The Isle of Man FA’s latest stint of England UEFA Regions Cup duty came to an end with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of hosts Eastern Slovakia this afternoon.

A second-half free-kick was all that separated the two sides, although Douglas High School Old Boys’ goalkeeper Sam Holliday did save an injury time penalty to deny the Slovaks a second.

The result means that Steve Burns men finish the four-team group in third, Wurttemberg, who beat the Men 7-0 on Thursday, topped the group after beating East, West and Central Scotland 1-0. They qualify for next June’s final stages of the competition.

Saturday, September 27

Canada Life Premier League

Ayre Utd 2-1 Michael Utd

Corinthians P-P St Mary’s

Laxey P-P St George’s

Ramsey 5-3 Union Mills

St John’s Utd 0-0 DHSOB

JCK Division Two

Douglas Athletic 7-0 Douglas & District

Foxdale 0-7 Castletown

Marown 5-0 Douglas Royal

Pulrose Utd 2-1 Braddan

RYCOB 2-0 Colby

Canada Life Combination One

DHSOB 0-1 St John’s Utd

Michael Utd 2-3 Ayre Utd

Rushen Utd P-P Gymns

St George’s 1-1 Laxey

St Mary’s 2-13 Corinthians

Union Mills 2-1 Ramsey

JCK Combination Two

Braddan 3-0 Pulrose Utd

Castletown 3-2 Foxdale

Colby 2-4 RYCOB

Douglas & District 3-4 Douglas Athletic

Douglas Royal 2-4 Marown

Douglas edged out a tight affair at Port-e-Chee beating Glossop 24-21 to move ahead of their Derbyshire rivals in the South Lancs/Cheshire Division One.

Bryn Snellgrove, Cal Randle and Laurie Williams all crossed for Douglas tries with Snellgrove adding three conversions and a penalty for good measure. Douglas found a fourth try elusive, however, and were unable to secure the try bonus point.

Vagabonds slam Prenton

Vagabonds slammed newly promoted Prenton 57-17 at Ballafletcher, picking up back to back bonus points wins to propel them up the table.

Vagas led 31-10 at half-time and with the bonus point in the bag by the break they relaxed a little in the second half.

Ramsey coast to easy win

Table-topping Ramsey held their position at the head of South Lancs/Cheshire Division Three with a comprehensive 72-0 win against bottom side Helsby.

Touching down for Ramsey, who led 36-0 by half-time, were Mikey Craine (3), Matty Clague, Dan Bonwick and Peter Richardson. Clague also knocked over three conversions.

In the second half, Mark Oldfield added a hat-trick of his own, Richardson also completed his with two further tries and there were also scores for Matty Meechan and Orry Watterson.

Vagabonds B hit top in Shimmin Wilson Shield

Holders Vagabonds B hit top spot in the Shimmin Wilson Manx shield standings after they cruised to an 86-12 win at Castletown.

Ryan Windell led the way for Vagas with five tries, there were hat-tricks from the evergreen Johnny Beckley and midfield powerhouse Arno Cruywagen and single tries from Alec Burns and Matt Rockwell plus 21 points from Beckley’s boot. Dave Akkulugadu got a try for Town with Matt Quine converting.

At QEII School, Emerging Nomads beat Western Vikings 42-34 in a tight game.

Dan Bridle bagged two for Nomads and there were also tries from Adam Boyd, David Walsh, Harry Catlow and Furo Davies with Rob Martin kicking six conversions. Kevin Mellor continued his fine form for Vikings with two more tries and there were also scores from Dean Blackwell, Ryan Jones, Ryan Burke and Mark Bienvenue. Burke kicked two conversions.

Results

South Lancs/Cheshire Division One

Douglas 24-21 Glossop

South Lancs/Cheshire Division Two

Vagabonds 57-17 Prenton

South Lancs/Cheshire Division Three

Ramsey 72-0 Helsby

Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield

PDMS Southern Nomads P-P Douglas B

Castletown 12-86 Vagabonds B

Western Vikings 34-42 Emerging Nomads

A routine traffic stop led police to discover a suspected cannabis farm in a Douglas side street.

