Barclays Wealth and Investment Management has strengthened its cash management service by appointing a specialist cash manager and introducing a number of enhancements to its proposition.

Sam Johnson has joined the Barclays Wealth and Investment management team as a senior cash Manager with responsibility for the Isle of Man.

Sam has nine years’ banking experience in a variety of cash management roles working predominantly with clients within professional practices, financial institutions and non-bank financial institution sectors.

Sam joined Barclays Wealth and Investment Management in London in late 2011 and in his new role will continue to apply his consultative approach to providing cash management solutions.

He has recently undertaken his International Cash Management exams with the Association of Corporate Treasurers.

Barclays has also introduced a number of enhancements to its cash management service increasing the support it can offer to business clients and making the way they conduct their transactional banking more efficient.

The new enhancements include improvements to online payment authorisation processes and the introduction of an online file converter tool providing clients with increased flexibility when needing to make a large number of payments.

Barclays Wealth and Investment Management has also introduced further online banking capability as well as adding a Host to Host solution alongside its existing SWIFT connectivity service.

This single gateway to Barclays allows clients to make payments in a single secure file.

It also allows clients to receive transactional data from Barclays and from other banks using standardised messaging which means the information sent no longer needs to be precisely tailored. This flexibility makes it easier for businesses to submit payments and provides them with a single channel for reporting client data meaning less time and effort is needed.

The new solutions support the growing demand of clients who are looking to drive efficiencies in the way they receive money, manage transactions, optimise liquidity and make payments.

‘Addressing operational efficiency is high on the priority list for many businesses however this can be difficult to achieve with cash management processes, due to the number of financial transactions and the number of different stages in the processing cycle.’ said Mr Johnson.

‘Our enhanced service can support our client base in taking complete control of the flow of money through their organisations. This has a number of benefits for clients including peace of mind knowing that all transactions are being managed accurately and efficiently and ensuring that processes are more aligned with the strategic goals of the business.”

Stuart Nelson, head of corporate and intermediary banking for Barclays in the Isle of Man, said: ‘We’re pleased to be able to offer our corporate and intermediary clients access to experienced cash management specialists like Sam to discuss their needs with.’

Planning should encourage developers to build a Victorian-style sea front design in a Heritage Homes plan (14/00893/B) for a block of 34 flats on Port Erin Promenade, Rushen MHK Juan Watterson has said.

In a letter to planners he wrote the Victorian style was ‘being rather badly contrasted with modern, Mediterranean style build’. If planning did not ‘care or were concerned’, then who would ‘protect’ the village from looking like ‘an acne ridden face’ he asked.

The plan was backed by the local authority on August 5.

Clerk Jason Roberts explained the development would include 45 underground car parking spaces with further spaces outside.

Nick Watterson said there is an ‘unsatisfactory amount of parking’ he asked where would the overspill cars park.

Mr Roberts said: ‘It will be on street’. He said a disc zone could be introduced.

He added the size of the development meant a quarter of it should be affordable or social care housing. Mr Watterson said the developer could pay the government to avoid affordable housing being part of the development.

Martin Norbury proposed they support the plan and he was seconded by Steve George.

Trials with no-alcohol electronic tags being run in the UK are unlikely to be repeated in the Isle of Man.

Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson MHK, whose department is in charge of the police, prisons and law and order, said at the moment it was unlikely to be practical for the Isle of Man to get involved.

‘The island has had a tagging contract in the past which proved to be too expensive to be worthwhile.

‘I think, per day, it was actually more expensive than prison,’ he said.

‘However, as technology marches on and costs come down we will undoubtedly take more interest in it but we are unlikely to get involved in trialling this sort of tag.’

In a pilot scheme to be run in London for a year, people who repeatedly commit crimes while drunk can be required to wear one of the tags which can operate for up to four months monitoring the wearer’s perspiration and assessing it for alcohol content. A similar scheme was trialled for some years in Scotland but was not adopted. The so-called sobriety bands are used widely in America.

The scheme in London was launched by mayor Boris Johnson and will be used to address persistent offenders who are subject to a court ban on drinking. If they breach the ban it can be quickly detected and they can then be brought back before the court.

At least once an hour the tag connects to the internet and sends a reading back to the probation office. The London trial is relatively small, running in only four boroughs and affecting 100 to 150 offenders, none of whom will be alcohol dependent.

Despite changes in the law in the Isle of Man to allow the tagging of offenders, no system was put in place until 2005 after problems were encountered with suppliers and companies monitoring the devices.

Though the scheme was run for some years in the island it has since been discontinued. Proposals in the UK have also included tags which incorporate GPS to monitor an offender’s precise whereabouts.

A review has been launched into the pay of hospital porters - some of whom earn more than a qualified nurse.

iomtoday has learned that the highest paid porter earned £44,000 before tax, including shift allowances, in 2013/14.

In contrast, the average pay for a qualified nurse was £36,553 including enhancements.

The Department of Health and Social Care subsequently confirmed three porters had earned more than than average gross salary for a qualified nurse.

Chief Minister Allan Bell said that review of salary levels across government was highlighting a ‘number of anomalies’.

Information was supplied to us following a Code of Access to Government Information request.

The review was launched under the Scope of Government exercise when it came to light that costs associated with the terms and conditions of porters in the island’s hospitals are significantly higher than their counterparts in the UK.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: ‘I can confirm that there are 27.7 porters employed within Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital and Noble’s Hospital.

‘The basic salary for a porter for 2013/14 is £23,697 plus shift allowance which is a total average of £27,144; with the highest paid porter earning £44,000 gross.

