Ballawattleworth Developments Limited, whose registered office is situated at Dandara Group Head Office, Isle of Man Business Park, Cooil Road, Braddan, bought two plots of land at Ballawattleworth Estate in Peel, for £1,603,703.70.

They were bought from Dunbrody Limited, whose registered office is situated at The Red House, One The Parade, Castletown.

Other recent transactions lodged at the General Registry in Douglas are as follows:

Robert Michael Hunt and Margaret Carolyn Hunt, sold 10 Rhenwyllan Close, Port St Mary, for £346,000, to James John Walker and Lucy Walker, of 7 Ballakneale Avenue, Port Erin.

Katherine Maxwell Burrows, of Rockwood, Ramsey Road, Laxey, sold Barn Hey, Main Road, Colby, for £277,000, to Adrian Untisz and Lisa Jane Untisz, of Abbey Cottage, Main Road, Colby.

Peter Clifford Lees sold 29 Furman Close, Onchan, for £249,000, to Samantha Jayne Platt and Richard Edmund Greer, of 56 Groudle Road, Onchan.

Frederick James O’Hara Courtie, of 17 Highfield Crescent, Onchan, sold 2 Hillary Close, Ballachurry Park, Onchan, for £200,000, to Alexander Saunders and Carol Ann Saunders, of Glenngary, 27 Highfield Crescent, Onchan.

Ka-Nam Lay sold 17 Berry Woods Avenue, Douglas, for £193,000, to Daisy Ann Duke, of Merrywinds, 4 Banks Howe, Onchan.

Derek Arthur Such, by executor, and Roland Elliot Hamilton Lacey, of 4 The Willows, Ballasalla, sold Thie my Chree, Cooil Avenue, Kirk Michael, for £190,000, to Michael Derek Taig Hammond and Donna Louise Stewart, both of Friendly Acre, Cooil Avenue, Kirk Michael.

Amanda Mary Douglas, of 16 Albany Road, Douglas, sold 58 Port e Chee Avenue, Douglas, to Fiona Mary Carolan, of 4 Glen Falcon Terrace, Murrays Road, Douglas, and David William Sutherland, of 76 Springfield Road, Spring Valley, Douglas, for £187,500.

Jayne Lockwood, of Kent, and Michael John Clancy, of France, sold 13 Stanley Place, Douglas, for £76,500, to John Wallace Hanson and Glenda Denise Hanson, of Santon House, Main Road, Santon.

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We publish details of all house sales unless we receive a written request from the police or probation services.

We were well and truly Wimbledoned again last week on BBC television – and also on BBC Radio 4.

The latter’s dramatic news from the centre court was that ‘Serena Williams has knocked out her sister Venus.’ It was important news for me.

Now I am able to understand why players prowl around the courts during games with their fists clenched in a threatening manner.

There was also a photograph in the Daily Telegraph of a pretty girl in the crowd with her mouth wide agape, just like Andy Murray’s. It was Mr Murray’s wife, Kim, if that tells us anything.

Incidentally about 10 years ago a player called Tim Henman carried all the hopes of winning Wimbledon for Britain, and his fans used to gather in their hundreds to watch his big matches on wide screen television on a place christened Henman Hill.

I wonder if next year we will see them gathered on Mount Murray.

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

There have been no new crossword clues sent for this week so I will have rely again on one of those sent by Karl Campbell in Australia. It was in the cryptic in Woman’s Day as follows: ‘Act strangely after fellow displays unknown tailless creature’ (4 3).

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

Grexit has featured constantly in the world’s news media and there is no need to explain what it is. Similarly I can see a French departure from the EU being called a Frexit and a British departure a Brexit?

Andorra is not a member of the EU but its currency is the Euro. If it jumps will this be an Andrexit?

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Last week I wanted to talk to somebody and I introduced myself by saying: ‘Hello. My name is Terry Cringle.” We shook hands and he looked at me with some interest before saying: “Hello. Aren’t you the Terry Cringle who used to be on Manx Radio?’

That’s what happens when the only programme you do these days is called ‘The History Man.’

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The DoI, the Department of Impracticality, still wants to move the horse trams on to the promenade walkway. This will mean that all the walkway strollers, the families with children and the people jogging or on bicycles or walking dogs, will have to be moved into the space occupied by the present tram tracks.

Then we really will have to shunt the cars out of the way - for health and safety reasons.

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

In my Funnies File the Examiner reported in 1998 that the Ben-my-Chree had been ‘launched by Mrs Joan Gelling, wife of the Chief Minister. She cost £24 million.’

I didn’t know our chief ministers had that kind of money.

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

Geoff Aston has sent me a list of ‘Different ways of looking at things.’ For instance: Two men are talking. One says: ‘I didn’t sleep with my wife before we got married. Did you?’ The other replies: ‘I’m not sure What was her maiden name?’

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Crossword: Manx cat

Twenty four finance officials from all over the world have given a huge thumbs-up to the island.

Delegates from the Caribbean, East Asia, the Pacific, Africa and the rest of the world have been taking part in the seventh annual two week programme run by the Small Countries Financial Management Centre (SCFMC).

They hold high ranking jobs in their respective countries often helping to hold the purse strings in governments or banks.

James Webb, from the Cook Islands in the middle of the Pacific, which has a population of 15,000 people, works as economic advisor in the budget and economic team in the government there.

He told Business News: ‘I’ve worked in Australia before in treasury and finance but being in a small place (like the Cook Islands) you can see the impact and you can do a lot more to contribute.’

Ironically he heard of the small countries programme through someone who once worked in the Isle of Man.

‘The financial services commissioner in the Cook Islands is from the Isle of Man, Paul Heckles. He used to be here in the Isle of Man in fiancial supervisory and he went across to the Cooks about 11 years ago. He has sent his staff across here before and he’s been trying to get me here for some time.’

He said he was enjoying the programme. ‘It’s about leadership, negotiation, general policy and management, a whole bunch of things. So I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how good the course has been so far.’

James, 31, said he has been to the British Isles before so is used to the weather and Mr Heckles had also offered some advice.

James said the weather in the Cook Islands is similar to nearby Hawaii.

