Firefighters were called out to deal with a blaze in a Douglas industrial unit overnight.

Crews from Douglas and Laxey were mobilised to reports of a fire at a garage on Demesne Road at about 1.15am today (Saturday).

They arrived to find a developing fire.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose reels and jets to bring the fire under control quickly and confine it to an area of one room.

Crews then worked with the Manx Utilities Authority to isolate damaged power cables and make the building safe before leaving the scene at about 3.50am.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by fire officers but it is not thought to be suspicious.

Top DJ Tim Westwood will make an exclusive appearance at Tahiko nightclub at the Palace Hotel in Douglas on Friday, September 5.

The event, open to over 18s only, will take place from 11pm to 4am, when guests can expect to hear the urban, hip hop, house, R&B, soca and afro beats.

One of the most-recognised DJ names in the UK and beyond, Tim has hosted his Saturday night Capital Xtra show since 2013, having previously presented the number one Urban Show on Radio 1 and 1Xtra for almost 20 years.

He is recognised as a huge influence in the music industry, having sold more than two million albums to date and winning multiple awards throughout his career. He is also known as the presenter of MTV UK’s most successful production, Pimp My Ride UK.

Sefton Group marketing manager Nicola Wilkinson said: ‘We are thrilled to be able to welcome Tim to the Isle of Man this September, and we’re very excited to see what he has in store for his set! Tickets are available now for just £10 – a great price for what is sure to be a brilliant night out and an exclusive celebrity performance to look forward to.’

Tickets are on sale at River Island in Douglas and the Palace Hotel reception desk.

Maughold Social Club is looking for new poems that sum up all that is thrilling and beautiful in the parish with winning entries to be featured in The Maughold Show - a planned celebration of the parish in the Island of Culture year, supported by the Isle of Man Arts Council.

Anyone who lives in or who has any connection with Maughold has until September 10 to submit their work.

The social club suggests a maximum of 20 lines of verse and will provide prizes of book tokens to the winners in three age groups - up to seven years old (reception to year 2), seven to 11 years old (school years three to six) and 11 years and above.

Clare Christian, president of Maughold Social Club, said: ‘The Maughold Show will celebrate the people and poetry, folk and folklore that have been associated with Maughold over the centuries. Alongside the historical greats connected with our corner of the Isle of Man, we want to include the best of contemporary poetry too.’

Dhoon School pupils can submit their poems to the school on or before September 10; other entrants can submit theirs by the same deadline via email to mscsecretary@manx.net.

More information and rules are available from the secretary or via the Maughold Social Club page on facebook.

The Maughold Show is being staged by the Social Club jointly with Dhoon School on October 3. More details will be announced shortly but to reserve tickets.

Contact the secretary Gill Corlett mscsecretary@manx.net or telephone 815988.

A tremendous £53,166 was raised for Cancer Research UK at the 24-hour Relay for Life event at the weekend.

More than 400 people part took in the event, which was started with a lap of honour by cancer survivors and patients.

Event chairman Nicola Walkingshaw said: ‘We managed to raise a total on the day of £53,166, and we are still seeing donations, sponsorship and matched funding flooding in so we hope to reach our target of £65,000, to better our final total last year of over £63,000 for Cancer Research UK.

‘I am delighted to say that it is thanks to our wonderful community and the kindness of individuals and businesses that we continue to grow this event and the fundraising levels year on year.’

During the day there was a range of themed laps, a candle of hope ceremony as well as a chance to find out more about Cancer Research UK at an awareness stand.

Among those taking part were friends and family of Lucy Callow, who lost her battle with cancer earlier this month at the age of 20.

All the funds raised in the island go directly to cancer research in centres that treat Isle of Man-based patients.

Peel eased to an impressive 3-0 victory over title rivals St Mary’s in the Canada Life Premier League on Saturday.

In the big match of the day, the westerners got off to a flying start as new signings Ashley Webster and Josh Kelly put them two goals up inside the first 13 minutes.

It remained that way until the second half when Daniel Pickering added a third with a fine strike as Steve Falconer’s men ran out comfortable winners.

