Students seeking financial support towards higher education must apply to the Department of Education and Children (DEC).

Application forms, together with a guide to student awards and the regulations governing the awards, can be found at www.gov.im/student-grants

Forms and information can also be obtained from the Department at Hamilton House, Peel Road, Douglas, IM1 5EZ.

The deadline for applications is July 31 but that’s traditionally a busy time for the DEC’s student awards team and students who apply early are likely to have their applications processed more quickly.

Students must apply annually for support, even if continuing degrees. Those who are in their second and subsequent years in higher education who are currently receiving support will receive letters reminding them of the need to reapply for the 2014/15 academic year.

Government has committed £11.9 million in 2014-15 to higher education funding. A total of 1,605 students are receiving support to study for qualifications at UK and overseas education institutions, at the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education and by distance learning.

Students who have consulted the web page but still have queries about the assistance they are eligible for or need assistance with their application should ring 01624 685822.

After a horse riding accident left Elizabeth Sanderson flat on her back for over seven weeks in hospital, she thought she might never be able to walk again.

But now she, along with boyfriend Ben Wignall and his cousin Sam Bryan, is three quarters of the way round the island’s 100-mile coastal path, known as the Way of the Gull.

Elizabeth and Ben, who are both 23, and Sam, 24, are being joined for sections of the walk by other friends and family and are being supported by Ben’s grandmother Sarah Goulden who lives in Andreas.

The aim is to raise as much money for a spinal injuries charity – International Spinal Research – as they can.

Another bonus is that it allows Elizabeth to complete a challenge which a year ago she thought might not be possible.

Ben, a catering manager who now lives in Newbury in Berkshire said: ‘She is still going to physiotherapy and hydrotherapy and having acupuncture.’

They arrived in the Isle of Man on Saturday and set out on the walk from the Point of Ayre on the same afternoon, covering the seven miles down to Ramsey. Day two took them from Ramsey to Baldrine, day three took them through Douglas to Castletown and day four finished in Port Erin.

‘We tweaked our original itinerary a bit because it was initially going to be a really long slog on the first day, covering 16 miles down to Maughold Head,’ said Ben.

Yesterday (Wednesday) saw the group walk from Port Erin to Peel with a short stop off at Niarbyl.

‘We thought that may be the worst slog now, and it’s lived up to expectations,’ said Ben.

Today they head from Kirk Michael to Jurby and Friday is the last leg, finishing up again at the Point of Ayre.

When Elizabeth suffered her accident at an organised horse riding event in the south of England, Ben said they had been shocked at the lack of medical assistance available on site.

‘They just told her to get up and walk it off. She ended up being taken away by ambulance on a spinal board,’ he said.

To donate to the charity text wotg98 £1 (or more).

Residents have parked without problem in spaces on the site of 1 Orry Street, Douglas, since it was demolished more than 30 years ago.

That all changed on May 29, when Douglas Council notices were placed on the windowscreens of vehicles parked there and on bollards.

Steven Clennell, of 2 Orry Street, and Geri Pishvaie, of 3 Orry Street, have both been affected, and say the notices went up without warning or explanation.

The notice, signed by assistant housing manager Mark Murphy, states: ‘Please note these parking spaces are private property for use by Douglas Council and not for use by the general public.

‘Please find alternative parking arrangements and refrain from using these spaces.’

Geri said: ‘It’s sad that after 30-plus years the spaces that we rely on so much are being taken away from us. Residents park in those places all the time as on-road parking is so difficult with non-residents taking up our places and also we have families in the street who have cars with not enough spaces for them to park.’

She described parking in Allan Street as ‘sparse’ while parking is at even more of a premium as it has been suspended in Tynwald Street.

Steven, who has used the spaces ‘every day’ since moving in 2001, expects the move will lead to motorists being forced to park in narrow lanes and on double yellow lines.

‘It could stop ambulances and fire appliances,’ he said.

The Isle of Man Examiner asked Douglas Council for a comment. They were unavailable as we went to press.

An inquest into the death of a 59-year-old Douglas man was opened and adjourned at Douglas Courthouse on Tuesday.

Robert Michael Maxwell, of Poplar Terrace, died in Noble’s Hospital intensive care unit in the morning of Sunday, June 1.

He was taken to hospital having been found unconscious at the bottom of a flight of stairs at the Creg-ny-Baa pub on Friday, May 30.

He suffered a cerebral contusion and was described as being ‘deeply unconscious’.

In consultation with specialists in the UK, it was established by the medical staff that emergency surgery was not an option and Mr Maxwell’s prognosis was described as ‘extremely poor’. He died the following morning.

