Team RL360’s annual fundraising concert in Marown School is on Saturday, January 31.
The event is always a sell-out so book early to avoid disappointment.
Tickets, £7.50 each (including supper), are available from Dot on either 851691 or 480636.
The club’s winter turbo training sessions have now resumed on Thursdays at Braaid Hall from 6.30pm.
Ryan Farquhar is set for an increased attack on this year’s TT.
Having made his return to the Mountain Course in the 2014 BikeNation Lightweight TT race after a two-year absence from the Isle of Man, the KMR Kawasaki rider will now contest four races in June and is sure to line up amongst the favourites in all of the classes.
Continuing with Kawasaki machinery for the eighth consecutive year, Farquhar, who turns 39 in February, will contest the RL360 Superstock on his old production machine and the BikeNation Lightweight TT on a new ER6. He’ll also be campaigning a high-spec Kawasaki ZX-10R Superbike for the RST Superbike and Dainese Senior TT Races.
Commenting on his return to the Superbike and Superstock class, Farquhar said: ‘To go back to the TT with just the one bike is a waste of time. My intentions last year were to just do a few classic races and ride the Supertwin at selected races but it left me badly on the back foot. It was a big disadvantage because I wasn’t bike fit but I’m back in training again and I haven’t trained in years, so you can take out of that what you want! I’m not going out there to waste tyres and fuel.’
Having retired from racing in August 2012, the Dungannon rider, the most successful in Irish Road Racing history, returned to the sport at the beginning of 2014 along with Keith Amor and the duo contested the Lightweight class on Farquhar’s immaculately prepared ER6 650cc Kawasakis. He also raced Roger Winfield’s classic Yamaha and Paton in the 2014 Classic TT Races.
Having won the re-introduced Lightweight TT race in 2012 - the first for Super Twin-spec machines - Farquhar took a relatively low key seventh place in last year’s race, paying the price for only having one bike and suffering a distinct lack of track time compared with his rivals during the fortnight.
Farquhar made his TT debut in 2002 after winning the Manx Grand Prix, and now has a total of 13 podiums to his name, as well as three race wins in the 2004 Production 600cc, the 2005 Supersport B and 2012 Lightweight races - a tally he’s keen to add to later this year.
A motorist who drove off without reporting an accident is being hunted by police in Ramsey.
The hit and run collision happened in the Co-op car park in Christian Street, Ramsey, at about 8.30am today (Monday).
A gold Honda CRV was parked in the car park outside of the entrance to the store at that time.
On returning to the vehicle after about five minutes, the owner discovered the front offside wheel arch was damaged, apparently having been hit by another vehicle which was manoeuvring in the car park.
The government is urging people to change their habits to cut down on the level of obesity in the island.
It is National Obesity Awareness Week this week (January 12 to 18) in the UK.
In the Isle of Man, initiatives are being led by the public health directorate of the Department of Health and Social Care in partnership with Manx Sport and Recreation.
They aim to encourage the public to make small lifestyle changes such as exercising more regularly or cooking from scratch more often.
Dudley Butt MLC, the politician at the DHSC responsible for health services, said: ‘Tackling the causes and prevalence of obesity remains an important part of the Department’s focus on prevention of ill-health and is a key aim of both the island’s “childhood obesity plan” and the Isle of Man “strategy for sport”.
‘The aim of National Obesity Awareness Week is to promote the ways in which we can work together to improve everyone’s health, reduce the risk of obesity and provide the information and resources to make sustainable lifestyle choices, whether that is eating more healthily or being more physically active.”
Dawn Henley, public health strategist for the DHSC, said: ‘Obesity is serious as it can cause conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, joint pain, back problems, and digestive disorders.
‘A survey in 2013 showed that 20% of children in reception class (aged ficw) were either overweight or obese, with a health and lifestyle survey in 2009 showing that half of the adults surveyed were overweight or obese, closely reflecting patterns seen across the Northwest of England.
‘There are simple positive steps such as swapping unhealthy snacks for fruit, exercising more regularly like walking or swimming, or resolving to cook from scratch more often, that we can all take to help ourselves and support others in tackling and preventing obesity. So join us in making a “National New Year’s Resolution” pledge and let’s turn obesity around.’
A range of events and activities will take place across the island during the week, promoting ways in which healthy eating, nutrition and exercise can improve health and to provide the information and resources.
