Visiting textile artist, Cas Holmes, will be giving a talk on Friday, October 31, at St Andrew’s Church (near St Ninian’s traffic lights in Douglas) at 7.30 pm.

Cas Holmes specialises in producing mixed media collages using recycled and found materials, she feels a great connection to nature and the land and her talk is entitled ‘Urban Spaces’ there will be samples of her work on display.

Admission £5 for non members

There will also be a workshop on Saturday, November 1, when students will be taught how to use their gathered resource materials such as salvaged textiles, lace, paper etc. using colour and design to express their ideas. For workshop bookings contact Jen on 845427.

Janet Thompson

Embroiderers’ Guild

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A section of a major road into Douglas will be closed to all traffic tomorrow (Sunday).

The public transport division has announced that New Castletown Road between Anagh Coar traffic lights and Fort North roundabout will be closed between 8am and 6pm for tree cutting works.

Bus services 11/11A/12/12A will be affected:

• On their outward journey they will not serve Peel Road, Groves Road, Spring Valley or Anagh Coar.

• On their inward journey they will not serve Anagh Coar, Spring Valley, Groves Road, Peel Road, Circular Road, or Prospect Hill.

• They will divert from Fort North roundabout via White Hoe, Old Castletown Road, South Quay, Ridgeway Street to Victoria Street.

Buses will not stop at Lord Street on route to Victoria Street.

Work is under way to make safe a set of dangerous steps leading from Douglas promenade on to the beach.

Progressive storm damage had broken away parts of the structure, some of which was hanging loose.

While there was no immediate risk to the integrity of the sea wall, large voids have appeared leading to instability of the facing blocks.

The government says that the current work will prevent an uncontrolled failure of the structure during the winter months and remove the possibility of falling masonry injuring someone.

The Department of Infrastructure has appointed sub-contractors P. Carey and Sons to remove the dangerous steps, concrete facing blocks and parapet wall in the area opposite Falcon Apartments and the Quids Inn public house.

The core of the steps will remain and temporary concrete used to provide short-term protection to the structure and the sea wall. Access to the foreshore from these steps will not be possible following the completion of the work.

However, the department intends to reconstruct the steps as part of a package of minor repairs and remedial works along the entire promenade when funding is available, possibly during the 2016/17 financial year.

DHSOB continue to set the pace in the Canada Life Premier League after the leaders defeated Union Mills on Saturday afternoon,

The Blackberry Lane side were made to work hard by Mills but ultimately goals from Sean Gavin, Martin King, Chris Coxon and David Quirk sealed a 4-1 victory for Old Boys.

St George’s remain just behind DHSOB after romping to a 6-0 victory at Ayre United thanks mostly to a Ciaran McNulty hat-trick. He was joined on the scoresheet by Calum Morrissey and Conor Doyle who both bagged braces.

Peel’s ominous run of form continued as they got the better of Corinthians by four goals to nil at Ballafletcher, with Josh Kelly and Lee Gales sharing the goals between them.

Elsewhere in the top flight, St Mary’s got back to winning ways with a 3-0 success at Michael United, while Rushen United overcame St John’s 2-1 at Mullen-e-Cloie and Ramsey impressively defeated Laxey 4-1 at Ballacloan.

Results from Saturday, October 25:

Canada Life Premier League

Ayre Utd 0-6 St George’s

Corinthians 0-4 Peel

DHSOB 4-1 Union Mills

Michael United 0-3 St Mary’s

Ramsey 4-1 Laxey

St John’s Utd 1-2 Rushen Utd

JCK Division Two

Colby 7-1 Governor’s Athletic

Douglas Royal 2-3 Castletown

Foxdale 1-2 Douglas Athletic

Marown 2-0 Braddan

Pulrose United 3-2 Onchan

RYCOB 5-0 Douglas & District

Canada Life Combination One

Laxey 2-7 Ramsey

Peel 9-1 Corinthians

Rushen Utd 4-0 St John’s Utd

St George’s 3-0 Ayre Utd

St Mary’s 3-2 Michael Utd

Union Mills 3-9 DHSOB

JCK Combination Two

Braddan 7-0 Marown

Castletown 0-4 Douglas Royal

Douglas & District 4-4 RYCOB

Douglas Athletic 5-1 Foxdale

Onchan 8-5 Pulrose United

Manx Steam and Model Engineering Club raised money for Junior Achievement by inviting customers of the model railway at Curraghs Wildlife Park to make a donation instead of buying a ticket.

