A public meeting is to be held tomorrow (Wednesday) about the role of Douglas in the wider economy.

The public have been invited to South Douglas Old Friends’ Association, Finch Road, Douglas, at 7pm to hear panellists discuss ‘Douglas, the powerhouse of our island. Do national policies help or hinder?’

Damian Ciappelli will chair.

Both East Douglas MHKs - Brenda Cannell and Chris Robertshaw – are expected to speak. At least one Douglas councillor, David Ashford, will speak unless the council meeting that day overruns. Other speakers include Richard Butt, editor of Isle of Man Newspapers.

Chris Thomas MHK (Douglas West) said: ‘I would have been surprised if Mr Robertshaw had not accepted the invitation I made in Keys just before Christmas as the debate is in the constituency he represents and the central Douglas masterplan is something he is pushing.’

John Bateson has joined Döhle Corporate and Trust Services Limited (DCTS) as senior client services manager.

John has chalked up more than 18 years in the CSP/TSP industry and has experience with companies listed on the LSE, AIM and ISDX (previously PLUS) markets. He has considerable knowledge and experience of UK, BVI and IOM company secretarial practice, administration and statutory compliance matters and maintaining effective corporate governance with local legislation and external regulations.

He has a proven record of administration of structures involving shipping, intellectual property, aviation and real estate holding vehicles and the administration of tailored trusts and structures according to clients’ requirements.

In addition to his role at DCTS he holds positions as director and non-executive director of a number of Isle of Man companies and is approved by the Isle of Man Financial Supervision Commission and Isle of Gambling Commission to hold such positions.

He has acted as director of a number of large offshore service providers on the Isle of Man as well as holding the position of assistant company secretary and group MLRO for a listed Plc with global operations. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators and a Fellow of the International Compliance Association.

DCTS managing director Eckhard Garbers said: ‘John’s appointment considerably strengthens our client services team.

‘He has a proven track record for increasing efficiency within business in order to provide impeccable service to clients by ensuring administration procedures are streamlined to the needs of clients.

Primary pupils are being helped to stay safe while walking to and from school during the winter months.

Ellan Vannin Fuels is issuing free reflectors to all 6,358 primary pupils in the Isle of Man.

They will make it easier for them to be seen by motorists.

It’s a repeat of an initiative the company undertook in 2012.

Handing out the first of the reflectors at 135-pupil Kewaigue Primary School, Andy Sweetman, sales and marketing manager of Ellan Vannin Fuels, said: ‘We are delighted to be supporting this project again, alongside the Isle of Man Constabulary, following the success of the first initiative in 2012, which received a positive response.

‘Children can attach the reflectors to bags or coats and this will make them much more visible to drivers on dark winter mornings and evenings. The road safety message that accompanies the reflectors raises children’s awareness that they need to be seen clearly.’

Constable Mike Griffiths, the police’s manager St George’s and Murray’s wards in Douglas, said: ‘Ellan Vannin Fuels has supported us for several years now in keeping the Island the safe place it is. Initiatives like this show how the private and public sectors can successfully work together.’

Tim Crookall MHK, Minister for Education and Children said: ‘Ellan Vannin Fuels has befriended schools in a number of ways, sponsoring buddying and anti-bullying initiatives. This latest gift will ensure pupils throughout the island are seen on the way to and from school on the gloomiest days of the year. I’d like to thank the company for its generosity.’

The end of free short stay parking at the airport appears to have gone without a hitch so far.

Director of ports Ann Reynolds said there had been only a ‘handful’ of objections to the move – in contrast to the 140 or so who objected when the plans were first mooted in 2013.

A £1 charge for the first hour of parking was finally introduced at Ronaldsway on Wednesday last week after Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK reviewed submissions to a consultation. It’s one of a raft of new charges unveiled by the cash-strapped Department of Infrastructure aimed at raising £500,000.

Ms Reynolds said: ‘It’s early days but there have been no issues at the moment.

‘We gave people until January 5 to respond to the consultation but gave a few days before putting it in place to give the Minister a chance to review the comments that had been received. There were fewer than a handful of comments. But they were not really about the price. They were more concerned that there may be repercussions for off-airport parking.’

The introduction of £1 short stay at the airport is expected to raise £40,000 a year.

