One of the most intriguing and certainly highest-profile stories in Manx sport will come to a head (indeed a head-to-head) over the next three weeks, writes John Watterson.

Mark Cavendish and Peter Kennaugh, both Members of the British Empire (MBEs) and former Isle of Man Sportsman of the Year, ride for two rival teams in the biggest and longest sporting event in the world.

The 2015 Tour de France gets underway with a nine-mile individual time trial around Utrecht in the Netherlands on Saturday.

Ahead of each rider is a mammoth total distance of 3,360 kilometres (2,087 miles)over 21 stages.

Both Cavendish and Kennaugh have enjoyed considerable success in the event. Cav has stacked up a total of no fewer than 25 stages wins since he first rode in 2006.

It places him third overall in the list of all-time winners behind Tour legends Eddy Merckx of Belgium on 34 and Bernard Hinault of France on 28.

The next most successful rider in this year’s event is Switzerland’s Fabian Cancellara on seven, showing just how successful the 30-year-old Manxman has been.

He is currently on imperious form and, after last year’s bitter disappointment when he crashed out on the opening stage in his mum’s home town of Harrogate, his hopes are high to add to his tally of stage wins.

The first two road stages, Sunday’s 166km run from Utrecht to Zélande and a similar run between Anvers and Huy could get the Manx Missile off to a flying start and get him to within on stage win of Hinault.

The Etixx-Quick Step sprinter’s green jersey bid is aided by the fact that last year’s most prolific stage winner, Marcel Kittel, will be absent because of an apparent lack of form.

After a few days training in the Isle of Man last week, Cav rode bravely in Sunday’s British Championship Road Race when Peter Kennaugh just got the better of him on the infamous Michaelgate cobbled clinb in Lincoln to retain the title.

That win sealed Peter’s place in the Team Sky line-up and hopefully put to bed his own dark memories of this time last year when he also won the British champion’s vest but was sensationally left out of Sky’s line-up for the Tour.

‘I still don’t know to this day why I was not included in the Tour team last year,’ said Pete in an excellent post-race interview in Lincoln five days ago, a few hours before his name was confirmed for this year’s TdF.

Whereas Cav is likely to make the headlines for his own achievements in crossing the line first in bunch sprints, ‘little Pete’ will again be playing a support role for Sky team leader Chris Froome.

Kennaugh was indeed a star in his own right two years ago in his only other appearance in Le Tour when he worked like a trojan for his team and Froome in particular, a combined effort that saw Froome take the overall win and Sky’s second in successive years.

While Kennaugh and Cavendish are likely to have the odd chat in the peloton, it is highly unlikely that they will play out another amazing toe-to-toe finish as they did in memorable fashion last weekend in Lincoln, but they could well be Britain’s star performers in a high number of 10 GB riders in this year’s edition.

Treasury Minister Eddie Teare said he had no plans to introduce means testing for any benefits that are not already means tested.

Speaking in the House of Keys this week, Mr Teare said it was not possible to list precise cut off points for claimants’ income and assets above which benefits would not be paid, because the levels varied according to circumstances.

Answering a question from Onchan MHK Peter Karran, Mr Teare said an ‘applicable amount’ required by an individual to live on was assessed according to their age, whether they had a partner, dependent children, housing costs, a disability, caring responsibilities, and so on. Benefits were then paid to meet the applicable amount, which was reviewed each tax year.

You know the old adage you wait for a bus and then three come along.

First we had the military festival of fun on Douglas promenade in May during which Marian (Kenny) and her merry men at Manx Radio news kept regaling us about the virtues of life in the military reserves for...ever!

That eventually moved swiftly on to accommodate the real TT Fun fair in June.

However, the high point of the year for all Manx people as far as staged pantomimes go is coming shortly in July – the annual Tynwald Day Fun Fair at St John’s.

I don’t mean the one behind the hill. I mean the one on the hill. It is, we are told, part of our proud and ancient tradition.

PAUSE FOR A COMPETITION: Name five non-royal visiting dignitaries to Tynwald over the past three years. Answer by the time you reach the end of this article.

