The Isle of Man over-65s tennis team recently played its final two matches in the Seniors Inter-County Championships in Division 3A.

The first match at home to Northumberland was played at the Kensington Road courts in Douglas.

At first singles Ron Sibthorpe for the Isle of Man lost in two sets to Jim Anderson who was a much higher rated player. At 4/4 in the second set there was a chance of going to a third set but Anderson took it 6/4.

At second singles the Isle of Man’s Roy McLean, also playing a higher rated player, lost in two sets to John Coope.

The island’s only victory came in the first doubles when Colin Brown and Ron Ronan won in two sets against Bill Lomas and Paul Beasley.

In their second doubles Brown and Ronan came close to pulling off another victory. They won the first set 6/3 against Anderson and Coope but lost the second 5/7.

The Northumberland pair then won a closely contested championship tie break 11/9.

A fifth player can be introduced to the team and Terry Thompson joined Sibthorpe for the final doubles but the Isle of Man pair lost in two sets to Lomas and Beasley.

Result Isle of Man 1 Northumberland 4.

Results: (Isle of Man names first)Ron Sibthorpe lost to Jim Anderson 0/6 4/6; Roy McLean lost to John Coope 0/6 1/6; Colin Brown and Ron Ronan beat Bill Lomas and Paul Beasley 6/3 6/3; Brown and Ronan lost to Anderson and Coope 6/3 5/7 (9/11); Sibthorpe and Terry Thompson lost to Lomas and Beasley 3/6 0/6.

The final match was against a very strong Cumbria team who are title contenders. The match was played on the indoor courts at the excellent Ulverston Leisure Centre.

Both Cumbria singles players were much higher rated than the Isle of Man players and each match was won by Cumbria in two sets.

Ron Sibthorpe was beaten by Peter Helme and Roy McLean lost to Roger Ridley.

In the first doubles Colin Brown and Ron Ronan lost in two sets to the strong Cumbrian pair John Bell and Brian Houston. In their second doubles Brown and Ronan performed much better but again lost in two sets.

After their singles Sibthorpe and McLean joined up to play the Cumbrian pair of Bell and Houston but again it was won by Cumbria in two sets.

RON RONAN

Almost one year ago, significant changes were made to the UK Takeover Code widening its application.

Given their significance, it is worth revisiting the changes.

The Code is a statutory set of rules which shape the structure and timetable of takeovers, administered by the UK Panel on Takeovers and Mergers (Panel) and aim to ensure fair treatment of target shareholders in takeover bids.

Prior to September 30, if a company’s securities were admitted to trading on a regulated market in the UK (e.g. the London Stock Exchange or the Channel Islands Securities Exchange), the Code automatically applied.

Where companies were not admitted to trading on such markets or traded on a UK multilateral trading facility (MTF), (e.g. AIM), the Code only applied if the company’s management and control was considered to be in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man (known as the ‘residency test’).

Key Changes

Listed/Public Companies: The Code now applies to companies with their registered offices in the UK, Channel Island and Isle of Man if any of the securities are admitted to trading on (i) a UK regulated market (e.g. the Main Market or ISDX Main Board), any stock exchange in the Channel Islands or on an MTF (e.g. AIM or the ISDX Growth Market), irrespective of their place of central management and control.

The residency test continues to apply to a public or private company (subject to the 10 year rule, see below) with its registered office in the UK, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man whose securities are not admitted to trading on a public market.

The Code therefore applies to the following companies only if the Panel considers that they have their place of central management and control in the UK, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man:

• a public company whose securities are admitted to trading solely on a public market which is neither a UK or EEA regulated market, nor a UK MTF, nor a stock exchange in the Channel Islands;

• a public company whose securities are not traded on any public market; or

• a private company (subject to the 10 year rule, see below).

The Panel had initially proposed that the Code should automatically apply to UK, Channel Island or Isle of Man registered companies whose securities are admitted to trading solely on an overseas market, but instead it retained the residency test in respect of such companies.

Private Companies: The application of the Code to private companies with their registered offices in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man has also changed. Previously, a company was potentially subject to the Code because, broadly, it satisfied the residency test and had securities admitted to trading within the previous 10 years. This has now changed as follows:

• by simplifying the ‘10 year test’ into a requirement that the company’s securities have been admitted to trading on a regulated market or a MTF in such jurisdictions at any time during the relevant 10 year period; and

• by amending the Code so it applies to private companies which have actually filed a prospectus for the offer, admission to trading or issue of securities (the previous test was whether a company was required to file a prospectus).

Implications for firms subject to the Code

If applicable, the Code regulates takeover offers for the company. Affected companies should review: (i) their articles of association and remove any conflicting provisions, (ii) shareholder profiles to determine whether any of the company’s shareholders form a concert party, where further acquisitions would trigger a Rule 9 (of the Code) mandatory bid obligation.

