Problem solving, team work and strategic thinking were all needed by pupils taking part in puzzle challenge days.
Happy Puzzle Company visited six primary schools last week, setting children a variety of challenges to solve.
The programme teaches pupils how to persevere, put their own skills to better use within teams and overcome difficulties.
Pictured are pupils at St John’s School.
Cushag Ladies’ Choir is recruiting new singers.
Rehearsals are on Wednesdays, 7.30pm to 9pm, in Ramsey Methodist Church Hall, Waterloo Road, and the repertoire comprises secular and sacred part-songs, as well as Christmas music.
For further information, contact Marion Kenworthy on 812998 or Helen Rowlands on 814340.
Alternatively, visit the coffee morning at Ramsey town hall on Saturday, 10am to midday.
Admission is £1, in aid of choir funds.
Air operator Citywing has told passengers it is looking at all options in the event of the closure of Blackpool Airport.
In a shock move, the owner of Blackpool Airport announced that the Squires Gate terminal will shut down this month unless a buyer can be found.
Citywing operates up to three flights a day to Blackpool.
Passengers have been contacting the company anxious to find out how their travel plans will be affected.
One posted: ‘We are due to fly out on October 25. How much notice will be given and what will be the alternative arrangements if the airport closes?’
Another wrote: ‘I have booked to fly from Belfast to Blackpool on October 17, returning on October 26. Will these flights now be cancelled? I need to know to make alternative arrangements as soon as possible. If the flights are cancelled will there be refunds?’
In response Citywing posted: ‘We understand your frustration. If you could please bear with us a short while longer as all of our team are looking into the situation and the options available. Many thanks.’
Balfour Beatty has been trying to find a buyer to take over the operating interests in the terminal, which was bought for £14m in 2008.
But in a statement, the company said unless an agreement can be reached before October 7, it is ‘likely the airport will close’ with the last commercial flights taking place on October 15.
Jet2.com and Stobart Air are the other air operators flying out of Blackpool.
Bridgewaters Manx Cup
Defending champions IOMA Group Bacchas A begin the defence of the Bridgewaters Manx Cup against Canaccord Genuity Vikings B in Saturday’s lunchtime fixture at the NSC.
Jamie Brown’s side are currently unbeaten in the top flight so far this season and will begin as favourites against the Division One side.
Ian Perry’s Vikings have begun the season well and with the likes of Conor Byrne in their ranks will be looking to push the Tromode side.
Elsewhere last season’s beaten finalists Canaccord Genuity Vikings A meet Crowe Morgan Valkyrs A.
Steve Crowe’s Vikings suffered defeat at the hands of the westerners in last weekend’s league match and will be aiming to avoid a second successive defeat and progress to the next round.
Bridgewaters Manx Plate
Last season’s beaten finalists IOMA Group Bacchas C will be aiming to go one better this time around in the Bridgewaters Manx Plate when they meet Harlequins Colts at QEII on Saturday morning.
John McCarrick’s Bacchas have made an unbeaten start to the season and will confident of victory against a side two divisions below them.
Paul Nuttall’s Harlequins are playing some impressive hockey so far this season and will be sure to give a good account of themselves but may find themselves defeated by the more experienced Tromode team.
PwC Mixed Under-16s
Two sides looking to return to winning ways got head-to-head when Canaccord Genuity Vikings meet Harlequins at the NSC on Saturday afternoon.
Paul Wood’s Vikings currently sit on top of the division but suffered their first defeat of the season last weekend against Bacchas A.
They will be determined to claim victory in order to avoid slipping off top spot. Opponents Harlequins were also defeated last weekend and will be aiming to bounce back.
In a relatively quiet week on the domestic rugby front there are just two fixtures in the Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield.
Early pacesetters Douglas B travel to Mooragh Park for the game that catches the eye.
Douglas blazed a trail in the opening rounds of the competition before a postponement last week saw them knocked off the top by holders Vagas B.
Douglas B beat Ramsey B 76-5 in the opening round of the competition and on that form look likely winners this week too.
Ramsey, however, have uncovered a couple of new players in the intervening period and may put up stiffer resistance.