The collaboration between the two charities raised £174 which will be used to recruit and train volunteers to work in schools.

Junior Achievement chief executive Sue Cook said: ‘We had a really enjoyable day at the Wildlife Park.

‘It is amazing to see the hard work and dedication of the volunteers at Manx Steam and Model Engineering Club and I am delighted that they helped our charity to raise much needed funds.’

Manx Steam and Model Engineering Club chairman Eddy Ryan, who is also a Junior Achievement volunteer, said: ‘It was a pleasure for the club to raise money on behalf of Junior Achievement as we fully support the work they undertake to inspire and motivate the young people of the island.

‘It is hoped that in the near future the club can work in association with Junior Achievement to assist students in learning new skills and help them prepare for the world of work.’

Hop-tu-Naa in Douglas town centre promises to be a celebration of spectacle, street performances, tradition…and turnips.

The Strand Centre takes centre stage on Friday, October 31, and Saturday, November 1, from 11am with what the organisers are promising will be a wealth of ‘wickedly wonderful activities’ including a spooky spider challenge, scary face painting, a bat hunt, story telling, turnip carving and a visit to Jinny the Witch in her lair.

Hop-tu-Naa will also be taking to the streets on the Saturday with street performances from a sword swallower, contact juggler and stilt acroba.

There’s also a children’s fancy dress competition at 4.15pm on the Saturday and the day will round off with a fire show in Regent Street.

l More on Hop-tu-Naa in Tuesday’s Examiner.

Steam Packet passengers dug deep when making on board donations during the Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling, and helped to raise a record-breaking amount.

The annual collection, which is coordinated by crew members from Ben-my-Chree and Manannan on all sailings during the festival, raised £7,802.54 for the Manx Grand Prix Supporters’ Club – the largest amount ever.

The money helps fund the rescue helicopters, support injured riders and fund vital medical equipment during the road racing event.

Over the past 39 years, the MGPSC has donated more than £750,000 to the cause and in 2014 has been able to make a £45,000 donation towards the £100,000 cost of hiring in the two helicopters required for the festival.

A cheque for the record-breaking collection total was presented to MGPSC Chairman Andrew Kneale by Ben-my-Chree and Manannan crew.

He said: ‘We are once again grateful to all passengers for their generous donations and also to the crew members who helped organise the collections on each sailing as handed over recently by crew members of both Steam Packet Company vessels without their time and energy we would not have raised such a significant amount.’

Steam Packet boss Mark Woodward added: ‘The Manx Grand Prix Supporters’ Club donates almost half of the costs for this vital life-saving service each year, and help to make this important event happen.

‘We are proud of the part our staff play in not only getting visitors safely to and from the event, but also in helping to raise this record amount. I would also like to thank our very generous passengers for their donations.’

Campaigners are urging people in the Isle of Man to ‘twin’ their toilets with ones in developing countries.

The St John’s-based charity, the One World Centre, whose mission is ‘to encourage understanding and respect for the lives and cultures of all people so we can help shape a fair society that celebrates our global differences and interdependence’ is leading the campaign.

Two and a half billion people, or 40 per cent of the world’s population, do not have somewhere safe, clean and hygienic to go to the loo.

This meant that every minute three children under the age of five die from diseases linked to unclean water and poor sanitation.

For a donation of £60, people can twin a toilet at home, work or school with a latrine in a variety of countries overseas.

