THE Positive Action Group has given its support to a bill to reform the House of Keys and Legislative Council.

The Electoral Reform Bill 2011, promoted by David Callister MLC, provides for MLCs to be publicly elected on a constituency basis.

And it promotes the idea of eight new constituencies being drawn up – with three MHKs and one MLC being returned by each.

A joint House of Keys and Legislative Council committee was set up in December to consider constitutional principles raised by the bill.

At the latest sitting last Friday, Roger Tomlinson, chairman of the political lobby group, spoke in favour of having directly elected MLCs, saying: ‘If this bill came in it would give more power to the electorate and it would be perceived as extending the democratic power.’

And he said he believed it would also lead to residents taking more of an interest in politics.

Meanwhile, Mr Tomlinson said that having three MHKs per constituency – at present constituencies have either one, two or three – would enable a democratic anomaly to be rectified, leading to equality of representation.

In addition, Mr Tomlinson said that members of LegCo should be eligible to become government ministers – and if they were elected by the public, that would give it a legitimacy.

He acknowledged that were an MLC to be appointed as a minister now ‘there would be somewhat of a mild public outcry at the fact that they were not democratically elected by the public’.

Eddie Lowey MLC, who moved in LegCo for the joint committee to be set up, also gave evidence last week.

He said that having publicly elected MLCs would ‘fundamentally alter the balances and checks that are in place now’.

He added: ‘The Keys, which we now recognise as the legitimate and primary voice, will not be primary any more.’

In addition, Mr Lowey said that not enough weight was being given to the historical links of parishes, constituencies and local loyalties.

He said: ‘I think sometimes, in looking at simply weighing out the electorate into absolute equal numbers, that in itself destroys what I would call localities and history, and I think that is well worth keeping.

‘I am a Manxman, I am proud of our history and our heritage, and I believe that equally gives me concern.’

He said that while he had been part of the ‘charge for reform’, he believed that the pace of reform now needed to slow down.

He added: ‘We are now an international centre based on our system of sound government.’

The committee is chaired by Douglas East MHK Brenda Cannell.

Its members are MHKs Phil Gawne (Rushen), Leonard Singer (Ramsey), and MLCs Phil Braidwood, David Callister and Alex Downie. The bill received its first reading in LegCo in June 2011.

ZAC Hall MHK will discover whether he has been expelled from the Liberal Vannin Party on May 2.

The Onchan representative was suspended from the party on Sunday. The party said then that he would be ‘brought to account’ for failing to adhere to the party’s manifesto.

The May 2 meeting will decide what sanctions to impose. Chairman Roy Redmayne confirmed that could mean he would be expelled from the party.

The news comes after Mr Hall and fellow member for education John Houghton MHK (Douglas North) absented themselves from a crunch debate on pre-school nurseries last week.

In Tynwald last week, Speaker Steve Rodan tabled a motion calling for teacher-led government nurseries to continue but the court voted instead to back Education Minister Peter Karran’s to privatise the pre-school service.

Following a Council of Ministers’ meeting, Mr Hall and Douglas North MHK John Houghton were sacked from the department for breaching the government code on collective responsibility by failing to support Mr Karran.

Then in a statement released on Sunday, Mr Redmayne said: ‘As chairman of the Liberal Vannin Party I have informed Zac Hall that he has been suspended forthwith from the party.

‘The Chief Minister had no other course of action but to dismiss Mr Hall and Mr Houghton from their positions as political members of the Department of Education as their behaviour on the April 17, 2012, was reprehensible and struck at the very heart of our democracy.

‘They had no respect for the debating chamber or the President by making themselves absent from a debate to which they both had responsibility to contribute. What could they have contributed to that debate? They offered no alternative solution to the nursery education scheme, only criticisms to it and had no plan other than to request more money which they knew was not available.

‘The public of the Isle of Man should be under no illusion. Both MHKs, since taking their positions in the Education Department, have continually undermined Mr Karran’s and the chief executive’s efforts to bring about an affordable and universal nursery school service on the Isle of Man.’

Mr Redmayne added: ‘I take exception to claims made in public that Mr Karran was unable to manage his department, after the debates on the 3rd and 17th April. It is self-evident that his political departmental colleagues were way beyond any management control and this led to them being sacked.

‘The Chief Minister called for unity from our politicians in the face of huge financial losses in revenue which will affect not only us but future generations. The Liberal Vannin Party will continue to support the Chief Minister in finding a solution to our current fiscal difficulties, but question those who elected him to office why they cannot support the difficult decisions which have to be made to ensure future generations’ prosperity.

‘The party has to concede that Mr Hall has not performed to the high ideals that we set ourselves when our party was formed six years ago. Mr Hall led us to believe that he supported the party system and would promote our ideals. As a matter of mandatory procedure he signed his acceptance to the Liberal Vannin constitution and national manifesto and was willing to abandon his career as an airline pilot to represent the people of Onchan and Liberal Vannin.

‘I also assure you that Mr Hall will be brought to account for his actions and his failure to adhere to our manifesto.’

The pre-school nurseries issue cost Mr Karran all three of his department’s political members. Dudley Butt MLC resigned over the issue last month.

In a joint statement following their sacking from the department, Mr Hall and Mr Houghton claimed Minister Karran had been badly advised over education cuts – but they admitted that they may have got it wrong by not taking part in last week’s debate.

They said: ‘Despite recording our objection to the proposals, we were horrified that the minister was adamant to take a course of action without the support of any of the departmental members.

