Work has started on a residential unit for adults with learning disabilities at Strang, Braddan.

The £1.3m facility, to be operated by the Department of Health and Social Care, was approved by Tynwald at its February sitting.

At a sod cutting ceremony to mark the start of construction work, member for adult social care Services David Quirk MHK said: ‘We are fortunate to be able to invest in new facilities like this, which will serve some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

‘Providing modern and fit-for-purpose accommodation makes a real difference to the quality of life of residents and helps us to deliver our care to a high standard.”

Once completed, the facility, which is being constructed at the Leece Lodge site, will see residents transfer from two units at Radcliffe Villas on Glencrutchery Road in Douglas.

The new building has been specifically designed to accommodate adults with a learning disability and will operate as two community homes for five residents each.

The facility will offer a significant improvement in the standard of accommodation for residents, such as bigger bedrooms, en-suites with hoisting and specialist bathing facilities and more accessible communal living areas, including a garden.

Minister for Health and Social Care Howard Quayle MHK said: ‘This is a significant and important investment by government in a vital facility. It will ensure that we have accommodation that meets modern standards while freeing up existing facilities for alternative uses, which we can use to broaden our range of services.’

There are some 300 people in the island with a complex learning disability with around 120 accommodated in a variety of community homes. Since 1991 the island has worked to develop community-based services with a greater mix of residential care, respite care, supported living and day care services.

Completion of the building and handover to the department is planned for early 2016.

Daniel Lace became Peel’s first-team record appearance holder on Sunday, when he made his 547th outing for the westerners in their 2-1 Hospital Cup win over Corinthians.

Lace eclipses the record previously held by current first team assistant manager Steven Corkill, who still holds the club’s overall appearance record of 654, Lace is 30 behind this.

Daniel, who has scored 63 first team goals to date, made his debut on May 5, 1995 in a Division One match at Douglas Road which Peel lost 3-0 to St Mary’s. He is one of four players to have reached the landmark of 500 first team appearances for the club.

Early goals from Daniel Pickering and Ashley Webster gave Peel the win the quarter-final tie. Louis Thornton pulled one back for the Whites who had Kane Ridings sent off late on.

D-Day veteran Hector Duff is to light a beacon at St John’s as part of the island’s commemoration of the 70th anniversary of VE Day on Friday, May 8.

It will be one of a chain of more than 100 beacons being lit simultaneously across Britain in memory of the day in 1945 when nearly six years of war in Europe finally came to an end.

The beacon lighting, which will be preceded by a tribute to old comrades and those who stayed behind to safeguard the home front, will take place at 9.32pm at the War Memorial, St John’s. There will also be a Parade of Standards by the British Legion.

All are welcome to attend. Disabled parking for blue badge holders will be available in the Arboretum car park.

Mr Duff, who is 95 and lives in Onchan, took part in the Normandy campaign which led up to the Allied victory in Europe. He is the holder of the Military Medal, the British Empire Medal, the French Legion d’honneur, and the Tynwald Honour Medal for an outstanding contribution to Manx life.

Last year he was also awarded the Isle of Man Newspapers lifetime achievement award.

Earlier on Friday, May 8, at 3pm, the island will observe a national two-minute silence to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of VE Day and remember all those who died in the service of their country.

The full co-operation of the public is requested during the period of the silence. Motorists are asked to stop their vehicles and turn off their engines.

The island’s milk cartons are changing.

Isle of Man Creamery has bought a new carton machine which means it now has a resealable screw cap to its one-pint cartons ‘for increased convenience and keeping quality’.

The previous plastic cartons also had a screw cap.

The Tromode-based creamery says the development comes after 12 months of planning, a trip across Europe from its Italian manufacturers and £800,000.

Two new pack sizes will also be introduced: a 189ml carton for the snacking and sandwich market and a 950ml carton for families that will be sold across the Island for £1.

The creamery says the new cartons will all keep the milk fresher for longer.

