The Steam Packet’s Manannan services tomorrow and the next day have been cancelled.

It will mean that there will be six days in a row that the fast craft has not sailed.

But the Steam Packet hopes to have the vessel back up and running by the weekend.

Passengers booked on tomorrow’s 7.30am sailing to Liverpool and the 11.15am sailing from Liverpool will need to contact reservations on 01624 661661 to make alternative arrangements.

Additional telephone lines are available for passengers booked on any sailings from Heysham or Liverpool. These numbers are 0151 242 5180 (7.30am to 7.30pm) or 01524 865930 (2pm to 10pm).

All passengers booked on the 3pm sailing to Liverpool will be automatically transferred to the 7.45pm sailing to Heysham and those booked on the 7.15pm sailing from Liverpool will be automatically transferred to the 2.15am sailing from Heysham on Friday morning.

A coach will leave the terminal in Liverpool at 11.30am for those passengers transferring to the 2.15pm departure from Heysham and at 9pm for those transferring to the 2.15am departure Friday.

A coach transfer has also been arranged for those foot passengers that require transfer to Liverpool terminal once the Ben-my-Chree sailings arrive in Heysham.

MV Arrow is now in service, allowing the Ben-my-Chree to concentrate on passenger and vehicle traffic.

Steam Packet chief executive Mark Woodward said: ‘We would like to offer our sincere apologies to passengers. We continue to do all that we can to minimise repair time of Manannan and restore normal operations as soon as possible.

‘Contrary to online rumours, it is currently intended that the repairs to Manannan will be carried out in Douglas, not dry-dock.’

However, if repairs to Manannan proceed as planned, she should resume her normal schedule on Saturday morning.

Passengers booked on Friday’s 7.30am sailing to Liverpool and the 11.15am, sailing from Liverpool, should contact reservations on 661661 to make alternative arrangements.

The additional phone numbers are as abov

Again, all passengers booked on Friday’s 3pm sailing to Liverpool will be automatically transferred to the 7.45pm sailing to Heysham and those booked on the 7.15pm sailing from Liverpool will be automatically transferred to the 2.15am sailing from Heysham on Saturday morning, April 11.

A coach will leave the terminal in Liverpool at 11.30am for those passengers transferring to the 2.15pm departure from Heysham and at 9pm for those transferring to the 2.15pm departure Saturday morning.

A coach transfer has also been arranged for those foot passengers that require onward transfer to Liverpool terminal once the Ben-my-Chree sailings arrive in Heysham.

Mr Woodward said: ‘I can assure all of our passengers that we have made every effort to minimise the repair time, but the damage to Manannan was extensive.

‘The repairs necessary have required specialist heavy engineering, fabricating and welding expertise, some of which we simply do not have ourselves.

‘Our engineers will be working through the night cutting and shaping the heavy steel plate ready for final welding repairs to both the starboard inner and starboard outer water jets.

‘Unfortunately, there have been no Certified and Class-approved specialist welders available in the UK, so we also had to arrange for two suitably qualified technicians to be flown in from mainland Europe.

‘It is planned that divers will refit the first unit in the early hours of Friday morning, and the second unit will follow during daylight hours on Friday. Once both units are refitted, there will be various system checks to be completed and then harbour trials to be carried out to confirm that all is in order and that Manannan is ready for operational service.

‘We are hopeful that we will be able to complete and test repairs on Friday, and then resume normal schedules with Manannan from Saturday.’

{http://www.steam-packet.com/LatestSailings|Click here for the latest from the Steam Packet.}

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/steam-packet-borrows-vessel-for-its-northern-irish-route-1-7197452|The Steam Packet today borrowed a vessel to cover its Irish route.}

Tynwald’s committee, which is reviewing the work of Tynwald’s committees, is to give members of the public the opportunity to submit any views on Tynwald’s committee system.

Submissions should arrive by 5pm on Friday, April 24.

The committee, Leonard Singer MHK, Chris Thomas MHK and Juan Watterson MHK, intends to publish evidence as it is received.

Respondents are therefore asked to indicate clearly whether or not they are content for their submissions to be published.

The email address is committees@tynwald.org.im

Committee Secretariat, Legislative Buildings, Finch Road, Douglas IM1 3PW.

