The annual competition signals the end of the competitive calendar for the Isle of Man Photographic Society, and it is a highly-anticipated event, always involving a well-qualified judge imported from one of our neighbouring islands especially for the occasion.

This year our judge was Robert Millin DPAGB BPE5* LRPS EFIAP/b AFIAP EPSA UPI Hermes – clearly garlanded with awards, and astonishingly, all accumulated in the past five years, since taking up photography as a hobby (though described by himself more realistically as an obsession)!

In addition he is a member of Wigan 10, a very select group of just 11 photographers who do not compete among themselves but mentor each other for the purpose of external competitions both personal and as a club – and who are now four-times FIAP (International Federation of Photographic Art) club world champions. So, a formidable judge, used to working at the very highest levels of quality.

The format of our two-day event is that prints are judged on the first day, digitally projected images on the second.

The judge reviews all the entries during a morning session, and – given the sheer number of entries – is then expected to comment only upon the winning selection in the evening. This is then followed by a showing of personal work – which is always stimulating and inspirational for the members.

The process of judging a photograph is admittedly subjective, though there are obvious requirements for technical quality, artistic input and impact – and Robert proved an excellent judge, sharing his thought process as to why some images succeeded and others did not.

It was clear that technical quality was essential – images lacking sharpness and clarity in key areas or distracting highlights, for example, were marked down.

However, he was also generous in his comments and awards, commending those who were willing to ‘stretch boundaries’ and try new techniques or a different viewpoint to get the effect they wanted.

While the general standard of work was excellent, Robert felt that ‘creative’ was the one area where more work was required.

‘Creative’ in the photographic world is now defined more as ‘altered reality’, and usually requires a high level of artistic imagination as well as computer skills to merge a number of different images to create a seamless finished work. The effect is often that the final image stretches credibility, but is realistic enough to require a second or third look.

The awards are too numerous to go through in detail, but the best mono print in the competition and winning the Mackie Cup was ‘Hunt the Wren’, a superb portrait by Sue Jones, while the best colour print was a lovely Italian landscape ‘Heaven and Earth’ by Ruth Nicholls, which won the Redwood Trophy.

To finish our evening, Robert’s presentation – with lots of helpful advice - confirmed a primary interest in sports and travel photography, but his ‘addiction’ to competitions requires him to provide images on a wide range of subjects, so his work covers many topics and genres.

However, success comes at a cost – both financial and in terms of time and effort.

Robert is now retired so time is available, and lives near Chester, which means many world class sporting events held in the Manchester/Liverpool/North Wales area are accessible – identifying and attending as many of these as possible maximises the opportunity to build and develop a portfolio of work.

Obtaining a press pass to ensure the best vantage points, offering non-distracting backgrounds for example, is helpful in achieving success. As regards his travel portfolio, Robert pointed out that, living as we do on the Isle of Man, travel photography doesn’t have to mean long distance – one’s own locality provides many opportunities for successful images which demonstrate culture, landscape and way of life.

Brenda Shimmin gave the vote of thanks for a very good evening.

Annual Print Competition Results:

Standard Section – Mono (Tranter Cup) : Mike Trout (1), Beryl Quayle (2), Joy Brodie (3, VHC & C), Richard Shafto (HC). Colour (Woodbourne Cup): Beryl Quayle (1 & C), Thomas Carr (2), Richard Shafto (3 & VHC), Mike Trout (HC). Natural History (Baldwin Shield) : Beryl Quayle (1, 2xC), Richard Shafto (2), Michael Howland (3 & C), Mike Trout (VHC, HC & C). Creative(Greeba Cup) : Joy Brodie (1). Record (Dreemfroy Trophy) : Beryl Quayle (1), Richard Shafto (2), Joy Brodie (3 & VHC). Intermediate Section – Mono (Ballure Cup) : Chris Nicholls (1,2,3,VHC & HC). Colour (Coombe Cup): Chris Nicholls (1, 2, 3 & VHC), Ian Lumsden (VHC, 2xC), Shirley Lotfy (2xC). Natural History (Ballaragh Cup) : Shirley Lotfy (1, 3 & VHC),Chris Nicholls (2). Creative (Carnane Cup) : Nessie Gillen (1). Record (Lezayre Trophy) : Nessie Gillen (1 & C), Shirley Lotfy (2 & VHC).

Advanced Section – Mono (Bridge Cup) : Sue Jones (1, VHC & C), Ruth Nicholls (2, VHC, 2xC), Nigel Owen (3, VHC & C), Ron Shimmin (3xC).

