Fear and suspicion stalk the once carefree Isle of Man. Where will they strike next? At me?

It was the telephone call to my office that started me off. The man’s voice was indistinct and sounded distant. He said he was calling from my bank, Lloyds, with reference to a cheque I had issued a short time ago . . .

It sounded like one of those high tech bank robberies!

But I knew what to do. If you put the phone down and then pick it straight up again to ring the bank the robbers are still on the line and listening in to you reciting your account details. I did slam the phone down but drove straight to my branch of Lloyds in Victory House.

Breathing heavily I rushed in and told the girl behind the counter that there was a bank robbery in progress. She looked alarmed. I was wearing my black urban terrorist bonnet against the cold and brandishing my walking stick. It’s a wonder she didn’t press the alarm button under the counter like they do in the movies.

I explained. Her name badge told me she was called Helen. She began urgently pressing computer keys and making telephone calls. It took some time. For a moment I thought she was actually in on the scam herself, working on the inside and rifling my account as I stood there.

But, I thought, surely girls called Helen didn’t do that kind of thing.

Eventually she told me all was well. It had been a genuine bank inquiry about the cheque. Helen told me that the call had come to me from the bank’s offices at Chelmsford. ‘They deal with our cheques,’ she said.

In Essex? They can hardly speak English down there.

I left the bank with Helen’s reassurances but not with an easy mind. My next sudden concern was whether the burglars had broken into the bijou residence while I was at work. I raced home. They hadn’t. It was now time for a drink or two. But the next day it was just the same.

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A man who insisted on saying that his name was Cowler (Cowley) rang to tell me there was a story in the Examiner saying that a man ‘aged 29k’ had appeared in court at Douglas. Methuselah?

---------------

This week’s Manx crossword clue is from Richard Hetherington who says it was is in the Telegraph cryptic as follows: ‘Starting place for the three-legged race (4 2 3). Answer below.

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The Sun last week would have had Americans living in Britain cackling with laughter. It had a front page lead story about BBC Match of the Day presenter Danny Murphy being presented with a £2.5 million bill after an income tax mix-up. The headline all over the front page was: ‘Snatch of the Day.’ Snatch is an American slang word for female genitalia. When you come to think about it this could be a very clever headline indeed.

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I have three men friends who are in fairly advanced years, not unlike me. One has now fully recovered from a major operation. One of the others is just starting to recover from a major operation. The third underwent a fairly serious operation last week. I, however, am not in need of an operation.

What’s wrong with me?

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Andrew Kerr-Phillips refers to a story in the Manx Independent saying: ‘A man was found staggering down the middle of Woodbourne Road. A police patrol stopped and escorted him to the pavement but he was incoherent when spoken to. He could not articulate anything and was unable to explain what he was doing. The police came to the conclusion that he was drunk.’

Elementary my dear Watson.

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My Funnies File today yields an advertisement by Manx National Transport for its bus services in 1989: ‘Visit the Aquadrome the Island’s premier pool and spar facilities.’ Underwater boxing?

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Brian Head of Bowling Green Road, Castletown, has sent in a list of classroom exchanges entitled ‘Kids Are Quick’ starting with:

Teacher: ‘Maria, go to the map and find America.’

Maris: ‘There it is.’

Teacher: ‘Correct. Now class, who discovered America.’

Class: ‘Maria.’

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Answer to clue: Isle of Man. I must confess that I didn’t get it.

Amanda Dixon, of Rosien, Bay View Road, Port Erin, bought Carabas, Mill Road, Sulby, for £565,000.

It was bought from Stephen Dennis Worthing and Jane Bernadette Worthing.

Other recent transactions lodged at the General Registry in Douglas are as follows:

John Robert Cannell and Lesley Jean Cannell sold 15 Banks Howe, Harbour Road, Onchan, for £457,500, to Kenneth Robert Fogelman and Audrey Elaine Fogelman, of Rutland.

Michael Frederick Smith and Julie Smith, sold ‘Eago’, West Ballaterson, Port E Vullen, Maughold, for £449,950, to Shabbir Hussien Shaikh and Kavita Bhargav Bhagwat, of Hertfordshire.

Janet Wendy Collins and David Lindsay Collins sold Cranfield, Ballacollister Road, Lonan, for £355,000 to Nicholas Mark Cowell and Emma Louise Cowell, of The Glebe, Church Road, Lonan.

George Hanmer and Valerie Lesley Hanmer sold 9 Cronk-y-Berry, Douglas, for £295,000, to Russel Cripps and Deborah Joy Cripps, of 3 Ballakermeen Close, Douglas.

Bernice Mary Addenbrooke, by trustee, Elizabeth Anne Kelly, of 11 Fairway Drive, Rowany, Port Erin, as trustee, and Jacqueline May Addenbrooke, of Hertfordshire, as trustee, sold 4 Ballabridson Park, Ballasalla, for £275,000, to John David Musgrove and Gillian Louise Musgrove, of Willand, Main Road, Colby.

Brett Anthony Hammonds sold 56 Hailwood Avenue, Governor’s Hill, Douglas, for £220,000, to Lyncot Property Limited, whose registered office is situated at 8/9 Hill Street, Douglas.

Brenda Ann Fulstone-Young sold 4 Pairk Beg, Port Erin, for £197,500, to John Colin Davies and June Davies, of Wirral.

The Department of Health and Social Care, whose registered office is situated at Markwell House, Market Street, Douglas, sold 14 Reayrt ny Cashtal, Malew, for £145,000, to Jason Richard Corcoran and Charmain Catherine Corcoran, of 11 Africa Court, Salisbury Street, Douglas.

Derrick William Cooper and Decima Cooper, of Winterbourne, Hillberry Green, Douglas, sold a parcel of land, part of the Hillberry Estate, situated at the north west of Glencrutchery Road, Douglas, for £15,000, to Mumba Holdings Limited, whose registered office is situated at 33-37 Athol Street, Douglas.

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We publish details of all sales unless we receive a written request from the police or probation service.

Creechurch Capital has gained global recognition after being awarded silver in the Investment Management Company of the Year (Isle of Man) category in the prestigious Citywealth International Financial Centre Awards 2015.

Creechurch achieved its shortlisting for the second year, beating off competition from a number of large, well-established companies.

The company was commended for its absolute commitment to service and for its vision to deliver a personalised, agile model to meet the needs of its clients.

Now in their fourth year, the Citywealth International Financial Centre Awards highlight the excellence of the advisors and managers in the private wealth sector in the major international financial centres.

achievement

John Greenwood, chief executive officer of Creechurch Capital, said: ‘To be recognised at the Citywealth International Financial Centre Awardsis a phenomenal achievement for the team and something we can be truly proud of.

‘To compete with such successful companies and win silver demonstrates our credibility for such a young company.’

Manx athlete Sarah Astin’s magnificent form continued in the British Universities (BUCS) Cross-Country Championships at Stanmer Park, Brighton on Saturday.

Representing St Mary’s University (Twickenham), where she is midway through her final year of a strength and conditioning science course, the 21-year-old from Birch Hill, Onchan finished in a brilliant second place in the 6.4 kilometre women’s race in a field of 497 competitors that included many international athletes.

Her second-place finish equals Keith Gerrard’s best performance in the BUCS Cross-Country championships in 2008.

Sarah finished 18 seconds behind Emelia Gorecka, winner of the senior race at the Great Edinburgh Cross-Country international last month.

Among the athletes the young Manx woman beat very convincingly was Jessica Judd, one of the young stars of British athletics who was the under-20 silver medallist at the European Cross-Country Championships in December.

The course included a long uphill section followed by a very steep descent that was testing – bordering on dangerous - in the very muddy conditions.