Free parking at the airport had originally been due to be scrapped in June 2013, under plans unveiled by the previous Minister, David Cretney.

Passenger watchdog TravelWatch predicted it would cause traffic and parking chaos at peak times.

But in the event, Mr Cretney performed a U-turn, saying he would meet the public halfway by retaining 30 minutes of free parking, rather than the full hour that was in place before.

Ms Reynolds said passengers can still be dropped off outside the airport terminal but cars are not allowed to wait to collect those arriving.

She added, however, exceptions would be made in the case of passengers with special needs and patients returning from Liverpool.

Meanwhile, changes are planned for airport taxis. It is proposed that ply-for-hire taxis will in future operate on a pre-paid permit system and will continue to wait in front of the terminal building for their next fare. But private hire, pre-booked taxis will have to wait in the former disc zone area of the short-stay car park to collect their passengers and so will pay the £1 charge for the first hour of parking.

Staff at the island’s hyperbaric chamber had a chance to say thank-you to the charity’s supporters over the past year.

TT riders, MHKs, the Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood and members of the emergency services were among the 60 or so guests invited to a drinks and canapes evening at the Chamber on Friday.

TT riders present included Dan Kneen and sidecar race Debbie Barron, who is secretary of the Friends of the Hyperbaric Chamber.

The chambers’s David Downie said: ‘It was a great atmosphere.

‘The aim was to thank people who have supported us during the past year and to remind people that we are still here. It’s nice to thank our supporters who have helped us not just with money but with their good will and sponsorship.’

It was a poignant day at a packed Ballacloan Stadium on Saturday when two football teams paid tribute to former players Robbie Campbell and Jamie Cowhig.

Ramsey and RYCOB were meeting in a northern derby in the preliminary round of the FA Cup but football rivalries were cast aside temporarily as the teams joined forces to pay respects to Campbell and Cowhig who lost their lives in separate road accidents over the festive period.

There were emotional scenes prior to kickoff as both teams were led onto the pitch by the families of the late Robbie Campbell and Jamie Cowhig, who played for Ramsey and Youthie respectively. Ramsey captain Michael Fernandes and his RYCOB counterpart Ruairi Poole laid flowers in the middle of the pitch before both teams lined the centre circle.

Players and spectators alike then paid tribute to Campbell and Cowhig with an impeccably observed minute’s applause. All money raised from the match - more than £1,200 - will be split between two charities chosen by the relatives of the two families, Ronald McDonald House and Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation.

Manx snowboardcrosser Zoe Gillings-Brier returns to action in Austria this week.

The former Ronague resident starts her 2015 season on Thursday with qualifying for the FIS Snowboard World Championships in Kreischberg.

The competition’s knockout stages and finals take place on Friday.

Zoe’s was meant to start her season at December’s FIS World Cup round in Austria, but that was cancelled because of a lack of snow. Gillings-Brier is aiming to represent Great Britain at a fourth Winter Olympics in 2018.

A woman who reported an assault on Facebook has now been contacted by the police.

A police spokesman said that as part of a burglary investigation, police were aware that there had been discussions on a Facebook group in relation to a woman who had been assaulted in her flat.

Contact has been made with this person and the investigation is now under way.

He added: ‘It is an unusual step to take at this stage of the investigation, but the woman has confirmed that no knife was used in the incident and she wasn’t stabbed, although she has sustained injuries.

‘The Isle of Man Constabulary remind any victim of crime to report the matter to the police as soon as possible.’

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/burglary-alert-1-7047684|There were 11 break-ins in the Isle of Man over the weekend.}

The Steam Packet is facing more disruption due to stormy weather.

This morning’s Ben-my-Chree sailing from Douglas to Heysham was cancelled. Its return is obviously cancelled too.

The company announced this morning that the 7.45pm sailing from Douglas and its return in the early hours of tomorrow will also not go ahead.

Tomorrow’s 8.45am sailing from Douglas and its return from Heysham are also likely to be disrupted or cancelled.

For the latest from the Steam Packet, {http://www.steam-packet.com/LatestSailings|click here.}

A Douglas teenager accused of stabbing another person at a party at Farmhill has been committed to stand trial at the Court of General Gaol Delivery on a date to be set by the court.