Colour (Sanderson Cup) : Ruth Nicholls (1,3, VHC & C), Ron Shimmin (2, 2xC), Nigel Owen (VHC & C), Mark Stringer (VHC & C), Chris Blyth (C), Sue Jones (C). Natural History (Caraghan Cup): Chris Blyth (1,2 & C). Creative (Snaefell Cup) : Ruth Nicholls (1 & 2), Sue Jones (C), Mark Stringer (C). Record (Glenrigh Cup): Ron Shimmin (1 & 2).

Chris Blyth

Ballaugh School Fair is taking place on April 25 from 2pm to 4pm in the school hall.

Admission is £1 for adults (children free) and includes a hot or cold drink. There will be lots of attractions, including children’s games and white elephant, book and cake stalls, plus a tombola.

There will also be face painting and a raffle.

All money raised will go to school funds to benefit the pupils of Ballaugh School.

An initiative to help people with dementia find their voice has been launched.

The first Singing For The Brain event, organised by the Alzheimer’s Society Isle of Man, was held at Peel Centenary Centre last week.

Based around the principles of musical therapy and singing, its aim is to help people living with dementia be comfortable and relax. The sessions are structured to encourage people to communicate and participate.

The charity’s services manager, Grahame Bell, said: ‘The session was well attended for an inaugural event and everyone had a fantastic time singing songs, making new friends and enjoying the tea and biscuits provided.

‘It was lovely to open a new service for the west of the island – plans are now in place to extend the service to Port Erin, Castletown and Douglas later this year.’

Activities include vocal warm ups and singing a variety of familiar and new songs.

It also includes opportunities to talk in a relaxed environment.

Mr Bell said: ‘These sessions allow people to relax and not be challenged and frustrated in trying to recall recent events – which is often symptomatic of their condition – and through being comfortable the true person is often allowed to shine through.’

Singing For The Brain is held every other Tuesday at the Centenary Centre, with its next session being held on Tuesday, April 28.

Sessions also take place at Brookfield Nursing and Residential Home in Claughbane Drive, Ramsey. The next session is on Tuesday (April 21).

Both sessions run from 2pm to 4pm.

Tea and biscuits are provided.

Around 70 people attended a meeting to discuss waste, recycling and kerbside collections at Marown School in Glen Vine on Tuesday evening.

Marown commissioners organised the meeting to gather parishioners’ opinions on such things as pilotting fortnightly kerbside collections for recycling and fortnightly collections from wheelie bins.

Commissioners chairman Alison Lynch said: ‘It was a better turnout than I expected but still only around three per cent of parishioners.

‘Others took the time to email us their views though which was good.

‘We had a presentation from Muriel Garland from Zero Waste Mann and then one by the commissioners about what happens from when your waste is put in your wheelie bin through to when it arrives at the waste plant. Then we held a question and answer session with the public.

‘There was some support for kerbside recycling and fortnightly collections but I’d say the majority of support was for continuing with the weekly collections but offering more recycling bring bank sites around the parish.

‘We have to look into all the options – it won’t happen quickly. The decision needs to be right for our ratepayers. There are a lot of things to look at now, such as pricing.

‘I’m glad we had the meeting as it’s given people the opportunity to give their opinion.’

Over the next year, Marown commissioners say they expect to spend £64,000 for the parish’s waste to be incinerated at the Energy from Waste Plant, with the figure rising to £117,000 by 2018. Up to 40 per cent of the waste, they say, has a value and should not be incinerate.

Police have confirmed they are making inquiries into claims by TT rider Guy Martin that he drove a sports car around the Mountain Course at speeds of up to 180mph.

Guy test drove a £203,000 Aston Martin Vanquish Carbon Edition, which has a top speed of 200mph, for a review in the Sunday Times Driving magazine and joked: ‘Take off two wheels and I could set a TT record in it!’.

He claimed during his early morning circuit on open roads, he clocked 180mph down Sulby Straight, a restricted stretch of road, and completed a lap in 22 minutes.

Inspector Derek Flint said: ‘We are making some enquiries.’

In his review, Guy says: ‘I got out of bed at 5.30, leaving time to do a lap of the TT and get back to the hotel. As soon as I passed Union Mills, on to a section with no speed limit, I thought: “Right, let’s have it.”

‘About 17 miles into the lap there’s a corner called Ballacrye, a fast left out of the village of Ballaugh.

