seeing off the challenge of Dave ‘Barney’ Kelly (Douglas) at the semi-final stage.
But the weekend belonged to John Kennish who, despite always looking like an unstoppable force on his home green, had to live up to the billing and put in the hard work to pick up a well-deserved title.
He is without doubt the greatest local player of his generation to step onto a bowling green. If he continues in this fine vein of form, who knows what is possible both on and off-island.
Graham Ashworth has returned to the Isle of Man to take up his position following a long and distinguished career with Friends Life Group, in both the UK and in the island.
He is a highly experienced business and IT change programme director with a detailed knowledge of IT and the life and pensions industry.
In his new role with Zurich International Life, Graham will be responsible for providing direction and leadership to the business change function which operates in the Isle of Man, the Middle East and Asia, and offering guidance and support to existing projects.
He said: ‘I am very pleased to be joining Zurich at such a busy time in the company’s development, with its considerable operations in the Middle and Far East offering a significant challenge.
‘Zurich’s Business Change team is involved in a large number of exciting and pioneering projects which will allow me to draw on my previous experience.
‘I have a fantastic team to work with and am looking forward to getting started.’
Clive Baker, chief executive officer of Zurich International Life, said: ‘Having an individual of Graham’s calibre joining our team is fantastic, and he will bring a considerable amount of knowledge to what is already a very experienced team.
‘His network of UK and international contacts will be beneficial to Zurich and our operations in the Middle East and Far East.
‘I am looking forward to working with him in the delivery of our large project portfolio.’
Zurich International Life Limited is a company incorporated in the Isle of Man and operates through regional branch offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Taiwan and Argentina.
It was established in the Isle of Man in 1982, and employs 220 staff from its office on Athol Street, Douglas.
Anyone who wants to air their views on proposed new landlord and tenant legislation has until the end of this month to do to.
The Landlord and Tenant (Private Housing) Bill is currently being considered by the Select Committee of the House of Keys.
Any interested parties, including members of the public, landlords, tenants or organisations with an interest in the bill can give written evidence to the Select Committee up to May 30.
Contributions should be sent to the Secretary of the House of Keys, Legislative Buildings, Douglas, IM1 3PW. Telephone 685500.
An island resident and businessman has warned people against being seduced by recent roaming charge reductions.
Manx Telecom recently reduced its standard UK data roaming charges to 50 pence per megabyte and this can be reduced further, using a roaming package.
Sure has also announced new packages to reduce roaming charges and is also offering a spending limit for data services.
But John Kermode, a psychologist and family mediator said the charges could still catch out the unwary and in many cases it still paid - literally - to shop around.
Mr Kermode, who sometimes works in the UK, said he calculated what it would have cost using the Manx Telecom offer during a recent six-day trip to the UK.
‘I wasn’t able to access WiFi during the trip and used the tablet more than usual. I downloaded a couple of newspapers each day, quite a lot of emails with attachments but I didn’t use it to download any video or music.
‘On my tablet I used 720 mgeabytes in six days.
‘If I had taken up the Manx Telecom offer the cost of that would have been £182.99, which is a pretty impressive saving: if I had just continued to use my Manx Telecom tablet SIM, it would have been a whopping £360.’
However, Mr Kermode said he was able to effect an even greater saving by virtue of some judicious shopping around.
‘Rather than using my Manx Telecom data SIM, I got a free SIM using a Which recommended provider on the O2 network. I bought one gig of data for £7.50, without a contract or any up front or recurring charges.
‘Suddenly the £182.99 offer didn’t look quite so good after all.’
But Manx Telecom’s mobile product manager, Mervyn Harvey, said the best strategy for a customer who could not access Wi Fi services was to use a roaming package to reduce costs and to switch off background data to reduce the amount of data consumed.
‘We also appreciate customers have a choice to purchase services from a local operator when roaming,’ he said.
‘On May 1 we reduced our standard roaming data rate in the UK from £1.50 per MB to just 50p per MB which provides customers with significantly more value. 50p per MB is one third of the price charged for the same service by the alternative local mobile operator. It is also very similar to the rate charged by UK operators when their customers travel to the Isle of Man and other destinations and could be reduced further still to 25p per MB with the addition of a bolt-on,’ he said.
He added MT mobile customers received calls free when in the UK, Ireland or Channel Islands.
Communications Commission chairman Juan Watterson said as the island is not part of the EU, Manx Telecom cannot benefit from the legislation that requires UK operators to offer more competitive rates.
‘We believe the recent developments by MT and Sure do represent a good first step and we expect this progress to continue,’ he said.
‘In the meantime there are still alternative measures consumers can take to help control and reduce roaming rates. The Commission recently published a press release encouraging consumers to take these measures, such as turning off data and using Wi-Fi to reduce roaming charges.’
Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Victoria Pendleton was a very special guest at the NSC on Tuesday evening.
The former track star was in the Isle of Man to produce a film for the BBC’s The One Show, which is set to be screened live from the Villa Marina in Douglas tomorrow night.
Describing the facilities as ‘inspiring’, the 33-year-old presenter played her part in proceedings by manning the start flag and congratulating all the racers on their efforts.
The One Show is being filmed in the island to coincide with the visit of the Commonwealth Games Baton, which arrives in the island tomorrow morning – see schedule here.