He has been keeping in touch with his wife who is expecting their child later this year.

James was full of praise for the Isle of Man. He said: ‘I think it’s great. The thing is when you’re small and trying to find your place in the world you often downplay yourselves because you always see your problems.

‘I guess it’s a point to recognise that the Isle of Man has a lot to offer other small principalities in how to get past that barrier.

‘Places such as the Isle of Man have done very well in that particular strategy.

‘It may not work for everyone but at least they are sharing that strategy and that learning . They are connecting people and we are getting a lot of perspectives on things such as development of financial services.’

James said the Isle of Man programme was offering something that was not always available for small states around the world.

The Isle of Man is a recognised international finance centre with a high reputation for regulation and financial management.

programme

The Programme is spread over a fortnight, the first week in the island with teaching at the Nunnery and then the group transfers to Oxford for the final week. Its mixture of academic and practitioner expertise is a key part of its effectiveness.

Florinda Aru is from the South Pacific ocean nation of Vanuatu, which earlier this year was battered by the terrifying Cyclone Pam.

Florinda has a senior position working for the Central Bank in Vanuatu.

She said: ‘It’s been three months since the cyclone and we’ve been receiving a lot of aid.

‘The cyclone was very destructive but people are being very resilient and are picking up from where the cyclone left us.

‘Reconstruction is coming back very slowly though it will cost the country so much money to build back everything and especially because the country depended a lot on tourism.

‘A lot of the tourist resorts were damaged. As it is now we are slowly building back, but it will take a while.

biological clock

Florinda said her journey to the Isle of Man was long and arduous but it was well worth it even though she had to battle jet lag.

‘We are closer to Australia so it takes us three hours to get to Sydney. And then from Sydney to Singapore takes eight hours and then from Singapore to London it takes 13 hours.

‘My biological clock has been a bit messed up because there’s 10 hours difference with home. When it’s dark here it’s broad daylight back home.’

The long journey undertaken by officials on the trips to the island was touched upon by Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood during a reception at Government House.

globe

He told delegates: ‘We’ve been able to draw so many of you from across the globe.

‘This is an island characterised by the generosity of its people and their strong sense of community and their interest in charitable giving.

‘But actually in international development charities can take you so far but what is transformational is government. And it’s the role of governments, of finance ministries, central banks and others, and the policies and standards they aspire to and keep that can actually transform the economic progress in countries.

‘And so to attract people to this event future leaders in finance ministries and central banks and elsewhere is crucial to the assistance this island hopes to give others who are facing similar challenges of a small nation and seeking to see their own populations benefit.’

His Excellency said the reception was always something that he looked forward to.

He said he has visited many of the countries represented on the course.

Executive director Mark Shimmin said this year’s programme was going very well.

He hopes for those countries represented on the Programme, that it aims to improve the management of the financial sector to positively impact growth and poverty reduction, to improve the capacity of small countries to respond to international standards and regulation and to enhance the leadership skills of the participants so that they can both apply the tools effectively and engage and inspire others to follow their lead.

Chief Minister Allan Bell was at the reception at Government House.

Shortly after the reception he told Business News: ‘This is the seventh year and I don’t think it could have been envisaged (at the start) how successful it has become.

‘I’m told that we have had the 170th attendee this year.

‘So we are building up quite a following world wide in all sorts of influential places. I think the benefit of the scheme has been well proven.

‘We are building up quite an awareness of the Isle of Man .’

safe

The programme is also safe for a number of years yet.

Mr Bell said: ‘The Council of Ministers has just agreed to extend the funding for a few more years so it is very secure and we want to build on that.

‘The main aim is to help small countries learn from our experience in dealing with financial regulation, dealing with the international community. We have had a tough learning experience over the past 30 years and it is quite appropriate that we pass on the benefit of that experience.

‘ We are also building up quite a good number of brownie points with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, with their politicians in Westminster who are now aware of it and see the Isle of Man in a different light altogether to the old hackneyed ‘‘tax haven’’ label.

‘And seeing the Isle of Man in a very different light, being proactive and helping small countries to develop.

‘So they see us as the good guys for once.’

This year’s programme has been packed with information.

Phajo Dorjee from Bhutan, located in the Himalayas , provided perhaps the most striking look at the reception. He was in his national dress called the Gho. He works for the Central Bank in Bhutan and said this was how he normally dressed to go to the office.

The finance officials from across the world boarded their bus safe in the knowledge they have new friends in the Isle of Man.

The president of Tynwald has paid tribute to former MLC and MHK for Middle Arnold Callin who had died at the age of 90.

Mr Callin, who held two Ministerial posts during his long political career, passed away peacefully at the Marathon Court nursing home in Douglas on June 29.

His funeral service took place last Friday at St Peter’s Church, Onchan.

Born in 1924 at Shenharra Farm near St John’s and educated at Peel Clothworkers School, Arnold Alured Callin saw service with the Royal Navy during the Second World War in the Persian Gulf and seven months on a Polish destroyer.

After the war he became a director WH Chapman Ltd before moving in 1953 to Isle of Man Farmers Ltd where he was general manager and company secretary until his retirement in 1986.

He moved to Onchan in 1951 following his marriage.

Mr Callin was first elected to Onchan Village Commissioners aged 30 in November 1954 and was chairman of the commissioners on five occasions.

In 1976 he was elected to the House of Keys as member for Middle, which at that time included Onchan, and was elevated to LegCo in 1985.

Before retiring from politics in 1995, he was Minister for Highways, Ports and Properties and for Home Affairs.

Reunited with his late wife Joan and granddaughter Rebekah, he leave two daughters, two sons in law and four grandchildren.

Tynwald president Clare Christian served with Mr Callin on the Health Services Board when she was first elected in 1980. She said: ‘He was very committed, very conscientious. Those in Tynwald will remember him very well and recognise the considerable contribution he made.’

The owner of an unsightly property in Douglas has been given an ultimatum after being taken to court by Douglas council.

Councillor Richie McNicholl, who is chairman of the council’s Environmental Services Committee, said the council had been locked in a long standing dispute over the state of Braddan Lodge on Quarterbridge Road.