Members of the public can find out about the full timetable of events and activities, enter their ‘National New Year’s Resolution’ pledge, and receive information on healthy eating, nutrition and exercise by visiting the Obesity Awareness website {http://www.gov.im/obesityawareness|here}.
Do you think this initiative will make any difference to the level of obesity in the island?
Email opinions@newsiom.co.im to let us know.
If you’d like us to use your view as a letter in one of our papers, please include your home address (which we won’t print in full) and a daytime phone number (which we won’t print at all).
We need this information because we need to know who’s written to us before we print letters. We might also need to check any queries in the letter quickly.
It’s the end of an era for Methodists in Willaston.
This month will see the last service of worship held by the congregation of Willaston Methodist Church.
After more than half a century of worship and witness members of the church have decided that the time has come to move on.
Over recent years the congregation has reduced in size to the point where those remaining could not sustain Sunday worship.
Minister Rev David Shirtliff said: ‘It’s always sad when a church decides that the time has come when they can no longer continue. But now that the decision has been made I’m sure that it’s the right one for this faithful group of people.’
But the church building itself won’t close.
Rev Shirtliff added: ‘The Willaston church building is well used and provides important community space. It houses the administration base of both the Methodist Church on the island and the Live at Home schemes and is well-used by a number of community groups.
‘It will now be for the wider Methodist family to consult with possible partners and to carefully consider how the building should be used in the future. In the short term people won’t see any difference.’
A final service will be held at the church on Sunday, January 18, at 3pm where the focus will be on looking back and ‘giving thanks to God’ for the life of the church.
Investment in the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education has led to a further lasting legacy for students.
The Annie Gill Building, which opened in 2013, accommodates students with learning difficulties and disabilities, ensuring they can access education no matter how complex their needs.
The £1.9 million building was named after Annie Gill CBE, an eminent Manx woman who, as matron of the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, from 1907 to 1925, was Scotland’s senior nurse. She went on to preside over the Royal College of Nursing from 1927-29.
The guest of honour at the opening was Karen Taylor Roger, Annie’s great, great niece, who lives in the New Forest in Hampshire.
Karen was so impressed with the facility that she pledged to provide a unique prize, to be awarded annually.
Karen’s family has now presented the college with the Annie Gill Prize – a unique and handsome hand-crafted trophy carved of New Forest oak and depicting the Three Legs of Mann.
It will be awarded each year to the student from the College’s Learning Services area who makes most progress.
Karen said: ‘Following the opening of the Annie Gill Building, I wanted to do something special for its students. I knew that the Training School for Nurses at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, until the late 1940s, awarded the Annie Warren Gill Special Prize for Dietetics, which was founded ‘in proud and affectionate memory of Annie by the nurses who trained with and under her’. I thought it would be nice to recreate this for present-day Annie Gill students.
‘My father, Adrian Taylor, was a shipwright and joiner and has worked on many exciting projects and made many beautiful things. I knew that he was capable of creating something we would all be proud of.
‘He carved the prize in New Forest oak and it depicts the Three Legs of Man, which is so emblematic of the island, on a base which is the outline of the island with all its contours.’
Karen said her ancestors had always been passionate about education – one founding what was then the first girls’ school on the Island, The Buchan School in Castletown.
‘Annie herself recognised the need for highly-educated nurses and was instrumental in setting up the registration of nurses following three years’ education. Prior to this anyone could call themselves a nurse,’ said Karen.
‘She would be thrilled that her name has now been given to the first facility for post-16 students with learning disabilities and difficulties, carrying on a long family interest of improving education for everyone on the Isle of Man.’
Karen will also award £50 a year to the student chosen as recipient of the prize.
Ian Sheard, assistant principal of the college, said: ‘This wonderful prize has made what is already a much treasured facility into something extra special. Each year, one student will be proud to be awarded it. The staff and students of the college are indebted to the family of Annie Gill for their kindness and thoughtfulness.’
Southern Befrienders’ clients got a very welcome surprise Christmas present in the form of a cushion made by Mannin Quilters.
Just before Christmas, 90 cushions were handed over to the charity to give to people they befriend.
MQ member Joy Dawson said: ‘The idea came about from me, trying to think of a sewing activity that would give our members the option to join in, and cushions seemed the obvious choice …
‘As we are a southern-based group, it seemed a good idea to donate the cushions to Southern Befrienders and cheer up some older people at Christmas time too.
