The NatWest Island Games mountain bike team is holding a women’s skills morning this Sunday at South Barrule Plantation from 10am-12noon.

Homemade cakes and tea at the finish.

Meet at the car park - all welcome, £20 donation fee.

Call or text Rob on 431134 for more details.

Thursday, April 9

• 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.

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

• 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.

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

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

Friday, April 10

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

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

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

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

Saturday, April 11

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

Monday, April 13

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

• 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.

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

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

Tuesday, April 14

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

• 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.

Wednesday, April 15

• 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.

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

• 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.

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

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

Thursday, April 9

• Manx Retirement Association stretch and flex at the NSC, Douglas, 10am. Tuesday, Southern coffee morning at the Cherry Orchard Hotel, Port Erin, 10.0am. Whist afternoon at the Cat with No Tail, Douglas, 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, April 12

• Isle of Man Freethinkers, Douglas Yacht Club, 7pm-7.30pm.

Monday

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

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

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

• Cornaa WI, Maughold parish hall, 7.30pm. Call 818194.

• Sulby WI, St Stephen’s Church hall 7.30pm.

Tuesday, April 14

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

• Peel City WI, Guild Room, Athol Street, Peel, 10.30am. Call 818194.

• 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.

• Baldrine WI, Methodist Sunday School, Baldrine, 2pm. Call 818194.

• 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.

• Michael WI, Kirk Michael Church hall, 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.

Wednesday, April 15

• 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.

• Onchan Ladies meet in Morton hall, the Pensioners Club, 2.15pm. Call Shirley Baldwin, 620352.

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

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

• Ballaugh WI, Ballaugh Bowling Club, 7.30pm. Call 803804.

• Port St Mary WI, Mount Tabor School Room, Port St Mary, 7.45pm. Call 818194.

Thursday, April 9

• 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 Wildlife Trust Wallaby Walk, meet at Curragh Wildlife Park entrance, 1pm. Limited places, costs £2, not suitable for children under six. To book email dawn@manxwt.org.uk or call 844432.

• Family Library: Funny face craft, 3pm-4.30pm, £2. Friday, storybox, 10.30am followed by craft at 11am. Animal Wobblehead Doorhanger drop-in craft, £2. Saturday, sticky fingers, 10.39am-noon, £2. Pop-Up Flowers craft, 2pm-4pm, £5.

• St Jude’s Church special Easter service, 7pm. Light refreshments. All most welcome.

• Onchan Horticultural Society, gardeners question time and quiz night with Tom Long, Morton hall, Onchan, 7.30pm.

• 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, 7.30pm.

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

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

Friday, April 10

• The Port St Mary Branch of IoM Anti-Cancer Association coffee morning, St Mary’s Church hall, Port St Mary, 10am-11.30pm. Tickets £1.50.

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

• 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.

Saturday, April 11

• Andreas WI Spring coffee morning, Andreas Parish hall, 10am-noon. Stalls, raffle, children’s competition, £2.

• Catholic Women’s League Easter coffee morning at Columba Catholic Club, corner of Circular Road/Buck’s Road, 10.30am. Easter Bonnet Competition, cake and bric-a-brac stall and raffle. In aid of C.A.F.O.D. For further details call Carol 483926/Sandra 416692.

• Great Laxey Mine Railway, opening times 11am-4.30pm every Saturday.

• 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.

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

• Jumble and cake sale at the Ramsey Town hall, 1pm-3pm.

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

• Milntown House Tours every Saturday and Wednesday at 2.30pm, £7. Call 812321.

Sunday, April 12

• Car boot sale, Onchan Community Centre, noon, sellers £6 each, admission 50p. Call Sheila on 623704 or 480231.

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

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

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

Monday, April 13

• 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, April 14

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

• Powerchair football sessions and workshops, at Centre 21, Greenfield Road, for all children in manual and power wheelchairs, 10am-3pm. Also Wednesday. Also on Tuesday at the Isle of Man College, Main hall, 5pm-7pm. For more information call Zoe on 688575 or email, zoe.crowe@gov.im

• 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.

Wednesday, April 15

• Live Well – Stay Well six week course, various locations. Call the co-ordinator on 486641 or email livewell-staywell@gov.im

• 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.

• 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.