Although it has a remit to look at Tynwald’s committee system in the round, the committee intends to focus in particular on the Public Accounts Committee, the Policy Review Committees and the use of Select Committees.

Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood recently had an informal tour of restoration work being done at Malew parish church.

He requested the visit having attended the installation service of the new minister, Reverend James McGowan.

It began with an interesting twist, said Jo Storrs, honorary secretary of the friends of Malew Church.

She said: ‘Right on cue, the clouds parted on His Excellency’s arrival so we could see the eclipse.

‘Then, as we inspected the restorations to the south wall, the clouds parted periodically to reveal glimpses of the progress of the moon’s journey across the sun.’

Part of the work at the ancient church – one of the island’s oldest – involves replacing the render with a more traditional-looking lime wash.

When hacking off the old render, workmen were surprised to find the top of a skull and bones (a rib and thigh are visible) dating from between the 15th and 18th centuries. There is speculation they could they be the bones of Manx martyr Illiam Dhone, who was buried in the chancel.

Manx National Heritage would like to revisit the burial cist, which has been bricked up again, in the future.

Work so far has been financed by The Crown Estate and Manx Lottery Trust.

The next phase – restoration of the exterior west wall – is financed by The Friends of Malew and one ‘Friend’, now living in Switzerland, wishes to finance renovation the bell cote in memory of his father and his aunt who worshipped at the church.

The Friends are now seeking grants to renovate the north exterior walls and interior of the church.

They also want to improve access for wheelchairs and push chairs.

Available in the church are copies of a ‘Brief Tour’ – written by church member Jonathan Kewley – to guide visitors around the interior of the church.

Double the ale capacity and a brand new venue will mark the start of a new era for the Isle of Man’s now annual real ale festival.

Since the runaway success of the inaugural event in 2012, the festival has increased in size every year and 2015 sees it finally outgrow the Masonic Hall and move down the hill to the Villa Marina which will accommodate many more visitors and, perhaps more importantly, more than twice the number of casks of ale as featured in the first festival.

This year there wil lbe 132 different beers, complemented by 38 ciders and perries.

CAMRA’s Alan Cooper said: ‘Moving to the Villa Marina enables the organisers to have a wider choice of beers and ciders and also to almost treble the attendance capacity.

‘There will be beers from all parts of the UK as well as four of the island’s breweries.’

Mr Cooper went on to say they had tried to represent as many different styles of beer as possible with blondes, golden ales, wheat beers, barley wines, dark beers, milds, stouts and porters, as well as bitters, best bitters and speciality beers featuring an exotic range of flavours. Among the more unusual ingredients used in some of the beers will be vanilla pods, chocolate, coffee beans, honey, maple syrup, ginger and even oysters, not to mention a huge range of fruits and spices..

Beer strengths vary from innocuous session ales at 2.8 per cent (with that particular beer featuring lemon grass among its ingredients) to a migrane-inducing IPA at 9.4 per cent, from Douglas brewery Hooded Ram. Keeping casualties in check, the stronger beers will be served in half or third pint measures.

As usual there will be a range of live entertainment to please the crowds, courtesy of 12 of the island’s leading bands which will be on stage in the Royal Hall from lunchtime until closing on Friday and Saturday.

Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood will perform the honours opening the festival on Thursday at 6.30pm, ceremoniously pulling the first pint of Bushy’s ale commemorating the festival’s good cause which this year is the Joey Dunlop Foundation.

Multiple TT sidecar winner David Molyneux will received the first pint of Bushy’s festival ale on behalf of the Foundation, which will get a donation from proceeds raised by sale of the ale.

More details about this year’s festival can be found at www.iombeerfestival.com or www.villagaiety.com

The Isle of Man is to host a sporting event for children in the summer.

The INEOS GO Run for Fun will take place on Tuesday, July 21.

Primary school pupils will run or walk 2km at the National Sports Centre, Douglas.

Organisers say they hope a celebrity athlete will start them off.

GO Run for Fun, which encourages children into exercise, is backed by sporting heroes including former 60m world champion and world record holder Colin Jackson.

With more than 100 events involving 50,000 children held so far, the campaign aims to get 100,000 children running by 2016 – making it the biggest such initiative in the world.

GO Run for Fun is the idea of Jim Radcliffe, owner of INEOS, a manufacturing company in the UK, who has donated £1.5 million to establish a charitable foundation to encourage children to run for fun.