The cause of death was given as severe traumatic brain injury due to, or as a consequence of, a fall.

Coroner of Inquests John Needham released the body to the family and adjourned proceedings to a later date.

Chief Constable Gary Roberts is expected to announce big changes to the island’s police force next week.

The changes, which are partly the result of significant budget cuts, are expected to include a reduction in the number of police officers.

The move comes despite figures showing that recorded crime is starting to rise after years at being at historically low levels.

Mr Roberts has previously said that the force’s budget had been cut from a high of £15.8m five years ago to £13.3m with another million pounds to be lost by 2015-16.

Inquests were opened and adjourned yesterday on the deaths of two people during this year’s TT festival.

Competitor Karl Harris aged 34, from Birmingham, was killed in an accident at the 26th Milestone, also known as Joey’s, during the racing on Tuesday last week.

Mr Harris, aged 34, rode professionally in the British Superstock and Superbike race series and made his TT debut in 2012.

An inquest was also opened into the death of Gary Hubble aged 53 from Sulby. Mr Hubble was fatally injured in a three-vehicle accident on open roads in Lezayre on June 3.

The IT support engineer was riding his Yamaha motorcycle from Ramsey towards Sulby when the accident happened at about 10.20am.

Detective Sergeant Neil Craig said: ‘A number of inquiries have been undertaken since the time of the collision.

‘However, I still wish to appeal to any person who was at or near the location at the time of the collision, and who may have information that could assist us with our inquiries.’

TT fan Dave Wright has won a £15,000 road-legal version of Honda Racing’s TT machine.

Dave, a self-employed joiner and fitter who runs his own business DKW Installations, was presented the bike by Conor Cummins, Ramsey’s homegrown TT star.

The were millions of entries in a competition for Manx Telecom mobile customers, held to celebrate the company’s role as one of Conor’s personal sponsors.

Dave, a father-of-two from Colby has ridden motorbikes for more than 40 years.

He learned to ride when he was six years old.

Dave currently has a Yamaha R6. The Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP is one of only 160 available in Britain. It is the road version of the bike John McGuinness and Conor Cummins raced on in the Superbike and Senior races at the TT.

Dave said: ‘It’s a dream come true. I didn’t believe it when I got the phone call to say I’d won – to be honest I thought it was a wind-up at first! It’s a once in a lifetime thing – I just can’t wait to get out on the road!’

After receiving his prize, Dave met the ‘Ramsey Rocket’ who posed for photos and signed autographs. Conor, who was second in this year’s Senior TT and third in the Superbike race, also gave Dave his expert view on his bike.

Conor said: ‘It’s a fantastic machine, and the closest thing to a TT race bike you can buy. The Fireblade never missed a beat during the TT.

‘Dave is going to have a lot fun riding it, and it’s great that this fantastic prize has gone to someone who is such a genuine TT fan.’

Straight out of the showroom, and without any modifications, Conor reckons he could average 120mph around the TT course on the limited edition road version of the Fireblade, but suggested Dave didn’t attempt this.

Everyone who used Manx Telecom’s mobile network from May 6 to June 5 was entered into the competition.

Isle of Man cyclist Mark Cavendish joined thousands of other riders recently to support injured or disabled service men.

The event in London on Sunday was called Hero Ride and was to support the Help for Heroes charity, which organisers hope will benefit to the tune of at least £1 million.

Cav was joined by his wife Peta for the final 10 miles of the ride which saw participants stop at the Cenotaph to lay wreaths and form a Help for Heroes symbol with the help of their red and yellow tunics.

‘I know about how much training and dedication has to go in to a cycling event like Hero Ride. You have to be so disciplined and all of the cyclists taking part on Sunday have a great cause in Help for Heroes that they are fighting for,’ he said.

The pair are both patrons for the charity for which Mrs Cavendish has also completed a 360-mile ride from Brussels to London. Cyclists from across Britain have joined in covering in excess of 160,000 miles between them. Some riders from as far afield as Brussels arrived in London to take part in the final 10-mile leg. This year’s ride included routes to London from Belgium, Edinburgh, Manchester, Cardiff and the Help fof Heroes recovery centre in Tidworth in Wiltshire.

No fewer than nine Manx cyclists have been named as part of a world class field to contest the British National Road Championships in Monmouthshire, south east Wales at the end of the month.

Omega Pharma Quick-Step’s Mark Cavendish is the star name as he aims to successfully defend the men’s road race title he won in Glasgow last year, but the Manx Missile will face stiff competition from the likes of former Team Sky colleagues Bradley Wiggins, fellow Manxie Peter Kennaugh - who finished fourth last year - Isle of Man resident Ben Swift and Geraint Thomas.