The programme will be presented by Chris Evans and Alex Jones and will look at the island’s preparations for the Games, to be held in Glasgow in July, focussing on our passion for sport, and cycling in particular.
Comedian and Isle of Man TT fan Ross Noble will be a guest on the show, which will also feature a piece on the how Pilates was developed in the Isle of Man by a prisoner of war during World War One.
Harris Promenade in Douglas will be closed from 6pm to 8pm while filming takes place.
A man was arrested last night in connection with an armed robbery with took place at RHS Jewellers, Prospect Hill, Douglas, at around 4pm on Friday.
Police say he has been detained at police headquarters and enquiries continue.
Detective Sergeant Brian Shimmin said: ‘Many thanks to the public who have assisted us with this matter so far, but the appeal for witnesses and information remains relevant.
‘I still would really appreciate contact from anyone who can help.’
The storeholder at RHS Jewellers was left badly shaken after he was threatened with a claw hammer by a man wearing a motorcycle helmet.
The raider used the weapon to smash a display cabinet and grab items of jewellery with a retail value of about £25,000.
He then fled on a Gas Gas motorbike stolen before the robbery from Road and Track Motorcycles on Tynwald Street.
The bike was later recovered at the end of a service lane running behind Belmont Terrace.
On the other side of the railings in a rough thicket leading down to the track known locally as the Cinder Path, officers recovered the helmet and the hammer which had both been burned.
Anyone with information about the robbery can contact DS Richards at police headquarters on 631212 or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
This week, IoM Friends of the Earth’s secretary Cat Turner looks forward to IoMFoE’s forthcoming annual general meeting
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The Isle of Man Friends of the Earth (IoMFoE) will be holding its annual general meeting tomorrow (Wednesday).
This will provide an opportunity for members to vote on various issues, and to hear about what IoMFoE has been up to in the past year.
And there’s a lot to catch up with – in the past 12 months, the organisation has run a number of successful events, bringing speakers to the island, including the UK’s Craig Bennett, Ireland’s Philip Allen and the Isle of Wight’s David Green.
We’ve also held many special interest days at the Green Centre, on subjects as diverse as composting, electric cycles, genetic modification of foods and recycling.
In addition, members have campaigned on issues from energy to transport, bees to biodiversity, and increased its outreach into schools, cub and scout meetings, and many other forums.
It’s been a lot of fun, and netted some terrific new members into the bargain – that’s the best news of all.
On top of this, there’s been a whole lot of lower-profile, but equally important behind-the-scenes activity.
Among other things, we’ve contributed to the island’s Biodiversity Strategy, its draft Sustainability and Climate Change Bill, and DEFA’s Biosphere Vannin plans – to name but a few.
And, of course, there’s EcoVannin, the joint initiative which was inspired by David Green and which involves IoMFoE, the Manx Energy Advice Centre, Zero Waste Mann and, from government, the Department of Economic Development, Department of the Environment, Food and Agriculture and the Manx Utilities Authority has absorbed much time and effort.
It is now, we hope, edging towards launch!
We’re currently seeking sponsors from the business community to help us get this off the ground, so expect to hear more from us on this soon.
We’ll also be saying a big ‘thank you’ to our terrific co-ordinator, Phil Corlett, who is, sadly for us, stepping down after carrying out the role for seven years – a long time doing a lot of work on an entirely voluntary basis.
A keen diver and passionate advocate for the island’s natural environment, Phil has worked tirelessly in what sometimes can seem a rather thankless role. In doing so, he has led IoMFoE to achieve many successes, great and small. He’s been an inspiration to many of us, especially me, and we hope he’ll stay involved for many years to come. We’re glad to know you, Phil!
The meeting is at 7.30pm, at the Green Centre – just opposite the entrance to the Iceland supermarket, and all (members or otherwise) are welcome to attend, though of course only members get to vote.
Latest transactions recorded at the General Registry are as follows:
Anthony Edward Page, of Lilleo, 54 Selbourne Drive, Douglas, bought 2 Larch Hill Grove, Onchan, for £315,000.
It was bought from Lee John Bernard Murphy and Michelle Eileen Murphy.
Other recent transactions at the General Registry in Douglas are as follows:
Heather Stephenson, of Lancashire, sold a plot of land, part of Faaie-ny-Cabbal, Kirk Michael, for £237,500, to Robert Christiaan Bakker and Christel Suzanne Borr, of 42, Faaie-ny-Cabbal, Kirk Michael.
Joan Mann sold Appin Lodge, Baldrine, for £215,000 to Ipanema Limited, whose registered office is situated at 99 Spectrum Apartments, Douglas.
Patrick Oliver McNeilly and Ann Marie Theresa McNeilly, sold 21 Hillberry Heights, Governors Hill, Douglas, for £186,000, to Base Limited, whose registered office is situated at 1 Ballanard Woods, Ballanard Road, Douglas.
Christopher Anthony Kent, of 16 Douglas Head Apartments, Head Road, Douglas, sold 69 Circular Road, Douglas, for £130,000, to Somerset Properties Limited, whose registered office is at Ballastowel Farm, Braddan.
