Peel’s Keith Gerrard will make his eagerly-anticipated competitive debut at marathon distance this weekend.

The former British cross-country champion will contest the Rotterdam Marathon on Sunday after returning to Europe after a spell of training at his favoured Albuquerque base in America.

Speaking about the decision Gerrard, who has won Island Games medals at 1,500m and 5,000m said: ‘I am feeling pleased with my preparation so far and excited to see how I respond to racing over 26.2 miles.

‘I am not putting too much pressure on myself, just looking for a strong run and to come away feeling like I have more to give at that distance.

‘Hopefully I can surprise myself on my debut, but I guess everyone’s first marathon is a learning experience and anything can happen.’

Gerrard warmed up for the Dutch event with an 8km event in New Orleans (Louisiana) last month. Keith explains: ‘It was called the “Shamrockin 8km” and I was 12th in 23 minutes 53 seconds.

‘That was a pretty decent run out for the middle of a marathon block and a good bit of speed work as it was well under distance from the 42km I’m preparing for.

‘The field was dominated by some world-class east Africans which is why I only managed 12th, but it served a good purpose for me.’

Funding for the regeneration of Castletown square has been approved and work will begin imminently.

Also, Treasury has approved the extension of the town’s civic centre.

These announcements, made earlier this week along with the imminent opening of several new businesses – including, possibly, Costa Coffee – means the future is bright for the town, said MHK Richard Ronan.

‘Obviously I’m delighted we have now got approval for the funding money for the square area and entrance to Arbory and Malew Street,’ said Mr Ronan, who is chairman of the town’s regeneration committee. ‘It’s very, very good news for Castletown. There are well tested regeneration works around the Isle of Man – in Ramsey there are 24 to 26 new businesses on the back of regeneration work.

‘I’m very confident this will be a catalyst for more growth in the town. Already we have Elite Travel, Tracey Bell will open soon, there is a new Italian restaurant [in the former MEA building] with a boutique hotel above – that among other things are in the pipeline. There are strong indications Costa Coffee will be in town and will operate near the police station. I see the town moving on and spreading out, it will help the town and be an absolute asset.

‘What’s needed is confidence. Castletown has had its fair share of problems over the last decade. Castletown is far bigger than one issue. I’m very confident going forward. With the housing review there could be another 1,000 people in the town. This is long term thinking instead of parochialism.We are turning a corner. Confidence will pick up and people will invest again. We need real people with real money and are relying on lots of little businesses.’

The £1m scheme innvolves new paving and lighting and creating a plaza-style seating area on the castle side of the square, which can revert to parking during the winter.

Parking will be retained on the other side of the square with traffic entering and leaving on the George side of the Smelt monument.

Mr Ronan said the work will begin ‘imminently, within six weeks.’

While work is being carried out, temporary parking has been identified in several places close to the town centre. A meeting will be held this week with the organisers of events in town – such as the festival, which centres on the square – to discuss alternative arrangements.

At last Monday’s commissioners’ meeting, vice chairman Andrew Thomas congratulated the regeneration committee on its achievement, and said: ‘This is the culmination of three years’ hard work by the MHK and commissioners. It will be the potential transformation of Castletown for generations to come.’

Kevin Weir added: ‘I would like to write to the chief minister thanking him and Richard Ronan. If not for him (Mr Ronan), we would not have this – it’s as simple as that.’

The number of people out of work in the island at the end of March was lower than in any March for seven years.

In total there were 865 registered as unemployed.

That’s 65 down on February and 196 down on March 2014.

The unemployment rate is 1.9 per cent. In the UK, it’s 5.7 per cent.

Inflation has risen but things are still cheaper, on average, than they were 12 months ago.

The annual rate, measured by the consumer prices index (CPI) for March was MINUS 0.5 per cent, down from -1 per cent in February.

One of the factors driving the increase is that heating oil and motor fuels have risen.

The rate of inflation measured by the retail prices index (RPI), which includes mortgage interest payments and household expenditure such as buildings insurance, rose from 1.4 per cent to 1.9 per cent.

The date for by-elections to the House of Keys in the constituencies of Douglas North and Douglas South has been set as Thursday, May 21.

Nomination day – the date when candidates confirm their intention to stand – will be Tuesday, April 21.