Jim said: ‘I’m passionate about getting as many children running as possible as early as possible. The idea is simple – to get children out of the house having fun. Running is the basis of so many sports. If children catch the running bug early, they are more likely to stick to it and this can only lead to them having more active and healthy lifestyles.’

Gianni Epifani, a sports development officer who works for the government, said: ‘GO Run for Fun happens throughout the UK, Europe and now America and it’s great to be chosen to host an event again.

‘Our 10-year Strategy for Sport highlights the importance of getting children involved in sport at an early age for their physical well-being, confidence and development.

‘Last year’s event was held in brilliant sunshine and saw more than 1,000 children, resplendent in the event’s colourful pink T-shirts, take to the track.

‘Olympic and Commonwealth Games athlete Helen Clitheroe started it off and inspired children, showing off her medals and talking about how she reached the pinnacle of her sport. What better way to get thousands of children active and excited about sport, standing them in good stead for later life.’

Speed cameras are to be put in various areas of Port Erin to investigate whether a 20mph speed limit should be introduced.

At the commissioners’ meeting on March 17, Nick Watterson proposed a notice of motion that they ask the Department of Infrastructure to explore the speed reduction be introduced in the retail area.

As the authority has taken over services such as street sweeping from government, he is concerned there will be more workmen in the road. Commissioners agreed there are various areas of concern relating to pedestrians, mainly young people going to and from school also elderly residents at the Four Roads, plus the increase in population given the new Ballakilley development will exacerbate the concerns.

In response to their request for feedback on a village-wide speed limit, the Department of Infrastructure will gather statistical information through the speed cameras, said clerk Jason Roberts.

Christine Sutton has joined Connect2HR as executive HR and training consultant.

‘I am really pleased to join Connect2HR’ said Christine.

‘I feel that the experience gained working in a multinational company as well as the manager development I previously implemented will allow me to add value to both existing andnew clients.’

A chartered member of the CIPD, Christine holds a Post Graduate Diploma in HumanResource Management and an Honours Degree in Applied Psychology.

Sue Hammond, director of Connect2HR said: ‘We are really pleased to have Christine joining us.

‘With more than eight years’ experience within the global financial services sectorand the breadth of experience she brings; from employee relations, strategicworkplace engagement initiatives and manager development, Christine is the perfect addition.’

Christine recently spoke at the Isle of Man CIPD conference on ‘implementing a workplace wellbeing programme’.

Connect2HR is a fast growing consultancy business based in the Isle of Man and offers a full range of HR services from administration, management and legal. They haverecently launched their manager training solutions which is offered both on the Islandand in the UK.

Will Keenan is nearing full fitness again after arguably the toughest 10 months of his burgeoning rugby career.

This time last year the former Ramsey captain’s career was on the ascent after successful spells at Preston Grasshoppers and National League One outfit Cinderford brought about a move to New Zealand.

All was going swimmingly for the 27-year-old back-row forward who impressed with a series of man-of-the-match performances for his new side North Ortago on a pre-season tour of Tonga and Fiji, where he faced the Fijian champions and the Tongan national side’s second string among others.

Then, however, disaster struck for the Sulby Bull, injury forcing him to cut short his time in the Southern Hemisphere and return back to Manx shores.

‘I did the injury in Tonga, but I carried on playing on my return to New Zealand and it got worse and worse. I played the first four games of the season, but I physically couldn’t do any more.’

Unbeknown to the Keenan, he was suffering from a condition called Gilmore’s groin thanks to deep tear in one of his abdominal muscle.

‘When I initially came home I was falsely diagnosed as it’s hard to spot unless your a sports specific doctor. Luckily I mentioned my symptoms to a former team-mate at Cinderford who said that one of the team was suffering from a similar problem and had been to a specialist in Gloucester called Mr Vipond.

‘I organised an appointment with him, he confirmed the diagnosis and said I would need surgery.’

This was scheduled for the first few weeks in January, but Keenan suffered another setback when he was struck down by meningitis.

‘To this day I don’t know how I got it, but thankfully I recovered quite quickly and was able to have the surgery.’

Since then, the back-row forward has put all his efforts into getting fit and back playing rugby.