The dairy has also updated its packaging designs.

They will focus on the Isle of Man’s celebrated dairy farming heritage and now also features a section dedicated to promoting the good work of locally registered charities, which are invited to apply to advertise their services on the new milk cartons.

Andy Thornton, manufacturing manager of Isle of Man Creamery, said: ‘It’s great to see the new line finally here and working after 12 months of planning.

‘It was like Christmas when we opened the huge crate and saw the brand new machine inside. The packaging line is the latest state-of-the-art equipment which will give us many years of high quality production capability.

‘The Italian manufacturer, Galdi, is the market leader for this type of equipment and the quality of the machine is superb.’

Managing director Findlay Macleod said: ‘The investment in this new machinery is more than just an upgrade.

‘This state-of-the-art machine is a clear sign of our commitment to our most important consumers: the people who buy fresh local milk and support our farmers.

‘The new packaging brings two major advantages. First and most importantly, it brings an improvement in the quality of our packaging by drastically reducing, if not actually eradicating, the possibility of leaking cartons and maintaining the integrity and great taste of our fresh Isle of Man milk.

‘Second, it also gives us the opportunity to create a medium-sized pack that gives consumers a convenient quantity for just £1, which is something we have wanted to do for some time. We are really pleased with the results from our trial runs, and we hope our local consumers will be too.’

The new packs will start to appear in stores from Monday, May 4.

Mr Macleod added: ‘The bold new look balances a contemporary feel with a nod to the creamery’s 80 years of heritage. It’s a clean design that also proudly emphasises the local provenance of our fresh Manx milk.’

When Manx milk was first sold in cartons in the 1970s, it came in a pyramid design.

There’s a potential constitutional crisis if a future Labour government in the UK tries to force the island to introduce a public register of the real owners of companies.

That was the warning from Chief Minister Allan Bell when he gave evidence to a Tynwald scrutiny committee.

Labour leader Ed Miliband issued an ultimatum on beneficial ownership in February – pledging he would place on an international blacklist any Crown Dependency or British Overseas Territory that fails to produce a public register within six months of Labour coming to power.

Mr Bell told the Economic Policy Review Committee: ‘It is Mr Miliband who is being the most aggressive at the moment on this by threatening to force us to introduce a public register of beneficial ownership.

‘There is a potential for a constitutional crisis developing out of this if in fact they try to legislate over our heads.’

Mr Bell said the last time any similar step was taken was with the Marine Broadcasting Bill in 1963, when the then Labour government legislated ‘over our heads’ to get rid of Radio Caroline and pirate radio.

‘There has always been an understood relationship since then that will not happen,’ he added.

Mr Bell said he had been assured by the Secretary General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ECD that it has ‘no plans whatsoever’ to blacklist any jurisdiction – and they instead want to use powers of persuasion to encourage countries to have a central register.

‘Even the OECD is not pushing for public register – and they have no intention of blacklisting,’ he said. Mr Bell said there is an expectation that in due course there will be pressure to move towards a central register.

But he insisted the current system works well. Manx law already requires companies and trusts to register beneficial ownership with the authorities but that information is not made public.

Three of the island’s Rotary clubs, Douglas, Douglas Bay and Onchan, and Douglas Inner Wheel have joined forces to make an appeal to the people of the island to help provide water and shelter after the earthquake in Nepal.

They want to send out shelter boxes.

Shelter boxes contain a variety of goods to help people survive such as a tent, ground sheets, thermal blankets, water containers and water purification equipment.

Nigel Dobson, spokesman, said: ‘Rotary have worked closely with shelterbox.org for many years and ShelterBox work with Rotarians in the affected area to ensure the best distribution to those most in need.

‘This also helps us to avoid some of the red tape that can slow down some organisations because Rotarians sent the aid to Rotarians, all of whom are unpaid so every penny raised goes on the purchase of the boxes. We know we have the boxes available for immediate despatch, all we need are the funds.’