There is one House of Keys seat vacant in each of the two constituencies following the recent election to the Legislative Council of Bill Henderson and David Cretney.

With two seats still to fill in LegCo, there is a possibility that more MHKs will be elected to LegCo, triggering further by-elections.

Related stories:

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/updated-story-two-by-elections-triggered-by-legco-vote-1-7158041|Two by-elections triggered by LegCo vote.}

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/tim-crookall-i-m-still-committed-to-my-constituency-1-7186392|Tim Crookall: I’m still committed to my constituency.}

Two of the island’s rising cycling stars have been included in the Great Britain team which will compete in the Junior Paris Roubaix this weekend.

Nicknamed the Hell of the North, the race is a prestigious one-day event which starts north of Paris and finished on the Belgian border.

British Cycling Olympic Development Programme riders Matt Bostock and Nathan Draper will form part of the six-man GB squad which also includes Joe Fry, Ethan Hayter, Joe Holt and Joey Walker.

Bostock rode in last year’s edition of the race and impressed as he finished 29th, the highest placed British junior rider, and is aiming even higher this year.

Draper will be making his debut in the race alongside Fry, Hayter and Walker.

The 111-kilometre route includes 16 cobbled sections t totalling 28.9km, including the notorious Mons en Pevele and Carrefour de l’Arbre sections.

Punters in the Isle of Man are looking to top jumps jockey AP McCoy to bring them success in the Grand National on Saturday.

The 20-time champion jockey is retiring this season and his mount Shutthefrontdoor has been favourite all week for the four-mile, three-furlong race at Aintree.

Sid Cunningham, director of bookies Joe Jennings, which has five shops in the island, said McCoy’s horse has so far been ‘without a doubt’ the big choice for island punters from the 40-strong line-up.

And he warned that if Shutthefrontdoor storms to victory in the Liverpool marathon trip it could spell ‘disaster’ for the bookies.

Mr Cunningham said such a victory would remind him of 2011 when Ballabriggs, owned by island resident Trevor Hemmings, won the famous horse race. On that occasion he said the firm suffered heavy losses after punters lumped on Ballabriggs.

Hemmings is bidding for a third victory in the race with Many Clouds, trained by Oliver Sherwood and ridden by Leighton Aspell. Hemmings, who lives in the north of the island, has also won the race with Hedgehunter.

Mr Cunningham, 63, whose whole working career has been with bookies, said Grand National day is always the busiest and ‘great fun’.

First Lieutenant may prove popular with women punters because its jockey is Nina Carberry. Another woman, Katie Walsh rode Thunder and Roses to victory in the Irish Grand National last Monday. Mr Cunningham said Balthazar King, second in the race last year and Rocky Creek were also proving popular.

His company is offering five places each way at the four Douglas shops and one in Ramsey.

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

From our colleagues on the Derbyshire Times

CRABBIE’S GRAND NATIONAL: Richard Silverwood’s A-Z pinsticker’s guide to all the runners

Corinthians remain top of group A of the Kirby Estates Cowell Cup after beating Braddan 3-1 on Thursday evening.

Dane Patience bagged a brace against the Swans, an own goal making up the Whites’s tally.

Ramsey are only a point behind Corinthians after they maintained their 100 per cent record in this year’s competition with a 2-0 win over holders Rushen.

Peel also have six points after they claimed a last-gasp 3-2 win over Union Mills.

The westerners took the lead in the second minute through Will Morris, with Charlie Robinson equalising just before half-time.

After the interval, Daniel Pickering made it 2-1, before Ronan McDonnell levelled again from the penalty spot. Max Crookall scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time to secure all three points for the hosts.

RYCOB claimed their first victory of the campaign beating Laxey 6-3. Tom Hall (2), Rob Moreton (2), Rashid Abdulrahman and Ruairi Poole were on target for 2012 winners Youthie, while the in-form Matty Kent-Lloyd, Mathew Rennie and Tom Jarvis netted for the Miners.

In group B, Ayre drew level with St Mary’s at the top of the standings after Shuan Kelly’s goal gave them a 1-0 win over Castletown.

Marown scored their first points of the campaign with a 2-1 win over Onchan, while Colby and Douglas and District drew the group’s other match 1-1 at the Station Fields.