Elsewhere, Ayre United maintained their 100 per cent winning return to the top flight with an impressive 4-2 win at Corinthians, despite being forced to play the majority of the game with 10 men.

Another northern team to impress were Ramsey who stunned St John’s 3-0, while Laxey got the better of Michael United 4-2 and DHSOB thumped Gymns by six goals without reply.

Results from Saturday, August 30:

Canada Life Premier League

Peel 3-0 St Mary’s

Corinthians 2-4 Ayre United

Laxey 4-2 Michael United

DHSOB 6-0 Gymns

Ramsey 3-0 St John’s

JCK Division Two

Douglas Royal 7-1 Pulrose United

Douglas Athletic 3-2 Colby

RYCOB 5-2 Malew

Braddan 0-1 Onchan

Douglas and District 1-6 Castletown

Foxdale 0-5 Marown

Canada Life Combination One

Ayre United 4-4 Corinthians

St Mary’s 1-5 Peel

Michael United 3-6 Laxey

St John’s 1-1 Ramsey

Gymns 1-9 DHSOB

JCK Combination Two

Marown 1-2 Foxdale

Castletown 1-9 Douglas and District

Onchan 3-5 Braddan

Malew 0-2 RYCOB

Colby 2-3 Douglas Athletic

Douglas Royal 5-3 Pulrose

A street collection held across the island at the weekend for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal for Gaza raised more than £4,600.

The collection was co-ordinated by the One World Centre and the money collected by volunteers in Douglas, Ramsey, Peel, Castletown and Port Erin will be distributed to aid agencies working to provide humanitarian support to the hundreds of thousands of people caught up in the conflict zone.

The island’s effort was boosted by donations from a talk at the Sayle Gallery by Phil Craine, who visited the West Bank as a UN humanitarian observer earlier this year, and a collection at St Andrew’s United Reformed Church, in Douglas .

As well as a lack of clean water, food and medical supplies, the main power station for the area is inoperable and hospitals are struggling to cope.

It’s estimated more than 2,100 have been killed in the current conflict, and the DEC say a further 10,000 people have been injured in Gaza.

Donations can still be made at DEC collecting tins at Manx Co-op stores or through the DEC website at dec.org.uk.

This week an open-ended ceasefire between Hamas and Israel was announced.

Black bears and killer whales awaited seven teenagers who have just completed a three-week expedition to Canada’s Vancouver Island.

The youngsters were part of Adventurous Experiences’ Youth Scholarship – Development and Leadership Programme.

The trip saw the group learning to work as a team in a challenging environment where decision making was key.

Every night they camped and during they day they used whatever mode of transport most suited the objectives of the expedition.

These included kayaking around the northern coasts of Vancouver Island and hiking in the Strathcona National Park.

Close encounters and interaction with wildlife formed a key part of the education process.

The group was lucky enough to encounter deer, black bears, grey whale, and humpback whales.

Expedition leader and company director Keirron Tastagh said a particular highlight for the team was getting a close up look at a pod of orcas from their wild campsite.

Vancouver Island is known for being able to watch the whales coming close into the shore to rub their bellies against the gravel beach.

Keirron said: ‘Dealing with dynamic and changing conditions is fundamental to a long-term positive attitude.

‘The constant challenge of problem solving whilst dealing with adversity is embraced, and dedication, perseverance and team work pays off.

‘The team effort was exemplary, and it was a real pleasure to lead such a motivated group.’

In preparation for the trip, the team completed 18 months of training with Adventurous Experiences.

The training programme was open to all year 12 students (ages 16 and 17) from the island’s secondary schools in autumn 2013 and it was funded by the company.

Office manager John Keggin said: ‘As our main community project, we fund the entire leadership and development training program, with students contributing towards their costs for the expedition only.’

In total, 22 students were accepted into the programme, with applicants from four of the six schools. Seven continued their commitment to it through a self-selection process.

One of the students, Fergus Veale, who has just completed his A-levels at Castle Rushen High School has been offered a full time apprenticeship role at Adventurous Experiences working alongside the coaching team.

• Kierron and the team will visit schools in the autumn term to give details about the next programme, due to start in January 2015 with an expedition planned for 2016.

Education Minister Tim Crookall MHK represented the Isle of Man at the second Edinburgh International Culture Summit at the Scottish Parliament last week.