Additionally this week their first team has no fixture in South Lancashire and Cheshire Division Three which means that the bench players will all be available for the B team.
The Ramsey side will, however, have to be on tip-top form to overturn the Douglas juggernaut.
The forwards are solid and they have a mixture of strength and guile outside.
Fit-again Jack Moore provides an extra dimension out on the wing and is always hot on the ball, however, he could be missing this week after picking up a motorcycling injury.
Elsewhere in the Shield, there is a southern derby at Poulsom Park where Southern Nomads meet Castletown.
There have been some tasty clashes between these two over the years and with Nomads lacking in game time, it may be an opportunity for Town to make hay.
Results so far this season though haven’t been in Town’s favour and a Nomads win is the likely outcome.
Saturday’s results
South Lancashire/Cheshire Division One
Winnington Park v Douglas
@ Winnington Park ko 2pm
South Lancashire/Cheshire Division Two
Port Sunlight v Vagabonds
@ Port Sunlight
Shimmin Wilson Manx Shield
both ko @ 2.15pm
Ramsey B v Douglas B
@ Mooragh Park
Castletown v PDMS Southern Nomads
@ Poulsom Park
l Rugby round-up in Tuesday’s Examiner.
Attorney General Stephen Harding remains suspended from his £160,000 a year job - seven months after he was cleared of all criminal charges.
Mr Harding, 52, of Glen Vine, was formally found not guilty of charges of perjury and committing acts against public justice in February after juries failed to reach a verdict at his trial and subsequent retrial.
But the government has confirmed that more than seven months on, he remains on precautionary suspension while internal disciplinary proceedings continue.
‘There is no change in the situation,’ a spokesman told iomtoday.
Treasury Minister Eddie Teare told the House of Keys earlier this year that it would be inappropriate to release details of the cost of Mr Harding’s criminal trial while he remains under suspension.
But he gave MHKs his assurance that he would provide a detailed breakdown of costs once matters have been finalised.
Chief Minister Alan Bell told Tynwald in March that it was costing £200,000 a year in personnel to cover for Mr Harding’s suspension alongside that of another suspended member of the Attorney General’s chambers. This was in additional to the salaries that continue to be paid to staff on precautionary suspension.
Mr Harding was formally cleared of all charges four years to the day since he represented the Treasury as government advocate at the winding up of a Peel-based developer Street Heritage Ltd (SHL).
The Crown had alleged that Mr Harding misconducted himself at that winding up hearing and that he lied on oath to cover his tracks at an Advocates’ Disciplinary Tribunal.
Mr Harding told police he deeply regretted ‘an error of judgement’ he made during the winding-up hearing but insisted he did not knowingly or recklessly mislead the court by failing to tell the Deemster that SHL were legally represented or that the company intended to contest the order or seek an adjournment.
In December last year, the jury in his first trial was discharged after failing to reach a unanimous verdict.
Then in February a second jury at his retrial similarly failed to reach a verdict. The prosecution decided to offer no further evidence and Mr Harding returned to court on February 24 when the Deemster formally recorded not guilty verdicts to the two charges he faced.
John Quinn has been appointed acting Attorney General while Mr Harding is suspended. That temporary post was advertised with a salary of £159,797 a year.
Comments are no longer being accepted on this story.
Some 65 island residents, chosen randomly from the electoral register, attended the first of the government’s Big Debates last night.
Minister for Policy and Reform Chris Robertshaw promised the audience at the Peel Centenary Centre that he would do ‘an awful lot of listening’.
And rejecting criticism levelled by organisers of a rival debate taking place the same time at Peel’s Masonic Hall, he insisted: ‘This is not about electioneering – this is about the long term future.’
There was a packed crowd of about 120 at the alternative Isle of Man 2020 public meeting organised by a number of backbench MHKs.
Following a short video presentation, Mr Robertshaw told the audience at the Centenary Centre that the island faced some ‘absolutely massive’ challenges.
We had enjoyed a generous VAT arrangement for some time but things were now ‘much tighter’, he said, and there were issues about paying for services with a rapidly ageing population while remaining tax competitive.
There were three major challenges – reducing the size and cost of government, making services match more closely the needs of the population and reforming the welfare state.