On lap one Sarah ran in the leading pack which included Gorecka, Judd, Gemma Kersey, Amy Griffiths, Becky Straw and Rebecca Murray – Griffiths and Straw having achieved top eight placings in the recent Euro Cross.

On the second and final lap Gorecka kicked hard to open up a gap, with Sarah now in a pack of four with Griffiths, Murray and Straw. The latter two athletes then dropped off, leaving Sarah and Amy Griffiths battling for second place.

Astin made her move on the hill ascent and pulled clear, extending the lead over third-placed Griffiths to an emphatic 18 seconds by the finish to take the silver medal in style.

A delighted Sarah said afterwards: ‘I’d say it’s right up there with my best races to date. It was a tough course with a really long hill and a steep downhill which I found hard to run down as I’ve never been great at running downhill.

‘I’m hoping to go to Sheffield to try out an indoor 3,000 metres on February 15 at the British Indoor Championships, and after that it will be the English National and Inter Counties Cross-Country Championships.’

Sarah has recently accepted a two-year placement at the University of Virginia, starting in August, where she will study for a Masters degree in kinesiology (exercise physiology).

This will provide her with a wonderful opportunity to develop her burgeoning athletics career in the highly competitive US Collegiate system.

l Also competing at the event were Ollie Lockley who finished in an excellent 37th place out of 314 in the men’s A race over a distance of 12 kilometres and Stephen Garrett who placed 87th out of 444 in the men’s B race over eight kilometres.

DAVID GRIFFITHS

Digital currencies and bitcoin in particular have faced a bit of a hammering in recent weeks.

Headlines in respectable papers such as the Financial Times and The Guardian have shed negative headlines on the validity of the cryptocurrency phenomenon.

The Guardian ran a story headlined: ‘Bitcoin is the worst investment of 2014. But can it recover?’

The FT ran a warning from Gavin Andresen, the man considered to be theleading custodian of the bitcoin code, in which he said bitcoin is dangerous and people should steer away from using it.

Bitcoin is the biggest name in the world of digital currencies and fears have been expressed in some quarters that it is popular for instance with drug dealers and criminals as a way of conducting sinister underhand dealings.

early days

Russell Kelly, director of KPMG in the island reacted to the ‘negative’ publicity. He said: ‘It’s still being treated as a speculative investment by some people because it is in such early days. You just have to look at what happens to other investment type commodities. The oil prices collapsed in the last two or three weeks; oil is on track to be the worst investment of January 2015.

‘It’s just the way things move when there is an element of speculation around them. I think you have got to look forward to when cryptocurrency becomes more of a steady state and a day to day used medium of exchange.

‘And in terms of safety you have to take your own precautions on how to look after your assets.

‘Cash can be equally as unsafe if you wish it to be if you don’t look after it properly. I think you have to go into any new technology or any new idea with your eyes open and be aware of the risks and as its use expands and becomes more prevalent across society then protocals change and security/safety systems develop.’

Paul Davis, managing director of Counting House (I0M) Ltd said: ‘Bad news sells newspapers, good news doesn’t. When did you last see a headline that said yesterday there were 19,900 successful commercial flights on which no one was hurt, killed or injured?

‘We never see an article in the Manx press saying that 50,000 people drove to work yesterday safely. If one car with a kid in the back crashes on a roundabout then it is headline news.

‘The same applies in the bitcoin world. All the good stuff gets minimal press but the bad things get maximum press.’

Mr Davis believes that ‘pundits are now heavily on the bandwagon because they smell blood.’

But he believes the technology is not under threat. He claims it is highly successful.

technology

He talked about the so-called ‘block chain’ technology that is involved in the underlying development of bitcoin.

He said: ‘The technology is not under threat at all, it is extraordinary, it is highly successful. Savvy people in Silicon Valley are seeing the future of the block chain as a way of dealing with many things and not just payments. Payments are just one application of block chain technology. Block chain is massively successful, it is widely adopted and it’s being widely considered for all sorts of other applications beside payments.’

He added: ‘That’s the good news story, it’s an amazing piece of technology. Distributed approval of transactions could revolutionise land registries, aircraft registration, flight plan approvals, shipping, anything where there is a need for some sort of authority to confirm that a transaction is valid is susceptible to block chain technology. And we are only just seeing the start of that.

‘If you’re wondering why cryptocurrency is attracting more venture capital than any other product in the world at the moment that’s the reason; these guys are sharp, they work on technology and they can see the future.

‘The money is not going into bitcoin as an investment it is going into the technology as something that will drive the future of the world.’

Mr Davis said there was a massive bubble at the start of the century when the ‘world and his dog’ climbed aboard and bought internet stocks because prices were going up.

He said much of what we do is now dependent on the internet.

But now the ‘bubble has burst but the technology has continued.’

Mr Davis said in his opinion it was a good thing that the bitcoin speculative bubble has also burst. ‘It has driven money out of the market that should never have been there in the first place and has focused attention back on bitcoin as a way of paying for things.’

‘It was never intended to be an instrument of investment , it is supposed to be a technical way of paying for things.’

blindingly good

Mr Davis contended: ‘If you use bitcoin as a way of paying for things in your daily life, it is blindingly good.’

In fact Mr Davis went to say bluntly: ‘It is blindingly better than credit cards, debit cards cheques in the mail, bank transfers, almost anything you can think of.’

Mr Kelly said the notion of bitcoin was that it was designed as a medium of exchange.

‘The fact the speculative bubble is coming to an end is a positive thing. Having a more stable price and a more realistic price is positive.’

On the association with crime Mr Davis claimed that if anything new is adopted then ‘bad people will find a way to use it badly.

‘Think of the automobile: There would be no ram raiders, no high speed police chases and no drunk drivers if we hadn’t invented the car. Are those reasons for not inventing the car? No, because you think of all the good things the car does.

‘The single most dangerous facilitator of crime in the world is cash. There are far more illegal transactions for cash every day than there are for bitcoin. Any government bleating that we have to stop this bitcoin thing because it will be used by criminals to buy drugs and guns, whatever, had better think sharply about getting rid of cash first.

‘Bitcoin is much more traceable than cash.’

He explained there is always a permanent electronic record of bitcoin transactions.

‘If I go and knock over an old lady in the street and steal her cash from her wallet and give it to various people there is no trail of those transactions.’

Isle of Man

Mr Kelly said that in the Isle of Man it is something ‘that is obviously new, quite exciting and something that should have an economic impact.’

Mr Kelly said they could draw comparisons with the early days of the eGaming industry.

‘We have to be fully aware of the risks of adopting new technology and we have to maintain a position within the industry and undoubtedly our thought leadership position.

‘We have put ourselves out there as an economy and thus far the government have been supportive of that and we have to think where we go next.

‘There has been some tremendous activity in the Isle of Man over the last six to nine months in the bitcoin space and we now have to think of the next step and moving it forward.

‘I think the next step is to get some sort of enhanced legal and regulatory framework in place.

‘We have the registration regime in place but we need to move that forward a step.’

Mr Davis said he liked Mr Kelly’s notion of thought leadership.

He said cryptocurrency was likely to have an increasingly important role in the proposed new ICT ‘university’ in the island .

The Manx Digital Currency Association was formed last year ‘to create and promote a jurisdiction of excellence for digital currency.’

journey

Laurence Skelly, Economic Development Minister with the Isle of Man Government told Business News: ‘This industry is all about technology rather than currency for us.

‘What we are doing and have already started on that road . . . is to regulate it.

‘There are many jurisdictions operating in this space but without regulation.

‘I think the industry still has a journey to travel and evolve before it finds its true feet and where it is actually going.

‘What we want to do is to ensure we have got the right environment to have consumer protection, which is why we want to regulate it, but also the right environment for innovation and the technology to flourish.

‘I would liken it to being quite similar to the eGaming industry.