Joining Cav and Pete in the men’s road race - which takes place on Sunday, June 29 over a 186 kilometre route including a 10-lap finishing circuit - will be Team Raleigh’s Mark Christian along with brothers Joe and Jake Kelly riding for KTM road-and-trail.com and ILLI-Bikes Cycling Team respectively.

The elite women’s road race takes in a similar but reduced route of 101km and flying the flag for the island will be reigning British Junior Women’s National Road Race Champion Anna Christian (Epic Cycles-Scott Contessa) and fellow Commonwealth Games rider Laura Wasley (Fusion RT - Womens Cycling Team).

The two leading local women will also contest the women’s time trial over a 21km route on Thursday, June 26 while in the men’s equivalent - over 42km - Ed Perry (Manx Viking Wheelers), Tom Black (Team Manx Telecom) and Mark Christian will lead the local charge.

The British National Road Championships are likely to be Cavendish’s last race before attempting to seize the famous maillot jaune (yellow jersey) in this year’s Tour de France which begins with a sprint stage in his mother’s home town of Harrogate in Yorkshire

The first of the Isle of Man’s crown green bowling festivals gets underway next Monday, June 16 and, after last year’s unprecedented local success, who knows what could happen?

The 2013 event was arguably the most successful festival for home-grown talent with Neil Withers (Marown) winning the main event for the men and Rachel Quirk (Mooragh Park) emulating his success in the women’s event.

There was another coup for the Quirk family as Rachel’s brother Matthew also made it to the final of the main event, before falling at the last hurdle to the in-form Withers, to become the first siblings to contest finals in the same festival.

This truly was an historic time for Manx bowls and it will take a mammoth effort from the home contingent if we want to see history repeat itself.

This task is made even harder by the strength in depth of the visiting ranks who will be trying hard to rain on our parade and take both of the titles back with them to the other island.

A preview of the festival will be available in next week’s Examiner and I hope the thought of what is to come has whet your whistles in anticipation of what should be the highlight of this year’s bowl calendar.

l Alan Moore and Hilary Kermode were not in a charitable mood as they fought their way through the field of 29 pairs to the Tony Brown Mixed Doubles title. They were on their game all competition, crowning a tremendous day with a 21-14 final win over Jordan Cain and Paula Firth.

The ad-hoc pair of Moore and Kermode showed all the experience and tenacity of an established team which was no more evident than in their epic semi-final tussle with Neil Wilthers and Hannah Kermode, Hilary’s daughter, in which they edged home by the narrowest of margins winning 21-20.

Firth and Cain were also on top form at the put out home greeners Peter and Ann Oates at the same stage.

Castletown should be commended on a great competition which raised £266 for Tony Brown’s nominated charity which this year is the Castletown Endowment Committee.

MARK KNEEN

Thursday, June12

• Karaoke, Guys and Dolls, Douglas.

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

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

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

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

Friday, June 13

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

• Karaoke at the Albert, Douglas, 9pm.

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

• Grass Roots, Jaks, Douglas.

• Ian Thompson, The Union, Castletown.

• Brown Sugar, Rosemount, Douglas.

Saturday, June 14

• Borderline, The Mitre, Ramsey.

• Ian Thompson, Manx Arms, Onchan.

• Brown Sugar, Manx Legion, Douglas.

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

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

• Karaoke at the Central Hotel, Ramsey.

Sunday, June 15

• Ray Sloane karaoke, Jaks, Douglas.

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

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

• Karaoke at the British, Douglas.

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

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

Tuesday, June 17

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

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

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

Wednesday, June 18

• Karaoke at the British, Douglas.

• Irish Music session at O’Donnell’s, Douglas, 8.30pm.

Thursday, June 12

• 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 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, June 13

• 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, June 14

• 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, June 15

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

Monday, June 16

• 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, June 17

• 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, June 18

• 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, June 12

• Free female football fitness sessions, NSC sports hall, Douglas, 7am-8am, also noon-1pm. Michael.baker@isleofmanfa.com

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

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

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

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

• Iyengar inspired yoga classes. Men’s yoga, 6.30pm-8pm, mixed ability. Hatha yoga, Monday, 9.15am-10.45am mixed ability for over 60s. Monday, 11am-12.30pm, hatha yoga. Wednesday, 7pm-8.30pm mixed ability. All at Laxey Football Club. Call Jane on 863130 or email janepycroft@manx.net

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

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

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

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

• Men on Mats - core strength/Pilates class, 6pm-7pm. £8. Jillian’s Unique Fitness Solutions, 48 Loch Promenade, Douglas. Call 376574.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friday, June 13