In an innovative move, audience members were each given a remote control device with which they could vote on a series of statements, pressing buttons 1 to 5 depending on whether they strongly agreed, agreed, didn’t have a view, disagreed or strongly disagreed.
The responses to most could hardly have come as a surprise.
‘I should only have to tell government something once,’ was the first statement. Some 41 per cent strongly agreed, 44 per cent agreed, 8 per cent didn’t have a view, 7 per cent disagreed and nobody strongly disagreed.
‘Central government is too big,’ went another statement. Most – 44 per cent – strongly agreed, 39 per cent agreed, 11 per cent didn’t have a view, 6 per cent disagreed, nobody strongly disagreed.
‘Central government should deliver fewer services directly,’ was another. Eleven per cent agreed, 34 per cent agreed, a further 34 per cent didn’t have view, 19 per cent disagreed and 2 per cent strongly so.
‘This isn’t secret code for privatisation,’ insisted Mr Robertshaw who maintained there no strong appetite in Tynwald for such a move.
But audience members were sceptical about what delivering fewer services directly might mean. One pointed out that it would simply shift the burden of cost onto the ratepayer.
Another said: ‘If services are going to be delivered other than by government who is going to make sure the highest possible standards are implemented?’
One said more clarity was needed about which services government intended to decentralise.
And another suggested the statements were too much of an open question to ask. ‘I think it’s missing something somewhere. It’s like we’ve come to the second part of a meeting and we should have all been at the first part,’ she said.
‘That’s a fascinating comment,’ replied Mr Robertshaw.
Three other Big Debate meetings have been organised with a second series already planned.
The Minister told iomtoday that the meetings in Douglas and Ramsey were both fully booked and that in Port Erin was filling slowly but surely. Each can take 100.
Treasury Minister Eddie Teare, who also addressed last night’s meeting in Peel said Tynwald members had been given the same presentation and he believe it would have been ‘common courtesy’ if organisers of the Isle of Man 2020 event had similarly shared in advance what they had got to say.
Canada Life Premier League’s big boys finally rejoin the party this Saturday.
After several weeks that have seen the top-flight calendar disrupted by Isle of Man FA call-ups, both Peel and St George’s return to action.
The former haven’t played since they beat Geordies 1-0 a month ago and will be hoping the momentum generated by that result hasn’t completely fizzled out when they welcome an out-of-sorts Laxey to Douglas Road on Saturday.
The westerners had four men on England duty and will be hope they return from the trip to Slovakia unscathed.
The Miners, might not be the force of old, but in emerging talents Mattie Rennie and Sam Gelling and experienced stagers Nigel Beattie and Lee Cowley they have players that could hurt Peel given the chance.
St George’s face Gymns, hoping some of their early season injuries have cleared up. Chris Bass Jr travelled with the IoMFA squad to the UEFA Regions Cup but only managed one substitute appearance, while word on the Twitter wires is that Calum Morrissey’s back problems have flared up again. Skipper Sean Quaye may also be a doubt with partner Hollie giving birth to their first child earlier in the week.
Gymns way well sniff an upset, but they have been inconsistent thus far this term and will do well to claim a second win of the campaign.
Elsewhere there’s a tasty looking tie at Croit Lowey where Rushen take on in-form Ramsey who could go top with a win on Saturday. The northerners have only lost once and will be looking to Saturday’s game against Ben Qualtrough’s Spaniards to gauage their early season progress.
At Ballaeira Road there’s a western derby of sorts as Michael United welcome St John’s. Both camps feature players that have played for the other in the past adding some extra spice to the occasion.
Bottom side Union Mills will be looking to break their 2014-15 duck when they take on Corinthians at Garey Mooar. Joedy Scarffe’s youngsters have talent, but they need to start turning their potential into points if they are to avoid a long hard winter at the foot of the standings. The Whites are notoriously hard to predict and may cough up some points if Mills click on the day.
St Mary tackle promoted Ayre in the final match of the bountiful six-game programme. The Tangerines have struggled with absences in the past couple of weeks, but picked up three important points against Michael last week and will keep the Saints honest.
A vandal scratched both sides of a car parked in Douglas yesterday (Thursday).