Where a share buyback programme is in place, Panel clearance and independent shareholder approval may be required if a shareholder could end up holding 30 per cent-plus as a result of a buyback.

Non-compliance with the Code may result in sanctions by the Panel and the UK Financial Conduct Authority.

The Isle of Man FA made a winning start to their latest UEFA Regions Cup campaign on Tuesday, but what’s it all about?

The Cup is a strictly amateur competition for teams in Europe.

It was held for the first time in 1999 and has been played biennially since.

The current champions are the Italian team Veneto, who became the first side to win the competition twice after their victory in the inaugural edition.

All of the 53 UEFA-affiliated associations are eligible to submit a team to compete in the Regions’ Cup, provided they hold a domestic qualifying competition to decide which team will represent that nation. In the English FA’s case the Inter-League Cup, which the Manx lifted for a second time in May.

As England’s representatives the Isle of Man FA side enter the competition at the intermediate stage which sees eight groups of four teams battle it out over the next month. The winners of each group will make it into next June’s final tournament.

It’s the second time the IoMFA have represented England in the tournament. In 2007 they travelled to the Czech Republic to tackle the same intermediate stage they are in now.

Sadly narrow defeats by Slovakians Bratislava and Eastern Northern Ireland meant they finished third in the group with a sole 3-2 victory over hosts Hradec Kralove to their name.

The aim of the competition is to offer young players who have had to leave the youth sector for age reasons and who cannot make the leap to the professional sector an incentive to stay faithful to football and not move to another sporting discipline.

To be eligible players must be at least 19 and under 40 to take part and must never have signed a contract as a professional.

If the Manx make it through to the next stage, it will make for a busy June for the islanders footballers.

The finals of this competition are scheduled for then as is the ConIFA European Champions which the Manx International Football Alliance is hosting and taking part in between June 13 and 21.

To round off the month the NatWest Island Games takes place in Jersey between Saturday, June 27 and July 3.

A man will appear in court this morning charged with drug-related offences.

Police say that yesterday (Tuesday) officers arrested a local 46-year-old from Ramsey and seized £6,000 in heroin, a small amount of cannabis resin and £2,241 in cash.

They say the drugs had been sent to him in the post.

Detective Sergeant Paul Holland said: ‘Persons involved in drug importation have numerous methods of importing controlled drugs into the Isle of Man. We continue to work closely with Isle of Man Post Office to locate drugs entering the island.’

Assumptions made to justify the introduction of means-testing of council house rents were wrong, the new Minister in charge has revealed.

The policy of means testing tenants in the island’s 6,000 public sector homes has been thrown into disarray after the Department of Health and Social Care announced it cannot be introduced as planned next year as it does not have the legal powers to do so.

Now it has emerged that the policy was based on inaccurate assumptions about the income levels of council tenants, raising questions about whether means-testing rents will be cost effective.

It is understood there are significantly fewer public sector housing tenants on higher incomes, and significantly more on benefits, than had been assumed.

Chris Robertshaw, the then Social Care Minister, announced during the 2013 Budget debate that means testing of public sector rents would be introduced from April 2015.

In December 2011 he had told Tynwald: ‘I have some evidence there are something in the region of, I believe, 5 per cent of those who occupy public sector housing who are in the top 25 per cent earners in the Isle of Man, and one must ask the question: is that equitable and fair?’

Last week his successor Howard Quayle announced that means-tested rents would not be introduced next April as his department did not have the legal power to do so and would need new legislation.

And giving evidence the Social Affairs policy review committee, Mr Quayle said: ‘I need to make sure the assumptions made by the previous minister were correct. We have had an investigation into income levels people have. The figures I have been provided with are different from those that the previous minister had been working to. We need to go away and make sure everything is correct.’

A spokesman for his department told the Examiner: ‘It is clear that through the robust process of challenge on the policy, significant differences were identified from the original assumptions to the actual facts – which, in addition to the other issues identified (legislative powers, administration requirements etc) confirmed that the department would not be in a position to proceed with the policy introduction date of April 2015.’

Backbench MHK Alfred Cannan, who resigned as member for housing last week in protest at Cabinet Office ‘interference’, said: ‘There is a clear disparity between the figures used by the Cabinet Office and those available in a feasibility study.

‘It means they are going back to the drawing board. The department is going to have to look at why there’s been such a disparity.’

It is understood the department does not have the legal vires either to impose means-tested rents on a local authority or to allow sharing of data on personal income.

Mr Quayle told the scrutiny committee that he had found this out at the end of June. ‘I was surprised that was the situation,’ he said.

Committee chairman Brenda Cannell described the situation as ‘deeply concerning’. She suggested it was advisable that a Minister should check his department has the appropriate legal vires before making any policy statement.

