Charlotte Atkinson was the top athlete at the VII Lisbon International Meet in Portugal over the weekend.

She won gold in all three of her butterfly events (50m, 100m and 200m) and also helped Plymouth Leander win the 4x100 medley relay.

At the end of January, Charlotte represented Team GB at the Flanders Cup in Antwerp, Belgium where she made the finals of both the 50m and 100m butterfly events.

Laura Kinley represented Loughborough University in the Luxembourg Euro Meet recently.

She swam well, finishing third in the B final of the 50m breaststroke and second in the B final of the 100m breaststroke. Laura was also part of the mixed medley relay team that finished third.

Over the same weekend, fellow Commonwealth Games team member Niamh Robinson swam in the North Lancashire Age Group Championships. The 15-year-old from Blackburn set a new junior island record in the 200m backstroke and swam inside the Commonwealth Youth Games consideration time.

l More on Charlotte’s Lisbon successes next week.

The star-studded naming ceremony for a charity’s new yacht has been postponed.

Actress and theatre star Samantha Barks, who was raised in the Isle of Man, was planning to launch Pride of Mann III on behalf Sailing for the Disabled tomorrow (Wednesday).

But unexpected work commitments means that she is unable to attend and the ceremony has been postponed.

Sam said: ‘I am very excited to have been asked to be involved with the naming of this beautiful new boat, but for now, hold the anchor, I can’t wait to see you all on the Isle of Man.’

Sailing for the Disabled chairman Ian McCauley said that he hoped the rescheduled event will take place in the near future.

The charity organises sailing trips for people with disabilities using their specially modified yacht. The brand new 48-ft vessel, which arrived in Douglas late last year, is the third yacht to bear the name Pride of Mann.

Norton Motorcycles can confirm that Cameron Donald has renewed his contract with the British manufacturer for this year’s TT.

The Australian ace will line up in the RST Superbike and PokerStars Senior TT Races for Norton. Cameron has got approval from the Norton factory to ride another class at June’s event in order to keep bike fit and get maximum track time. An announcement is expected shortly on Cam’s chosen ride.

Donald added: ‘After a solid but frustrating 2014 where we made great progress with the bike but didn’t show it’s full potential we all agreed to keep the team together for 2015.

‘Norton have pushed hard within the factory over winter, their engineering department have made many changes to SG3.

‘With the enthusiasm and experience of the Norton team behind me and ex-TT winners such as Mick Grant and Steve Plater involved again, we’re all looking forward to a great TT.

Norton is synonymous with the event and I can’t wait to ride the newly developed SG3 round the Mountain Course.’

Cameron, hailing from Warrandyte, near Melbourne, won the TT Newcomers Trophy in 2005 and really made his mark a year later when he took a stunning second place in the Senior TT. 2008 saw him claim a Superbike-Superstock double victory and then setting the first ever 131mph-plus lap in practice for the 2009 meeting.

He now has an impressive tally of 10 podiums with his most recent coming in the 2013 Superbike Race when he took second place behind Michael Dunlop.

With a fastest lap of 130.729mph, Cameron is also the eighth fastest rider ever to have lapped the Mountain Course.

Nigel Crellin and Chris Molyneux scored a local double in the opening two rounds of the British Sidecar Trials Championship on home ground at the weekend.

Astride the latter man’s 300 Gas Gas outfit, the pair scored a repeat success of their 2013 Andy Smith Trophy trial victory in the west of the island on Saturday.

The following day they made it a 2015 double in the David Craine Trophy Trial also promoted by Peveril MCC and based in the middle of the island on a short course centred on the club’s Knock Froy headquarters.

Son and father Rupert and Chris Kimber were runners-up on Saturday while fellow visitors Jon Tuck and Matt Sparkes - who retired on Saturday with gearbox problems - finished a mere two marks off the top spot on Sunday.

As many as 19 crews tackled the clubman class, with Lee Grandby and Ali Haigh of Derbyshire taking the honours on Saturday and local brothers Antony and Aaron Smith on Sunday.

The intermediate class wins both went to Chris and Robert Pickard.

Full report and more pictures in Thursday’s edition of the Manx Independent.

This is a tax on taxis!

That’s the view of the chairman of the Manx Taxi Federation after ply for hire cabbies learned that they will charged £1,000 for a permit to pick up passengers from the airport.

A letter was sent out on February 4 from director of ports Ann Reynolds to all tax and private hire drivers and operators outlining the proposed changes – and giving them until February 13 to submit comments or suggest alternative proposals.

