The efforts of one of Hospice Isle of Man’s most long-standing volunteers was recognised with a prestigious award in London last week.

Edna Pearce was awarded the Order of Mercy medal by the League of Mercy Foundation, a charity which seeks to honour individual volunteers in British hospitals and in the wider community.

Nominated by her colleagues at Hospice Isle of Man, Mrs Pearce is believed to be the first ever recipient of the award to live in the Isle of Man.

The awards ceremony took place at Mansion House in the City of London last Monday in the presence of the sheriff of the city and other distinguished guests.

Presenting the award, president of the League of Mercy Lord Lingfield said: ‘Mrs Pearce has done extraordinary work for the welfare of others.

‘She is a marvellous example of someone who has given wonderful service to her community and we were delighted to be able, on the recommendation of the charity, to make this well-deserved award.’

Now retired from volunteering, Mrs Pearce worked for many years driving patients to and from Hospice in the Isle of Man.

She even stepped in to ensure that one of the clinical nursing specialists could keep all their appointments after they had suffered a broken leg. Mrs Pearce acted as the nurse’s driver, waiting patiently outside during home visits and appointments.

Sarah Turner, volunteer service manager at Hospice Isle of Man, was inspired to nominate Mrs Pearce for the award because of her many years of dedication:

‘She’s really gone that extra mile, not only driving our patients for many years, but making sure that other patients in the community were able to see one of our nurses.’

As the Isle of Man Lawn Tennis Association PokerStars-sponsored Mixed League reached the halfway stage last week, all divisions have now really started to take shape.

Each divisions has been split in two, with two teams fighting for the title and two teams fighting relegation.

In Division One Castletown A put a big dent in Albany Auxesia A’s title hopes with a convincing win at Albany’s Ballaughton Meadows courts.

At first pair for Castletown, Elena Snidal and Neil Ronan took care of a very determined first pair for Albany in Sarah Breed and Adam Pyatt-Coppell, but the southern duo showed their experience coming out 6-1, 6-4 winners.

On court two, Castletown’s second pair of Hannah Snidal and Richard Kerr were taking on Albany’s Jane Reynolds partnered by last-minute substitute Jim Travers.

The Castletown pair ran away with the first set 6-0, but things were turned on their head in the second set with Reynolds and Travers battling hard to take it 7-5.

This was to be the home side’s only set of the night though, with Snidal and Ronan beating Reynolds and Travers 6-0 and Snidal and Kerr beating Breed and Pyatt-Coppell 6-3. Final score 5-1 to Castletown A.

In Division Three Port Erin’s first team took the short trip to Castletown to take on the Town’s E team. The final score doesn’t reflect how competitive the match was, with the two teams separated by only 10 games at the end of the evening.

Carole Ennett and Jamie Derrick got the home side off to the perfect start with a 6-0 win in their first set against Lynda Cadamy and Paul Allinson. The away pair then turned things round in the second set to narrowly win it on a tie-break 7-6.

In the battle of the second pairs Elisabeth Kershaw and Graham McFarlane took the honours with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Mary-Beth Coll and Bob Borland.

The visitors finished things off with Kershaw and McFarlane beating Ennett and Derrick 6-1 and Cadamy and Allinson beating Coll and Borland 6-3. Final score 5-1 to Port Erin A.

Other matches in week three: Division One - Castletown B 6, Castletown C 0; Albany A 5, Castletown C 1. Division Two - Kensington Road A 6, Kensington Road B 0; Albany Auxesia B 6, Ramsey A 0. Division Three - Albany Auxesia C 5, Castletown D 1. Division Four - Kensington Road C 5, Port Erin B 1. NEIL RONAN

A woman has died after being hit by a car in Kirk Michael yesterday evening.

The incident involved a dark blue Range Rover and a cyclist, both travelling n a northerly direction. The woman riding the bike, an Isle of Man resident, suffered fatal injuries and was declared dead at the scene.

Police, fire and ambulance crews attended the scene outside the village shop on Main Road at about 6pm, and the road was closed.

The Range Rover was driven by a local woman, who had an infant in the car with her. Paramedics examined both driver and child at the scene. Despite being shocked they required no treatment.