The black Land Rover was parked in Lord Street car park in Douglas between 9am and 4.30pm.
Police are investigating.
The island’s meterologists have crunched the numbers for last month’s weather.
After a rather poor August, there was a reprise of summer in September, with dry, warm and calm weather through most of the month.
There were only two days with measurable rain, which is the fewest on record.
The driest September on record was a distinct possibility, but a couple of millimetres on the very last day scuppered that.
Even so, 4.4mm total is not a lot at all, and is the 2nd driest on record behind September 1986, which had 3.2mm.
Thee mean daily maximum temperature was 18C, beating the previous record of 17.9C from 2006. Night minima were also high, so even the 24 hour mean of 14.9C was the 2nd highest on record. The highest temperature recorded at Ronaldsway last month was 20.7C, which is the highest September temperature since 2005.
There were 162.6 hours of bright sunshine burned onto the cards, which is the most since 1996.
The best day was the 7th with 12.1 hours.
Wind speeds were unusually low, with a mean of just 8.2 knots – the lowest since 2002. There were no strong winds recorded at all at Ronaldsway, and the peak gust was only 31 knots.
Only September 1972 had a lower peak gust, with 28 knots. There was no hail, thunder, or fog observed at the Met Office.
The first in a series of meetings on future government policy, held at the same time as the government’s ‘Big Debate’ meetings, took place last night in front of a packed house at the Masonic Hall in Peel.
More than 120 people gathered to listen to and quiz Chris Thomas MHK, Kate Beecroft MHK, Alf Cannan MHK, Angela Moffatt, from Prospect Trade Union and Chairman of Peel Commissioners Ray Harmer.
Douglas West MHK Chris Thomas, who proposed the meetings, says that ‘Isle of Man 2020’ is a process of candidates working together with their communities for better public policy.
Mr Thomas said: ‘I’m delighted to be here to try to work out a better way of changing government and put forward a better way for the Isle of Man and its community.’
Ms Beecroft said: ‘At the moment we don’t have a democracy, I believe we have party politics by stealth, after a general election.’
Mr Cannan added: ‘The Big Debate, for me, is nothing more than an exercise in political propaganda.
‘The outcome will be highly contentious, it cannot be said the views are the views of the majority.’
Further meetings will be held in Douglas and in the north and south of the island.
For full coverage of the meeting see Tuesday’s Isle of Man Examiner.
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The Southern Audio Conspiracy make a welcome return to the live scene on Saturday.
The Southern Audio Conspiracy make a welcome return to the live scene on Saturday.
But while there have been few shows for a while, the band certainly haven’t been slacking.
Their time, holed up and away from the Manx music scene, has been spent writing, rehearsing and recording their debut album A Moment of Clarity.
Their sound, described as a mix of southern rock, metal, a twist of alternative country and a smattering of dirty Blues, is produced by Caitie Tate on vocals, Steve Halsall on bass, Si Harvey on vocals and guitar, Funky on guitar and Martin Rigby on drums.
I caught up with Si from the band earlier this week to get the low-down on how the album came about.
So, Si you’ve been busy, what’s the album all about?
A Moment of Clarity is a collection of 14 songs and each one, broadly speaking, is its own story. There are songs about friendship and fractured relationships, the serenity and vastness of open spaces, missing home, the American Civil War, TV preachers and having a good time at the weekend. The title track, also the last track on the album A Moment of Clarity, which after all you’ve listened to through the album ends on the lines ‘The best thing that ever happened to me was to realise I could be something more’, which we thought sums it up.
How long did it take to put together?
We took about eight months to get it recorded and perfect it as much as we could. We completed all of the work from the recording to the editing to the mastering. When you’re doing it all yourself and fitting it in at weekends and long nights after work, along with normal rehearsals and gigs that’s a lot of work! We just wanted it to sound as good as the professional releases, and I’m happy to say I think we got that.
Country seems an odd choice for a Manx band doesn’t it?
I’ve always loved American southern rock, so when we started this we decided to edge towards that, dipping in and out of Delta Blues, alt-country, funky southern stuff and full on metal, so there’s a wide blend of guitar-based music. The band is completely united on the idea of what we’re about so it’s really easy to write and perform with honesty. The biggest thing for me is that they all have great hooks, the singalong chorus or the melodic vocal lines. To me that makes a song no matter what genre it is.