Kirby Estates Cowell Cup

Group A

Braddan 1-3 Corinthians

Peel 3-2 Union Mills

RYCOB 6-3 Laxey

Ramsey 2-0 Rushen

Group B

Colby 1-1 Douglas and District

Ayre 1-0 Castletown

Onchan 1-2 Marown

Leaders from every major Christian denomination in the island came together for a special event in Peel on Sunday.

The service at St German’s Cathdral not only celebrated Easter, but marked the creation of a new mission to unite the island’s Christian churches and celebrate their diversity .

Eight Christian spiritual leaders led the service in a collaborative effort, and each had a hand in carrying a wooden cross that travelled the island last week.

The ecumenical leaders teamed up to carry the cross over the final three-mile stretch from St John’s to Peel, where the cross began its journey.

Their new initiative, called Churches Alive in Mann, is the culmination of more than five years’ work to replace the Churches Together in Mann project which had effectively broken up.

Bishop Paterson said: ‘It was very bureaucratic in its approach and organisational in its ethos. It had a goal that one day all the churches would be organised the same in one body.

‘Since that time the world of ecumenical relations has changed completely.’

He added: ‘We don’t actually want a homogenised church any more, so we thought ‘let’s do something different.’

‘What happened on Sunday, with Living Hope’s Jonathan Stanfield in a sweater, alongside me in a cassock, expressed it nicely.

‘We might do things differently when we gather on Sundays.

‘But in all the things that really matter, we do agree. That’s the most important thing we’re trying to get across.

‘We are of one heart over the main things, and we can live with that difference. And as long we respect one another, diversity is a good thing.’

Bishop Paterson said that seeing the leaders of eight denominations, and the representatives of others, sharing a pulpit was the culmination of a long-held ambition.

‘It’s the first time that such a wide variety of denominations have come together,’ he said.

‘To see such a wide range of people saying ‘we are all agreed on the essence of the Christian faith’ is a remarkable thing.

‘There are not many places in Britain and Ireland where you might ever see that happen,’ he added. ‘It’s unique because of the breadth of representation, which I think is quite extraordinary and probably as broad a mix as you’ll find anywhere in the British Isles.’

This week’s Isle of Man Courier is available to read as an emagazine.

The papers are being delivered to almost 40,000 homes and businesses around the island today (Friday).

But we know many of our readers want to get access to the latest news and sport plus jobs, property and motors adverts as soon as possible.

Click this link and follow the simple instructions to turn pages and zoom in and out: Isle of Man Courier, April 10, 2015

To advertise in the Isle of Man Courier, or any Isle of Man Newspapers publication, call 670000 during office hours or email ads@newsiom.co.im

To get in touch with the newsdesk, call 695697 or email newsdesk@newsiom.co.im

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

Did you know you can now have a digital edition of the Isle of Man Examiner delivered to your email inbox? Subscribe or buy a single edition - it’s up to you. Find out more here: Isle of Man Examiner digital edition

A passengers’ pressure group is calling for two reviews after the recent transport disruption.

TravelWatch says the reviews will determined what lessons can be learned and what improvements can be put in place for dealing with future disruption.

These reviews should:

Establish what happened – including any damage to the Island’s reputation and economy

Explore what ways can be found to reduce the possibility of further disruption

Examine the impact on passengers especially the provision of information and facilities for making alternative travel arrangements

Chairman Brendan O’Friel said: ‘Government and operators cannot let such disruption occur and say that nothing could be done to prevent it. The truth is that until the disruption has been carefully reviewed and the facts established, we do not know if it could have been prevented – or reduced.

‘While all we have is anecdotal evidence, it is clear that some passengers were very upset about the way the disruption affected them. Difficulties with information, phone lines and rebooking clearly occurred – apparently including seriously difficulties for some passengers.

‘None of what we say should take away from the considerable efforts of many of the operator’s staff in doing their best for passengers in very difficult circumstances.

‘And to keep a sense of perspective, the ferry service to the Channel Isles also suffered considerable disruption so the Island was not alone in having a difficult Easter in terms of travel.

‘The task now is to establish the facts; seek ways of reducing future disruption and improving the service to passengers during periods of disruption. We need political leadership to take these important issues forward at speed. None of us wish to wish to see any repetition of this at the TT.’

The group makes a number of points.