‘The minister appeared to show a lack of understanding of the subject matter and the real value of teacher- led nursery opportunities for children and that its withdrawal would result in lower standards. We believed it was a short-sighted, regressive step that will be very hard to reverse in the future and will have a detrimental effect on the progress and attainment of pupils in the long term.’

They added: ‘As we were largely removed from the decision-making process, did the civil service leadership support the Minister of Education and Children sufficiently as they tried to develop options?

‘We do not believe the minister received good advice or support from them. The bureaucratic response to budget reduction was simply to cut non-statutory provision.

‘In fact, informed analytical consideration, not rushed decision, was needed. We were concerned that this decision was being made without first consulting and fully discussing the proposals with teachers and head teachers who would be affected by the changes.

‘They were left largely on their own to shoulder the burden of parents’ anger and concerns about a policy decision that was not of their own making, and about which they knew nothing until it was too late to prepare an adequate response, which they were confronted with at very short notice.’

The MHKs continued: ‘We did not want to be dishonest to Tynwald by supporting a policy we couldn’t endorse in the form being proposed, but with consideration for the minister, we decided at the time it was appropriate to remove ourselves from the debate and abstain from the vote.

‘However, with the benefit of hindsight, we regret that we were not present in the court in order to be able to vote in support of Mr Speaker’s motion. We have been taught a lesson which we have learned. We recognise that it would not have made a difference to the outcome or our own positions in government.’

THE Isle of Man’s national football side will aim to become the first team to lift the FA Inter-League Cup twice when they take on Jersey in the competition’s final at the Bowl on Saturday afternoon.

Kevin Manning’s charges famously won the English FA-organised tournament in 2006 with a convincing 4-0 win over the Cambridgeshire County League and will hope to scoop an unprecedented second title this weekend against their trophy rivals from the Channel Islands.

The Men’s current cup run has certainly captured the imagination after a series of stirring second-half comebacks has seen them overturn half-time deficits in their last three encounters, including coming from three goals behind to defeat the Liverpool County Premier League 5-3 in an astonishing quarter-final tie at the Bowl.

In the semi-finals 2008 winners the Southern Amateur League were dispatched 2-1, again despite trailing at the break.

Speaking this week island supremo Manning can’t explain his side’s sluggish starts to recent ties: ‘I don’t know whether it’s nerves or the communications not quite right in the early stages. However, the lads believe in themselves and they believe they’re always capable of getting a result.’

Manning and his coaching staff will have a full compliment to choose from for the final tie with Calum Morrissey (St George’s) and Danny Bell (Peel) back in contention after sitting out last month’s semi with injury. Whether Manning recalls the talismanic Manning back to the starting XI or keeps faith with the team that beat the Greater London outfit remains to be seen, but this is just one of several selection headaches for the long-time island manager as he cuts his squad down to a match-day 16.

As for the opposition, Jersey have enjoyed a slightly smoother ride to the final. Craig Culkin’s men have only conceded once on their cup run and that was in their dramatic semi-final penalty shoot-out win over the Cheshire League. Like the hosts the Channel Islanders, who finished third at last year’s NatWest Island Games, enter the match high on confidence as Culkin explained to BBC Sport: ‘We’ve had a fantastic run, team spirit is high, confidence is high and we’re really looking forward to the occasion.’

Culkin, who has described Saturday’s game as the most important game in Jersey football’s history, was initially against playing the match on the Bowl’s 3G surface but has changed his opinion having trained on a similar surface: ‘Having trained on it I don’t have a problem playing on it and I think it might be conducive to the style we play.’

Manning and coach Paul O’Brien were present at the Springfield Stadium in St Helier when Jersey secured their final place: ‘They’re a good outfit, but I think we’ve got better energy levels and technically we’re up there with any team. Without getting over confident I’m quietly pleased with what I’ve seen and I think they’re beatable. However, the lads have to perform on the day and we’ve got to get in their faces early on.’ Added Manning.

The Manx have statistics on their side having beat Jersey twice in the three competitive fixtures they’ve played with them.

The last time the pair met was in the 2003 Island Games in Guernsey where the Isle of Man triumphed 2-1 in the tournament’s semi-final thanks to goals from Peter Langridge and a fresh-faced Chris Bass Jr.

Also in the island’s favour as they look to secure the Carlsberg-sponsored crown and another shot at Uefa Regions football will be a partisan home crowd. After drawing 2,012 to March’s semi, the IoMFA are confident of a 3,500 full-house at the Bowl at the weekend with the majority if not all of the tickets expected to be sold prior to match day itself.

Tickets are available from Intersport in Douglas, Mitchell’s Newsagents in Peel and Ramsey Sport and Leisure. They are priced at £4 for adults and £2 for OAPs and unaccompanied children under 18. Under-16s accompanied by an adult will get into the game free (maximum of four children per adult).

Hopefully home advantage and history will once again weigh in the island’s favour as they aim for an historic second title and European football next year.

Isle of Man squad to face Jersey:

Max Thomas, Grant Dawson, Julian Ringham, Sean Quaye, Johnny Myers, Dan Lace, Liam Doyle, Nick Hurt, Chris Bass, Frank Jones, Marc Kelly, Ste Riding, Ste Priestnal, Lee Gale, Calum Morrissey, Ciaran McNulty

DOUGLAS and Vagabonds will slug it out in this year’s BSM Manx Cup Final which gets underway at the slightly later time of 3.45pm at Port-e-Chee this Saturday.