‘If we think back to where that was 12 plus years ago in the Isle of Man. It came in with a bang; it fell off, then it came back stronger than ever once we had the appropriate legislation in place.

‘So consumer protection is of vital importance to us. We are not pursuing an industry without that in place. However we do need to balance that with the promotion and the environment for innovation and that technology to flourish.

‘We have quite a lot of businesses operating in this space at different levels and we are hoping we can use our experience and expertise in the ICT field to encourage that to grow and evolve and be stable and successful for the future.’

Asked about the publicity of criminal involvement in bitcoin Mr Skelly said: ‘We are working very closely with the regulatory bodies in the Isle of Man and our law enforcement [agencies] to ensure that we have got the approporiate anti money laundering laws in place.’

Mark Cavendish narrowly missed out on a second successive victory in the Tour of Dubai on Thursday afternoon.

The Manx Missile looked on course to record back-to-back wins in the opening two stages of the Dubai race, having been delivered to the finish by a good leadout from his Etixx Quick-Step team-mates.

However, following some impressive work from Onchan resident Ben Swift in the final kilometres of the 187km stage to the iconic man-made island of Palm Jumeirah, Italian rider Elia Viviani pipped Cav to the finishline to claim his first victory in Team Sky colours.

Despite being beaten in the sprint, the Manxman’s second-place finish was enough to ensure he remained in the leader’s blue jersey heading into Friday’s penultimate stage to Hatta.

The Dubai tour ends with another flat stage on Saturday which should culminate in a sprint finish in front of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

We want to bring cycling home.

That was the message to MHKs from Economic Development Minister Laurence Skelly as he outlined the island’s bid to host the 2016 British Cycling National Road Championships.

Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK announced during the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow that the island would be bidding for the Championships.

Mr Skelly told the House of Keys his department had worked closely with the Isle of Man Cycling Association, who have just formally submitted the bid. A decision is expected by the end of March.

He said, if successful, the championships will provide a platform to launch an annual homegrown cycling festival which he described as a ‘fine legacy’. ‘It is my intention to bring cycling home for this prestigious event,’ he said.

A budget airline could restore the air link between Heathrow and the Isle of Man – but don’t start packing just yet.

EasyJet has named the Isle of Man as one of several destinations it would prefer to serve from Heathrow rather than Gatwick airport.

The company was giving evidence to the UK’s Airports Commission, which is attempting to answer the vexed question of how to expand London’s airport capacity.

Due to publish its report after the UK General Election in May, the commission is expected to recommend an extra runway at either Gatwick or Heathrow.

EasyJet has thrown its weight firmly behind Heathrow, suggesting that they would base 30 of their aircraft there and serve seven British destinations, including the Isle of Man, if a third runway is built.

It would be the first time that the island has been connected to Heathrow since Manx Airlines was bought by British Airways in 2002.

But Dick Clague of passenger watchdog Travelwatch has warned that even if the runway were approved, it could be more than a decade before any flights took place.

He said: ‘Airport runway projects take a long time, and this one has proved very controversial so far.

‘It wouldn’t surprise me if we were looking at a 10-year timescale at the least.’

He said that the decision will depend on the policies of the next UK Government, which must then purchase the land, receive planning permission and then complete the lengthy construction project.

Manx football returns to the bread and butter of the league this weekend after a couple of weeks of cup distractions.

Canada Life Premier League

2.30pm Michael United v DHSOB

2.30pm Peel v Gymns

2.30pm Rushen Utd v Corinthians

2.30pm St George’s v Ramsey

2.30pm St Mary’s v St John’s

2.30pm Union Mills v Ayre Utd

JCK Division Two

2.30pm Braddan v Malew

2.30pm Castletown v RYCOB

2.30pm Colby v Douglas Royal

2.30pm Douglas & District v Foxdale

2.30pm Governors Athletic v Marown

2.30pm Onchan v Douglas Athletic

Canada Life Combination One

2.30pm Ayre United v Union Mills

2.30pm Corinthians v Rushen Utd

2.30pm DHSOB v Michael Utd

2.30pm Gymnasium v Peel

2.30pm Ramsey v St George’s

2.30pm St John’s v St Mary’s

JCK Combination Two

2.30pm Douglas Athletic v Onchan

2.30pm Douglas Royal v Colby

2.30pm Foxdale v Douglas & District

2.30pm Malew v Braddan

2.30pm RYCOB v Castletown

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Sunday, February 8

Warehouse Fitness Women’s League

2.30pm Douglas Royal v Peel

2.30pm Gymns v Corinthians

2.30pm Colby v DHSOB

Paddy Power Masters FA Cup

2.10pm Laxey v Corinthians @ Bowl

3.40pm Union Mills v Colby B @ Bowl

Thursday, February 5

• Free female football fitness sessions, NSC sports hall, Douglas, 7am-8am, also noon-1pm. Michael.baker@isleofmanfa.com

• Southern Swimming Pool, Castletown, Thursday, 9.15am-10am , circuits, 7pm-8pm, aquafit; Fridays, 9.15am-10.15 circuits, 6.30pm-7.30pm; Saturday, 10am-11am, yoga; Monday, 9.15am-10.15am, circuits, 2.10pm-3pm, aquafit, 6.30pm-7.30pm, circuits; Tuesday 2.30pm-3.30pm, aquanauts/rehab swimming, 6.30pm-7.30pm, yoga; Wednesday, 6.30pm-7.30pm, circuits.

• Zumba at 9.30am-10.15am, total tone at 10.15am, call Jane 201811. Legs, bums and tums at 7pm-8pm, call Lisa 438150. Also Monday, high intensity circuits at 6.30am, Wednesday and Friday 6.30am, call Shelley 487270. School Drop Boot Camp at 9.30am, also Wednesday and Friday at 6.30am, call Errol on 488105. Vibro-step classes at 12.15pm and 7.15pm, also on Wednesdays and Fridays at 12.15pm-12.45pm and Tuesdays and Fridays at 9.15am-9.45am, call Shelley 487270. Tuesday, Tae-Bo at 5.45pm-6.30pm, kettlebells at 6.30pm-7.15pm, call Kate 347160. Wednesday, kettlebell core, 6pm-7pm, also Saturdays at 9.30am-10.30am, call Kelly 220220. Elite Fitness, Douglas.

• Thighs, bums and tums, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 9.30am. Also Tuesday, call 335635.

• Yoga, Iyengar (mixed) 9.30am-11am. Tuesday, men only class, 7pm-8.30pm; Wednesday, mixed, 6.45pm-8.15pm, 10 Perwick Bay, Port St Mary. Call 452791.

• Wheelie Active Parents (mums and buggies) 9.30am – 11am, Villa Marina reception, £2. Also Walk and Talk, Peel promenade, outside Harbour Lights Cafe, 9.45am – 11.30am, £1.50. Friday, Walk and Talk, NSC, Douglas, 9.30am–11.30am; also Mondays, Poulsom Park, Castletown, 9.45am – 11.30am, £1.50. Racquet Sports and Boccia, 12.15pm–1pm NSC, £1.75; Walk and Talk, 5.30pm–7pm, NSC, £1.50. Tuesdays,Walk and Talk, NSC, 9.30am–11.30am, £1.50; Walk and Talk, Ramsey Mooragh Park, (meet Rugby Club), £1.50, 9.30am–11.30am. Call Gianni 688556.

• Hot yoga 7pm. Friday: kettlebells 7am and 1.10pm, get yoga fit 10am, hot yoga 6.30pm. Saturday: hot yoga, 10am and 11.30am. Sunday: hot yoga 10am and 11.30am. Monday: kettlebells 7am and 1.10pm, get yoga fit 10am, warm Pilates 5pm, hot yoga for beginners 6.30pm. Tuesday: 7am hot yoga, 5.30pm Pilates. Wednesday: kettlebells 7am and 1.10pm, get yoga fit 10am, hardcore 6 pack abs 5.45pm, Pilates 6.30pm at The Gym, Ramsey. Call 812100.