‘I just got around it with the accelerator flat to the floor. There’s a jump after the corner, and the car was off the ground, all the lights flashing on the dash telling me everything was dropping off. It fishtailed when it landed, but there was so much feedback from the Aston I felt totally in control. I saw 180mph down Sulby Straight, one of the fastest sections of the course, and the car wasn’t even in top gear.

‘I hadn’t been trying to set a time; I’d just wanted to see what the car would do on a road I knew well and it was something like a 22-minute lap.’

A candidate for one of the Keys by-elections says he would be a business-friendly MHK.

Captain Kurt Buchholz, the boss of a shipping management company in Douglas yesterday announced his intention to contest the Keys seat in the Douglas South constituency.

Captain Buchholz, who is owner and director of Sea Alliance based on Peel Road, said he felt his experience particularly of international business would be beneficial to the island.

His plans to establish a shipping line to compete with the Steam Packet Company ran aground after its launch in 2013 and he said this experience was one of the things that had motivated him to stand.

‘Business in the Isle of Man needs support because business in turn helps generate funds. Businesses are not happy in the current economic climate so something needs to be done to improve the environment for businesses.

‘To get back on course we need to have politicians with competence, a proven record of experience, education and a heart for the Isle of Man.

‘Just to have an opinion is not enough.’

He said he wanted to create a business-friendly environment, fight against corruption and monopolies and fight for transparency and equality, free competition, and renewable energy. He also said there was a need to review and reform government.

He said his company {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/rival-isle-of-man-ferry-service-dead-in-the-water-1-6395463|Ellan Vannin Line} had tried to establish a ferry service, which he said he saw not as a rival but as healthy competition for the Steam Packet.

‘The user agreement needs to be looked at again,’ he said.

‘We pay four times more for travel here and the profits it makes go out of the Isle of Man and to Portugal.’

Captain Buchholz, who is 61, is married with a daughter. He was born in Germany but now lives in central Douglas. He studied economics at the University of Hamburg in the late 1970s before qualifying as a ship’s captain and spent a number of years travelling around the world as part of his job. He has been settled in the Isle of Man for the past 15 years.

For more than 10 years he has been a board member and managing director of what he describes as a ‘multi-national maritime company’ and he has also, since 2009, been the owner and chief executive of Sea Alliance whose company offices are based in South Douglas. He said good infrastructure and good transport links in the island were fundamental to the needs of businesses. The Douglas South seat has been vacated after MHK David Cretney is elevated to the Legislative Council.

Shimmin Wilson finals day takes place at Ballafletcher this Saturday.

The action kicks off at 1.30pm with the Shimmin Wilson Manx Bowl final between Emerging Nomads and Ramsey B.

That is followed at 3.30pm by the Shimmin Wilson Manx Trophy’s finale between PDMS Southern Nomads and Douglas B.

The Bowl final is a rerun of last year’s which Ramsey won 43-5. This season the sides have met four times with Ramsey winning three.

Nomads, however, won the last match up and have been working really hard ahead of this final under the guidance of skipper Dion Meechan. They have named a strong squad and will be aiming for their first silverware in six seasons.

Ramsey B are led by veteran scrum-half Gareth Hinge and are likely to be fielding a very experienced side.

Ben Harding has been the Ramsey points machine this season and his goal kicking will be vital.

Based on the trusty formbook, Ramsey have to start as marginal favourites, but Nomads have seen their first team’s success this season and will want a slice of the action.

The Trophy final will definitely see Nomads start as favourites.

Chris Beaumont has already led his men to a Manx Shield and a Cheshire Bowl and they are unbeaten in Shimmin Wilson competition this season.

They lifted the Cheshire Bowl just two weeks ago and while the winning margin was only a point, they were significantly better than their league opponents Ashton-on-Mersey.

Adam Boyd is the danger man for Nomads especially on counter attack with a little bit of space.

Douglas are led by scrum-half Mark Shortland and they secured their spot in the final with a solid display against Vagabonds B.

They’ve met Nomads four times this season and lost all four. Two of the matches were mighty close and if Douglas can up the ante for one last time, they may be able to pull off a shock result.

For any spectators travelling to Ballafletcher, please don’t park on the road. If the club car park is full, please use the main hospital car park.

Saturday’s fixtures

South Lancashire/Cheshire Division One

Douglas v Sefton @ Port-e-Chee ko 3pm

South Lancashire/Cheshire Division Two

Vagabonds v Oswestry @ Ballafletcher ko 2.15pm

South Lancashire/Cheshire Division Three

Capenhurst v Ramsey @ Capenhurst ko 1.30pm

Shimmin Wilson Manx Bowl Final

Emerging Nomads v Ramsey B @ Ballafletcher ko 1.30pm

Shimmin Wilson Manx Trophy Final

PDMS Southern Nomads v Douglas B @ Ballafletcher ko 3.30pm

l Full round-up of all the weekend’s rugby in Tuesday’s Isle of Man Examiner.