Another advantage of ShelterBox is that if schools, community groups, staff within an organisation. want to see exactly where their money goes, the clubs can arrange for them to sponsor a box and they will be able to track exactly where their box is, when it’s despatched, where it goes and where it is finally used, all on the internet.

A fully packed ShelterBox costs £595 and water survival box is £150.

Rotary International has also set up a fund for support in helping to rebuild once the emergency care situation has eased and will be working closely with the 72 Rotary clubs in Nepal and the beauty of the tents the clubs send out is that they are designed so that when no longer needed to house a family four or eight of them can be zipped together to create a larger space for a surgery or community centre.

Nigel added: ‘We will be at the Braddan Fun Day on Monday, May 3, with a ShelterBox so people can see for themselves, and if any organisation would like us to come along and show them a box or give a talk, we would be more than happy to arrange that.’

For further information ring or text Nigel on 215515 or email nigel@suremail.im

To made a donation make your cheque payable to Onchan Rotary and send it to Rotary Earthquake Appeal, c/o The Liverpool Arms, Main Road, Baldrine, IM4 6AE

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/manx-fundraisers-to-collect-money-to-help-nepal-after-earthquake-1-7233308|Money is to be raised in street collections on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.}

Sanshia Tumblety has been appointed to the role head of banking propositions, International Personal Banking, Standard Bank, Isle of Man.

The appointment recognises Sanshia’s extensive marketing experience and strategic planning skills.

Sanshia was promoted from her position as product manager, deposits and banking at Standard Bank in the Isle of Man.

Chris Till, chief executive Officer, Standard Bank, Isle of Man, said: ‘Sanshia has been with Standard Bank since 2013 and has proven to be an asset to our team. Her experience in marketing financial services has been built up over many years in the offshore and expatriate environment and I’m confident she will be able to lead our products division forward.’

Prior to working for Standard Bank, Sanshia was with Britannia International for 11 years as marketing manager and then business improvement manager in a project management capacity.

She started her career with advertising and promotions agencies in London, working with clients such as Evian, Unilever, RAC and Abbey National.

Sanshia says she is looking forward to the challenge of her new role.

She said: ‘With Standard Bank’s clear long term focus on Africa, I will be concentrating on building closer relationships between our team here, and the rest of the Group, helping to embed our client value proposition across the business. I aim to provide added value to our retail clients through enhancements to our proposition and extensive banking and savings product range, and use my experience to play an active role in the senior management team in the Isle of Man.’

Sanshia is married with two young children.

She enjoys film, history, adventurous travel and tennis, as well as spending her spare time exploring the island’s natural playgrounds with her two boys.

Fans of vintage style are in for a treat at the iMuseum today (Thursday) as students from the Isle of Man College’s hair and beauty department recreate the glamour of the bathing beauty in their annual live hair styling challenge.

The event this year celebrates Manx National Heritage’s yearlong ‘History in Heels’ project, pop ups and events ‘following in the footsteps of the women who made Mann’.

As part of their course this year students have been using photographs from Manx National Heritage’s photographic archive to replicate the stylish hairstyles of the bathing queens.

They will be putting their skills into practice during the event using a variety of complicated hair techniques.

Visitors are invited to go along and watch the students style their models and chat to them about how they achieve the vintage look.

Katie King, community engagement officer for Manx National Heritage said: ‘Started in June 1946 as an initiative to boost tourism, the bathing beauty competitions in the Villa Marina Gardens were a highlight of the Manx calendar.

‘The early events saw holiday makers, demonstrating “physical charm and feminine beauty”, compete in a weekly bathing costume competition, culminating in the crowning of the Queen of Mann title at the end of the summer.

‘The generous prize money ensured that competition was fierce, and over the years many professional models entered the competition, a number going on to win the Miss Britain title and compete in the Miss World competition.

‘The competition was primarily aimed at tourists, but that did not stop the Isle of Man’s Joyce Lewis “a very charming Manx girl” who at the age of 17 won the Queen of Mann title in 1947 and again in 1948.