• Gentle Circuits, NSC, Douglas, 11am. Also Saturday. Call 688588.

• Pilates, beginners to intermediate, 38 Woodbourne Square, Douglas, 2pm, 5.30pm and 7pm. Call 491449.

• Chair-based exercise sessions, Onchan Youth and Community Centre, 1.30pm. Also Friday, Port Erin Methodist Church hall, 2pm; Monday, Ramsey town hall, 10.30am; Tuesday, Castletown Sandfield residents’ lounge, 2pm; Wednesday, Westlands’ residents’ lounge, Peel, 10.30am. Call 642668.

• Tai Chi Chuan, Lezayre parish hall, 2pm. Call 813222.

• Mini tennis coaching, year 3, 4.30pm, year 4, 5.30pm. £3. Also Tuesday, adult beginners and improvers tennis coaching, 6pm. Douglas LTC, Kensington Road. £5. Call 302642.

• Iyengar inspired yoga classes, men’s yoga, 6.30pm-8pm, mixed ability hatha yoga, Monday, 9.15am-10.45am mixed ability for over 60s; Monday, 11am-12.30pm, hatha yoga. Wednesday, 7pm-8.30pm mixed ability. All at Laxey Football Club. Call Jane on 863130 or janepycroft@manx.net

• Unite, mixture of yoga and Pilates, 4pm-5pm. Also, Fridays 6pm legs, bums and tums, 7pm aerial suspension fitness. Saturdays, 9.30am zumba and 10.30am aerial fitness. Mondays, 6pm zumba and 7pm aerial yoga. Tuesdays, 6pm, fitness Pilates and 7pm kettlebells. Wednesdays, 6pm, high intensity interval training and fitness yoga. Jillian’s Unique Fitness Solutions, 48 Loch Promenade, Douglas.

• Manx Fencing Club, Ashley Hill School, Onchan, 4pm. Also seniors at Ballakermeen High School, Douglas, 5pm; Tuesday, Arbory village hall, beginners at 4pm and Grade 1+, 5pm; Wednesday, Ramsey Grammar School, juniors at 5pm and seniors at 6pm, also at Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, juniors at 6.30pm and adults at 7.30pm.

• Southern Gymnastics Club, Ballasalla School, 4pm. Also Tuesday, Castle Rushen High School, 5pm. Call 473741.

• Northern Gymnastics Club, Ramsey Grammar School, 5pm.

• Men on mats - core strength/Pilates class, 6pm-7pm. £8. Jillian’s Unique Fitness Solutions, 48 Loch Promenade, Douglas. Call 376574.

• Anti-gravity yoga, 6.30pm. Also, pole fitness class at Savina’s Secret Studio, Glen Falcon Road, Douglas, 7.45pm. Call 203502.

• Western Athletics Club, QEII High School, 6.30pm.

• Zumba, Carrefour Health Club, Douglas, 6.30pm. Also Monday, 8pm; Wednesday, 9.45am.

• Cardiotone, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 7pm-8pm. Also Monday 7pm-8pm. Call 452729/863602.

• Peel Badminton Club, Corrin Hall, Peel, 7pm.

• Aquafit, Western Swimming Pool, Peel, 7pm. Also Tuesday, 1.15pm.

• Aerobics and body toning, bring your own mat, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 7pm. Also Monday, Park View hall, Kirk Michael. Call 455924.

• Zumba, The Institute, Laxey 7pm-8pm, also Tuesday 7.30pm-8.30pm. £5.

• Yoga, Cooil Methodist hall, 7.15pm. Call 494489.

• Fencing for all ages. Ashley Hill School, 7.30pm. Also Monday, Andreas parish hall, 4.30pm; Tuesday, Arbory parish hall, 4pm and Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, 6.30pm; Wednesday, Scoill Ree Gorree sports hall, Ramsey, 5pm. Call 880863.

• Zumba, The Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 7.30pm. Call 425270. Also Tuesday.

Friday, February 6

• Pilates at The Pilates Studio, Viking Longhouse, Middle Wharf, Peel, at 9.30am and The Studio, Falcon Road, Douglas, at 1pm; Monday, The Pilates Studio, Viking Longhouse, Middle Wharf, Peel, at 9.30am and Colby Methodist hall at 6pm; Wednesday, The Pilates Studio, Viking Longhouse, Middle Wharf, Peel, at 5.15pm and 6.30pm. Thursday, The Pilates Studio, Viking Longhouse, Middle Wharf, Peel, at 10am (chair-based Pilates for older, frailer adults) and beginners’ Pilates, 6.15pm. Saturday, 10am, The Pilates Studio, Peel. Equipment provided. Ring Lizzy Main on 427401 or visit www.pilates-isle-of-man.co.uk

• Acrobatics, The Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 4.30pm.

• Manx ABC Boxing, Palace Terrace, Douglas. Juniors, 6pm. Seniors (age 16+), 7pm. Beginners welcome. Also Monday and Wednesday.

• Yoga, Morton Hall, Onchan, 6.30pm. Call 494489.

• Tai chi chuan, Murray’s Road School, Douglas, 7.30pm. Call 612305.

• Indoor bowls, Legion Hall, Port St Mary, 7.30pm. No experience necessary.

Saturday, February 7

• Pregnancy yoga, All Saints’ hall, Douglas, 10am. Call 461461.

• Yoga, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 10.15am. Also Monday.

• Yoga, Arbory parish hall, 10.30am. Call 494489.

• Fun and fitness, NSC, Douglas, 11am-noon. Call 688588.

• St Mary’s football club mixed under 11s training, Pulrose football fields, 10.30am. Call 405859.

• Tae Kwondo beginners, Pinewood Complex, Pulrose, 10.45am. Also 6-7yrs, Wednesdays at 5.30pm and Monday and Wednesday, 8-13yrs at 6pm, all ages at 7.15pm. Text 432152.

Sunday, February 8

• Reikido, The Royal British Legion, Port Erin, 11am-12.30pm. Also Monday 8pm-9pm. Call Nick on 398955.

• Bowling club night, Port Erin Bowling Club, Breagle Glen, 4pm-6pm.

• Yoga and Nutrition, Karma Yoga Studio, Douglas. 6-7.30pm.

Monday, February 9

• Women’s activity morning, NSC, Douglas, 9.30am. Call 688556.

• Beginners yoga, 10am, Karma, 2nd Floor, 8 Victoria Street, Douglas. Also at 10am (over 60s half price, £5).

• Begin to Run ( running club for all abilities), Douglas seafront, meet Jubilee Kiosk, noon – 1pm, cost £2, call Trevor Christian for more details on 688576.

• Stretch ‘n’ Flex exercise, NSC, Douglas, noon. Call 688588.

• Disability swimming sessions, NSC, Douglas, 3pm-4pm, £1.55. Also Tuesday, 6pm-7pm.

• Aquafit, NSC, Douglas, 1.30pm. Also Tuesday at noon and Wednesday at 6pm. Plus deepwater aquafit on Monday at 7.15pm, and Thursday deepwater at 6pm. Call 688556.

• Circuit training, NSC, Douglas, 6pm. Also Wednesday at 6pm. Call 688588.

• Exercise Boot Camp, Corrin Hall, Peel, 6.15pm. Also Wednesday, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 6pm; Thursday, Glen Vine Church hall, 9.15am.

• Bodyweight and cardiotone, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 7pm. Call 452729.

• Women’s self-defence classes, British Legion hall, Port Erin, 7.30pm.

• Kirk Michael Badminton Club, Park View hall, 8pm. Call 878536.