The Isle of Man was one of 25 international government delegations brought together with speakers, arts leaders and culture experts from across the world.

According to a statement from the Scottish Parliament, the event has been ‘hailed as a great success by participants and delegates, and recognised as a truly global collaboration on the current day role of culture and the arts’.

The programme featured a line-up of speakers including Nandi Mandela, businesswoman and grand-daughter of Nelson Mandela; Benjamin Barber from the City University of New York, Danielle Cliche, UNESCO - Secretary on Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, and Simon Anholt, the world’s leading authority on national image and reputation, and a world leader on ultra-wide scale human engagement.

A plea was heard over the three-day summit for recognition of the importance of the arts and cultural contribution to society. In particular there was a call for culture to be placed at the centre of government policy making and a more unified voice for the arts across the world.

Mr Crookall said: ‘I welcomed the opportunity represent the Isle of Man at such a high-profile gathering of Culture Ministers and culture and arts experts from around the globe.

‘I had really positive discussions with Nandi Mandela; Tricia Marwick, presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament; Illugi Gunnarson, Iceland’s Minister for Education, Science and Culture; Jean Kapata, Minister for Arts and Culture from Zambia; Aileen McKechnie, director of Culture and Heritage Scotland; Joanne Orr, director of Museums Scotland and Alistair Carmichael MP, Secretary of State for Scotland.

‘I hope we will be able to further these links among all nations.

‘There is a demonstrated correlation between having a strong, positive cultural identity and attracting business investment, so I was pleased to take part in discussions on the importance of culture for the economic success of a country.

‘A British Council survey has shown positive influences on a country’s ‘cultural attractiveness’ include not only the presence of culture and historic attractions but also its countryside and landscape, its people and a reputation for being safe, all attributes of the Isle of Man.’

Sir Jonathan Mills, director of the Edinburgh International Festival and programme director of the Edinburgh International Culture Summit, said: ‘The theme of the 2014 summit has been somewhat provocative.

‘At a time when economic systems have become forces unto themselves, and struggle to be perceived as either transparent or trustworthy, the thought that the creative outpouring of our civilisations might fill such an ethical vacuum and become a currency of trust seems appropriate, if a little confronting.

‘The Edinburgh International Culture Summit is hosted by a city in which, for almost seventy years, cultural relationships of a most diverse and intense kind have been initiated and nurtured. I hope that from this summit there will emerge a series of practical recommendations that are sensitive, sensible, and above all achievable.’

Organisations from across the island are being invited to take part in Employment and Skills 2014, the largest local event highlighting career and training opportunities for Isle of Man residents.

The event takes place on Thursday, November 13, at the Villa Marina, Douglas, and is jointly hosted by the Department of Economic Development and the Department of Education and Children.

Tony Wild MLC, political member for the Department of Economic Development with responsibility for employment and skills said: ‘The event is open to anyone either seeking to extend their skills or looking for new opportunities and career options. We welcome any companies and associations from the private, public and third sectors to exhibit in order to demonstrate the breadth of opportunities available in the Isle of Man.

‘Our economy is expected to grow further over the next few years driven by the creation of hundreds of new jobs and the Government’s Vision2020 strategy has identified that in order to achieve this, the Isle of Man requires a workforce with a broad range of skills.’

Organisations wishing to exhibit should complete the online application form which can be found along with full details of the event at www.gov.im/es2014 or contact the event organiser MeShell Berry by telephoning 01624 693830 or via email at meshell.berry@gov.im

A close look at unemployment figures reveals that the island is suffering from a skills gap.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/business/number-out-of-work-rises-for-the-first-time-since-january-1-6725136|Click here for a recent story about that.}

The popularity of ‘Thirsty Thursday’ on the steam railway has resulted in the promotion being extended throughout next month.

Passengers can experience the hospitality on September 4, 11, 18 and 25, between Douglas and Port Erin.

The restored dining car serves up a selection of suppers, while a range of locally brewed ales, beers, wines and spirits are on offer in the bar car.

The train leaves Douglas at 7pm and returns from Port Erin at 9.15pm, with bar food available on both legs of the journey.