• Pilates at The Pilates Studio, Viking Longhouse, Middle Wharf, Peel, at 9.30am and The Studio, Falcon Road, Douglas, at 1pm; Monday, The Pilates Studio, Viking Longhouse, Middle Wharf, Peel, at 9.30am and Colby Methodist hall at 6pm; Wednesday, The Pilates Studio, Viking Longhouse, Middle Wharf, Peel, at 5.15pm and 6.30pm. Thursday, The Pilates Studio, Viking Longhouse, Middle Wharf, Peel, at 10am (chair-based Pilates for older, frailer adults) and beginners’ Pilates, 6.15pm. Equipment provided. Ring Lizzy Main on 427401 or visit www.pilates-isle-of-man.co.uk

• Zumba classes advanced, 10.30am. Also Tuesday Zumba intermediate, 8.30am, and Zumba for beginners, Tuesday and Friday, 9.45am at Zumba Isle of Man, Silvercraigs Hotel. Call 677776 or visit www.zumbaisleofman.com

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

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

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

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

Saturday, June 14

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

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

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

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

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

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

Monday, June 16

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tuesday, June 17

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

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

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

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

Thursday, June 12

• Harbourside WI, St Paul’s Church hall, Ramsey, 10am. Call 818194.

• 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.

• Avondale Afternoon WI, Morton hall, Onchan, 2pm. Call 818194.

• 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.

• Kirk Bride WI, Bride Church hall, 7pm. Call 803804.

• Arbory WI, Colby Methodist hall, 7.15pm.

• Port Soderick WI, recreation hall, 7.30pm. Call 818194.

• Parkfield WI, St Andrew’s Church hall, Douglas, 7.45pm. Call 818194.

Monday, June 16

• 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, June 17

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

• 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, June 18

• 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.

• 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, June 12

• 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.

• 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, June 13

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

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

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

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

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

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

Saturday, June 14

• 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.

• Milntown House Tours every Saturday and Wednesday at 2.30pm. Call 812321.

Sunday, June 15

• Castletown and District Over-60s Club indoor car boot sale at Morton Hall, Castletown, 2pm.

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

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

Monday, June 16

• 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, June 17

• 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.

Wednesday, June 18

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

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

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

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

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

• Bingo Quiz, Archibald Knox Onchan.

Thursday, June 12

• 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 IoM 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, June 13

• 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. 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, June 14

• 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. 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, June 15

• 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, June 16

• 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, June 17

• 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.

• Tiddlers Group, St Olave’s Church, Ramsey, 9.45am.

In support of Adult Learners’ Week, which starts on Saturday, Pitman Training in Douglas is offering free sessions for people to plan the next five years of their career in just one week, with the goal to increase career prospects and earnings.

Centre manager Anne Quayle is helping people plan how they c continue to learn and develop themselves professionally by helping them devise a five-year career plan, alongside free skills demonstrations, one-to-one advice consultations on career planning, CV writing workshops and Career MOT, on offer throughout the week.

Anne said: ‘Pitman Training are advocates to Lifelong Learning, and we thoroughly enjoy supporting Adult Learners’ Week. We ran our open week last year during Adult Learners’ Week and it was a huge success. We saw hundreds of people from all over the region, of all ages, in many different situations. Many of those who visited have kept in touch and we’re delighted to hear they’ve had success with new jobs, promotions and boosting their salaries, as a result of taking on new skills. Our sessions are informal and our friendly team has years of experience to share, so people can just come and have a chat.”

The Douglas centre is welcoming people to drop in throughout the week and you can call 627070 or visit www.pitman-training.com/douglas to find out more.

She added: ‘It’s essential, whatever your position, to continue to develop your skills. Whether you’re looking to move on, or keep progressing in your existing role, standing still is not an option these days. The corporate world moves so quickly as technology continues to evolve; working practices constantly progress, and new ways of becoming more efficient are always just around the corner.’

Adult Learners’ Week is an opportunity for individuals and organisations to celebrate the benefits of lifelong learning.

Pitman Training has been associated with office-based training since Sir Isaac Pitman invented shorthand in 1837, and the company now helps thousands of students each year progress their careers through tailor-made study programmes and diplomas with one to one support at more than 100 local centres in the British Isles, as well as via online courses, and short seminars to help top up skills.

Comedian Lee Evans is give two nights of stand-up at the Villa Marina, Douglas.

After tickets for the first night of July 25 at the Villa Marina sold out, another night has been secured.

The additional date for Lee Evans – Work In Progress is Thursday, July 24.

All tickets £30.60. Suitable for 15 year olds upwards, under-16s must be accompanied by an adult.

For both shows Lee Evans will be trying out new material for his forthcoming MONSTERS arena tour.