PwC Men’s Premier

Bacchas A can seal the PwC Men’s Premier Division title on Saturday at QEII if they avoid a crushing defeat at the hands of rivals Crowe Morgan Valkyrs A.

Jamie Brown’s Bacchas currently hold a two-point and 29-goal advantage over the westerners and will feel confident of securing victory having claimed a 3-1 win earlier in the season.

Russell Miller’s Valkyrs may well feel that the title is out of their reach but they will be determined to become the first team to inflict a defeat on the Tromode side this season.

Bridgewater’s Men’s Plate

Canaccord Genuity Vikings B will be looking for a strong performance when they meet Bacchas Colts in the semi-final of the Bridgewater’s Men’s Plate.

Christian Forbes’s Vikings side enjoyed a good season in the league competition suffering only two defeats as they finished third.

Opponents Colts were defeated by Vikings in the corresponding league fixture. The young Tromode side, however, were impressive in their victory over Castletown B in the last round and will be looking to set the same standard here.

PwC Women’s Premier

With Canaccord Genuity Vikings A already crowned champions the three-way battle to secure runners-up spot takes centre stage.

Bacchas A currently lie second with a one-point advantage, but face a tricky match against the champions.

Both third-placed LJ Ramsey A and fourth-placed Crowe Morgan Valkyrs A could steal second spot with victories.

The northerners have the easier tie facing bottom side Crowe Morgan Valkyrs B who will be relegated if they lose.

While Crowe Morgan Valkyrs A face Celton Manx Castletown A at QEII also aiming for victory.

Bridgewater’s Women’s Plate

Bacchas B prepare to meet Celton Manx Castletown B in Saturday’s lunchtime fixture at Castle Rushen.

Anne Harrison’s Bacchas have already secured the league title and will be hoping to keep their double hopes alive by progressing to the final here.

Opponents Castletown were only narrowly defeated in the corresponding league fixture and, if captain Amy Dawson can field her strongest side, she may feel her side can claim the win.

PwC Men’s Premier Division

LJ Ramsey A v Bacchas B RGS 2.05pm

Unappointed, Gary Corkhill

Crowe Morgan Valkyrs A v Bacchas A QEII 2.05pm

Peter Foxton, John Harrison

Canaccord Genuity Vikings A v Saracens NSC 2.05pm

Mark Entwisle John Pearson

Bridgewater’s Men’s Plate

Bacchas Colts v Canaccord Genuity Vikings B NSC 11.05am

Kirsty Bowley Jamie Brown

Crowe Morgan Valkyrs B v LJ Ramsey B QEII 3.35pm

Unappointed

PwC Women’s Premier Division

Bacchas A v Canaccord Genuity Vikings A NSC 12.35pm

Tim Leeming James Russell

LJ Ramsey A v Crowe Morgan Valkyrs B RGS 12.35pm

Unappointed

Crowe Morgan Valkyrs A v Celton Manx Castletown A QEII 12.35pm

James Harrison Lindsay Riordan

Bridgewater’s Women’s Plate

Celton Manx Castletown B v Bacchas B CRHS 12.35pm

Alex Cave Helen Cave

LJ Ramsey B v Canaccord Genuity Vikings B RGS 12.35pm

Unappointed Nigel Birken

Corinthians remain top of group A of the Kirby Estates Cowell Cup after the Whites beat Ramsey 4-1 at Ballafletcher on Thursday evening.

Sean Doyle was once again the go to man for the hosts, netting another two goals in the under-21 competition.

Joining the former Marown man on the scoresheet was Dane Patience who continued his own recent prolific run in goal with a brace.

Peel remain hot on Corinthians’ heels after they beat Laxey 3-1, a Dan Corkill double and single strike from Tom Wood making up the westerners’ tally. The competition’s top scorer Matty Kent-Lloyd hit a penalty for the Miners.

Elsewhere in group A, Tom Hall’s effort gave RYCOB a 1-0 win over holders Rushen, while Union Mills claimed a 3-0 triumph over Braddan.

James Bucuris and Elliott Cureton both bagged two goals as Ayre continued their 100 per cent start in group B against Douglas and District.

Also with three wins from three are St Mary’s who beat Onchan 3-0 thanks to goals from Stuey Pacey, Dean Spencer and Rhys Oates.