She pointed out that the airport has had to make significant savings of some £750,000 last year and with the same amount of cuts in the current financial year. The airport was unusual in receiving no income presently from the taxi sector, she wrote.

Ray Teare recommended the 45 or so Malew plate drivers who are licensed to pick up at the airport should refuse to pay the proposed £1,000 upfront fee – and suggested the charge may not even by lawful.

He said: ‘I can’t see some operators paying that, not £1,000. It’s ridiculous. It’s going to hit them hard. The whole taxi trade is very bad for everybody at the moment, not just at the airport, with the way the economy is and the way people’s finances are.

‘We are upset the letter has gone out without any consultation. At the end of the day, the travelling public will have to pay. How else are they going to recover that money? It’s a tax on taxis.’

Mr Teare, who has requested a meeting with Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK, said that Malew plate cabbies already pay £83 to the Road Traffic Licensing Committee for a licence to ply for hire at the airport.

He said: ‘At the end of the day this is a conflict of law. We will have to get legal advice on this. We are recommending the drivers don’t pay until we’ve sorted out the legal situation is and there’s been proper consultation. One set of regulations is trying to overrule another.’

Changes are also planned for pre-booked private hire taxis which will be required to use a ‘taxi park’ in the short-stay car park while waiting to collect passengers and will pay the £1 charge for the first hour.

Mr Gawne said: ‘The department has made extensive efforts to reduce operating costs at the airport before introducing any new charges. We are mindful of the potential impact on taxi operators, but believe that the revised arrangements are reasonable.’

He added: ‘The department currently receives no income from taxis operating from the airport, although passengers are charged an extra £1 for every ply-for-hire journey. We believe our proposals are fair and will not result in a diminished service for passengers.’

Will this year’s TT be Guy Martin’s final competitive appearance at the event?

That’s the suggestion made in an interview piece in the sports supplement of The Times, which appeared inside Saturday’s edition.

A hugely successful TV career has made Martin a household name – but it appears the resultant fame is making life uncomfortable.

In the article, the 33-year-old tells Rick Broadbent, the author of TT book That Near Death Thing: Inside the Most Dangerous Race in the World: ‘I need to have a rest and re-set. My job is a truck mechanic and I’ve taken my eye off the ball. The TV stuff has knackered my racing too. Not in results – last year’s TT was one of my best – but I didn’t get five minutes. I used to go racing for fun. Now it’s hard work.’

Addressing the issue of the dangers involved in competing, he said: ‘I don’t mind the dying, but not if I don’t know why I’m doing it any more.’

Since making his TT debut in 2004, nearly-man Martin has claimed seven second places and been third eight times.

In December, the Bennetts Bike Social website reported how Martin was ready to retire from road racing before learning his Tyco TAS Racing team would switch to BMW machinery for the 2015 season.

The Liberal Vannin Party is hosting a Valentine’s fundraiser in aid of SKILS (skills for independent living scheme) on Saturday.

It will take place in the Wentworth Suite at Mount Murray golf course.

There will be a carvery meal, band (Indigo Blues) and disc jockey.

Tickets are £35 per person.

For tickets, contact maire.booth@libvan.com

Her number is 417486.

Marown Youth & Community Players’ panto opens tomorrow (Wednesday).

This year they are inviting audiences to their magical world for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Snow White is played by Abi Kermode, while Andrew Lodge plays Queen Avarice, Graham Crowe takes on Black Wing, Andrew Willoughby is Dolly Dumpling, and Sam Bowers plays Prince Frederick.

You are guaranteed, songs and laughter, boos and hisses and have so much fun you’ll leave wanting more.

The panto takes place nightly at Marown School from Wednesday until Saturday.

Performances start at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £7, and are available from Marown School, or call Louise Trimble on 404520.

The former northern reporter for the Isle of Man Courier, Phyllis Macpherson, has died in Hospice after a brief illness.

She was very well-liked and respected and will be missed by people from all walks of life, especially in the north.

Phyllis (nee Kneale) was born on May 31, 1937, at the Old Smithy, Jurby.

Her father was a blacksmith and her mother was one of nine Cleator children, from Sartfield, Jurby.

Phyllis and her elder sister Doreen had a happy childhood surrounded by many aunts, uncles and cousins. On leaving school, she trained as a secretary and her first job was at Ferguson & Harvey, builders’ merchants. She then went to work for advocate, hotelier and later newspaper owner, John James Christian, at his chambers in Auckland Terrace, Ramsey.

