COULD budget airline easyJet be about to launch a new route between the Isle of Man and London Gatwick?

Some island customers who logged onto the easyJet website found flights being advertised to London Gatwick starting in October.

The flights started from £25.49 each way with the route operating in October, November and December.

But reference to the new route was subsequently removed from the easyJet website and it is not possible at the moment to book any tickets,

A spokesman for easyJet said there had been no official announcement about the new route.

No frills airline easyJet launched services between Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Ronaldsway in May 2010. It carried more than 64,300 passengers on the route last year.

MANX2 has scrapped all ‘hidden’ booking fees and payment card surcharges – in a move which many passengers hope will be followed by other air operators serving the island.

From yesterday (Thursday) it announced it is abolishing all charges on credit and debit cards and all booking and transaction fees, meaning that customers can book knowing they’ll be paying no more than the advertised price for the flight.

Chairman Noel Hayes said that additional fees being levied across the aviation industry were creating ‘bad feeling’ among the travelling public – and he did not believe the move towards incremental increases in booking fees were justifiable.

He said: ‘What’s happened in the aviation industry over the past two years is that the level of charges has been pushed up above what I would regard as acceptable.

‘We’ve got to the stage where we’re not going to follow the industry trend. It’s not something we want to be part of.

‘Passengers don’t know what they are going to pay until they get to the end of the booking process. It generates bad feeling. We don’t get a lot of complaints but proportionally we get more complaints about additional fees.

‘So in the interests of charging transparency we have done away with all these additional charges and what you see is what you’ll pay.’

Manx2.com’s prices also include all taxes, a guarantee of no fuel surcharges, a free 10kg carry-on bag allowance, free online check-in, free transfer to an earlier flight on the day of travel as well as free parking at Blackpool and Gloucestershire Airports.

The only extras will be £9.99 for hold luggage and £3 if you want to pay for priority boarding.

Mr Hayes said there were no plans to increase fares to cover the cost of losing the extra fees and surcharges – and the company would absorb the cost (about 2 to 3 per cent of the ticket price) of processing credit card transactions.

He said it was hoped that scrapping these extra charges would generate additional passengers volume that would offset the lost income.

Manx2 has always charged a fee for booking by credit card but it introduced a booking fee 18 months ago of £4.50 per single journey.

Additional fees per booking were capped at £20.

Last year, a super-complaint from Which? to the UK Office of Fair Trading resulted in Westminster government announcing measures to try to outlaw credit card surcharges. However, many companies have responded by simply transferring card charges onto higher booking fees instead.

David Buck, managing director of Manx2.com, said: ‘Many companies impose charges you can only avoid by using an obscure payment card and we hope that passengers will show their support for our honest pricing and vote with their wallets.’

Infrastructure Minister David Cretney MHK congratulated Manx2 on the move, saying: ‘I sincerely hope others follow your lead.’

RAMSEY travel to Ruskin Park this Saturday facing an extremely tough game in South Lancashire and Cheshire Division Two.

Park are currently topping the table and although there are unconfirmed rumours of possible points deductions, they are provisionally champions. Ramsey are still embroiled in a relegation dogfight and need three points from the game to be guaranteed safety.

Less than three will mean waiting nervously for other results to come in. Their nearest rivals Trentham have a home game against second-placed Oswestry which means everyone at Ramsey will be willing on the Eagles this Saturday.

Ramsey upset the applecart at the end of last season by winning away at Ruskin Park and the players who were there that day will know that a win is far from impossible. In theory, it could be the last league game of the season so a big final effort is needed.

There is a remaining game away at Southport which could be played if needs be, but the RFU will be banking on the matter being settled this weekend.

Ramsey were outplayed in the second half against Douglas last week. The pack struggled to take its own scrum ball and the backline had no answer for Douglas’ pace and power. Ruskin Park will play a similar game so much improvement is needed. Ramsey have been missing leading try scorer Ali Trace and if fit again, he could well give an added edge in the backs.

Up front, much will depend on who is able to travel but they will be hoping hooker Peter Verrall is available again to help cement the set piece.

2E2 Douglas host bottom side Ellesmere Port in the Port-e-Chee outfit’s final South Lancashire/Cheshire Division Two game of the 2011-2012 season.