Officers raided the property on Falcon Street on Saturday, August 23, and seized a number of what is what is believed to be cannabis plants and associated paraphernalia.

This followed the arrest of a man when his vehicle was stopped by police.

A resident on Falcon Street said: ‘There was a lot of police activity. I saw police vans, CID, an inspector, a sniffer dog and forensics going in and out of the property. Something that looked like a lamp, a massive light and a tent were all taken away. It was a shock seeing something like that down our street.’

A man has been bailed pending further police inquiries.

A police spokesman said: ‘Police arrested a man following a traffic stop.

‘Subsequent inquiries led police to seize a number of what is believed to be cannabis plants and paraphernalia at an address in Douglas.

‘Inquiries are continuing.’

A mental health nurse who hugged a patient moments after they discussed intimate sexual fantasies has been suspended for six months.

Michael Oakes admitted offering the embrace because of the ‘depth and gravity’ of the patient’s disclosure.

The patient, a farmer who was a cross-dresser, confessed to sexual fantasies involving Oakes, prompting the nurse to transfer him to another practitioner at the island’s Department of Social Care.

But three years later Oakes allowed the man to stay and drink alcohol at his home.

He then performed a deep-heat massage on the patient, the Nursing and Midwifery Council this week heard at Old Bailey in London.

The nurse had offered to hug the farmer after he opened up about his sexuality during a home visit in November 2009.

Oakes said when he (Oakes) came out as gay all he wanted was a hug.

He described it as a ‘clear’ way of reassuring the patient he would be OK.

He accepted Patient A back into his care in March 2012, three years after he had transferred the man to another practitioner.

He stayed at Oakes’ home between May and June 2012, the hearing was told.

Suspending Oakes from the profession for six months, NMC panel chair Paul Powici said: ‘Taken collectively, the panel considered that your actions did amount to breaches of the code, because they showed multiple errors in judgement.

‘In these circumstances, the panel was satisfied that, taken together, your actions fell short of what would be considered as proper in the circumstances.

‘In your statement, you admit that you failed to maintain professional boundaries with Patient A and that you had a lapse of judgement which you regret in relation to your allowing Patient A to consume alcohol in your home and sleep at your home.

‘You accept that you did not document the reason for Patient A being reassigned, and stated that you would, in the future, ensure there is a clear and contemporaneous record.

‘The panel found your actions amounted to misconduct.

‘You did not disclose that Patient A had been staying at your home, and this involved a degree of dishonesty, a breach of one of the fundamental tenets of the code.

‘You accept that you did not document the reasons why Patient A had been reassigned, and that this was a failure on your behalf.

The panel considered that this put Patient A at risk of harm due to his wide-ranging vulnerability.’

Oakes was found to have failed to maintain professional boundaries with Patient A.

A charge of using excessive force to restrain a patient at Lytham Court Care Home, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, was found not proved.

Oakes was suspended from the profession for six months.

A team of Manx athletes enjoyed a heroes’ welcome on Sunday as they returned with a haul of medals from the Special Olympics European Summer Games.

The 17 sportsmen and women brought home 26 medals, eight of them gold, from last week’s event in Antwerp, Belgium.

They were among 2,000 competitors from 58 countries that travelled to take part in the event, which takes place every four years and is hosted by a major European city.

Manx athletes struck gold in athletics, gymnastics, swimming and bocce, which is similar to bowls.

Team captain Lawrence Dyer, who won gold in the 1500 metres, praised the hard work of the entire team.

He said: ‘It’s a big deal for a small island like ours to come home with 26 medals. The team’s efforts were just amazing.’

The athletes were accompanied by local volunteer coaches and organisers, bringing the Isle of Man’s delegation to 27.

Beryl Wooldridge, director of Special Olympics Isle of Man, singled out 18-year-old Elizabeth Tinkler, the team’s newest member, who won gold in the singles bocce event.