• St John Ambulance free first aid session, Eurocars, Peel Road, Douglas, 7pm-9pm. To book call 674387 or email marketing@sja.org.im

• 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.

Palace Cinema

• Fast and Furious 7, (12A), Nightly at 7.30pm.

• John Wick, (15). Nightly at 8pm.

• Cinderella, (U). Friday-Monday, 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

• Spongebob Movie, (U). Friday-Monday 2pm and 3.30pm.

Broadway Cinema

• Insurgent 3D, (12A). Nightly at 7.30pm, also Wednesday at 2.30pm. 2D, Friday-Sunday at 4.30pm.

• Home 2D, (U). Friday at 11.30am, Saturday and Sunday at 2pm.

• Beauty and The Beast, 3D, Saturday and Sunday at 11am.

Thursday, April 9

• 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 Pete Jackson 898468.

• 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, children’s yoga from 3.30pm-4.30pm yr3-yr6, 4.30-5.15 rec yr 2, teenage yoga 5.15pm-6.15pm, men’s yoga, 6.30pm-8pm, mixed ability hatha yoga, Monday, 9.15am-10.45am, adult Iyengar inspired yoga. Wednesday, 7pm-8.30pm adult Iyengar inspired yoga.. 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.

• Fun Aquafit class at the Cherry Orchard Hotel pool. 7.45pm. Don’t forget the jaccuzi and sauna afterwards. Also Tuesday.

Friday, April 10

• 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, April 11

• 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, April 12

• 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. 6pm-7.30pm.

Monday, April 13

• 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.

• 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, April 14

• 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.

• No strings badminton, for novices, beginners and getting back into badminton, NSC, 5pm-6pm.

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

• 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, April 15

• 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, April 9

• 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, 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, April 10

• 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, April 11

• 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, April 12

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

Monday, April 13

• 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, April 14

• 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, April 15

• 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.

• The Romance of Gardens, an exhibition by mixed media textile artists Maureen Kennaugh and Pat Kelly, at the Hodgson Loom Gallery, Laxey Woollen Mills , Laxey. Open Monday to Saturday, 9am-5pm. Until April 18.

• Ulster’s TT

Heroes Exhibition, House of Manannan, 10am-5pm. Until September 6.

• Joseph Urie, artworks from the 1960’s-2014 at the Sayle Gallery, Douglas.

• Meet the Artists , Visual elements, Petrina Kent, Roger Kent at The Isle Gallery, St

John’s, Sunday, 2pm-4.30pm.

Thursday, April 9

• 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.

• Ramsey Choral concert at St Paul’s Church, Ramsey, 7.30pm. Something for everyone.

Friday, April 10

• Little Miss Dynamite at the Union, Caslttown.

• David Castro at the Queen’s, Douglas.

• Grizzled Vetz at Jaks, Douglas.

• Karaoke at the Albert, Douglas, 9pm.

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

Saturday, April 11

• Little Miss Dynamite at the Pinewood, Pulrose.

• David Castro at the Rosemonut, Douglas.

• Barefoot Revolution at Jaks, Douglas.

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

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

• Karaoke at the Central Hotel, Ramsey.

Sunday, April 12

• Ray Sloane Karaoke at Jaks, Douglas.

• Beekeepers Song of Praise, Sulby Methodist Church, 10.30am. Come sing with the Manx Voices Choir and the folk duo, Di Jin.

• 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, April 14

• Erin Arts Centre Community Choir, 2pm to 3.15pm. £1 per session.

• 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, April 15

• Karaoke at the British, Douglas.

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

Local gymnastic star Tara Donnelly has continued her rise by securing a coveted place at the European Gymnastics Championships.

Tara spent the winter refocusing her career since the Glasgow Commonwealth Games last summer and has been attending trials and competitions all over Ireland with a view to breaking into the Irish senior elite team.

All the hard work has now paid off and Tara was selected for Team Ireland to compete against Europe’s very best at the championships in Montpellier next week.

This is the first time a local gymnast has qualified for any of the major internationals in this demanding sport, and hopefully this is just the start of many.

Competing against the leading countries in the gymnastics world from Russia to Romania, Italy to France among many others is a huge step up for anyone, and an unbelievable achievement for a 16-year-old local girl.

Tara, although having just moved up to senior category last year, is no stranger to achieving firsts or breaking new ground, having taken almost every possible local record in reaching events, finals or medals, particularly at championship level or above.