‘The average gross salary for a qualified nurse including enhancements for 2013/14 was £36,553.’

She added: ‘Your request is timely as the portering service has been reviewed under the Scope of Government process and the department will be considering all its options, in consultation with the unions, to ensure it provides an effective, integrated service to patients, whilst providing best value to the taxpayer in the future.’

Health and Social Care Minister Howard Quayle MHK said: ‘I fully support the review which must achieve value for money for the taxpayer.

‘I can assure the public that all savings will be ploughed back into reducing waiting lists and improving services.’

Porters play a vital role in the hospitals, moving frail and often very ill patients between departments and wards, and transporting complex and valuable equipment.

They are paid additional allowances for night shifts and security work.

There are other higher paid nurses but they are in senior and management roles.

Chief Minister Allan Bell said: ‘There is a review going on across government about the terms and conditions of all sections of employees to ensure salary levels are appropriate for the job being undertaken.

‘This process has thrown up a number of anomalies and we will be working with the unions to indentify ways to rectify the situation and ensure taxpayers get value for money for these services.’

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/passengers-tell-manx-independent-about-ordeal-on-rough-crossing-1-6784577|The porters’ union responds to the news in this week’s Manx Independent.}

Public sector pay is in the spotlight because of the effect of the UK’s redrawing of the VAT agreement on the government’s income.

The Manx government has lost one third of its income and has been cutting jobs and freezing pay for some workers to try to plug the gap.

There have been a number of arguably surprising levels of pay reported for some public sector jobs in the last two years.

Some bus drivers have earned more than £40,000 a year, a bus cleaner earned £52,000 in one year and the average take-home pay for baggage handlers at the airport was £34,500.

A survey earlier this year highlighted a gap between pay in the private and public sectors.

The Treasury’s annual earnings survey earlier this year found that average pay for full-time employees rose by 1.3 per cent, to £620 per week (the equivalent of an annual salary of £32,240), between June 2012 and June 2013.

The average public sector wage was £676, while in the private sector it was £608.

Public sector workers work for 37 hours on average, compared with 39 hours in the private sector.

While a man in the island earns £658.13 on average in a week, in the UK the figure is £676.70. The figures for women are £562.20 in the island and £532.90 for the UK.

Median earnings (the earnings level which half of the full-time workforce exceeds) fell by 1.5 per cent to £504 (£26,208 per year).

This statistic removes the distorting effect of the super-rich and suggests that, since average wages have risen but median ones have fallen, the gap between the rich and poor must be widening.

Overall, the median weekly wage for the Isle of Man is £504.11, while in the UK it was £517.50. For men, the figures are £531.47 (Isle of Man) and £556 (UK) and for women they’re £480 (Isle of Man) and £458.80 (UK), so Manxwomen are better off the UK women, but Manxmen are poorer than UK men.

Male public sector manual workers earned £581, compared with £499 in the private sector.

Their equivalents in non-manual jobs earned £838 (public) and £770 (private).

For women, manual workers earned £552 (public) and £399 (private). For non-manual women the figures were £620 (public) and £582 (private).

In 2009, a Tynwald question revealed that most chief executives of government departments earned £92,097.

The figures were given with permission of the chief executives so not all were published. The Chief Secretary then took home £132,458 a year, while chief financial officer at the Treasury got £114,982.

More recent figures have not been published.

As Chief Minister, Mr Bell is entitled to £69,787 a year. However, he has declined at least one recent pay rise.

Last month, the Isle of Man Examiner revealed that the boss of the island’s financial watchdog and nine hospital consultants were among the Manx government’s highest earners – all with salaries above £200,000.

Figures for staff remuneration, listed in the latest government annual accounts, shows that one person received between £325,000 and £350,000 as at the end of March this year.

Two received between £250,000 and £274,999, three pocketed between £225,000 and £249,999 and 11 received between £200,000 and £224,999. Those figures included compensation payments and the Examiner believed that the one staff member who received more than £325,000 did so as part of an early retirement package under which employees can be awarded up to 12 months’ pay.

The salary of John Aspden, chief executive of the Financial Supervision Commission, is £264,653.

Mr Aspden is not a civil servant. He receives no pension as part of his employment package and he pointed out that this year’s pay award was financed within the commission’s existing budget.

Following an Access to Government Information request, the Examiner established that all three earning between £225,000 and £249,999 were consultants at the hospital.

The Department of Health and Social Care also confirmed that a further six consultants earn between £200,000 and £224,999.

This week’s Manx Independent has a story about Sunday’s rough sea crossing on the Manannan on page 1.

It took a lot longer than usual and vehicles were damaged.

We speak to some passengers who wondered why the Ben-my-Chree was cancelled but the fastcraft wasn’t.

On page three we meet a Manxman who is helping to dispose of landmines in Burma.

We also talk to the hospital porters’ union in the wake of {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/some-hospital-porters-are-paid-more-than-qualified-nurses-1-6783470|the Examiner’s story earlier in the week} about pay.

The union doesn’t dispute the figures but says the real lesson is that nurses earn too little.

The Independent also reveals that the government is thinking about selling off Knockaloe, the former experimental farm and home for internees during both world wars.

Elsewhere, we report on the British Airways London City airport route. Microgaming, the gaming software firm, has underwritten the link to England’s capital. No other company has joined it.

The Manx Independent also finds out why a woman lived a bowl of porridge a day for a week and was in court when a 21-year-old was jailed for beating up his 16-year-old girlfriend.

