The island’s Met Office has crunched the numbers and given its verdict on last month’s weather.

July got off to a good start with 21°C achieved on the 1st, but much of the month was on the cool side. The mean daily maxima was 17°C, compared to the long-term mean of 18.1°C.

The lowest temperature recorded was 8.5°C on the morning of the 9th.

Rainfall totalled 87.1mm, which is about 50 per cent above the long term mean for July. There were 20 days with measurable rain, and the wettest spell was during a thunderstorm late on the 16th. The total for the day was 27mm – the wettest July day since July 10, 1987, but remarkably, 24.4mm (1 inch) of that fell in just one hour around midnight.

Sunshine totalling 193.6 hours was burned on the cards, which is close to the long term mean. The 15th, with 15.3 hours, was the best day.

Winds were mostly moderate and occasionally fresh, with few in the way of calm days. The average speed over the month was 11 knots, about 15 per cent above the long-term mean. The strongest spell was overnight 17th into the 18th with 25 knots gusting to 35 at Ronaldsway.

There were thunderstorms on the 1st, 4th and 16th, and funnel clouds observed in the south of the island on the 24th.

There were four days with fog recorded.

Jonathan Rea secured his 12th race win of the year in the first 16-lap Superbike World Championship contest at Sepang in Malaysia on Sunday.

The Castletown resident followed that up with a near win in race two to keep his podium run going through all 20 races in the season so far.

He is now within touching distance of the world title and could well seal the overall honours at the next round in Spain on September 20.

Current top-three standings (with 10 of 13 rounds completed) are: Jonathan Rea 452 points; Chaz Davies 308; Tom Sykes 295.

‘After what was a good weekend for me I’m really happy to go into the summer break healthy and looking forward to Jerez,’ said Jonathan.

‘With three laps to go in race two, my Kawasaki Racing Team mechanic, Arturo, gave me a bit of a secret signal and I knew if I went then I could catch Chaz Davies.

‘Halfway around the last lap I realised it would be possible. I passed Chaz and went through clean.

‘We had contact but I do not blame him for that – I would do the same – but I almost crashed at the same time. I’m really happy because we got another first and second on a race weekend and a bagful of points.’

There was a mere 0.091 of a second between the two riders at the chequered flag.

Ramsey B lifted the Blincoe Cup at Crosby on Sunday afternoon.

The northerners defeated the Schools IX to secure the trophy for a third time.

Full report in Thursday’s Manx Independent.

The Steam Packet has welcomed millions of passengers on board its vessels, but this week it will greet one of its more unusual travellers.

An 18 foot-long Tyrannosaurus Rex will travel to Douglas from Liverpool, but other passengers on board fast craft Manannan won’t need to worry – the prehistoric creature won’t be roaming the decks.

Tyson the dinosaur is visiting the Island to promote the upcoming Jurassic Adventures show at the Gaiety Theatre.

The production, on August 29 and 30, transports the audience to a magical island where Doctor Grant and his team of explorers encounter huge dinosaurs, including an angry T-Rex mother which wants its baby back.

After sailing on Manannan, T-Rex Tyson will be making a few surprise appearances around the island, including during the afternoon at the Royal Agricultural Show on Saturday.

Dawn Maddrell, general manager at the Villa Marina and Gaiety Theatre, said: ‘Jurassic Adventures promises to be a superb family-friendly show packed with fun, thrills and, of course, dinosaurs. ‘Before the cast take to the stage at the Gaiety, we thought the Royal Show would be a great opportunity for people to see one of the stars up close.

‘We’re really grateful to the Steam Packet Company for organising the transport of our prehistoric guest – and don’t worry, it will be safely stowed away throughout the journey.’

Steam Packet boss Mark Woodward added: ‘We are very experienced at dealing with all kinds of cargo, but it’s not very often we’re asked to transport a dinosaur!

‘The company is delighted to be able to get involved, as it sounds like Jurassic Adventures will be an exciting show, and I’m sure the arrival of a T-Rex will cause quite a stir at the Royal Show.’

The dedication of a tireless group of volunteers was recognised by Baroness Delyth Morgan as she attended the launch of the island branch of Breast Cancer Now.

The event at Douglas Town Hall last week followed the merger of Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Campaign.

The member of the House of Lords, who is chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, said: ‘The Isle of Man group has really led the way in the British Isles in terms of innovative fundraising, drive, enthusiasm, and never giving up.

‘It’s just amazing, and I think if everyone around Britain could do as much, we’d be well on the way to realising our ambition.’

She said the money raised in the island over the last 20 years had helped to drive improvements in early diagnosis and treatment that has enabled survival rates to double in that period.

And she outlined Breast Cancer Now’s ambition that by 2050, everyone who develops breast cancer will live.