Port have not faired well this season and have been on the end of some heavy defeats, Douglas on the other hand are buoyed by a crushing home victory over local rivals Ramsey last time out.

This has to be a bonus-point win if Douglas are to stay clear of the chasing pack and retain a very credible third place, bragging rights as top Manx side in the league and keep momentum for the Manx Cup final next weekend, where again there is home advantage for the Port-e-Chee men.

Coach Tom Waterworth and skipper Ryan Maddox will be fielding the strongest possible side to achieve those goals and maybe more as it ain’t over till it’s over as the old saying goes.

Get down for a 2.15pm kick-off and then head up to Ballafletcher to watch the club’s B team in their third domestic final of the year against Nomads - kick-off in that one is 3.30pm.

SURE-sponsored Vagabonds will this weekend bring down the curtain on their South Lancashire/Cheshire Division Two campaign with a home game against the once high-flying Crewe and Nantwich RFC.

I say once high-flying as unfortunately for this Saturday’s visitors they were recently deducted 10 points for an administrative error when registering players.

This deduction has seen them fall out of the promotion places and down into fourth.

The Ballafletcher outfit had a impressive away win last weekend in awful conditions.

This weekend, Vagas will be hoping for a dry day so the likes of Ross McCulloch and co can cause havoc out wide.

Skipper Leigh Kennaugh will return to the scrum-half shirt this weekend which will in turn see the backline outside him shuffle once more.

In the engine room Chris Neil is unavailable so Ean Mousley will look to get a start alongside powerhouse Mark Howarth.

The Manx outfit will look to finish strong and use this weekend’s game to try a few things out before they meet arch-rivals Douglas the following week in the Manx Cup final. Kick off at Ballafletcher is 3pm.

Our Pumps 4 Kids campaign has hit its £20,000 target and it’s all thanks to you, our generous readers.

Launched in conjunction with the Manx Diabetic Group in early March, Pumps 4 Kids aimed to raise the money to eradicate the children’s waiting list for pump therapy for Type 1 diabetes. Pump therapy completely replaces the need for injections.

We set ourselves a target of achieving the total by Christmas, but we have done it in just six weeks.

So we’ve decided, with your help, to keep going. It will hopefully mean that, in future, no child will have to wait again for a pump.

We’ll keep our charity account open and hope you’ll keep letting us know about any events you’ve organised. For our part, we’ve got some events lined up too, including a Pumps 4 Kids entry in the Parish Walk.

DOUGLAS High School Old Boys begin their bid for a combination football double on Saturday when they take on Corinthians in the first round proper of the Ascot Hotel Junior Cup.

The Blackberry Lane outfit have already wrapped up the Canada Life Combi One title and will be keen to stamp their authority on this competition having not reached the final since 1997.

Old Boys have only lost once this campaign, but will face a very much in form Whites side who are unbeaten in their last nine fixtures, a sequence that includes holding the champions to a 3-3 draw.

With capable players on both sides, this could be a cracker.

The preliminary round’s big winners Peel will again face JCK Combination Two opposition in the form of Union Mills this weekend. The Millers, who won Combi Two last season, however, should prove a sterner test for Steven Corkill’s talented westerners who put 15 past Douglas and District on Saturday.

Holders St George’s will also be a side aiming to replicate their performance from last weekend when they take on Marown. Geordies put an indifferent league campaign behind them with a good 1-4 win at St John’s in a repeat of last term’s final. Marown clinched the Combi Two title on Tuesday evening and may yet spring a surprise in this one with confidence high in the Crosby outfit’s ranks.

Another likely contender for the silverware looking to negotiate a potentially tricky tie against Combi Two opposition is Laxey.

The Miners, who won three Junior Cup titles in the mid 2000s, host a Michael side that set much of the early season pace in Combi Two. Laxey should advance, but it maybe by a closer scoreline than expected.

After a good result against Rushen last weekend, St Mary’s will aim to keep their bid for glory going against Combi Two Douglas Royal. Royal edged Combi One RYCOB 3-2 last week, but may come unstuck versus the handy looking Saints.