‘The background is that an extension was started off on the property. There was a dispute over the extension and the building work ground to a halt. There was no one living there,’ he said.

‘There was a dispute with the planners and nothing happened there for years. Neighbours were complaining to the council because the building work was incomplete and things deteriorated.

‘We’ve been engaged in this for years and taken the owner to court a few times.’

But Councillor McNicholl said a recent court judgment had found in the council’s favour and now the owner has to take remedial action and sort out the problem at the house and make the building good again.

Councillor McNicholl said there was some progress on a number of other houses around the capital which had featured on the council’s list of dilapidated properties.

A house on Prince’s Street which was a long standing feature on the list had had some boarding up work done on a rear offshoot, complying with what had been requested.

Work had also been done on a house in Brighton Terrace, he said, which included removal of scaffolding at the front and painting of a door and windowsill, but he added there was more work that needed addressing behind the property where it was overlooked by residents from Kensington Road.

Councillor McNicholl said he was also hopeful of some progress soon with two properties on South Quay in Douglas.

Fire crews last night dealt with a blaze that started when a washing machine began to leak.

At about 9.45pm crews from Castletown were called to a property on the Ballamodha Straight near Ballasalla.

The house was full of smoke and the home owner said a washing machine was on fire.

Firefighters found a damaged four-way extension socket into which the washing machine was plugged.

The washing machine had developed a leak, which was spraying water onto the electrical extension socket causing it to short out and develop into a small fire.

The extension cable was removed from the house and fire crews told the home owner to get advice from a qualified electrician to check.

Crews remained on scene for about 20 minutes.

Thursday, July 16

• Port Erin WI, Port Erin Methodist Church hall, 9.30am. Call 818194.

• Manx Retirement Association, stretch and flex at the NSC, Douglas, 10am. Wednesday miniature golf at Onchan Pleasure Park, 2pm.

• Onchan Pensioners Club, Morton Hall, Castletown, coffee morning; Friday, sequence dancing, 2pm-4.30pm; Saturday, Arabian dancing, 9am-1pm; Monday, Bridge, 2pm-5pm and 7pm-11pm; Tuesday, coffee morning including raffle, 10am-noon; Wednesday, whist drive, 7pm-10pm.

• Soundcheck, Youth Arts Centre, Douglas, 6.30pm. Also Monday and Tuesday, 6pm-9pm. Monday, Castletown youth club, 6pm-9pm, and Wednesday, Ramsey youth club, 6.30pm-9.30pm.

• Ramsey WI, St Paul’s Church Lounge, Market Place, Ramsey, 7.30pm.

Sunday, July 19

• St John’s Methodist messy church, St John’s hall, 4pm-5.30pm. Various craft activities, messy fun and afternoon tea. Free, children must be accompanied by an adult. Call Ann Naisbitt 801946.

• ‘Poetry and Points’ - Isle of Man Poetry Society monthly meeting, South Douglas Old Friends Association, Finch Road, Douglas, 7.30pm-9.30pm. All welcome, members and none members alike.

Monday, July 20

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

• Possan Aeglagh Manx Speaking Youth Club School Year 6 upwards at Cafe Laare, Lord Street, Douglas, 6.30pm, subs £1. Call Cathy Clucas 414331 or email C.Clucas@doe.sch.im

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

• Foxdale WI, Foxdale Community School, 7.30pm. Call 818194.

• Marown WI, Millennium hall, Crosby, 7.30pm. Call 818194.

• Laxey Minorca WI, Laxey Football Club, 7.45pm. Call 818194.

Tuesday, July 21

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

• 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.

• Braddan WI, Methodist Church hall, Union Mills, 2pm. Call 818194.

• Isle of Man Chess Club, Belsfield Hotel, Church Road Marina, Douglas, 7.30pm. Call 495097.

• Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band rehearsals, Queen Street Mission hall, 7.30pm.

• Rotary Club of Rushen and Western Mann meet Falcon’s Nest Hotel, Port Erin, 7.30pm.

• Kirk Andreas WI, Andreas Church hall, 7.30pm. Call 818194.

• St John’s WI, St John’s Church hall, 7.30pm. Call 818194.

• Mannin Quilters, Ballabeg Methodist hall, 7.30pm. Call 628921. Also Wednesday at St Columba’s Catholic Church, Port Erin, 1.30pm.

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

Wednesday, July 22

• Sulby Art Club, St Stephen’s Church hall, 2pm-4pm. New members welcome. Call 488014.

• The Friendship Club for the over 60s, Onchan Baptist Church, 2.30pm. Call 674255.

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

• Peel Belles WI, St Patrick’s Hall, Patrick Street, Peel, 7.30pm.

• Castletown Over 60s Club WI Choir entertains, 7.45pm-10pm, Morton hall, Castletown.

Thursday, July 16

• Karaoke FM at Nexus Vodka Bar, Douglas.

• Karaoke, Guys and Dolls, Douglas.

• Ramsey Folk Club, Mitre Hotel, Ramsey, 8pm-11pm.

• Karaoke with Ray Sloane at the Saddle Inn, Douglas.

• Guitar lessons at the meeting room, Archibald Knox, Onchan, 5.45pm-6.45pm.

• Alternative Havana, Fiesta Havana, Douglas. Also, Friday - Full On Fridays.

Friday, July 17

• Ian Thompson at the Bridge, Douglas.

• Dickie Kelly at the Highwayman, Peel.

• King of the Forest at Jaks, Douglas. Debut gig.

• Borderline at Douglas Yacht Club. Finley’s Tacks fund raiser.

• Friday Lunchtime Choir, Salvation Army Citadel, Lord Street, Douglas, 1.30pm. Call Maggie on 686555.

• Karaoke at the Albert, Douglas, 9pm.

• Irish traditional music session at the Mitre, Ramsey.

Saturday, July 18

• Karaoke FM at the Pinewood, Pulrose.

• Meadowside presents a concert in Rushen Primary School with guest artists Rushen Silver Band, 7.30pm.Tickets £6 adults and £3 under 18s. Available from the Hospice Shop Port Erin or call 834601 or 438462.