The money is used by development agencies Tearfund and Cord to help families learn about hygiene and to improve the health of their communities.

It’s estimated for every £1 spent on water and sanitation, £8 is returned through saved time, increased productivity and reduced health costs.

People who twin their toilet will receive a certificate of their toilet’s twin containing a photo, the latrine’s location and exact GPS co-ordinates.

One World Centre director Rosemary Clarke said: ‘One World Week, which runs from October 19 to 25, challenges us to consider some of the big global issues and find ways in which we can take positive action.

‘The toilet twinning project is an excellent example of how, for just a relatively small amount of money and effort, you can really help make a difference and we felt it was a great project to support on the Isle of Man during One World Week.’

Rosemary is offering free assemblies for schools about toilet twinning and is hoping others will get involved too.

‘Toilet twinning would be a great initiative for people to organise in their workplace or through a social club, or even as a family at home,’ she said.

‘And if you’re stuck for an idea for a Christmas gift for that friend or relative who has everything, a twinned toilet will surely be a present to remember!’

More information is available on the website http://www.toilettwinning.org which also includes an interactive map of where toilets have been twinned.

‘At the moment there are only a couple of toilets on the Isle of Man that are already twinned,’ said Rosemary. ‘We’d love to see to a big increase in that number over the coming weeks.’

The Lieutenant Governor, Adam Wood, will attend Ramsey’s Service of Remembrance on Sunday, November 9, at 10.30am at the War Memorial, Courthouse Grounds.

The town hall atrium will accommodate a Royal British Legion’s ‘Poppy Shop’ from October 27 to November 8. Ramsey branch RBL will also have a coffee morning on November 1, in aid of the Poppy Appeal.

Dhoon School has opened its new school library called ‘The Lighthouse Library’, named after the nearby Maughold Lighthouse, which celebrates its 100th birthday this year.

The library name was chosen by the pupils, after consultation with the School Council, and was officially opened by local MHK Steve Rodan.

The school raised the funds for the library itself and identified a space for it, which has been painted and equipped with new shelving and furniture.

Headteacher Maxim Kelly said: ‘I’m delighted to be able to say that the school’s library area has finally been completed and is a wonderful addition to our school.

‘The children are very pleased with it and enjoyed being able to choose a name for it themselves.

‘I would like to thank all of the parents and the Maughold community for their efforts in raising money for this facility.’

Children’s artwork and poetry about the Maughold Lighthouse has been used to decorate the library area. As part of the national ‘Primary Futures week’, where people are invited to talk to school children about their jobs and career paths, the school invited Toby Smith, from Isle of Man recruitment firm, Evolution, to talk to Year 5 and 6 pupils about the world of work.

Mr Smith also led a workshop where the children were encouraged to think about what sort of jobs they might like to do one day.

The Isle of Man could be a popular and convenient but costly destination for caravanners wanting a taste of foreign travel without having to cross the channel.

Although witnesses at the first select committee meeting looking into the pros and cons of encouraging towed caravans in the island thought there were benefits, enquiries by the Manx Independent suggest costs to bring a caravan to the island could be prohibitive.

A standard saloon car towing a 23-foot caravan arriving in the isle of Man on Saturday July 25 and returning to the UK a week later, with two adults and two children would cost £706. No comparable cost was available for a channel crossing.

However, a crossing from Hull to Rotterdam in November, taking between nine and 11 hours, again with a standard saloon car and 23-foot caravan, two adults and two children would cost £414.

An equivalent November crossing from Birkenhead to the Isle of Man, with a caravan, taking three and a half hours, would be £567

No caravan option is available for on-line booking using the Steam Packet web site, but it is available by telephone.

David Cretney was minister for tourism between 1996 and 2006 and is again a government member responsible for tourism.

He told the committee despite an unsuccessful private member’s bill to exclude caravans completely from the island, it was a myth that caravans were banned from the Isle of Man. But he said previously there was a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ - an informal understanding - between the Steam Packet ferry company and the government that a so-called ‘letter of comfort’ was obtained before passengers with caravans were carried.