Anyway, we are told it is ‘part of our Manx heritage and tradition’. But actually, it’s not!

It is actually something of a made-up Victorian pantomime. You only have to look at some of the ludicrous costumes on display to realise that.

I mean I know the Vikings, a millennium ago, were supposed to have turned up in those stupid horned helmets (which they didn’t) the standard accoutrement it seems for stag nights. But, I ask you – wigs and men with frocks in July 2015!

No pantomime is complete without a villain, and that role has got to be occupied by the incumbent Lieutenant Governor. I mean what else is he for?

He does nothing (or very little) for the rest of the year except ‘trouser’ loads of cash from us and live in that big house we give him.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for a fun day out but these people (them on the hill) take it all so seriously, and some of the MHKs think they look good in their top hats.

Tynwald was originally about making the governance of the island relevant to those governed. These people do not want to make this ceremony relevant to you, they just want you to look up to them – literally!

The social event of the day – the fair – which was once the main imperative of the day, has been for many years now bundled on to the back of the hill.

Shamefully it is now sited in the memorial field, an area originally designated after the WWI memorial was built as an area for quiet contemplation to remember those who died.

This was OK for decades, but then, about 25 years ago, ‘them on the hill’ noticed that the people wandering round the stalls at the front of the hill were enjoying themselves to much.

‘We can’t have that’ they said. ‘We can’t have them enjoying themselves in front of us while we are taking ourselves seriously up here on the hill.

‘So forget the memorial field, we’ll bundle them round the back’.

Move over remembrance, the burger vans are coming!

They said: ‘We need to keep the front of the hill for people who enjoy taking us seriously and keeping an eye on the pantomime villain.’

Some years ago I was interviewed by a journalist from the Observer, John Sweeney, (yes he of the amazing Youtube scientology rant). He had come to the island the day before Tynwald fair day. We did the interview and I suggested he stay on.

The following day we went to St John’s and I started ‘peddling’ nationalist newspapers around the field and he went off to watch events on the hill.

After a good while he returned, saying ‘I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s like something out of an Ealing Comedy’, before almost collapsing in a fit of hysterics.

At the time I was mildly offended but, you know, in hindsight he was spot on!

COMPETITION ANSWERS – Didn’t think you would remember any. I don’t.

What are visiting dignitaries anyway?

Oh yes, something else for us to pay for. After all THEY cannot have a serious day if YOU don’t spend serious money!

There has been a lot of talk in the Small Bear Records office in recent weeks regarding the impending debut album from UK band Vukovar.

What’s the link to the Isle of Man then I hear you cry?

Well, apart from the fact that this debut album entitled ‘Emperor’ is being released on the aforementioned Douglas based Small Bear Records label, the release also features contributions from what can only be classed as a Small Bear Records supergroup.

The likes of Mikie Daugherty, Jonny Peacock, Marie Reynolds and Mark Sayle who between them appear in the line-ups of the various Small Bear roster from the likes of Postcode, Phil Reynolds and The Dearly Departed, Nanaki and Circus World.

The album was produced and mixed in-house at the Small Bear HQ by label boss Phil Reynolds along with Dan Ankers.

If you’re a fan of no wave, industrial, garage rock and punk then this is certainly worth having a look at.

The video for lead single New World Order can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hSBZTc4Fe8

As with all Small Bear Records releases it can be downloaded on a name-your-price basis, with a special limited edition handmade CDR also available.

For further information visit https://vukovarsmallbear.bandcamp.com/album/emperor

Whilst we’re on the subject of Manx Based record labels, the second of the two based on the island, a certain Ballagroove Records, home to the likes of Nick Barlow and The Bad Noise and Cartesian Jetstream have also been readying themselves for the long awaited new album from local four-piece outfit Rhysical Pheck.

Now, I say long awaited and new as the band had originally started recording this album back in 2002 following the release of their debut that came in the shape of The Little People LP from the same year.