‘She went on to have a successful modelling career.’

Lindsey Jackson, hair and beauty assistant programme manager at the college said: ‘Our students have really enjoyed the challenge of re-creating the styles from the archive collection, but we have been using modern techniques and equipment. We are all really looking forward to the event!’

Visitors are invited to the iMuseum, Kingswood Grove, Douglas, from 10am to noon today to watch the live styling event. Admission is free,

It’s business as usual for the island’s work experience organiser.

That’s the message from Tracy Keig, who manages the Isle of Man Work Experience Programme, after it was confirmed that government had ended its contract with Sheffield-based my-work-experience.com.

The company had organised work experience for young people from the island’s five secondary schools since 2007.

A tendering process will begin for the contract in the coming months.

The Department of Education and Children has said that all previously arranged work placements will be honoured and Tracy Keig, my-work-experience.com’s island-based administrator, would stay on for six months to manage the programme.

Tracy said: ‘I work closely with enthusiastic staff in each of the five schools along with The Employability Group and DEC. None of us involved locally would allow the work experience programme to suffer as a result of this small setback. It’s quite simply too important to the students. All work experience placements will go ahead as planned. There will be no disruption to the programme whatsoever.

‘It’s regrettable that negative comments from the departing UK operator have caused confusion but the programme won’t be disrupted in any way. Recent events present an opportunity for progress, certainly not a setback.

‘I will continue to support the programme until the tender process has been completed and ensure a smooth handover to the new contractor later in the year.

‘Local employers are incredibly supportive which has helped us to build the programme into a benchmark for UK practice over recent years. We are all very proud of the scheme.’

Tracy said employers and students alike are becoming increasingly aware of the enormous benefits of work experience.

‘A good quality work experience placement can be life-changing for a young person,’ she said. ‘Placing students in a genuine, real-life work placement is one of the best thing you can do for them in terms of motivation and raising career aspirations.

‘Teachers often report that students return to school with a renewed enthusiasm for learning after work experience. Confidence is built and vitally important transferrable skills are learned.’

Tracy said the programme relies entirely on the support of local employers.

Contact Tracy with queries about placements or to offer work experience opportunities to island teenagers at Tracy at tracy@workexperience.im or call her on 456178.

Ramsey and Douglas face-off at the Mooragh Park for a place in the 2015 Manx Cup Final this evening, Thursday.

This rather unusual semi-final came about when both original fixture dates were taken by re-arranged league matches leaving planners with few options.

The two sides have met on a number of occasions in the past few years and Douglas’ big forward pack has meant that they’ve come out on top. Last year Douglas won 48-0 at the Mooragh Park in the corresponding fixture and this coupled with their much higher league status must mean they’ll start as overwhelming favourites, at least on paper.

However, Ramsey have secured promotion from South Lancs/Cheshire Division Three and the gap to Division One Douglas is a lot smaller than first impressions might suggest.

Douglas look likely to miss the Wyllie brothers Shaun and Lance but should have former Ramsey skipper Will Keenan available for his first fixture against his old club. Dan Creer should also be back for Douglas and his inclusion will provide even more beef to a very powerful front five. Outside the pack, there are no reported injury concerns in the Douglas camp.

Ramsey too should be fully fit. Number eight John F. Watling has been struggling with an ankle problem but appears to have gotten over that so should start. Dave Hinks is expected to regain his place in the squad after a couple of weeks out and speedster Peter Richardson should return to give Ramsey some options out wide where they will miss the creativity of Ali Trace who has college commitments.

The Mooragh pitch will be hard and fast and this may suit Ramsey’s style a little better but, as in their previous two meetings, they can only threaten when they have the ball and that Douglas pack will be looking to hold onto it for as long as possible. Kick off for this compelling contest will be 7.30pm and if you are travelling down please allow time to negotiate the Ramsey roadworks.