Mr Quayle replied: ‘I wasn’t there at the time. I don’t know how he was advised.’

‘I’m not prepared to take policies to the Keys and Tynwald until I know I have the vires to do so and they are based on sound information. Some of the assumptions made, when I’ve done proper checks, were not correct. I can’t rush it.’

Public sectors rents increased by 5 per cent in April, on the basis that means testing was supposed to have been brought in from April.

A Ramsey painter and decorator appeared in court this morning to face drugs charges.

Wayne Heavey, aged 46, of Fairfield Avenue, admitted possessing heroin, possessing cannabis and cultivating cannabis, but pleaded not guilty to charges of possessing heroin with intent to supply, production of heroin to the island from the UK and attempting to possess heroin with intent to supply.

The amount of heroin seized by police was said to be 57 grams, with a street value of £5,700, but Heavey has not admitted possessing this amount of the drug.

The case was adjourned until October 2 and Heavey was remanded in custody.

A crashed car was abandoned and the number plates removed after an accident last night.

It took place in Baldhoon Road, Laxey.

Police went the scene at about 10pm and found a red Renault Clio (2005 model) car on its roof.

The vehicle was extensively damaged. The registration plates had been removed. No other vehicles appear to have been involved and no persons were present.

A separate collision took place in Ballaragh, Lonan, in the early hours of today (Wednesday). Police attended the scene shortly before 2am and discovered a Blue Peugeot 205 (2001 model) on its roof in a field.

The vehicle had been travelling towards the Dhoon. The two men in the vehicle were injured, one seriously but not life threateningly.

The driver of the vehicle was arrested and later released on police bail.

Sergeant Vinny Lund said: ‘The collisions are not connected but these were serious road traffic collisions on rural roads in the early hours with the potential for life-changing consequences.

‘Inquires continue into both collisions and police appeal to anyone who has information about these incidents is urged to contact Ramsey police station on 812234.’

The Manx government has confirmed that two helicopters and a corporate jet said to be linked to deposed Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych have been registered with the Isle of Man Aircraft Registry.

Details of the whereabouts of Yanukovych’s private aircraft fleet, said to be worth $50m, was revealed in the Ukrainian Euromaiden Press.

Yanukovych fled Kiev after public protests against his regime in which more than 100 people died. He is now in exile in Russia. Ukraine’s new rulers issued an arrest warrant for his role in the “mass murder of innocent civilians”.

In a statement, the Department of Economic Development said it is aware of the story that appeared on the Euromaidan Press website.

It said the island prides itself on rigorous regulatory standards and will take ‘all appropriate actions necessary’.

The statement reads: ‘The Isle of Man Aircraft Registry has responsibility for airworthiness and regulatory oversight of aircraft and can confirm that the Isle of Man is the state of registry for the two helicopters and jet referred to in the article and that they are currently technically compliant with our requirements.

‘The Registry also works closely with authorities around the world to ensure that aircraft previously registered elsewhere have been successful de-registered before joining the Isle of Man register.

‘We can confirm that we received the appropriate deregistration documentation for the three aircraft in this instance from the State Aviation Administration of Ukraine. We would not have registered the aircraft without such approval.

‘We have reported the matter to the relevant authorities and will work closely with relevant bodies both on and off the island and internationally as required. The Isle of Man prides itself on its rigorous regulatory standards and will take all appropriate actions necessary.’

There is ‘room for very serious improvement’ to the process of discharging patients from Noble’s Hospital.

Mark Charters, the new chief executive of the Department of Health and Social Care, made the admission as he gave evidence the social affairs policy review committee.

Committee chairman Brenda Cannell said she was shocked by the findings of discharge audit reports. ‘There’s no seamless transition from health into social care,’ she said.

Mr Charters replied: ‘I’m not going to say we are doing a very good job. There is room for very serious improvement. Discharge planning should start on admission and I’m not convinced it is – or it’s very patchy.’

Committee member Steve Rodan said 24-hour notice of discharge wasn’t happening as it should.

He cited the example of one constituent whose 85-year-old mother suffering from dementia had to wait six hours outside the ward after discharge and the drip was found still in her arm under cardigan.

‘What assurances can you give her this time next year that discharge reports will be better?’ Mr Rodan asked.

Mrs Michaela Morris, the department’s new executive director of health who was also giving evidence to the committee alongside Health and Social Care Minister Howard Quayle MHK, said: ‘Significant improvements absolutely need to be had.’

The witnesses were also questioned over problems, highlighted in the Examiner last month, over the government’s new first time buyers scheme.

Would be home buyers claimed they had been left in limbo when it appeared banks died not have appropriate mortgage products in place when after a new shared equity scheme replaced the old house purchase assistance scheme on August 1.