This week there’s also an eight-page pullout with a preview of this year’s Manx football season. It also lists all the fixtures.

With our action-packed sports section, our features section Island Life, the island’s two-page What’s On guide and your seven-day television guide, the Manx Independent is a great read this week.

It’s in the shops now.

The anxious wait is over for year 13 pupils as they receive their A-level results today (Thursday).

Education chiefs say the end of a modular system may impact on results.

Department of Education and Children co-ordinating adviser 11-19 education Paul Craine said: ‘Students should follow advice from schools and attend school to collect results at the time given.

Send us your A-level selfies

‘They should go prepared – take their UCAS letters, UCAS numbers, conditional offers details, exam results so far, course choices, UCAS personal statements and a list of important phone numbers.

‘In case they have just missed out on required grades they should be ready to put their case forward, quoting any mitigating circumstances.

‘They will be supported by the school.’

Almost 400 students from the DEC’s five secondary schools will find out whether they have secured the grades to go to their first choice university.

For the class of 2014, it has been the first time since the 1990s that candidates have not been able to sit modular exams over the two-year course.

Mr Craine said: ‘Ofqual is saying without the modularity it makes A levels more demanding so the expectation is grades might fall slightly.’

Some students will have an indication of how they have fared from about 8am using the UCAS Track website.

This may indicate whether they have been accepted by their chosen university.

But Mr Craine urged students to go into school to collect their results, saying: ‘Students and parents should recognise that there is a risk with checking results on Track – if the news is disappointing, there will be no-one on hand to help you with the decisions that need to be made.’

He said some students will have done worse, or better, than expected: ‘These are the students who need to be ready to seek advice from schools or the careers service.’

For students using ‘clearing’ because they haven’t met the requirements of their firm and insurance offers there is a free app showing available university places produced by the Telegraph newspaper for iPhone and Android.

There is also a short ‘adjustment period’ when students who have done better than expected can look for a course or university that carries higher entry requirements.

This cohort of students had a difficult year in 2012 when their GCSE English results were affected by an increase in the grade boundaries by exams regulator Ofqual.

It led to the Welsh Government ordering the WJEC board to re-grade papers.

Did you or your child receive excellent A level results? Contact reporter Jackie Turley on 695658 or email jackie.turley@newsiom.co.im

Police want to speak to a man who was seen near Shoprite, Onchan, with a young child at about 11.35am yesterday (Wednesday).

He was heard to use foul and abusive language and the child became distressed, the police say.

Officers believe other people were in the area at this time who would have witnessed this.

The man and child were seen walking towards the direction of Kaighin’s Lane. The man wass described as being in his 50s and of stocky build.

The man involved, or any witnesses to the incident, are being urged to contact police headquarters on 631212.

There is a ‘taint of illegality’ across the vast majority of the business carried out by the Louis Group in the Isle of Man.

That’s the damning conclusion of a liquidators’ investigation into the collapsed group which was wound up by the High Court last year, its island-based fund, promoted as ‘low risk’ having earlier been suspended, unable to pay its multi-million pounds debts.

There was a web of 120 separate Louis Group companies in the Isle of Man, and the liquidators’ inquiries involved sifting through 5,000 paper files, tens of thousands of banking transactions going back over a decade and well over a million emails regarding the group’s commercial affairs.

The liquidators estimated there were over 700 different investors who invested a total of about £25m in the Louis Group Structured Fund and around £35m across various property syndicates.

Around a quarter of these investors are from the Isle of Man, the remainder mainly being from South Africa and the UK. The largest investor put in around £5m, but the vast majority invested much smaller sums - between £10,000 and £30,000 - who are described in the report as being in the main ‘man in the street’ type people.

Investors were attracted by the Louis family’s self-projected religious values and representations of low risk investment.

The liquidators’ inquiries concluded that the Louis Group systematically mixed investor-sourced client money which they believe amounted to deposit taking activity. They said: ‘If we are right about that, then because none of these entities was ever licensed as a deposit taker, there is a taint of illegality across the vast majority of the business carried out by this group in the Isle of Man.’

As long as new money kept flowing in, Louis Group was able to continue with this activity. But when in 2009 and 2010, covenants under the bank facilities were breached and increasing numbers of investors started to demand repayment, the finances became stretched.

Significantly, the liquidators do not believe there was any Louis Family money invested in any structure.

The investigations uncovered evidence of widespread conflicts of interest, breaches of procedures and other serious failings in corporate governance, hidden fees and commissions and new investor capital being used to service interest and to pay old investors their capital back, often in completely different companies.

They also found evidence of substantial payments to family head Alan Louis, running into the millions of pounds, accounted for as debts due by him but neither documented or repaid, a culture of absolute control, fear and intimidation and highly questionable retrospective documentation, missing documentation, unreliable accounting records and evidence of false accounting.

Some £42m has been realised in the liquidation so far, but the vast majority of this money has been paid to the banks as they had first charge security over the properties sold.

The liquidators say that for a minority of investors/creditors there is no hope of any return. For others, the best they can probably hope for is around 13p to 16p in the pound.

They say that inevitably there will be calls for those responsible to be held accountable - and it is now for the Financial Supervision Commission to take action where they consider it necessary.

In a statement, FSC chief executive John Aspden said: ‘Even though the majority of the group’s activities conducted from the island were unregulated, there will be important lessons for the future to be carefully considered and implemented.’

In a statement, Alan Louis said: ‘The first report by the investigators was found to be wholly incorrect by the internationally renowned auditing firm, Mazars, and the many allegations in the first report shown to be wrong by this their subsequent report. This further report is again wrong.