The road remained closed until 11.55pm to allow police collision investigators, scenes of crime officers and Department of Infrastructure vehicle examiners to conduct enquiries.

Sergeant Andy Kneen said: ‘Police are keen to speak with anyone who witnessed this collision, and who have not yet given the police their details.

‘There are early indications that the lady who died was in a party of three cyclists who had travelled along the TT course from Douglas. We also believe that the car had also travelled a similar route. We are keen to hear from anyone who noticed either party before they reached Kirk Michael.

‘I would like to thank the many local residents who rallied round to render first aid, and assisted the emergency services at the scene.

‘I would also like to thank the travelling public and residents of Michael for the forbearance shown by them with regard to the road closure.’

If you can help officers with their inquiries, call police headquarters on 631212.

------------

Crash forces road closure in Kirk Michael

The Draken Harald Hårfagre, the Viking Longship that visited Peel last month, will be returning to Peel Harbour this morning (Tuesday) in full mast, following a brief trip to Merseyside during which her mast was repaired.

They are hoping to be in Peel harbour until Wednesday.

The Isle of Man Examiner this week talks to a pregnant woman whose car was written off by a drink-driver.

She was lucky to escape unscathed.

It’s the main story on the front page.

Also this week we report the death of Orry the sea lion.

He was big news 20 years ago when he was sold. He had been at the Wildlife Park. But he was eventually part of a travelling circus.

The older members of the Isle of Man Newspapers team remember the story well. His plight touched the hearts of many people and led to a political furore.

We look back.

Also this week:

The end of the Commonwealth Games and Peter Kennaugh’s heroic effort on Sunday

Why were the three legs covered up during the Games?

A Louis Group investor gets a £100,000 payout after being mis-sold a financial product

We look closer at school assessments. Are the edited versions accurate?

We ask whether last week’s decision by Celtic Array to drop its wind farm plans will affect government plans to make money by having windmills in Manx waters

The latest on the Mount Murray fire investigation

A look back at Castletown Festival and Peel Carnival

A dilapidated house in Douglas is knocked down

There’s another chance to join our campaign against the current toilet tax.

In our business coverage, a union says 40 people are in danger of losing their jobs at Royal Bank of Scotland International.

With our lively letters pages, the Social Diary, Terry Cringle’s look at Manx life in days gone by and the latest from the courts, the Examiner is a great read this week.

The island’s favourite newspaper is in the shops now.

The Last Post was sounded at St George’s Church, Douglas, on Sunday as part of the national service of commemoration for the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.

Archdeacon of Man, The Venerable Andrew Brown told the congregation: ‘We remember those who were killed in action, or by disease, the bereaved, the lost, the families which were shattered, the wounded, maimed and injured, those who held in silence the unspeakable memories of warfare.’

Speaker of the House of Keys and president of the island branch of the Royal British Legion, Steve Rodan, read Wilfred Owen’s Anthem for Doomed Youth before a two-minute silence was held.

Chief Minister Allan Bell and Tynwald president Clare Christian both read from the Bible.

In Onchan, the War Memorial was rededicated as an act of remembrance.

It saw a parade led by Onchan Silver Band travel from St Peter’s Church to the War Memorial on Main Road where the was a short service.

Winning entries of a children’s war poem were unveiled on marble slabs. Winners were Lucy Skillicorn, aged 11, of Ashley Hill School, Onchan School pupil Ethan Stewart, eight, and Lisa McGhee, 14, of St Ninian’s Lower School.

As the Isle of Man Examiner went to press, events were due to be held across the island to mark the 100th anniversary of Britain entering the war.

Four flags have been stolen from a memorial site in Port St Mary.

The flags were stolen from the TSS Mona’s Queen III anchor memorial at Kallow Point in Port St Mary at some time over the weekend.

A statement from the police read: ‘The timing in connection to the Great War couldn’t be worse or show such a lack of respect.’

The memorial commemorates those men and women of the Merchant Navy who sacrificed their lives for our future during Operation Dynamo.