Tuesday, February 10

• Fit2Go walking sessions, car park, Station Road, St John’s, 9am. For women looking to improve their fitness. £3.

• Pilates at 9.15am, 38 Woodbourne Square, Douglas. Pilates at 6.15pm Trinity Church, Ramsey. Also, balance and Pilates 1.30pm, Cooyrt Balleigh, Ramsey. No floor exercise. Call 491449.

• Social-cise, social fitness sessions. Low intensity exercise, NSC main sports hall, Douglas, 2pm-3.30pm. Also, Boccia, 5pm-6pm. Everyone welcome.

• Cheerleading, All Saints’ Church hall, 4.30pm. Call 254499.

• Adult beginners and improvers tennis coaching. 6pm. Douglas LTC, Kensington Road. £5. Call 302642

• Pilates, the hall at Church on The Rock, Ramsey, 6.15pm. Call 491449.

• Zumba, Fiesta Havana, Douglas, 7pm. Email sjh@manx.net

• Tai Chi Chuan, Lezayre parish community hall, 7pm.

• IoM Karate Federation, Murray’s Road School, juniors 7pm, seniors 7.30pm. Call 612305.

• Badminton club, Arbory School, Ballabeg, 8pm-10pm. Call Liz on 466370.

• Early Morning Boot Camp, 6.15am-7am. Also Wednesday and Friday. Evening Boot Camp, 6pm-6.45pm, Tuesday and Thursday, and 9am-9.45am Saturday. Also kettlebell classes, Wednesday, 6pm-7pm, Saturday, 8am-8.45am, Marown Millennium hall. Call 465335.

Wednesday, February 11

• Gentle yoga, women’s class, Gena’s Dance Academy, Peel, 9.30am. Call 456782.

• Zumba classes, beginners, antenatal and postnatal 9.45am, zumba fitness, advanced, 10.45am at Zumba Isle of Man, Silvercraigs Hotel. Call 677776 or visit www.zumbaisleofman.com. Run by a GP.

• Balance and Pilates, 10.30am, Manx Legion Club, Douglas. (No floor exercise). Call 491449.

• Gentle body toning, NSC, Douglas, 11am. Call 688588.

• Chair-based exercises/stretch and flex, NSC, Douglas, noon. Call 688588.

• Thompson Travel Netball Club junior training, Braddan School, 6pm. For ages 10-14.

• Valkyrs Hockey Club training, QEII astro pitch, Peel. Juniors (8+), 6pm; Seniors (13+), 7.30pm. Call 801802.

• Iyengar inspired yoga, 6pm-7.30pm, Brightlife, Andreas. Call Kel on 452015.

Thursday, February 5

• Tea dance, South Douglas Old Friends’ Association, Finch Road, Douglas, 2pm.

• Dance classes for children, Centenary Centre, Peel, 4pm. Call 450688.

• Modern Line Dance classes for all levels at the Legion hall, Onchan. Also Monday and Wednesday. Call 670308.

• Scottish country dancing, St Olave’s Church hall in Cumberland Road, Ramsey, at 7.30pm. Call 817610 or 813074 or 628521.

• Fitsteps at Onchan Community hall, 7.30pm. Booking is required via text or call 456056.

• Strictly Come Dancing for beginners, Royal British Legion hall, Port Erin, 8pm. £3.50 per person.

• Irish set dancing above Macbeth’s, Victoria Street, Douglas, 8pm. Call 457268.

Friday, February 6

• 5pm-5.45pm under 6 years ballroom; 5.45pm-6.30pm 6-9 years ballroom; 6.30pm-7.15pm 9-12 years ballroom; 7.15pm-8pm 12+ years ballroom, St Matthew’s Church hall, Douglas. Also Tuesday, 4pm-4.45pm under 8 years ballroom; 4.45pm-5.30pm Dynamites freestyle; 5.30pm-6.15pm 8-12 years ballroom; 6.15pm-7pm Energisers freestyle; 7pm-7.45pm 12+ years ballroom; 7.45pm-8.30pm Explosions freestyle. Call 474063.

• Modern Dance, The Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 5.45pm. Also Thursday at 4.30pm. Tap jnr, 6.45pm. Also tap adv at 7.30pm. Also Beginners tap, Tuesday at 4.30pm.

• Argentinian Tango beginners class, St Paul’s hall, Ramsey, 7pm. Call 880650.

• Line Dancing, Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, 7pm. Beginners welcome, adults £3.50, children £1.50. Call 878687.

Saturday, February 7

• Dance time for children, Port Erin Methodist hall, from 9.30am. £2.50 per half hour. Call 835696.

• Ballroom dancing for children of all ages, Royal British Legion hall, Port Erin, 10am.

• Theatrix Theatre Company Musical Theatre, Douglas, Saturday noon-2.30pm for ages 8-12. Also Saturday, babies Irish/mod, 9am. prep ballet/tap, 10am, babies ballet/tap, 11am. Monday, senior ballet, 4pm; senior tap, 5pm; senior jazz, 5.45pm; adult Irish, 6.30pm. Tuesday community ballet/tap, 4pm; beginners Irish, 4.45pm; junior Irish, 5.30pm; adult tap, 6.15pm. Wednesday, grade 2 ballet/tap, 4pm; novice Irish, 5.30pm; adult ballet, 6.15pm.

• Irish dance mixed, 3pm. Also prim/int on Monday at 4.30pm and Tuesday at 6.15pm. Beginners on Tuesday at 5.15pm. Stage snr 4pm. Also stage int at 5pm, The Dance Factory, Onchan Park.

• Sequence dancing, Onchan Pensioners’ hall (across from library), 8pm. Call 829669.

• Social sequence dancing, Pulrose Methodist Church hall, Douglas, 8pm. Also Monday, Wednesday and Sunday. Call 842878.

Sunday, February 8

• Perree Bane Manx folk dancing, Ballasalla village hall, 7pm.

Monday, February 9

• Ballet, Viking Works, Riverside, Peel, 5.45pm. Also Thursday at 4.30pm.

• Country dancing, Willaston hall, 7pm-9pm. Call 628521.

• Ceroc dance night, Masonic hall, Douglas, 7.30pm-10.30pm.

• Line dancing, Port Erin Methodist Church hall, 8.15pm. Call 436219.

Tuesday, February 10

• Oriental dance exercise, Gena’s Dance Academy, Peel, 10am. Also Wednesdays, The Gym, Ramsey. Call 300020.

• Line dancing for beginners, The South Douglas Old Friends’ Association, Finch Road, Douglas, 7.30pm-8.30pm, doors open 7pm.

• Linedancercise at St John’s football clubhouse, 7.30pm-9pm, call 467285.

• Sequence dancing with Port Erin Dancing Club, Port Erin Methodist Church hall, 8pm.

Wednesday, February 11

• Tea dance at St John’s Methodist hall, live music with Eric and Jimmy, 2pm. Call 842548.

• Ballroom dancing for children, Centenary Centre, Peel, 4pm. Call 450688.

• Ballet, The Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 4.30pm.

• Latin Line Dancing, Royal British Legion hall, Port Erin, 7.30pm. Beginners welcome. Call 835098.

• Ballroom dancing, Villa Marina, Douglas, 7.30pm. Call 623414.

• Rhythmic dance, St Ninian’s dance studio, Douglas, 8pm.

Thursday, February 5

• Age IoM - free computer training sessions, Douglas iMuseum, Kingswood Grove, 10am–12.30pm.