It is warned that as he is trying out new material he may refer to notes.

Tickets can be booked by calling 600555 or online at www.villagaiety.com

Legal eagle Mark Holligan has represented the island in a high-profile event in New York.

Mark was part of a discussion panel featuring experts from across the offshore jurisdictions at the symposium in Manhattan.

The partner in the litigation and insolvency practice at Appleby was pleased with the meeting in the Big Apple and said it was a valuable opportunity to discuss the legal considerations of managing an illiquid fund to an audience of US accountants, attorneys and fund managers.

expert discussion

He told Business News: ‘The symposium is an opportunity to hear expert discussion of topical legal issues affecting the offshore funds industry.

‘This year, we looked at legal issues that emerge when a fund becomes illiquid and the parties are in a scramble to put themselves in the best position.

‘When a fund becomes illiquid it can find that its assets cannot be sold at all or can only be sold on a forced sale basis.

‘Practical solutions can run into legal obstacles and readiness to wind up distressed funds differs between jurisdictions.

‘This session explored possible solutions and their legal implications and explained where approaches differ from one jurisdiction to another.’

Mark was part of a discussion panel featuring experts from across the offshore jurisdictions at the symposium, held at the Harvard Club in Manhattan.

Mark represented the Isle of Man on the panel, which included fellow Appleby Partners from Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands.

Moderator for the panel discussion was Christopher Meyering, chief legal officer of Sciens Capital Management, an independent alternative investment management firm with experience of multiple jurisdictions and major financial centres.

Mark added: ‘Appleby’s unparalleled presence in multiple offshore jurisdictions makes it ideally placed to offer expert insight into issues like this, where complications can arise because of differing legal, regulatory and professional demands during cross border insolvencies.

‘Drawing on expertise from across our international network of offices, this symposium was a valuable opportunity to discuss many of the potential issues with our guests.’

Mark was joined on the panel by Peter McMaster QC (Cayman), Andrew Bolton (Cayman), John Wasty (Bermuda) and Andrew Willins (BVI). Among the topics discussed were SPVs (special purpose vehicle) for different classes of investor, extensions to wind down periods, who should manage an illiquid fund and how should it be managed, winding up the fund because the manager’s strategy is unfairly prejudicial to a particular investor group and winding up the fund because of unpaid redemptions.

Mark’s expertise spans the contentious and non-contentious arenas, both onshore and offshore, with a focus on commercial litigation, insolvency and restructuring.

He has a particular interest in distressed funds and their restructuring.

Mark has been involved in many of the largest cross border insolvencies of the past decade. He is a Manx advocate and has also been admitted in England, Ireland, the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands.

A floating Viking exhibition from Orkney Museum will be open to visitors in Peel harbour on Saturday.

Converted fishing boat MS Nybakk Venner has a crew of 20 and is currently undertaking the ‘Thing Trail 2014’, which started in Norway and is taking in Shetland and various Scottish port as as well as the Isle of Man.

With partners in Norway, Iceland, Faroes, Shetland, Orkney, Scotland and the Isle of Man, the trail is an EU-funded project to promote understanding of ‘Thing’ sites, defined as Viking Age law assemblies and parliament.

Things – from the Old Norse word þing, meaning assembly - were an early system of justice and administration.

When the Vikings arrived in a new place they brought with them their customs and legal systems.

Thing assemblies were where political decisions were made, laws upheld and disputes settled. They acted as meeting places and were often the focus for trade and religious activity.

Thing sites existed throughout the Viking world, with some still in existence today and in the case of Tynwald Hill, still in active use today. Tynwald Hill is, of course, the home of the longest continuous parliament in the world.

To complement the exhibition on board the MS Nybakk, which will be open to the public from 10am to 2pm, Manx National Heritage is hosting a free public seminar exploring the connections between Viking Thing sites from 1.45pm at the House of Manannan, also on Saturday.

Seminar speakers include Edmund Southworth, director of Manx National Heritage, Anthea Young, MNH education services officer, Andrew Johnson, MNH field archaeologist and MS Nybakk skipper Hans Haddal.

The topics covered will range from Viking legacy to an exploration of the Manx Thing site – Tynwald.

The seminar is free but pre-booking is essential as places are limited. Those interested in attending can register at the House of Manannan or call 648090.

Following the seminar a presentation will take place at Tynwald Hill to the crew of the MS Nybakk Venners by Tynwald President Clare Christian at 6pm.

Mrs Christian will present gifts and pass on an official greeting to Gulating, Norway, from the Isle of Man. The Isle of Man Ship Registry will also pass on gifts to the crew to mark the sea voyage.