The TSS Mona’s Queen III was one of three Steam Packet vessels lost during the evacuation of Dunkirk.

A police spokesman said: ‘We are appealing to the public for any information in relation to the four Manx flags that have been taken from the site.

‘If you have any information please contact PC Cretney at Port Erin station on 832222 or police headquarters on 631212.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/district-news/port-st-mary-commissioners-to-look-into-noise-nuisance-claim-1-4823701|Noise from the flapping flags at Kallow Point caused concern. Click here to read that story.}

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/district-news/sea-view-is-being-eroded-claim-1-4862228|Residents also complained about information boards at the site}

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/sisters-whose-family-was-rescued-by-the-mona-s-queen-visit-memorial-1-5961059|Sisters rescued by Mona’s Queen visit Kallow Point}

Passengers flying to and from Manchester are likely to face delays after an incident at the UK airport.

A fighter jet escorted a passenger plane into Manchester Airport earlier this afternoon.

The plane is reported to be Qatar Airways flight QR023 from Doha.

There have been knock-on effects for Manchester Airport, which shut for a time, with no aeroplanes landing or taking off.

The airport is now open again but suffering from a backlog of flights.

Flybe flights are scheduled to arrive at Ronaldsway from Manchester at 2.50pm, 5.40pm and 9.05pm.

Flybe flights are scheduled to leave the Isle of Man for Manchester at 3.15pm and 6.50pm.

It’s been a whirlwind week at the winning post for business couple and racehorse owners Mark and Maureen Schofield.

The couple are co-directors of Castletown based corporate service provider Optimus Fiduciaries Limited.

Now they are celebrating after a spate of victories.

Maureen has seen her sprinter Mister Manannan gallop to victory twice in 10 days at Beverley races.

And she and husband Mark jointly own Majestic Manannan which put in a gutsy display to win a race at Pontefract a week last Sunday.

‘It’s been quite an exciting 10 days for our horses,’ said Maureen, shortly after arriving back in the office after arriving back from East Yorkshire following ‘Mister Man’s’ latest success.

Last September Business News reported how Maureen had never looked back since being given Mister Manannan, who is now seven, as a surprise 50th birthday present.

Now she has revealed that she bought her husband Mark a racehorse of his own in celebration of his 50th birthday.

The two-year-old filly is called Magh Meall. She has had two runs, the last one saw her come fifth at Thirsk.

The horses are all trained by charismatic trainer David ‘Dandy’ Nicholls based in Thirsk, North Yorkshire.

Maureen, originally from North Yorkshire, described Mister Manannan as her ‘little boy’ who has a habit of making a beeline for her scarf when she visits him at Nicholls’s stables.

‘I’ve been involved (in horseracing) since I was given Mister Manannan as a surprise present for a significant birthday four years ago last March. It’s proved to be the best birthday gift I’ve ever had. Mark’s always been interested in horse racing and his family have been too.

‘He’s my little boy and he’s quite a character. He’s stubborn and likes to have his own way but he’s been good to us.

‘Now we are hoping Magh Meall will also turn into a winning racehorse.’

The new arrival is named after a mythical island near Ireland.

Mister Manannan had previously won his last race at Beverley in April last year.

But Maureen and the trainer never gave up hope.

Then he repaid their loyalty by winning a five furlong race at the Yorkshire track on July 21.

Then he won his second race on the trot last Wednesday, again over the same distance at the Westwood, Beverley.

Maureen told Business News that Mister Manannan was now in tip top form.

And she revealed that he had been given special one-to-one treatment by Clare, the daughter-in-law of the trainer.

According to reports this had even included taking the gelding out with Clare to see the chickens .

Maureen said this special treatment had done the trick in helping to rejuvenate her equine pride and joy.

Maureen said their success with the horses has raised attention at the tracks. She said: ‘Commentators are always interested in the fact the ownwers have flown across from the Isle of Man to see their horses run.Everyone is always interested when we say where we have travelled from.’ The couple try to get to watch their horses run whenever they can.

Maureen is also part of a syndicate that owns another popular runner on the flat called Bonnie Charlie.