The Thirsty Thursday nights have been very popular throughout the summer, with people taking the opportunity to enjoy a scenic trip on the steam railway while sipping a cool drink or tucking into favourite dishes such as pie ‘n’ mash.

Reservations and inquiries can be made by calling the booking office on 697457 or emailing steamdining@gov.im

Further information is available on the Government website at www.iombusandrail.info

An island-wide campaign has been launched to encourage residents to stop placing waste items which could be recycled in their wheelie bins.

Items such as large gas cylinders, tree stumps and even an engine block have been found in the Energy from Waste plant’s waste stream in the past, causing problems with its normal operation.

These have been known to cause blockages which can result in interruptions to the company’s generation of electricity, which feeds into the island’s electricity network.

SITA, which runs the EfW, and environment group Zero Waste Mann have teamed up to produce 1,000 leaflets to remind everyone about the alternative options available for disposing of waste, what can be recycled, where it can be recycled and to inform people what to avoid putting into their wheelie bins.

SITA operations manager Jon Garrad said: ‘There have been a number of occasions where we have had to temporarily shut down our normal operation and remove items such as these.

‘However, we don’t just want to raise awareness of large items such as these. Even glass bottles, tins and cans are better being recycled as they don’t release any energy in the process.’

He added: ‘You would be surprised by some of the things we find coming into the facility.

‘It never ceases to amaze us. You name it, we’ve seen it.’

The leaflets have been sent to some homes and are also available from libraries and civic centres.

Copies can be picked up from the Green Centre, in Chester Street Centre, Douglas, on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm.

The leaflet gives a reminder that the four civic amenity sites across the island will accept a wide variety of waste including garden waste, car batteries, ceramics and bricks, waste oil and scrap metal free of charge and that items such as TVs, fridges, freezers and computer monitors are accepted, subject to a recycling fee.

It also highlights how newspapers, magazines, card, bottles, tins, cans, aerosols, clothes, shoes and textiles can all be recycled, using the facilities in place across the island.

And further advice is given on hazardous waste items which can require specialist handling and disposal.

Zero Waste Mann chairman Muriel Garland said: ‘This is an important issue. Many items which are being placed in wheelie bins can easily be recycled, with very little effort.

‘We hope that this initiative will serve as a strong reminder that we can all help to protect our environment by following a few very simple guidelines.’

• For more information on local civic amenity sites visit the environment and greener living section at www.gov.im.

Zero Waste Mann offer advice on a wide range of issues at www.zerowastemann.org.

Information on SITA is available at www.sita.co.im or call 695260.

Manx swimmer Charlotte Atkinson insisted she was satisfied with her week’s work at the Youth Olympic Games, despite failing to grab an individual medal in Nanjing.

Fresh from competing at the Commonwealth Games, the major international competitions kept on coming for Atkinson as she spent last week in China for the second summer Youth Olympic Games.

And despite her busy schedule, 17-year-old Atkinson still had enough left in the tank to help Great Britain claim women’s 4x100m medley relay silver last Monday.

However, Atkinson found the individual events much tougher as she finished eighth in the 100m butterfly final and failed to escape her 50m and 200m equivalent heats.

But the Isle of Man Swimming Club star wasn’t about to get too disheartened, especially since she still claimed a medal at the end of a very long season.

‘It was always going to be a tough meet at the end of a long season and that is exactly what it was,’ said Atkinson, who also helped Team GB finish sixth in the mixed 4x100m medley relay.

‘I got to one final and it was a tough race and I always knew I would be up against it and would have to produce something special.

‘I just gave it everything I had but unfortunately it just wasn’t enough.

‘I am obviously disappointed I have not got an individual medal this competition but I am really happy with how I have swam and of course the silver medal.’

Atkinson is no stranger to multi-sport events, having experienced it at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games already this year.

But the teenager admits that the Youth Olympic Games opened her eyes even further.

‘I really enjoyed the whole competition and it was a lot of fun being part of Team GB and going to see and talk to people from other sports,’ she added.

‘It really shows you what a senior Olympics is like and I would love to do that one day.’

The British Olympic Association prepares and leads British athletes at the summer, winter and youth Olympic Games.