1. TravelWatch fully accepts that being on a small island, our travel arrangements are especially vulnerable to disruption by weather and technical failures on ships and aircraft. We have set out our views at public meetings and have called for improved contingency plans to mitigate the effects when disruption occurs.

2. Recent experience - August 2014 with Manannan; New Year with Ben my Chree and the experiences of extensive sea and some air cancellations at Easter 2015 – emphasise the vulnerability of the island to travel disruption.

3. TravelWatch prepared a paper on the need for contingency plans which we circulated to relevant officials and Ministers earlier this year.

4. TravelWatch is aware that there is evidence that dealing effectively with service disruption is a high passenger priority. It is important that any lessons that can be learned from the Easter 2015 disruption are quickly turned into improvements in performance whenever future travel disruption occurs.

5. In view of the latest difficulties, we now call on the government – together with the carriers – to urgently set up two reviews.

The first review – focussing on prevention - should examine whether there is more that can be done to reduce the risks of future travel disruption.

For example:

Are there similar problems with other shipping lines over sea debris damaging shipping?

Is the problem principally in Manx Waters?

If so – can preventative measures reduce the risk for the Steam Packet vessels?

Are Fast craft too vulnerable to sea debris – should we be reverted to conventional ferries?

Should freight be carried separately from cars and passengers?

Can new technologies be used to further assist vessels in fog – for example when entering Heysham Harbour?

Are there any further steps that can be taken at the Airport to reduce the impact of fog on flights

6. We also call on the Government to set up a second review with interested parties to examine recent experience of handling serious travel disruption. At present we have only scant but too often troubling anecdotal evidence about how passengers have been dealt with by both sea and air carriers when services are cancelled. The aim of the review should be to learn lessons that will improve the passenger experience. Items for consideration should include:-

Initial Information to passengers, their friends and relatives about disruption – including timely displays on websites

Re –booking procedures following cancellations

Difficulties- including costs and delays - with telephone systems

Continuing Information to passengers, their friends and relatives when disruptions are lengthy

Information to passengers about any compensation they may be entitled to

Whether the carriers require support from other sources in coping with major disruption to services

The end-of-season Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation Hospital Cup bursts into life on Sunday evening.

The draw gods have conspired to produce 10 intriguing first round ties pitting several JCK Division Two sides against more illustrious opponents from the Canada Life Premier League.

Among those looking to spring a cupset will be Woods Cup victors Douglas Athletic who travel south to Rushen.

The Pinks have enjoyed a fine campaign and will be keen to gauge their progress against Premier League outfit United.

Ben Qualtrough’s Spaniards have had a inconsistent campaign, but on their day are a match for most and should have enough about them to edge past the Pinks.

Other Division Two sides hunting top-flight scalps include Douglas Royal and Malew.

Royal take on a St Mary’s side that ran St George’s close in Monday’s FA Cup final, while Tony Sewell’s Clagh Vane outfit meet Corinthians on the adjacent Ballafletcher pitch.

St Mary’s will be favourites to bounce back against Gavin Gawne’s unpredictable Royal side, but calling a winner in the other tie might not be as straightforward.

Corinthians have won their last three games and will start as favourites, but Malew have in their ranks Division’s Two top marksman Andy Glover who along with striker partner Dean Kinley will hurt the Whites if they are given half a chance.

Holders Douglas High School Old Boys begin their title defence against Division Two Pulrose. The latter have produced cup heroics in the past, but haven’t played in over a month and might be caught cold by John Ward’s men.

Others aiming to spring a shock are Onchan and Colby.

The Os face Union Mills, with the young Millers going into the match having conceded 30 goals in their last three games. Tristan Ringham’s hosts will be aiming to take advantage of Mills’ downturn in form.

Colby will also be looking to revel in the ‘underdog’ tag when they travel to St John’s. Juan Kinvig’s beaten Woods Cup finalists are still in with a chance of clinching promotion. The Johnners are also a solid unit, especially at Mullen-e-Cloie, and this one could require extra time to separate the two.

Second-tier Marown arguably go into their match with a Michael side they will be replacing in the Premier League next season as favourites.

United have only won two games this campaign and have shipped nearly five goals a game this term and will do well to advance past a Marown side buoyed by their recent promotion.