It was while working for ‘JJ’ on the reception desk at the Beach Hotel, Ramsey, that she met her first husband, Colin Hinge, who was stationed on the island with the RAF. They had two children, Lauren and Gareth, and travelled the world as a forces family. They returned to the island and 1975 and Phyllis found herself in need of a job. Knowing what an excellent shorthand-typist she was, Mr Christian offered her the role of northern reporter for the Courier, which he now owned. Thus began a journalistic career that lasted more than 25 years.

Phyllis was often seen, notepad and pencil in hand, in company with her newspaper rival and later good friend, the late Esther Richmond.

They spent many long court sessions sitting together in the press bench and between them must have known everyone in the north.

She and Colin divorced and a few years later she met Ron Macpherson at the RAOB club in Ramsey. They married in 1980 and enjoyed many holidays together, visiting Malta, Cyprus and Chicago. Ron passed away in 2011 after a long illness.

Phyllis enjoyed the Ramsey news long after she retired and attended the monthly commissioners’ meeting right up to the end of last year.

She was a member of the British Legion and the Ramsey Naval Association and, with friends from the RNA enjoyed trips to Chester, Liverpool and Coventry, where her daughter lives.

Phyllis loved her family and doted on her three grandchildren, Courtney, Ceri and Alfie.

She was a warm and bubbly person who got on with people from all walks of life, from those she reported on in the courts to deemsters, politicians and lieutenant governors.

Former colleague Sue Woolley said: ‘Phyllis was a very genuine person, whom people liked and trusted. She had an excellent understanding of the law and was a talented reporter, with a sincere interest in people and the local community. Along with so many other people, I am going to miss her very much.’

Phyllis died on Tuesday last week. Her funeral takes place at 11am on Thursday at St Olave’s Church, Ramsey, followed by interment at Lezayre.

Donations in lieu of flowers to the Hospice.

The news a hotel will be built at the site of the Golf Links Hotel in Langness has been welcomed by the Derbyhaven Residents’ Society (DRS) – but they insist vigilance is required to ensure it does not become a ‘Trojan horse’ for residential development.

iomtoday recently reported that London-based agency Metropolitan Workshop has been appointed to design the new hotel on the site, which closed in 2007 and was bought by Dandara in 2012.

Dandara has said redevelopment work may only be financially viable if it includes some residential properties. Last year in the high court, Dandara successfully argued against a condition (LP21) in the Southern Area Plan that any development on Langness must relate to the golf course or hotel.

This does not, as has been stated in previous articles, ‘pave the way for the development of flats or apartments’ points out Tim Cullen, chairman of the DRS, because the condition is solely about development relating to the golf course or hotel, not residential development.

Mr Cullen said: ‘As a community that has contributed its views to the Area Plan for the South and other consultations . . . concerning the future of Langness and the Castletown Golf Links Hotel site, we welcome the news that architects have been selected to create a new hotel there.’

‘For years now, the Castletown Golf Links Hotel has been a neglected and deteriorating blot on the landscape. Many of us remember the time when it was a place where people from all over the island came to enjoy its restaurant and other facilities. We look forward to seeing a brand new, architecturally pleasing hotel being built on the site, with a good restaurant and scope for leisure activities.

‘We have grave concerns however that the announcement of plans for a hotel is coupled with a statement by Dandara [as quoted on page 3 of the Manx Independent of January 29], that “the hotel must be supported by residential development.” It ... (is) our view that the island abounds in unoccupied apartments and that increased residential housing would place an excessive burden on the infrastructure of the south.’

Planning has a key role to play in securing a sustainable future for the island.

That’s the message from Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawn MHK who says work is continuing to modernise aspects of planning legislation.

The Department of Infrastructure is part of a new cross-government team established to help deliver major developments. This initiative is being co-ordinated by an officer seconded from planning to the Department of Economic Development and includes the Cabinet Office, Treasury and Attorney General’s Chambers.

Public feedback is currently being invited on the Draft Isle of Man Strategic Plan 2015, which will help to underpin decisions on development land requirements across the island until 2026.

Outside of the land-based planning system, the department is preparing new primary legislation to deal with developments within the Isle of Man’s territorial seas.

Mr Gawne said: ‘Planning is important to everyone in the Isle of Man.

‘It supports the government’s national priority of growing the economy, while being sensitive to the needs of local communities and the environment.

‘As Minister for Infrastructure I have a key role to play in the process, particularly in relation to planning appeals.

‘There may be occasion when, after weighing up all the evidence, I will reverse the recommendation of an independent planning inspector if I feel it is in the best interests of the Isle of Man to do so.