Andrew John Millichip, of The Native Oak Group, Summerhill Road, Jurby, sold a plot of land, part of Quarterland of Lewaigue, for £100,000, to Adrian Kenneth Dashfield and Susan Maureen Dashfield of Sycamore Cottage, off Jacks Lane, Maughold.
Juan Leslie James Norton, of Rhynefield, West Baldwin, sold Shenthaloo or Shenthaloos, for 25p, to James Darbyshire and Voirrey Ann Darbyshire, of Tillyloss, West Baldwin.
Greyfriars Investments Limited, whose registered office is at Abbeyhill, Lezayre, sold 8 Auckland Terrace, Parliament Street, Ramsey, for 25p, to the Ramsey Steamship Company Limited by liquidator and Andrew Paul Shimmin, of Shimmin Wilson & Co, 13-15 Hope Street, Douglas, as liquidator.
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We publish details of all house sales unless we receive a written request from the police or probation services.
A short time ago there was an intense national debate in this column on whether Manx people went to and from the Isle of Man on boats or ferries, the consensus being that if you say boats you are Manx in heart and soul, if not by birth.
During this it emerged that Major General Sir Laurence and Lady New, who occupied Government House from 1985 to 1990, having since the end of his term in office chosen to remain resident in the Isle of Man, in the more remote outreaches of Lonan, prefer to travel on and off by boat.
This seemed to me to be an advanced case of encroaching Manxness. But when does Manxness descend fully by encroachment? I don’t think it does.
This means it is time for there to be a system whereby non-Manx people can apply for official Manx citizenship.
But there has to be a rigorous examination of candidates to establish their qualifications and I would propose a list of questions for them, as follows:
Do you read Terry Cringle’s column in the Examiner religiously?
Do you admire his work and see Mr Cringle as a media celebrity?
Should Mr Cringle be made a Freeman of the Borough of Douglas?
Should Mr Cringle be given a substantial pay rise by the Examiner, backdated 50 years?
When you encounter Mr Cringle in the normal course of events, is it your first instinct to buy him a drink or two?
Do you believe that Mr Cringle is an excellent driver for a man of his age?
Is it now time for Mr Cringle to be honoured by Treasury Minister Eddie Teare in presenting him with freedom for life from the payment of income tax?
If you answer ‘ No’ to all these questions you qualify to be seen as truly Manx. It means you believe in the legend of the Manx Crab.
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On Manx Radio newsreader Ed Oldham warned his listeners: ‘Later we hear more about the issue of sewage which was brought up in the House of Keys.’
On the floor of the House presumably.
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This week’s Manx celebrities are:
New Kids on the Sloc; Slieu Voddy Voddy; The Boomtown Longtails; the Laxey Glen Miller Orchestra. There is also a rare one of my own – Nigel Faragher, leader of UKIP.
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E-mail in response to last week’s column on cannabis cafes in the Isle of Man: ‘Are you trying to say that you have had experience of Amsterdam and its drugs cafes and such, or just the more cultural side of the city and the tulips?’
I went to the Casa Rosso. You should have seen what the performers did with tulips.
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Richard Hetherington is back with Manx crossword clues. Daily Telegraph cryptic last week: ‘Manx call for reversal of objective that hurt (5) – Miaow.’ I didn’t get it, Richard.
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Church notice: ‘Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their schooldays.’
Manx Harriers’ Joe Reid has been selected to run for Great Britain and Northern Ireland juniors at the annual Loughborough International Athletics Match this Sunday.
The 18-year-old, who is the island’s 400m record holder, has been picked in the 4x400m relay team and is likely to guest in the individual event over the same distance.
l Lloyd Taggart won the Carraghan Fell Race in perfect conditions on Tuesday. Full report next week.
The appeals process for residents against the new sewerage charge will be discussed at the Manx Utilities Authority’s board meeting on Friday next week.
MUA chairman Alfred Cannan was responding to a question by Douglas West MHK Chris Thomas who asked what criteria have been used to determine appeals.
Mr Cannan said: ‘As far as the sewerage charge is concerned, the matter of appeals will be considered at the next board meeting on Friday, May 23, and full clarification on this issue will be provided immediately after this meeting.’
Commonly known as the toilet tax, the charge has caused controversy with even Chief Minister Allan Bell describing it as ‘unfair’.
The issue was highlighted by the Manx Independent earlier this month when it was revealed that properties opposite each other at Westlands housing complex had been charged different amounts, the full £50 charge and £1.
A new guide aims to help people avoid financial pitfalls which could see them losing their hard-earned cash.
It is stressed that folk should not be afraid of asking questions and should be fully informed before committing to investing their money.
The new initiative has been launched jointly by the Financial Supervision Commission and the Office of Fair Trading and also includes an advertising campaign.
John Aspden, chief executive officer of the FSC, said the drive was aimed at putting across some ‘very basic but very important principles which we feel should apply to investing.
‘It is very clear that nowadays the public generally is being expected to save more of their money. But a lot of people understandably don’t have the necessary knowledge or expertise of how to save their money and what to do with it.
‘We feel that it is important that they should be given some general principles about investing.’
He hoped the guide would give some pointers about putting money aside for investment.
And people should not be afraid to ask questions before deciding to commit to an investment deal.