• Art and creative writing, The Hub, (Thie Rosien, the Old Southlands) Port Erin, 10am-12.30pm (art and writing alternating weekly), £3.50 per session. No experience necessary. Also board games 2pm-3.30pm, £3.50 per session, including refreshments. Chair based exercise at the Hub 3pm-4pm, £3.50 per session. Saturday Social Fitness (walking/running/indoor exercises) 9.30am-noon, £2 per session. Mats etc provided. Meditation, 5.30pm-6.30pm. Led by IOM Brahma Kumaris. Free sessions, donations welcome. Tuesdays Bridge, 10am-noon. £3 per session, including refreshments. Crafts, 2pm-3.30pm, 3.50 per session. Materials provided. Wednesdays 11am-12.15pm, Yoga, £3 per session. Mats etc provided. Men in Sheds – Tues/Weds/Fri, 10am-5pm, Thie Rosien, Castletown Road, Port Erin. Hobbies and company for men. All welcome.

• Isle of Man Farmers’ Market, at Tynwald Mills, St John’s, 11am-3pm.

• Manx Gaelic class, intermediate-advanced with James Harrison, 7.30pm at Arbory Commissioners’ hall. Friday, intermediate-advanced with Adrian Cain, noon at the Manx Museum, Douglas. Saturday, intermediate 10.30am at House of Manannan in Peel; intermediate-advanced with James Harrison 10.30am at the Manx Museum, Douglas. Tuesday, intermediate with Adrian Cain, noon at St Matthew’s Church in Douglas, advanced 1pm at the Rovers pub in Douglas; beginners 7.30pm at Patchwork Cafe in Port St Mary. Call 451098. Arbory Commissioners’ hall with Cathy Clucas, 7.30pm. Call 838527. St John’s House with James O’Meara, 7.30pm. Call 843436.

• Gospel message in Ballaugh village hall at 7.30pm.

• Bingo Quiz, Manor Hotel, Willaston, 9pm.

• Quiz Night at The Railway, Douglas, 8.30pm. Call 670773.

Friday, February 6

• Coffee and chat, Onchan Methodist Church lounge, opposite commissioners’ office, 10.30am-noon.

• IOM Family History Society, open day at Cronkbourne Village, 2pm-6pm also Saturday, 10am to 4pm, displays showing the history of the village, Sailcloth Mill and Clucas’ Laundry, with plenty of old photographs on show.

• Friday Lunchtime Choir, Salvation Army Citadel, Lord Street, Douglas, 1.15pm. All welcome.

• Cake sale and afternoon tea in aid of Bridge The Gap, Manx charity, 2.30pm-4pm at Foxdale school.

• Revive Fridays 5.30pm-6.30pm. Enjoy the company and a faith tea, Trinity Church hall. Call 621004.

• Meditation at The Refinery, Duke Street, Douglas, 7pm. Call 467818.

• Eisteddfod – St John’s Church Hall, 7.30pm. Admission £5 including supper.

Saturday, February 7

• Collectable and small pieces of furniture sale, 25 West View, Peel.

• Theatre Tours, Gaiety Theatre, Douglas, 10am. Tickets for adults £7.50, children £4, family £20. Call 600555.

• The Manx Aviation and Military Museum, Ronaldsway. Includes the Major Cain VC exhibition. Open Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4.30pm. Free admission. Donations welcome.

• Laxey Woollen Mills, Glen Road, 10am-5pm. Also open weekdays.

• Green Centre, opposite Iceland, Chester Street complex, Douglas. Information about recycling, energy, insulation and environmental matters. Zero Waste Mann, Isle of Man Friends of the Earth and Manx Energy Advice Centre. Open from 10am.

• Isle of Man Farmers’ Market at Northern Lights Community Centre, Ramsey, 10am-1pm.

• Isle of Man Farmers’ Market at Villa Marina, Douglas, 10am-2pm.

• Collectables Sale, Braddan Church Hall, 10.30am-4pm. Admission free.

• Coffee and chat, St Mary’s on the Harbour, Castletown, 11am.

• Manx Natural Healing Centre, relax and recharge, 1.30pm-4pm.

• Milntown House Tours every Saturday and Wednesday at 2.30pm. Call 812321.

Sunday, February 8

• Car boot sale, Onchan Community centre, noon. Sellers £6 each. Admission 50p. Call 623704 or 480231.

• Car boot sale, Morton hall, Castletown, 2pm. Call 673320/481532.

• A Snowdrop walk with a snowdrop tea, Dalby House, open 2.30pm, garden walk followed by tea at St James schoolrooms. £6.50, £3 children, booking required, call Gilly 844031.

• Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band rehearsals, Queen Street Mission hall, 7pm.

• Meditation and chat at Pure Inspiration, Ramsey, 7.15pm. Call Gary on 817735.

Monday, February 9

• Age Isle of Man - free computer sessions for people aged over 50 at House of Manannan, Peel. Lift available and coffee shop, 10am–12.30pm and 1.30pm–4.30pm.

• Afternoon tea dance, Manx Legion Club, Douglas, 2pm-4pm.

• Free life-changing stress / spine / health talks, 6.45pm, Align4Life in Lake Road near Tesco, Douglas, 629444.

• Shorties, pirate adventure. Children’s soft play centre, Alexandra Road, Castletown, also Tuesday.

Tuesday, February 10

• Computers for Beginners, Onchan Library, 10am-noon. Call 621228.

• Erin Arts Centre are holding Children’s Illustration Workshop, 11am and 1.30pm, £3 each, with Jo Davies.

• Manx Cancer Help drop-in day, Lisa Lowe Centre, The Old Schoolhouse, Cronkbourne, 11am-4pm.

• Lunch Club, Salvation Army Citadel, Lord Street, Douglas, 11.30am. Call 627742.

• Singing for the Brain, for people in the early to moderate stages of dementia and their carers. Ramsey Town Hall, Board Room. 2pm-4pm.

Wednesday, February 11

• Computer training sessions for everyone. Leonard Cheshire Disability, Main Road, Onchan, 11am-3pm. Call 679030.

• Call in for coffee at St Peter’s Church, Onchan, 11am and 1pm.

• Ramsey and District Probus Club lunch, Ramsey Golf Club, 12.30pm. A talk by Paula Gelling on Victim Support and Witness Services. Call Ian Wells, 816404.

• Bereavement support group, friendly get together for anyone feeling isolated or lonely after a bereavement, however or whenever it occurred, tea, coffee and a chat, Scholl Centre, Hospice Isle of Man, 5pm-7pm. Call 647443.

• Samba percussion workshop, no experience necessary, Onchan Silver bandroom, off Onchan Commissioners’ car park, 7pm. Cost £3, email sambamann@manx.net

• Bingo Quiz, Archibald Knox Onchan.

Thursday, February 5

Castle Rushen High School presents, Sunshine on Leith, a jukebox musical. Tickets £5, £3 children/concessions. Call 693500. Also Friday and Saturday.

Saturday, February 7

Douglas Choral Union presents, Sister Act, Gaiety Theatre, Douglas. Until Friday, February 20.

Wednesday, February 11

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Marown Youth and Community Players welcome you to their magical world, at Marown School, 7.30pm. Tickets: Just £7 and are available at Marown Primary School, call Louise Trimble on 404520. Also Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Thursday, February 5

• Noah’s Ark Tots Group, Church on The Rock, behind Ramsey bus station, 9.30am. Call 431034.

• Gym time active play for pre-school children, Manx Gymnastics Centre, Douglas, 9.30am. Call 625636. Also Friday and Wednesday.

• Happy Tots, main hall, Willaston School, 9.45am, £1 per family including refreshments. Call 621577.

• Storytime for pre-schoolers, Henry Bloom Noble Library, Douglas, 10am. Call 696461.

• Krafty Kids (pre-school age) Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 10am.

• Action Songs and Rhymes, birth-5 years, Ballasalla Primary School. Plus many other sessions across the island. Free, but donations welcome. Call 479452 for further venues and times.