The round’s three all-Combi Two ties look pretty close to call. Colby v Foxdale could go either way, while Police will only be marginal favourites to advance past Pulrose in the Springfield derby tie.

Finally, Onchan and Braddan is another one on a knife edge with only a handful of points separating the pair in the league ladder. This takes place at Victoria Road.

Fleetwood Grasshoppers visit the Isle of Man this Saturday to take on Connections Recruitment-sponsored Vagabonds in RFUW Championship North Two.

After an improved performance by the Manx side in their last game against Sheffield they will be looking to produce a better result in the home fixture this week against the Grasshoppers.

When the sides last met Vagabonds were beaten 31-5, but with the improvement shown by Vagabonds in both training and in matches it should prove to be an exciting game to watch.

The determined backline of Fiona Gavin and Rachel Clark will be providing speed and skill from deep and aid fly-half Abbie Corkish as Vagabonds look to show their home ground supporters what they can do.

Vagas have greatly improved their skills in the breakdown and forwards Vicky Cowan, Tara Jackson and Carol Thompson will be making an impact and hopefully a dent in the English side.

All in all it should prove to be a determined and strong performance for the Manx side as they aim for that so far just out of reach win.

New players are always welcome and if anyone is interested in playing women’s rugby contact Alana McCaughan on 201622 or come along to training at Ballafletcher (next to the hospital) on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6.30pm.

THE two MHKs who broke ranks with their minister in a vote over pre-school education in Tynwald this week have been sacked from their government department.

Zac Hall (Onchan) and John Houghton (Douglas North) were absent from Tynwald court for Tuesday’s vote.

As members of the Department of Education and Children they would normally be expected to share collective responsibility for the decisions of the department and vote for its policies.

When members strongly disagree with a department policy, the usual course of action is to resign from their departmental role. That was what Dudley Butt MLC did over the same issue.

However, Mr Hall and Mr Houghton simply stayed away from the vote.

Related article: {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/education/fags-more-important-to-some-than-kids-education-karran-1-4464447|Fags more important to some than kids’ education - Karran}.

The Council of Ministers met yesterday over the issue and decided to remove them from the department.

Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK confirmed Mr Houghton and Mr Hall MHK had been removed as members of the Department of Education and Children and replaced by Tony Wild MLC and Juan Turner MLC.

He said: ‘The Council of Ministers agreed to terminate the DEC membership of Mr Houghton and Mr Hall with immediate effect, taking into account the collective responsibility expected of departmental members. At the same time Council approved the appointment of Mr Wild and Mr Turner as new members of the department.’

Neither MHK has another government departmental job. So they will now face a loss of income of £11,076 a year. Mr Butt is also a member of the Department of Health and did not, therefore, lose that income.

The Minister of Education and Children, Peter Karran, relied on the block vote of the Council of Ministers - another form of collective responsibility - to push through his policy to privatise government-run nurseries.

For Mr Karran, Mr Hall’s betrayal must be particularly galling.

Both are members of the Liberal Vannin party and both are members for Onchan.

They campaigned together - with some believing that Mr Hall secured his place on the coattails of his party leader, who has topped the poll in the district for several elections.

Mr Hall and Mr Houghton told the President of Tynwald they would be absent from the vote. But neither sought permission from her. They therefore contravened Tynwald’s rules.

We have been unable to get in touch with either Mr Hall or Mr Houghton.

BUDGET airline EasyJet has confirmed it is launching a new service between the Isle of Man and London Gatwick.

Following days of speculation, EasyJet announced today (Friday) that it will begin operating a year-round service to London Gatwick from the Isle of Man this autumn.

Related article: {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/easyjet-flying-to-gatwick-1-4464450|EasyJet flying to Gatwick?}.

Flights on the new route will go on sale on Monday (April 23), with fares starting from just £22.99 (one-way, including taxes). The inaugural flight will depart from the Isle of Man Airport on October 1.

The route will operate six times a week, and will cater for both business and leisure travellers.

Ali Gayward, EasyJet UK commercial manager, said: ‘I am so pleased to be able to announce the launch of new route to London Gatwick from the Isle of Man. The new route is the ideal gateway for business and leisure travellers looking for easy and affordable travel to the capital for a summer jam-packed with momentous activities.