‘She is our newest athlete and she’s a star,’ she said. ‘She is the youngest member of our team at 18 years old, and this was her first games. For her to win a gold medal is a huge plus for us.’

Mrs Wooldridge said that the Manx Special Olympians always do the island proud, both inside and outside the sporting arenas.

‘Everyone remembers the athletes from the Isle of Man, they’re brilliant ambassadors for the island,’ she said.

‘They’re always remembered for being such good sportsmen and women, very polite, friendly and happy.’

The team arrived home after seven days of competition on Sunday evening to a rapturous welcome at Ronaldsway airport.

Mrs Wooldbridge said: ‘The number of friends and family members there was just incredible, and the reception for the team coming home was amazing – one of the family members described it as ‘tear jerking’’.’

2015 will mark the 30th year of Special Olympics Isle of Man, and fundraising has already begun to help the team travel to the Special Olympics World Summer Games, which will take place in the United States in July.

Swagelok engineer Bob Maxwell died after falling down the stairs at a works party, an inquest heard.

Mr Maxwell, aged 59, of Poplar Terrace, Douglas, fell while leaving the annual event, organised by the company’s social club, at the Creg ny Baa pub on the Friday of TT practice week.

Coroner of inquests John Needham described the fall at about 9pm on May 30 as a ‘tragic accident’ which ‘couldn’t have been predicted or prevented’.

On Tuesday, the inquest heard Mr Maxwell was near the bottom of the flight of stairs when he fell head first.

Witnesses said he made little attempt to break his fall, and recalled he hit his head as he fell. He was taken to Noble’s Hospital by ambulance, and on his arrival at 9.40pm he was ‘deeply unconscious’.

A scan revealed he had sustained a severe brain injury and The Walton Centre’s neurosurgery department advised treatment was not an option. His wife, Geraldine, was informed and he died the following day in the intensive therapy unit after his ventilator was turned off.

In a written statement, Bev Clague, of Swagelok, described Mr Maxwell as a ‘well respected’ and ‘highly valued’ employee who had worked on the night shift for eight years.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Needham said he couldn’t rule out entirely that alcohol might have been a factor – on his arrival at hospital he was more than three times over the legal drink drive limit.

But witnesses said Mr Maxwell hadn’t appeared drunk, and Mr Needham added: ‘People do entirely accidentally trip or stumble on stairs.’

There is disagreement between Port Erin and Rushen Parish Commissioners over management of services on the Ballakilley estate.

The estate, being built by Heritage Homes, straddles the two parishes, meaning householders will pay considerably different rates depending on where their house lies. This year Port Erin rates are roughly four times those in Rushen.

They will also have different refuse collection and street lighting times.

Port Erin Commissioners want to overcome these discrepancies by extending their village boundary to include all the housing and wrote of its proposal to Rushen Commissioners.

‘It’s about consistency and fairness,’ said Port Erin chairman Ged Power. ‘It’s about working with other authorities to deliver a consistent service so residents of Ballakilley can enjoy an excellent quality of life.’

RPC discussed the proposal at their August meeting and said boundaries clash elsewhere – particularly in the area of the Four Roads near the estate, where Rushen and Port Erin also meet Port St Mary – with no problems and it can be serviced by the two authorities.

If the two authorities do not reach an agreement, Port Erin Commissioners could apply to the local government for the extension and there would be an inquiry.

RPC chairman David Radcliffe said: ‘Rushen Commissioners would be opposing the application as we consider the estate can be equally serviced by the two local authorities.

‘This matter was fully discussed by the Port Erin and Rushen boards at a joint meeting held in June. Port Erin made no mention of seeking a boundary extension at that time. Rushen Commissioners were given the impression that Port Erin were content to leave the boundaries as they were and that the various services such as street lighting and bin collection could be effectively provided by co-operation between the two boards.