Jack Marshall Bridson, aged 18, of Close Cowley, Anagh Coar, is charged with maliciously wounding with intent on November 1 last year. He was remanded in custody.

Leading international fiduciary services provider The ILS Group Limited has appointed a new director.

The Group’s chief financial officer Grant Evans will join chief executive officer Chris Eaton and chief operating officer Karen Jones on the board of directors for both the group and its Isle of Man subsidiary, ILS Fiduciaries (IOM) Limited.

Chris said: ‘I am delighted to announce that with effect from January 1, 2015 Grant has been appointed as a director of The ILS Group Limited and ILS Fiduciaries (IOM) Limited.

‘Grant has been acting as the group’s chief financial officer since he joined ILS in June and these appointments reflect the excellent work Grant has undertaken since his recruitment.

‘I look forward to working with Grant over the coming years in order to continue to grow the group and our international capabilities.”

Grant is based at ILS’s headquarters in the Isle of Man and is responsible for directing and controlling the finance function of the entire group, which has offices in the British Virgin Islands, China, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Portugal, Switzerland and Uruguay.

Grant is a chartered management accountant with more than 20 years’ experience in executive and senior finance roles having worked internationally and across a range of business sectors.

Grant said: ‘I’m genuinely delighted to have been formally appointed to the board.

‘I’m very much looking forward to the future for The ILS Group.’

Arrangements are now being made to rebuild a TT memorial to a Czech rider which was demolished in a road accident before Christmas.

The memorial to Petr Hlavatka was sited at the Nook, close to the spot where the rider died during the 1991 TT races but was destroyed when it was hit by a car which ran off the road.

Trevor Hussey, the Department of Economic Development’s head of motorsport, said he had asked Marlow Construction to rebuild the memorial but the precise position and nature of the memorial was yet to be decided.

Local resident Jiri Podobsky, who lives at Governor’s Hill and is also a Czech, said he had been trying to contact Mr Hlavatka’s family in Czechoslovakia so their wishes could be taken into account in rebuilding the memorial. He has also offered to make a contribution, as a well wisher, towards the rebuilding costs.

Mr Podobsky said he was trying to contact Mr Hlavatka’s family via current Czech TT racer Michal Dokoupil.

‘I sent him both of the newspaper articles on January 8 after discussing the matter with other people here and I am now waiting for his news or comments. I agree the options seem to be to put back the memorial where it was, with a similar design, do something different that might not be damaged so easily, or put the memorial somewhere else altogether.’

Mr Hussey said he expected the memorial would be rebuilt in the same position but the matter was currently open to discussion before a final decision is made.

The memorial was built during the 1990s by workers from the then Department of Transport to replace an unofficial memorial which had evolved in the grounds of the Lieutenant Governor’s house.

The Minister for Economic Development says things are looking good for the Manx economy.

Laurence Skelly accepted that measures being taken to balance the government’s budget such as raising and introducing charges were causing concern among the public.

But he said people should not confuse the fiscal problems with the performance of the wider Manx economy.

He said: ‘The year 2014 was another good year for the economy with continued growth of around 3 per cent and unemployment falling by nearly a quarter – and the prospects for 2015 are as good, if not better.

‘I am conscious that not everyone has necessarily been feeling the benefits of this growth. Firstly, many workers have not seen their pay rise in real terms in recent years – this is common across most of the developed world.

‘Secondly, I am conscious that some news relating to government changes necessary to help us balance our budget are raising concerns. However, we must also be careful that we do not confuse government’s budget with the performance of the economy which is growing at a rate that many other developed economies would be envious of.

‘In this environment it is important we build and maintain confidence among investors, local businesses and residents.’

The Minister highlighted the island’s e-business sector, saying it was the island’s fastest-growing sector and had created more than 100 jobs.

The Minister highlighted Microgaming receiving planning approval for expanding its HQ in Douglas which he said will see it create ‘many further jobs and also provide a well over £10 million boost for the local construction sector’.

He added: ‘Additionally, a formal agreement has now been made with government which commits ICT Limited to purchase the Nunnery site and develop it into a world-class IT training centre.’

Mr Skelly also highlighted the renewed confidence in tourism with provisional figures showing that last summer’s leisure visitor numbers were well over 10 per cent up on the same period for 2013.