What are your forthcoming plans?
On Saturday we’ll be playing the album in full at Amber from around 9.30pm and it should be a great night! We’re selling it cheap too, just £4, as we want people to have it more than make any money out of it. The bandcamp site allows us to promote it around the world without leaving the island, but we have some US promotion lined up. I think the US market is where we will see some success – we’ve already had paid downloads from over there.
So there you have it! Get yourselves down to Amber on Saturday and have a listen to these guys and pick up a copy of A Moment of Clarity. I’ll also be giving a full review of the album in due course.
To listen to the album online, visit thesouthernaudioconspiracy.bandcamp.com
For more info on the band and all their forthcoming dates, visit www.thesouthernaudioconspiracy.com or www.facebook.com/TheSouthernAudioConspiracy
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Steve Leach brings the latest rumblings, murmurings, news and views on forthcoming events in and around the island’s music scene. Help support the scene by emailing leachsteve@hotmail.com
The government is looking at different levels of need in the Isle of Man, which it says will help it plan services and target resources in the future.
Its first ‘Joint Strategic Needs Assessment’ (JSNA) indicates levels of relative deprivation in terms of: income; employment; health and disability; education, skills and training; barriers to housing and services; crime; and living environment.
The initiative has brought together officers from departments who have collated information from across government and the third sector (charities and voluntary groups) to identify areas of deprivation.
The JSNA process will be continuing, as the exercise of producing the first report has identified significant gaps in the available data and other matters that require further work.
In his foreword to the report Minister Chris Robertshaw MHK, chair of the social policy and children’s committee of the Council of Ministers, describes the first JSNA as ‘an important step towards a comprehensive understanding of social need in communities throughout the island.’
Mr Robertshaw writes: ‘The exercise of conducting the first JSNA has highlighted some significant gaps in the available data and other issues that require further work. The map of social issues will be developed and clarified as that work progresses.
‘With a growing economy and relatively low unemployment, the Isle of Man is fortunate compared with many other places. However, like other countries we face a colossal challenge, an exponential increase in demand for services that is set to overwhelm our finite public resources.
‘One of the ways that we can respond to that challenge is by working collectively across Government and the third sector to establish an accurate, objective picture of patterns of need to guide the planning of priority services for the future.
‘The JSNA process will help in the identification and protection of the vulnerable, and ensure that resources are used fairly and effectively by being targeted to where they can do the most good.’
Reporter Adrian Darbyshire will have more details on this story in Tuesday’s Isle of Man Examiner.
The government wants Douglas to be a ‘world-class’ capital.
A public consultation has today been launched on what it is calling a ‘bold vision’ for the future development of the town.
Government-appointed consultants have drawn up the masterplan, which showcases a wide range of proposals, including a number of short to medium term aspirations and other, more ambitious, longer term ideas.
The intention is to encourage private sector investment in Douglas to support long term economic regeneration.
A press release from the government says: ‘The masterplan adopts a strategic approach across the town centre to ensure a comprehensive and cohesive delivery of change.’
A number of key challenges are identified, including:
Creating a world-class capital by ensuring development is ‘contemporary, high-quality and timeless’
Improving the gateways to Douglas to create attractive arrival points and a positive first impression
Increasing retail opportunities and choice, ensuring new provision complements, rather than undermines, existing retailers
Creating a new civic space that supports flexible uses for events and activities to draw together the town centre
Connecting the key attractions in the town centre by making it easier to navigate between areas
Addressing the local topography, natural environment and buildings – finding and enhancing routes between upper and lower Douglas
The draft masterplan envisioned the demolition of the Sea Terminal. Click {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/sea-terminal-to-be-demolished-1-6619866|here} to read a story about that.
Policy and Reform Minister Chris Robertshaw MHK said: ‘Government cannot deliver this exciting new strategy on its own. It will be made real by many hands, including private investors and developers. Government has a central role to play in terms of generating the confidence within the private sector to invest in this bold vision.’
He added: ‘The masterplan is not a blueprint for development and will not be a statutory document.