However he said that agreement seemed not to operate any longer.

‘I believe a letter was obtained by the person wanting to travel, possibly from the old tourist board or some other government agency, and this was then presented by the traveller to the Steam Packet Company who would then make the booking,’ he said.

Mr Cretney said proposals were discussed when he was Tourism Minister, to use Glen Loch camp site for caravans, He said the rationale was that there was a main road running directy to the site from the ferry terminal and once set up a caravan would remain there for the duration of the stay, returning by the same route.

Currently he said the situation seemed to be unregulated and he estimated there were about 150 caravans already in the island owned by residents.

Head of tourism for the Department of Economic Development Angela Byrne said they were currently working with other government departments to establish a common standard for sites which would cover caravans, log cabins, camping pods and other forms of alternative camping. She said work was being done behind the scenes on planning, health and safety and other matters to ensure any sites were lawful.

‘It’s not that we discourage caravans and motor homes, it’s that we don’t actively encourage them,’ she said.

Jersey does allow caravans on the island but some restrictions operate. The island has three caravan sites but a permit system operates for people travelling there with caravans and there are limits on the length and width of caravans and also on the duration of the stay. Bookings also have to be completed through an approved camp site.

A system of voluntary regulation is to be adopted to monitor gas prices in the island.

Economic Development Minister Laurence Skelly said consideration had been given to a ‘light touch’ form of regulation following investigations by the Office of Fair Trading in 2008 and 2011. The investigations had found profits were within an acceptable range but suggested some form of formal regulation.

As the likely cost of formal regulation was estimated to be around £250,000 per year, this was likely to have an impact on charges to Manx Gas customers. As a result, Mr Skelly said this idea had been dropped and is to be replaced with a voluntary regulation scheme.

The voluntary scheme is to be put into a written agreement between Manx Gas and the Office of Fair Trading and aproved by Treasury and the Council of Ministers and it will allow for regular review. Basic principles for the agreement will be to provide a fair pricing structure easily understood by customers. The company must also be transparent in its dealings and it must provide a reliable service in return for a fair profit.

Mr Skelly said Manx Gas had voluntarily agreed a return of 10.6 per cent since 2011 however the new voluntary agreement would see the return set by the Council of Ministers at just below 10 per cent.

‘The key measure that the OFT will use to ensure that Manx Gas’s prices are fair is the return on capital employed by Manx Gas,’ Mr Skelly said.

Mr Skelly said details of the agreement were to be set and it may be reviewed annually.

A request for verification that Tesco is once more considering opening an Express store in Castletown has been made by the town’s authority.

As iomtoday revealed last week, Callow’s Yard owner Roy Tilleard emailed commissioners’ chairman Richard McAleer asking for the board’s support of another alcohol license application by Tesco at 17/19 Malew Street.

He wrote Tesco ‘still wish to open the store at Callow’s Yard but that it is still dependent on the grant of an alcohol licence.’

He added if Tesco opened an Express store, Poundland would follow with a Dealz Store, bringing ‘substantial footfall to Castletown’.

Tesco had applied for an alcohol licence in Callow’s Yard three times, the last time in October 2013. The store has argued that, without an alcohol licence, a store would not be viable. But the plan was turned down because of the number of premises already selling alcohol in the town.

The authority had expressed concern in the past that a store would have a ‘detrimental’ impact on the town, but after a meeting with the store in June 2013, the authority shifted its stance, by a narrow majority, from opposition to ‘neutral’ over Tesco’s application for an alcohol licence.

When the authority discussed the matter on Monday night, commissioners Andrew Thomas, who is chief executive with Shoprite, declared an interest and left the room.

Kevin Weir said: ‘Have we had official notification from Tesco? Are Tesco requesting a meeting with us, as in the past? Has an application [for an alcohol licence] been placed in the licensing court? If none of this has happened, I suggest we note it until it has happened.’