Tara continues to train up to six days per week for more than 24 hours with her coach Valery Molchanov and that’s what it takes to achieve her goals. She has been working extremely hard in training and hopes to make a name for herself away from her home base and on the international stage.

On Wednesday Tara set off for London for a training camp with her fellow Team Ireland members in preparation for the championships and will then travel onto Montpellier this weekend.

Tara would like to thank RBS International and Isle of Man Sport Aid for their continued support, her coach Valery, Gennady, Helen and everyone at Ellan Vannin Gymnastics Club and beyond who made this dream become a reality.

The games continue to come thick and fast as the Manx football season enters its final furlong.

Kirby Estates Cowell Cup

Group A

6.15pm Braddan v Corinthians

6.15pm Peel v Union Mills

6.15pm RYCOB v Laxey

6.30pm Ramsey v Rushen

Group B

6.15pm Colby v Douglas and District

6.30pm Ayre v Castletown

6.15pm Onchan v Marown @ Marown

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

Saturday, April 11

Ascot Hotel Junior Cup preliminary round

2.30pm Foxdale v Ayre

2.30pm Michael v Laxey

2.30pm Colby v Ramsey

2.30pm Braddan v RYCOB

2.30pm Douglas and District v Castletown

2.30pm Douglas Royal v Pulrose

2.30pm St Mary’s v Peel

2.30pm Onchan v St George’s @ St George’s

2.30pm Malew v Gymns

Canada Life Combination One

2.30pm Union Mills v Rushen

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

Sunday, April 12

Appleby 16-18

10.30am Braddan v Peel

Paddy Power Masters Football

1pm Laxey v Union Mills

1pm RYCOB v Braddan

Warehouse Fitness Women’s FA Cup Final

2.45pm Corinthians v Peel @ Bowl

Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation Hospital Cup Preliminary Round

5.30pm Rushen v Douglas Athletic

5.30pm Marown v Michael Utd

5.30pm DHSOB v Pulrose

5.30pm Foxdale v Governor’s Athletic

5.30pm Douglas Royal v St Mary’s

5.30pm Corinthians v Malew

5.30pm Ramsey v St George’s

5.30pm St John’s v Colby

5.30pm Onchan v Union Mills @ Union Mills

5.30pm Castletown v RycoB

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

Tuesday, April 14

Canada Life Combination One

6.30pm Laxey v Corinthians

6.30pm St Mary’s v St George’s

6.30pm Union Mills v Rushen Utd

JCK Combination Two

6.30pm Foxdale v Marown

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

Wednesday, April 15

Canada Life Premier League

6.30pm DHSOB v Peel

6.30pm Laxey v St Mary’s

6.30pm Michael v Ramsey

JCK Division Two

6.30pm Douglas Royal v Onchan

6.30pm Douglas Athletic v Foxdale

6.30pm Marown v Colby

Friday, April 17

Paddy Power Masters FA Cup Final

7.30pm Colby A v Peel @ Bowl

Nationalist firebrand Bernard Moffatt says it’s time for the Manx people to say ‘enough is enough’ to the government.

In his latest release, writing as the director of information for the Celtic League, Mr Moffatt lambasts the island’s political leaders and focuses on the increasing number of charges that have been imposed.

He says the Isle of Man has been turned into a ‘giant cashpoint’ for the government.

He adds of the island’s politicians ‘they’re arrogant, self serving, politically narcissistic and they want to empty your pocket’.

The rest of his latest comment reads:

What do you do about a government that stopped listening that arrogantly piles charge after charge on the public whilst pretending the opposite is the case?

The current spat about charges for stands at Tynwald [letter in this week’s Examiner from Mec Vannin secretary Cristl Jerry] is small beer in the litany of increases that government has applied in the past few years. A sewerage charge introduced at £50 and rising, the withdrawal of pensioners benefits, changes to social security and pensions on the way – and there’s only one way they are going and that’s down!

This week people around the island will see rates bills, most increased by above inflation, drop through the door.

More importantly they are accompanied by a statement saying the government wants to consult on a new rating system. They want it to be more ‘accurate and fair’ this is Orwellian double-speak for ‘they want it to increase’.

Cynically, the government plays of one interest group against another. They have in recent years hiked the rates for social housing up by well above inflation knowing that a significant section of the property owning public would support this. However it is all smoke and mirrors and every section of Manx society is now impacted by charges, levies and licence increases.