‘We hope that the new six-times-weekly route demonstrates our commitment to our passengers on the Isle of Man to provide flexibility and choice across the airport’s routes.’

Passengers will have access to 97 onward destinations available from London Gatwick.

EasyJet already operates daily flights from the Isle of Man to Liverpool John Lennon Airport, with the frequency on these flights recently increased to cope with demand for travel to and from the island during the TT. This additional frequency will continue into the winter.

A COMPANY involved in the production of home products for people with mobility needs is celebrating with expansion.

Around 65 staff now work for DLP on the Snugborough Trading estate, Union Mills.

The company is also working towards a situation where the diversity of skills is such that 100 per cent staff cover is available in all production units.

And Tim Baker, group finance director at DLP Limited, of Union Mills, praised the firm’s ‘flexible manufacturing facility’ as it takes on more work.

Bosses say DLP is a market leader in the provision of showering, daily living and kitchen solutions for people with mobility needs.,

DLP – which has operated from the island for more than 20 years – previously designed and fabricated easy access showering, in the form of trays and screens, from four units on the estate.

Meanwhile, the kitchen side of the business was handled by its subsidiary, AKW, at Droitwich Spa in Worcestershire.

Now, this aspect too has been transferred to the island which has resulted in an expansion of the workforce, including the employment of a Manx Government-trained joiner. The latest development means that around 40 per cent of everything produced by DLP comes from its Snugborough factory, with production of higher volume lines being sub-contracted to a global network of supply partners.

All of the product design is also handled at Snugborough, where the workforce totals around 65 staff. All the products are sold to its AKW subsidiary, the sales and distribution arm of the organisation.

Group finance director Tim Baker said: ‘We have a flexible manufacturing facility which is excellent at low volume, small batches and bespoke products.

‘What we have proved here is that while there are obviously higher perceived labour costs, compared with somewhere like the Far East, it is more than compensated for by flexibility.’

Flexibility is the name of the game at Snugborough with screens and kitchens production manager Scott Findlay, and his team, working towards a situation where the diversity of skills is such that 100 per cent staff cover is available in all production departments.

Scott said: ‘This obviously means a lot of training so staff can cover any job within the factory’s manufacturing side, but everyone is enthusiastic about the concept.’

DLP began life in the Isle of Man from premises at Fort Street in Douglas manufacturing shower trays. Three years later it moved to Snugborough and added shower screens – both off the shelf and bespoke - to its portfolio. The manufacture of shower seats and grab rails soon followed.

Now, the kitchen side of the business is under the DLP umbrella and there is also an expanded made-to-measure screen facility which means increased volumes are flowing through the Snugborough factory.

Some sales are made in the island, with products being displayed in the Independent Living Centre at Westmoreland Road, Douglas and in some bathroom showrooms.

However, the company’s main market is the UK, mainly providing products to local authorities who are seeking to make home adaptations so that the elderly and disabled can remain in their own homes.

In addition, the company has a significant presence in Europe, largely France and the Benelux countries, and a relationship with a distributor who sells the products in America.

The decision to transfer the kitchen side of the business to the island followed a strategic review of the company’s operation.

Mr. Baker explained: ‘There was a kitchen production facility within the group, the background being that AKW had sold adaptive kitchens into the marketplace for a number of years and had acquired the supplier of those kitchens when the owner was looking to retire.

‘The business had been moved from the West Midlands to AKW’s base in Droitwich. Kitchen manufacturing was undertaken within the remainder of AKW’s facilities so, literally, it was being carried out in a corner of the warehouse – almost a business within a business.

‘We felt the situation wasn’t giving us the right quality, efficiency or cost-effectiveness. It was basically a non-core activity in AKW as they are a sales and distribution business.

‘We identified the fact that we needed to move it to DLP which is a dyed-in-the-wool manufacturing concern with all the disciplines, processes and controls that companies of this kind need.

‘Since relocating it, we have been delighted by the way the team have embraced the changes and by the results we are already achieving.’

PARAGON Valkyrs A will be looking to retain the Wi-Manx Men’s Cup when they meet IOMA Group Bacchas B in the competition’s final at the NSC on Saturday afternoon.