It works in partnership with sport national governing bodies to enhance Olympic success and is responsible for championing the Olympic Values.

Visit www.teamgb.com for more information.

Arbory, Malew and Ballaugh Scouts got together to support the Island at War event by providing cakes and a cuppa to the passengers on every train that came into Castletown Railway Station.

They also provided escort duties to the ‘sick, injured and prisoners’ who came off the trains.

A ‘field hospital’ was available for the needy in the ‘waiting room’ with five camp beds made up and awaiting the injured.

This was followed by Arbory Scouts travelling on the Sunday afternoon to Cregneash to take part in the ‘recruitment march’ around the village.

They encouraged spectators to fall in behind them, the Army Cadets and the band.

By calling to everyone to ‘join the Army and fight for your country’, a large line of people then joined the parade.

On Wednesday, September 3, Trevor Norton will be the speaker at the first Isle of Man Literary Society meeting of the 2014/15 season.

Trevor was a professor of marine biology who transformed into a successful writer of literary non-fiction.

His five books are about eccentric people doing extraordinary things.

His humour and prose have drawn comparisons with Gerald Durrell and Bill Bryson. The intriguing title of his talk is ‘How to Seduce an Agent’.

According to a press statement from the Literary Society the audience, especially budding writers, ‘may learn a trick or two on how to break into publishing’.

The meetings of the society will be in a new venue this season. Waterstone’s book shop, Strand Street, Douglas has made its coffee lounge on the first floor of the shop available for meetings.

Meetings will take place on the first Wednesday of the month starting at 7.30pm, though Waterstone’s coffee lounge will be open for the purchase of light refreshments from 6pm.

Membership of the society is £10 a year and visitors are welcome to meetings for a £2 donation.

The society reminded writers that it was seeking entries for the Olive Lamming Memorial Writing Competition which the society administers on behalf of the Isle of Man Arts Council.

There are three categories: short story, poetry, short non fiction. A first prize of £100 is available in each category.

Entry forms may be downloaded from the internet – Google Olive Lamming Writing Competition. They are also available in hard copy from libraries and bookshops.

A new development this year is that all entries are to be published by dpdotcom digital publishing in paperback, Kindle and iPad format.

The president of Methodist Women in Britain is to speak in the Isle of Man about her work with a group of women who face systematic discrimination in south Asia.

Linda Crossley will speak at the Promenade Methodist Church on Loch Promenade, Douglas, on Tuesday, September 11, at 7.30pm, about dalits.

About 300 million people around the world are dalits, also known as ‘untouchables’ or without caste.

They experience violence, discrimination, and social exclusion on a daily basis.

Dalit women describe themselves as subject to three-fold discrimination, because they are poor, dalit and female.

They are one of the largest socially segregated groups anywhere in the world, and make up 2 per cent of the world’s total population.

Dalit women constitute half of the 200 million dalit population, and 16.3 of the total Indian female population. The traditional taboos are the same for dalit men and dalit women.

However, dalit women have to deal with them more often.

Dalit women are discriminated against not only by people of higher castes, but also within their own communities.

The discrimination that dalit women are subjected to is similar to racial discrimination, where the former is discriminated and treated as untouchable due to descent, for being born into a particular community, while, the latter face discrimination due to colour.

The caste system declares dalit women as ‘impure’ and therefore untouchable and hence socially excluded.

This is a complete negation and violation of women’s human rights. Men are dominant in dalit communities. Dalit women also have less power within the dalit movement itself.

The Methodist Women in Britain (MWiB) have pledged to combat this global injustice.

MWiB says it hopes to produce worship and study materials to be used in groups and churches, to offer sustained prayer, and to offer funds where they can best be used for the support of dalit people.

Emergency services were called out after a car overturned on the Little Mill Road in Onchan.

Crews from Douglas fire station, along with police and paramedics, attended the scene of the road traffic collision at 8pm on Saturday night in which a car ended up on its side.

Although the occupant did not appear to be seriously injured the position of the vehicle on the steep hill meant the car had to be stabilised before access could be made to allow the driver to be helped out.

The driver was taken to the waiting ambulance and then on to Noble’s Hospital for a thorough check-up and treatment to cuts and abrasions.