• Family Library: Teddy time, 2pm-2.45pm, £2. Also, Friday, storybox, 10.30am followed by craft at 11am, £1. Jolly music, 4.15pm-4.45pm. Saturday, sticky fingers, 10.30am-noon, £2.Tuesday, letter patterns, 4pm-4.45pm, £2.

• Toddler Tunes, Community Room, Michael School, 2pm. Call 878090.

• 2nd Onchan Beavers, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 5pm.

• St John Ambulance Cadets (10+), 6.30pm-8pm, Douglas headquarters. Badgers (5+), 5.30pm-6.30pm, Age Concern in Peel. Adults meetings, Thursday, Monday and Tuesday, Douglas headquarters. Friday, Ramsey, St Olave’s Church hall. For all other times and venues call 674387.

• Santon Beavers, Kewaigue School, 5pm. Also Cubs at 6.30pm. Call 623244.

• 1st Laxey Beavers and Cubs, Laxey School during term times. Beavers meet at 6.30pm–7.30pm and Cubs meet at 6.45pm–8.15pm. 1stlaxeycubs@manx.net

• Good News Club for primary school children, Living Hope Community Church, Bayview Road, Port St Mary, 6pm. Email weirfamily55@hotmail.co.uk

• The Children’s Centre Parent Support Group, informal chat with family support workers at Woodbourne Road, Douglas, 7pm-9pm.

• Army Cadets, Scout hall, Peel, 7pm. Also Tuesday.

• Onchan District Explorers, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 7.30pm.

Friday, February 6

• Baby and Toddler Group, 9.30am-11.30am at Glen Maye Community Centre. Free but donations welcome. Call 845681.

• Tiddlers, parents and tots, Elim Church, Onchan, 10am. Call 434933.

• Parents and tots, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 10am.

• Laxey Mums, Carers and Tots at Laxey Working Men’s Institute 10am - noon, £2.50 per family inc refreshments. Call 466887.

• Parent and toddler group, Ballasalla School, 1.45pm.

• Mums and Tots, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 10am-noon. Call 479839.

• Onchan carers and tots, parish hall, Onchan, 1.15pm. Call 625328.

• Sporty church at Trinity Church hall 6pm-7pm for years 3-6. Football, hockey, parachute games etc., 50p including refreshments. Call 628374. Also Sunday School Trinity Church hall, crèche to late teens, 10.30am-11.45am. Call 625409.

Saturday, February 7

• Young Bowlers Club. Tuition and tips (open to ages eight to twelve), Surestrike Bowling Alley, Ramsey, 11am-noon. To book call 812444.

Sunday, February 8

• Ollies - fun for children up to 11, St Olave’s Church hall, Ramsey, 9.45am -10.45am approx.

• Sunday School, Sulby Methodist Church, 10.30am.

• Rock Sunday Club for children at Colby Methodist Chapel, 10.30am - 11.30am.

• Task and DFC children’s club, Abbey Church, Ballasalla, 10.45am.

Monday, February 9

• Kittens tots and carers group, St Ninian’s Church, Douglas, 10.30am. £1 per family. Call 629683.

• Parents and tots, Dhoon Church hall, 9.30am. Call 426395.

• Story Time at Castletown Library, 1.30pm and 2.15pm.

• Tots play at Northern Lights Community Centre, Ramsey, 1.30pm-3.30pm. Also tots craft and play on Wednesday, £1.

• Breastfeeding Buddies drop-in clinic, Village Walk Health Centre, Onchan, 10.30am. Call 656030.

• Daniel’s Den, Methodist Church, Arbory Street, Castletown, 10am. Admission £1. Call 822374.

• Roll’n’Play for pre-schoolers, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 10.30am.

• Peel Toddler Group, Corrin Hall, Peel, 1.30pm.

• Michael Miniatures’ parents and tots, Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, 2pm. £1.50 per family. Call 491592.

• Onchan Rainbows, 5.30pm. Also 1st Onchan Brownies, 6.30pm.

• Brownies, Corrin Hall, Peel, 6.30pm.

• Manannan Cubs, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 7pm.

• Do Drop Inn Drama Club, children aged 10+, St Paul’s hall, Ramsey, 7pm.

Tuesday, February 10

• Parents and tots, Auldyn Infants School community room, Ramsey, 9.15am-11.15am.

• Parents and tots group, Cronk-y-Berry School, side entrance, 9.30am. Admission £1. Call 469756. Also Thursday, 1.30pm.

• Toddle Inn, mums and tots group, Port St Mary Living Hope Community Church, 9.30am. Call 835091.

• Tiddlers Group for parents, grandparents or carers, St Olave’s Church hall, Ramsey, 9.45am-11.30am, £1.50.

• Super Saints, All Saints’ Church vestry, Douglas, 10am-11.15am. Call 427185.

• Foxdale mums and tots, community hall, Foxdale School, 2pm. Call 420234.

• Abbey Acorns, ages 4+ at the Abbey Church, Ballasalla, 3.30pm.

• Peel Footlights Youth Theatre, children aged eight-16, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 4pm. Also Thursday. Call 843819.

• 2nd Onchan Beavers, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 5pm.

Wednesday, February 11

• Parents and tots, Salvation Army Citadel, Lord Street, Douglas, 9.30am. Call 627742.

• Mini Club for parents or carers and their babies, toddlers and pre-school children at Anagh Coar School, Douglas, 9.30am or Braddan Church hall, 2pm. Call 675091.

• Ballabeg Busy Bugs for under fives, Arbory parish hall, Ballabeg, 10am. Call 429676.

• Mums and tots, Marown hall, Peel Road, Crosby, 10.15am. £1.50 per family.

• Twins/Multiple Births Club, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 10am-11.30am. Call 458202.

• Busy Bees parents and tots, Beehive Kindergarten, Onchan, 1.30pm. Also Thursday. Call 674655.

• Action, Songs and Rhymes, from birth onwards. Great for everyone, 1.30pm-2.30pm, Laxey Working Men’s Institute. Call Jo, 479452.

• Ballaquayle Bears Toddler Group, Ballaquayle School hall, Douglas, 1.45pm-3pm.

• Parent and toddler group, Castletown Youth Centre, Arbory Street, 2pm.

• Mums and tots sessions for babies and pre-schoolers at Foxdale School. Dads, grandads, grandmas and carers welcome too, 2pm-3.15pm. £1.50 per family. Call Emma 801946.

• Homework Club for year 7s (11-12 year olds), Youth Centre, Arbory Street, Castletown, 4pm. Call 822490.

• The Energy Youth Group, Colby Methodist Chapel, 7pm-8.30pm. Call Jane 492010.

• Snaefell Cubs, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 7pm.

Thursday, February 5

• Manx Retirement Association, stretch and flex at the NSC, Douglas at 10am. Indoor flat green bowling at the NSC, Douglas, 2pm-3.30pm. Also, Tuesday, Southern coffee morning at the Cherry Orchard Hotel, Port Erin at 10.30am. Whist afternoon at the Cat with No Tail, Douglas at 2pm.

• Onchan Pensioners Club, Morton Hall, Castletown, coffee morning; Friday, sequence dancing, 2pm-4.30pm; Saturday, Arabian dancing, 9am-1pm; Monday, Bridge, 2pm-5pm and 7pm-11pm; Tuesday, coffee morning including raffle, 10am-noon; Wednesday, whist drive, 7pm-10pm.

• Soundcheck, Youth Arts Centre, Douglas, 6.30pm. Also Monday and Tuesday. 6pm-9pm. Monday, Castletown youth club, 6pm-9pm, and Wednesday Ramsey youth club, 6.30pm-9.30pm.

Sunday, February 8

• ‘Poetry and Points’ - Isle of Man Poetry Society monthly meeting, South Douglas Old Friends Association, 7.30pm.