The ‘Prospect Hill Cabal’ are not only voracious in terms of the fiscal impact their increasingly erratic policies generate they are cheeky with it.

Recently the Treasury Minister justified stripping a free TV licence of a pensioner of over 75 years by saying blithely that some pensioners could afford a Sky TV package.

All over the island pensioners in some instances are struggling to pay utility bills (which increased here as they decreased in Ireland and the UK) or put food on the table.

It is not just pensioners all elements of society are impacted – some with secure incomes can weather the storm – but for others it is a nightmare. For all there is a realisation that this government is out of touch or out of control or both.

What is to be done? On some internet social media there’s talk about the next election and indeed some of the existing members of the house seem to take this seriously as evidenced by the indecent scramble to secure lucrative vacant positions in the Legislative Council.

Who would have thought 40 years ago that a body that produced independent thinkers such as the late Jack Nivison, willing to challenge the norms of the day, would be would become a refuge for rejects? Indeed the last refuge of a set of self-serving scoundrels.

Dispiritingly an election will bring no significant change as evidenced by those who have entered the ‘House of Keys’ before, only to become familiars of its narcissistic politics.

In other jurisdictions faced with such problems direct action was seen as the only road.

In the United Kingdom one of the most significant and contentious figures of the 20th century, Margaret Thatcher, was brought to her knees when she went too far and introduced the poll tax.

A quarter of a century on in Ireland anti-austerity protests show no sign of abating and no-violent civil disobedience is the norm.

So what about this ‘Sceptred Isle’ which is being turned into giant cash-point by the current government?

When will enough be enough?

When will worms turn?

A seven-day closure of the Mountain Road began at 8am on Easter Monday to allow preparation works to take place ahead of this year’s TT festival.

The Department of Infrastructure last month announced the closure between Ramsey Hairpin and Creg-ny-Baa, revealing the measure was necessary to allow essential maintenance, including lining, ditching and sign maintenance, plus the resurfacing and re-profiling of the carriageway on the Keppel Gate section.

An eagle-eyed reader – perhaps more accurately described as a frustrated biker given the good conditions on the day – was perplexed, therefore, when they took a look at webcams on the government’s visitisleofman.com website at lunchtime on Monday and spotted what appeared to be a film crew setting up, followed by a car travelling at high speed.

A spokesman for the DoI confirmed their suspicions yesterday (Wednesday).

He said: ‘A German film production company were in the island over the weekend shooting a commercial for a new Audi car and Ducati motorcycle. They had been using various locations on the island and had permission from the DoI to use a portion of the Mountain Road while it was closed for the pre-TT works.’

The road remains closed but is scheduled to reopen at 6pm on Sunday – earlier if the work is completed in good time.

Hundreds of children of all ages took to a field in Cregneash on Easter Monday to try their hand at egg rolling.

The unusual challenge was the highlight of the village’s annual family fun day, where visitors were treated to hours of unbroken sunshine while much of the island was shrouded in mist.

More than 200 people took part in the first egg rolling event alone, where participants aimed to roll hard boiled eggs the furthest down a sloping field, and a second event later in the afternoon attracted another 70 challengers.

The day’s programme of events also included an egg decorating competition with chocolate Easter eggs up for grabs by the winners.

A special ‘Welly Walk’ gave the children an insight into life in Cregneash, giving them a chance to meet the horses, see the spring lambs and make a wish at the well.

A trip to the gardens gave them an early look at this year’s turnip crop ahead of Hop-tu-Naa, the heritage site’s biggest event of the year where children get to carve their own turnip from the gardens.

The day was organised by Helen Ashcroft, heritage site manager for Cregneash and the Sound.

She said: ‘It was a really successful event. It’s great the way the children are so engaged with life at Cregneash.

‘There might not be any bouncy castles at our Easter day, but everything we showed them is really wholesome and educational and they really enjoyed it.’

‘For the first egg roll, the whole of the top of the field was full of people. It was an amazing sight!’

She said that participants were encouraged to bring their own hard-boiled eggs for rolling, but they had plenty to go around.

‘I boiled up seven dozen eggs, mostly collected from around the farm, and there was only one left by the end of the afternoon’, she said.