Having said that, one of Michael’s two wins this term came against Marown’s second division rivals Douglas Athletic in the FA Cup, showing David Brew’s men can’t be too complacent ahead of the tie at the Memorial Playing Fields.

There’s one all Premier League tie at Ballacloan, where Ramsey host St George’s.

The latter have already secured the Railway and FA cups this season and are still in with a chance of claiming the Grand Slam if top-flight title rivals Peel falter.

Geordies relentless strive for silverware should see them past Kevin Holmes’s Railway Cup semi-finalists.

The round’s two all-second tier ties see Foxdale take on Governor’s Athletic in the latter’s first Hospital Cup tie, while RYCOB travel to Castletown in an encounter that could go either way.

ANDY DALRYMPLE

The Ascot Hotel Junior Cup swings into life this weekend with nine preliminary round ties taking place on Saturday afternoon.

The pick of the bunch is arguably at the Bowl where 2012 runners-up St Mary’s take on Combination One runners-up Peel.

The westerners agonisingly missed out on the league title on Tuesday evening when they crashed to a 2-0 home defeat to winners DHSOB, so they will be hoping to bounce back straight away.

They will be favourites to do so against a Saints side which has endured a below-par season, with the Bowl outfit destined to finish in seventh place in the table.

There are several Combi One versus Combi Two battles taking place, the highlight of which is probably at the Station Fields where Combi Two third-placed side Colby host a Ramsey team fifth in Combi One.

The other such ties see Onchan take on St George’s at Glencrutchery Road, while Combi One strugglers Gymns journey south to face Malew at Clagh Vane and Ayre United travel to Foxdale.

One of the ties of the round could unfold at Victoria Road where a couple of Combi Two’s leading lights go head-to-head when Braddan host RYCOB, while there’s an all-Combi One affair at Balleira Road where Laxey are the visitors to Michael United.

Elsewhere there are several all-Combi Two contests as Castletown head to the capital to face Douglas and District while Douglas Royal host nearby Pulrose United at Ballafletcher. DAVE NORTON

A campaign to prevent people from being exposed to cancer risks while at work is to be highlighted to safety and health professionals.

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has launched its No Time to Lose campaign, and to help businesses and other organisations identify and overcome risks to employees.

Around 8,000 people die from cancer and roughly 14,000 contract the disease each year in the UK because of exposure to a work-related carcinogen, such as diesel exhaust fumes, solar radiation, silica dust or asbestos fibres.

IOSH’s Isle of Man branch will hear more about the campaign when it meets at the Keyll Darree Education and Training Centre, at Noble’s Hospital, Douglas, on Wednesday, April 15, between 2pm and 3.30pm.

Guest speaker at the free event will be Phil Bates, a senior policy and technical adviser at IOSH who has previously worked in frontline biomedical research.

Mr Bates said: ‘Asbestos is the best known work-related carcinogen and the biggest killer, but well over 50 substances are listed as known or probably causes of workplace cancer.

‘Through No Time to Lose we want to raise awareness and offer practical support to businesses to help them tackle this significant occupational health issue.’

IOSH Isle of Man Branch chair Tony Quayle said: ‘Cancer caused by what people do at work is nothing new. Through this event we want to provide an understanding of current thinking in respect to occupational cancer and the challenge for safety and health professionals, and how the No Time to Lose campaign can help businesses to take action.’

The meeting is open to IOSH members and non-members, as well as anybody with an interest in safety and health.

The branch will also hold its annual general meeting as part of proceedings, offering IOSH members the chance to get involved in shaping the future of the branch on the island.

For more information about IOSH’s No Time to Lose campaign, {http://www.notimetolose.org.uk/|click here.}

A film made on the Isle of Man about world famous watchmakers George Daniels and Roger W Smith is to be screened over the weekend at a prestigious American festival.

‘The Watchmaker’s Apprentice’, made by independent film company DAM Productions, will be part of WorldFest in Houston, Texas, on Saturday.

Previous Worldfest discoveries include The Coen Brothers, Ang Lee, David Lynch and Steven Spielberg.

Director and cinematographer Dave Armstrong has been invited to host an exclusive Q&A screening of the film, which will also receive a much-coveted Remi award at the prestigious Gala Awards event.

The feature-length film, made over three years and containing the last ever interview with master watchmaker Daniels before his death in October 2011, has been a labour of love for Dave, editor Christy DeHaven and producer Zoe Guilford.