He said low interest rates were prompting people to look to other areas away from the banks in search of a higher yield. ‘The problem with that is there is no free lunch in life and therefore very often when you get that higher yield you get higher risk.’
l More on this in next week’s Examiner Business News
Anyone with an interest in cancer services will have a chance to meet the island’s consultant breast and general surgeon Millie Bello on Monday, May 19.
The session organised by the Manx Cancer Services User Forum is at Douglas Golf Club in Pulrose at 7.30pm.
Miss Bello has previously talked about reconstructive breast surgery and this time will talk about the treatment ‘pathway’ taken by patients in the island diagnosed with breast cancer, and the different types of treatment that are available. She will also talk about future treatments and breast screening.
Julie Stokes of the Users’ Forum said: ‘In two years she has made fantastic improvements in the breast care service in the island. Patients diagnosed her now can have sentinel node biopsy and reconstructive surgery. We have just under 100 cases of breast cancer each yaer and patients can now have all their treatkent here with the exception of radiotherapy.’
Miss Bello came to the island in February 2012 having previously worked for the Nottingham breast centre - a centre of excellence - and in Leeds too.
The Manx Cancer Support Group have recently unveilted plans for a symptomati breast clinic and screening unit to be built together under one roof at NOble’s. This will cost £1.5 million.
The forum meeting are free of charge and parking is plentiful. For further information call Mrs Stokes on 484950
Isle of Man Steam Packet Company vessel Ben-my-Chree is on schedule to return to service on Wednesday (May 21) following a £1.6 million overhaul and refurbishment.
The 12,500 tonne ship, which has served the Island for 16 years, went into dry dock at the end of April for her regular biennial ‘service’. The work at Cammell Laird shipyard included a technical overhaul as well as refurbishment of the passenger and crew areas.
Southampton-based marine interior refurbishment specialists Trimline have refitted and revitalised a number of areas on board.
Work to the public areas includes a new layout in the Café bar, including extra banquette seating, tables, tub chairs and walkway layout, new carpets and Amtico planks. In the main lounge, new carpets and flooring have been installed, seats have been re-upholstered, artwork and signage updated, table tops replaced and new LED lighting has been installed.
Trimline has also reconfigured bulk head lights and installed new deck heads, as well as refurbishing crew areas.
All work is on schedule, allowing Ben-my-Chree to return to service in plenty of time before the TT. While the vessel was in dry dock, freight duties were carried out by MV Arrow, which the Steam Packet Company has secured on a long-term charter, while Manannan has looked after passenger services.
Chief executive Mark Woodward said: ‘Ben-my-Chree undergoes a technical overhaul every two years and this year we have taken the opportunity to also enhance facilities for both passengers and crew.
‘We have responded to feedback in this refurbishment, to make the public areas of the vessel even more comfortable as well as cleaner and brighter. It has been a significant investment for the company, but one which I hope will further improve the on-board experience.’
Thursday, May 15
• Tea dance, South Douglas Old Friends’ Association, Finch Road, Douglas, 2pm.
• Dance classes for children, Centenary Centre, Peel, 4pm. Call 450688.
• Modern Line Dance classes for all levels at the Legion hall, Onchan. Also Monday and Wednesday. Call 670308.
• Fitsteps (fitness that’s strictly fun) at Onchan Community hall, 7.30pm. Booking is required via text or Facebook. Fitsteps Isle of Man or call 456056.
• Strictly Come Dancing for beginners, Royal British Legion hall, Port Erin, 8pm. £3.50 per person.
• Irish set dancing above Macbeth’s, Victoria Street, Douglas, 8pm. Call 457268.
Friday, May 16
• 5pm-5.45pm under 6 years ballroom; 5.45pm-6.30pm 6-9 years ballroom; 6.30pm-7.15pm 9-12 years ballroom; 7.15pm-8pm 12+ years ballroom, St Matthew’s Church hall, Douglas. Also Tuesday, 4pm-4.45pm under 8 years ballroom; 4.45pm-5.30pm Dynamites freestyle; 5.30pm-6.15pm 8-12 years ballroom; 6.15pm-7pm Energisers freestyle; 7pm-7.45pm 12+ years ballroom; 7.45pm-8.30pm Explosions freestyle. Call 474063.
• Modern Dance, The Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 5.45pm. Also Thursday at 4.30pm. Tap Jnr, 6.45pm. Also Tap Adv at 7.30pm. Also Beginners Tap, Tuesday at 4.30pm.
• Argentinian Tango beginners class, St Paul’s hall, Ramsey, 7pm. Call 880650.
• Line Dancing, Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, 7pm. Beginners welcome, adults £3.50, children £1.50. Call 878687.
Saturday, May 17
• Dance Time for children, Port Erin Methodist hall, from 9.30am. £2.50 per half hour. Call 835696.
• Ballroom dancing for children of all ages, Royal British Legion hall, Port Erin, 10am.
• Irish dance mixed, 3pm. Also Prim/Int on Monday at 4.30pm and Tuesday at 6.15pm. Beginners on Tuesday at 5.15pm. Stage Snr 4pm. Also Stage Int at 5pm, The Dance Factory, Onchan Park.
• Sequence dancing, Onchan Pensioners’ hall (across from library), 8pm. Call 829669.
• Social sequence dancing, Pulrose Methodist Church hall, Douglas, 8pm. Also Monday, Wednesday and Sunday. Call 842878.