He was seconded by Dorothy Faragher.

Colin Leather proposed they discuss the matter regardless and he was seconded by James Quine. However, the majority supported the original proposal and chairman Richard McAleer asked the clerk to contact Mr Tilleard and request the authority meet Tesco.

David Parnell pointed out: ‘It’s important it’s not a vote of for or against.’

Mr McAleer appealed to the public and said: ‘We have been elected by the town to make decisions on behalf of the town. We do not need to be swayed, or bullied.’

Homeless charity Graih celebrated the opening of a new room last week which will provide a private and confidential space to interview clients.

The Reverend Michael Manning said the room had been named Mandy’s room in honour of Mandy Davies, a health visitor for vulnerable adults who, he said, had pioneered access to health services for those on the edges of society.

‘Mandy has been heavily involved with Graih for some time and is held in very high esteem by the people she deals with and it is very hard to win their trust,’ he said. ‘It’s a key thing for people who are on the edge of society.’

Mr Manning said the charity, which is based at the Baptist church on Broadway in Douglas, provides a range of services for the homeless, including hot food, showers, a safe social area and somewhere to sit and chat.

‘We spend time visiting people in boarding houses, prison and hospital and we also do a work programme,’ he said.

The charity is proud of its work programme to support clients. As well as an allotment at Braaid which is being developed, there is a workshop which runs in conjunction with the Salvation Army’s David Grey House. The workshop deals with bicycle repairs.

‘We want to encourage people to come along and have some positive participation,’ Mr Manning said.

The charity can also provide temporary accommodation for people but cannot do so on a permanent basis. Last year it had contact with 130 who received assistance.

A five-year deal for the lease of the government-owned fish hatchery at Cornaa has been hailed as good news for the island’s leisure market.

Troutlodge will continue to run the hatchery, which breeds and supplies rainbow trout for the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture’s reservoirs, DEFA has announced.

The American company has operated the hatchery since the government sought a tenant in 2010 and has signed a deal with DEFA that will continue the arrangement.

The reservoir fishing season runs from March to January and Troutlodge releases up to 20,000 rainbow trout into the Clypse, Kerrowdhoo, Ballure, Sulby, Cringle and West Baldwin reservoirs.

This year, anglers have enjoyed the challenge of fishing for some extra-large trophy fish that were added to reservoirs during the season, including several weighing more than 20lb. In June, a 21lb 3oz rainbow trout caught at Cringle reservoir set a new Manx rainbow trout record.

Richard Ronan MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, said: ‘Making the island attractive to visitors is a key aim of the Isle of Man Government’s blueprint for economic growth, Vision 2020.

‘Local and visiting anglers alike enjoy some fantastic fishing opportunities here, with a selection of reservoirs to choose from, all stocked with top-quality fish.

‘Troutlodge produces a reliable supply of high-quality fish throughout the season and I am delighted that the dfepartment and the company are to continue this favourable deal.’

The Troutlodge-owned Glen Wyllin Trout Farm in the west of the island produces exports 40 million rainbow trout eggs each year, mainly to Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Gary Charsley, managing director of Glen Wyllin Trout Farm, said: ‘I am pleased to be able to confirm this new agreement with DEFA. We have built up a positive working relationship and I look forward to developing this partnership.’

For information on freshwater fishing or to buy a licence online, visit www.gov.im/categories/leisure-and-entertainment/recreational-fishing/freshwater-fishing/

A thrilling experience is on offer for walkers venturing into Summerhill glen at the end of this week.

A proposal has been approved to run a weekend Hop-tu-Naa event in the glen between October 31 and November 2.

Councillors considered a report from PSS Services which outlined various proposals for the event. Chris Mooney from the company told councillors the plan was to use a loop path in the glen which members of the public would have the option to enter for a small fee.

The path is to be set up with light and sound effects to create an impression of it being haunted. Actors in costume will be positioned along the path, at intervals, to ‘interact’ with visitors.