Will Margot’s Valkyrs side narrowly missed out on the league crown so will be determined to claim the silverware here.

Having defeated Bacchas A and Castletown A on route to the final the westerners will begin the game as favourites. Bacchas B claimed a shock victory over Manx Telecom Vikings A to reach the final, but they will need to be at their best if they are to repeat that victory here.

Wi-Manx Men’s Plate

Two sides hoping to end the season with silverware go head-to-head when Manx Telecom Vikings B meet CM Skye Ramsey B in the final of the Wi-Manx Men’s Plate in the late game at the NSC.

Vikings reached the final with victory over last year’s runners up Castletown B. Having had to settle for second in the league, Christian Forbes’s side will be determined to claim the title here. Second Division side Ramsey B will be looking to cause an upset over the higher ranked side but will need to be on top form to avoid defeat.

Wi-Manx Women’s Cup

Manx Telecom Vikings A will be aiming to complete a league and cup double when they take on Paragon Valkyrs in the final of the Wi-Manx Women’s Cup. Kim Carney’s Vikings side defeated Bacchas A comfortably to take their place in the finals and will begin the game as favourites. Opponents Valkyrs claimed their final spot with a penalty flick shootout victory over Castletown A. Emma Miller’s side will be determined to claim the win but will need to be at their best if they are to achieve that.

Wi-Manx Women’s Plate

The final of the Wi-Manx Women’s Plate will be contested between Paragon Valkyrs C and CM Skye Ramsey B at the NSC on Saturday morning.

Valkyrs defeated the defending champions to reach the last two and will be feeling confident of victory after a good league campaign. Opponents Ramsey will feel that they can claim the silverware after an impressive victory over Saracens A in the last round. This promises to be a close game which could go either way.

Wi-Manx Men’s Division Two

IOMA Group Bacchas C will claim the Wi-Manx Men’s Division Two title if they can avoid defeat to Manx Telecom Vikings C when the two sides meet at Castle Rushen on Saturday morning.

Bacchas have already defeated Vikings twice already this season and will be confident of victory again here. Vikings will be looking to avoid a third successive loss as they look to end their season on a high.

SATURDAY’S FIXTURES

Wi-Manx Men’s Cup

IOMA Group Bacchas B

v Paragon Valkyrs A NSC 2.05pm

Peter Foxton Jonathan Hull

Wi-Manx Men’s Plate

Manx Telecom Vikings B

v CM Skye Ramsey B NSC 3.35pm

Jonny Killey Andy Kneale

Wi-Manx Women’s Cup

Manx Telecom Vikings A

v Paragon Valkyrs A NSC 12.35pm

Jamie Brown John McCarrick

Wi-Manx Women’s Plate

Paragon Valkyrs C

v CM Skye Ramsey B NSC 11.05am

Vic Ferns Nick Wallinger

Wi-Manx Men’s Division Two

Manx Telecom Vikings C

v IOMA Group Bacchas C CRHS 11.05am

Christian Forbes Mike Taylor

THE Manx Electricity Authority has announced that it is to cease retail trading and close its five shops in Douglas, Ramsey, Castletown, Peel, and Port Erin.

MEA Showrooms have been selling electrical appliances on the island for several decades.

‘However, as has been well publicised, retail across the British Isles has been significantly affected by the economic downturn and this has brought into question the MEA’s proposals to return the business to profitability,’ the MEA said in a statement released this morning (Friday).

It added: ‘Following a full review of the entire retail operation, and despite the sterling efforts of the staff, the MEA Board has concluded that it is not possible to turn the business around from its current loss-making position. The Council of Ministers has confirmed its agreement with this decision.’

THE penultimate two competitions on the domestic rugby calendar will be settled this Saturday when the finals of the Shimmin Wilson Manx Bowl and Manx Trophy take place at Vagabonds’ Ballafletcher ground.

It could be a massive day for Southern Nomads who will be looking to add both bits of silverware to their bulging cabinet.

Getting under way at 1.30pm is the Shimmin Wilson Manx Bowl between Emerging Nomads and Vagabonds B. These two met in the closing stages of the league phase of the competition with Vagas winning handsomely and it would take a brave man to bet against a repeat. Vagabonds B already have the Manx Plate securely stowed away and Matt Rockwell will be looking for a Bowl win to add to that.