‘I’m training with Andy Parker at Gym and Tonic, and I didn’t think I’d be anywhere near that now, but thanks to Andy I am. After the operation I was told it would be six to 12 weeks before I’d be allowed to do weights and proper training. Andy had me on his special AlterG treadmill two weeks after my op and has been great getting me back up to speed.’

With his fitness returning Keenan has his sights set on a move to the professional English rugby leagues.

‘I’ve got trials with a mid-table Championship side in the summer, but I’m also heading to Belgium in May to play at the Flanders 10s.

‘I’m part of a team organised by Rah Rah Rugby Recruitment agency. They put together a squad from over 150 applicants with the hope that they’ll be spotted by the many professional clubs from across Europe that attend the competition.’

‘I’m hoping the injury is a bit of a blessing in disguise. I’d only had minor injuries since I originally left the island and I’m hoping this lay off has let the body rest and recuperate so I’m fresh for my next challenge.’

The final sessions of the Lancashire Swimming Championships took place in Manchester recently with more than 25 members of AXA Wealth International Isle of Man Swimming Club taking part.

The team, for many their first qualifying level one meet, have only been a presence in the Lancashire County Champs once before in 2014 where only 11 athletes competed.

The side’s strength in depth showed as swimmers advanced to the finals sessions in every age group with medals won in all but one age band.

In a district that has, for the last 13 years, been crowned inter-county champions, the medals were always going to be hotly contested.

However, four IoMSC swimmers managed to gain podium positions - Alex Bregazzi a bronze in the men’s 200m freestyle, Laura Kinley silver in the women’s 100m breaststroke behind her Isle of Man team-mate Niamh Robinson swimming for her local club Pioneer 79, while Kazia Whittaker took her first medal at a level one meet with silver in the 14-years 50m fly.

The standout performer of the meet was Emma Hodgson winning gold in the 13-years 50m and 100m freestyle as well as showing her talents are not just in the sprint events with the bronze in the 200m freestyle.

Other finalists included Magnus Kelly in the 10-11 years, Oliver Williams (12yrs), Emma Hodgson (13 years), Kazia Whittaker (14 years), Alex Bregazzi (open age), Brody Hewison (open age), Tom Bielich (open age), Steph Brew (open age) and Laura Kinley (open age).

Overall the team finished 16th in the county, a vast improvement on last year’s first showing. Head coach Lee Holland commented: ‘It’s great to see the sport growing and numbers competing at this level of meet increasing, however we are not by any means a finished product and our successes at the recent Isle of Man Sport Awards as well as these open meets is only helping to further grow the sport.

‘The athletes involved in Isle of Man Swimming Club are now working for each other mpre than ever and building a structure, which we are proving is capable of housing some of Britain’s best and most exciting new athletes.’

The Manx Independent is in the shops now.

Its lead story is the situation regarding Manannan.

Inside we also talk to air passengers who’ve also faced delays.

Headline of the week is probably ‘Man punched hole in fish tank’. Dozens of fish died.

It’s one of many stories from the courts this week.

Our 16-page features section, Island Life, includes the Isle of Man’s what’s on guide and seven days of television.

Island Life also looks at a book about the quirky side of the TT. In fact, you might recognise the TT rider on the front page blurb under the Manx Independent’s name. No prizes for the right answer, unfortunately.

Three people were treated for smoke inhalation after a fire in the early hours today.

Police, fire and ambulance crews were called to a fire on Christian Road, Douglas.

Police are appealing for help in finding a taxi vandal.

The silver Audi was attacked in Gellings Avenue, Port St Mary, overnight on Good Friday/Easter Saturday.

The car had a corrosive substance, similar to paint stripper, poured over every panel of it causing damage to the vehicle’s paintwork to such an extent that it will require a full re-spray.

The vehicle was parked in a private underground car park at the time of the offence.

A police spokesman said: ‘This crime is particularly impactive for the victim as the vehicle is used as a taxi and is her main source of income.

‘The vehicle is likely to be off the road for a significant amount of time to be repaired.’

‘Were you in the area overnight? Did you see anyone acting unusually? Local residents are asked to check their gardens for any discarded containers which may have appeared since the Easter weekend.’

Anyone with any information in relation to this matter is being asked to contact Constable Robin Arnold at Castletown police station on 822222.

This week, the amiable Paddy from Ask Buck shows IoMFoE’s Cat Turner around the business premises, and explains what happens to much of what we call ‘waste’.