‘All that is now required is a response with evidence, a proper audit trail of legal documents and alleged loans so that the other side can be heard. I have and will always co‐operate in all these proceedings.’

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/louis-group-investors-fear-they-ll-not-see-their-money-again-1-5214676|Click here to read one of our first reports about this, from 2012}

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/financial-advisors-got-it-so-wrong-on-louis-group-1-6102166|Financial advisors got it wrong on Louis Group}

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/louis-group-mis-selling-victim-awarded-100k-compensation-1-6771097|Mis-selling victim awarded £100,000 compensation}

{

My grand-daughter Grace, aged nine and apparently nearly ready for her 18th birthday, has been over for a short but action-packed visit from her home in London.

She ‘looms’, which needs no explanation for those within sight and sound of children these days, and she loomed all sorts of decorative personal items for gushingly indulgent Grandees who cheerfully responded to her implicit expectations of payment.

She made me a snake. It’s nearly a foot long with black glaring eyes and a vicious looking red tongue sticking out. It hangs on the dashboard of my car, on the front passenger side.

I warn people who choose to allege loudly that I’m a lousy driver – this is all members of my family, including Grace – that the snake will strike them dead on my orders.

It cost me a fiver by the way.

Grace took my order without question. ‘How long will it be?’ I asked her.

She replied: ‘As long as you like. ‘Any length.’

It was benevolent old Grandad’s chance to reduce her to girlish giggles.

‘No,’ I said with a wink and a kindly smile. ‘How long will it take to make it?’

She sighed, raised her eyes in despair for a moment, and got on with the job in hand in a reproachful silence.

I have now realised that we should learn that our grandchildren, however young, are getting on faster towards intellectual maturity than we are. Grace herself is being patient with us.

Later she went to drive a go-kart at Onchan Park and piled into the crash barrier. She sat there looking sternly at us, daring us to say something.

‘Now who’s a lousy driver?’ I said.

She stared for a moment before suddenly breaking into a broad smile.

One up – the only one during her visit – to Grandad.

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A lady I know bought a slice of water melon at Robinson’s with a label on it saying: ‘Water melon slice. This product contains water melon.’ There was nothing about the country of origin.

La La Land?

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Fred Newton reports a holiday on Majorca with two grandsons aged seven who copied other youngsters in jumping into the deep end of the swimming pool.

‘The other kids shouted ‘Geronimo’ as they did so, like the US Paras when they jumped from their C47 Dakotas.

Our two shouted: ‘Manx Radio.’

Two switched on youngsters, I would say.

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The Daily Telegraph said sharks’ fin soup has gone out of fashion as a prime delicacy in China. Killing sharks for their fins has fallen by 82 per cent because of protest campaigns by animal rights activists.

Fools! Now there are all the more man-eating sharks in the sea.

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The new leader of the House of Lords is Lady (Tina) Stowell. She was born in Nottingham.

But we all know, under the rules of the Manx Perspective, that she is Manx.

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This week’s Manx crossword clue sent in by Sara Goodwins was in the Daily Telegraph cryptic, as follows: Man’s here getting independent shares I distributed (8) – IRISH SEA.

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Church notice: ‘The Associate Minister unveiled the church’s new campaign slogan last night – ‘I Upped My Pledge – Up Yours.’

This week, IoM Friends of the Earth’s co-ordinator Cat Turner looks at a great opportunity to bring better power to the people

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Right now, work’s going on to update an important bit of our local law – important, but one which the average reader probably never thinks about, or is even aware of.

It’s the Electricity Act 1996 (as amended), which sets out what the Manx Utilities Authority – formerly the Manx Electricity Authority – is supposed to do, and allowed to do, in providing electricity for you, the taxpayers and bill-payers of the island.

Almost everyone has a need for reliable, affordable electricity now: and everyone who wants a future, for themselves, their children or humankind as a whole, has a right to expect this to be provided in a way which minimises damage to the environment, and to the island’s finances.

Indeed the government can hardly expect to meet its stated commitments to sustainability, and to cutting carbon emissions dramatically (which we’ve looked at before in this column), if energy generation’s not itself put on a more sustainable footing.

Essentially, this means energy generation in a way which ensures both supply and price security – ie, as little reliance as possible on supplies of things like gas, which could be curtailed by the countries selling it to us, or where prices could be hiked sharply if there were an energy supply crunch elsewhere.

Renewable resources such as wind, sun, hydro-power and the power of the sea are about as stable as you can get – we’re unlikely to have our supply of any of them cut off anytime soon. While wind-power opponents often trot out facile arguments such as ‘unreliability’ of the wind, even wind is predictably unpredictable - it’s relatively easy to assess the likely overall ‘useable windiness’ of a location, and assess how much contribution a windfarm there could make to a region’s overall needs, mixed in with a network of other clean resources.

So, back to the Electricity Act. This update’s been prompted by the merger into the old MEA of the Water Authority, but it’s also a fantastic opportunity to allow for some changes that could really benefit the people and businesses of the island.

At the Green Centre, Friends of the Earth and the Manx Energy Advice Centre are eagerly looking forward to seeing some consultation – both with ourselves, as key campaigners for clean reliable and affordable energy, and with the public, who have a right to expect exactly this.

Firstly, let’s have a proper, public discussion about net meter charges. In case you don’t know, ‘net metering’ is the term used when someone with (say) a domestic solar PV panel generating electricity for their home use, gets paid the same price for each unit of electricity they generate but don’t need, and export to the local grid (here the MUA), as they’d have to pay the electricity company for a unit of its electricity that they draw from the grid when it’s dark and their panels aren’t working.