He said the sector supported morethan 4,000 direct jobs, ading: ‘Exciting recent developments have included the announcements of new air routes by easyJet and Flybe to Bristol and Stansted respectively, which opens up the island to millions more people who live within one hour’s travel of those airports.

‘Additionally we are supporting the Isle of Man Cycling Association’s bid to host the 2016 British Cycling National Road Championships.

‘With a number of exciting developments in the pipeline, I believe that the industry is in a better place now than it has been for a number of years.

He added: ‘We are seeing real growth across our export-generating sectors and I believe that in 2015 local people will start to see the benefits of increased confidence in the local economy through increased earnings and further creation of new jobs.’

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of being involved in a spate of vandalism that saw 36 cars damaged.

The attacks happened on November 29 in Castletown.

Both men have been bailed while further inquiries take place.

A police spokesman said: ‘If you have any information that has not yet been passed, you are still asked to please contact Castletown police station on 822222 or alternatively Crimestoppers, where there is still a £1,000 reward on offer.’

Police want to find out who left these sofas and the remains of a tent on private land close to Colby Glen.

A force spokesman said: ‘It’s likely that they were used as part of a New Year’s Eve party as they appeared in the few days around that time.

‘Now, however, they constitute an eyesore and a big headache for the landowner to try to get rid of them.

‘The size and weight of the items as well as the remoteness of the location mean it would have taken a number of people to get them there.’

Officers from Castletown police station are investigating.

The Isle of Man is bracing itself for stormy weather over the next 24 hours.

The worst of the conditions is predicted to hit the island between noon and 4pm tomorrow (Thursday) when gusts could reach 80mph.

Severe gale force winds are expected this evening, with gusts of 70mph or more. Heavy rain (10mm to 15mm) is also forecast this afternoon and evening, which may present a risk of standing water on roads. Motorists have been advised to plan their journeys and drive to the conditions.

Winds speeds are expected to peak between 8pm and 10pm tonight, with exposed southern and western areas experiencing the main impact. The eastern coast of the island should be more sheltered in comparison.

The weather will start to ease towards midnight to leave clearer skies, although winds will remain strong to gale force.

Thursday will start dry and bright, but the severe south-westerly gale force winds will return, increasing to storm force by late morning. The height of the storm is likely to occur between noon and 4pm, with the potential for gusts of up to 80mph.

This could result in damage to property, disruption to air and sea travel and hazardous driving conditions, particularly for high-sided vehicles.

Thursday’s main morning and evening commute should avoid the worst of the weather, although motorists should look out for debris on the roads. The Mountain Road and Sloc are likely to be shut from mid to late afternoon.

The intention is for schools to remain open as normal on Thursday, although sports and off-site activities may be restricted. Some children who travel by bus, particularly those in the south and west of the island, may face a slightly delayed departure at the end of the school day if the weather has disrupted public transport.

Conditions should start to improve from late afternoon on Thursday.

The police, fire service, ambulance service, Civil Defence, coastguards, Department of Infrastructure and Manx Utilities Authority say they will work together to try to mitigate any potential issues.

Isle of Man Met Office weather forecasts are available at http://www.gov.im/weather/ and further updates can be obtained from the premium rate telephone services on 0900 624 3300 (recorded) and 0900 624 3200 (speak to a forecaster).

For general help and support with storm damage, where human life is not at risk, the public are asked to call the Department of Infrastructure’s control room on 850000 or 672000.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/updated-story-disruption-to-steam-packet-sailings-1-7049314|Click here to read more.}

Arrangements are being finalised for a protest march by residents angry about the proposed closure of Ramsey post office.

The organisers have asked people to congregate in the car park of Ramsey Town Hall at noon, for 12.15pm on Saturday and they intend marching along West Street, and then down Parliament Street, and then congregate once more outside the post office.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/march-planned-in-protest-of-post-office-closure-plan-1-7047380|Read yesterday’s story about the event here.}

The organisers have told the police that they intend to provide stewards for the event.

The police have agreed to attend to ensure that the procession negotiates the several road junctions along the route safely.

The police have asked those attending to avoid congestion by parking in the commissioners’ car parks on Station Road, or Albert Road, or on the parking spaces on East or West Quay

Temporary inspector Andy Kneen said: ‘We would only ask that all people taking part leave the road clear for the passage of traffic when they reach the post office, and if they choose to remain at the end of the march, that they gather on the pedestrianised area directly outside the post office (the old court house).’