Monday, Feruary 9

• Onchan Ladies’ Choir, Methodist hall, 1.30pm. Call 673453.

• Vannin Bridge, Onchan pensioners hall, 2pm. Also Thursday.

• Possan Aeglagh Manx Speaking Youth Club School Year 6 (ages 10-11) upwards at Cafe Laare, Lord Street, Douglas, 6.30pm - 8.30pm, subs £1. Call Cathy Clucas 414331 or email C.Clucas@doe.sch.im for further details.

• Onchan Silver Band practice, the band room, off Main Road, Onchan, beginners 6.30pm and seniors 7.30pm.

• Ramsey Gardening Club at 7.30pm at Quayle’s hall, Ramsey. £2 entry fee.

Tuesday, February 10

• St John’s Art and Craft Group, Methodist hall, 9.40am. Bring your own art and craft. Call 851364.

• The Tuesday Group, flexible learning room to try your hand at basic crafts, have a chat, coffee and fun, Peel Clothworkers’ School, 1.15pm. Pre-school children catered for. Call 614180.

• Isle of Man Chess Club, Belsfield Hotel, Church Road Marina, Douglas, 7.30pm. Call 495097.

• Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band rehearsals, Queen Street Mission hall, 7.30pm.

• Rotary Club of Rushen and Western Mann meet Falcon’s Nest Hotel, Port Erin, 7.30pm.

• Glen Maye WI, St James’ Church hall, Dalby, 7.30pm. Call 818194.

• Mannin Quilters, Ballabeg Methodist hall, 7.30pm-9pm. Call 628921. Also Wednesday at St Columba’s Catholic Church, Port Erin, 1.30-4pm.

• Ballacottier Senior Youth Project for school years 10+, Ballacottier School youth room, 7.30pm-9.30pm.

• The Isle of Man Amateur Radio Society (IoMARS), Sea Cadet hall, Tromode, 8.30pm-9.30pm.

Wednesday, February 11

• Laxey Sketch Club, Laxey football club house, 1.30pm. Various projects. £10 per year or £2 per session.

• Sulby Art Club, 2pm-4pm at St Stephen’s Church hall. New members welcome. Call 488014.

• The Friendship Club for the over 60s, Onchan Baptist Church. Call 674255.

• Peel Pensioners group, the Phillip Christian centre in Peel, 7.30pm. £2 for none members. For more info, call 435873.

• Laxey Dog Training Club, 7pm-10pm, Laxey Working Men’s Institute.

• Ballabeg WI, Methodist Sunday School, Ballabeg, 7.30pm. Call 818194.

• Castletown WI, Methodist hall, Arbory Street, Castletown, 7.20pm. Call 818194.

Palace Cinema

• Jupiter Ascending, 3D, (12A). Nightly at 7.30pm. Daily matinee at 3.30pm.

• Big Hero 6, 3D, (PG). Nightly at 7pm. Daily matinees at 2pm and 4.15pm.

• Paddington, (PG). Daily matinee, 1.30pm.

Broadway Cinema

• Kingsman: The Secret Service, (15). Nightly at 8pm.

• The Theory of Everything, (12A). Friday at 2.30pm.

• Shaun the Sheep: The Movie, (U). Friday at 6pm, Saturday-Wednesday at 1.30pm, 3.30pm and 6pm.

Peel Centenary Centre

Pride (15), Wednesday at7.45pm. Doors open at 7pm. £5.

Erin Arts Centre

11: Bell (PG), Wednesday at 7.30pm.

Thursday, February 5

• Karaoke FM, Nexus Vodka Bar, Douglas,

• Karaoke, Guys and Dolls, Douglas.

• Ramsey Folk Club, Mitre Hotel, Ramsey, 8pm-11pm.

• Karaoke with Ray Sloane at the Saddle Inn, Douglas.

• Guitar lessons at the meeting room, Archibald Knox, Onchan, 5.45pm-6.45pm.

• Alternative Havana, Fiesta Havana, Douglas. Also, Friday - Full On Fridays.

Friday, February 6

• Skeet at the Queen’s, Douglas.

• Ian Thompson at the Union, Castletown.

• Erin Arts Centre, Piano Series, Immanuel Voigt, 7.30pm. Tickets £10.

• Brown Sugar at Jaks, Douglas.

• Karaoke at the Albert, Douglas, 9pm.

• Irish traditional music session at The Mitre, Ramsey, 9pm.

Saturday, February 7

• Little Miss Dynamite at the Mitre, Ramsey.

•, Karaoke FM, the Commercial, Ramsey.

• Ian Thompson at O’Donnells, Douglas.

• Symbollix at Jaks, Douglas.

• Brown Sugar at the Rosemount, Douglas.

• Grizzled Vetz at the Manx Arms, Onchan.

• Manx music session, the Whitehouse, Peel, 10pm.

• Karaoke with Dobbo at the Decks, Liverpool Arms, Baldrine.

• Karaoke at the Central Hotel, Ramsey.

Sunday, February 8

• Kraoke FM, Nexus Vodka Bar, Douglas.

• Ray Sloane Karaoke at Jaks, Douglas.

• Choral Evensong, St German’s Cathedral, Peel, 3.30pm.

• Music Box with David Castro at Guys and Dolls, Douglas.

• Karaoke at the British, Douglas.

• Karaoke at The Crescent, Queen’s Promenade, Douglas, 8pm.

• Disco Fever at Macbeth’s, Second Venue, Douglas, 10pm-2am.

Tuesday, February 10

• Keyboard and electronic organ sessions, St Andrew’s Church hall, Glencrutchery Road. 7.30pm. 1st AND 3rd TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH.

• Manx Youth Orchestra, St German’s Cathedral, 7.45pm–8.45pm.

• Acoustic sing-around, the Manor, Willaston, 8.30pm.

• Rock Choir, Youth Arts Centre, Kensington Road, Douglas, 6pm.

Wednesday, February 11

• Karaoke at the British, Douglas.

• Irish Music session at O’Donnell’s, Douglas, 8.30pm.

A 13-year-old girl is to have her hair cut off for charity.

Millie Turner, from Onchan, will have her long locks chopped off tomorrow (Friday) at the Vanilla Room in Onchan.

Kind-hearted Millie, who goes to Ballakermeen High School in Douglas, will be raising money for Hospic Isle of Man and Victim Support Isle of Man.

Her hair will then be sent to the Little Princess Trust to be used for children that have lost their hair through cancer treatments.

The hair is then used to make wigs.

Millie’s mum, Kirstie Turner, who works for Hospice, said: ‘Millie has had long hair all her life, she’s nearly 14 and decided she had had enough of having long hair.

So she decided to do something useful at the same time and as I work at Hospice Isle of Man she wanted to try to raise some money for the charity.’

Mary Doyle, public relations and marketing manager for Hospice, and Paula Gelling, manager for Victim Support Isle of Man both thanked Millie for her thoughtfulness and kindness in supporting the two charities.

To sponsor Millie visit the websites below.

To support Hospice visit www.justgiving.com/Kirstie-Turner

To donate online to Victim Support visit www.justgiving.com/Kirstie-Turner1

Also visit www.littleprincesses.org.uk for more about that charity.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned on a man from Glen Maye who was found dead in bed at his home last week.

Adam Joseph Baker, a 29-year-old fisherman, was found dead on January 28 where he lived at Sound Road.

The court heard he was last seen alive on January 26. A report from Constable Colin Everden said there were no obvious injuries on Mr Baker’s body.

Coroner John Needham released Mr Baker’s body and adjourned the proceedings pending completion of enquiries.

A woman had to be cut free from her car this morning after an accident near Ramsey.

The emergency services were called out at about 7.30am after receiving a report of a car on its roof in a field next to the Jurby Road.

The motorist was taken to hospital by paramedics.