‘My original hope was to donate 30 cushions, but thanks to our very enthusiastic members, who really got behind the idea and the fact that as a group we didn’t want to leave any of the Southern Befrienders’ clients without a cushion, we went cushion sewing mad and in the end we donated 90 cushions in total.’
The gift was very well received, said Befrienders’ Lorna Trevethan. ‘The reaction has been emotionally overwhelming. They couldn’t believe that the Mannin Quilters had taken so much time and effort to make presents for people they didn’t know.’
She added they were ‘blown away’ by the generous donation.
For information about SB, phone 833025 or email southernbefrienders@manx.net.
Dedicated volunteers are sought to help with the subtitles of shows at the Gaiety Theatre.
Theatre captioning gives deaf and hard of hearing theatregoers access to live performances.
Volunteer captioners need excellent punctuation and typing skills and time enough to prepare a script from scratch.
Full training will be provided by Stagetext next month.
Anyone interested should email Jan Cowan at jancowan@manx.net
A training afternoon will take place onThursday, January 22, for all of the island’s GPs.
Practices will remain open for patients to visit the practice nurse, make future appointments, collect test results and order repeat prescriptions.
However, GPs will not be available for routine appointments. Urgent appointments and any urgent visits will be undertaken by locum GPs based at practices in Douglas, Peel and the South.
Anyone who needs to see a doctor urgently on the afternoon of January 22 should ring their GP practice as normal.
There has been a spate of burglaries in the Isle of Man over the last few weeks.
An Examiner investigation has revealed that there were 11 over the weekend alone.
We talk to the police about this situation in this week’s edition, which is in the shops now.
The paper has the latest from the courts, including a report on a man who sold on Facebook but who didn’t send the products to his customers.
We have more on politics and Laurence Skelly’s upbeat assessment of the Manx economy and find out what John Shimmin will be doing now the former minister has a government role again.
With the latest business news, all the weekend sport action, two pages of nostalgia with Terry Cringle and the island’s social calendar, the Examiner is a great read this week.
Ellan Vannin have been placed in the second pot of seeds for this summer’s ConIFA European Football Cup.
Top seeds for the 12-team tournament that will take place in the island between June 13-21 are Occitania, who beat the Manx 5-1 on December 30, Padania, World Football Cup champions County of Nice and Northern Cyprus.
One of each will be drawn into the competition’s four groups.
Being just a single point behind Northern Cyprus in the current ConIFA rankings, Chris Bass Sr’s hosts will be in pot two alongside Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia and new ConiFA members Szekely Land.
One more goal against Raetia in their first ever match would have brought Franconia a better seeding.
But as Szekely Land won by more against the same opponent the third and last pot will now be filled by the teams from Franconia, South Ossetia, Sapmi and the Romani People.
World Football Cup runners-up Ellan Vannin were 250-1 outsiders at the onset of the Swedish tournament, showing the rankings can be easily turned on their heads.
The draw for the group stages will take place at the end of next month.
Liverpool goalscoring legend Robbie Fowler is to be the special guest at a dinner being held on March 13 at the Mount Murray Hotel and Country Club.
Tickets, costing £55 for Isle of Man Liverpool Supporters Club members and £65 for non-members, are available from Ian Moffitt on 203785.
The Steam Packet Company is warning that stormy weather could disrupt sailings tomorrow (Wednesday) and into Thursday.
Today’s daytime and overnight sailings to Heysham are expected to run as scheduled.
However, with poor sea conditions forecast to build into tomorrow, a decision will be made by 7am over the 8.45am service to Heysham.
To stay up to date with the latest developments, visit steam-packet.com/latestSailings
An emergency alert was declared at Ronaldsway Airport on Saturday afternoon after a problem was reported involving a private jet.
The nature of the problem was not revealed and the aeroplane landed safely.
Emergency services including fire, ambulance and police were alerted around 4pm but stood down again soon after.
Campaigners are planning a march in Ramsey to protest at plans to close the town’s Crown post office.
The march at lunchtime on Saturday (January 17) has been organised by the Save Ramsey Post Office group.
It will set off from the town hall at 12.15pm and continue along Parliament Street, ending at the Court House.
Campaigners are also planning a new petition calling on Ramsey’s elected representatives to support their plight and take whatever action is needed to meet the public demand.
It states that if Allan Bell and Leonard Singer disagree with this democratically established demand they should consider resigning.
Ramsey Commissioners have organised a second public meeting on the closure plan on January 29 at Ramsey Grammar School’s West building.