• Ian Thompson at O’Donnell’s, Douglas.

• Penthouse Dive at Jaks, Douglas.

• Borderline at Amber Bar, Douglas.

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

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

• Karaoke at the Central Hotel, Ramsey.

Sunday, July 19

• Karaoke FM at Nexus Vodka Bar, Douglas.

• Ray Sloane Karaoke at Jaks, Douglas.

• Karaoke at the British, Douglas.

• Karaoke at The Crescent, Queen’s Promenade, Douglas, 8pm.

Tuesday, July 21

• Keyboard and electronic organ sessions, St Andrew’s Church hall, Glencrutchery Road, 7.30pm.

• Acoustic sing-around, the Manor, Willaston, 8.30pm.

• Rock Choir, Youth Arts Centre, Kensington Road, Douglas, 6pm.

Wednesday, July 22

• Karaoke at the British, Douglas.

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

Thursday, July 16

• Tea dance, South Douglas Old Friends’ Association, Finch Road, Douglas, 2pm.

• Dance classes for children, Centenary Centre, Peel, 4pm. Call 450688.

• Modern line dance classes for all levels at the Legion hall, Onchan. Also Monday and Wednesday. Call 670308.

• Scottish country dancing, St Olave’s Church hall in Cumberland Road, Ramsey, at 7.30pm. Call 817610, 813074 or 628521.

• Fitsteps at Onchan Community hall, 7.30pm. Call 456056.

• Strictly Come Dancing for beginners, Royal British Legion hall, Port Erin, 8pm. £3.50 per person.

• Irish set dancing above Macbeth’s, Victoria Street, Douglas, 8pm. Call 457268.

Friday, July 17

• 5pm-5.45pm under 6 years ballroom; 5.45pm-6.30pm 6-9 years ballroom; 6.30pm-7.15pm 9-12 years ballroom; 7.15pm-8pm 12+ years ballroom, St Matthew’s Church hall, Douglas. Also Tuesday, 4pm-4.45pm under 8 years ballroom; 4.45pm-5.30pm Dynamites freestyle; 5.30pm-6.15pm 8-12 years ballroom; 6.15pm-7pm Energisers freestyle; 7pm-7.45pm 12+ years ballroom; 7.45pm-8.30pm Explosions freestyle. Call 474063.

• Modern Dance, The Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 5.45pm. Also Thursday at 4.30pm. Tap jnr, 6.45pm. Also tap adv at 7.30pm. Also Beginners tap, Tuesday at 4.30pm.

• Argentinian Tango beginners class, St Paul’s hall, Ramsey, 7pm. Call 880650.

• Line Dancing, Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, 7pm. Beginners welcome, adults £3.50, children £1.50. Call 878687.

Saturday, July 18

• Dance time for children, Port Erin Methodist hall, 9.30am. £2.50 per half hour. Call 835696.

• Ballroom dancing for children of all ages, Royal British Legion hall, Port Erin, 10am.

• Theatrix Theatre Company Musical Theatre, Douglas, Saturday noon-2.30pm for ages 8-12. Also Saturday, babies Irish/mod, 9am. prep ballet/tap, 10am, babies ballet/tap, 11am. Monday, senior ballet, 4pm; senior tap, 5pm; senior jazz, 5.45pm; adult Irish, 6.30pm. Tuesday community ballet/tap, 4pm; beginners Irish, 4.45pm; junior Irish, 5.30pm; adult tap, 6.15pm. Wednesday, grade 2 ballet/tap, 4pm; novice Irish, 5.30pm; adult ballet, 6.15pm.

• Irish dance mixed, 3pm. Also prim/int on Monday at 4.30pm and Tuesday at 6.15pm. Beginners on Tuesday at 5.15pm. Stage snr 4pm. Also stage int at 5pm, The Dance Factory, Onchan Park.

• Sequence dancing, Onchan Pensioners’ hall (across from library), 8pm. Call 829669.

• Social sequence dancing, Pulrose Methodist Church hall, Douglas, 8pm. Also Monday, Wednesday and Sunday. Call 842878.

Sunday, July 19

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

Monday, July 20

• Ballet, Viking Works, Riverside, Peel, 5.45pm. Also Thursday at 4.30pm.

• Country dancing, Willaston hall, 7pm-9pm. Call 628521.

• Ceroc dance night, Masonic hall, Douglas, 7.30pm-10.30pm.

• Line dancing, Port Erin Methodist Church hall, 8.15pm. Call 436219.

Tuesday, July 21

• Oriental dance exercise, Gena’s Dance Academy, Peel, 10am. Also Wednesdays, The Gym, Ramsey. Call 300020.

• Line dancing for beginners, The South Douglas Old Friends’ Association, Finch Road, Douglas, 7.30pm-8.30pm.

• Linedancercise at St John’s football clubhouse, 7.30pm-9pm, call 467285.

• Sequence dancing with Port Erin Dancing Club, Port Erin Methodist Church hall, 8pm.

Wednesday, July 22

• Tea dance at St John’s Methodist hall, live music with Eric and Jimmy, 2pm. Call 842548.

• Ballroom dancing for children, Centenary Centre, Peel, 4pm. Call 450688.

• Ballet, The Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 4.30pm.

• Latin line dancing, Royal British Legion hall, Port Erin, 7.30pm. Call 835098.

• Ballroom dancing, Villa Marina, Douglas, 7.30pm. Call 623414.

• Rhythmic dance, St Ninian’s dance studio, Douglas, 8pm.

Palace Cinema

• Ant-Man, 3D, (12A). Nightly at 7.30pm. Saturday and Sunday at 2pm.

• Magic Mike XXL, (15) Nighly at 7pm.

• Terminator Genisys, 2D, (12A). Saturday and Sunday at 1.30pm.

• Jurassic World, 2D, (12A). Saturday and Sunday at 2pm.

Broadway Cinema

• Ted 2 (15). Friday at 7.30pm, Saturday at 4pm, Sunday at 4pm and 7.30pm, Monday-Tuesday at 7.30pm, Wednesday at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

• Minions, 3D, Friday at 4.30pm, Saturday-Wednesday at 4.30pm. 2D, Saturday and Sunday at 11.15am.