‘The documents and reports that inform the decision-making process are available to view online as part of our commitment to openness and transparency.’

He added: ‘A lot of work is being undertaken to reform areas of planning. I believe there is scope to modernise processes and reduce bureaucracy, while maintaining the robust nature of our planning system.’

A government Minister will meet bosses of Peel Ports to discuss plans to replace the landing stage at Liverpool Pier Head.

The Steam Packet has warned that a £15m scheme to replace the landing stage will be scuppered without a deal to renew the user agreement.

Peel Ports says it is seeking a substantial and long-term financial commitment from Steam Packet before investing up to £15m in the much-needed work.

But the ferry operator says it is currently unable to give that commitment as its user agreement with the Manx government, effectively giving it sole use of the linkspan at Douglas, expires in 2020 with an option to extend only as far as 2026.

The issue was raised in the House of Keys by Peter Karran (Lib Van, Onchan).

In a written reply, Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK said: ‘The Liverpool Pier Head landing stage used by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is owned by the port operator, Peel Ports Ltd.

‘My department has been advised both by the Steam Packet Company and Peel Ports that the current landing stage is reaching the end of its life and that Peel Ports is currently considering options for its replacement.

‘The department has over the past year given this matter extensive consideration and has included colleagues in the Department of Economic Development, the Cabinet Office and Treasury in this consideration.

‘My officers have had initial meetings with Peel Ports and I am pleased to advise that I will now be meeting senior representatives of that company during February as our meeting last week was cancelled due to bad weather across.

‘I hope that I will then be in a better position to understand the company’s plans for the replacement of the landing stage and will then be able to decide what action might be needed to protect our strategic sea services.’

The current landing stage structure at Liverpool was built almost 40 years ago.

Several sections of the stage have already been removed as they are no longer serviceable. Peel Ports says the remaining sections cannot be maintained in the long-term and a new landing stage must be built.

The Isle of Man will host its first fully competitive polo matches this weekend when the Triskelion Polo Club play a British Army Reserves team.

Spectators can see some top-class, high-speed action which tests the skills of both horse and rider.

Weather permitting, there will be two matches played on Ballaugh beach, the first starting at 12.45pm on Saturday, February 14, and the second at 2.15pm the following day.

Each match will comprise two seven-minute chukkas with a short break in between each half.

In addition to watching the action, spectators will also have the opportunity to speak to players and club coaches to find out more about playing polo.

Organisers are hoping to welcome many spectators to watch polo for the first time and build even more interest in what is a rapidly growing sport in the island.

If the weather does cause a postponement of either match, announcements will be made before 11am on the day of the game on www.triskelionpolo.club and the club’s Facebook page.

Triskelion Polo Club, which is based at Grenaby Mooar, Malew, was set up towards the end of last year and has already organised many ‘learn to play’ events for all ages, including special sessions for schools and corporate events.

Expert coaching is provided by experienced professionals who teach novices to ride the club’s stable of polo ponies.

All equipment is provided for those who need it, but coaching can also be given to those who have their own ponies.

The club is run by general manager Frazer Houston and his brother Cameron who are both experienced polo players and all-round horsemen.

Frazer, a former National Hunt jockey who rode winners for leading trainers including Sue and Harvey Smith, commented: ‘This will be the first match in the island sanctioned by the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) which is the governing body for polo in the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man and most other countries.

‘In addition to being a great spectacle, it’s also an opportunity for everyone to find out more about playing polo. It’s much more accessible than most people think – we have already taught many complete novices, most of whom do not own their own ponies.

‘Polo is open to all ages so we hope to see parents bringing their children along to watch too.’

The age range of those who have taken part in the learn to play sessions is from as young as seven years old up to adults aged 50 plus who have no horse riding experience.

In fact, apart from Cameron Houston who is a professional polo player and an HPA Accredited coach, all the other Triskelion players selected for the Ballaugh matches are novices who will be taking part in their first fully competitive game.

Frazer says this shows that it’s possible to pick up the sport quickly, no matter what age, and even without any previous riding experience. He adds: ‘As with any sport to compete at a high level takes years of practice and training, but it’s possible for complete beginners to quickly attain a standard which allows them to enjoy the sport and play competitively at club level.’

For more information go to www.triskelionpolo.club, email polo@triskelionpolo.club or phone 07624 272547.

The PokerStars Winter Mixed Doubles Tennis Leagues got under way last week despite the efforts of the weather to disrupt things.