He added: ‘Rushen Parish Commissioners are keen to see their section of the development remaining in Rushen. The rate income will provide an additional revenue stream, some of which will be helpful in meeting any costs incurred from provision of community facilities on land designated as public open space next to the new development (which is part of the agreement with Heritage Homes). The public open space is owned by Rushen Commissioners and lies in Rushen parish but will be for the benefit of all the southern communities.’

The two authorities will meet and discuss the proposal on October 9.

Plans have been submitted to regenerate Market Square in Ramsey.

Work on the square – which features car parking – makes up the third phase of the town’s regeneration scheme.

In a planning statement by Dalyrmple it states: ‘The regeneration masterplan depicted this area as having a flexible public space to encompass exhibitions, markets etc. However during the public consultation process concern was expressed about the loss of parking in the area and it is in response to this issue that the current proposals have been developed.’

The road layout would be replaced with a road on the east of the square – linking the square with the town centre.

Car parking spaces would be retained, and there would be a dedicated loading bay and vehicular access to the church.

The planning statement says the proposal also creates the ‘opportunity to utilise the parking space for events, markets etc by the temporary closure of all or part of the parking provision’.

Ramsey Commissioners’ lead member for works and development, Graham Jones, has described the square as ‘dowdy’ and in need of a boost.

To mark the centenary of the outbreak of World War One, there are plans to create a memorial for all those affected by war in Arbory Parish.

The local authority is driving the initiative and commissioners’ chairman Mike Berry explained the background.

‘We felt as a parish we should remember those involved in conflict and the families and relations affected by the world wars,’ he said. ‘We have an existing war memorial [in the parish church], and we do not want to detract from or replace that. This will be in public, in a quiet place. I think it’s significantly important we remember those who have suffered.’

The memorial will be in the grounds of Arbory Parish Hall, Ballabeg.

The hall itself is already a war memorial, having been erected in memory of members from the Cooil family who fought in World War One. The Cooil family originally owned the land on which the hall now sits as part of the adjacent Parville Estate. After World War One, the land was given to the parish and a memorial hall – now known as the Parish Hall – was built on the site.

The memorial area will include a stone feature with a plan of Arbory Parish. Within the parish boundary there will be a repeating script of all the surnames of those lost in conflict during World Wars One and Two.

At their August meeting, the local authority agreed on the wording on the stone, which reads: ‘In memory of all those from Arbory Parish who endured the first and second World Wars and subsequent conflicts. The sacrifice of those who died, the courage of those who returned and the enduring grief and lasting hardship of loved ones left behind.

‘At the going down of the sun and in the evening, we will remember them.’

The stone is in memory of John Donald Collister (known as Donny) who left a bequest of around £1m to the Manx nation, which has gone to Manx National Heritage, and it is hoped some of the bequest will partly finance the memorial.

Donny served with the Manx Regiment in Crete and North Africa during World War Two. Mr Berry said given his military background this would be a ‘fitting use’ of the bequest.

Sometimes those who can’t cook, won’t cook find they suddenly have to cook and if they don’t know how to, it can lead to problems.

In response, a new six-week cookery course is being launched in the south to help acquaint people of all ages with the rudiments of preparing a basic meal. The course is being run by Southern Communities Initiative (SCI) and Southern Befrienders (SB).

‘We are so excited to be offering these cookery classes,’ said SCI co-ordinator Janet Bridle.

‘Although our televisions are full of cookery programmes Debbie [Lowe, from SB] and I meet a lot of people from all walks of life who lack confidence in the kitchen for a variety of reasons be it bereavement, time or just never being taught in the first place.

‘People often resort to ready meals and takeaways and living on those creates a ticking time bomb for your health and your wallet.

‘What Debbie and I want to do is to gather small groups of people together in the kitchen at the Hub Club and in a friendly and down to earth way teach some basic skills that will boost confidence and demonstrate how cooking at home can be fun, relaxing and healthy.

‘Cooking is a great way to get rid of the stresses of the day and sitting down with family and friends with a simple, but tasty, meal with a bottle of wine is perhaps one of the best ways to enjoy a leisurely evening.