At the time, Mr Rodan, MHK for Garff and Speaker of the House of Keys, criticised ‘woeful’ lack of coordination between the banks and government.

During last week’s committee hearing, Mr Rodan asked: ‘What more should have been done to ensure that banks got their act together?’

Mr Quayle said officers had felt because the legislation was going through Tynwald it could have been amended any time – although this was not his view and he believed the banks should have been brought in at the outset.

He told the committee that two banks were now on board and there had been nine applications under the new scheme, eight with one bank and one with the other.

The Examiner reported how Marc Corrin, 26, of Laxey, thought he was about to buy a flat in Onchan under the old scheme but then the arrangements changed.

He had been expecting around £23,000 through the government grant under the old scheme. His mortgage was approved through Lloyds Bank.

But when the scheme changed, he had to apply from scratch.

A talented young Irish pianist gives a recital of works by Beethoven, Chopin and Liszt at the Erin Arts Centre (EAC) at 7.30pm this Friday.

This is the second visit to the EAC by Fiachra Garvey, whose first appearance was in 2008 as part of that year’s piano series. Since then, the 27-year-old has been very busy building a successful career as a pianist.

Fiachra was born in Dublin and started learning the piano at the age of five. At 11, he enrolled at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and graduated with a first class honours degree in piano performance. Last year, he graduated from the Royal Academy of Music, London with first class honours and distinction in an MA in piano performance.

Other accolades include: the top Irish prizewinner at the AXA Dublin International Piano Competition; ‘Rising Star’ award by the National Concert Hall; and first prize at the 2012 Jaques Samuel Competition. 
Recent performances include: Tchaikovsky’s piano concerto no 1 with the RTE National Symphony Orchestra and UCD Symphony Orchestra, a performance of Grieg’s piano concerto in Dublin; a series of solo and two-piano recitals in Japan, duo recitals at St John’s Smith Square and St Martin in the Fields in London and the Brighton Festival; and piano trio recitals at the West Cork Chamber Music Festival. 
Fiachra’s debut CD ‘For the Piano’ was released in July 2012 and his second CD, a recording live from Wigmore Hall was released in April 2014.

Tickets at £10 for adult from the EAC, phone 832662.

The inquest into the death of a 74-year-old woman who died after a house fire has recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Veronica Margaret McArd died in hospital after she dropped a lit match onto herself causing severe burns on March 28.

The medical cause of death was given as acute thermal injury, with extensive smoke inhalation and partial and full thickness burns affecting the large parts of her body, due to or as a consequence of dropping a lighted match into her lap whilst in the process of lighting a cigarette.

Mrs McArd (nee Bennett) was a retired theatre nurse, born in County Meath, Ireland, on October 8, 1939. She lived at Copse Hill, Saddlestone and had two sons, Paul and Gary, and a daughter, Nicola.

The court heard oral evidence from four witnesses; neighbour Mary Clague, Mrs McArd’s son Paul, Joanne Surridge, a medical technician with the ambulance service, and Brian Quirk, a sub officer with the fire service.

Six written statements were also read from medical staff at Noble’s Hospital and fire officers who attended the scene.

Mrs McArd was blind in her left eye and partially sighted in her right one.

She was a smoker and had said that she found matches easier to see than a lighter.

Her neighbour, Miss Clague, who was described as a ‘very close friend’ and who worked with Mrs McArd as a nurse, told the court how she had given Mrs McArd a lighter the day before she died and how both she and Mrs McArd’s family had warned her against using matches.

Miss Clague said that Mrs McArd would usually get up, put on her ‘comfies’, which were fleecy type clothes, make a cup of tea and sit in the kitchen smoking a cigarette.

She was described by Miss Clague as a ‘sensible lady, quite headstrong and kind’.

At 11.20am on March 28 Mrs McArd’s son called her and they spoke about Mother’s Day plans.

At 12.15pm Miss Clague received a call from Mrs McArd, who sounded very weak, saying: ‘Can you come round? I’ve burnt myself.’

When Miss Clague arrived she saw the kitchen and dining area full of smoke.

Mrs McArd was sitting at the dining table obviously injured.

Despite her injuries Mrs McArd was still lucid and conscious and said: ‘It was a match.’

She was taken to Noble’s Hospital and was said to have suffered severe burns to her head, torso and arms, as well as smoke inhalation.

At 11pm, after being visited by a priest and her family, Mrs McArd passed away.

match

Coroner of inquests Jayne Hughes said that ‘more likely than not, she died as a direct result of burns while using a lit match which she dropped.

‘She tried to extinguish the fire with the tap but was unable to do so before suffering fatal burns.’

Mrs Hughes said to Miss Clague: ‘It must have been terrible circumstances for you. I hope she was comforted by your presence.’