It is described as ‘a compelling film about two of the world’s greatest watchmakers – their extraordinary craft, their touching relationship and their unique personalities’.

Christy said that, in the edit process, it also became about about much more than this.

‘We recognised something really special about these men in that their skills and their craft - which is unparalleled in the world today anyway - requires them to manipulate time itself. That begs vast questions that we really wanted to somehow include in telling their story.

‘So with the help of scriptwriter Roy McMillan (formerly of Manx Radio) it also became about ‘the passage of time, making every moment count and the opportunities we have to leave a lasting imprint on the world’ as the synopsis suggests. Fairly big topics!’

Dave said: ‘The relationship between George and Roger was extremely touching and we’ve tried very hard to do that justice.

‘Hopefully, all of this means we have a film that is about much more than just watchmaking, which is fascinating in itself of course, and this approach should help make it appeal to a broader audience.’

Film critic Mark Kermode, who has strong ties to the island, attended a press screening.

He described it as ‘a lovely, charming, insightful look at a unique relationship, told with passion and style’.

Narrated by the island’s resident Hollywood actor John Rhys Davies (‘Lord of the Rings’, ‘Indiana Jones’), the film partnered up with distributor Bulldog Films in February.

‘We’ve been trying to nail distribution for nearly two years, with the help of executive producer Alistair Audsley.’ said Dave.

‘We finally settled with Bulldog who will be handling our UK sales, and Amadeus who will look after international. We are now looking at a release date of June 8. It’s been a long time coming, but we hope everyone will enjoy the film enough to forgive us the delays.’

On the back of the Houston screening, Dave will go to New York on April 28 where he and Roger Smith, the ‘Watchmaker’s Apprentice’ himself, will host another exclusive screening at Tribeca Cinemas in conjunction with the New York Horological Society.

Roger is now recognised as one of the world’s greatest watchmakers himself, and has just returned from Shanghai where he represented the best of British creativity, technology and innovation at the GREAT Festival of Creativity.

The delegation, which was led by Prince William, also represented the first official Royal visit to China since 1986.

Zoe, who also produced short film ‘Him Upstairs’, which recently won an award at the Liverpool LiftOff Film Festival, added: ‘We’re just as excited that these screenings will provide an opportunity for us to represent independent filmmaking on the Isle of Man - which is very much alive and kicking.’

Fourteen students from the Isle of Man have attained the highest level of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

The Lieutenant Governor, Adam Wood, presented them with gold award badges this week.

The young people were:

Tom Anderson – Queen Elizabeth II High School (QEII); Johanna Bangero – Independent; Millie Barrow – QEII; Agata Bojanowska – St Ninian’s High School (SNHS); Ryan Craig – SNHS; Edward Dunn – Ramsey Grammar School; Robin Gledhill – Castle Rushen High School (CRHS); Clare Harris – CRHS; Jake Hewins – The Foundry; Caitlin Maddrell – The Foundry; Daniel Phair – SNHS; Sarah Reeday – Adventurous Experiences; Joshua Riordan – The Foundry; Stephanie Ward – The Foundry.

The youth service – part of the government’s Department of Education and Children – has a licence to offer the award and more than 800 young people are taking it via 16 registered award units. These include all five DEC secondary schools and the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education.

In the past year, more than 340 young people have entered onto the award: 188 at bronze level, 86 silver and 53 gold.

More than 160 have completed the award: 109 at bronze level and 46 at silver as well as today’s recipients.

Participants commit to complete activities in volunteering, physical and skill sections for between three and 18 months depending on which level of the award they are striving for.

They also complete an expedition involving physical effort, which can be walking, cycling, canoeing/kayaking, sailing or horse-riding.

At gold level, the expedition takes place off-island and local students visit such locations such as the Lake District, Snowdonia, the Mountains of Mourne, the Yorkshire Dales, the Isle of Skye and Vancouver Island.

Gold participants must also take part in four-night residential stay.

For more information on the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, visit www.gov.im and click on ‘D’ on the menu.

Minister for Education and Children Tim Crookall MHK said: ‘The award is unique in the range of skills it offers and how it helps young people prepare for the challenges of adulthood.

‘Our ethos in education is to encourage young people to be resourceful, resilient and reflective and develop relationships and remembering skills in readiness for later life.