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Commercial outfit Ask Buck (www.askbuck.com) is becoming a well-known solution to waste and recycling problems - both for commercial organisations and, increasingly, for households opting to drop items off.

Last week, owner Paddy showed IoMFoE round Ask Buck’s Ballasalla-based operation - and it was quite an eye-opener.

His amiable team were happy and willing to explain their jobs, and show me the impressive equipment the business has invested in to help turn the island’s rubbish into the raw materials for new products.

This takes up two warehoused-size buildings of around 6,000 square feet, and includes card balers, confidential shredding equipment, industrial bin-washers and an impressive array of equipment for, variously, crunching, slicing, shredding or powderising all sorts of plastics, rubber, wood, metal and other compounds.

The company will - for reasonable fees - collect all sorts of waste materials, from glass to metals, paper to plastics. We saw huge container loads of clothes-hangers, heaps of wheelie-bins, bales of card and paper, metal in all shapes and forms, computer innards and pallets and pallets of (sometimes unused) plastic product.....pretty much anything, excepting for food waste (which ideally our readers will be composting where they can).

It was a relief to realise that all of this didn’t have to go to incineration or landfill. It’s frankly madness - and in a very real sense, sheer wickedness - that in so many cases, ‘consumer’ items suffer the indignity of being made from precious and diminishing natural resources - only to be burnt or buried after just a single use: and often not even that!

We delved a little deeper into the destination for Ask Buck’s recyclates - and learned, for example, that those heaps of office paper which need to be properly disposed of to ensure customer confidentiality, are turned into fine shredding - then shipped off to a papermill in Lancaster, to be made into the ubiquitous and endlessly useful ‘blue roll’ which gets used for a million and one cleaning-up jobs...cardboard, too, ends up taking a boat trip, to be reprocessed (again in Lancaster) into more cardboard. Various plastics are cleaned, sorted and shipped to distribution centres in the UK, where they’re sold on the commodity markets.

But some things don’t leave the island. Much of the glass that’s sorted at Ask Buck heads off to Ballahara to be turned into eco-sand and the like, a great product that can be used to make colourful bricks, driveway toppings, even garden decoration and ‘hard mulch’. And the plastic that comes from discarded coat-hangers gets pulverised, and turned into eye-catching giant paper-clips, great for promotional giveaways or big filing jobs.

None of this is entirely straight-forward, though: Paddy explained that- great as it is when people recycle their plastic bags, if they must use them - a single till receipt left in one can ‘contaminate’ the batch . So everything has to be sorted, cleaned and separated if it’s to be granted a second life. Some of this, Paddy’s team does at the warehouse - but of course the more they have to do, the more time it takes and the more it has to cost; so it’s well worth taking the time, if you’re using Ask Buck’s services, to do a decent job yourself - and if in doubt, give the team a ring on 825826. They’ll be glad to tell you what works best in recycling and what to watch out for.

It’s great to see that the idea of saving valuable resources from the ground is becoming more mainstream all the time, and also to appreciate the wide variety of materials that can now be recycled. Check it out - Ask Buck - you might be surprised!

It came as something of a surprise when it was announced that campaigning in the forthcoming UK General Election began on Monday of last week.

It seems to have been going on since . . . well, I don’t know.

Fortunately it will be all over when their election has been held on May 7.

But the next few weeks will come in useful for certain people in the Isle of Man – the men and women who intend to stand in our General Election to the House of Keys in September next year

You, ladies and gentlemen, will need a supply of political clichés when speechifying and they are flying all around us like shotgun pellets at the moment.

There are some you will need to borrow. You must promise ‘to go the extra mile’ and ‘give 110 per cent’ and insist that you ‘want to make a difference’.

(No, not like Hitler, even thought he really did make a difference).

‘Sustainability’ sounds good, even if you don’t know what it means.

You must also want to ‘grow the economy.’ (There must be one planted in a greenhouse somewhere).

You might also aver solemnly that ‘ordinary people’, which politicians by inference mean not themselves, must be enabled to ‘fulfil their potential’.

Not, perhaps, if they are homicidal maniacs.

Finally you can, if you really insist, talk about ‘community’ and ‘passions’ – but never ever ‘challenges’.

I would say that when you hear a candidate say ‘problems’ instead of challenges, get ready with your X.