A Ramsey man is launching his second children’s book and says he has been ‘blown away’ by the success of his first.

‘I Call Him Mr Flubbergump’, by Anthony E Rea, will now be followed by ‘Mr Flubbergump Goes Into Space’.

Tony said: ‘The first book topped Waterstones in Douglas’ best seller list for two weeks and remained in the top 10 for a further two weeks.

‘It was also sold through the Mr Flubbergump’s Facebook page, amazon.co.uk and the official website www.mrflubbergump.com

‘Countries that the first book has been sent to include England, Holland, Sweden, Ireland, Turkey, South Africa, Scotland, Spain, Mauritius, Australia, France and America, which I’m just blown away by!’

The second book sees the character travel to space in a rocket where he sees stars, comets and planets, and meets the man in the moon.

Tony will be doing readings of the new book at the island’s schools in October in preparation for its launch in November.

‘The readings I did for the build up to the launch of the first book went down a storm with the children and I enjoyed every second of it, especially when they came to talk to me about the book after the reading and at the launch,’ said Tony.

‘The grand first reading of Mr Flubbergump Goes Into Space will be an event I have been invited to make a guest appearance at, to promote the benefits of stories and storytelling aimed at the under 5s at the Buchan School on Saturday, October 4.’

Asked about his future plans, he said: ‘At present I am awaiting confirmation of being accepted by Waterstones’ head office to have Mr Flubbergump in all of Waterstones stores across the UK and beyond.

‘Also I am happy to say I have been nominated for UK Children’s Picture Book Author of the Year with the finalists being announced in March 2015.’

So will Mr Flubbergump be going on more adventures in the future?

‘There will be a third book and hopefully even more,’ said the writer. ‘Nothing has been finalised for the third book but I’m sure the children I read to and meet at the launch will give me lots of ideas for adventures.’

Could Manx residents pay their tax bills using a digital currency in future?

The Treasury is currently seeking expressions of interest for online payment providers who can offer residents and businesses alternatives to settle their bills with government.

Chris Corlett, chief executive of the Department of Economic Development said: ‘Digital currency providers are welcome to express their interest and will be considered.’

But the government insists that at this stage it is ‘only exploring options and the project may not progress through to a competitive tender exercise’.

In its information notice, Treasury said it recognises the growth of digital currencies globally and the growing attraction the Isle of Man has for e-business companies and digital currency companies.

It continues: ‘Isle of Man Government is further considering what services it could deploy to allow these emerging payment types as part of its portfolio of payment choices – ultimately meeting the stated desire of maximum convenience and lowest cost.’

The Manx government currently provides no settlement options for any form of digital currency payment.

Government accounts are all sterling based and under current rules, Treasury must always receive a sterling value at the point of settlement.

In the notice, Treasury said: ‘This policy may be reviewed in time however at this stage suppliers interested in providing services in these spaces should indicate their current capability and offering that could meet these needs and how Isle of Man Government could introduce these choices for its payment services.’

These choices include allowing customers to transact across the counter or online with the choice of settling in a digital currency.

Those wishing to register an interest should write to Will McCann, senior procurement officer, Procurement Services at The Treasury or email william.mccann@gov.im

The closing date for submissions is noon on Friday, October 3.

A report about a mental health nurse who hugged a patient after they’d discussed sexual fantasies is on page one of today’s Manx Independent.

He has been before the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Inside the paper, a deemster criticises the island’s insolvency laws as ‘archaic’.

We also report on plans to review police procedures when dealing with underage drinkers.

Lighter stories include a story about a family which has four generations of twins and a Manx woman who wrote a high-profile television advertisement.

The paper also looks at regeneration in Ramsey and Port Erin’s desire to “annex” part of a neighbouring parish.

In Island Life, we look back at the Food and Drink Festival and have two pages of What’s On.

Our action-packed sports pages include the Manx football team wearing England shirts.

This week’s Manx Independent is in the shops now.

The Isle of Man is in great shape to become a major centre in the development of digital currencies and procedure.

That was the message on many lips after the island hosted the Crypto Valley Summit last week to discuss what renowned technology pioneer Steve Beauregard described as ‘arguably the most innovative thing since the internet’.

A sell-out crowd of close to 200 entrepreneurs, enthusiasts, government and private sector representatives gathered for the inaugural event, which took place at the Western Palace Hotel on Wednesday and Sefton Hotel on Thursday.

Over the two days, experts shared their views on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry and how to meet business needs.

Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood opened proceedings with a welcome address that celebrated the island’s history of embracing opportunity before introducing attendees to the Crypto Currency Incubator scheme – a joint public-private sector initiative designed to accommodate the island’s proposition as a global jurisdiction for crypto currency business.