In a fair world, this works a bit as if the householder’s meter is running backwards when their solar power goes out from house to the grid. In practice it can mean installing a second meter, so as to measure electricity ‘imports’ and ‘exports’ separately. It seems only fair that a home acting as a mini-power station, and contributing clean, green power to the island, should be rewarded for doing so – and not get paid a pittance for it. We’re in favour of the public having its say on this!

Second, we’re anxious to see an updated Act allowing for the set-up of independent, renewable energy generation for communities, and arrangements that would allow a larger domestic installation to supply (say) three or four houses. In other countries, it’s not uncommon to see one household, with the capital and land access, set up a small solar/wind arrangement and sell the power to neighbours – meaning that a small ‘pod’ of properties can ease their energy bills by drawing on clean, reliable energy generated right on their doorstep.

And of course, all over the UK we’re seeing larger community-owned setups, where windfarms and solar arrays are enabling whole groups of people to ‘grow their own’ power and free themselves from the tyranny of their utilities providers.

In the UK, in particular, it’s unsurprising that they’d want to. Last week’s newspapers reported that many UK utilities plan to hike their fuel/energy prices by a huge amount - because, get this, last winter was so mild, and they didn’t make enoguh profit.

So when demand’s high, they increase prices, and when it’s low, they do the same – as though a company had a God-given right to make a certain level of profit, whatever the circumstances.

I don’t know about you, but I found this both hilarious and frightening. Happily, our own utility company here in the island doesn’t make such outrageous suggestions – we should be grateful for that.

We can be less grateful, however, for an Act that currently ensures a monopoly for the MUA, prohibiting anyone else from generating electricity for sale to others – and thus outlawing those small residential/community arrangements I’ve described above, so popular elsewhere.

The right to ensure the cleanliness and reliability of your power supply, and to choose an alternative from a monopolistic provider of fossil-fuelled power, feels to me to be pretty fundamental – not exactly a ‘human right’ but certainly a right due to a citizen of a developed economy.

Thirdly, we’d also like to see amendments that would allow for the easy set-up of farm and small company-sized systems (that’s to say, larger than a typical domestic G83 system) – so that those businesses in a position to defray their energy costs over the long term, and generate a portion of their power needs in a responsible way too, can do so.

It would be great to see a proper debate on what local businesses would choose to do, if they could, and truly give them the ‘Freedom to Flourish’ by gaining a measure of energy independence.

And fourth, let’s take the opportunity to remove all the pernicious disincentives and penalties – what one of my colleagues calls the ‘grim green discouragement’ – that currently exists. That means actively championing microgeneration and removing things like extra standing charges for home generators, so that creative, resourceful people can find energy solutions that work for them and don’t have to pay penalties, or jump pointless hurdles, for doing so.

We have a real chance to create energy resilience and security for lots of people in the island – and to enable people to trial and test technology, and funding arrangements, that can work for them. Moreover, we can create useful experience, skills and jobs in the process.

Let’s hope we get properly invited into the debate!

Marown A saw off the challenge of South Ramsey A 6-3 to retain their Rayner Shield title at Peel on Friday evening. Marown, who were involved in arguably the closest final of all-time one year earlier, did not have things their own way again this time.

With honours even at three-all and up in two of the remaining three games it looked like the title might be going north.

But it wasn’t to be and Marown’s experience paid off as they fought well to see out the win.

On paper it looked like Marown would start well and they did with John Gelling in fine form against Chas Grills.

Ramsey youngster Adrian Skinner put in a man of the match performance for his side to pull one back with victory over Dean Kipling. It was always going to be tight between Peter Kelly and Dave Hughes and, after a terrific fight back, the Marown veteran lay two for game before Hughes pulled off the strike of the night to kill the end. Hughes then found his lead and inched past his opponent for the win.

Colin Kelly and Neil Withers picked up another two points for the men from Middle with great wins over two of South Ramsey’s strongest exponents in the form of Peter Collister and Dido Kelly respectively.

Marown found a bit of fortune after in-form Mark Moorley had to withdraw on the day because of illness and reserve Stuart Clague was thrust to the fore with a game against eight-time Manx champion John Kennish. Kennish won easily but would have relished the chance to take out one of Marown’s bigger guns.

Phil ‘Rambo’ Kelly restored the lead for the favourites with a bruising display to leave everything dependent on the final games, with the northerners ahead in both.

It was Mike Cain who eventually sealed the win for his team, coming from behind and plugging away on his favourite straight marks to defeat Andy Kennish 21-19.

Captain Ian Kissack then put the cherry on the top of the cake for his team, beating Gary Conwell 21-16.

MAROWN A (6) (166), SOUTH RAMSEY A (3) (147) : John Gelling 21, Chas Grills 12; Dean Kipling 17, Adrian Skinner 21; Peter Kelly 19, Dave Hughes 21; Colin Kelly 21, Peter Collister 14; Neil Withers 21, Dave ‘Dido’ Kelly 16; Stuart Clague 4, John Kennish 21; Phil Kelly 21, Ben Dugdale 7; Ian Kissack 21, Gary Conwell 16; Mike Cain 21 Andy Kennish 19

A total of 13 Team RL360 riders travelled to Wales recently for the Maindy Flyers One-day Youth Stage Race.

The event was the sixth round of British Cycling’s National Youth Series and consisted of a prologue time trial and a circuit race for the older age groups and two circuit races for the younger ones.