A bit of competition with a certain Axl Rose in terms of how long it can take to record and release an album!

Joking aside though the album, entitled The Vitamin D LP, and which is out now is an eclectic mix of electronics, drum machines, synths and keyboards all mixed together with guitars, bazoukis, banjos, flutes and trumpets. Think Spiritualized, Lemon Jelly, Super Furry Animals, Four Tet, Velvet Underground and Sigur Ros and you’re getting close to the influences that have been picked out.

The album was recorded and mixed in house at the Ballagroove Records studios by label boss Gypo Buggane, who incidentally is also in the band.

I’m not sure if any live dates are planned, however please visit http://ballagroove.com for further information on the band and where to purchase the album.

A section of the mountain road between Governor’s Road and Hailwood Avenue that was closed earlier today (Saturday) has now reopened.

The road closure was caused by a burst water main and meant traffic had to find alternative routes via Onchan or via Johnny WAtterson’s Lane.

A road accident which partially blocked Whitebridge road in Onchan is also now clear. The road remained passable with care, according to police, after the accident which happened at around lunch time.

Cronk-y-Voddy Ploughing Committee will hold their annual sports day and dog show on Monday, July 6 (Tynwald Day).

The marquee will open at midday for refreshments and sports will begin at 2pm.

There are more than 40 classes to compete in for children up to 15 years.

Prizes will be given to the first three in each event.

There will be running and cycle races.

For older competitors, throughout the afternoon there will be a dog show and dog racing.

Admission is £1 for adults with children free. Parking is also free.

All proceeds will go to the Multiple Sclerosis Society (Isle of Man branch).

A bill aimed at preserving the island’s war memorials in good repair passed its second reading in Keys this week.

The War Memorials Bill, proposed by Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson, defines what constitutes a war memorial and places a statutory obligation on the owners of war memorials to maintain them.

Asked by Onchan MHK Peter Karran what would happen if an owner did not have the means to keep a memorial in good repair, Mr Watterson said there were various avenues of recourse.

In some cases he said private land owners were custodians of the memorials, but he said bodies such as the local authority and the War Memorials Trust, a UK organisation with a remit in the Isle of Man, could also be approached for help.

He said some memorials were in church grounds and the bill also provided guidance for what would happen to it if a church closed, for example, allowing for a possible relocation.

The minister in charge of roads has said he would like to lower the speed of vehicles in Kirk Michael and is looking into the most practical ways of achieving this.

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne was responding to a question from Kirk Michael MHK Alfred Cannan asking if Mr Gawne’s department accepted the need for a 20mph speed limit in the village.

‘The challenge is that speed limits are not always the best way to actually slow the traffic down,’ he said.

Mr Gawne told fellow members of the House of Keys that research completed showed drivers tended to match their speeds to the characteristics of the road ahead and if a 20mph limit was simply imposed with no attention given to the characteristics of the road itself, drivers ‘almost universally’ tended to ignore it.

‘We are investigating how the road can be modified so pedestrians and cyclists feel more comfortable but traffic flow is maintained through the village,’ he said.

Asked by Mr Cannan about the timescale of any development, Mr Gawne said everything possible was being done to resolve the matter.

‘The road through Kirk Michael is also used as a race track so we have to be careful just what we do to modify it. This matter was ongoing before I was the minister,’ he said, adding the department engineers were still investigating.

The Home Affairs Minister has paid tribute to the volunteers who provide support for the Isle of Man’s major sporting and community events.

Members of the Civil Defence Corps contributed more than 420 hours of assistance during this year’s TT and were recently out in force again to provide logistics and first aid cover for the Parish Walk.

Juan Watterson MHK said: ‘The Civil Defence Corps helps us to prepare for and respond to emergencies, and contributes to the safe and successful running of many high-profile events.’

He added: ‘These volunteers devote a great deal of their own time to serving the local community, often working in extremely challenging circumstances. The role of the Civil Defence Corps was brought into sharp focus during the TT, dealing with the problems caused by the severe weather and assisting at the helicopter crash site.’