Thursday, April 16

Kirby Estates Cowell Cup

Group A

Rushen 0-1 RYCOB

Corinthians 4-1 Ramsey

Union Mills 3-0 Braddan

Laxey 1-3 Peel

Group B

Douglas & District 0-4 Ayre

Marown 13-0 Colby

St Mary’s 3-0 Onchan

The Ascot Hotel Junior Cup continues in earnest this weekend with no fewer than eight first round matches taking place on Saturday.

Newly-crowned Combination One league winners DHSOB face a potential banana skin when they make the very short journey to Glencrutchery Road to face a resurgent StGeorge’s.

The latter have won three of their last five games, including crucially against Peel which helped Old Boys clinch the title.

With just two places separating them in the league, a close game could be in store at Croit Lowey where Rushen United host Ramsey. While the Spaniards have finished third in the table, Ramsey’s form is slightly better with three wins and a draw in their last five outings so this could go either way.

Braddan will be hoping to cause something of a shock when they welcome Combi One side Ayre United to Victoria Road, as will Combi Two champions Douglas Athletic who host St John’s at Springfield Road.

There is a mismatch of sorts at Noble’s Park when the mighty Peel - who have won the Junior Cup no fewer than 11 times - are the visitors to Douglas and District.

Two more close games could be in store and Ballafletcher and Crosby where Corinthians host Union Mills and Marown welcome Douglas Royal respectively, although form suggests victories for Corinthians and Royal.

The final game takes place in Tromode where Gymns host Laxey, with the Miners favourites to book their place in the next round.

We are driving healthcare professionals off the Isle of Man.

That’s the warning from one union leader after nearly 700 health and social care workers overwhelmingly rejected a three-year pay deal that would have seen their sick pay entitlement cut by half.

Angela Moffatt, negotiations officer for the Prospect union, said: ‘We are driving quality healthcare professionals off the island through a combination of the pay situation and pensions.

‘We are looking at a failing healthcare system if we carry on like this.’

Members of all unions involved in the health and social care sector were balloted on the pay offer.

It was overwhelmingly rejected by 95.3 per cent of those who returned their ballot forms, with 659 voting against and only 31 voting in favour.

Staff employed under Manx Pay Terms and Conditions and the National Joint Council, including nurses and care home workers, have not had a pay increase since April 2013.

Under the offer they would have received a 2 per cent increase from April 1 and a lump sum of £600 for the two previous years.

But it would have also involved changes to allowances including sick pay. Currently, staff receive six months full pay and six months on half pay but this would have been cut to three months full pay and then three months half pay – with an entitlement to only six months’ paid leave in any four-year period. Sleep-in payments would also be removed.

Ms Moffatt said: ‘You expect to have more than average levels of sickness absence in a health and social care environment. It is a big deal for staff to predicate a pay offer on that basis.

‘You may get people returning to work when they are not fit to be there and not fit to take care of the people in their care.’

Eric Holmes, regional industrial officer for the Unite union which represents the largest number of the MPTC and NJC staff, described it as an ‘indecent proposition’ as workers unaffected by the removal of certain employment rights could unilaterally vote those rights away to the detriment of the smaller group.

He has written to Health and Social Care chief executive Mark Charters seeking a ‘meaningful’ offer.

‘To date I have not had acknowledgement or reply to this letter from Mr Charters or his office as to how we proceed without workers mugging workers,’ he told the Manx Independent.

The ballot of the unions closed at noon on March 31.

With no extra money in the budget to fund pay awards, health and social care chiefs wanted to make the deal self-funding by making changes to the allowances.

Following its rejection, the issue could go to arbitration if no new proposals are put on the table, said Ms Moffatt.

She said: ‘There are several ways it could go. Hopefully we could go back into talks and try to find a way forward. But ultimately, arbitration may be the only way it will be settled.’

We reported in January that an exodus of Noble’s consultants was being blamed on proposed major changes to their pension arrangements. The following month the nurses’ union warned that their members too may quit over the planned changes.

iomtoday approached the DHSC for a comment but have received no response.

The annual Tower of Refuge walk will take place on Sunday.

The event is continuing to grow and a model of the Tower of Refuge is to be recreated in sand to coincide with this year’s walk.

A model of the tower will be sculpted by Stephanie Quayle-Jackson and her husband Darren of The Farmyard Studio.

The internationally-acclaimed couple created ice carvings in Regent Street, Douglas, for Christmas 2014 and 2013, the Loaghtan sheep sculpture at the Bungalow on the Mountain Road and a 30 foot sculpture of Manannan from woodland material for Mannifest 2012.