The late kick-off is to accommodate a new third v fourth play-off game between Ramsey and Southern Nomads, but it should also take a little pressure of the road network around the Quarter Bridge area which will be busy ahead of the Isle of Man’s big football match at the Bowl.

As ever, games between these two are likely to be close and this season there’s not that much to separate them on form. Douglas won the pair’s league meeting at Port-e-Chee quite comfortably but in the reverse, it was Vagas who took the honours. Vagas’ late-season form has probably been the better of the two, however Douglas wiped the floor with Ramsey a fortnight ago and thrashed Ellesmere Port last week which suggests that they too are firing on all cylinders.

It’s Douglas’s backline which does all the damage. Scott Goodall was exceptional in the Ramsey game and skipper Ryan Maddox is a good a centre as there is. Goodall additionally has the versatility to be able to slot in at stand-off or fullback, giving Douglas options depending on how they want to play.

Vagas too have options. Jonny Beckley can play at scrum-half, leaving Ryan Windell as an orthodox 10 and freeing up Leigh Kennaugh’s dynamism for the centres.

The bigger battle for Douglas will be up front. Vagas have probably the stronger pack and Douglas will need to be able to keep their own set-piece ball. If they can do this, then I suspect their backline might just win them the game. However, if the weather is wet and the Douglas set-piece stutters, Vagas could just edge them.

As a curtain-raiser to the Cup Final the MRFU are also staging the first Third v Fourth play off.

This gives Southern Nomads an opportunity for another outing against league opposition and hopefully allow them to benchmark their progress. Not that they need to after their Cheshire Plate win.

The men in green are on something of a high with a Manx Shield, a Manx Trophy and Plate all safely stowed away in the Bay. They’ll be missing the imposing figure of Rob Keelan who picked up a knee injury last week, but they should make room for Emerging Nomad Gerard Landels who was simply outstanding last week.

For Ramsey, it’s been a disappointing season. They’ve played well in patches but their away form has let them down. Relegation was avoided with a game to spare so they have a little in hand and may just be too good for Nomads on the day.

Former Nomad Phil Maltby has donated the Cozy Nook Trophy for the game which he hopes will become an annual fixture between Ramsey and Southern Nomads.

Saturday’s Fixtures

BSM Manx Cup Final

At Port-e-Chee

Douglas v Vagabonds kick-off 3.45pm

BSM Manx Cup Third/fourth Play-off

At Port-e-Chee

Ramsey v Southern Nomads kick-off 1pm

Friendlies

Castletown v Preston Grasshoppers

@ Poulsom Park kick-off 12pm

Ramsey v Yarnbury @ Mooragh Park kick-off 3pm

l THIS weekend sees the final 2012 fixtures of the PwC-sponsored Manx youth and junior rugby season with a full tournament at Ballafletcher on Sunday.

All the island clubs will be in action with the younger age groups playing tag rugby from 12.30pm to the older age groups playing full contact starting at around 2pm.

The action will continue through till 4pm and should be a great family day out.

The MRFU would like to thank PwC for its continued support of youth rugby on the island which assists with development of the sport.

Parents are reminded that cars must not be parked on the hospital access road at Ballafletcher but in the car parks.

HOSPICE Isle of Man and Standard Bank are together offering islanders the chance to discover more about the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 from internationally renowned Zulu wars expert Rob Caskie.

At a fundraising event organised by Standard Bank, as part of its 150th anniversary celebrations, Rob Caskie a former principal lecturer at Fugitives’ Drift Lodge in KwaZulu Natal in South Africa, will draw on his vast knowledge to bring to life the story of those attempting to save the Queen’s Colour of their regiment during the Zulu wars.

The talk will offer an insight into the bravery of the Zulu army that defeated the British Army at the Battle of Isandlwana and also that of the 139 British soldiers who were attacked by 4,000 Zulu warriors; a British victory which saw the award of more Victoria Crosses than in any other single action in history.

Margaret Simpson, the Hospice Isle of Man chief executive, said: ‘Rob’s story-telling is world renowned and thousands of people travel to Fugitives’ Drift Lodge every year to hear about the Zulu wars.

‘We are very pleased to be able to bring him to the Isle of Man to share with us the story made famous by the Michael Caine historical film, ‘‘Zulu’’ that has captured the imagination of generations.

‘We are very grateful to Manx Museum for allowing us to host this event and for Standard Bank support.’

To buy tickets contact fundraising@hospice.org.im or phone 647431.

John Coyle, chief executive of Standard Bank Isle of Man, said: ‘Our African heritage goes back 150 years and to celebrate this milestone, and to mark our 20 years in the Isle of Man, we are absolutely delighted to bring Rob to the island to share his fascinating tales of the Zulu Wars. This is a great opportunity for us to celebrate our African links in a way that benefits the local community and raises vital funds for Hospice Isle of Man.’

He added: ‘The event in May offers a unique opportunity to experience the heat of the battle and the emotion of those involved through Rob’s story-telling and we are looking forward to an evening that promises to be as exciting as it is educational.’

The talk will take place in the lecture theatre at the Manx Museum and will follow a drinks and canapés reception. Tickets are now on sale and cost £20.

All proceeds will go to the Hospice Isle of Man which provides specialist palliative care for patients and their families facing life limiting illness.

The care includes physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects and is provided by a multidisciplinary team free of charge. Hospice provide inpatient facilities, respite care, therapeutic day care, specialist nurses, social worker, counselling, a range of therapies and hospice at home services.