In the Shimmin Wilson Manx Trophy, Southern Nomads will take on Douglas B in a rerun of the Manx Shield play-off. Nomads won that one 13-10 but with the very last kick of the game. I expect that this one will be tight again, but the Cheshire Plate champions should be favourites to take the game.

Saturday’s Fixtures

South Lancs/Cheshire Division Two

Douglas v Ellesmere Port

@ Port-e-Chee ko 2.15pm

Vagabonds v Crewe and Nantwich

@ Ballafletcher ko 3pm

Ruskin Park v Ramsey @ Ruskin Park ko 3pm

Shimmin Wilson Manx Bowl Final

Emerging Nomads v Vagabonds B

@ Ballafletcher ko 1.30pm

Shimmin Wilson Manx Trophy Final

Douglas B v Southern Nomads

@ Ballafletcher ko 3.30pm

RFUW Championship North Two

Vagabonds v Fleetwood Grasshoppers

@ Ballafletcher ko 11am

BOSSES at the island’s abattoir are hoping that a crucial inspection will give it a clean bill of health – and lead to Manx meat going back on the shelves at Tesco’s store.

The supermarket giant stopped stocking Manx meat in February after an inspection raised concerns about auditing standards and the physical state of the meat plant.

This resulted in fears for the future of the government-owned meat plant if it were to lose the Tesco contract altogether.

Following urgent talks in London with Tesco’s technical director, it had been hoped that local meat would go back on the shelves within a fortnight.

But Agriculture Minister Phil Gawne MHK admitted that there had been ‘a bit of a delay’ until Tesco’s senior auditor became available to carry out the inspection. He said this, however, would now take place in the week beginning April 30.

Optimistic

Meat Plant chief executive John Dawkins said he was optimistic that the audit would go well and result in Tesco stocking Manx meat again. He said: ‘We’ve been ready for some time to receive the woman in charge of auditing at Tesco.

‘All the work that she pointed out has been done. Obviously there is more refurbishment to do to the plant over a two-year period, but I am hopeful.’

The price of processing at the Tromode abattoir is being blamed for more livestock being exported for slaughter.

Isle of Man Meats has warned that the meat plant could close altogether without government investment.

And bosses at Shoprite, which continues to stock Manx meat, say that a viable solution needs to be found.

It is understood that, between them, the contracts with Tesco and Shoprite account for 70 per cent to 80 per cent of the meat plant’s output.

TWO-YEAR-OLD Richard Jamieson is one of the children who is already benefiting from our Pumps 4 Kids campaign.

Recently diagnosed with diabetes, Richard has been able to go straight onto pump therapy instead of having to endure four or five injections of insulin a day.

The toddler, who lives with his family on the Ballawattleworth Estate in Peel, will have better control of his condition because of the pump – and it’s all thanks to the generosity of everybody who has supported our campaign.

Related article: {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/you-have-raised-cash-for-these-kids-1-4464882|You have raised cash for these kids}.

Richard’s mum Donna is something of an expert in type 1 diabetes. Her husband, also called Richard, was diagnosed at the age of 18 and the couple have an eight-year-old daughter, Maisie, with the condition. They also have a three-year-old, Emilia, who doesn’t have diabetes.

Donna said: ‘My husband had a pump but there wasn’t one available for Maisie, who was diagnosed at the age of three. She had injections for a couple of years and then we decided we would raise the money ourselves to buy her a pump. Because of the Isle of Man Newspapers and Manx Diabetic Group campaign, our son got a pump as soon as he was diagnosed. We feel very lucky.’

Donna has noticed the difference having a pump has made to Maisie’s life and is confident toddler Richard will cope well with one.

She said: ‘It’s hard at first but it does get easier. I think, for children, it’s vital to be on a pump.’

• If you would like to help Pumps 4 Kids, send your donation to The Treasurer, Pumps 4 Kids, 9 Hillcrest Grove, Birch Hill, Onchan, IM3 3HZ. Alternatively, a special account has been set up at Barclays, under the account name Manx Diabetic Group – Pumps 4 Kids. The account sort code is 20-26-74 and the account number is 33877280. Donations can be made in person at the bank or by sending the money to Barclays Private Clients International, Isle of Man International Banking Centre, PO Box 9, Barclays House, Victoria Street, Douglas, IM99 1AJ. Cheques can be made payable to Pumps 4 Kids.