‘Once you have some basic skills under your belt you can then start to build up your repertoire.’

Debbie said: ‘By concentrating on basic cookery skills we are hoping to break through the confidence barrier and enable people to be able to cook simple, delicious and nutritious meals for themselves.’

Each session will be two hours long and participants will work together to create the food.

‘If we have time we will eat the meal together at the end or they can take it away,’ added Debbie. ‘The costs have been kept to a minimum because we want to be affordable and we have managed to do this due to the generous support of Shoprite and Robinson’s who are sponsoring this course by providing the ingredients.’

The sessions are from 4pm to 6pm on Wednesdays from October 16 to November 19 at Thie Rosien, Four Roads, Port Erin.

The cost is £3.50 a week (which includes the cost of ingredients). A £10 deposit is required to secure a place.

Contact Janet, email admin@hubclubsci.im or phone 838180/427710.

Andreas Produce Show will take place on Thursday (October 2) at 3pm in the Parish Hall.

It will be opened by Rosemary Penn MBE. It is the oldest show in the island, dating back to 1895 when the first show was held in the Rectory Coach House.

The first show consisted mainly of roots and was confined to the parish of Andreas, later being opened to the island.

It was started to help the poor of the parish but now contributes 
to charitable institutions.

Programmes are available from Andreas Stores, Sulby stores, Marianne’s Flowers and Farmers Combine Limited.

For furtherinformation contact Pam Kinrade via pam.kinrade@manx.net

ManxSPCA has unveiled plans to build four state of the art dog relaxation and home rooms for dogs thanks to a £45,000 grant.

Animal charity Support Adoption for Pets awarded the grant to the charity at Ard Jerkyll after kennels staff posted a video on its Facebook page showing what a difference the money would make to the animals.

Margaret Mansfield of the ManxSPCA said: ‘We’re extremely grateful for this absolutely fantastic grant from Support Adoption For Pets.

‘With the funds we can provide state of the art dog relaxation and home rooms for the animals.

‘These spaces are vital to ensuring the animals we take who have experienced and lived in horrific environments are rehabilitated and able to find loving forever homes.’

It’s hoped the one-storey building will be located near to the kennels, and subject to planning approval, work should start on site within the next six months.

The charity would like to see the facility open by the spring.

Margaret explained: ‘The rooms will be furnished as much as possible like a normal home, with a sofa and music playing.

‘They will be fitted with cameras so you don’t need to have someone in there all the time.

‘And it means we can see how dogs would behave in a normal home.’

She added: ‘It’s not a normal environment for a dog to be in a pen.’

Amy Wilson, charity manager at Support Adoption For Pets, said: ‘We’re delighted that we could help out ManxSPCA with this donation.

‘A really hard working team does wonderful work helping to ensure injured and abused animals get a second chance at happiness.

‘Their work is brilliant for both the animals and the local community.’

In July, the ManxSPCA reported that it was ‘dipping so deep into our resources that we are running out of money very quickly’.

Margaret said that while much support is given for ring-fenced projects, they are most in need of money towards the charity’s £55,000 per month running costs.

Hardy volunteers who slept out under the stars on Snaefell’s summit raised a towering £23,334.

Half of the funds raised – £11,667 – have been presented to the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group towards its campaign for a new breast cancer unit at Noble’s Hospital. More than £1m has now been raised towards the £1.3m target.

The remainder will be used by Breakthrough Breast Cancer to fund research into treatments and the genetics of the disease so that it can be stopped for good.

Breakthrough chief executive Chris Askew, who visited the island to take part in the event, said: ‘Thank you so much from everyone here at Breakthrough Breast Cancer for braving the elements on top of Snaefell in June and raising a staggering £23,000 for Breakthrough and the breast cancer unit at Noble’s.

‘Aside from being a huge challenge (as I know, having been lucky enough to join you all), it’s a huge achievement to have raised that much money; money which will go to our life-saving research which benefits all women affected by breast cancer, wherever they are.’