Their sand sculpture will take shape at the junction of Regent Street and Strand Street starting on Saturday and will form part of the attractions when the Tower Insurance Tower of Refuge escorted walk in aid of the RNLI Douglas lifeboat goes ahead on Sunday when the piece will be completed.

Stephanie said: ‘This sand sculpture will be our first in the island, and we’re extremely grateful to Corlett’s for donating the sand, to Peter Young of Event Management Solutions for his help with the logistics and to Chris Kissack who’ll be clearing the site afterwards.’

Thirteen restaurants will be offering special discounts and offers on the day of the walk: Alessandros, Coast Brasserie, The Courthouse, Harbour Lights, The Italian Job, Jaks Steakhouse, La Piazza, Manx Gourmet Burgers, New Manila Thai Restaurant, On the Rocks, Palace Hotel, Tower Buffet and Victoria Grill.

Now in its fourth year the Tower of Refuge walk is open to all ages, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Suitable clothing and footwear must be worn and instructions by the coastguards and stewards followed at all times.

Subject to weather and tidal conditions the walk is expected to begin at 6.30pm.

A delegation of private sector representatives, led by Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK, is on its way to China today for a week of presentations and meetings.

As the group prepared to depart, Mr Bell said: ‘It is rewarding to know that the island’s private sector consider visits like this to be of great value, not only to their businesses but to the economic development of the Isle of Man as a whole.

‘The participants this year were with me for last year’s visit to China and we will look to strengthen our relations as part of the broader strategy to raise the island’s international profile and generate new business opportunities.’

The delegation will promote the island as a reputable international centre that is an ideal platform for Chinese business expanding into the United Kingdom and Europe through an intensive programme of political and business meetings in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai and Wuxi. The meetings start in Beijing on Monday (April 20) and conclude in Wuxi on Friday (April 24).

Mr Bell added: ‘It takes time to develop relationships in China and personal contact is important, so delegations like this are necessary if we are to bring more Chinese business to the Isle of Man. We already have good economic ties through our shipping and manufacturing sectors, but there are many other areas where the Isle of Man can work with China, such as providing a gateway into Europe for Chinese exporters.

‘Economic growth has to be a top priority for the Island to sustain job opportunities, living standards and funding for public services. The potential economic benefits of building business links with China are significant, which is why we are investing so much time and effort in our programme of visits.’

Well-known Manx motorcycle racer Gary Carswell died from massive blunt force trauma after hitting a wall, an inquest has heard.

Coroner of Inquests John Needham opened and adjourned proceedings into the death of the 46-year-old Ramsey man this morning at Douglas Courthouse.

Mr Carswell was pronounced dead at Noble’s hospital on Saturday (April 11) after crashing his motorcycle during a practice session at the Jurby Motodrome.

The court heard that Mr Carswell lost control of his machine and collided with a wall at high speed at around 11am. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was immediately administered after his breathing ceased and his heart stopped.

He arrived at Noble’s hospital at midday and was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

Citing the report from a post-mortem examination conducted by consultant pathologist Dr Christopher Clague, Coroner of Inquests John Needham found that Mr Carswell died from massive blunt force trauma that caused multiple injuries.

He said that the event organisers, Andreas Racing Association, were continuing their inquiries into the incident.

Mr Needham passed on his condolences to Mr Carswell’s family, who were not present in court.

Mr Carswell’s body was released to his family and the inquest was adjourned to a later date, which is still to be fixed.

News in from the offices of Manx-based record label Small Bear Records regarding the first release from Skyline Advantage.

The solo project created and fronted by Kieran Ball, guitarist of fellow Small Bear recording artistes Postcode, has spawned a debut release for the label in the shape of ‘The Songs About Stuff EP’.

The EP is the culmination of two years of work and was recorded last year with mixer/producer and label boss Phil Reynolds at the helm.

‘The Songs About Stuff EP’ is available as a download on a pay-what-you-like basis or as a limited edition CD-R or cassette, both of which feature extra tracks.

An acoustic version of ‘Perfect’, recorded live at Small Bear House, can be viewed at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqgIrIRAUd0

For more information on this and all of the other Small Bear Records releases, please visit www.smallbearrecords.com

There are a fair few covers bands playing on the gig circuit in the venues up and down the island, Switch, Penthouse Dive, The Barefoot Revolution and the newly reformed Psychoholic to name a few.

Another outfit doing the rounds is three-piece band Powercut.