‘Thanks go to all the volunteers from Friends of Manx National Heritage, the site staff who helped the day go smoothly – and thank you to all the happy families who came and made it such a special event.’

The cost of sending a letter to an address in the Isle of Man and the UK is going up by 2p.

The Isle of Man Post Office this afternoon announced the rise – from 42p to 44p – which will come into effect on May 5.

Sending letters and packets of up to 2kg to British Forces Post Office addresses will remain free.

Meanwhile, the Special Delivery service to the UK will increase by 1 per cent on most of its price bands with Special Delivery to Isle of Man addresses increasing by around 2 per cent.

Visit iompost.com for full details.

The case for extending the boundary of Port Erin so the village will embrace the whole of the new development at Ballakilley is being compiled by the local authority.

The development straddles the boundary of Port Erin and Rushen parish, meaning different rates (around four times greater on the Port Erin side), refuse and street lighting times, which the former authority said is anomalous.

The parish authority disagrees and said it copes with boundary issues elsewhere, also rate income from Ballakilley houses in the parish will help to finance the recreational land which is associated with the development.

The Department of Infrastructure wrote it is preparing a draft order for consideration by the Attorney General’s chambers. The department must also consult affected authorities and asked for evidence, including: ‘That the promoters’ area and the areas sought are really one community; that there is community of interest in all or most public services, social agencies … and communal requirements of the future; that the area sought is an overspill or outgrowth of the promoters’ area; and that the balance of advantage lies in the acceptance of the scheme, though it may generally be admitted that the area sought may be valuable in various ways to the local authority by whom they are now governed.’

The department will include Port Erin’s response in a letter to Rushen Parish commissioners asking for the parish authority’s views. Then there will be an inquiry.

Classic coastal excursion ship MV Balmoral will return to the island at the end of June offering trips as far afield as Whitehaven.

The 1949-built ship last visited the island in 2012 but was withdrawn from service as her then owners were unable to afford to operate her in 2013 and 2014.

But now, thanks to a new charity which has raised over £250,000 from voluntary contributions, the Balmoral is back and asking for your help.

Volunteers are needed to publicise the ship and its sailings amongst other jobs.

Organiser Dick Clague said: ‘We need people to put up posters, help around the Sea Terminal, direct people to the Steam Railway and to do the same things in Ramsey and Port St Mary.

‘We need people to collect names and collate them, we need an army of people. We need to get new blood in to help.’

Further considerable help has come in the way of a grant from the Coastal Communities Fund.

The ship is scheduled to go into dry dock for final checks and preparations mid-April and make her maiden voyage Bristol on June 19.

It is planned to be able to offer afternoon excursions from Douglas to the Calf of Man on Friday and Saturday, June 26 and 27.

On Sunday, June 28 there will be a trip from Douglas to Peel via the Calf of Man, returning via Port St Mary.

And on Monday, June 29, there will be the chance to sail from Ramsey to Douglas.

On Tynwald Day, Monday, July 6, the plan is for a full day excursion from Douglas to Whitehaven.

Donations to restore the Balmoral to service are still needed – details of how you can give can be found at www.tinyurl.com/donatebalmoral or cheques may be sent to MV Balmoral Fund Ltd, c/o 23 Adder Hill, Great Boughton, Chester, CH3 5RA.

More details of opportunities are available at www.tinyurl.com/balmoralsupport where you can also sign up to help.

Alternatively contact Dick Clague on834606 or via j.r.clague@gmail.com

The Liberal Vannin Party has raised more questions about the island’s investment in Pinewood Studios.

The comments come after the government sold about half of its shares.

In a statement, the party says: ‘There is no doubt that the news that Treasury have arranged to sell roughly half of its holding in Pinewood for a profit of 50 per cent is good news. Not such good news as the Treasury Minister, Eddie Teare, is portraying, but good news nonetheless.’

The party says: ‘In 2007 £50 million was transferred onto the balance sheet of CinemaNX Ltd, a privately-owned company, who advised Treasury on which films they should be investing in. This was not subject to a debate in Tynwald and in fact Tynwald members had no knowledge of this. It was a five-year contract and not one film made a profit, or broke even, in its own right during that time.