The highlight of the day was Adam Kelly’s fantastic win in the hotly contested under-14 boys’ scratch race, held over 20 laps of the Llandow motor racing circuit in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Entering the closing stages the race was still together and looked to be heading for a massed bunch sprint. But Kelly was not prepared to wait and he powered away from his rivals to take a well-deserved win, his first in a British series.

William Draper and Thomas Bostock were close behind in eighth and 13th places respectively, with Tosh Teare farther back in 31st spot.

In the preceding time trial, Bostock was the top Manx rider in 11th spot, followed by Draper, Kelly and Teare in 15th, 21st and 26th positions.

After the times from the two results had been amalgamated, Bostock moved up to eighth place in the overall standings, with Draper 11th, Kelly 14th and Teare 31st.

In the under-16 boys’ circuit race three riders broke away from the leading group and were never caught. In the bunch sprint for fourth place, Owen Dudley was 10th, Matthew Draper 12th, Conor Davies 25th, Nathan Hinks 31st and Michael Moss 35th.

The times from the earlier prologue promoted Draper to seventh place overall, with Dudley 14th, Davies 18th, Hinks 31st and Moss, who suffered a mechanical problem, 35th.

Amelia Sharpe competed in the under-14 girls’ race, run in conjunction with the u16 girls. The Onchan youngster was credited with 14th overall, only 11 seconds down on third place.

The under-12 and under-10 categories were run under the slightly different format with two circuit races combing for the GC.

Both races in the under-12s ended in bunch sprints with only a handful of seconds separating most of the riders. Charlie Gibson and Aaron Lund both circulated in the leading group, with Gibson grabbing a brace of fifth places for a very good fifth overall. Lund finished 22nd in race one and 16th in race two for 22nd overall.

Nine-year-old Kiera Prentice competed in the under-10s and did well as a relative newcomer to off-island racing to finish 23rd in race one and 24th in race two. These put her in 24th position, sixth girl in the final overall standings.

Dozens of families enjoyed the festivities at last Thursday’s Michael Horticulture and Produce Show which raised hundreds of pounds for good causes.

Trophies and other prizes were awarded across a range of disciplines from making honey, sweets and jams to poetry, photography and handwriting.

The sports hall at Michael School was packed during the afternoon for the community event and there was standing room only for the evening’s auction of produce led by John Kennaugh.

Donations of £400 each were presented to the school and the new Breast Care Unit at Noble’s Hospital, the show’s chosen charity for 2014.

Organiser Janet Foss thanked the show’s helpers, judges and entrants, and paid tribute to the huge support from the village community.

Cup winners: Ruth Cannell (Plain bonnag); Michael Corlett (Men’s Victoria sponge); Jeanette Keig (Chocolate cake); Barbara Lawrence (Sweetpeas); Kathleen Kneale (Tomatoes); John Kaighin (Carrots, potatoes and best exhibit in show for vegetables); Sue Moore (Pickled onions); Mike Clague (Colour photograph of Glen Wyllin); Benjamin Dealtry (Best children’s exhibit in show and monster made from vegetables); Chelsea Brew (Children’s poetry); David Cannan (Honey); Anne Quayle (Fruit scones); Sophia Clague (Children’s handicrafts); John Kneen (Dahlias); Tim Shearman (Victoria sponge); Freddie Crowe (Monster made from vegetables age 4-11); Freya Dermott (Children’s posy); Peter Clague (Heaviest bag of potatoes); Gillian Hayes (Adult handicrafts); Eileen Crellin (Best exhibit in show for flowers).

Talks to revive development of the former marine laboratory in Port Erin are being held, Rushen MHK and Economic Development Minister Lawrence Skelly has revealed.

Two weeks ago Sea Breezes, which planned to develop their offices and library, a Marine Interpretation Centre (MIC) run by Manx Wildlife Trust (MWT), a 20-bedroom hotel and various marine-related activities at the site, pulled out because the Council of Ministers (CoMin) had rejected their ‘in detail’ planning application due to the visual impact of car parking.

‘I’m not giving up,’ said Mr Skelly.

‘I have a meeting arranged with Hamish Ross [from Sea Breezes], who is on holiday at the moment. I am going to discuss if there are any options open, I will also have a meeting with MWT to discuss options ... so I will be continuing to explore the options to realise this development for the community, whether that includes Sea Breezes and a MIC wholly or separately. I’m looking at it from a constituency and an economic development point of view.

‘I’m deeply disappointed this situation has arisen. It’s vitally important, particularly for tourism and the Isle of Man in general.’

Last week, August 5, Port Erin Commissioners stressed the failure of the Sea Breezes plan was not their fault and said they gave it their support.

‘A lot of people on social media are blaming us for not supporting it,’ said Godfrey Egee. He added the authority ‘highlighted’ some areas of concern but was ‘fully supportive’ of the plan itself.

Clerk Jason Roberts said: ‘We have interested party status, we are like the next door neighbour. Ultimately the decision is up to the planning department and CoMin.’

Nick Watterson said they should have had a meeting with Sea Breezes before they submitted the plan, to ‘talk about these things in advance and maybe come to an understanding before we sit there with a full application with no notice. It’s difficult for us to say “yes” to everything – to have that discussion would be helpful.’

Mr Roberts said that discussions might have happened before he became clerk.

Martin Norbury said: ‘Even if a plan is 95 per cent fantastic, if we felt we had a niggle we have to flag it to planning.’