Fixtures

Thursday, April 30

Manx Cup Semi Final

Ramsey v Douglas @ Mooragh Park ko 7.30pm

Friendly matches

Friday, May 1

Douglas v Dollgellau @ Port-e-Chee ko 6.15pm

Saturday, May 2

Ramsey v Reading Abbey @ Mooragh Park ko 1pm

Money has run out to complete Douglas town centre’s award-winning regeneration scheme.

New granite paving has been laid much of the length of Strand Street and Duke Street with the work due for completion in October.

But there is no money left in the Town and Village Regeneration Fund to continue the new-look pavement and street furniture along Castle Street to Greensills Corner.

At the other end, the work has stopped at Duke Street and does not yet continue as planned along Market Hill to North Quay. An extra £2.5m would be need to finished those works.

It’s been raised as an issue in the Douglas North by-election with candidate Ralph Peake who is calling for the regeneration budget for Douglas to be reinstated immediately.

He said: ‘Why finish half way through well before Douglas is anywhere near completion?

‘I wish to place on record my support for the regeneration work. I am sure the process has been very painful in the short term for the businesses and residents but the end result emerging from behind the hoardings and dust is a significant improvement.

‘I understood the urgent priority was to regenerate Douglas. I am disappointed that the regeneration fund is now exhausted, well before Douglas is anywhere near completion.’

Work began on the long-awaited revamp of Strand Street and Duke Street in January last year. In total £6m has been spent on regeneration of the capital’s pedestrian ways.

David Cretney MLC, chairman of the Douglas Regeneration Committee, said: ‘There have been discussions with Chief Minister’s working group in relation to completing both the Castle Street and Market Hill ends of the scheme.

‘We are aware money is tight. I’m disappointed.

‘Regeneration might be at a slower pace than hoped but I am confident that we will be successful in terms of budget funding to allow us to go further. I’m very keen that Castle Street traders have support and for me that would be a priority to do first.’

He said there had been competing demands and priorities for cash from the Town and Village Regeneration Fund.

Regeneration manager Steven Stanley said Castle Street and Market Hill were important to the regeneration but funding for them had never been allocated in terms of the main scheme and those sections would need to be looked at in future.

He said new money put in the Regeneration Fund in this year’s Budget had been allocated to other schemes in Castletown, Peel, Port Erin and Port St Mary.

But he said the Douglas town centre regeneration could link in with the promenades redevelopment and a bid for funding would be made early next year.

The Douglas project was a winner in Natural Stone Awards last year, with judges describing it as ‘exemplary’ and praising the use of the Archibald Knox-inspired paving, street furniture and artwork.

Other candidates standing in the Douglas North by-election on May 21 are business and former Douglas mayor David Ashford and shipping officer Maire Booth.

Last week’s Manx Independent incorrectly called Mr Peake ‘Keith’.

This week’s Manx Independent has a fantastic photo on the front page taken at a falconry display at the Wildlife Park.

Matt Mosur’s photos are so good we’ve got two pages devoted to the event inside.

The lead story is about a five-year-old who’s undergone heart surgery and whose classmates have raised funds in her honour.

With the week’s top stories from court and the world of sport, a busy letters page and the island’s What’s On guide, the Manx Independent is a great read this week.

It’s in the shops now.

The Positive Action Group has proposed that the petitions for redress of grievance which people take up Tynwald Hill on July 5 can be sent in, if preferred, by email.

I assume this means petitioners will be allowed to turn up nice and early at St John’s on the day with their smart phones and tablets (not tablets of stone please, not in the 21st century). They will be advised, of course, not to bring their desktop computers. These tend to be a mite cumbersome, especially if you are going to Tynwald by bus.

Also, there’s nowhere handy to plug them in on arrival.

Petitioners will then be ready to fire their emails straight up the processional way to Clerk of Tynwald Roger Phillips, who will be waiting for them in his usual position at the bottom of Tynwald Hill with his own preferred e-kit. Then he can forward them all straight up to President of Tynwald Clare Christian and she will be able to forward them on to wherever she usually does.