The planned closure of the Crown post offices in Douglas and Ramsey has been put on hold for three months following an emergency debate in the House of Keys last month.
Lib Van leader Kate Beecroft tabled a motion of urgent public importance calling for the planned closures to be postponed for three months while alternative options are considered.
On its Facebook page, the Save Ramsey Post Office group has asked for volunteers to act as stewards for the march. Organiser Andrea Howroyd said she was awaiting final confirmation from Ramsey police that the event can go ahead. You can contact her at andrea@assist.im
A much-anticipated flight to see the Northern Lights has been cancelled.
Some 60 people had booked to fly with from Ronaldsway on February 12 to seek out the elusive aurora borealis.
But organisers of the trip, Omega Holidays, have announced that they have had to cancel due to ‘operational reasons’.
Omega Holiday’s Peter Truman said: ‘It is with great sadness and after a lot of hard work by all parties that we have to cancel our proposed flight to go in search of the Northern Lights from the Isle Of Man due to depart on February 12.
‘Despite strong bookings and the airport willing to co-operate in extending its opening hours to accommodate our flight we have been informed that the airline that we proposed to use for the flight are unable to operate due to “operational reasons”.
‘Despite our extensive efforts to secure a different airline none was available with appropriate aircraft. We were left with little choice but to cancel the flight.
‘Passengers who have been affected have been contacted by telephone by our customer services team and a letter has been sent to everyone apologising for the inconvenience and disappointment that has affected all of us. A full refund will be made for the cost of the flight.
‘On a brighter note I am delighted to confirm that our new holiday to Austria and Switzerland in the summer from the Isle of Man is currently fully booked.’
Police have warned the public to be vigilant following an unprecedented spate of burglaries.
There were no fewer than 11 break-ins or attempted break-ins around the island over the weekend - and another two incidents reported last night (Monday).
Detectives believe the incidents, involving forced entry or attempted forced entry on secured premises, may be linked. Extra police patrols are being deployed around the island.
The public is being warned not to take matters into their own hands, following the launch of a Facebook site that appears to encourage vigilantism.
Detective Inspector Dave Dobbie said: ‘It’s unprecedented. Compared to the UK our crime figures are low but this stands out. It’s alarming and it is a concern.’
Of the 13 reported incidents, most have been in Douglas but with others in the south and west of the island. Attempts have been made to force entry through windows and glazed doors. In some cases, the occupants were home when the raiders struck. Of the two further incidents reported on Monday evening, entry was gained in one case.
Since September including the build up to Christmas, there have been no fewer than 22 domestic burglaries on unsecured premises, with opportunist offenders gaining entry to homes through unlocked doors or windows. Police are keeping an open mind as to whether these offences, with their very different method of operation, are linked.
Chief Constable Gary Roberts said: ‘This is fast becoming very significant.’
A Facebook group, Isle of Man Breakins, currently has more than 3,000 members.
Its creator states: ‘Time to end this series of break ins by these scum. If you know anything or can add info then get in touch.
‘I’m getting PMs that it’s happening all over the island now but I need names guys coz I haven’t got time to deal with theory. I ain’t ***ing Poirot!’
DI Dobbie said: ‘The Isle of Man Constabulary are aware of Facebook groups being set up in relation to these burglaries. Please think about what is going on these sites, don’t put people’s names on who you think are responsible. If you have information, please contact the police. We don’t want people to take things into their own hands, or possibly hindering the police investigation.’
He said the latest burglaries and those which took place towards the end of 2014 are the Constabulary’s priority.
Officers are working longer shifts and extra patrols are being deployed around the island.
There have been three arrests in relation to the burglaries from the end of 2014. Those arrested have all been released on police bail, pending further inquiries.
Detective Inspector Dobbie said: ‘We need the help of the island’s community in these investigations. Please be extra vigilant to your property and your neighbourhood. If any suspicious behaviour is seen, please call 999 if this behaviour is happening at that time.
‘There is a quantity of property that has been taken from these and other burglaries, such as electrical items, cash and jewellery. If you know of anyone trying to sell or swap property like this, or they suddenly have more cash than normal please inform the police at the earliest opportunity. The police thank the members of the public who have already made contact reporting suspicious activity.
‘There will be some members of the island’s community that have relevant information to help catch those responsible for these crimes. Any information no matter how small you consider it to be, may be the link that is needed in these investigations. Please contact the police on 631212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
‘These incidents over the weekend have been on secured properties. Please keep your doors and windows locked and remove the keys. If you are out or away, consider using timing switches on lights in the house. Consider speaking to your neighbours and ask them to keep an eye on your property.’