I would advise voters who hear candidates say challenges to give them a smack in the mouth.

Now that’s what I would really call a challenge.

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The answer to last week’s pub quiz question ‘Which King of England said a hearse, a hearse, my kingdom for a hearse’ can be announced today.

He was King Richard the Interred.

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Both Sara Goodwins and Richard Hetherington report this week’s Manx crossword clue which was in the Telegraph cryptic as follows: ‘Youngster with knowledge about one set of races (6).

Answer at foot of column

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Everyone needs a little financial advice these days and one of my favourites is credited to the writer Ernest Haskins: ‘Save a little money each month and at the end of the year you will be surprised to learn how little you have.’

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Ian Wrigley has had a thought about the diesel locomotive, bought by the Department of Infrastructure, which has been giving technical problems. He has written a song about it called: ‘Pardon Me Boy, Is That Our Broken Down Old Choo Choo?’

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The television critic of The Oldie magazine said the funniest line he heard was in the programme ‘Call the Midwife’, with a nun saying: ‘Using a condom is like wearing socks when going for a paddle’

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My Funnies File of 1998 tells of a news item on Manx Radio with a warning against buying ‘dangerous children’s presents’.

At the same time Silverdale Glen in the Isle of Man was advertising its ‘huge children’s playground’.

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In my Times Past feature in the Examiner, Geoff Corkish MLC remembers being made a member of the Examiner Young Folk’s League when he was 10 years old.

I wonder if they would have let him in if they knew he was going to grow up to be a politician.

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I am assured that there is a house in Peel, I don’t know where exactly, called ‘Peel Bananas.’

What else would you do with them?

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Extracts from letters written by NHS secretaries: ‘The patient’s medical condition has been remarkably insignificant with only a 40 pound weight gain in the past three days.’

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Crossword answer: Kitten

The jury in a murder trial has been hearing evidence from a consultant psychiatrist.

Ian Anderson, aged 46, has denied murdering Mr Roberts whose body was found at the Andersons’ house in Queen Street, Castletown in the early hours of December 1, 2013.

Dr Ramneesh Puri interviewed defendant Ian Anderson and studied transcripts of his police interviews and telephone calls before telling the court he believed the defendant fitted the criteria for a borderline personality disorder and had experienced ‘morbid jealousy’.

Dr Puri also said Mr Anderson’s claims not to remember some of the events preceding the death of 60-year-old gardener Neil Roberts were credible.

He told the court: ‘It’s not unusual for people involved in traumatic events like that not to remember because of the high levels of the cortisol stress hormone. Research has suggested up to 40 per cent of people involved in such an incident have memory lapses.’

He also added people with a personality disorder often were less able to deal with stress.

Under cross examination. Linda Watts queried the rigour of Dr Puri’s research asking why he had not sought corroboration of his findings by speaking to members of Mr Anderson’s family, former employers and friends.

But under re-examination by defence advocate Dawn Jones, Dr Puri said: ‘I believe if I had spoken to others, I would have found many more examples of personality disorder.’

Dr Puri said such a disorder could have grown out of stresses suffered in childhood and he said it could mean a person lacked normal coping mechanisms to deal with stress, often turning instead to alcohol, for example, or experiencing angry outbursts.

The case continues.

Marown secured the JCK Division Two title without kicking a ball on Wednesday evening as nearest challengers RYCOB and Colby both lost to Douglas Royal 5-4 and Malew 5-1 respectively.

Ross Menton opened the scoring for Royal in their thriller with Youthie at Scooil Ree Gorree, curling in to make it 1-0.

Marc McClurg levelled matters two minutes later with an angled drive before Sean Trayler restored the Whites’ lead when the RYCOB goalkeeper couldn’t keep out his long-range strike.

After the break, Craig Dolman scored Royal’s third from the penalty spot. Oliver Blaker pulled a goal back for Youthie, capitalising on a goalkeeping fumble.

Graham Kennish headed home from a corner to make it 3-3 but Royal soon restored their lead when player-manager Gavin Gawne poked home from close range following a throw-in.

Paul Whitley headed home a cross to make it 5-3, prior to Kennish heading in his second for RYCOB in added time for the northerners’ fourth. Crucially, however, the promotion chasers couldn’t find an equaliser in the time remaining.