Of course, there will be no changes to the traditional Deemsters’ double act of reading out the new laws in Manx and English. This will not be done by email. I don’t think anybody has worked out a way of doing it, not just yet anyway.

Now for other matters relating to the Tynwald ceremony. People who put up stalls on the fair field are having to pay the Isle of Man Government fees for the privilege from this year. This kind of thing is government policy these days.

In the circumstances it will be only right if people presenting petitions for redress of grievance should have to pay a fee for the privilege – once, of course, somebody works out a way of sending money by email.

I HOPE this is not tempting fate but I would like to propose a new entry for the Manx National Song Book. The melody is that of ‘Where Have All the Flowers Gone?’ but I have given it new lyrics as follows:

‘Where Have All the Burglars Gone?

‘Gone to Jurby Every One?’

Er, no.

ON Manx Radio news on Tuesday of last week listeners were told that the contaminated silt that is having to be dredged from the Peel marina would be ‘on the agenda of Tynwald today’.

Well that should solve the problem of where to dump it.

AT last week’s Tynwald President Clare Christian interrupted proceedings with a warning that too many members not on their feet were spending too much of their time with ‘electronic gadgets’ when they should be listening to the debates with all the close attention they should do.

I know what she means. We all know what children are like these days.

THIS week’s Manx crossword clue comes from Frank Bond and it was in the Daily Telegraph as follows: ‘Continuity announcer had connection with island (7).’ I must add that Frank and Hampton Oates have also come up with the explanation of ‘Whimsicality.’

A LADY, without giving her name, left a message on my answering machine saying that there was a headline in the Daily Mail saying ‘Labour in disarray over condoms.’ This made the UK election campaigning sound a lot more interesting than usual and I looked in the Mail to se if she was right. She wasn’t. It was: ‘Labour in disarray over non-doms.’

Not some kind of political cover-up then?

IN my Walk and Talk sessions on the NSC athletics track I do four laps a time, a total of one mile. Last week one of the ladies, Zena, stopped me and said this time I should increase it to five laps. She was stern about it, so I did. Now I’m trying to keep out of her way. Otherwise she will be ordering me to do six.

Women will be the death of me.

MY Funnies File today yields a small advertisement in the Isle of Man Courier of long ago saying: ‘Wanted. Drum kit, in sound condition.’

Sombody didn’t want to keep quiet about it.

THIS week’s extract from NHS medical secretaries’ letters is: ‘She has no rigours or shaking chills but her husband says she was hot in bed last night.’

Crossword: LINKMAN.

Braddan Parish Day has a No Waste in Braddan theme this year – and we’ve been busy sorting out items for our Zero Waste Mann stall.

One of them is a wormery, which we’ll be offering as a prize.

The event is being held on Monday, at the Strang Field near Noble’s Hospital.

We’ll also be giving away dozens of the Morsbags that have been made at Isle of Man Prison in Jurby, and selling our own green re-usable bags too.

We’ll have one of our old sewing machines there. So if anybody fancies trying their hand, we can show them how to make a bag.

It’s almost a year now since we started working with Braddan Commissioners to raise awareness of waste and encourage householders to use their kerbside collection boxes.

One of the first things we did was deliver a leaflet to every household, explaining what services Braddan Commissioners provide and where residents can take batteries, cardboard and green waste, etc.

We explained how the cost of waste taken to the incinerator was already £79.50 per tonne and likely to rise.

We told people exactly where the paper and plastic bottles go in England for recycling – because the rumours still persist that they go to the incinerator for burning.

Braddan Commissioners has a Facebook page, and our No Waste in Braddan campaign has had good coverage there.

We have taken part in the Rubbish Diet campaign to ‘Slim Your Bin’, negotiating with the organisers so that people from Braddan could sign up and take part.