The organisation works alongside agencies such as the Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Service, Ambulance and Coastguard in a variety of emergency situations, including missing person searches and the response to severe weather events.

Minister Watterson has personally written to volunteers to thank them for their ‘extraordinary efforts’. ‘The commitment and professionalism shown by our volunteers is another example of the Isle of Man’s outstanding community spirit,’ he said.

The Civil Defence Corps responded during the heavy rain and storm force winds on the Monday of TT Practice Week, helping visiting campers and performing welfare checks in the days that followed.

Volunteers also provided assistance when a helicopter crashed in high winds in the Baldwin Valley near to the 33rd Milestone, securing the scene from the time of the incident on Saturday until Monday morning, performing a search of the crash site and helping to remove wreckage.

Orphaned birds have the chance of a new life thanks to an aviary provided by a Castletown community group.

It’s a busy time for anyone caring for orphaned birds, such as Castletown’s Barbara Cole.

Starlings, thrushes, blackbirds, robins, sparrows and doves – sent to her by the ManxSPCA – have all been in her care in recent weeks.

And now she has had a ‘release aviary’ built to help complete the last stage of rehabilitation before they are ‘soft released’ into the wild.

Barbara explained: ‘The aviary allows them to come and go until they are ready for independence.’

As Barbara is doing the rearing for charity, the Castletown Ale Drinkers’ Society covered the cost of the aviary, at £500.

Meanwhile there are plenty more orphaned birds to care for.

To help, contact the ManxSPCA on 851672.

New rules coming into force next year will not affect a large number of the island’s migrant workers, the Chief Minister has told Keys.

The revised regulations will mean from 2016 migrant workers will no longer acquire a right to settle in the island based simply on the amount of time they have spent working here.

‘The impact this will have on the island’s economy and public services is being looked into by the immigration office, however, the numbers affected are not expected to be high,’ Chief Minister Allan Bell told the House of Keys.

A decision made in 2011 to abolish automatic rights to settlement for general migrants takes effect on April 6 next year.

Since 2012 any such migrant workers get an initial three-year visa at the end of which they can apply to stay for a further three years. At the end of the six year period, however, next year’s rule change means they must then return to their home country for a minimum one-year period before they can reapply for a general visa.

From April 2016, general migrants, such as those working as nurses, will only be eligible to apply to settle in the Isle of Man if they are earning more than £35,000. Those earning less than that have to return to their home country once their visa has expired.

Certain workers will, however, be exempt from this minimum earnings rule. These people include ministers of religion, people who are doing PhD-level jobs or people who are employed in shortage occupations.

A rehearsal for Tynwald Day tomorrow is taking place today (Sunday) until 2pm

This means the main road through St John’s village will be shut for this period and traffic will need to find an alternative route. Bus services to and from Peel, numbers five and six, will be diverted via the Hope.

The traditional Tynwald Day ceremony and fair takes place at St John’s on Monday July 6.

Fire up your smartphone’s camera and prepare to go live on Monday as part of a world record attempt.

A host of Manx technology companies have joined forces to showcase the best of the Isle of Man on our national day - and they need your help to do it.

Using a smartphone app called Periscope, which lets users broadcast live video to the world using the popular social network Twitter, they’re aiming to have the most number of users broadcasting from one country in a single day.

Whether you’re taking part in the Tynwald celebrations at St John’s, hiking on South Barrule or relaxing with friends, broadcast a video any time between 10am and 1pm on Tynwald Day (Monday, July 6) to take part.

The world record bid is being organised by the Manx ICT Association (MICTA) and is supported by SES, Manx Telecom, Sure, Bluewave Communications, and the Department of Economic Development.

Just download the Periscope app for free using your Twitter account, hit the red button and you’re live on air. If you don’t have the app it’s available for iPhone and Android from the App Store and Google, and there are dozens of videos online that will help users get started.

Kurt Roosen, Chief Executive of MICTA, commented: ‘This is a fun event using a fantastic app which opens up the possibility of live streaming video to anyone with an iOS [iPhone] or Android smartphone.