• Ande Rieu’s 2015 Maastricht concert, Saturday at 7pm.

• Fast women: Women in Manx motorsport, Manx Museum, 10am-5pm. Until August 6.

• Ulster’s TT Heroes Exhibition, House of Manannan, 10am-5pm. Until September 6.

• ‘The Life of a community, then and now’ A photo exhibition on life in Dalby, St James Dalby. Self- service refreshments available. For more information please see: stjamesdalby.org

• ‘The Grand Tour’ Exhibition, Ramsey Town Hall. Victorian and Edwardian photography. Until July 28.

• Exhibition by Rushen Heritage Trust, sponsored by Gough Ritchie Trust; ‘The Glory Days of Southern Tourism’. Great stories, stand-out personalities. Port St Mary Town Hall (West Room). Daily including weekends, 10.30am-4.30pm. Admission free. Until July 28

Thursday, July 16

• Noah’s Ark Tots Group, Church on The Rock, behind Ramsey bus station, 9.30am. Call 431034.

• Gym time active play for pre-school children, Manx Gymnastics Centre, Douglas, 9.30am. Call 625636. Also Friday and Wednesday.

• Happy Tots, main hall, Willaston School, 9.45am, £1 per family including refreshments. Call 621577.

• Storytime for pre-schoolers, Henry Bloom Noble Library, Douglas, 10am. Call 696461.

• Krafty Kids (pre-school age) Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 10am.

• Action Songs and Rhymes, birth-5 years, Ballasalla. Free, but donations welcome..

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

• 2nd Onchan Beavers, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 5pm.

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

• St John Ambulance Cadets (10+), 6.30pm-8pm, Douglas headquarters. Badgers (5+), 5.30pm-6.30pm, Age Concern in Peel. Adults meetings, Thursday, Monday and Tuesday, Douglas headquarters. Friday, Ramsey, St Olave’s Church hall. For all other times and venues call 674387.

• Santon Beavers, Kewaigue School, 5pm. Also Cubs at 6.30pm. Call 623244.

• 1st Laxey Beavers and Cubs, Laxey School. Beavers meet at 6.30pm–7.30pm and Cubs meet at 6.45pm–8.15pm. 1stlaxeycubs@manx.net

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

• Onchan District Explorers, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 7.30pm.

Friday, July 17

• Baby and Toddler Group, Glen Maye Community Centre, 9.30am-11.30am. Free but donations welcome. Call 845681.

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

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

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

• Laxey Mums, Carers and Tots at Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 10am-noon, £2.50 per family inc refreshments. Call 466887.

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

• Parent and toddler group, Ballasalla School, 1.45pm.

• Sporty church at Trinity Church hall 6pm-7pm for years 3-6. Football, hockey, parachute games etc., 50p. Call 628374. Also Sunday School Trinity Church hall, crèche to late teens, 10.30am-11.45am. Call 625409.

Saturday, July, 18

• Young Bowlers Club. Tuition and tips, Surestrike Bowling Alley, Ramsey, 11am-noon.

Sunday, July 19

• Ollies - fun for children up to 11, St Olave’s Church hall, Ramsey, 9.45am -10.45am.

• Sunday School, Sulby Methodist Church, 10.30am.

• Rock Sunday Club for children at Colby Methodist Chapel, 10.30am - 11.30am.

• Task and DFC children’s club, Abbey Church, Ballasalla, 10.45am.

Monday, July 20

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

• Daniel’s Den, Methodist Church, Arbory Street, Castletown, 10am. Admission £1. Call 822374.

• Kittens tots and carers group, St Ninian’s Church, Douglas, 10.30am. £1 per family. Call 629683.

• Breastfeeding Buddies drop-in clinic, Village Walk Health Centre, Onchan, 10.30am. Call 656030.

• Roll’n’Play for pre-schoolers, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 10.30am.

• Story Time at Castletown Library, 1.30pm and 2.15pm.

• Tots play at Northern Lights Community Centre, Ramsey, 1.30pm-3.30pm. Also tots craft and play on Wednesday, £1.

• Peel Toddler Group, Corrin Hall, Peel, 1.30pm.

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

• Onchan Rainbows, 5.30pm. Also 1st Onchan Brownies, 6.30pm.

• Brownies, Corrin Hall, Peel, 6.30pm.

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

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

Tuesday, July 21

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

• Parents and tots group, Cronk-y-Berry School, side entrance, 9.30am. Admission £1. Call 469756. Also Thursday, 1.30pm.

• Toddle Inn, mums and tots group, Port St Mary Living Hope Community Church, 9.30am. Call 835091.

• Tiddlers Group for parents, grandparents or carers, St Olave’s Church hall, Ramsey, 9.45am-11.30am, £1.50.

• Super Saints, All Saints’ Church vestry, Douglas, 10am-11.15am. Call 427185.

• Foxdale mums and tots, community hall, Foxdale School, 2pm. Call 420234.

• Abbey Acorns, ages 4+ at the Abbey Church, Ballasalla, 3.30pm.

• Peel Footlights Youth Theatre, children aged eight-16, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 4pm. Also Thursday. Call 843819.

• 2nd Onchan Beavers, Scout Headquarters, Onchan, 5pm.

Wednesday, July 22

• Parents and tots, Salvation Army Citadel, Lord Street, Douglas, 9.30am. Call 627742.

• Mini Club for parents or carers and their babies, toddlers and pre-school children at Anagh Coar School, Douglas, 9.30am or Braddan Church hall, 2pm. Call 675091.

• Ballabeg Busy Bugs for under fives, Arbory parish hall, Ballabeg, 10am. Call 429676.

• Mums and tots, Marown hall, Peel Road, Crosby, 10.15am. £1.50 per family.

• Busy Bees parents and tots, Beehive Kindergarten, Onchan, 1.30pm. Also Thursday. Call 674655.

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

• Ballaquayle Bears Toddler Group, Ballaquayle School hall, Douglas, 1.45pm-3pm.

• Parent and toddler group, Castletown Youth Centre, Arbory Street, 2pm.