Sunday, May 18
• Perree Bane Manx folk dancing, Ballasalla village hall, 7pm.
Monday, May 19
• Ballet, Viking Works, Riverside, Peel, 5.45pm. Also Thursday at 4.30pm.
• Country dancing, Willaston hall, 7pm-9pm. Call 628521.
• Ceroc dance night, Masonic Hall, Douglas, 7.30pm-10.30pm.
• Line dancing, Port Erin Methodist Church hall, 8.15pm. Call 436219.
Tuesday, May 20
• Oriental dance exercise, Gena’s Dance Academy, Peel, 10am. Also Wednesdays, The Gym, Ramsey. Call 300020.
• Linedancercise at John’s football clubhouse, 7.30pm-9pm, call 467285.
• Sequence dancing with Port Erin Dancing Club, Port Erin Methodist Church hall, 8pm.
Wednesday, May 21
• Tea Dance at St John’s Methodist hall, live music with Eric and Jimmy, 2pm. Call 842548.
• Ballroom dancing for children, Centenary Centre, Peel, 4pm. Call 450688.
• Ballet, The Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 4.30pm.
• Latin Line Dancing, 7.30pm. Beginners welcome. Royal British Legion hall, Port Erin, call 835098.
• Ballroom dancing, Villa Marina, Douglas, 7.30pm. Call 623414.
• Rhythmic dance, St Ninian’s dance studio, Douglas, 8pm.
Thursday, May 15
• Port Erin WI, Port Erin Methodist Church hall, 9.30am. Call 818194.
• Manx Retirement Association stretch and Flex at the NSC, Douglas, at 10am. Monday, Pilates at Jillian’s Gym, Loch Promenade, Douglas, at 10am. Wednesday, monthly walk at 1.30pm from St John’s car park at 1.30pm. www.manxretirement.org
• Onchan Pensioners Club, Morton hall, Castletown, coffee morning; Friday, sequence dancing, 2pm-4.30pm; Saturday, Arabian dancing, 9am-1pm; Monday, Bridge, 2pm-5pm and 7pm-11pm; Tuesday, coffee morning including raffle, 10am-noon; Wednesday, whist drive, 7pm-10pm.
• Soundcheck, Youth Arts Centre, Douglas, 6.30pm. Also Monday and Tuesday, 6pm-9pm. Monday, Castletown Youth Club, 6pm-9pm and Wednesday Ramsey Youth Club, 6.30pm-9.30pm.
• Ramsey WI, St Paul’s Church lounge, Market Place, Ramsey, 7.30pm.
Friday, May 16
• Castletown and District Over 60s Club coffee morning, 10am, Civic Centre, Castletown.
Sunday, May 18
• Isle of Man Poetry Society, Archibald Knox meeting room, Onchan, 8pm. Call 664796 or 897815.
Monday, May 19
• Mannin Art Group, 10am, at St Paul’s hall, Ramsey.
• Onchan Ladies’ Choir, Methodist hall, 1.30pm. Call 673453.
• Vannin Bridge, Onchan pensioners hall, 2pm. Also Thursday.
• Possan Aeglagh Manx Speaking Youth Club School Year 6 (10 to 11 year olds) upwards at Cafe Laare, Lord Street, Douglas, 6.30pm - 8.30pm, subs £1. Call Cathy Clucas on 414331 or email C.Clucas@doe.sch.im for further details.
• Onchan Rotary Club, The Max Restaurant, Groudle Road, 6.30pm.
• Onchan Silver Band practice, the band room, off Main Road, Onchan, beginners 6.30pm and seniors 7.30pm.
• Foxdale WI, Foxdale Community School, 7.30pm. Call 818194.
• Marown WI, Millennium hall, Crosby, 7.30pm. Call 818194..
• Laxey Minorca WI, Laxey Football Club, 7.45pm. Call 818194.
Tuesday, May 20
• St John’s Art and Craft Group, Methodist hall, 9.40am. Bring your own art and craft. Call 851364.
• Manx Footpaths Conservation Group walk, Fenella Beach car park, 10.25am.
• 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.
• Braddan WI, Methodist Church hall, Union Mills, 2pm. Call 818194.
• Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band rehearsals, Queen Street Mission hall, 7.30pm.
• Rotary Club of Rushen and Western Mann meet, Falcon’s Nest Hotel, Port Erin, 7.30pm.
• Kirk Andreas WI, Andreas Church hall, 7.30pm. Call 818194.
• St John’s WI, St John’s Church hall, 7.30pm. Call 818194.
• Mannin Quilters, Ballabeg Methodist hall, 7.30pm-9pm. Call 628921. Also Wednesday at St Columba’s Catholic Church, Port Erin, 1.30pm-4pm.
• Ballacottier Senior Youth Project for school years 10+, Ballacottier School youth room, 7.30pm-9.30pm.
Wednesday, May 21
• Laxey Sketch Club, 1.30pm-3.30pm, Laxey Football Clubhouse, winter indoors, summer outdoors.
• Sulby Art Club, 2pm-4pm at St Stephen’s Church hall. New members welcome. Call 488014.
• The Friendship Club for the over 60s, Onchan Baptist Church. Call 674255.