Many patients are referred to the Hospice following diagnosis; they will often be cured but need the initial support for hospice’s many services.

Rob was born in the Natal Midlands, South Africa in 1966 and was educated at Howick High where he was head boy. He went on to graduate from the University of Natal with a BSc Honours Degree in Agriculture.

After graduation and national service, he immediately made his mark on the guiding profession as a photographic safari guide and wildlife film-maker in Botswana’s Okavango Delta.

His expertise in this field earned him a place as official photographer on Kingsley Holgate’s Afrika Odyssey expedition along the waterways of Africa.

With travel, people and photography firmly under his skin, Rob embarked on a four-year round-the-world expedition which took him through the UK, Europe, Israel, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. The last 16 months were spent travelling and working in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Alaska. This global voyage cemented Rob’s interest in people, cultures and history.

In April 2001, Rob joined David and Nicky Rattray at Fugitives’ Drift on the Anglo-Zulu War battlefields. Throughout his childhood, Rob had spoken both English and Zulu and during his national service in 1984-85, he served with Zulu troops and consequently had a deep interest in the Zulu people; he quickly came to be an invaluable asset to the world-famous pioneer of heritage tourism.

It was during his tenure at Fugitives’ Drift that Rob honed his unique talent for public speaking. For 10 years he was engaged in hosting and guiding often distinguished guests around the battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. His ability to bring the drama of these battlefields to life ensured that he rapidly began to establish himself as a world-class orator.

MORE than 400 parking spaces are allocated for government employees in central Douglas, figures released in Tynwald show.

In a written reply to a question from David Quirk MHK (Onchan), Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK revealed that the value of the car parking spaces available to government employees in central Douglas offices was estimated to be in the region of £1,000 to £1,300 per space, per year.

Mr Bell said data in relation to the overall number of car parking spaces available to staff within government was not readily available and he believed it would be a time-consuming and difficult exercise for officers to collate all that information.

Data was more readily available, however, on parking available for government employees in central Douglas offices.

The Department of Infrastructure has 34 spaces, the Department of Economic Development 57, the Department of Education and Children 33, the Department of Home Affairs (excluding 25 at Homefield) 29, the Department of Social Care 93, the Department of Health (Crookall/Yn Alban only) 56, the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure seven and the Treasury 92.

These figures exclude those spaces allocated to members at Central Government Office. Mr Bell added: ‘As there are significantly less available spaces than employees in Central Douglas, car parking spaces may be allocated to more than one individual at any time and also for pool vehicles.

‘In other instances parking spaces are unallocated and permit-holders only able to park if there is available space. As such, quantifying data by reference to individual employees with allocated spaces is not readily available.

He added that there are additional car parking spaces in Douglas available to statutory boards and offices.

Mr Quirk asked whether he was concerned about the loss of revenue from 24 spaces at the rear of the Government Offices which are available for use by government staff.

Mr Bell replied that it would seem sensible to allow government officers to park in these spaces rather than contract with the private sector for additional spaces for essential users.

SUSPENDED Liberal Vannin MHK Zac Hall says he disappointed at the ‘unprofessional’ way in which he had been treated by his party.

But Mr Hall, who was elected as Onchan MHK under the Liberal Vannin ticket, refused to comment when asked whether he should now stand down and force a by-election in the constituency.

He and Douglas North MHK John Houghton were sacked from the Department of Education and Children on Thursday after failing to support Mr Karran, the minister in charge, in a debate on Mr Karran’s decision to scrap state-run pre-schools.

Then on Sunday evening, Liberal Vannin party chairman Roy Redmayne issued a statement announcing that Mr Hall had been suspended from the party for undermining Minister Karran, who is Lib Van party leader.

In the Keys this week, it was clear that things were a little awkward between party leader and suspended party member – who both represent Onchan – as they took their seats next to each other.

‘Political relationships are a lit bit strained,’ Mr Hall admitted afterwards to the Manx Independent. ‘I’m disappointed at how I’ve been treated by the party. It’s a bit unprofessional.’

Mr Karran refused to speak to the Manx Independent after the Keys sitting, saying his was ‘absolutely appalled’ at the way the issue had been reported by Isle of Man Newspapers.

Mr Hall said he had been no clue that he was about to be suspended and said he found it ‘rather strange’ that the party leader had previously appeared sympathetic with the stance he had taken on the pre-school issue. He said: ‘Mr Karran came to my house on Saturday. It was the first time I had seen Peter or spoken to him since the debate on Tuesday. We had a conversation and at no time when he was there did he indicate I was going to be suspended from the party. I believe he must have known – he’s the party leader.’

He said he was summoned by email the following day to see the party chairman who informed him of his suspension.

In his strongly worded statement, Mr Redmayne said the party had to concede that Mr Hall had ‘not performed to the high ideals that we set ourselves when our party was formed six years ago’. He said Mr Hall would be ‘brought to account for his actions and his failure to adhere to our manifesto’.

Mr Hall said he was disappointed at the tone used in that statement. ‘It could have used language that was far more professional of a political party.’

He said he had no idea what sanctions the party intended to use against him.

Mr Hall insisted that Liberal Vannin did not have a party whip system and members were entitled to use their own political judgement and were free to vote against matters that they didn’t feel were right or in in the public interest. Asked whether he would be happy to rejoin the party if his suspension was lifted, he replied: ‘That’s a matter for me and the party in due course.’

And pressed on whether he should stand down as Onchan MHK and seek re-election, he said: ‘I’m not making any comment as far as that goes.’ He said he would be making a full statement later this week in response to his suspension.