In Division One, on a windy Saturday, Castletown duo Craig Blackwell and Tim Woakes defeated Stewart Swann and Steph Joyce of Douglas A without losing a game.

Douglas A’s Karen Faragher and Seraphina Batty almost repaid the compliment by defeating Castletown’s Hannah Snidal and Nicola Skillicorn with the loss of only one game.

In the mixed, Swann and Faragher won the first set against Blackwell and Snidal, but the Castletown pair won the second set on a tie-break.

Meanwhile, Woakes and Skillicorn won both sets against Joyce and Batty as Castletown edged the win 5-3 overall.

In Division Two, Albany B defeated Douglas C by 7 sets to 1.

Albany’s men Stuart Colligon and David Bufton won in two sets against Douglas’s David Emmett and Paul Coppell, as did Albany’s Gillian Pearson and Jackie Russell against Douglas’ Jenny Caldwell and Carol Crooks.

In the mixed, Bufton and Russell defeated Coppell and Crooks in two sets, but Emmett and Caldwell got some respite for Douglas by sharing the match one set each against Colligon and Pearson.

A better evening on Tuesday, February 3, saw Ramsey hosting Albany A in Division One.

Albany swept the floor winning all eight sets. Sean Drewry and Sasha Thomas defeated Richard Simpson and Ian Brophy, while Jackie Russell and Gillian Pearson defeated Edith Van Guetchter and Sue Booth.

In the mixed, Drewry and Russell beat Simpson and Van Guetchter while Thomas and Pearson overcame Brophy and Booth.

A busy few days for Russell and Pearson who represented Albany B on Saturday and then Albany A on Tuesday.

The first round was completed on Thursday, February 5, in a Division Two match between two Douglas teams – the B team of Louis McCleery, John Halligan, Linda Faragher and Tania Thomas and the D team of Phil and Anne Bannan, Thomas Lindsay and Ailsa Dennett.

Douglas B won 7-1.

McCleery and Halligan lost a close first set to Bannan and Lindsay but recovered to take the second on a tie-break. Faragher and Thomas defeated Bannan and Dennett; McCleery and Faragher beat the Bannans and Halligan/Faragher triumphed over Lindsay/ Dennett.

Ron Sibthorpe

The island is under attack again from the UK Labour party.

Ed Miliband has threatened to place on an international blacklist any Crown Dependency or British Overseas Territory that fails to produce a public register of company beneficial ownership within six months of Labour coming to power.

And one tax reform campaigner said that gunboats should be sent in if Miliband’s ultimatum was ignored.

In a letter he plans to send to each of the jurisdictions, the Labour leader has warned: ‘I am writing to put you on notice that a Labour government will not allow this situation of delay and secrecy to continue.

‘Labour will act on tax avoidance where the Tories will not – ending protection from international scrutiny and requesting OECD blacklisting.’

Treasury Minister Eddie Teare MHK said the Manx government had nothing to hide and the island complied with international standards.

Manx law already requires companies and trusts to register beneficial ownership with the authorities but that information is not made public. ‘What we have is tried and tested and been seen to work and work well,’ Mr Teare insisted, adding there was a clear distinction between secrecy and confidentiality.

‘He’s making these bold statements but he’s not been specific about exactly what he wants. He should have looked at the facts first.’

A consultation on creating a central register of beneficial ownership was held last year. Mr Teare said talks are continuing with the industry to determine the most appropriate route to go down.

But he warned that complete open transparency of financial affairs may lead to a risk of individuals being targeted by criminals.

The Isle of Man was one of the first countries to be removed from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s original tax haven blacklist, and secured a place on the OECD’s white list in 2009.

Celtic League spokesman Bernard Moffatt suggested that if Mr Miliband wished to interfere in the affairs of the Isle of Man perhaps the Manx government should look at introducing legislation to end the application of a political levy to the UK Labour Party by trade unionists here.

Hostilities between Labour and the Isle of Man last surfaced in 2008 when the then Chancellor Alistair Darling described us a ‘tax haven sitting in the Irish Sea’ and then prime minister Gordon Brown said that in the wake of the Kaupthing bank collapse there was a ‘need to look again at the relationship between Britain and the Isle of Man’.

Richard Murphy, of the Tax Justice Network, who claims credit for the island losing £200m in VAT revenue, has outlined in his blog what the UK could do if ‘tax havens’ ignored Miliband’s threat.

He says: ‘We could legislate for these places. We could impose far tighter money laundering regulation. We could also require that Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man be removed from the BACS bank clearing system.