• Mums and tots sessions for babies and pre-schoolers at Foxdale School, 2pm-3.15pm. £1.50 per family. Call Emma 801946.

• Foxdale Parents and Tots Club at Foxdale School,2pm-3.15pm. Craft fun play and refreshments. Call Ann Naisbitt 801946 or email annnaisbitt@hotmail.com TERM TIME ONLY

• Homework Club for year 7s, Youth Centre, Arbory Street, Castletown, 4pm. Call 822490.

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

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

Thursday, July 16

• Age IoM - free computer training sessions, Douglas iMuseum, Kingswood Grove, 10am–12.30pm.

• Art and creative writing, The Hub, Port Erin, 10am, £3.50 per session. Also board games 2pm-3.30pm, £3.50 per session, including refreshments. Chair based exercise at the Hub 3pm, £3.50 per session. Saturday, Social Fitness 9.30am, £2 per session. Mats etc provided. Meditation, 5.30pm-6.30pm. Led by IOM Brahma Kumaris. Free sessions, donations welcome. Tuesdays Bridge, 10am-noon. £3 per session, including refreshments. Crafts, 2pm-3.30pm, £3.50 per session. Materials provided. Wednesdays 11am-12.15pm, Yoga, £3 per session. Mats etc provided. Men in Sheds – Tues/Weds/Fri, 10am, Thie Rosien, Port Erin. Hobbies and company for men.

• Isle of Man Farmers’ Market, Tynwald Mills, St John’s, 11am-3pm.

• Friends of Anagh Coar School summer fayre, 6pm-7.30pm.

• Manx Gaelic class, intermediate-advanced with James Harrison, 7.30pm at Arbory Commissioners’ hall. Friday, intermediate-advanced with Adrian Cain, noon at the Manx Museum, Douglas. Saturday, intermediate 10.30am at House of Manannan in Peel; intermediate-advanced with James Harrison 10.30am at the Manx Museum, Douglas. Tuesday, intermediate with Adrian Cain, noon at St Matthew’s Church in Douglas, advanced 1pm at the Rovers pub in Douglas; beginners 7.30pm at Patchwork Cafe in Port St Mary. Call 451098. Arbory Commissioners’ hall with Cathy Clucas, 7.30pm. Call 838527. St John’s House with James O’Meara, 7.30pm. Call 843436.

• Gospel message in Ballaugh village hall, 7.30pm.

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

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

Friday, July 17

• Save The Children Manx Coffee Morning, St Catherine’s Church Hall, Port Erin, 10am-noon. Adults £2

• NGS Open Gardens Port Erin, Thie Shey, Thornhill Close, Port Erin, 10am – 7pm . The Port Erin Group, part of the National Garden Scheme, have gardens to visit. Entry to all open gardens is £3. Refreshments, cakes, and plant stall in aid of IOM Anti-Cancer Association.

• Garage Sale at the back of Crossroads Charity Shop, Victoria Street, Douglas, 10am-4pm..

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

• Revive Fridays, 5.30pm-6.30pm. Enjoy the company and a faith tea, Trinity Church hall. Call 621004.

• Meditation at The Refinery, Duke Street, Douglas, 7pm. Call 467818.

• Isle of Man Family History Society next meeting is at Union Mills Methodist Chapel at 7.30pm the Speaker is Ray Kelly on the ‘Tholtans of the Hills’. Also an Exhibition on Family History, with lots of old photographs, family trees, our publications etc.

Saturday, July 18

• Fast Paws car boot sale, Willaston School car park, 10am-2pm. Stalls £5 or £10 with table, to book call 621577.

• Theatre Tours, Gaiety Theatre, Douglas, 10am. Tickets for adults £7.50, children £4, family £20. Call 600555.

• The Manx Aviation and Military Museum, Ronaldsway. Includes the Major Cain VC exhibition. Open Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4.30pm. Free admission. Donations welcome.

• Laxey Woollen Mills, Glen Road, 10am-5pm. Also open weekdays.

• Car Boot Sale, Mill Road, Peel, 10.30am-2.30pm. Cars £5, Vans £7. Admission Free. Proceeds to charities. Call 801200.

• Rowany Golf Club, open week of golf. AM AM. Sunday, Port Erin Town Cup Open Medal, Monday, Ladies Medal. Seniors Open Stableford, Tuesday, FBBB Format - Gents, ladies, mixed. Wednesday, Individual Stableford - ladies and gents. Friday 24, Texas scramble. Open to ladies and gents. Saturday 25, The Haven Classic Men’s individual Stableford. Entree fees: members £3, non-members £15.

• Green Centre, opposite Iceland, Chester Street complex, Douglas. Information about recycling, energy, insulation and environmental matters. Zero Waste Mann, Isle of Man Friends of the Earth and Manx Energy Advice Centre. Open from 10am.

• Isle of Man Farmers’ Market at Storm Art Cafe, Ramsey, 10am-1pm.

• Great Laxey Mine Railway, 11am-4.30pm.

• IoM Torch Fellowship Group (meeting for the visually impaired). Call 622830 for venue details.

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

• Have a go sailing, have a go kayaking(age 9 and over). Introduction to sailing/Kayak shake the myth of sailing/Kayak. Ring Venture Centre 814240 www.adventure-centre

• Manx Wildlife Trust: Journey to the Centre of a bog. Meet at our reserve at Dalby mountain. 1.30pm-3pm.

• Tony Stanger - Understanding Talent, open lecture, Keyll Darree Lecture Theatre, Noble’s Hospital, Strang, 2pm-3.30pm. Reservations at trevor.christian@gov.im or call 688590.

• Maughold Parish Day. Fancy dress, junior sports, and other competitions from 2pm on the Village Green, afternoon tea in the hall. In the evening the senior sports take place on the Parish Field from 7pm.

• Onchan Elim Church, Second Avenue, Onchan, indoor boot sale, 2-4pm. Admission 50p. The Church has a ramp and lift in the building for disabled access. Everyone welcome.

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

• Tea and strawberry scones with Dot Tilbury and friends. All proceeds to Hospice. Isle of Man Arts Society, Withington Road, Douglas, 3pm-5pm. Tickets £5. Call 421365.