Andy Glover smashed five goals as Malew beat Colby 5-1 to dent the latter’s top-two hopes.

The results mean Youthie, Douglas Athletic, Colby and Douglas Royal can join Marown in the top flight next season.

In the Canada Life Premier League its as you were at the top after pacesetters St George’s and Peel both racked up convincing wins.

Leaders St George’s beat Unions Mills 13-1 thanks to goals from Ciaran McNulty (4), Chris Bass Jr (3), Conor Doyle (2), Jack McVey (2), Sean Quaye and Frank Jones. This was the second time the leaders have scored 13 past Mills in a matter of weeks.

Josh Kelly’s grip on the Golden Boot tightened at Douglas Road as he bagged five goals during Peel’s 7-1 win over Ramsey. Michael Simpson had given the northerners an early lead only for Ashley Webster to fire in a leveller.

Kelly then went on the rampage netting his five goals before Isle of Man FA manager Nick Hurt completed the game’s scoring in the 92nd minute.

The top-flight’s other game ended 1-1 at St John’s. Laxey, who could only field 10 players, took the lead through a Jonny Shields goal before Andy Chadwick levelled for the Saints in what was their last league game of the season.

Wednesday, April 8

Canada Life Premier League

Peel 7-1 Ramsey

St John’s 1-1 Laxey

Union Mills 1-13 St George’s

JCK Division Two

Malew 5-1 Colby

RYCOB 4-5 Douglas Royal

Foxdale 1-4 Braddan

Amelia Ventures Limited, whose registered office is situated at 14 Athol Street, Douglas, bought Merchant House, 24 North Quay, Douglas, for £1,185,000.

It was bought from Equimann Leisure Deus Limited, whose registered office is situated at Armitage House, Ridgeway Street, Douglas.

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

Lazer Investments Limited, whose registered office is situated at 21 Castle Street, Douglas, sold 14 Castle Street, Douglas, for £425,000 to Castle Bay Seafoods Limited, of Mill Road, Peel.

Barbara Jean Hyde sold Hyston, Ballabridson Park, Ballasalla, for £350,000 to Sheila Irene Christian and David Fell Christian, of Greenlands, Orrisdale Road, Ballasalla.

John Terence Kinvig, of Leeds, sold 7 Hillberry Meadows, Governor’s Hill, Douglas, for £267,500, to John Russell Hall and Judith Hall, of Maycomb, Pinehurst Avenue, Saddlestone.

Anthony John Quine, of 53 Lezayre Park, Ramsey, and Hillary Catrina Quine, sold 8 Little Meadow, Andreas, for £230,000, to Brian Thomson and Lisa Anne Thomson, Flat 3, 57 Royal Avenue West, Onchan.

Brian William Gordon sold 45 Lakeside Road, Onchan, for £225,000, to Lyncot Property Limited, of Hill Street, Douglas.

Kenneth Lowes and Barbara Dawn Lowes sold 24 Queen’s Road, Onchan, for £188,500, to Gavin James Laing, Flat 6, 8 Fairfield Terrace, Douglas.

Luc Omar Raes sold 15 Close Cowley, Anagh Coar Estate, Douglas, for £170,000, to Philip Richard Gunnell, 1 The Crofts, Ballaughton Meadows, Douglas.

Maria Crompton, of 1 Howe Road, Onchan, and Margaret Pauline Hannah, of Springfield Grange, Stevenson Way, Farmhill, Douglas, sold 17 Allan Street, Douglas, for £122,500, to Dean Adam Hall, of 82 Hillside Avenue, Douglas.

Andrew David Pease, of 8 Brookfield Terrace, Foxdale, and Aimee Louise Pease, of 18 Magher Breck, Ballawattleworth, Peel, sold 24 Bemahague Avenue, Onchan, for £85,000, to Andrew David Pease.

Christopher Walker and Mona Judith Walker, sold 26 St German’s Place, Peel, for £80,000, to Ian John Walker.

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

The P&O ferry that was used to take passengers from Northern Ireland to the Isle of Man was damaged in Manx waters yesterday.

It was so bad that P&O had to cancel later sailings.

Meanwhile, the Steam Packet says the repairs to the stricken Manannan fastcraft are going well.

The vessel has been out of action since Sunday after it was damaged.