‘But if these places do not co-operate plenty more options are available, up to and including sending gunboats, which we have the absolute right to do. It just requires Labour to get tough.’

Tax and estate planning Specialists, Equiom Solutions Limited held a tax and wealth management seminar for residents and their advisers.

The seminar at the Palace Hotel in Douglas, was attended by 140 delegates, including individuals and representatives from the legal, property and finance sectors.

The speaker line up included Equiom Solutions Limited managing director, John Nugent, and tax directors, Phillip Dearden, Helen Woods and Kevin Renshaw.

They were joined by guest speakers, Dermot Hamill, head of wealth management, and Richard Stanley, investment director, from Canaccord Genuity.

John Nugent said: ‘This is an annual event for Equiom and as usual we had a full house.

‘We were delighted to receive such positive feedback from delegates regarding the content and format of the seminar and in response our plan is to keep the momentum going with future events of this nature.

‘I would like to extend my thanks to Dermot and Richard from Canaccord Genuity for contributing their investment management expertise to make this a well-rounded, informative event for local residents and their advisers’.

The event was opened and chaired by Phillip Dearden, who introduced the panel and gave an overview of the topics to be discussed.

John Nugent began proceedings with an overview of tax planning for Isle of Man residents. His presentation addressed the key elements to consider when planning an individual’s tax affairs.

Helen Woods addressed the topics of residence and domicile, with a particular reference to the new UK residence rules and Kevin Renshaw reviewed how Isle of Man companies can be used to hold stocks and shares for investment portfolios. These topics were tied together with an overview of the importance of carefully structured estate planning for Isle of Man resident and domiciled individuals, presented by Phillip Dearden. Guest speakers Richard Stanley and Dermot Hamill provided a review of the outlook for financial markets and an overview of investment strategy.

The event generated much debate by the audience and was closed by John Nugent, following a number of questions from the floor.

If you would like to register your interest to attend the next Equiom Solutions seminar, contact Jill Bennett on jillbennett@equiomgroup.com

Isle of Man Commonwealth Games swimmer Niamh Robinson recently won the Lancashire Telegraph Young Sports Personality of the Year award.

The fourth annual Lancashire Telegraph Grass Roots Heroes Awards evening was held at Mytton Fold Hotel in Langho and former Blackburn Rovers and Scotland footballer Kevin Gallagher was among the guests for the evening.

The talented swimmer, currently living in Darwen where she’s a member of Pioneer 79 Swimming Club, was the Isle of Man’s youngest representative at the 2014 Games in Glasgow at the age of just 14.

Despite her tender age, Niamh excelled in the pool at Tollcross Swimming Centre as she competed in no fewer than six different events - going up against the likes of Great Britain star Hannah Miley - and progressed to the semi-finals in two of them.

As a result of her efforts, Robinson is the highest-placed junior Manx female athlete in the history of the Commonwealth Games.

After her final race in Glasgow, the teenager travelled to Sheffield to compete in the National Age Group Swimming Championships where she enjoyed her most successful championships to date, taking a silver medal in the 100m breaststroke as well as bronze in the 200m individual medley.

On the ‘domestic’ front, she set five championship records and two junior island records at the Isle of Man Championships, as well as helping Lancashire win the ASA National County Team Championships for a 13th consecutive year.

She also competed in the North West Regional Championships, where she won two gold medals as well as four silvers.

Despite her considerable success, the now 15-year-old is already planning for the future and has set her sights on this year’s Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa and, further along, the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

Speaking after the awards ceremony, Niamh commented: ‘I’m training for the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa in September, but it all depends if I’m chosen.

‘I’ve got 13 consideration times at the moment so I need to try to step it up to qualifying times if I can. I’m not far off that at all because the margins are really small.

‘The island are only taking about six athletes out of all sports so it’s going to be a battle to get there, but I like a challenge. I’m excited.’

Far from resting on her laurels, the teenager is ready to move on to bigger and better things, targeting the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa in the hope of that leading to selection for the next Olympics, Rio 2016.

But Niamh feels it is just as important to make time for the people who have helped her get this far, and is now teaching, as well as training, with Pioneer 79 Swimming Club.

“On Saturday mornings I take swimming lessons so I kind of give back to the club what I’ve received,” said Niamh, who was voted Young Sports Personality of the Year at the Grassroots Heroes Awards.

“I think that’s a good way for the younger members of the club to recognise me as well because sometimes I get talked about and they don’t know who I am, so when I’m teaching them they say ‘Are you Niamh?’ “It’s good to interact with them and see what they are getting up to. I like to think of myself as a role model because I’ve been made girls’ captain this year.