We’ve also sponsored one of Bill Dale’s Beach Buddies bins for Port Soderick, and took part in a beach clean down there one Sunday morning.

In August 2009, a Kerbside Recycling-Customer Satisfaction Survey was carried out. We’ve decided to bring the questions up to date and use it to find out how the people of Braddan are getting on with their kerbside collections, whether they have any problems and whether they need more information about the service.

The questionnaire went out with the rates demand at the beginning of April and the clerk, Colin Whiteway, tells us that they have had a good response.

When all the replies are in we’ll be analysing them to see what the levels of satisfaction are – and how things could be improved.

Local residents also got a free fridge magnet with their rates demand this year. It reminds them not to put items such as paper, cans and aerosols in their wheelie bin. We did think of providing the design as a wheelie bin sticker, but Moira Radcliffe, the deputy clerk at Braddan, pointed out that it was probably the wrong place – people needed the recycling message in their kitchen, not on their wheelie bin. Good thinking!

We’ll be inviting people to sign up for our Composting Course on June 27 at the Community Farm in Braddan, and giving away the wormery (together with a voucher for the worms to be sent from Wiggly Wigglers in Hereford).

On Braddan Parish Day we’ll also be judging interest in holding another Morsbag-making session at the Commissioners’ office as well as a ‘Beyond Your Bin’initiative, which involves a visit to SITA’s Richmond Hill incinerator, which also happens to be in Braddan.

We’re really delighted that Braddan Commissioners are working in such a good partnership with Zero Waste Mann. But then, the chairman Andrew Jessopp is also one of our founding members – he’s been on our committee since 2000. So he really has no choice!

We’re looking forward to meeting many of the local residents when we set up our stall on the Strang Field near the hospital on Monday (May 4).

There will be entertainment for all ages including music, rides and face painting. The idea is to give local residents and businesses a good afternoon out and a chance to meet each other.

So please come and have a chat to us on our stall. Tell us your favourite recycling idea.

And if you want to win the wormery, you’ll just have to guess how many worms are in the jar!

For more information, see www.braddan.im

TT ace Guy Martin has confirmed that this year’s event will be his last as a competitor.

The Tyco BMW rider made the revelation in the unlikely surroundings of a question and answer session in aid of Bottesford Town Football Club last week.

According to a Scunthorpe Telegraph report Martin, when asked about whether he was going to win the TT, said: ‘I’ll go there whatever happens. Whatever I do I’ll give it 100 per cent.

‘It’s the last time I’m doing it. Let’s be honest, it would be mint to win. It would be great, I love motorbikes.

‘But it is only motorbikes. Tomorrow is another day. I’ve this sort of mindset - it is what it is.’

Rumours have persisted since February that this would be Guy’s last TT after he hinted in interview with the Times that it would be.

However, at the launch of the Tyco team later that month Martin said he would put off a decision until after this year’s event.

TT sidecar ace Dan Sayle made an impressive debut with John Holden at the weekend.

It was announced earlier this month that the Sulby man would partner Holden at this year’s TT after the latter’s regular passenger Andy Winkle broke his hand.

The new pairing were in action at the opening round of this year’s F2 British Sidecar Championship took place at Oulton Park.

The duo got off to a dream start winning both races and lead the series going into the next round at Silverstone on May 9-10.

Will the budget for road safety be protected following its transfer from Infrastructure to Home Affairs?

That was the question from Peter Karran (Lib Van, Onchan) to Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson in the Keys this week, who said in his written reply: ‘The Chief Constable has assured me it will continue to be spent on road safety matters.’

He said the strategy would be discussed at the monthly meeting tomorrow (Friday).

The island-wide Strategic Plan has been one of the ‘biggest mistakes this government has made in the last few years’.

That was the surprising admission in the House of Keys from Chief Minister Allan Bell who told MHKs the plan had lost a lot of business investment and created frustration for the community.

The Department of Infrastructure announced last December that it was proposing to review the 2007 Strategic Plan to take into account revised population projections and housing need.