Mr Beauregard, founder of GoCoin.com, then gave a keynote address which presented a number of compelling arguments for the Isle of Man to become the crypto-jurisdiction of choice.

Providing a comparison of the island against Singapore, the US, UK, and Luxembourg, Mr Beauregard also looked at digital payments options such as PayPal, debit and credit cards, and bank transfers. He went on to outline the role of Bitcoin alternatives and the imporance of keeping one eye on the future – or ‘Bitcoin 2.0’.

Paul Davis, of Counting House, moderated the Summit’s first panel session, a discussion entitled Banking and Card Processing for Bitcoin.

Featuring Instabill’s Jason Fields and Cayman National’s Ian Bancroft, the panel discussed the global banking industry’s contentious relationship with crypto currencies, before Mr Fields made the crucial announcement, following recent uncertainty on the issue in general, that Instabill will be providing crypto currency businesses with payment processing services and bank accounts.

A case for regulation formed the focus for panel two as a distinguished selection of delegates took to the stage to debate under the guidance of Peter Greenhill of the Department of Economic Development.

Following this, American film-maker and broadcaster Max Keiser and Simon Dixon, author and chief executive of BankToTheFuture.com – two eminent proponents of the sector – supplied an examination of the role of crypto-currencies in financing and crowdfunding.

Mr Dixon first presented on the unprecedented democratic effects of crowdfunding in today’s online economy, noting that the island has the potential to ‘become London 2.0 built upon a completely different, transparent way of doing things’.

Mr Keiser followed by outlining his vision to build ‘a parallel economy’ in which the products that get funded reflect the values of today’s society.

Panel three, on crypto currencies and gaming, saw four delegates tackle a topic of particular interest to the island under the direction of moderator and Gambling Supervision Commission chief executive Steve Brennan.

Ranging from banking and payments, licensing and regulation, to international policy and the finer points of the Proceeds of Crime Act, the discussion offered an understanding of the potential marriage between crypto currencies and eGaming and was concluded by Mr Rutherford’s statement: ‘In all cases – the answer is “come and talk to us”.’

Drawing day one to a close, Colin Tansley, intelligence consultant at Intelect Solutions, discussed the spectre of digital crime and its relationship with the recent wave in adoption of crypto currencies, before KPMG’s Konrads Smelkovs advised on keeping crypto currencies safe in today’s user and business environment.

Day two saw former Economic Development Minister John Shimmin MHK describe how the island will look as an international business centre that enjoys a safe and transparent economy as a business friendly incubator for innovation populated by a skilled technical workforce.

During the following three hours, 20 minute sessions offered delegates the opportunity to choose from one of 13 tables each chaired by an expert in their field. Then president of the Bitcoin Association Bruce Fenton spoke about the a number of parallels between the proliferation of crypto currencies and the role of the internet in supporting education and charity across the globe, affirming his belief that ‘crypto currency will absolutely change the world as we know it.’

DED’s Chris Corlett provided the closing statement, and announced government’s intention to explore the potential for residents to transact with public service providers using a greater variety of payment options including allowing digital currency to be used via an exchange.

Russell Kelly, director responsible for eGaming services at principal sponsors KPMG, said: ‘ We enjoyed an excellent turnout of a diverse set of individuals from all over the world, all here to discuss how to take this sector forward in a considered and ethical way. KPMG are very proud to be here as key sponsors.’

Alexander Henderson Rapson, of 7 Abbeylands, Abbeylands Estate, Douglas, bought Crovie, Main Road, Union Mills, for £845,150.

It was bought from Stuart Garrett and Wendy Jane Garrett.

Other recent transactions lodged at the General Registry in Douglas are as follows:

Edward David Lace sold Gorse Lea, Greeba, for £605,000, to James Robert McFarlane Hutchinson and Elizabeth Dawn Hutchinson, of Apartment 6, Sheridan Apartments, Glen Falcon Road, Douglas.

Catherine Helen Morris, of London, sold Kimrae, 16 The Fairway, Onchan, for £339,500, to Andrew Clifford Boardman and Jenny Boardman, of 42 Hollin Bank, Tromode Woods, Douglas.

Neil Michael Clarke and Janelle Karen Clarke, sold 11 Orry’s Close, Governor’s Hill, Douglas, for £245,000, to Samantha Heeney, of 7 Dovescroft, Abbeyfields, Douglas.

David Edward Bell sold 46 Hawarden Avenue, Douglas, for £230,000, to Darryn Peter Burden and Lisa Crellin, of 6 Hibbin Way, Anagh Coar.

Jack Williamson and Brenda Williamson, of 1 Victoria Park, Victoria Road, Douglas, sold 16 Cedar Walk, Hightonwood Hill, Douglas, for £228,000, to William Robert Hyde and Margaret Hyde, care of Greeba Avenue, Glen Vine.