“It’s not pressure but I’ve been given responsibility. Because I’m the oldest competing girl at the club, I need to set an example for the younger swimmers.

“And it kind of gives me a bit of nudge to get on with things because the girls are catching me up and I need to get a move on. It’s good pressure.”

Niamh has willingly taken on the role of mentor too.

“I can talk to the kids and understand them because I know how certain races feel.

“At the weekend there was a girl who didn’t want to do the 800m freestyle. I don’t blame her but we talked about it and I asked what was wrong.

“I think it’s easier to relate to me because I’ve been through those experiences and so I know how they feel.”

People who are interested in buying a property through government’s shared equity purchase assistance schemes are being invited along to one of three open days.

Staff from the Department of Health and Social Care’s housing team will be on hand to provide information and guidance between 12noon and 7pm on:

Thursday, February 19, Ramsey Town Hall

Wednesday, February 25, Port St Mary Town Hall

Wednesday, March 18, Corrin Hall, Peel

Two shared equity schemes were introduced in July 2014 – First Home Fixed and First Home Choice – replacing the former scheme. Providing that an applicant meets the eligibility criteria, the department can offer assistance up to a maximum of 30 per cent of the value of the property.

Minister for Health and Social Care Howard Quayle MHK said: ‘Government is committed to supporting first time buyers and targets its resources at those most in need of assistance through developing affordable homes and offering financial assistance.

‘Buying your first house is exciting, but it can also be daunting. I would encourage anyone considering the first rung on the property ladder to come along to one of the open days. It’s an opportunity to meet face to face with staff from the DHSC’s Housing Team in a relaxed and informal environment. There’ll be information on eligibility for financial assistance, how the two shared equity schemes work and details on the affordable homes currently being constructed.’

A number of first time buyer properties are being developed in Castletown, Colby, Port Erin, Peel, Ramsey and Douglas which have a price cap of £160,000

These will be available as ‘approved’ properties under the First Home Fixed Scheme to those on the Register of First Time Buyers.

Alternatively, First Home Choice caters for those looking to buy a property for up to £190,000 on the open market.

Anyone who is interested in the schemes and has any queries should contact the DHSC’s housing team on 685955 or visit www.gov.im/firsttimebuyers.

Tributes have been paid to a much-loved farmer and journalist who has died aged 94.

Harvey Briggs worked in journalism for 55 years, retiring from his Isle of Man Examiner column in 2012.

He was a successful farmer at Ballakilmartin in Onchan and received the Tynwald Honour medal in 2008, the highest accolade Tynwald can bestow upon a member of the public.

He was a founder member of the Eastern Young Farmers’ Club, and at different times a member of the Agricultural Marketing Society, a director of Agrimark Limited, and various other agricultural associations.

He was also a member of Onchan Parish Commissioners for many years and Captain of the Parish of Onchan.

Captain of German parish John Kennaugh was glowing in his tribute saying: ‘I first met Harvey when I was a 16-year-old farm worker in Lonan and even then I knew he was somebody special, he was different in a remarkable way.

‘When I look back now, other people of my age and myself had a super role model to follow, something which is hard to find these days.

‘He was a very sensitive man with a great depth of understanding of human nature. He was respected and loved by everyone who knew him.

‘It was said readers would first read the obituaries page in the paper then Harvey’s page.’

Harvey was born in Shropshire in 1920 and moved to the island in 1926.

He started writing at the Isle of Man Examiner in 1957 as well as a number of other publications over the years and became the undisputed voice of Manx farming.

Outside of the island, he also contributed to Farmers’ Weekly, Farmers’ Guardian, Scottish Farmer and Irish Farm News, all weekly publications. He married wife Laura in 1951, whom he said was a great help to him, always checking his copy for grammar and spelling. Together with his mother and stepfather, Jim and Gladys McCubbin, he farmed firstly in Braddan and then from 1938 until his retirement at Ballakilmartin.

Harvey and Laura did not have any children of their own but have a number of surviving nieces and nephews.

Jo Overty, former news editor at Isle of Man Newspapers, said: ‘Harvey was a wonderful Manxman who was admired and respected by everyone who knew him. He was a natural writer, despite probably never having had a day’s training in his life.

‘Harvey would frequently offer to make way for a qualified reporter, but no-one could have translated countryside issues to a general readership the way he did and his page was one of the first many people turned to, whether from rural life or not.

‘He was equally comfortable writing about technological innovations – or taking on the politicians over a decision he felt didn’t favour his profession.