Manx Trials Club contributed £600 towards the total, donating the entry fees from a time trial event.

• Breakthrough Breast Cancer Isle of Man is holding an awareness day in Strand Street, Douglas, on Saturday, October 4, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

It’s a chance to chat to volunteers, pick up a leaflet or buy something pink.

You can get involved by taking in the Breakthrough Bake Off fundraiser happening throughout the month. Visit breakthrough.org.uk/BakeOff for a free Bake Off Kit.

A war veteran who is recovering from cancer achieved his dream of completing a sky dive to raise money for Macmillan Nurses.

Ian Kneale-Barrow, 70, uses a wheelchair and suffers from multiple sclerosis, but he passed a medical to undertake the ‘piggyback’ jump, carried out with the Army, from 15,000 feet.

He travelled to Skydive Hibaldstow centre in North Lincolnshire where he completed the tandem jump with instructor Rob Spour.

The Steam Packet provided free travel to the UK for Ian and his wife Rusty, who is also a wheelchair user.

Ian, who lives in Castletown, said: ‘I’ve had such tremendous support from Macmillan Nurses and wanted to undertake a challenge in order to give something back to the organisation.

incredible

‘It was an incredible experience doing the sky dive and I’d like to thank everyone who made it possible, including the Steam Packet Company for providing free travel for us to the UK.’

Ian did his military service with an airborne unit that travelled all over the world, working chiefly in the Middle East, until he was taken ill while training in Switzerland and underwent life-changing surgery.

After being discharged from the Army on medical grounds, he became a teacher in Norfolk, before returning to the Isle of Man to teach fencing at Ramsey Grammar School.

Since his retirement Ian has competed as a wheelchair fencer for Great Britain at international level.

If anyone would like to make a donation towards Macmillan Nurses, they can send a cheque to ‘Macmillan Nurses’ c/o Noble’s Hospital – with “Sky Dive Ian Kneale-Barrow” on the reverse side of the cheque.

Macmillan Nurses are part of Macmillan Cancer Support, which operates in the Isle of Man, England, Scotland and Wales.

Steam Packet chief executive Mark Woodward said: ‘We were only too happy to support Ian’s wonderful efforts to raise money for such a vital charity.

‘Ian’s fight against cancer and his determination to undertake this sky dive show what a strong character he is and we congratulate him on his achievement.’

Ramsey lifeboat went to the aid of the catamaran which had lost its mast on Saturday.

A man who was walking his dog at Cranstal spotted the distressed craft and alerted Ramsey RNLI. Four further calls from concerned members of the public were also received by the emergency services.

The RNLB Ann and James Ritchie was launched at 4.08pm to go to the aid of the dismasted ‘Hobie Cat’, a small catamaran, which was carrying one crew member and was being swept northwards towards the Point of Ayre.

Ramsey lifeboat, with second-coxswain Rob Brew at the helm, intercepted the craft around three miles north-west of the Point of Ayre at 4.35pm.

The owner, who was cold and wet but otherwise unharmed, was taken onboard the lifeboat.

Two members of Ramsey’s volunteer crew were put on board the catamaran to secure and stabilise it.

The craft was then taken safely in tow by the lifeboat and made it back to Ramsey beach at 5.41pm.

Ramsey lifeboat was recovered, rehoused, refuelled and made ready for service once again by 6.30pm and her volunteer crew were stood down.

Three away wins were recorded in the Warehouse Fitness Women’s League on Sunday.

The most impressive was Corinthians’ demolition of their neighbours’ Douglas Royal with an 8-0 scoreline.

Leading 3-0 at the break, Casey Halsall (2), Kiera Morgan (2), Sarah Kerford, Lisa Costain, Jade Burden and Melissa Bell found the net for the visitors to record the biggest derby victory since the two teams took up their new lodgings at Ballafletcher. Indeed it was the second biggest derby win of all time.

Elsewhere, Castletown won the southern derby after defeating Colby 5-1 at the Station Road, leading 2-0 at the break. Trisha Fleming (2), Sarah Denny (2) and Sam White netted for the Reds, the Arbory side’s response came via a Hannah Dixon strike.