• Ballaugh WI, Ballaugh Bowling Club, 7.30pm. Call 803804.
• Castletown WI, Methodist hall, Arbory Street, Castletown, 7.30pm. Call 818194.
• Isle of Man Chess Club, Belsfield Hotel, Church Road Marina, Douglas, 7.30pm. Call Alan Robertson 495097. New members welcome.
• Port St Mary WI, Mount Tabor School Room, Port St Mary, 7.45pm. Call 818194.
Thursday, May 15
• Drop In for a bargain at Willaston Methodist Church from 10am-noon. Free refreshments available.
• Age Concern - free computer training sessions, Douglas iMuseum, Kingswood Grove, 10am–12.30pm.
• Lonan and Laxey branch of IoM Anti-Cancer Association, Flower Arranging with Barbara Gotrel from 2.30pm at Baldrine Hall. Call 861724.
• Isle of Man Farmers’ Market, at Tynwald Mills, St John’s, 11am-3pm.
• Manx Gaelic class with Cathy Clucas, Arbory Commissioners’ hall, 7.30pm. Call 838527.
• Manx Gaelic class, intermediate-advanced with James Harrison, 7.30pm at Arbory Commissioners’ hall. Friday, intermediate-advanced with Adrian Cain, noon at the Manx Museum, Douglas. Saturday, intermediate 10.30am at House of Manannan in Peel; intermediate-advanced with James Harrison 10.30am at the Manx Museum, Douglas. Tuesday, intermediate with Adrian Cain, noon at St Matthew’s Church in Douglas, advanced 1pm at the Rovers pub in Douglas; beginners 7.30pm at Patchwork Cafe in Port St Mary. Call 451098.
• Bingo Quiz, Manor Hotel, Willaston, 9pm.
• Quiz Night at The Railway, Douglas, 8.30pm. Call 670773.
Friday, May 16
• The Manx Aviation and Military Museum, 10am-4.30pm. Also Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4.30pm. Free admission. Donations welcome.
• Drop-in for coffee and a chat, Sulby Methodist Church, 10.30am-noon.
• Coffee and chat, Onchan Methodist Church lounge, opposite commissioners’ office, 10.30am-noon.
• A Weekend of Flowers inside Milntown, 11am-3.30pm. £5 per adult, £2 per child.
• Relax Fridays noon-2pm, Trinity Church hall. Bring your sandwiches and enjoy free tea, coffee and company. Call 628374. Also Revive Fridays 5.30pm-6.30pm. Enjoy the company and a faith tea. Call 621004.
• Friday Lunchtime Choir, Salvation Army Citadel, Lord Street, Douglas, 1.15pm. All welcome.
• Meditation at The Refinery, Duke Street, Douglas, 7pm. Call 467818.
Saturday, May 17
• Giant Charity Car Boot Sale and Barbecue at The Fun Farm, Whitebridge Road, Onchan 10am - 4pm.
• Faces of Love, a Brahma Kumaris event, 10am-12.30pm, Grand View, Ramsey Road, Knocksharry, Peel. Call 626940. Also, Healing the Subconscious Mind, 7pm to 8.30pm, The Lecture Theatre, Keyll Darree Education and Training Centre, Noble’s Hospital, Douglas.
• Theatre Tours, Gaiety Theatre, Douglas, 10am. Tickets for adults £7.50, children £4, family £20. Call 600555.
• Laxey Woollen Mills, Glen Road, 10am-5pm. Also open weekdays.
• Green Centre, opposite Iceland, Chester Street complex, Douglas. Information about recycling, energy, insulation and environmental matters. Zero Waste Mann, Isle of Man Friends of the Earth and Manx Energy Advice Centre. Open from 10am.
• Isle of Man Farmers’ Market at Northern Lights Community Centre, Ramsey, 10am-1pm.
• IoM Torch Fellowship Group (meeting for the visually impaired). Call 622830 for venue details.
• Coffee and chat, St Mary’s on the Harbour, Castletown, 11am.
• Sulby and Lezayre Heritage Trust will be doing the Laxey trail, meet at Ham and Egg Terrace at 11am and [ weather permitting ] explore Laxey then travel on the electric railway to the summit of Snaefell to have lunch.
• Car boot sale at Onchan Methodist Church, 2pm, cars £8, tables in hall £5. Call Chris 625934 or Joy 675032 for more details.
• Milntown House Tours every Saturday and Wednesday at 2.30pm. Call 812321.
• Messy Church meeting at Kirk Michael School from 5pm-6.30pm.
Sunday, May 18
• Open Garden at Kentraugh House, Port St Mary, 11am - 5pm. Admission £5 (child free). Proceeds to National Garden Scheme (NGS) and Riding for the Disabled IoM branch. For further details contact Caroline on 832266.
• Isle of Man Farmers’ Market, at S100 Clubhouse, Castletown, 1.30pm-3.30pm.
• Collectors Fair, 2 - 4pm in Morton Hall, Castletown (opp. rail station). Admission 50p for Anti-Cancer
• Michael Heritage Trust - A talk and walk featuring Parts of Old Kirk Michael. Speaker Nigel Crowe. Meet in the Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, 2pm start. All welcome.
• St Stephen’s Church in Sulby will be offering a Pet Blessing Service, at 3pm. Pet owners and their pets
welcome to attend.
• Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band rehearsals, Queen Street Mission hall, 7pm.
• Meditation and chat at Pure Inspiration, Ramsey, 7.15pm. Call Gary on 817735.
Monday, May 19
• Age Isle of Man - free computer sessions for people aged over 50 at House of Manannan, Peel. Lift available and coffee shop, 10am–12.30pm and 1.30pm–4.30pm.
• Afternoon Tea Dance, 2pm-4pm, Manx Legion Club, Douglas.
• Shorties, pirate adventure. Children’s soft play centre, Alexandra Road, Castletown, also Tuesday.
Tuesday, May 20
• Computers for Beginners, Onchan Library, 10am-noon. Call 621228.
• Manx Cancer Help drop-in day, Lisa Lowe Centre, The Old Schoolhouse, Cronkbourne, 11am-4pm.
• Lunch Club, Salvation Army Citadel, Lord Street, Douglas, 11.30am. Call 627742.
• Meditation for busy people, 6.30pmn-8pm, Brahma Kumaris Centre, 20 Appledene Court, Woodlands View, Douglas, register online at www.brahmakumaris.org/uk/isleofman free, with donations welcome.
• The Travelling People, St Matthews Church, North Quay, Douglas, 7.30pm. Tickets £8, call 676310.
Wednesday, May 21
• Computer Training Sessions for everyone. Leonard Cheshire Disability, Main Road, Onchan, 11am-3pm. Call 679030.
• Call in for coffee at St Peter’s Church, Onchan, 11am and 1pm.
• Bereavement support group, friendly get together for anyone feeling isolated or lonely after a bereavement, however or whenever it occurred, tea, coffee and a chat, Scholl Centre, Hospice Isle of Man, 5pm-7pm. Call 647443.
• Samba percussion workshop, no experience necessary, Onchan Silver Bandroom, off Onchan Commissioners’ car park, 7pm. Cost £3, email sambamann@manx.net
• The Travelling People, The Cathedral, Peel, 7.30pm. Tickets £8, call 490640
• Manx Gaelic class with James O’Meara, St John’s House, 7.30pm. Call 843436.
• Bingo Quiz, Archibald Knox Onchan.
Thursday, May 15
• Gym time active play for pre-school children, Manx Gymnastics Centre, Douglas, 9.30am. Call 625636. Also Friday and Wednesday.
• Happy Tots, main hall, Willaston School, 9.45am, £1 per family including refreshments. Call 621577.
• Storytime for pre-schoolers, Henry Bloom Noble Library, Douglas, 10am. Call 696461.
• Krafty Kids (pre-school age) Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 10am.
• Action Songs and Rhymes, birth-5 years, Ballasalla Primary School. Plus many other sessions across the island. Free, but donations welcome. Call 479452 for further venues and times.
• Arbory Tots, from birth, parish hall, Ballabeg, 2pm. Cost £1 per family. Call 832394.
• Toddler Tunes, Community Room, Michael School, 2pm. Call 878090.
• 2nd Onchan Beavers, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 5pm.
• St John Ambulance Cadets (10+), 6.30pm-8pm, Douglas headquarters. Badgers (5+), 5.30pm-6.30pm, Age Concern in Peel. Adults meetings, Thursday, Monday and Tuesday, Douglas headquarters. Friday, Ramsey, St Olave’s Church hall. For all other times and venues call 674387.
• Santon Beavers, Kewaigue School, 5pm. Also Cubs at 6.30pm. Call 623244.
• 1st Laxey Beavers and Cubs, Laxey School during term times. Beavers meet at 6.30pm–7.30pm and Cubs meet at 6.45pm–8.15pm. 1stlaxeycubs@manx.net
• Good News Club for primary school children, Living Hope Community Church, Bayview Road, Port St Mary, 6pm. Email weirfamily55@hotmail.co.uk
• Army Cadets, Scout hall, Peel, 7pm. Also Tuesday.
• Onchan District Explorers, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 7.30pm.
Friday, May 16
• Baby and Toddler Group, 9.30am-11.30am at Glen Maye Community Centre. Free but donations welcome. Call 845681.
• Tiddlers, parents and tots, Elim Church, Onchan, 10am. Call 434933.
• Parents and tots, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 10am.
• Laxey Mums, Carers and Tots at Laxey Working Men’s Institute 10am - 11.45pm term time. £2.50 per family inc refreshments. Call 466887.
• Parent and toddler group, Ballasalla Primary School, 1.45pm.
• Mums and Tots, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 10am-noon. Call 479839.
• Storybox, Family Library, Westmoreland Road, Douglas, 10.30am-11am. Also Saturday, Sticky Fingers craft, 10.30am-noon; Alternate Wednesday, Busy Bee Time for pre-schoolers, 1.45pm-2.45pm. Tuesday, Sing and Sign with Nickie Gaskell, 11am-noon. Call 673123.
• Parents and Tots, upper room, Sulby Methodist Church, 10.30am. Call 897364.
• Onchan carers and tots, parish hall, Onchan, 1.15pm. Call 625328.
• Tiny Tunes, music time for 0-3s, Family Library, Westmoreland Road, Douglas, 1.30pm, £2.50. Call 673123.