Chairman Ged Power said: ‘It will be interesting to see if our local representatives [Rushen MHKs] make a comment. Any commissioners support investment in the village.

‘Maybe we should look at how strong and robust an application is and have pre-consultation [with the developer] as Nick alluded to.

‘I would like to hear from the developer why the plug was pulled.’

He said he hoped the three MHKs will, ‘do everything they can to rectify the issue.’

Steve George said: ‘At the last traders’ meeting Laurence Skelly said all is not lost.’

Will Halsall said: ‘The commissioners could be proactive rather than just put this on the three MHKs.’

Thursday, August 14

• Charity concert featuring ‘The Welsh wizard’, Byron Jones international theatre organist at the console of the Isle of Man Wurlitzer, Villa Marina Arcade, Douglas at 7.30pm. Tickets £10, call Peter Norris 493039.

• 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, August 15

• Little Miss Dynamite at the Commercial, Ramsey.

• Chris Winchester at Jaks, Douglas.

• Ian Thompson at Sam Webbs, Douglas.

• DJ Tim, Second Venue, 21 Victoria Street, Douglas, 8pm. Also Saturday.

• Karaoke at the Albert, Douglas, 9pm.

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

Saturday, August 16

• Borderline at the Railway, Douglas.

• Ian Thompson at The Station, Port St Mary.

• Symbollix at Jaks, Douglas.

• Grace Baptist Curch, Port Erin. Mrs Ruth Tickle (a winner of the Cleveland Medal) will perform a series of popular songs, there will also be refreshments and an epilogue. The evening is open to anyone to attend and is free of charge. 7.30pm.

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

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

• Karaoke at the Central Hotel, Ramsey.

Sunday, August 17

• One Wo/Man One Guitar ‘Party in the Park’ at The Bandstand, Mooragh Park, Ramsey. 3pm-5pm.

• Ray Sloane Karaoke at Jaks, Douglas.

• Shoh Slaynt in Castletown Square, 1.45pm-3pm.

• Rushen Silver Band, Villa Marina Gardens, 3pm.

• 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, August 19

• Shoh Slaynt at Peel Cathedral, 7.30pm-8.30pm.

• Manx Swing Band, Villa Marina Arcade, Douglas, 8pm.

• 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, August 20

• Karaoke at the British, Douglas.

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

Wednesday, August 20

• John Newman live at the Villa Marina, Douglas, 8.30pm.

Thursday, August 14

• 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 Shelley 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.

• Thighs, bums and tums, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 9.30am. Also Tuesday, call 335635.

• 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.

• Wheelie Active Parents (mums and buggies) 9.30am – 11am, Villa Marina reception, £2. Also Walk and Talk, Peel promenade, outside Harbour Lights Cafe, 9.45am – 11.30am, £1.50. Friday, Walk and Talk, NSC, Douglas, 9.30am–11.30am; also Mondays, Poulsom Park, Castletown, 9.45am – 11.30am, £1.50. Racquet Sports and Boccia, 12.15pm–1pm NSC, £1.75; Walk and Talk, 5.30pm–7pm, NSC, £1.50. Tuesdays,Walk and Talk, NSC, 9.30am–11.30am, £1.50; Walk and Talk, Ramsey Mooragh Park, (meet Rugby Club), £1.50, 9.30am–11.30am. Call Gianni 688556.

• Pilates, 9.30am and 10.45am, hot yoga 6pm and 7.30pm. Friday: kettlebells 7am and 1.10pm, get yoga fit 10am, hot yoga 6.30pm. Saturday: hot yoga, 10am and 11.30am. Sunday: hot yoga 10am and 11.30am. Monday: kettlebells 7am and 1.10pm, get yoga fit 10am, warm Pilates 5pm, hot yoga for beginners 6.30pm. Tuesday: 7am hot yoga, 5.30pm Pilates. Wednesday: kettlebells 7am and 1.10pm, get yoga fit 10am, hardcore 6 pack abs 5.45pm, Pilates 6.30pm at The Gym, Ramsey. Call 812100.

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

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

• Chair-based exercise sessions, Onchan Youth and Community Centre, 1.30pm. Also Friday, Port Erin Methodist Church hall, 2pm; Monday, Ramsey town hall, 10.30am; Tuesday, Castletown Sandfield residents’ lounge, 2pm; Wednesday, Westlands’ residents’ lounge, Peel, 10.30am. Call 642668.

• 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 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.

• Aerobics and body toning, bring your own mat, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 7pm. Also Monday, Park View hall, Kirk Michael. Call 455924.

• Yoga, Cooil Methodist hall, 7.15pm. Call 494489.

• Fencing for 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.

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

Friday, August 15

• 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. Saturday, 10am, The Pilates Studio, Peel. 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.

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

Saturday, August 16

• 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.

Sunday, August 17

• Reikido, The Royal British Legion, Port Erin, 11am-12.30pm. Also Monday 8pm-9pm. Call Nick on 398955.

• Bowling club night, Port Erin Bowling Club, Breagle Glen, 4pm-6pm.

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

Monday, August 18

• 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.

• 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, August 19

• 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. Call 491449.

• Zumba, Fiesta Havana, Douglas, 7pm. Email sjh@manx.net

• Tai Chi Chuan, Lezayre parish community hall, 7pm.

• IoM Karate Federation, Murray’s Road School, juniors 7pm, seniors 7.30pm. Call 612305.

• Early Morning Boot Camp, 6.15am-7am. Also Wednesday and Friday. Evening Boot Camp, 6pm-6.45pm, Tuesday and Thursday, and 9am-9.45am Saturday. Also kettlebell classes, Wednesday, 6pm-7pm, Saturday, 8am-8.45am, Marown Millennium hall. Call 465335.