Formed back in 2009, the band, comprising John Percival on bass, Simon Watson on drums and Ian Bradley on guitar, play a set’s worth of material that ranges from The Kinks and The Who at one end through to the likes of more modern day offerings from the likes of The Kaiser Chiefs, Razorlight, The Kings of Leon and Green Day at the other.

I hear there’s even their own take on the Black Eyed Peas thrown in there for good measure.

The band continue their trek around the island this weekend with a show at Amber in Douglas on Saturday night. This is a show well worth checking out if you’re a fan of any of the above!

The doors open at 8pm and the event is free entry.

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

Steve Leach brings the latest rumblings, murmurings, news and views on forthcoming events in and around the island’s music scene. Help support the scene by emailing leachsteve@hotmail.com

The Isle of Man Newspapers’ Team of the Week returns in a special Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation Hospital Cup guise.

The latest XI are made up of those that impressed in Sunday evening’s six preliminary round ties, meaning spots for players from eight different clubs.

The side includes two from the second tier in the shape of Douglas Athletic’s James Aire and Colby’s Alex Guy, the pair impressing as their sides nearly pulled off upsets against Rushen and St John’s respectively.

Aire takes his place in a three-man backline that also includes Michael Baker (Rushen) and Dominic McGreevy (St Mary’s) after starring for the Woods Cup winners as they narrowly lost to Rushen 2-1 at Croit Lowey.

Baker’s performance also caught the eye in the Port Erin encounter, helping his side hold onto their lead in the face of a late Athletic flurry.

McGreevy helped the Saints to a comfortable 5-1 win over Douglas Royal as the beaten FA Cup finalists try to finish the campaign on a high.

The midfield quartet features the XI’s second Division Two player in the form of Colby Mr Versatile, Guy.

The former Rushen man produced a typically industrious display as the second tier side came from two goals to take St John’s to the brink of extra-time only for the Johnners’ Rhys Oates to pop up with a late, late winner for the tie’s hosts.

Nick Ford was also on the scoresheet in that game at Mullen-e-Cloie, netting twice for the makeshift Saints who were shorn of several regulars.

Ford is joined in the side by fellow midfield goalscorers Josh Ridings (Corinthians) and Marc Priestnal (St Mary’s).

Wing wizard Riding struck as the Whites negotiated their way through a potentially tricky tie with Division Two Malew 4-2, while Priestnal was on target on the adjacent Ballafletcher pitch as St Mary’s strode into the first round proper with a 5-1 win at Douglas Royal.

Up front two merry Millers, Brody Patience and Matty Cain, slot in alongside DHSOB’s hat-trick hero Darren Hudgeon in a three-pronged attack that hit seven goals between them at the weekend.

Teenager Patience and Mills’ top scorer Cain both bagged a brace as Mills put their recent poor league form behind them with a comprehensive 6-0 win over Onchan at Garey Mooar.

Hudgeon inspired his side to an even bigger win at Blackberry Lane, his treble being just three of the eight goals the Hospital Cup holders put past second tier Pulrose at Blackberry Lane.

Despite shipping eight goals, Pully custodian Stuart Morris prevented a much bigger scoreline and was in contention for the side’s number one shirt along with Royal’s stand-in keeper Stuart Foley and Corinthians’ Adam Killey.

Ultimately the latter got the nod after the Whites made it past prolific Malew and into the first round proper.

The Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance has removed the Isle of Man from its blacklist.

The new list implements provisions, announced in the Italian Budget for 2015, that jurisdictions that have exchange of information arrangements with Italy are excluded from its blacklist on the deductibility of costs.

The effect of this was that Italian companies dealing with the Isle of Man had to jump through a lot of hoops to ensure that expenses were tax deductible.

Now trading with the Isle of Man will be easier.

Since 2005 the Isle of Man and Italy have been exchanging information on savings income under arrangements that are equivalent to the European Union Directive on the Taxation of Savings Income and on March 1 exchange of information was enhanced when the OECD Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters entered into force in the Isle of Man.

The island’s relationship with Italy will be further enhanced when the Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) signed in September 2013 enters into force which is expected to be later this year; and again in 2017 when automatic exchange of information under the Common Reporting Standard begins.

Treasury Minister Eddie Teare welcomed the removal of the Isle of Man from the Italian blacklist.

He said: ‘The Isle of Man welcomes the Italian Republic’s recognition of the island’s longstanding commitment to transparency and exchange of information for tax purposes.

‘The removal of the Isle of Man from the Italian blacklist follows a similar move by the Republic of Colombia in 2014, and will be welcome news for those on the island doing business in Italy.’