The couple are liaising with trainer Mr Nicholls to plot Mister Manannan and Majestic Manannan’s next outings which could be later this month, and bidding for more victories.

The woman who was killed in a road accident in Kirk Michael last night has been identified.

She was Kathryn Burge (known as Kate).

She was a 41-year-old physiotherapist, who was employed by the Department of Health and Social Care.

Kate’s family have been informed of her death, and are being offered support by a police family liaison officer.

Sgt Andy Kneen said: ‘Enquiries into the collision are continuing.

‘A number of very pertinent witnesses have come forward today, for which we are very grateful. We are building a picture of what has happened.

‘I would like to reiterate our appeal for anyone else who witnessed the collision, to come forward.

‘We would also like to hear from anyone who saw a group of three cyclists, or a dark blue Range Rover, on the TT course from Douglas to Kirk Michael immediately before the collision.

‘Your account may be vital in establishing the facts of what has occurred.’

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/cyclist-dies-after-being-hit-by-car-in-kirk-michael-1-6767687|Click here to read our report from earlier today.}

Last month was hotter and sunnier than most Julys.

The Met Office at Ronaldsway have crunched the numbers for the month.

They say there were 251.6 hours of bright sunshine recorded, compared with the long term mean of 196 hours.

The sunniest day was the 1st, with 14.6 hours but the three consecutive days, 23rd to 25th each had more than 14 hours of continuous sunshine.

The mean maximum temperature for the month measured 19.7°C which was 1.6°C above normal.

The hottest days were the 24th and 25th with maximum temperatures of 26.2 and 26.6°C respectively.

There was 54mm of rain at Ronaldsway, only 3mm below the July average, but much of it fell in short sharp bursts. There were 13 completely dry days. The wettest day was Sunday 27th, when 14mm was recorded, most of which fell in a downpour around 3pm.

There were thunderstorms on the 8th and 18th, the former with funnel clouds observed around central areas and the latter with hail at Ronaldsway.

The warm air over the relatively cold sea also produced sea fog on seven days compared to four days in an average July.

Usually it is only the south and east that is affected but most coasts saw fog during the month.

The mean wind speed measured 10mph compared to the long term mean of 10.9mph with the strongest gusts of 36mph recorded on the 4th.

Moore Stephens has been named Accountancy Firm of the Year - Isle of Man by Acquisition International magazine, a global publication with a circulation of 53,000 including individual and institutional investors as well as managers and other industry professionals.

The awards are made solely on merit. Winners are nominated by their clients and their peers.

‘This is a fantastic achievement,’ said Clive Dixon, managing partner in Moore Stephens. ‘We have a great team at Moore Stephens Isle of Man and I’m proud that their efforts are recognised both on and off the island.’

Moore Stephens was established in the island in 1986 and has grown to be one of the largest firms of chartered accountants. ‘We are extremely grateful to all those who voted for us, we feel very honoured,’ added Clive.

Michael Moyle has been appointed patron of Victim Support’s Isle of Man branch.

After 21 years as government advocate, when he prosecuted all serious crimes at the Court of General Gaol Delivery, Mr Moyle was appointed Deputy High Bailiff in 1995 and then High Bailiff from 2002 until his retirement in 2010.

Mr Moyle has extensive knowledge and experience of the criminal justice system, in particular, with his past roles as a member of the Criminal Injury Tribunal and the Coroner of Inquests, when he dealt directly with those affected by violent crime.

Victim Support manager Paula Gelling said: ‘Mr Moyle is well known on the island, to those on the inside of the courtroom and those outside. To this end it was felt that Mr Moyle was a perfect choice to be the new figurehead of Victim Support, as the charity approaches its 15th birthday, supporting victims and witnesses on the island and we are delighted he agreed to become our patron.’

Paula thanked Rosemary Penn for her hard work, guidance and dedication, as she stood down from the role of patron – a position she has held for more than five years.

This year’s Royal Manx Agricultural Show takes place on Friday and Saturday.

Tents and marquees are already being erected at Knockaloe Farm, Patrick, ready for the thousands of visitors who will flock to the showground to see the traditional farming and livestock exhibitions and competitions.