• Douglas Carnival 2015, Douglas Promenade, action-packed evening for the whole family.

• Robert Williams The Mentalist, mind reading mysteries, Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin, 8pm. Tickets £10.

Sunday, July 19

• Isle of Man Farmers’ Market, at S100 Clubhouse, Castletown, 1.30pm-3.30pm.

• Marown Parish Day. From 1.45pm at Crosby Playing Fields. Art and produce show, cream teas and lots of fun stalls and activities for all the family. Entrance £1 for adults and free for children.

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

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

• IoM Poetry Society monthly meeting, South Douglas Old Friends Association, Finch Road, Douglas, 7.30pm-9.30pm.

Monday, July 20

• Heritage Transport Festival – Isle of Man Railways. Until August 2.

• Age Isle of Man - free computer sessions for people aged over 50 at House of Manannan, Peel. Lift available and coffee shop, 10am–12.30pm and 1.30pm–4.30pm.

• Afternoon tea dance, Manx Legion Club, Douglas, 2pm-4pm.

• Introduction to Kindles. Bring your own or pre-book one of ours. All age groups welcome and ideally suited to seniors.Ward Library, Castle Street, Peel. Non members welcome, 6pm. Also Friday, Summer reading challenge, call in to the Library for more details or phone 843533. Runs throughout the school holidays

• Free life-changing stress / spine / health talks, Align4Life in Lake Road, Douglas, 6.45pm, 629444.

• Shorties, pirate adventure. Children’s soft play centre, Alexandra Road, Castletown, also Tuesday.

Tuesday, July 21

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

• Manx Cancer Help drop-in day, Lisa Lowe Centre, The Old Schoolhouse, Cronkbourne, 11am-4pm.

• Lunch Club, Salvation Army Citadel, Lord Street, Douglas, 11.30am. Call 627742.

Wednesday, July 22

• Computer training sessions. Leonard Cheshire Disability, Main Road, Onchan, 11am-3pm. Call 679030.

• Call in for coffee at St Peter’s Church, Onchan, 11am and 1pm.

• Bereavement support group, friendly get together for anyone feeling isolated or lonely after a bereavement, however or whenever it occurred, tea, coffee and a chat, Scholl Centre, Hospice Isle of Man, 5pm-7pm. Call 647443.

• Samba percussion workshop, no experience necessary, Onchan Silver bandroom, off Onchan Commissioners’ car park, 7pm. Cost £3, email sambamann@manx.net

• Bingo Quiz, Archibald Knox Onchan.

The deal to ditch the Isle of Man’s loss-making Crown post offices took a step further today.

Isle of Man Post Office has signed the contract with Mannin Retail Ltd to provide postal services in central Douglas, starting in September of this year.

It means the capital will lose its Crown post office, which entailed greater costs, as the town centre facility becomes a sub-post office.

In Ramsey, where the decision to downgrade the post office led to protests at the beginning of the year, a consortium of interested people has got together to form Ramsey Courthouse Ltd. It is still in negotiations with post chiefs about taking over responsibility for running the post office.

Again, it will become a sub post office.

The move to close the Crown post offices, which are run directly by the Post Office rather than subcontracted, came to save money.

The Post Office incurs losses of £750,000 a year with its directly-staffed Ramsey and Regent Street post offices accounting for over two thirds of this loss.

Post Office bosses say switching to sub-post offices would reduce its operating losses by £360,000 a year.

The original plan had been to move post office facilities into nearby Spar shops run by Mannin Retail. However, under the Ramsey Courthouse Ltd proposals, the post office will stay in the Courthouse building in Ramsey.

Mannin Retail, which operates the Spar in the island, already run five post offices around the island. Mannin Retail will take over the running of the Regent Street post office in early September. The Douglas post office will remain in the Regent Street building for the short term, continuing to offer the full range of postal services whilst preparations are made for a new shared store in central Douglas.

This arrangement allows the Regent Street building to continue to be occupied while Isle of Man Post Office considers plans for the redevelopment of the property.

To improve service to customers Mannin Retail will extend opening hours from 8.45am to 5.45pm on weekdays, opening an extra 15 minutes at each end of the day.

Also, as part of a trial to extend weekend opening hours, the centrally based post office will remain open until 4pm on Saturdays. Currently Regent Street Post Office closes at 12.30pm.

Graham Cregeen MHK, Chairman of Isle of Man Post Office said: ‘We are confident that the existing service levels will be maintained and we are particularly pleased with the improved opening hours which are even better for our customers. With a number of our employees having chosen to take up positions with Mannin Retail, we are confident this transition will be as smooth as possible for our customers.’

Peter Whittaker, managing director of Mannin Retail Ltd, said: ‘Continuity is key. There will be no fundamental changes, but we aim to improve the post office experience for customers by applying our proven standards as a convenience chain to the comprehensive services on offer.’

A display showing the extreme measures Castletown must take to defend itself from future flooding is at the Civic Centre.

They include erecting walls between the inner harbour area and Victoria Road and Hope Street and rock armour on the beach by the promenade.

The recommendations, made by environmental company JBA consultants, have been drawn up following a public meeting about flooding in town in February.

The town has suffered from severe flooding in the past, most recently in January 2014, [VIDEO] when high tides and severe storm surges led to the flooding of many houses in the harbour area – particularly Hope Street - which were left under several feet of water, causing misery for many householders.

Afterwards, town MHK Richard Ronan called on government to take urgent action to repair and strengthen the island’s sea defences. He said: ‘Castletown and the south eastern coastline of the island clearly need much stronger sea defences, those people living in homes that have flooded need easy access to domestic and business flood water barrier systems, and an element of instruction and ongoing updating in preparing for such issues.’

On Monday, the town’s authority discussed the recommendations.

Chairman Alwyn Collister said: ‘I do not like big stones on the beach.’

He added: ‘There’s a wall to be built opposite the brewery and water tight seals to stop the water going into Victoria Road also a wall on the other side.’ James Quine asked: ‘Won’t water come up through the drains?’

But he was told flaps would stop this happening.

Kevin Weir said: ‘After the public meeting they have come back with plans. It’s all going to cost an awful lot of money, we have people looking at it, it can only be a benefit for Castletown.’