Royal College of Nursing is to hold a seminar entitled ‘From shell-shock to PTSD: war neuroses from the First World War to the present day’.

The event will be held on April 30 from 4.45pm at the Keyll Darree Education Centre, Noble’s Hospital.

Dr Claire Chatterton, chair of the RCN History of Nursing Society, will outline the changing understanding and treatment of psychological trauma during the First World War.

A Castletown man has been found guilty of murder after a five week trial.

The jury of four men and eight women in the trial of Ian Anderson, 46, returned a unanimous verdict after seven hours of deliberations.

Anderson, of Queen Street, Castletown, had denied the murder of 60-year-old gardener Neil Roberts in December 2013.

The defendant remained impassive and looked straight ahead as the verdict was returned at Douglas courthouse this afternoon (Friday).

Deemster Alastair Montgomerie adjourned sentencing until 10am next Friday, April 24.

He told the jury: ‘This was an extremely serious matter and you’ve had to listen to a lot of evidence.

‘I’ve noted throughout that you have paid great attention to the evidence that was put before you.’

He said the jurors would be excused from further jury service for three years.

Senior investigating officer, Chief Inspector Phil Shimmin, said the killing of Neil Roberts was an ‘extraordinarily violent act’ by an individual who had consistently tried to remove himself from any responsibility for his actions.

He said: ‘The jury has ensured that Ian Anderson has today been made accountable for the murder of Mr Roberts.

‘Throughout the trial, Anderson claimed that he is a caring and compassionate man. Caring, compassionate people simply do not do to others as Ian Anderson did to Neil Roberts. The level of injuries sustained by Neil Roberts provides ample evidence that Ian Anderson is not what he purports to be.

‘I wish to recognise the dignity which has been demonstrated throughout this process by Neil Roberts’s family, and particularly Neil’s daughter Lorraine, who has been present throughout the trial.

‘It is she and the rest of Neil’s family who have to live with what has happened for the rest of their lives. I sincerely hope that today’s result brings them some comfort that justice has been served and that Neil’s killer has been held accountable for what he did.

‘I’d like to recognise the skilled advocacy of the prosecutor in this case Mrs Linda Watts and for the support shown to me and my team throughout the court process.

‘Finally, I’d like to thank all of the police officers involved in this investigation, from the Neighbourhood Policing Team officers who tried to save Neil Roberts’s life, to my investigation team who have worked tirelessly on this case.

‘I’d particularly like to recognise the efforts of Detective Constable Emily Butler, whose commitment to this case has been exemplary.

‘Murders thankfully remain a rare event in the Isle of Man, but the island’s community should be reassured that they have caring police officers who possess the professionalism and skills to effectively deal with this type of serious investigation.’

Carl Fogartyw ill be the guest of honour in the TT VIP Club for race day on Wednesday, June 10.

Carl, the most successful World Superbike rider of all time with 59 race wins and four outright titles in 1994, 1995, 1998 and 1999, will join platinum package guests at their table and will be sharing his experiences of racing around the TT Mountain Course. Foggy, who recently won ITV’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, will also stalk about his recent exploits in the jungle.

Fogerty’s TT career included race wins in the 1989 750 Production Race and a Formula 1 and Senior double in 1990. He also took part in what is widely recognised, and was voted by fans, as the greatest TT Race when he and Steve Hislop duelled over six thrilling laps in the 1992 Senior TT.

Foggy commented: ‘I’m really looking forward to getting back to the Isle of Man and seeing what’s going to be a brilliant race day. I’m still incredibly proud of my TT wins and they mean the most to me out of all of my race victories.’

‘It’s great to see the resurgence in the event and that a TT win has to be earned again and Wednesday’s packed race day looks brilliant with three races in a packed programme. The food will also be much better than I had in the jungle as well!’

The platinum TT VIP hospitality package will take you and your guests deeper into the famous races than ever before, with exclusive access all areas passes putting the holder on the startline, winners’ enclosure and behind the scenes at the post race press conferences.

Fogerty will also present guests with a limited edition souvenir. platinum ticket holders will also experience a much-coveted closed-roads lap of the TT Course in the official course car.

Places can be purchased on an individual basis or complete tables of eight at £1,000 plus VAT per person. There are only a limited number of platinum places available for Wednesday’s race day which includes the second Monster Energy Supersport Race, the SES TT Zero and the Sure Sidecar Race 2.

To reserve places visit www.iomtt.com where tickets can be booked online, or alternatively contact Regency Travel on 694456 or Duke Marketing on 640000.