‘The award complements the DEC’s 6Rs curriculum perfectly in that it encourages young people aged 14 to 25 to set themselves physical and mental challenges, give back to the community and learn more about themselves in the process.’

Rabbits are among the most neglected domestic animals in the Isle of Man, according to animal welfare experts.

Last year Manx Soceity for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals received 18 per cent more call outs to suspected animal cruelty and neglect incidents than it did in 2013, and the early signs for 2015 suggest the annual number is set to increase again.

Animal welfare team leader Adrian Cannell said that while most calls were from people concerned about cats and dogs, while he and his colleagues are out and about the pets they most commonly discover suffering in silence and unnoticed are rabbits.

He said: ‘Unfortunately most owners assume that the tiny hutch in which their rabbit was housed when they bought it is a suitable size for the rest of the animal’s life but the reality is that it is probably far too small.’

The minimum hutch size for a rabbit should be six feet by two feet by two feet and the animal should have constant access to an even larger grass run.

Mr Cannell added: ‘Due to a lack of understanding by owners, most rabbits are isolated in much smaller hutches, with no access to grass or toys to relieve boredom.

‘They lead lonely lives but are social animals, so should be paired up, and most pet rabbits suffer from a lack of stimulus, decent physical space and mental challenges.’

A Tynwald select committee is currently considering evidence that might eventually lead to the introduction of an Animal Welfare Act, similar to the UK Act of 2006.

Currently there is no equivalent protection for animals on the island.

The ManxSPCA is set to give evidence in May and is hoping any new Act will incorporate the Five Freedoms, an internationally-recognised set of guidelines that insist any owned animal should not only receive proper physical care and shelter but it must also have an opportunity to exhibit normal behaviour and mix with other animals of its kind if that is the norm for its species.

Any owners of pet rabbits who would like to know more about proper care of their pet can contact the ManxSPCA small animal unit on 851672 or email smallanimals@manx.net

The jury is expected to be sent out to consider its verdict in the Ian Anderson murder trial some time next week.

There will be no court sitting today (Friday) or Monday. On Tuesday, prosecuting and defence counsel will deliver their closing speeches.

This will be followed on Wednesday by Deemster Alastair Montgomerie’s summing up of the evidence in the case and instructions to the jury.

Mr Anderson has denied murdering 60-year-old gardener Neil Roberts at the Andersons’ house in Queen Street Castletown in December 2013.

During the closing stages of the trial, which will enter its fifth week on Monday, consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Ramneesh Puri gave evidence that he believed the defendant, Ian Anderson, suffered from a personality disorder.

Defence advocate Dawn Jones said according to law the defendant would not be guilty of murder if affected by diminshed responsibility at the relevant time. She said diminished responsibility was defined as a mental abnormality which substantially impaired the defendant’s responsibility for his acts or omissions.

Dr Puri said he believed Mr Anderson was suffering from emotionally unstable personality disorder and this did amount to a mental abnormality.

Asked by Mrs Jones if Mr Anderson was suffering from the disorder at the time of the alleged victim Neil Roberts’ death, Dr Puri replied: ‘It is a pervasive condition. It develops over a period of time and it is accpeted that the personality is fully developed by the mid 20s, so it’s my opinion that at the time Mr Anderson would have been suffering from a personality disorder.’

Dr Puri went on to say he thought the personality disorder had a direct link to the violence and he felt the personality disorder could also be classed as ‘substantial’.

Mrs Jones asked if there was anything in Mr Anderson’s account of events that affected his professional opinion or caused him any concerns, Dr Puri answered: ‘No.’

In cross examination, prosecuting advocate Linda Watts raised the point that Dr Puri had seen Mr Anderson only once, albeit for eight hours of interviews, some seven months after Mr Roberts’ death.

Mrs Watts established Dr Puri had not interviewed Mr Anderson’s siblings, mother, children, friends or former work colleagues as part of his research. Dr Puri told the court he believed if he had spoken to more people this would simply have provided more examples supporting his findings.

On Thursday the court also heard from consultant psychologist Dr Mark Bradley who gave evidence on Mr Anderson’s early development, relationships and work history.

The case continues.

St George’s centre-back Johnny Myers has described Easter Monday’s Paddy Power FA Cup win over St Mary’s as one of the club’s toughest.