• Has the Liberal Vannin Party suffered irreparable damage to its credibility or is it merely Zac Hall whose reputation has been hit? Email opinions@newsiom.co.im or sign in to add your comment below.

THE destination of the Wi-Manx Men’s Division Two title will be decided this week with both CM Skye Ramsey B and IOMA Group Bacchas C in the hunt.

Ramsey B will need to claim victory over Paragon Valkyrs C on Thursday to remain in the title race.

The northerners have already enjoyed victory over Valkyrs once this season and will be determined to claim both points this time around.

Bacchas have to beat Celton Manx Castletown at the NSC on Saturday morning to secure the title.

Although the Tromode side have been in good form this season they suffered defeat at the hands of Castletown last time the two sides met.

They will know that anything other than victory here could see them miss out on the silverware.

HOCKEY FIXTURES

Thursday, April 26

Wi-Manx Men’s Division Two

Paragon Valkyrs C

v CM Skye Ramsey B NSC 8.30pm

Emma Miller Russell Miller

------

Saturday, April 28

Wi-Manx Men’s Division Two

IOMA Group Bacchas C

v Celton Manx Castletown C NSC 11.05am

Manx Telecom Vikings C

v Paragon Valkyrs C NSC 12.35pm

WITH Women Worldwide have presented a generous £3,500 to the Pumps 4 Kids campaign.

The donation helped the Isle of Man Newspapers/Manx Diabetic Group reach its original stated target of £20,000 to eradicate the current children’s waiting list for pump therapy for Type 1 diabetes.

The money was raised through a charity disco held in March, added to some funds left over from last year’s fundraising efforts.

With Women Worldwide began three years ago and, since then, it has raised £10,000 for charities supporting women and children both in the island and further afield. For further information about With Women Worldwide, call Anne Graham on 491370 or email manxnewwoman@yahoo.com

Our original Pumps 4 Kids campaign hit its £20,000 target in just six weeks, thanks to the generosity of our readers. Launched in conjunction with the Manx Diabetic Group in early March, Pumps 4 Kids aimed to raise the money to eradicate the children’s waiting list for pump therapy for Type 1 diabetes. Pump therapy completely replaces the need for injections.

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

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

We’re keeping our charity account open and hope you’ll keep letting us know about any events you’ve organised. If you would like to help Pumps 4 Kids, send your donation to The Treasurer, Pumps 4 Kids, 9 Hillcrest Grove, Birch Hill, Onchan, IM3 3HZ.

Alternatively, a special account has been set up at Barclays, under the account name Manx Diabetic Group - Pumps 4 Kids.

The account sort code is 20-26-74 and the relevant account number is 33877280.

Donations can be made in person at the bank or by sending the money to Barclays Private Clients International, Isle of Man International Banking Centre, PO Box 9, Barclays House, Victoria Street, Douglas, IM99 1AJ.

Cheques can be made payable to Pumps 4 Kids.

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

Wit, grit and plenty of slapstick ... true Yorkshireman Max Hardcastle is back with the third instalment of his madcap memoir of life in the Dales.

Thousands of readers already feel at home with antiques dealer Hardcastle, his wife Vicky and their two children, Sally and Peter, so turning the pages of his new book is like meeting up with old friends.

Hardcastle has a keen eye for those quirky traits that make Yorkshire folk a breed apart... pig-headedness, pride, loyalty, eccentricity and an entertaining brand of wry humour, to name but a few.

When the author and his family moved out of a cramped city centre antiques shop and its overflowing upstairs flat and relocated to a smallholding in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, nothing prepared them for the varied and endlessly entertaining nature of village life.

But, of course, it’s not all plain sailing in the remote settlement of Ramsthwaite. How could it be otherwise with a village full of oddball characters like Long John, Fiery Frank, Rabbit Joe, Canary Mary, Fatty Batty and Chucky Cockerill?

In This Country Business, we find the Hardcastles settled into their tumbledown old farm where a much-loved smallholding is enabling them to eat meals made up entirely of their own produce and do some thrifty bartering with friends.

They also have a collection of animals to care for, not least an obstinate old goat called Elspeth who likes nothing better than leading them all a merry dance.

There is also the not unimportant matter of plotting to get the better of rival antiques dealers, restoring the burnished nether regions of a Greek statue and witnessing the everyday dramas of their colourful neighbours.

Meanwhile, lonely, middle-aged Canary Mary finds an unexpected romance, Long John, who has fallen into his own pine-stripping tank 17 times in the last three years, gets a scorching surprise and local poacher Rabbit Joe devises a wily scheme to make a few bob on the races.

And somehow Max ends up right in the middle of every incident...

Perceptive, funny and overflowing with charm and warmth, Hardcastle’s Yorkshire tales and his cast of lovable rogues are the perfect comedy act!

(Sphere, paperback, £7.99)

FIVE defending commissioners have lost their seats in Port Erin after yesterday’s local authority elections.

Sixteen candidates came forward to contest the nine seats and the public verdict on the previous board has been brutal with David Bennett, Douglas Corkish, Patricia Ann Kelly, Ray Ledingham and Jean Pierre Depin all ousted.

Newcomer Ged Power topped the poll with 827 votes, followed by board member Nick Watterson on 723, another newcomer, Martin Norbury, was next on 635, ahead of board member Phil Crellin on 582, Stephen George received 529 votes, board member Gerard Callister got 517, Tony Wright 420, Godfrey Egee 407 and Lorna Mackellar, the board member at the centre of a row over releasing private information, was elected with 404.