‘He delivered his hand-written copy to our office every Wednesday evening, without fail, and keying it in was, for me, a city girl, an education about the Manx way of life past and present.

‘A highlight of the week was when Harvey phoned in his mart report, patiently spelling the names of breeds to us time and time again.

‘When Harvey finally acceded to all our requests to put his lifetime of memories into a book, he sent me a copy with a hand-written note which, in typical self-effacing style, said: “You may have read it all before”.’

Brian Brumby, president of the Manx National Farmers’ Union (MNFU), was equally full of praise, saying: ‘Members of the MNFU have been saddened to learn of the passing of one of their life members of the union.

evicted

‘Harvey had been associated with the union since its inaugural meeting in 1946 – Harvey’s claim to fame was that he was actually evicted from this meeting as he was deemed too young to be there.

‘However amends were quickly made and Harvey retained a life-long involvement with the union as a member, council member of the eastern branch and since 1996, an honorary life member.

‘Using his writing skills combined with his immense knowledge of Manx agriculture and his detailed diaries, Harvey delighted in helping younger, inexperienced farmers to write reports for the annual Manx Journal of Agriculture which was issued by the then Isle of Man Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. Several branch secretaries of the Manx NFU are indebted to Harvey and his kind and patient teaching.

‘He will be remembered for being a knowledgeable farmer and agricultural writer who not only reminisced on past experiences, but who also had the ability to look to the future and encourage the next generations by sharing his knowledge and skills – something we can all learn from.’

Isle of Man Newspapers editor Richard Butt said: ‘Harvey was special. He was writing up to 2,000 words every week for us until the age of 92.

‘He was totally reliable and accurate.

‘He really was the voice of farming in the Isle of Man. He will be missed by us all here at Isle of Man Newspapers and the whole Manx farming community.’

Examiner columnist Terry Cringle said: ‘As a part-time journalist the late Harvey Briggs, for many years the Examiner’s agricultural correspondent as well as a working farmer, had one special journalistic distinction. For the rest of us we have to write our copy on the computer. Harvey was not up for this. He wanted to carry on as he started, writing his copy by hand, and he may well have been the last of anywhere to be allowed to do this.

‘What he used to write was too good, too authoratiive and too sound to be killed off by technology.’

A service of celebration for Harvey will be held on Friday at 2pm at St Peter’s Church in Onchan. It will be followed by a private cremation.

A backbench MHK said changes being made to the tax cap rules show the system isn’t working.

And he has called for the Manx government rethink its fiscal position in terms of social responsibility and not just tax competitiveness.

Isle of Man Newspapers reported last week that a number of taxcappers may have left the island since measures were introduced to prevent potential abuse of the system.

The House of Keys last week voted to give a second reading to changes to the Income Tax Bill that will amend a new rule brought in only last year obliging tax cappers to sign up to the £120,000 cap for five years.

But Douglas West MHK Chris Thomas told iomtoday: ‘Changes by Treasury to the five year tax cap regime confirm the previous scheme is not working.’

In the Keys last week, Treasury Minister Eddie Teare admitted for the first time the five year sign-up was introduced because there was evidence the previous system was open to abuse.

He explained someone could declare himself a taxcapper in one year, take a big dividend from the company and then have no tax liability at all in subsequent years. He described this as ‘dipping in and dipping out’.

But he said he and the assessor of income tax had received comments regarding the change.

Under the planned amendments, individuals can effectively opt out of the tax cap and choose to have their tax liability assessed in the normal way. Mr Teare said this was about recognising people’s circumstances can change - for instance they may have sold their business.

But Mr Thomas said: ‘We need Treasury to review tax cap operations and tax policy more generally, with officials and MHKs considering matters with external experts and not just listening to self-interested lobbyists.

‘What about a small positive tax rate after a tax cap applies to tax at the standard rate? The source of the income should matter.’

Mr Thomas said the island led the Crown Dependencies into tax capping in 2006 but he believed any turnaround in the policy here would be followed in the Channel Islands given the public revenue situation there.

He added: ‘We also need to revisit company tax policy rather than blithely repeating that the current system is sacrosanct.

‘The proportion of tax collected from mushrooming corporate income has collapsed to a 10th of what it was a decade ago. Corporate leaders need to think about government’s fiscal situation in terms of corporate social responsibility as well as international tax competitiveness.’

He said there should be engagement with businesses and tax professionals to address this issue. ‘The Isle of Man could contribute to a turnaround which would help all of us and all around us.’