Reflecting on the 3-1 extra-time win, Myers said: ‘Monday was one of the toughest finals we have had.

‘St Mary’s set up really well against us and with the sun out it made it a tough test for both teams.’

‘They are always a threat with Wolfie [Mark Wolfenden] and Stedo [Steven Priestnal] up front and we definitely felt we had been in game at the end.’

The week’s travel problems meant Alex Harrison and Jack McVey failed to make it back to the island for the final.

‘I wouldn’t say it effected preparations as we had two good players on standby which helped massively.

‘In years gone by we have struggled squad-wise and it would have been a big blow if that was the case this time round.

‘They are two fantastic players though and if they were available then it would have made Chris Bass Sr’s job of picking the team a lot more difficult.’

With the FA Cup joining the Railway Cup in the Glencrutchery Road trophy cabinet the Grand Slam remains a possibility, if a slim one for Bass Sr’s men.

‘Every season we aim for the Grand Slam but this year it wasn’t really mentioned.

‘We have the two hardest cups in the bag so far and the league looks like it will go down to the wire.

‘If St Mary’s play like they did against Peel then they can get something out of that game and do us a favour.

‘I would say there is a possibility of the Grand Slam but it is still a long way off.’

Monday was Myers’s sixth FA Cup win and the Isle of Man FA cap was in reflective mood after the final whsitle: ‘I think the older you get the more important the trophies are as you never know if it will be your last or not.

‘You need to celebrate each one on their own merits and then look forward to the next trophy, which is the Hospital Cup.

‘I’d say this is up there as one of the hardest we have had to fight to win a cup.’

A union has slammed the consultation process on the closure of the island’s two crown post offices as a ‘farce’.

Responding to the proposed closures which were delayed for three months after public outcry, the Communication Workers Union has warned that Isle of Man Post’s current business model could endanger the future of the postal service in the island.

Noting the annual £2 million contribution to the Treasury that Isle of Man Post must pay regardless of its profits, the CWU’s submission, seen by the Courier, said: ‘The growing focus on profit in all aspects of the service, the arbitrarily imposed contribution to central government and the decisions these factors appear to be driving are now threatening in our opinion the future of service provision.’

The union, which represents non-managerial staff working for the Royal Mail, distributed the 12-page document to every MHK this week after submitting it to the Isle of Man Post Office before their March 31 deadline.

A covering letter written by CWU assistant secretary Terry Pullinger said: ‘On the face of it the decision was indeed deferred to enable a consultation to take place, however in reality the decision was not up for review but rather the opportunity to come up with an alternative outsourced model.

‘That in my humble opinion makes the consultation a farce as there was no intention to change the original closed decision which prompted the outcry in the first place.’

Following public protests and an emergency debate in the House of Keys, MHKs voted in December to postpone the closure of the post offices in Ramsey and Regent Street, Douglas for three months.

The delay was approved to encourage alternatives to the decision to close the offices and and move the services to sub-post offices in nearby Spar shops operated by Mannin Retail.

The CWU also blasted the ‘distinct lack of transparency’ that led to the original decision to run a closed tender process, describing any subsequent consultation as a ‘sham’.

‘It is of serious concern that the IOMPO appears to have entered into some form of agreement with Mannin Retail on running sub post offices before actually consulting with affected staff and the CWU over the alternatives to closure and redundancies.

‘Furthermore, the needs of business and residential users have not been adequately assessed and this is evident given the widespread public concern and the anger which has resulted from the decision.’

Describing the two Crown offices as ‘a national asset’ that are ‘essential to securing the future success’ of the Isle of Man Post Office, the CWU called for them to be retained.

‘We recognise the cost pressures faced by the Post Office, but we believe these can be addressed most effectively by diversifying and improving services, rather than converting Crown Offices to sub post offices.’

They called for the consultation to be extended by a further six months and urged for the creation of a working group that includes Post Office staff, local authorities and communities to develop a sustainable postal network.

In an earlier statement, Isle of Man Post confirmed that they had received one alternative bid from the Ramsey Postal Cooperative. They acknowledged the CWU’s submission but ruled out any further extension to the consultation process, saying: ‘The Board will consider the points made in this submission but has been of the opinion that any further delay is not in the best interests of the business, our staff or our customers.’