The unsuccssful candidates were Graham Kelly on 386, Mr Bennett, 342, Carolyn Ann Hayes, 297, Mr Corkish, 207, Mr Ledingham, 175, Ms Kelly, 164 and Mr Depin, 92.

Meanwhile there was chaos at the poll in German where the 100 votes were missed off the final tally of one of the candidates – Kenneth Watterson.

The result was declared before the final tally of Mr Watterson’s vote and it would have changed it from him being the unsuccessful candidate out of the six vying for five places, to being in third place. It would also mean Susan Boot would drop from fifth to sixth, therefore not on the board.

It looks as though legal advice will have to be taken before any result can be declared valid.

TOP Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has lost his legal battle in the long-running dispute over public access to path on the Langness peninsula.

In a court judgment, Deemster David Doyle ruled that allowing public rights of way on paths bordering Mr Clarkson and his Manx wife Frances’ lighthouse cottages holiday home did not breach their human rights.

The couple had appealed against the Department of Infrastructure being granted leave to amend the definitive map to include the footpaths deemed as public rights of way by planning inspector Roy Hickey following a public inquiry.

Mr and Mrs Clarkson argued that allowing a footpath to run so close to their kitchen window was incompatible with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Five other landowners also argued concerns over wildlife conservation, trespass and criminal damage.

But Deemster Dyole held that on balancing the conventions, rights and freedoms of the defendants, and the rights of the public to use lawfully established public rights of way, the balance came down firmly in favour of the rights and freedoms of the public.

He said the use of the paths by the public must be lawful and reasonable.

And he said there was no legal requirement to grant the Clarksons any compensation.

The judgment comes as a major victory for access rights campaigners PROWL who had protested against the Clarksons re-routing a short stretch of the coastal footpath to protect their privacy.

A CAMPAIGN to wean young people away from drugs, legal highs and excess alcohol is being launched in Peel tomorrow (Friday) with the help of members of the island’s sporting community.

The initiative uses a series of DVDs, each focusing on an island personality, and the first, featuring Keirron Tastagh of Adventurous Experiences, will be shown on the launch night.

Michelle Poyzer of the Department of Health said research using young people’s focus groups found the most frequent reason given for getting involved in drink and drugs was they claimed to have nothing to do.

‘So we are responding to that by saying there is plenty to do. We want to get the message across that there are adrenaline rushes to be had in other areas,’ she said.

Tomorrow’s launch is to publicise the Crash Test Team website – www.crashtest.im – which offered information to young people about legal highs when mephedrone use was more prevalent.

New legislation has since banned mephedrone, along with several other previously legal highs.

Since then the scope of the website has widened and it now also offers advice on other drugs, alcohol and sexual health.

Young people can use the website to pose questions either publicly or by confidential email and these are then answered by a team of experts.

All help and advice is based on what is available in the Isle of Man

In the first instance there are several sports personalities lined up to take part in successive DVDs which are part of a series.

Future films will feature three times World Enduro champion David Knight, snowboarder Zoe Gillings and free runner Will Sutton.

But Mrs Poyzer said the series would not be restricted just to sports people.

‘We do intend to do more in the future and we may also focus on people involved in perhaps music or theatre and acting – it’s a case of finding whatever is their legal high.’

Mrs Poyzer has thanked Tracy Jones of the Peel Youth Centre for her help with the launch, which is at the centre from 8pm to 9pm.

Entrance is free and refreshments will be provided.

Mr Tastagh will be there to talk to people and answer questions and also speak about his forthcoming kayaking expedition to the Aleutian Islands.

On the DVD he talks to young people about some of the activities available in the Isle of Man and he is shown kayaking and coasteering.

There will also be a prize draw to win an adventurous experience.

The DVD shorts can be found on the www.crashtest.im website and Mrs Poyzer also hopes to make them available for use in schools.

CHIEF Minister Allan Bell says he hopes that job losses announced by HSBC will be kept to a minimum in the island - but the move shows our economy is not immune to the international downturn.

HSBC has announced it is scaling back its operations in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

Up to 90 jobs are being cut in Jersey while about 10 positions will be affected across the Isle of Man and Guernsey.

But Mr Bell said it is expected that the number of potential redundancies at the island branch of HSBC will be offset by the creation of several news posts - and the final number of job losses could be reduced to just two or three.

He said the resilience of island’s finance sector continued to be tested as banks continue to revise their business models in line with the changing economic environment.

Mr Bell said: ‘The world has changed dramatically since the credit crunch in 2008 and we are continuing to feel the repercussions as financial institutions restructure their operations. The changes announced by HSBC are not totally unexpected, and on this occasion the Isle of Man has been only marginally affected.’

He added: ‘I am encouraged by the comments made by Nick Winsor, HSBC’s chief executive Officer for the Channel Islands and Isle of Man, who said the company remains committed to the Isle of Man. HSBC is a major employer in the Island and an important part of a financial services industry that remains the cornerstone of our economy.

‘This latest news does, however, demonstrate once again that the Isle of Man is not immune from the fallout of the international downturn. We must continue to work hard to promote further economic growth and diversification to ensure a sustainable future for the Island and solid employment opportunities for our people.’

Crosby and Valkyres could face a fierce backlash in the Standard Bank Premiership on Saturday.

Both sides did not play last week, but now meet two teams who slumped to shock defeats.