Anyone reading the latest school evaluation reports could be forgiven for thinking they contained nothing but praise.

Summaries of the full four-page School Self-Review and Evaluation (SSRE) reports for Braddan, Onchan, Marown, Anagh Coar schools and Dhoon were distributed to parents and the media last month.

But are the two-page summaries providing a true reflection of the full reports – or are they putting a positive spin by omitting the negatives?

Education chiefs insist the summaries give a fair picture.

Director of education Geoff Moorcroft said: ‘I think they cover the main points. That with the caveat the full report is available to everyone who requests it.’

There are apparent discrepancies, however.

Braddan School’s summary, under the category achievement against prior attainment, includes all the points outlined in the full report except one.

This reads: ‘Progress within individual year groups and in relation to end-of-year targets showed considerable inconsistency and the school is right to regard this as a cause for concern.’

Braddan’s full report states: ‘There is some very good practice in teaching. This is not consistently implemented across the school.’

But its summary reads: ‘There is some very good practice in teaching.’

Onchan School’s full report reads: ‘Most teachers use a range of creative strategies to ensure all pupils are challenged.’

But its summary misses out the qualifying first word of the sentence, saying only: ‘Teachers use a range of creative strategies to ensure all pupils are challenged.’

Anagh Coar’s full report states: ‘There is some good – and very good assessment practice. This is not yet consistent across all classes. Assessment is ‘Satisfactory’ overall.’

But in the summary it says only: ‘There is some good – and very good assessment practice.’

In Marown’s summary of its achievement against prior attainment category, it states achievement was satisfactory, including: ‘The team agreed that there are undoubtedly good aspects of pupils’ achievement against prior attainment.’

But the full report explains the reason for the satisfactory verdict, which is not outlined in the summary.

There were no negative comments in Dhoon’s full report.

Mr Moorcroft said it was the head teachers and not the department who compiled the summaries and what they included was a matter of judgement.

‘The full reports are available to anyone who wishes to read them and can be obtained from either the school or the DEC,’ he said.

‘However the reports themselves are quite lengthy and include background information about the school and about the process that has been undertaken.

‘We also recognise that not all parents have time to read them so since the process started in 2008 we have asked schools to summarise the outcomes in a shorter paper too for everyone’s assistance.

‘By their very nature these summaries can’t contain every aspect of the evaluation process but importantly they must highlight the judgements under each heading – which can be that a school shows ‘significant strength’, is ‘good’, is ‘satisfactory’, or that ‘action is required’. They also contain the conclusion as to how well the school knows itself.’

But he added: ‘We will in future ask schools sharing their SSRE summaries with parents to make it clear that the full report is freely available, if they don’t already do so.’

Health and Social Care Minister Howard Quayle MHK says he is pleased with the progress in the department since he took up his post there five months ago but warned much work remains to be done.

Mr Quayle said: ‘The focus of the past few months has been about establishing a solid foundation for the newly merged department. We know we are going to face difficult challenges in the future with our ageing population and a growing demand for health and social care services, as well as rising expectations from the public.’

A radical shake-up of the health service saw the departure of its top three civil servants all in one day - with chief executive David Killip, his deputy Lesley Keenan and director of health care delivery Norman McGregor Edwards taking retirement at the end of March.

Last week, chief nurse and director of nursing, midwifery and therapies at Noble’s Hospital, Bev Critchlow, announced she is to leave her post on September 30, saying she is looking forward to ‘new and fresh challenges’.

The department said Ms Critchlow was not taking early retirement and will only receive what she is ‘entitled to under current government schemes’.

Mr Quayle said it had been important to get the right management structure in place. He said Mark Charters, appointed chief executive, had ‘hit the ground running’. The department is recruiting a managing director for acute services and a full-time post of medical director at Noble’s. Sue Waddecar has been appointed patient safety and quality manager.

Health bosses have paid tributes to Kate Burge, the physiotherapist who died in an accident on Monday night.

Kate Burge was cycling when she died in an accident on the main road in Kirk Michael.

The Department of Health and Social Care extended its condolences to her family and friends.