David Arthur Briggs and Susan Anne Briggs sold 51 Wybourn Grove, Onchan, for £210,000, to Alexander Ross Horton and Fenella Tracy Eugenie Logan, of The Dhoon, 1 Ballanard Road, Douglas.

Pauline Elizabeth Hulley, of Flat 3, Rosewood Apartments, 10 Mona Drive, Douglas, by administrator, and Robert Arthur Hulley, as administrator, sold 7 Sandringham Drive, Onchan, for £210,000, to Sharon Gurney, care of 34 Ballaughton, Manor Hill, Saddlestone, Douglas.

Ian Paul Manton sold 7 Parr Street, Douglas, for £190,000, to Richard Fletcher and Jacqueline Fletcher, of Thie Noa, Grove Mount, Ramsey.

David Alan Johnson, of 2 Colden Road, Douglas, and Pauline Carole Johnson, of 15a Farrants Park, Castletown, and Julie Johnson, care of Abbotswood Nursing Home, Abbotswood Court, Ballasalla, sold 1 Peveril Villas, Main Road, Ballasalla, for £185,000, to Miles Andrew Shimmin and Lorraine Mary Greene, of 9 Selbourne Drive, Douglas.

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We publish details of all sales unless we receive a written request from the police or probation service.

The sign below was seen in the window of the premises of Florence and Rose at the top of Windsor Road in Douglas.

Deliberate or not? I don’t know.

But for me it calls into question how many people in the Isle of Man can spell it correctly in the Manx language without checking. I couldn’t. If you are still in doubt it’s traa dy liooar.

Meanwhile, on the question of signs, the refurbishment of the historic Douglas Hotel on North Quay is now complete and a handsome building it is and when I look at it I’m reminded that there used to be nearby a retail outlet run by the Isle of Man Farmers Combine which offered for sale, among more serious items, live pets for children like bunnies and puppies and kittens

There was a sign nearby saying: ‘If you want to handle an animal ask one of the girls behind the counter.’

No. I didn’t.

This also reminds me that at the other end of North Quay, at Quine’s Corner, there used to be the premises of Riley’s, the long-established firm of Manx agricultural merchants, and on the gable end of the building there was painted in large letters the slogan ‘Service Servility and Satisfaction’.

Martin Riley always refused to change it.

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In its last intervention in the Scottish independence referendum The Sun newspaper jocularly asked how many other places in the British Isles might seek to leave the UK. They included the Isle of Man.

Er . . .

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SEAN – that’s all - points to a headline in the Examiner saying “Help rhinos at ‘blind’ wine tasting event.”

If they down too much will people have to help them up to bed?

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JOHN Watterson, Examiner sports editor, reports an item on Manx Radio news saying violence among Steam Packet boat passengers ‘started with an argument in the gents’ toilet which spilled over into the bar’.

People were having a wet there already.

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One of my mentors in English usage, Ian Cottier, has sent me an article from Times Higher Education about the perils for writers seeking too much inspiration from Roget’s Thesaurus, referring to a student whose text included the expression ‘sinister buttocks’ which is described as a prime Rogetism.

What he was trying to say was ‘left behind’.

The article includes other Rogetisms which I will refer to in coming weeks.

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A reader’s letter in the Examiner seen by Eddie Booth of Port Erin referred to cities which had reduced flights to and from the Isle of Man, including ‘Liverpoo’.

There’ll be L to play about this.

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This week’s Manx crossword clue, sent in by Barbara Taylor, is from the Telegraph Toughie as follows: “A black mark against leaders of exciting race in TT (9) – ABSTAINER. Barbara says even after over 30 years living in the Isle of Man this took her a while.

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World newspaper headline, from America: ‘Homicide victims rarely talk to police.’

Friends of the Earth’s Elaine Burton explains how her low-emission vehicle helped her reduce her road-tax bill, so saving her pocket as well as the environment – double-win!

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Having recently bought a second hand 2006 Peugeot 206 1.4 HDi, with CO2 emissions of 116 grams, I thought that the road tax – at £152 – sounded quite high, and decided to conduct my own investigation of the taxation system.

I went to my post office and brought home the relevant form to see what the tax was for my emission band.

It turned out to be band C (111-120 grams). With these, considerably lower, CO2 emissions, the duty payable is currently just £47. That’s quite a difference: £105 is worth having.

So I read the requirements from the form, to see how to go about being taxed by my car’s emissions and not its engine size.

The information says that the emissions need to be stated on the MVR6 form (log book).

Any vehicles registered after 1 April 2010 automatically have this on the MVR6.

Next I emailed the Department of Infrastructure (DoI) to see how to go about this, and was advised by a return email that I needed proof in writing of the emissions for my particular car.