‘It’s also an ideal opportunity for the Isle of Man to demonstrate to the world our commitment to digital technology which plays a vital role in all sectors of the economy,’ he said.

The Code Club bus will be stationed at Bunscoill Ghaelgagh in St John’s on Monday to act as a wifi hotspot and command centre for the record attempt.

Streaming video using Periscope could incur data charges if the app is used when not connected to a wifi network. If in doubt, check with your network provider.

A few brave souls had their first taste of cured jellyfish during an educational workshop last week.

Families were treated to an entertaining and highly informative afternoon, featuring a mixture of jellyfish specimens, video displays, craft sessions and interactive quizzes, and even the chance to try and eat some cooked jellyfish.

The workshop was hosted by the Manx Society for Marine Conservation.

Expert information was provided by PHD marine student Grai Hardinge, who introduced kids and adults alike to the types of jellyfish found in Manx waters such as the Moon, Lion’s Mane and mauve stinger jellyfish, while also giving fascinating facts about other species.

‘I introduced what exactly a jellyfish is,’ said Grai. ‘Sometimes it can be a bit confusing.

‘It’s a general term given to something that looks like a blob of jelly.

‘We went through the different species that you get around the Manx coastline, the six main species and the two rarer kinds, such as the By-The-Wind Sailor and the Portuguese Man O’War.’

She added: ‘I’m pleased that there are quite a few kids here. I know that kids like to poke them a lot on the beach, so I thought that this might be quite a good way of actually telling them what they are looking at.’

The crowd were even keen for the jellyfish tasting , even though the enthusiasm didn’t really last long past the first mouthful. The jellyfish on offer were similar to species found in Manx waters.

‘I don’t think it will be rivalling the Queenie to the title of supreme Manx delicacy,’ said Grai.

‘It was hard, chewy and gristly, with not much of a taste at all, and not many went back for seconds. We had mixed reviews about the jellyfish tasting. It doesn’t taste like much, but it’s got quite an offensive texture. I don’t think it’ll catch on, no. It’s not as nice as calamari.’

Police are dealing with a road accident on the Poortown Road near its junction with Glen Mooar Road in St John’s

Though the road is not blocked, police have asked motorists to take extra care as they pass the scene.

Mark Cavendish was denied a stage win in the first road stage of the 2015 Tour de France in north-east Holland.

The predominantly flat run from Utrecht to Zeland was hit by heavy showers of rain and it looked for a while that four escapees may survive, but a lead pack from the peleton former in the final 20km that included all the big sprinters.

Cav, whose Ettixx Quick-Step team had worked hard on the front of the bunch for much of the day, left themselves one man short in the front group and the Manxman had to go for the sprint at the 400 metre mark.

Andre Greipel (Lotto-Soudal) stuck to his rear wheel and got himself in front with a few metres remaining. Cavendish sat up and looked across as both Peter Sagan (Tinkoff-Saxo) and Fabien Cancellara (Trek) also pipped him to the line, Sagan having made it back to the front with a monumental effort after puncturing inside the final 20km.

Team Sky’s Peter Kennaugh played a protective role to Chris Froome in the second bunch, but all the main GC-chasing contenders lost time to Switzerland’s Cancellara, who will start tomorrow’s third stage in yellow.

Manx Grand Prix organisers are offering fans the chance to get more involved in this year’s races by backing a newcomer.

The Manx Grand Prix Back a Newcomer scheme was piloted last year with the aim of getting some financial support for the riders as well as offering a unique extra dimension to the races for some of the fans.

Travelling marshal Jim Hunter, who also recruits new riders to the event and runs information weekends said: ‘We have an amazing entry this year of more than 70 riders for the Manx Grand Prix Newcomers’ Race so it would be really good to see some of the supporters get involved with the scheme.’

Anyone who wishes can simply make a donation of any amount, or, for £200 they can choose a specific rider to back. In return they get their name on the bike and they can visit the paddock to meet the rider and their team. In addition, they get lunch at the Jurby Festival of Speed, which takes place on the middle Sunday at the end of practice week, and they also get admission to the Newcomers’ prize presentation.