The biggest win of the day went to Peel after defeating DHSOB 10-0 at Blackberry Lane. Leading 3-0 at the intermission, Maxine Smalley (4), Sarah Wignall (4), Becky Corkish (pen) and Alice Henderson bagged for the westerners.

A full round-up of all the women’s football will appear in this week’s Manx Independent.

The northern Police Consultative Forum (PCF) will hold its public meeting tonight, Monday, September 29 at 7.00pm at Ramsey Town Hall.

Attending will be Chief Constable Gary Roberts and Home Affairs minister Juan Watterson.

The meetings are to discuss the recently announced police cuts and meetings have already been held in Douglas, the west and the south of the island.

A 34-year-old man sustained head injuries following an incident in Ramsey in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Police were called to deal with a disturbance on East Quay, at its junction with Old Post Office Lane, at 4.40am.

The injured man, who is resident in the town, was taken to Noble’s Hospital for treatment, but was later released and arrested.

A 19-year-old man, also resident in the town, was arrested at the scene.

Later in the day, a 20-year-old man from the south of the island was also arrested in connection with the incident.

Police say the incident was sparked by a row between the two men who were first arrested, and which subsequently escalated.

It was also found that a vehicle that had been parked on the quay next to the lane had been damaged.

The area remained cordoned off for some time to allow officers to examine the area in daylight.

All three men have been interviewed and are now on police bail pending further enquiries. No one has been charged.

Sergeant Andy Kneen said: ‘We are keen to speak with anyone who was in the area at the time of this incident, and who saw either the initial argument or indeed to subsequent disorder.’

Contact police headquarters on 631212.

A new kerbside recycling initiative is being introduced to Port St Mary by the local authority from Wednesday (October 1).

Each household will get two boxes - a blue one for paper and a green one for plastic bottles and glass – in which they can put their waste for collection (separate to the standard wheelie bin round) once a fortnight from October 13.

The aim is to reduce the amount of waste in wheelie bins and therefore the cost of waste disposal - which impacts on rates.

Commissioners’ chairman Bernadette McCabe said: ‘Recycling is more than simply doing good for the planet. With tipping charges at the energy from waste plant set to double over the next four years, recycling is essential to keep the cost of refuse down. Tipping domestic waste costs about £80 per household per year currently. By 2018 we expect this to be in excess of £160. As the cost is charged per ton it is simple to see that reducing the amount that we tip will help us minimise the inevitable increase in rates.’

For the last eight months the commissioners have run a pilot scheme in which Douglas Corporation has collected recyclable waste at various points in the village on Saturdays. This was supported by over 50 houses and up to 300kg of product was recycled each week.

A recent waste audit, when the refuse from 20 houses was analysed, showed that more than 20 per cent of household waste could be recycled. 
The authority pointed out recyclable waste has a value that they are keen to ‘extract’ rather than burn in the incinerator: Cardboard is worth £80 per tonne, paper (depending on its quality) is around £30 per tonne, plastic bottles yield £115 per tonne and the aluminium in drinks cans is worth over £600 per tonne.

The scheme does involve cost to the village – in terms of outlay on boxes and payment to Douglas Corporation – but commissioners’ clerk Alastair Hamilton said: ‘Based on the trial and the amount recycled and the costs, we are confident we will break even within a year.’

A man has been arrested by police investigating an assault on a member of a pub’s staff.

Police say they are investigation a report of an of assault at the beer garden of the Mines Tavern, Laxey, on Saturday at about 8.50pm.

The staff member was taken to Noble’s hospital for treatment, by ambulance.

He has now been released.

A 33-year-old man from the north of the island was arrested this morning (Monday)

Sgt Andy Kneen said: ‘Police attended on the night and spoke with a number of people in the pub, whowere very helpful.

‘I would appeal to anyone who was in the vicinity and saw this incident, and has not already spoken with officers, to get in touch.’