In the Keys, Douglas West MHK Chris Thomas asked a series of questions about planning policy – prompting Health Minister Howard Quayle to query why Mr Thomas was doing so, given he was the political member responsible for planning.

The Douglas West MHK asked about the economic benefit of the Ballavartyn Equestrian Centre in Santon and whether it compared with the estimates given in the supporting letter that came with the planning application.

Economic Development Minister Laurence Skelly said the project had led to ‘significant sustainable economic and wider benefits for the island’.

But Mr Quayle asked: ‘I just cannot understand where these series of questions are going. If it was any other backbencher I would understand but I am surprised we are getting questions from the person with delegated authority on planning.’

Mr Bell confirmed that the Planning Committee had not had a political chairman since July last year but he believed there was a need to revisit this arrangement and he had asked the Chief Secretary to instigate a review.

He said: ‘We need to review the whole of the planning policy to make sure it is fit for purpose, which frankly at the moment I do not think it is.’ He added planning played a vital role in economic development but ‘we are getting overburdened with red tape’.

‘I think the Island Strategic Plan has been one of the biggest mistakes this government has made in the last few years. ‘We have lost a lot of business investment and also frustration for our own community because of it,’ he said.

The UK, in contrast, had streamlined its approach to planning and as a result now had the fastest-growing economy in Europe, he said, adding: ‘At the same time, we sit back complacently and expect everything to land on our doorstep. We need to wake up, smell the coffee: that is not going to happen anymore!’

Thursday, April 30

• Manx Retirement Association stretch and flex at the NSC, Douglas, 10am.

• 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.

• Avondale Afternoon WI, Morton Hall, Onchan, 2pm. Call 818194.

• 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.

Friday, May 1

• Castletown Over 60s Club afternoon tea, Castletown Civic Centre, 2pm-3.30pm.

Monday, May 4

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

• Possan Aeglagh Manx Speaking Youth Club School Year 6 (ages 10-11) upwards at Cafe Laare, Lord Street, Douglas, 6.30pm - 8.30pm, subs £1. Call Cathy Clucas 414331 or email C.Clucas@doe.sch.im for further details.

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

• Ramsey Gardening Club at 7.30pm at Quayle’s hall, Ramsey. £2 entry fee.

Tuesday, May 5

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

• Manx Retirement Association coffee morning at St Paul’s Church hall, Ramsey at 10.30am. Wednesday, computer discussion group at the Cat with No Tail, Douglas at 10.30am.

• 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.

• 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.

• Glen Maye WI, St James’ Church hall, Dalby, 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.

• Santon WI, The Church Centre, Church Road, Santon, 7.30pm. Call 818194.

• Ballacottier Senior Youth Project for school years 10+, Ballacottier School youth room, 7.30pm-9.30pm.

Wednesday, May 6

• MS Society coffee morning, Harbour Lights, St Paul’s Square, Ramsey, 10.30am.

• 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 Pensioners Club, Morton Hall, Castletown, ladies club, 2pm-4pm.

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

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

• Jurby and District WI, Jurby parish hall, 7.15pm.

• St Mark’s WI, St Mark’s School room, 7.30pm. Call 818194.

Thursday, April 30

• 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, May 1

• 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, May 2

• 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, May 3

• 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, May 4

• 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).

• Jump Fx - Cardio Classes, 11.30am. Also Wednesday, 6pm and Thursday at 9am, Ballabeg hall. Phone Sara 432535 or email saraszestforlife@gmail.com

• 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.

• Stretch ‘n’ Flex exercise, NSC, Douglas, noon. Call 688588.

• Disability swimming sessions, NSC, Douglas, 3pm-4pm, £1.55. Also Tuesday, 6pm-7pm.

• 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, May 5

• 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.

• Badminton club, Arbory School, Ballabeg, 8pm-10pm. Call Liz on 466370.

• 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, May 6

• 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.