The government is hoping that a private sector company will develop a prominent site in Douglas.
The Department of Infrastructure wants to find a firm to build leisure facilities, a hotel, shops and offices on the sites on Lord Street and Parade Street.
Expressions of interest are being sought for the sites, which are currently used for car parking.
The government hopes the redevelopment of the area, which extends to a combined 3.17 acres, will act as a catalyst for further regeneration of the capital.
The sites are being marketed on behalf of the department by estate agent Black Grace Cowley and developers have until March 13 to register an interest.
Any proposed development will be subject to planning approval.
The Douglas Masterplan, which sets out a bold vision of how the town centre may be developed in the future, identifies the enormous potential of the two sites.
A conceptual scheme for Parade Street shows a multiplex cinema, retail and office accommodation and a multi-storey car park. For Lord Street, an artist’s impression highlights the potential for a winter garden, hotel, flats, gallery/exhibition space, retail, cafes and car parking.
Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK said: ‘We are seeking to encourage significant new investment in the town to support the government’s national priority of growing the economy. This is an opportunity to develop a prime area in Douglas fronting the inner harbour and marina and close to the main shopping streets.’
He added: ‘The Douglas Masterplan provides strategic guidance rather than a blueprint for development, and the department will adopt a flexible approach when considering any proposals. We want to see high quality architectural designs that will enhance this important gateway to the Isle of Man and set the standard for future development of the town.’
Government would seek to still get money from car parking, with an expected minimum provision of 600 spaces across the two sites. There would also be a requirement for the Lord Street bus interchange to be enhanced as part of the overall development.
Redevelopment of the Lord Street and Parade Street sites would complement the major projects being undertaken by the Department of Infrastructure, including improvements to the town’s retail centre and the proposed refurbishment of Douglas Promenade.
Chris Robertshaw MHK, Minister for Policy and Reform and chair of the Central Douglas masterplan committee, said: ‘This could be the start of an exciting new era. Investment from Government and the private sector will help to revitalise Douglas, provide new amenities for residents, visitors and businesses, and support aspirations to create a world-class capital.’
Stephanie Stock has joined Junior Achievement Isle of Man as programme manager.
Working alongside her fellow programme manager Joy Spence, Stephanie will be coordinating volunteers.
And she will be helping deliver a range of Junior Achievement programmes in schools, designed to develop young people’s skills for the workplace, financial literacy and entrepreneurship.
Stephanie is no stranger to the Junior Achievement team.
She previously worked with chief executive Sue Cook and Joy Spence at Hamblin recruitment agency and has also worked in the finance sector and at The Children’s Centre.
She said: ‘I was attracted to joining Junior Achievement because I saw it as an opportunity to apply all the skills I’ve acquired to help equip young people for “the real world” after full-time education.
‘The specialist work Junior Achievement is doing in schools has never been more important.
‘The programmes have the power to reach every young person and give them all the same opportunities to achieve.
‘At the recent Employability event it was interesting to see how those students who had experienced Junior Achievement’s interview workshops, for example, were more comfortable engaging with employers and knew how to ask all the right questions with confidence.
‘It’s initiatives such as those workshops and the Get a Job Programme that really help a young person stand out in a crowd, and that’s crucial in today’s increasingly competitive jobs market.’
Originally from Liverpool Stephanie has lived in the Isle of Man for 25 years.
She is a former Brownie guider and, away from the office and the classroom, has a keen interest in Manx heritage and works at Manx National Heritage’s Rushen Abbey site.
Chief executive Sue Cook said: ‘Stephanie brings a wealth of practical, administrative and communication skills to the demanding role of programme manager – a role that requires flexibility and adaptability to connect with school-age people one moment, business people the next.
‘As Junior Achievement looks to reach more than 5,000 students in 2015 and beyond, Stephanie will be a great asset to the team; it’s a delight to be working with her again.’ www.jaiom.im
The Department of Health and Social Care is currently undertaking maintenance work to the main entrance at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital.
The work will continue this week, with the project scheduled for completion on Monday.
Anyone wishing to visit the hospital should use the Martin Ward entrance, situated on the left-hand side of the second car park.
All services including the Minor Injuries and Illness Unit (MIU) are available as normal. The department apologised for any inconvenience, adding that it was a ‘necessary precaution to ensure the safety of patients and staff’.