‘It does, however, provide a strategic approach to seeking out and promoting opportunities for development.
‘It will also guide decision making and inform future policy. Douglas already has much to offer, but there are some critical issues that need to be addressed in a coordinated manner to ensure that it becomes a world-class, distinctive capital. This approach will be vital to the continued economic success of the island.’
The Central Douglas Masterplan Committee is encouraging everyone with an interest in the future of Douglas to take part in the six-week public consultation.
An exhibition to promote awareness and understanding of the masterplan will be held at the Strand Shopping Centre from 2pm on Monday, October 6, until Saturday, October 11. On Tuesday, October 13, at 6pm, members of the public can also attend a presentation on the Masterplan at the Manx Museum, Douglas.
The consultation runs until Friday, November 14, and anyone wishing to participate can visit {http://www.gov.im/consultations.gov|here}.
What do you think?
What would improve Douglas?
Should this be a government priority?
What do you think ‘world class capital’ actually means?
Can anything be both contemporary and timeless?
Email your comments to opinions@newsiom.co.im or write them at the bottom of the story.
Tuesday’s Isle of Man Examiner will have more on this story.
Friday, October 3
Paddy Power Masters Football
8.40pm Union Mills v Michael Utd @ the Bowl
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Saturday, October 4
Canada Life a Premier League
2.30pm Michael Utd v St John’s Utd
2.30pm Peel v Laxey
2.30pm Rushen United v Ramsey
2.30pm St George’s v Gymns
2.30pm St Mary’s v Ayre United
2.30pm Union Mills v Corinthians
JCK Division Two
2.30pm Braddan v Foxdale
2.30pm Castletown v Malew
2.30pm Colby v Marown
2.30pm Douglas & District v Pulrose
2.30pm Governor’s Athletic v RYCOB at Lezayre Road
2.30pm Onchan v Douglas Royal
Canada Life Combination One
2.30pm Ayre United v St Mary’s
2.30pm Corinthians v Union Mills
2.30pm Gymns v St George’s
2.30pm Laxey v Peel
2.30pm Ramsey v Rushen United
2.30pm St John’s Utd v Michael Utd
JCK Combination Two
2.30pm Douglas Royal v Onchan
2.30pm Foxdale v Braddan
2.30pm Malew v Castletown
2.30pm Marown v Colby
2.30pm Pulrose United v D & D
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Sunday, October 5
Warehouse Fitness Women’s Football
2.30pm Corinthians v DHSOB
2.30pm Gymns v Douglas Royal
2.30pm Peel v Colby
Paddy Power Masters’ League
2.30pm Colby B v Colby A
Appleby 16-18 League
10.30am Corinthians v Laxey
10.30am Braddan v Peel
5.15pm Onchan v Colby at Bowl
Electrical appliances in scores of homes were damaged, many beyond repair, after their components were blown in a power surge during works to upgrade a substation.
The Manx Utilities Authority has set up a hotline for customers so they can get damaged appliances replaced or repaired at the authority’s expense.
The MUA’s insurers will cover the cost which is estimated at just over £40,000. Appliances in some 55 homes were affected.
Televisions, washing machines, modems, satellite television boxes and even electric gates and stairlifts were damaged by the unexpected voltage problem after power was restored to 102 properties in the Colby Level area on Thursday, September 18.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, told the Manx Independent he had to have his television set replaced at a cost of £560.
‘I came home and there was no electricity in the house.
‘The lights came on after 10 minutes but the TV wasn’t working. There was a fella in the meter box outside and I said “excuse me, the telly’s not working”.
‘He said it would go through the household insurance and had I got a receipt for it? But I got back on to the MUA and was told to pick a telly, pay for it and send them the receipt. I went down to Walton’s and got the cheque within three days.’
Investigations into the incident are continuing.
In a statement, the MUA said: ‘On Thursday, September 18, following a routine outage an unexpected voltage problem occurred during commissioning of an 11kV transformer which required Manx Utilities to remove power supplies to 102 properties in the Colby Level area.
‘Manx Utilities responded extremely quickly to the issue, by mobilising electrical crews throughout the affected area to ensure all customers were dealt with personally as a number of appliances were reported as damaged.