• Sporty church at Trinity Church hall 6pm-7pm for years 3-6. Football, hockey, parachute games etc. 50 pence including refreshments. Call 628374. Also Sunday School Trinity Church hall, crèche to late teens, 10.30am-11.45am. Call 625409.
Saturday, May 17
• Young Bowlers Club. Tuition and tips (open to ages 8 to 12), 11am-noon, Surestrike Bowling Alley, Ramsey. To book call 812444.
• Theatrix Theatre Company Musical Theatre, Douglas, Saturday noon-2.30pm for ages 8-12. Also Saturday, babies Irish/mod, 9am. prep ballet/tap, 10am, babies ballet/tap, 11am. Musical Theatre, ages 5-8. Monday, senior ballet, 4pm; senior tap, 5pm; senior jazz, 5.45pm; adult Irish, 6.30pm; Tuesday, community ballet/tap, 4pm; beginners Irish, 4.45pm; junior Irish, 5.30pm; adult tap, 6.15pm. Wednesday, grade 2 ballet/tap, 4pm; novice Irish, 5.30pm; adult ballet, 6.15pm.
Sunday, May 18
• Ollies - fun for children up to 11, St Olave’s Church hall, Ramsey, 9.45am -10.45am approx.
• Sunday School, Sulby Methodist Church, 10.30am. Call 450104.
• Rock Sunday Club for children at Colby Methodist Chapel, 10.30am - 11.30am.
• Task and DFC children’s club, Abbey Church, Ballasalla, 10.45am.
Monday, May 19
• Kittens tots and carers group, St Ninian’s Church, Douglas, 10.30am. £1 per family. Call 629683.
• Parents and tots, Dhoon Church hall, 9.30am. Call 426395.
• Tots play at Northern Lights Community Centre, Ramsey, 1.30pm-3.30pm. Also tots craft and play on Wednesday, £1.
• Noah’s Ark Tots Group, Church on The Rock, behind Ramsey bus station, 9.30am. Call 223669.
• Breastfeeding Buddies drop-in clinic, Village Walk Health Centre, Onchan, 10.30am. Call 656030.
• Daniel’s Den, Methodist Church, Arbory Street, Castletown, 10am. Admission £1. Call 822374.
• Roll’n’Play for preschoolers, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 10.30am.
• Peel Toddler Group, Corrin Hall, Peel, 1.30pm.
• Michael Miniatures’ parents and tots, Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, 2pm. £1.50 per family. Call 491592.
• Onchan Rainbows, 5.30pm. Also 1st Onchan Brownies, 6.30pm.
• Brownies, Corrin Hall, Peel, 6.30pm.
• Manannan Cubs, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 7pm.
• Do Drop Inn Drama Club, children aged 10+, St Paul’s hall, Ramsey, 7pm.
Tuesday, May 20
• Parents and tots, Auldyn Infants School community room, Ramsey, 9.15am-11.15am.
• Parents and tots group, Cronk-y-Berry School, side entrance, 9.30am. Admission £1. Call 469756. Also Thursday, 1.30pm.
• Toddle Inn, mums and tots group, Port St Mary Living Hope Community Church, 9.30am. Call 835091.
• Tiddlers Group for parents, grandparents or carers, St Olave’s Church hall, Ramsey, 9.45am-11.30am, £1.50.
• Super Saints, All Saints’ Church vestry, Douglas, 10am-11.15am. Call 427185.
• Foxdale mums and tots, community hall, Foxdale School, 2pm. Call 420234.
• Abbey Acorns, ages 4+ at the Abbey Church, Ballasalla, 3.30pm.
• Peel Footlights Youth Theatre, children aged eight-16, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 4pm. Also Thursday. Call 843819.
• 2nd Onchan Beavers, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 5pm.
Wednesday, May 31
• Parents and tots, Salvation Army Citadel, Lord Street, Douglas, 9.30am. Call 627742.
• Mini Club for parents or carers and their babies, toddlers and pre-school children at Anagh Coar School, 9.30am or Braddan Church hall, 2pm. Call 675091.
• Ballabeg Busy Bugs for under fives, Arbory parish hall, Ballabeg, 10am. Call 429676.
• Mums and tots, Marown hall, Peel Road, Crosby, 10.15am. £1.50 per family.
• Twins/Multiple Births Club, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 10am-11.30am. Call 458202.
• Busy Bees parents and tots, Beehive Kindergarten, Onchan, 1.30pm. Also Thursday. Call 674655.
• Ballaquayle Bears Toddler Group, Ballaquayle School hall, 1.45pm-3pm.
• Parent and toddler group, Castletown Youth Centre, Arbory Street, 2pm.
• Mums and tots sessions for babies and pre-schoolers at Foxdale School. Dads, grandads, grandmas and carers welcome too. 2pm-3.15pm. £1.50 per family. Call Emma 801946.
• Onchan Ladies meet in Morton hall, the Pensioners Club, 2.15pm. Call Shirley Baldwin 620352.
• Homework Club for year 7s (11-12 year olds), Youth Centre, Arbory Street, Castletown, 4pm. Call 822490.
• The Energy Youth Group, Colby Methodist Chapel, 7pm-8.30pm. Call Jane 492010.
• Snaefell Cubs, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 7pm.