‘Various figures have been quoted by the Chief Minister, Treasury Minister, previous Treasury Minister and Oxford Economics. There is such a huge difference in their various assertions ranging from millions of gain to millions of losses that it is difficult to differentiate between what is fact and what is pure fantasy. What we do know for a fact is that at the end of the contract there was roughly £25,000,000 in cash remaining and other assets amounting to some £8,000,000. It is this £25,000,000 that was the subject of the debate in Tynwald together with the purchase of the Pinewood shares in June 2012.’

On November 25 the Treasury Minister told MHKs £10,300,000 remained in the Media Development Fund.

The party says: ‘In summary, and leaving aside any additional exchequer benefits and ignoring the £8,000,000 in other assets, between 2007 and 2012 the media development fund was depleted by some £17,000,000 and has been further depleted by some £14,700,000 up to the end of November last year.

‘So whilst we are delighted that a £2,500,000 profit on some of the Pinewood shares will be realised, we are sure that people will understand why we are not overly delighted about the results as a whole.’

Treasury Minister Eddie Teare MHK told the Manx Independent: ‘The [Lib Van] party has a track record of making ill-informed and often misleading statements in its campaign against economic opportunity in the sector, and this appears to be more of the same.’

Barclays has appointed Rob Le Page to the role of captive insurance relationship manager in the Isle of Man and has recently promoted two members of the captive insurance team.

Mr Le Page’s new role will involve working with a large portfolio of Isle of Man incorporated captive insurance companies to provide a range of tailored banking products and solutions including, letters of credit, security trust agreements, investments and foreign exchange services.

Mr Le Page will be working closely with the Isle of Man Captive Association to facilitate and promote captive business development including the new insurance linked securities (ILS) offering for the Isle of Man.

He has more than 15 years’ experience in the offshore banking sector and joined Barclays five years ago.

He previously worked with multi-national corporate clients and local corporate service providers and most recently with a global portfolio of captive insurance clients.

Colin Freeman, a relationship manager in the captive insurance team, has recently been promoted to vice president.

Mr Freeman will be a key part of the new look team, working with captive managers in a number of jurisdictions.

Madeleine McCrory has also been promoted, taking on the role of account executive, in the team.

Gareth Rowlands, head of business banking and captive insurance at Barclays in the Isle of Man, said: ‘We are continuing to see opportunities for growth and efficiency in the captives sector and Barclays is very much a part of that. We are actively seeking ways to share our expertise and highlight what the Isle of Man can offer owners of captive insurance structures.”

‘We are pleased to be able to offer our business clients the support and advice of experienced captive insurance specialists like Rob. His appointment will strengthen our captive insurance team and will help us enhance our service to clients.

‘It’s also great to see our employees grow and develop in their roles within the captive insurance team locally with Rob, Colin and Madeleine taking on more senior positions in recognition of their expertise and hard work.’

Sure-sponsored Vagabonds head off on their last away trip of the South Lancashire and Cheshire Division Two season to face high-flyers Liverpool Collegiate this Saturday.

When these two sides last met at Ballafletcher back in December, Collegiate ran out eventual winners 12-31 thanks to two very late tries scored in the closing minutes of the game.

Vagas should be rested following the Easter break and, at the time of going to press, no significant injuries are reported allowing head coach Simon Murray the luxury of a full squad from which to choose.

Likely selection will see front row legends Luke Purdy, James Clarke (if ungrounded) and kicking maestro Kevin Birchall resume their usual berths supported by, among others, Martin, Pulman, Games and Williams in the pack.

The scrum-half jersey is likely to be worn by recent man of the match winner Chico Verardi who will feed a backline likely to include McCulloch, Liver and recent stag, Tom Gascoyne.

Even with a full squad, securing an away win against the league leaders will be a tough ask considering they have only lost twice and scored an impressive 1,000 points while only conceding 200 this season. In comparison Vagas have scored 650 and conceded 625.

Upsets, however, have been seen in this league throughout the season and it is far from impossible for Vagas to secure a win here proving they make an explosive start, secure the set-piece, generate quick ball for the pacemen out wide while ensuring they contain and close down Collegiate’s fast-attacking runners.

If Vagas stick to their plan anything could happen come 5pm.

Fixtures: Saturday, April 11

South Lancashire/Cheshire Division One

Ruskin Park v Douglas @ Ruskin Park

South Lancashire/Cheshire Division Two

Liverpool Collegiate v Vagabonds @ Liverpool Collegiate