Nine Manx cyclists raised £8,625 for The Children’s Centre by taking part in a gruelling 441-mile ride across the Pyrenees.

The team, which included two riders on a tandem, took on the challenge of completing the Raid Pyrenean ride from Hendaye in south west France to Cerbere in the south east.

To complete the challenge, cyclists have to cover the full distance in less than 100 hours.

It’s one of the toughest challenge rides in the world and involves cycling over many of the mountain passes which often feature in the Tour de France, such as the Col du Tourmalet, Col d’Aubisque, and Col de Peyresourde. In total, the challenge requires riders to climb more than 11,000 metres in terms of altitude gained.

Seven riders – Mike Clough, Phil Crellin, Rob Lord, Rob Quane, Bill Shimmins, Paul Warburton and Mike Gardner who is chairman of trustees at The Children’s Centre – completed the full distance within the time limit.

The two tandem riders – multiple Paralympics medallist Ian Sharpe, who is blind, and The Children’s Centre’s fundraising co-ordinator Mark Eastham – completed 350 miles despite suffering three punctures, a broken spoke, and going through two sets of brake pads.

The pair eventually had to call it a day after Ian suffered a knee injury.

Mark said: ‘The Raid Pyrenean is a fantastic event with a great history going back more than half a century.

‘It took a real team effort to complete the challenge. We are extremely grateful to all of the riders who took part, and everyone who sponsored them and contributed to such magnificent fundraising total.

Thanks must also go to Ian Sharpe who stepped in at the last minute after one of the original team had to drop out, and to the Steam Packet for transporting the team to the UK.’

Mike Clough said: ‘This was an amazing and very rewarding experience and one which I will remember for a very long time. The level of support and encouragement from my fellow riders, family, friends and colleagues was fantastic and I would like to thank them all.

‘I would also like to say a huge thank you to everyone who sponsored me and therefore helped The Children’s Centre continue with the excellent work that they do here in the Isle of Man. Their generosity was also supported by my employer, Barclays, who kindly agreed to match donations to a value of £1,000.’

All of the funds raised will go to support The Children’s Centre’s charitable projects Mobex, Out2Play, Child Contact Centre, Community Development and the Community Farm, which all benefit families and children in communities across the Island.

Following the success of the Raid Pyrenean event, Mark Eastham is already planning a similar cycle challenge next year.

Final details have yet to be confirmed, but it’s likely to be in the French Alps in mid-summer. If you are interested please email markeastham@thechildrenscentre.org.im or call 631917.

Landscaping work is taking place on St German’s Cathedral’s new car park to be situated in the field in front of the cathedral.

The work started on August 11 and is due to be completed this week.

While works are being completed, the Derby Road entrance to the cathedral will be closed and there will be parking only for disabled badge holders.

Drivers are asked to use the Atholl Street entrance, with pedestrian access to the cathedral and Corrin Hall via Lyndale Avenue or Atholl Street.

Dean Nigel Godfrey said: ‘We are very grateful for the patience of the local community during this time of development and are excited about the start of the projects which will have a long-term impact on our island community.’

Other work recently completed includes important restoration to the cathedral’s delicate west window which suffered greatly during the windy winter of 2013.

More than 10 per cent of the cathedral’s £10 million fundraising target has been reached already.

Campaign chairman John Morphet is making his gift to the projects by giving a year’s revenue from a flat at his Barbados resort.

He said: ‘These developments will benefit the entire island – the place which has become our home – and we’re determined to see it thrive.’

Douglas Council has petitioned the Department of Infrastructure for permission to borrow almost £1.3 million for major works.

The vast majority of the money will be used to upgrade and refurbish the island’s only crematorium at Douglas Chapel in Glencrutchery Road.

The council has requested to borrow a sum ‘not exceeding £1,126,856 for the purpose of extension, refurbishment and upgrade’ to the facility.

A report submitted to the council’s Regeneration and Community Committee in July stated that both the chapel building and the crematorium are in ‘urgent’ need of upgrade.

Contractors NK Construction Limited have been selected following a tender process, but no commencement date can be fixed until permission for the loan is granted by the DoI.