If you are organising an event contact reporter Angela Gregory on 695642 or email angela.gregory@newsiom.co.im well in advance and we will cover your event and, diary permitting, provide a photographer.

WORK TO remove around 50 damaged Manx palm trees in Noble’s Park in Douglas is currently under way.

The trees have been severely affected by last winter’s exceptionally cold weather.

Graham Newsome, assistant head of parks, explained why they need to be removed.

He said: ‘The trees, Cordyline Australis, are not completely hardy and the frosts of last winter have caused irreparable tissue damage. This creates wounds that allow bacterial infection to set in or, as the RHS terms the condition, Cordyline slime flux. The bacteria are always present in the palms, but it is the freezing that releases the infection and allows it to penetrate and cause lasting damage.’

Chairman of the leisure services committee Councillor Stephen Pitts said: ‘While we recognise that these trees have been a part of the landscape in Noble’s Park for many years, it is imperative they be removed.

‘If left to deteriorate further the trees would become an eyesore but, more importantly, they could pose a risk to safety should any of their branches fall. If the damaged trunks can be cleaned thoroughly and rid of all infection, we would hope to recycle the timber. Additionally all the palms removed will be replaced with standard trees. Simply put, this is a matter of good housekeeping.’

Douglas Council has stated that there will be around 30 trees left after the felling. Cordylines are native to New Zealand and were later introduced to Australia, where they are often named ‘cabbage palms’.

A CALL for wannabe ‘criminals’ has been put forward by the island charity Age Isle of Man (formerly Age Concern).

Crimes against fashion and counts of assault with deadly moustaches have been among previous convictions during previous Jail and Bail events.

The challenge, which is run annually, has proved to be a great success in the past, and this year’s event promises to be the best yet, featuring a twist on the usual format.

The 2012 event will be staged on Friday, July 13, and Saturday, July 14, with around 40 people taking part in 13 teams. However, interested teams will have to be quick, as there are only two spaces left.

This year’s teams will hopefully feature a trio of MHKs, doctors from Noble’s Hospital, lawyers and HSBC employees.

Many of the teams participating come from companies which have donated their own time and resources to help the event.

Carole Male, of Age IoM, said: ‘The weekend is great fun and is a fantastic team-building opportunity, which also helps the charity so much.’

The teams will be greeted at their place of work by two policemen, where they will be handcuffed and placed inside a police van.

They will then arrive at Lord Street ‘jail’, where they will undergo proceedings such as being fingerprinted and locked up in a cell.

Having then been transported to Castle Rushen, courtesy of Tours IoM, they will then be taken to court, all with security provided by G4S.

Perhaps a few death sentences are already being considered by judge Lawrence Vaughan Williams.

Criminals will then have to flee and escape to Glen Wyllin, camping there overnight before they attempt to make their way back to Douglas on the Saturday morning.

Team members must attempt to complete a series of tasks along the way, despite having no money and no phone.

The challenge will end at Artisan in Douglas, where a buffet and wine will be provided, courtesy of Heron and Brearley, along with the presentation of the Jail Break Shield to the winning team.

‘It makes a good amount for the charity, which is greatly needed in the present climate to keep our valuable services on the island running,’ Carole said.

To find out more about taking part in Jail Break, call Age Concern on 613044.

DOUGLAS Rotary Club has donated £10,000 to the Manx Blind Welfare Society’s Manx Recorded News Service.

The money will be spent helping to upgrade the news service, which keeps 120 visually impaired people up-to-date with the latest headlines every week.

It sees a team of more than 50 volunteers reading out articles from the Isle of Man Examiner, Isle of Man Courier and Manx Independent every week, and recordings are sent out. They were sent out on audio cassette, but the move to digital means USB data sticks are used instead.

Derek Bridson, chairman of the news service, said: ‘To our visually impaired members, the loss of access to their weekly local newspaper is a major blow.’

He said the service was ‘highly valued’ by members, ensuring they maintained regular access to the latest headlines.