As we reported {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/updated-story-manannan-to-stay-out-of-action-for-fifth-and-sixth-day-1-7198787|yesterday,} the Steam Packet hopes to have the Manannan back in action on Saturday.

Steam Packet boss Mark Woodward said: ‘Work is progressing well to repair the damage to the trim tab and water jet steering gear, and I thought it might be of interest to share some photographs of the scale of the damage.

‘I would also like to scotch some of the rumours circulating on some social media platforms and forums. We have never attributed this damage to fishing gear. What we have said is that it is because of debris in the water.

‘The nature of the damage – the worst we have ever seen – suggests that something very substantial was ingested.

‘Since 2007 there have been 17 recorded major incidents where our ships have been damaged and passengers have been inconvenienced by disrupted schedules as a result.

‘This latest incident is likely to cost in excess of £100,000 in repair costs alone.

‘It is interesting to note too that P&O Express, the ship we chartered to cover yesterday’s Belfast service because of the damage to Manannan’s steering gear, was itself damaged when leaving the island yesterday. It reported a trim tab failure, similar to what happened to Manannan. As a result they had to cancel their own sailings yesterday afternoon and evening.’

This first picture (picture 1) shows the A-frame linkage for the activation of the ‘trim tab’ ride control or ‘ride stabilising system’ which is located below the two damaged water jets and has been subject to trauma, distortion and failure.

The second picture (picture 2) shows the reversing flap, which is critical for the safe manoeuvring of the vessel and also shows evidence of heavy trauma. This equipment is fabricated from high quality 12mm thick marine grade stainless steel plate and the damage is similar on both starboard side water jets.

Mr Woodward added: ‘It should also be noted that the damage was incurred seven days after the vessel recommenced seasonal operational service and just three weeks after leaving dry-dock. All of this equipment was fully inspected during the docking period by Steam Packet Company engineering staff, along with Classification Society Surveyors and all found to be in good order.

‘The degree of damage is unprecedented both locally and also in the community of other fast ferry operators globally that we converse and network with on a regular basis.’

A new law to crack down on smoking has been hailed as a postive step forward.

A Bill to strengthen tobacco legislation has received its first reading in the House of Keys.

The Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2015 contains a number of proposals aimed at protecting children in particular from exposure to tobacco products and tobacco advertising.

Specifically the Bill proposes:

A ban on tobacco displays

Further controls on tobacco advertising

A ban on the sale of tobacco products from vending machines

The introduction of the ability to issue fixed penalty notices (fines) for smoking offences.

The Bill has been reviewed following consideration of the feedback received from the recent public consultation, with a summary of responses available {https://www.gov.im/dhsc/ConsultationDetail.gov?id=477|here}.

Member for Health and Social Care Alfred Cannan MHK, said: ‘It is important that we recognise the damage that smoking can have on people’s health.

‘We must do everything we can to minimise the risks for children and young adults in particular. This move is a positive step forward as it restricts the visibility and availability of tobacco products and will help to reduce the appeal of smoking and impulse buying of tobacco.’

The Bill will bring the Isle of Man into line with other jurisdictions, such as England, which have already banned the sale of tobacco from vending machines and the display of tobacco products at the point of sale.

Health chiefs say there is evidence that tobacco displays in shops and tobacco advertising influence young people and increase the likelihood of them taking up smoking.

Point of sale tobacco displays increase the likelihood of impulse buying, which can impact on people who have quit or are trying to stop smoking, resulting in relapse.

In addition, there has been growing concern that children are buying tobacco products from vending machines, which are often not supervised, meaning that age checks cannot take place.

Amendments have also been included in the Bill for introduction of the ability to issue fixed penalty notices for smoking related offences under existing regulations which are enforced by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, including any new offences that are created in the future.

There are ‘strong indications’ Costa Coffee will open in Castletown.

The announcement comes in a week of good news for the town when approval of the regeneration scheme and extension of the civic centre were given.

Town MHK Richard Ronan said: ‘There are strong indications Costa Coffee will be in town.

‘They will operate near the police station in an area known as the quarterdeck, by the harbour and opposite the entrance to Castle Rushen.

‘I would like to think there will be an announcement very shortly. I hope there is good news.

It is a wonderful place the quarterdeck – it’s a tremendous area that needs bringing back to life.

‘It will be a stimulus of more investment and a major attraction for Castletown and visitors will love it.’