‘Supplies were restored by Thursday evening and a dedicated team have been working closely with affected customers to address any problems this event may have caused. Wherever possible appliances have been repaired, however, in some cases replacements have been sourced by customers via their chosen retailer.
‘Manx Utilities are liaising with its insurers in relation to damage caused to 55 properties which is estimated to be in the region of £40,000.
‘Manx Utilities’ customers have been extremely understanding and we would take this opportunity of thanking them for their support and patience following this unfortunate event.’
A spokesman for the authority said an extensive audit was carried out to ensure false claims were not made.
MUA engineers removed electrical items deemed damaged beyond repair and these would be replaced on a like for like basis.
She said where householders had not been able to afford to buy replacement appliances up front, the MUA had set up an account with the retailer of the customer’s choice.
Fire crews from the Port Erin station were called out to deal with a small fire in the meter box at the front of one of the properties after the power surge.
Rain stopped play once again for the Lonan Gentlemen’s land speed record ambitions this week.
A smaller team planned to return earlier this month with their sights set on smashing more land speed records at the delayed Bonneville Speed Week event but disappointment and frustration were once again in store.
The team hoped to add to the records they took on their last visit in 2012.
A message on the team’s Facebook page told well wishers: ‘The SCTA (Southern California Timing Association, the organisers) have taken the decision,after more rain over the weekend, to cancel Speed Week. We are devastated but it is out of our control. We are however committed to returning next year. Whether that be with one bike or two yet remains to be agreed, however Paul Hodgson has made the decision to return in 2015. We owe it to our sponsors and those of you who have believed in us and supported us on this journey.
‘We have unfinished business at Bonneville. We have put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this project over the past two years and are determined we will make it happen. Thank you all for your support and understanding unfortunately the only Speed Week record breaker this year is Mother Nature.’
The event was originally scheduled to take place in August but was cancelled then because of flooding on the salt flats, leaving the original team of two riders, two bikes and back-up crew, with no option but to return home.
Since then, the salt has dried out and other speed trials have taken place, so, anxious to fulfil promises to sponsors, part of the team, rider Paul Hodgson, Ann McGrath and Bob Watson decided to return for the rescheduled event but unfortunately further heavy rain flooded it again.
The team’s second rider, Chris Proctor is still deciding when to make the return visit to Bonneville.
A statement from the Speed Week organisers thanked all the teams and supporters for their loyalty but said after a survey of the course it was once again too wet for competition and any prospect of it drying out in time was unlikely.
Former MHK and MLC Dominic Delaney hit out at the Isle of Man government in a passionate speech at last night’s ‘Alternative Big Debate’ at Masonic Hall in Peel.
In front of a packed crowd Mr Delaney slated the Cabinet, MHK David Anderson, the sewage problems and spoke of the need for change.
Hear his contribution on the attached audio file.
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The total cost of the Douglas East bye-election trial was more than £1.3million.
The figure was released today by Treasury Minister Eddie Teare MHK.
It included £526,012 in legal aid.
A total of £343,980 was paid to Manx advocates, £666,264 to UK counsel and £367,011 in ‘other disbursements’.
The total was £1,377,255.
Mr Teare was asked to disclose the figure in a Keys question in January 2013 and a Tynwald question in January this year.
The trial ended in the jailing of Charles ‘Buster’ Lewin, who had run the campaign for Kevin Woodford.
{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/election-trial-sentencing-buster-lewin-jailed-1-5236175|Click here for a reminder of that}
Tuesday’s Isle of Man Examiner will report more details.
Comments are not permitted on this story.
However, we’d welcome letters to the editor for publication in the papers. Email opinions@newsiom.co.im
Dave Molyneux will contest next year’s TT with local passenger Ben Binns.
The pair tried out a Suzuki motor at Jurby last weekend, when Moly confirmed partnership: ‘I want to do more riding with the passenger I will be with in the TT and that was not always possible with Patrick Farrance,’ said Moly.
Binns rode with Dave Hirst for the past two TTs, achieving a fastest lap of 105mph in 2013.
He partnered Moly in July’s Southern 100 when they recorded the quickest lap of the meeting.