Current plans are to charge a nominal entry fee of around £1 or £2 and for the event to go on no later than 10pm. The glen has extensive decorative flood lighting and the plan is to use this to reflect the eerie Hop-tu-Naa theme.

Mr Mooney told councillors the event should not affect other members of the public and the glen would remain open to general visitors. Though Summerhill itself is narrow, councillors were told car parking and toilets would both be available for use at the nearby Old Boys football club. He also suggested the glen could be used in the future for other activities such as storytelling.

In addition to supporting the PSS Hop tu Naa proposal, councillors also suggested an additional attraction be held there at the same time.

The plan is also to hold a traditional turnip-carving competition in the glen with the council supporting prizes for all entrants. A maximum sum of £200 is to be provided to fund this.

Hop-tu-Naa is said to be a Celtic festival predating the better known Halloween celebrated in the UK. It is also said to be a celebration of the original Celtic new year’s eve, marking the end of summer.

A soup day will be held to celebrate the Festival of St Jude.

The event takes place at the Thie-ny-Gaelgey Manx school house in St Jude’s on Saturday November 1, from 11am to 3pm.

Homemade soup with a roll or bonnag costs £3.50 and there will be various stalls selling cake, jam and other produce.

For more details, contact Dee Allen on 880816.

A group of brave drummers are putting the final touches to preparations for a 48-hour musical endurance event to raise money for Hospice Isle of Man over the Hop-tu-Naa weekend.

The Big Beat for Hospice will see the group playing in unison to songs of all styles for over 48 hours.

The challenge begins at 1pm on Friday, October 31 and finishes at 4pm on Sunday, November 2, at the Villa Marina’s Promenade Suite.

At least three drummers will be playing along at all times while a number of other events take place.

A Hop-tu-Naa party on Friday will feature a fancy dress competition and a burlesque performance from Sanguine Shee;

Ballagroove DJs will play a range of funk, ska and soul from 8pm on Saturday, followed by a dance mix from Audiowok DJs.

On Sunday the Big Beat raffle at 2pm, with the star prize of a full drum kit, will lead in to the all-important ‘Final Hour’ for the long-suffering musicians. Tickets will be available at the event or from any of the Big Beat drummers..

The event orgainsers have teamed up with Manx Timing Solutions, who will provide their professional timing clock to monitor the challenge.

Committee member Martin Rigby said: “We are happy to announce our technical partnership with Manx Timing Solutions which will help keep the drummers informed and motivated whilst we play, and also to inform the general public of just how long we’ve been playing for.’

A charity has joined forces with the Department of Health to produce an updated information pack on the importance of foot care for those with diabetes.

The information packs, created with financial support from the Friends of the Manx Diabetic, are given to diagnosed diabetic patients when they are assessed by a podiatrist.

The pack focuses on advice relating to foot care, footwear and first aid for feet as well as foot and leg exercises. The Podiatry Service’s emergency access details and useful phone numbers are provided.

Julie Maddrell, clinical lead podiatrist for diabetes, said: ‘Having these information packs for diabetic patients helps promote consistent information and advice on how to look after their feet. We are very grateful to the Friends of the Manx Diabetic for their continued support in the production of the packs.’

It is estimated that people with diabetes are 30 times more likely to require an amputation compared to the general public, according to figures recorded by Diabetes UK.

Up to 80 per cent of diabetes-related amputations in England could be preventable through providing information to people with diabetes.

Photographer and artist Hazel Walsh relaunched her alternative portrait photography business with a one-night only exhibition.

The exhibition took place at New Social Studios in Church Street, Douglas, following her return to the island after a year travelling abroad.

Her previous projects have included Mann, Abandoned’, a year long photographic study of derelict and abandoned sites around the island, which resulted in an exhibition, book and website.

It was followed by Scenes of Mann’, which showcased a mix of photographs capturing some of the natural beauty of the countryside and landmarks that were taken while she compiled ‘Mann, Abandoned’.