Another perk of the scheme allows backers a seat in the grandstand for the Senior Manx Grand Prix race and they also get a signed photograph of their rider competing in their race.

For £250, those benefits also extend to the backer’s guest.

The scheme was launched last year. One of the backers told the organisers: ‘Our rider and his family were super and we liked having this extra interest in the event. The lunch, party and presentation evening were all wonderful and we would be very pleased to join the scheme again next year. Thank you so much for a treasured memento.’

To find out more about the scheme check the Facebook page which has details of all the Newcomers in this year’s event who would be delighted to receive some backing from anyone generous enough to offer. All money received goes directly to help riders and support their efforts either in visiting and learning the course beforehand or supporting them during the event itself. For more information contact Jim via the Facebook page.

Think of the Jungle Book and you can be forgiven for thinking of the Disney cartoon or the musical version with its plethora of catchy songs.

But Stuart Paterson’s version of Rudyard Kipling’s novel, originally staged by the Birmingham Stage Company in 2004, is anything but Disneyesque.

Parker and Snell Company will be using Paterson’s stage adaptation, closer to the spirit and language of the original, in their youth production at the Gaiety Theatre next week.

Kipling’s Jungle Book stories were moral tales when they first appeared towards the end of the 19th century and the animals with human characteristics very much reflect this.

Mowgli is a young boy who is raised in the jungle by a family of wolves.

When Shere Khan the tiger swears to kill the child, Baloo and Bagheera agree to take the boy to the man village for his safety.

But the jungle holds danger and surprises for them all and Mowgli’s amazing adventure has just begun!

Director Colin Snell said: ‘If people come along expecting “I Wanna Be Like You” or the “Bare Necessities” they may very well go away disappointed, but if they come along wanting to see Kipling’s original story unfold on stage they are in for a treat!’

There is a large cast of 25. The principal characters are: Ryan Coates as Mowgli, Shere Khan (Joseph Long), Raksha (Rebecca Salmon), Akela (Christian Cooper), Baloo (James Craig), Bagheera (Joshua Moore), Tabaqui (Harry Harrison), Kaa (Robyn-Mae Lawler).

Colin said: ‘It’s very much an ensemble piece and that is the way I like to work.

‘Everyone has a role to play and a contribution to make to the overall impact and success of the production.’

He added: ‘It is also a fantastic opportunity for the island’s young people to be able to take to the Gaiety stage in a full-length straight play. After our success with “The Edelweiss Pirates”, as part of the National Theatre’s Connections programme, and the number of young people in our acting classes and summer film-making workshop, there is clear support for straight acting opportunities.

‘This production will showcase the island’s young talent.’ Jungle Book is suitable for all the family and will take to the Gaiety stage from Friday to Sunday next week (July 10 to 12).

Evening performances are on the Friday (7.30pm start) and Saturday (7pm).

Matinees are on the Saturday (2pm) and Sunday (4.30pm.

Tickets cost from £16 (concessions available).

All roads lead to St John’s today (Monday) as the island celebrates its national day.

Thousands are expected to make the trip to visit the Tynwald Day celebrations, with the official proceedings taking place on the hill from around 10am alongside the fair behind the grandstand.

Reporters Adrian Darbyshire, Jackie Turley and John Turner, and photographer Mike Wade will all be at the event to ensure tomorrow’s Isle of Man Examiner will feature full coverage of the event, including in-depth reports and lots of pictures.

>> Tynwald Day celebrations to attract thousands
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A minute’s silence will be held in the Isle of Man at 11.30am tomorrow (Tuesday) to mark the 10-year anniversary of the London bombings.

The bombings, often referred to as 7/7, were a series of co-ordinated suicide bomb attacks in central London, which claimed the lives of 52 people.

It was the United Kingdom’s worst terrorist incident since the 1988 Lockerbie bombing as well as the country’s first ever suicide attack.