The Bar Logo-sponsored Northern Darts Championships takes place on Saturday, January 24.

Entry is open to anyone who is signed on to a Ramsey Men’s Darts League team and the fee is only £2.

Entries will be taken right up to 6.45pm on the night with a 7pm start.

The RMDL would like to say a huge thank you to Bar Logo for its support as the prize fund will be a minimum of £500.

For any further information contact Aggie Arthur on 216082.

ISLE OF MAN DARTS FESTIVAL

The 2015 Isle of Man Darts Festival is now only seven weeks away between March 5 and 8.

It is a special one this year as it is the 30th anniversary of the event.

Appropriately there is a £30,000 prize fund up for grabs. More details nearer the time.

Police say three further break-ins or attempted break-ins were reported this morning (Wednesday) - taking the tally since Friday night to 16.

There have been increased police patrols across the island and officers have been working longer shifts following the unprecedented spate of burglaries across the island.

Of the three latest incidents to be reported, two involve domestic properties and the third a theft from a shed. The offences may have taken place at the weekend but were only discovered yesterday.

Giving an update on the investigation, the Constabulary said: ‘On Tuesday January 13, a warrant was executed at an address in Douglas in relation to stolen items. This did not return any property.

‘Unfortunately, another three incidents have been reported this morning (Wednesday 14) in the Douglas and Onchan area. Investigations are ongoing in relation to these, including the timescale for when these have occurred.’

Detective Inspector Dave Dobbie said: ‘I thank the members of the public for their assistance in these investigations.

‘There has been a number of calls to the Police in relation to suspicious activity, either people on foot or in vehicles. These are a great benefit to us and we encourage the public to continue letting us know of any suspicious behaviour.’

A juvenile was arrested this morning (Wednesday) in connection with a commercial burglary which occurred on New Year’s Eve.

An experienced racer and former Manx Grand Prix winner died by misadventure when his machine crashed near the Mountain Box while practising for last year’s Manx Grand Prix races, an inquest has ruled.

Stephen Samuel McIlvenna, who was 40 and came from County Antrim in Ireland, was declared dead at the scene of the accident which happened in dry but breezy conditions in the closing minutes of practice on Tuesday August 19.

Giving evidence to coroner Jayne Hughes, flag marshal Jeremy Drinkwater told the inquest he was on duty near the white stone bridge on the approach to the Mountain Box.

‘Conditions were good,’ he said. ‘I heard the noise of an approaching bike and the sound of an impact.

‘The bike had hit the banking on the far side of the course on the approach to my section.

‘The rider came to rest by the wall and the bike came to a stop some considerable distance along the road.’

Mr Drinkwater said he checked but could find no pulse.

He said he could detect nothing wrong in the sound of the approaching bike and could see no defect on the road surface, nor did he believe the setting sun could have caused a problem.

Fellow marshal Paul Maddrell said he, too, heard the sound of Mr McIlvenna’s bike crashing.

He told the court it was a fast section of the course, passing through a bend, and he did not think the bike seemed to have backed off as it approached.

Dr Gareth Davies was on duty in the Airmed helicopter. In a statement provided to the court, he said Mr McIlvenna had suffered multiple injuries, was not breathing and had no pulse. He was declared dead at the scene just before 8.30pm.

Mr McIlvenna’s Yamaha R6 was examined and declared fault free and a statement from ACU scrutineer David Redmayne, who examined Mr McIlvenna’s bike before the practice session, said the bike was free from defects.

Dr Ervine Long, who completed a post-mortem examination said Mr McIlvenna died from multiple injuries.

Recording her verdict, Mrs Hughes said there appeared to be no problem with the road or the motorcycle and Mr McIlvenna was in good health: ‘Suddenly, for a reason not readily apparent, he lost control of his motorcycle and consequently lost his life.’

Mrs Hughes offered her condolences and praised the action of the marshals and paramedics. Manx Motor Cycle Club chairman Harvey Garton offered condolences on behalf of the club. A statement from Mr McIlvenna’s sister Julie Reid said her brother had raced for about 11 years but had a passion for bikes all his life and regarded the Manx as his summer holiday. He won the Junior Manx in 2009.