Champions St John’s were dismissed for only 36 against Ramsey and, despite a brave fight-back, went on to lose by six wickets. This hurt and the Saints will be determined to return to winning ways when they take on Crosby.

Some of the westerners’ key players were missing and will return. Russell Miller should be back and possibly Akkie Van Den Berg. The club will also be hoping that Jaco Jansen has recovered from a knee injury.

Crosby’s hopes of pre-season practice were washed away when their tour of Cheshire was wrecked by rain. That leaves them vulnerable to what will surely be a fierce onslaught from the western XI.

Much will depend on the Marown opening attack of Ross Berry and Joe Rothwell while Harry Rothwell’s spin can cause problems.

The batting is sure to come under pressure with Danny and Kevin Kniveton crucial to success.

Castletown were defeated at Tromode in their opener and big worries surfaced about the support batting. The team were bowled out for 127 and 82 of those runs came from Wicus Wessels and Mark Williams.

There is some fine talent there and the southerners get the chance to improve on last week’s show when they return to Tromode – this time to meet Valkyres. They have relocated from King William’s College to Douglas and this will be their first game at their new home.

Zubair Siddiqi leads out a side which showed steady improvement over the course of the 2011 season.

There are some dangerous bowlers in the team, but the batting has often let them down. If they can consistently post good totals, then Valkyres will be a big threat to the other clubs.

In what should be the match of the day, the two winners in the first matches clash. Ramsey and Cronkbourne are due to meet at the former, but there could be doubts about the game going ahead. The northern astro was damaged recently, but urgent attempts are being made to repair the pitch.

Hopes are high that this can be done. The damage is almost half way down the track and to one side. It should not cause problems to the batsmen, but could be a threat for fielders and players running down the pitch. A big effort is being made to rectify the fault and hopefully all will be well for Saturday.

Ramsey’s confidence in their defeat of St John’s was obvious. Their bowling sparkled with skipper Ollie Webster taking 6-11. The fielding was excellent and Ken Harding’s catch in the deep outstanding.

Cronkbourne showed real promise in their first match. The attack was solid and Phil Richardson’s 4-13 a fine spell. However, all this happened on a grass track which aided the seamers. Ramsey’s hard astro is completely different.

In the past the Douglas batting has been fragile, but it stood up well to chase down 128 for victory. At 16 for 3 it looked the same old story of failure. Then gritty work from Carl Wagstaff (28), Will Wood (28) and Ryan Burns (22) paved the way for a narrow two-wicket win.

The game at Ramsey could be a classic.

CRICKET FIXTURES DIARY

Saturday, April 28

Standard Bank Premiership (1pm)

Black Grace Cowley St John’s v Fairbairn Crosby

Ramsey v Cronkbourne

Habib Bank Valkyres v Celton Manx Castletown

THE Isle of Man Newspapers’ Team of the Week continues its end-of-season love affair with the BCS Vinyl Hospital Cup this week, with its latest line-up drawn from those who shone in Sunday evening’s first round proper ties.

Nine different clubs are represented in the XI, including four from JCK Division Two. One of those is Onchan who contribute the goalkeeper to this week’s TotW despite conceding nine goals against rampant Rushen.

But all accounts this scoreline would have been a lot more had it not been for the efforts of debutant teenage keeper Callum Donnell who produced numerous stops to deny the Premier League outfit from racking up a bigger winning margin against the under-strength Os.

Also impressing in that encounter was the Spaniards’ Alex Guy who has enjoyed a very solid season at full-back for the Croit Lowey outfit.

Slotting in alongside Guy in the TotW’s three-man defence are Dave Reynolds (Michael) and Johnny Myers (St George’s). Reynolds shone at the heart of the Michael backline as the Aces overcame fellow Division Two brethren Braddan 2-0 at Balleira Road, while Myers was also in fine fettle as Geordies swept past Corinthians 2-6 at Ballafletcher.

Myers fellow island international Lee Gale warmed up for Saturday’s FA Inter-League Cup final with two decisive goals as Peel edged past a battling RYCOB 2-3 at Scooil Ree Gorree.

Adding to some bite to the TotW’s midfield is Foxdale’s Andy Chadwick. The former junior island international was one of Dale’s star turns as they advanced past Douglas and District 5-0 to set up a home tie with Ramsey in the competition’s second round.

Joining Gale and Chadwick in the middle of the park for the nation’s favourite hypothetical XI is Union Mills’ Michael Nash. The merry Millers have enjoyed a 2011-12 to remember having won the GH Corlett Woods Cup and contributing to one of the most memorable Cu-Plas FA Cup finals for many a season. At the weekend they added another chapter to their fairytale story with a 2-1 win over top-flight St Mary’s at Garey Mooar to keep their hopes of another cup final place alive.

Nash was one of Derek Cowley’s charges best performers in their latest ‘giant’ killing and he joins club-mate Steven Quine in this week’s selection.

Two-goal man Quine is one part of a four-man attack that also features Stephen Glover (St John’s), Michael Fernandes (Ramsey) and Chris Bass Jr (St George’s).

Glover helped United ease past Ayre United 1-6, while Fernandes was Ramsey’s star man as helped himself to four goals during the northerners’ 1-10 rout of Police.

Bass Jr was also a potent threat in the attacking third as Geordies maintained their Grand Slam ambitions at Corinthians.

Refereeing honours this week go to Simon Hull who impressed in the middle during Michael’s victory over Braddan.