‘The support of kind donors like Douglas Rotary Club allows us to continue this important work, as well as preparing for future demands as we shift evermore towards digital technologies,’ he said.

TWICE former Isle of Man Sportswoman of the Year, Jess Petersson, has a more than decent chance of grabbing a late qualification spot for Olympic Games selection if she can produce a fast time in the 32nd Virgin London Marathon this Sunday.

Jess, whose background is in ultra-distance triathlon events, has produced some extraordinarily good distance running in recent years - including a 1hr 13min 26sec half-marathon in Bath last month.

Her personal best for a marathon of 2hr 42min was set at Berlin in 2005 when she was still very much into multi-discipline events. Quite frankly, she is capable of demolishing that time and getting close to, or even bettering, the UK Athletics consideration standard of 2hr 31min.

The snag is, with Paula Radcliffe and Mara Yamauchi already confirmed as running the Olympic marathon for Great Britain in London this July it leaves only one team place, plus a reserve spot, vacant. With runners like Liz Yelling, Jo Pavey, Claire Hallissey, Susan Partridge, Louise Damen and even ex-model Nell McAndrew in the mix the odds are stacked against Jess qualifying for GB.

But, the fact that she has changed her club team for the event from UK-based Stragglers Running Club to Aarhus 1900 of Denmark may suggest that she is instead attempting to qualify for her country of birth. Watch this space.

It is also a fair assumption that Jess will be the fastest Manx/Isle of Man resident in this weekend’s event.

Mike Garrett of Manx Harriers should be the fastest local male by quite some way. He has been setting personal best times through the winter and, aged 42, has benefitted from a two-year marathon break.

Gianni Epifani, 40, is making his debut at the 26.2-mile distance and is well capable of a fast time. He is aiming for a sub-three hour performance but is capable of a lot quicker, however, he will have to be careful not to go off too hard.

Nigel Armstrong lost ground through injury (a fall in the Baldwin fell race in which he suffered a couple of cracked ribs). Paul Curphey is in his best shape for years and will go back under three hours. Andy Watson should go sub-three, while Jim MacGregor is in great form.

Murray Lambden is aiming for 2:50 and top three over-55, which would be a superb result.

Mark Clague, 3FM DJ Adam Russell and Ramsey Town Commissioner Richard Radcliffe are all likely three-hour men, plus possibly Tim Knott and Paul Cubbon.

Radcliffe and Curphey are running their 19th London, Ian Callister his 22nd.

One surprise package could be double former Superbike World Champion James Toseland who, although not an experienced long-distance runner, is a very fit guy and well capable of a low three-hour time.

Tim Crookall MHK, the Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure, is tackling his first marathon. More than half of the 47 named below are making their London debuts.

Oldest of the local contingent is Andreas man Henry de Silva. The 76-year-old retired physical education teacher was recently announced as an Olympic torch bearer.

Husband and wife, Julian and Louise Thomas, have both run the event previously, but not in same year.

The list of Manx born or resident entries compiled by Murray Lambden of manxathletics.com is as follows: Adam Russell; Adrian Shorthouse; Alan Sandford; Andy Watson; Barry Moore; Bruce Wagstaff; Caroline Moran; Clare Ledger; Daniel Roberts; Dominic Winrow; Emma Rogan; Eugene Wilson; Gianni Epifani; Helen Taylor; Henry de Silva; Ian Callister; Ian Piley; James Graham; James Moffett; James Toseland; Jess Petersson; Jim MacGregor; Julian Thomas; Kath Ashton; Keith Green; Kevin Quirk; Kim Hicklin; Louise Thomas; Mark Clague; Mark Peberdy; Mark Spiers; Mike Garrett; Murray Lambden; Neil Cushing; Nigel Armstrong; Paul Cubbon; Paul Curphey; Rebekah Pate; Richard Radcliffe; Rob Gillanders; Roy Faragher; Sam Comaish-Coole; Sarah Curphey; Sharon Cheeseman; Tadhg O’Mahoney; Tim Crookall; Tim Knott.

If you know of any other runners that qualify for inclusion please email john.watterson@newsiom.co.im or murray@manxathletics.com