Director of nursing, midwifery and therapies at Noble’s Hospital Bev Critchlow said: ‘Kate was a valued and much loved member of staff.

‘Her commitment and dedication to her patients always shone through and her loss will come as a shock to many in the Health Service, not least her close colleagues in the physiotherapy department.

‘We are so sad today. All of our thoughts are with Kate’s family, friends and close colleagues at this difficult time.’

Minister for Health and Social Care, Howard Quayle MHK, said: ‘I was deeply saddened when I heard the news of Kate’s death.

‘I would like to extend my deepest sympathy and condolences to Kate’s family and we will do all we can to support them as well as Kate’s colleagues within the department who are understandably shocked and deeply saddened by the news.’

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/police-identify-woman-killed-in-road-tragedy-1-6769061|Police identified Kate yesterday . Click here to read that story.}

Team Isle of Man returned to the island on Monday evening following a successful Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow.

The majority of the 45-strong team, along with coaches and managers, arrived at the Sea Terminal in Douglas to be greeted by many friends and family.

Amongst the highlights for the Manx athletes were the performances of badminton duo Kim Clague and Cristen Marritt, the island’s swimmers, who shattered numerous records in the pool, and cyclists Joe Kelly, Mark and Anna Christian and, of course Peter Kennaugh, who claimed a superb silver medal in the track points race at the Chris Hoy Velodrome.

Full story in Thursday’s Manx Independent.

Heritage Homes has submitted plans to replace the former Royal Hotel on Port Erin promenade with 34 flats.

The redevelopment (14/00893/B) of the Victorian building would comprise a mixture of one, two and three bedroom flats, aimed at making the most of the view over the bay through the installation of large windows and balconies on the front of the building.

In the design statement it says the facades are a ‘contemporary interpretation’ of the seaside architecture that can be seen along the promenade.

It continues: ‘To the west the scale of the proposed development is critical in how it contributes to the seaside facade.

‘The proposals follow the same heights of the adjoining buildings and do not dominate the skyline.’

The main access vehicular would be from the promenade into a basement car park with further external parking accessed through the basement,

A total of 45 parking spaces would be provided.

Pedestrian access to a private landscaped courtyard would be off Rowany Villas and there would be pedestrian access off Maine Road.

The hotel has been disused since 2008, and approval in principle was granted the next year to Heritage Homes to redevelop the site for residential use.

This consent lapsed in 2011.

An Isle of Man estate agent is taking to the skies – to bring a whole new perspective to house sales.

Cowley Groves chairman David Creane has launched the ‘property ’copter’, a remote-controlled flying camera.

He believes the aerial photographs it produces will give a new dimension for vendors wishing to showcase their home – or potential purchasers thinking of booking a viewing.

DJI’s Phantom 2 Vision is a radio-controlled, four-rotor, mini helicopter that can fly at speeds of up to 30mph and with a flying range of up to 300m.

If it flies beyond the controller’s range or loses connection for any reason, the machine uses GPS to return to its launch point and land safely on its own.

David said: ‘The whole idea came to me a few months ago through a client we sold a house for who is now a friend. He knew we were pretty progressive and thought I would like it. So I researched it and liked what I saw.

‘Then last week another very good friend came in and said he had one – so that resulted in a demo shoot at a house in Douglas.

‘It operates using GPS and once connected to the satellites you control it by a hand held control box and an app on your phone. It’s very easy to learn how to fly. The first models had an issue with flying away never to be seen again but the 2 Version has sorted that. It also has a built-in “return to home” feature which is amazing!

‘The public in a short few days really appreciate how good it shows off a property. It also can apply to roof inspections at a fraction of the cost of a cherry picker or scaffolding.

‘I am glad we are the first to introduce it – and no doubt like other things we have done we will be copied! There are regulations and insurance implications if flying that need to be adhered to. It’s early days for us but you have to start somewhere.’

David said he had coined the name ‘property ’copter’, saying he didn’t really like the phrase ‘drone’ as that conjured up images of covert surveillance.

He said the machine would be used not just for luxury high-end properties but also those homes with grounds that could be shown to good advantage.