Wednesday, August 20

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

• Balance and Pilates, 10.30am, Manx Legion Club, Douglas. (No floor exercise). Call 491449.

• Gentle body toning, NSC, Douglas, 11am. Call 688588.

• Chair-based exercises/stretch and flex, NSC, Douglas, noon. Call 688588.

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

• Valkyrs Hockey Club training, QEII astro pitch, Peel. Juniors (8+), 6pm; Seniors (13+), 7.30pm. Call 801802.

• Iyengar inspired yoga, 6pm-7.30pm, Brightlife, Andreas. Call Kel on 452015.

Thursday, August 14

• 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. Arbory Commissioners’ hall with Cathy Clucas, 7.30pm. Call 838527. St John’s House with James O’Meara, 7.30pm. Call 843436.

• Talk by David Kipling on ‘The role of volunteer divers in marine recording’, 7.30pm at Mount Tabor Chapel, Port St Mary. Run by the Manx Wildlife Trust.

• Bingo Quiz, Manor Hotel, Willaston, 9pm.

• Quiz Night at The Railway, Douglas, 8.30pm. Call 670773.

Friday, August 15

• August Coffee Morning for the Friends of Robert Owen House on from 10am-noon in the Corrin Hall, Peel. There will be cakes, books and bric-brac stalls, raffle and possible auction. Any donations of goods for the stalls would be very much appreciated.

• Information day highliting support for older people in the west at Peel Cathedral. 10.30am and 3.30pm. Refreshments will be provided and admission is free. For more information contact Adult Services on 686182.

• 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.

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

Saturday, August 16

• 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.

• Sale of goods from grand houses. (Antique and collectors fair). St Catherine’s Church hall, Church Road, Port Erin, 10am-4pm. For the friends of St John Ambulanc, Isle of Man.

• Car Boot Sale, Mill Road, Peel. (by Moore’s Kipper House). 10.30am-2.30pm. Cars £5, Vans £7. Admission Free. Proceeds to charities. Call 801200.

• 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, August 17

• Finding Meaning in My Life One Day Retreat at Knocksharry, Peel, 11am to 4.30pm. Free of charge, donations welcome. For details and to register visit: brahmakumaris.org/uk/isleofman or call 626940.

• Sleeping Angel Wood’s Fantastic Fun Day, Onchan Park, noon-3pm. Fun and entertainment for everybody.

• Isle of Man Farmers’ Market, at S100 Clubhouse, Castletown, 1.30pm-3.30pm.

• Car boot sale, Morton hall, Castletown, 2pm. Call 673320/481532.

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

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

• IOM Poetry Society monthly meeting, South Douglas Old Friends Association, Finch Road, Douglas. 7.30pm for 8pm. Everyone welcome.

Monday, August 18

• Summer School 2014, for students aged 10-18, at Youth Arts Centre, Kensington Road, Douglas, 10am-4pm. Until August 22. Further info: chloe@culturevannin.im or call 695787.

• 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, August 19

• 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, August 20

• 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.

• Manx Wildlife Trust. Rock pooling at Scarlett 2pm-4pm. Meeting in the car park.

• 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

• Bingo Quiz, Archibald Knox Onchan.

Thursday, August 14

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

• Manx Retirement Association stretch and flex at the NSC, Douglas, at 10am. Also, Friday, monthly walk starting in Silverdale Glen, 1.30pm. Wednesday, miniature golf at the Onchan Pleasure Park, at 2pm.

• Manx Footpaths Conservation Group walk, Clypse Reservoir, 10.30am.

• 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.

Saturday, August 16.

• Castletown Over 60s Club, 40s dance night, Morton hall, Castletown. 7.30pm.

Monday, August 18

• 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.

• 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.

• Laxey Minorca WI, Laxey Football Club, 7.45pm. Call 818194.

Tuesday, August 19

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

• Manx Footpaths Conservation Group walk, Port Erin Marine Biological station, 10.30am.

• 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.

• Michael WI, St Michael’s hall, Kirk Michael, 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.

Wednesday, August 20

• Laxey Sketch Club, 1.30pm-3.30pm, Laxey Football Clubhouse, summer outdoors.

• Sulby Art Club, 2pm-4pm at St Stephen’s Church hall. New members welcome. Call 488014.

• Onchan Ladies meet in Morton hall, the Pensioners Club, 2.15pm. Call Shirley Baldwin 620352.

• 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, August 14

• 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.

• Arbory Tots, from birth, parish hall, Ballabeg, 2pm. Cost £1 per family. Call 832394.

• Toddler Tunes, Community Room, Michael School, 2pm. Call 878090.

• 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.

• 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.

Friday, August 15

• Tiddlers, parents and tots, Elim Church, Onchan, 10am. Call 434933.

• Parents and tots, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 10am.

• 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.

Saturday, August 16

• 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.

Monday, August 18

• 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.

• Michael Miniatures’ parents and tots, Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, 2pm. £1.50 per family. Call 491592.

• Do Drop Inn Drama Club, children aged 10+, St Paul’s hall, Ramsey, 7pm.

Tuesday, August 19

• Parents and tots, Auldyn Infants School community room, Ramsey, 9.15am-11.15am.

• 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.

Wednesday, August 20

• 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, Douglas, 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.

• 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.

• The Energy Youth Group, Colby Methodist Chapel, 7pm-8.30pm. Call Jane, 492010.

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