I then emailed Peugeot UK, who requested a copy of my MVR6 (although they called it something else until they realised we are nothing to do with Swansea – even though I had stated my location to them knowing the difficulties that can arise from time to time).

The copy document was duly forwarded via email to Peugeot UK.

Within a week I had received a telephone call from the UK saying the information would be forwarded to me shortly. They were very helpful, and there was no charge.

When the information was received, I forwarded the same to the DoI.

The next day, I had a return message to bring in my MVR6 together with the tax disc to the office at the Sea Terminal – which I did that same day.

I filled in a form for a tax rebate and was given my new document showing the vehicle emissions and a new tax disc in the sum of £47.

The lady at the DoI was very pleasant and helpful, and I thanked her.

It is lovely to be paying less road tax in these difficult times – but the main reason for doing so should be to encourage people to use more efficient and, therefore, less polluting vehicles.

The car has recently returned 65.75 mpg. It has got to be commonsense to look towards economy, and paying less road tax makes a huge difference to the money in your pocket.

We also have a Nissan Leaf 100 per cent electric car which my husband and I have owned for more than a year-and-a-half.

This is still, in our opinion the best car we have ever owned. It is so nice to drive and is also incredibly inexpensive to run. The big plus for us is that there are no emissions whatsoever.

One fact that people often don’t even consider with exhaust emissions is that it is incredibly damaging to young people’s health and, in particular, childhood asthma.

We need to clean up our air now more than ever and it is really great that our government encourages cleaner forms of transport through this CO2 taxation method.

If you’re interested in joining IoM Friends of the Earth, you can visit us at the Green Centre (near Iceland supermarket in Douglas) on a Wednesday between 10am and 2pm, or a Saturday between 10am and 4pm. Or look us up at www.foe.org.im or on our Facebook Page, Isle of Man Friends of the Earth.

The Isle of Man Constabulary’s modernisation programme will take effect on September 29.

Three regional teams – north, south and west – will come under the command of a single inspector, Darrill Pearson, who will be based at Peel, which will be the hub of operations.

There will also be an operations sergeant covering the three regions and a sergeant in each region.

Peel Sergeant Gavin Callow invited iomtoday for a tour of his station, and explained how they have been keeping crime low in the west and how the changes will work.

Sgt Callow said: ‘The key areas we deal with are community engagement, youth issues, roads and antisocial behaviour.

‘To keep crime low and deliver a high quality service you need to understand the needs of the community.

‘The north, south and west are safe areas, with a low crime rate and low levels of antisocial behaviour, but we do need to work hard to make sure we keep it that way.

‘It’s all very well saying the west is a safe place to live in, but if you’ve got an issue in a certain area you’ve got to have the confidence that we’ll look at that issue and deal with it.

‘Our issues, compared to Douglas, are fairly low key. Crime has gone down a lot in the west over the past couple of years.

‘Out of 900 or so youngsters at the QEII [High School]only a dozen or so cause issues, but most of the time even they don’t. You’ve got to praise people, visit the schools.

‘Things like the Youth Pod [a shelter for youngsters, paid for by the police] have been a success.

‘We haven’t had the same reports of issues at places like the Clothworkers School and Castle Street Gardens since before the summer.

‘Facebook and increasing our online presence has really helped. Also, peer pressure, getting youngsters to tell others off about their behaviour, that works well.

‘It’s about skinnying down the small group who sometimes misbehave.’

Sgt Callow said that his team also work with the elderly through events like ‘Cuppa with a Copper’ and will be introducing a ‘Shopwatch’ initiative which involves retailers sharing information about thieves.

He said: ‘We deal with issues by building partnerships with the commissioners, transport companies, youth groups, schools, charities, so we can address an issue sensibly and quickly, and in today’s economic climate, efficiently.’

‘I’m very proud of the work the team are doing and come the changes, I’m confident that we’ll continue to deliver a really good level of service.’

The constabulary’s budget has been cut from a high of £15.8 million five years ago to £12.5m by the beginning of the 2015/16 financial year.

Chief Constable Gary Roberts has said more cuts could endanger public safety.

The minimum wage will increase next week.

The Department of Economic Development has sent out a reminder that from October 1 it will increase by 25p per hour, an increase of 3.9 per cent, for those aged 21 and over.

Additionally a new age bracket applicable to 18- to 20-year-olds will be introduced, effective from the same date.

The rates are: 21 and over, £6.65 up from £6.40.

The UK minimum wage rate will also rise on October 1. For over 21s it will be £6.50.

People aged 18 to 20 in the Isle of Man will continue to get £6.40 (UK £5.13).

DED accredited trainees aged 18 and over within the first six months of employment get £5.24 in the Isle of Man. The minimum wage for 17-year-olds is £5.24. Those aged 16 get £4.67.