In August the council was forced to abandon its request for government help to cover the charges incurred by the loan, which it is estimated will cost the council around £70,000 per year.

According to the minutes of a special meeting of the Regeneration Committee that took place on August 7, the DoI said that it would have ‘great difficulty in approving the requested grant increase’ and would prefer that ‘fee payers rather than taxpayers’ should cover the costs of the loan charges.

The money will instead be raised by increasing the fees for use of the crematorium and other services offered by the chapel.

A report into the options for covering the shortfall with fee increases is scheduled for discussion by the committee in October.

An additional £690,000 will come from the council’s Cremator Renewals Reserve Fund in an attempt to minimise its borrowing.

Money from this fund will be used to upgrade filtration equipment and replace one of the facility’s two cremators with a new unit designed to accept larger individuals.

Cremation services will not be disrupted by the proposed work.

In a statement, Douglas Borough Council’s assistant chief executive Sue Harrison said: ‘The council is planning improvements at the Borough Chapel and Crematorium. Subject to borrowing approval, works will start to improve facilities for mourners, clergy, and funeral directors.

‘As well as extensive upgrading and refurbishment of the chapel, it is proposed to accommodate mercury abatement equipment to latest guidelines, and new crematoria equipment including a cremator acceptable of accepting larger individuals.

‘The project will take approximately 12 months to complete.’

Meanwhile the council has also requested permission to borrow up to £170,000 to resurface two levels of Shaw’s Brow car park in central Douglas.

Following similar work on the top level last year, the council intend to proceed with the resurfacing of levels four and five should funding be approved by the DoI.

Level four contains 136 public pay and display spaces and three spaces for disabled motorists, which will be unavailable to the public for around six weeks once the work begins.

While the resurfacing work only takes between two and three weeks per level, the users of the 132 contract spaces on level five will be displaced to the newly-resurfaced level four spaces while the work is completed.

Therefore there should be no interruption in service to users of the contract parking spaces.

Access is also expected to be maintained for users of the contract spaces on level six.

The work forms part of continuing maintenance which is designed to extend the working life of the car park.

Subject to approval and completion of the work, it is planned that levels two and three will be resurfaced during 2015.

Douglas Council’s petitions for funding for both the Borough Chapel and Shaw’s Brow car park will be considered by the DoI during the week starting Monday, September 8.

People wishing to submit views to the department may write to the Petitions Officer, Local Government Unit, Department of Infrastructure, Sea Terminal Building, Douglas IM1 2RF by Friday, September 5.

The funds for each project will be borrowed from commercial lenders rather than central government, but the council must first obtain the approval of the DoI.

A conference organised by the Manx Museum and De Montfort University takes place next month on the subject of First World War internment on the Isle of Man.

Marking the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first German and Austrian civilian prisoners on the Isle of Man in September 1914, the proceedings get under way on Friday, September 12, with a public lecture at the Manx Museum by Profession Panikos Panayi, on Knockaloe as a site of imperial internment.

Professor Panayi of De Montfort University has spent many years studying internment and has published widely on the impact of the First World War on German communities in Britain prior to 1914.

His latest release, Germans as Minorities during the First World War, was published in July 2014 by Ashgate publishing.

The following day, Saturday 13 September will see a number of academics from Britain, Germany and America gather to present their research into internment in the First World War. Sessions are open to members of the public with an interest in this subject. Finally on Sunday, September 14, a tour of the site of Knockaloe Camp will take place, led by Yvonne Cresswell of Manx National Heritage.

MNH Curator Matthew Richardson said: ‘This promises to be a fascinating conference, on one of the lesser known aspects of the First World War.

‘The role of the Isle of Man as an internment centre is one that we are still unravelling almost 100 years later, and new and revealing pieces of information continue to come to light, telling us more about what life was like in the camps of Douglas and Knockaloe for the Germans, Austrians and Turks held here.’

He added: ‘We are enormously proud at Manx National Heritage to be hosting the distinguished team of scholars which Professor Panayi has brought together. This is a really unique opportunity for people of the Isle of Man to hear and interact with some of the leading researchers in this field.’

Full details of the conference programme and how to book can be found on www.manxnationalheritage.im