Feedback from the public on the proposals is requested before a further meeting between the authority, Department of Infrastructure and JBA on July 23

A teenager from Merseyside has appeared in court facing two heroin-related charges.

Kyle David Roscoe, aged 18, whose address was given in court as no fixed abode, entered a ‘no plea’ response to the charges.

He has been charged with possessing 20 plastic wraps of heroin with intent to supply on July 13, unlawfully supplying heroin worth around £14,000 between December 31, 2014 and July 14, 2015, and two counts of theft on July 11.

Mr Roscoe will be committed to the Court of General Gaol Delivery for the alleged supplying offences while the two charges of theft will be dealt with at the summary court.

The case has been adjourned until July 23.

If a bit of Soul and classic blues is your thing, then you may want to get yourself down to the Amber Bar on Saturday night. The Douglas venue plays host to four-piece outfit Borderline.

The band consists of Heinrich Koop, Keith Randall, Alan Presford and Nigel Johnson and play a set that mixes rhythm ‘n’ blues, 50s rockabilly, New Orleans r‘n’b, psychobilly, country and western swing, 60s soul, Chicago blues, Texas jump, swamp blues and Delta blues. Their musical influences include Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Robert Cray, Albert King, BB King, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Jerry Lee Lewis, Moon Mullican, Little Walter, Robert Johnson, T-Bone Walker and Ray Charles.

The doors for this show open at 8pm with the band hitting the stage from around 9pm. The band’s Facebook can be found atfacebook.com/pages/Borderline/578145575594045

Venturing across the road from Amber sees classic rock covers band Penthouse Dive make another of their regular appearances at Jak’s Bar.

The three-piece band that features Mark Riley on guitar/vocals, Mark Cleator on bass and Mark Brabbs on drums play a set that features covers from the likes of ZZ Top, Foo Fighters, The Police and Thin Lizzy among many others. For more information on the band and any of their forthcoming shows, visit facebook.com/groups/penthousedive

As reported in this very column a few weeks back, the long-time and hugely popular Manx Pink Floyd tribute band Pigs On The Wing have announced a show due to take place at The Gaiety Theatre.

The event will take place during Grand Prix week on Thursday, August 27, and celebrate the 20th anniversary of the band started way back in 1995 by vocalist/guitarist Pete Williamson and guitarist James Craig when they were classmates at the QEII High School in Peel.

Expect the classics, from the likes of Comfortably Numb, Wish You Were Here, Another Brick In The Wall and Shine On You Crazy Diamond among many others, as the band takes you on a two-hour journey through the extensive Pink Floyd back catalogue.

Tickets are now on sale and priced at £15. They can be bought directly from the box office at The Gaiety Theatre or online via villagaiety.ticketsolve.com

For more information on the band visit facebook.com/pages/Pigs-On-The-Wing

More next week!

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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

A driver had to be cut out of a car after an accident this afternoon in Ballaugh.

Emergency services were called at about 2.10pm to the main road in the village.

The crash involved a Renault van and a Vauxhall Signum car whose driver was inside the vehicle.

Kirk Michael firefighters stabilised the vehicles while the officer in charge of the Ramsey crew liaised with the ambulance service to plan the best course of action.

The ambulance crew gave medical attention to the driver while the Ramsey crew, using hydraulic cutting equipment, removed the roof of the vehicle.

Once removed from the vehicle the driver was placed in the ambulance to be transferred to Noble’s Hospital.

The driver of the van suffered minor arm injuries, which were tended to by ambulance staff on scene.

Duty officer Colin Kirkham said: ‘The incident showed again how well the fire and rescue service, police and ambulance service work together when faced with incidents that require the attendance of all.

‘We regularly have joined up training exercises which allows all personnel to appreciate the needs of each of the services when faced with live incidents.’

Young motorists will be given tips on improving their driving skills in Castletown tomorrow (Friday).

Castle Rushen High School car park will host the latest in the series of events called ‘Manx Motor Meet’, which taken place at a number of other venues in the past.

It takes place between 7pm and 9.30pm. Participants will hear useful tips and guidance, learn how to change a wheel safely and to enter competitions. There will also be free refreshments, a demonstration by the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service and an opportunity to sit in the passenger seat during a special auto test.

The event is a joint initiative involving the police, the government’s youth services, Manx Auto Sport and a radio station. The aim is to encourage safer driving and support efforts to cut the number of casualties and serious incidents on the roads.

Ramsey RNLI lifeboat crew will be showing off their lifesaving skills at the station’s annual lifeboat day this Saturday.

As usual, the event will be centred in the area around Ramsey RNLI lifeboat station on South Promenade in the town.

Ramsey Lifeboat Day is an opportunity to find out more about the town’s lifeboat, catch up with its volunteers, have some fun and raise funds for the RNLI’s lifesaving work.

Once again Douglas’s lifeboat will be joining Ramsey’s lifeboat.

Lifeboat crew will be on hand to answer questions, assisted by their families, friends and supporters, who all look forward to welcoming visitors from 11.30am to late afternoon for a family day out.

The day will start with a performance by the Northern Spirit Baton Twirlers and the launch of Ramsey Lifeboat. Ramsey Town Band will provide music from noon onwards. Stormy Stan, RNLI mascot, will be on hand throughout the day.

As always there will be plenty to see and do including Ramsey Fire and Rescue Service demonstrating their life-saving skills, excitement with the Venture Centre, RNLI sea safety advice, an opportunity to try out the Manx Model Boat Club’s ‘Av A Go’ radio--controlled model boats, a tombola, a home-made cake stall organised by the Ramsey RNLI Shop volunteers, refreshments, candy floss and an array of other stalls.

Simultaneously, and in support of Ramsey Lifeboat Day, Kayak Fishing Isle of Man, in association with Ramsey Outdoors and Rods ’n’ Reels, are running a kayak fishing competition in Ramsey Bay from 10.30am.

The Ramsey Ladies’ Lifeboat Guild, which has been raising funds for the RNLI charity since 1913, will also be in action on the day with its annual RNLI street collection and flag day.