Team of the Week 21/04/12

Goalkeeper

Callum Donnell (Onchan)

Defence

Johnny Myers (St George’s)

Dave Reynolds (Michael)

Alex Guy (Rushen)

Midfield

Michael Nash (Union Mills)

Andy Chadwick (Foxdale)

Lee Gale (Peel)

Attack

Stephen Glover (St John’s)

Michael Fernandes (Ramsey)

Steven Quine (Union Mills)

Chris Bass Jr (St George’s)

Referee

Simon Hull (Michael v Braddan)

Keith Hunter gives coaching workshops on Saturday and Sunday

THE Isle of Man Athletics network has a real treat at the NSC this weekend for athletes and coaches interested in long and triple jumps and sprints.

Keith Hunter, coach to 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games and Youth Olympics 400m Champion Clovis Asong, as well as many other top UK jumpers and sprinters will visit the island to share his coaching knowledge this Saturday, April 28.

He will discuss athlete screening and core stability along with the importance of plyometrics and eccentric training. He will also cover physical preparation for the sprints 100-400m as well as the horizontal jumps of long and triple.

Sunday’s session will focus on practical elements of coaching long and triple jump in particular the scoop landing, runway construction and the hitch kick. Keith will share his ideas on acceleration, specifically during the drive phase for 100m and 200m.

Booking forms and further info can be found at www.iomaa.info/coaching.htm or contact Trevor Christian the athletics development officer on 688576 or email trevor.christian@gov.im if you have any questions about the workshops.

World Road Race Champion Mark Cavendish leads team that also includes Peter Kennaugh and Ben Swift

THE Isle of Man will be well represented at next month’s Giro d’Italia with Manx cyclists Mark Cavendish and Peter Kennaugh joining Onchan resident Ben Swift in the Team Sky line-up for the Grand Tour.

World Road Race Champion Cav is set to make his fourth appearance in Italy’s biggest bike race looking to add to his tally of seven stage wins, while Kennaugh (22) and Swift (24) are returning to the road after their gold medal-winning performances at the recent World Track Championships in Melbourne.

Joining the trio in Team Sky colours will be Bernhard Eisel, Juan Antonio Flecha, Sergio Henao, Ian Stannard, Geraint Thomas and Rigoberto Urán for the event which gets under way in the Danish town of Herning on Saturday, May 5 and culminates in Milan on Sunday, May 27.

AS he reaches the final stages of his charity challenge, personal trainer Ben Carling reflects back on the mental and physical experience of cycling a lap of the TT Mountain Course every day in April

‘This event is by far the toughest thing I have done. I knew it would be hard, but perhaps I underestimated it a little bit.’

So said Ben, who has been negotiating the 37.75 course - more accustomed to horsepower than peddle power - each and every day this month to raise funds for Crossroads Care Isle of Man and Naseem’s Manx Brain Tumour Charity.

‘I’m into my final few days, and I have hit my physical and mental walls. My legs are tired and heavy, my knee is sore and I am now struggling to concentrate and sleep,’ reported Ben. ‘I am digging as deep as possible, combined with the thought of all the help I have received and the work the charities are doing is what keeps me going.’

Ben revealed what it has taken to keep getting back on the saddle every day: ‘To give you an idea of what my body is going through on a daily basis, I am cycling about 2 and a half hours every day in any weather. To aid recovery, as it is less than 24 hours until my next ride, I am having an ice bath and a sports massage, consuming 5000 calories, six litres of fluid, energy gels and recovery shakes, a multitude of supplements and stretches all to get me back on the bike and in good shape the following day.’

So with adversaries as notorious as the elements and road traffic, has Ben been in any dicey situations?

‘A few moments spring to mind,’ he recalled. ‘A broken wheel on day one and a near miss with a car not giving way to their right at a roundabout, but it’s day 24 that stands out.

‘I was joined by three professional riders, Tim Kennaugh, Pete Kennaugh and Ben Swift. What an opportunity and a pleasure. Then - eight miles in – my chain snaps. Only due to the huge kindness of a chap at a garage in St. Johns to lend me his car could I get my bike fixed at Bikestyle in Douglas, and get back on the road. I’d have been scuppered. I managed to join back up with the boys to finish the lap.’

Though the silver lining of the intense effort has been the beautiful scenery laid out before him.

‘I have seen some brilliant views, none of which beat the view looking back over Ramsey at the top of the climb on a sunny day, although the view over Douglas on the run off the mountain is a very close second.’

Ben wished to express a heartfelt thanks for the people who have supported him.

‘I have had daily texts and calls, people wishing my good luck in the street and in shops, I have had some people ride a lap with me, and I have had brilliant support from my family and friends in the support car.

But I am really doing the easy job. The hard work is very much done by everyone connected to the two charities, both do brilliant work. I am just trying to increase awareness and help generate donations to their causes. If anyone would like to donate they can still do so by visiting www.charitygiving.co.uk/bencarling or e-mail me at info@completefitness.im’

A NEW style bus/rail photo pass for the over 60s is currently being issued for island residents.

People with surnames A to F may apply now if they don’t already have a new-style pass (issued after August 2011). Residents who are in this category holding a current pass must renew this by the May 31.

Persons with surnames beginning G onwards will be informed of their pass renewal dates in due course. The current passes will continue to be valid until further notice. Failure to carry a valid pass may result in its withdrawal and the passenger being required to pay the appropriate fare.

Application forms are available from Ramsey and Port Erin bus depot offices and the Welcome Centre, or online at www.iombusandrail.info. For more information call 662525.