‘To keep up the pace of discovery needed to achieve our goal, we need to invest at least £300m in world class research into prevention, early detection, treatment and secondary breast cancer over the next 10 years,’ she said.

The youngest supporter at the launch was six-month-old baby Mollie Colvin, who attended with her mum Kirsty.

Speaking at the launch, island branch chairman Angie Aire said: ‘If we think about why we are here today, it means by the time Molly is 35 , she and all other girl babies born in the Isle of Man and the world this year will have a positive prognosis if diagnosed with breast cancer.’

Members of Soroptimist International of Douglas collected more than 1,000 pairs of old shoes to help a UNICEF project.

They more than doubled their target of 500 pairs of shoes, which have gone to Clarks’ ShoeShare scheme.

A spokesman said: ‘Our combined efforts meant that at least one “School in a Box” would be sent where it is needed.

‘This is a metal case which when opened can transform anywhere into a child friendly learning space giving children the chance to learn so that they continue their schooling and maintain a degree of normality in their lives.

‘Each box contains essential leaning items and basic school supplies for 80 children, such as pencils, exercise books, wooden cubes for counting, posters and a lid that serves as a chalk board.

‘These help to give children living in refugee camps the opportunity to go to school and interact with other children.’

She thanked everyone who had supported them, including Salon 3, Chique Fashion, Sun ‘N’ Beauty Salon, Ramsey Grammar School, and residents of Ballastowell Gardens. In addition, Manx Textile Recycling took the shoes to Northern Ireland for recycling.

Unwanted shoes can still be dropped off at Clarks, in Douglas. Anyone interested in becoming a Soroptimist should visit www.sigbi.org or call 878804.

Clarks have been working with UNICEF since 2008 to help to fund educational projects by raising money through shoe donations.

The ManxSPCA is grateful to the Dolly Tub launderette in Bathurst Street, Douglas, after the owner helped out by washing all of the pet bedding from the kennels when the charity’s washing machine broke down, leaving 36 dogs waiting for clean bedding which is changed on a daily basis.

Pictured are Mike Fenrir from the ManxSPCA with Cassie, one of the many dogs waiting at Ard Jerkyll to find a new home. Also in the picture is Rachael Hudson from the Dolly Tub and her children, three-year-olds Lily-Bean and Maximus Hudson.

The rain held off, the sun even shone and Castletown festival, last Saturday, was a great success, according to the chairman of the event’s committee, Tony Brown.

‘It was a very good day,’ he said. ‘The weather was kind, it was nice and warm. There were good crowds, there were lots of visitors and good entries in the fashion contest and bonny baby and princess competitions.’

He thanked the sponsors and volunteers, parents and children who entered the events, and the festival committee. He said: ‘This is a special and unique community event, without their help we could not do it.’

Thoughts now turn to next year, which is the festival’s 60th.

A Baldrine man has driven 2,000 miles across Europe as part of a team in a rally which has raised more than £1m for charity.

We previously reported how Mike Sawdon, 26, had collected more than £7,500 in donations for the Help for Heroes charity.

The rally started in Warwickshire and ended at Berchtesgaden in Bavaria, Germany.

It followed the route the American 101st division took from D-Day until the end of the Second World War.

Journeying across Europe, often driving for 12 hours a day, the team navigated tough, unfamiliar and varying terrain to reach check points and took part in daily challenges to achieve additional points.

The programme allowed teams plenty of down time to visit many military historical and poignant sites on route including Commonwealth War Grave sites, the Thiepval Memorial and John Frost Bridge, which features in the film ‘A Bridge Too Far’.

Mike said: ‘It was one of those things you just have to do in life. Everyone should visit the war graves at least. The things we have seen along the route have left a life impression. We really felt how costly war is and the damage it does to humankind.

‘We experienced the sheer loss of life during the Second World War. The event was so well organised and thoroughly researched. We were lucky to not have had any mechanical problems along the way.’

Mike used his own Land Rover from the Isle of Man, which his parents got for him after his own vehicle was stolen in the UK.

He is a weapons petty officer in the Navy, currently based in Portsmouth.

Mike took part in the rally with his fiancée Lucy Weigel and fellow petty officer, Ashton Peace.

The Help for Heroes charity helps wounded servicemen and their families.

The inquest into the death of a PE teacher will resume this morning.

At 10am the Coroner of Inquests, John Needham, will reconvene the inquest into the death of Robert Campbell, who was 31 years old and lived in Santon.

Mr Campbell was a pedestrian who died in an accident on Richmond Hill shortly before Christmas.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/education/school-s-tribute-to-teacher-rob-was-one-of-those-individuals-you-could-not-fail-to-like-1-7017131|Click here to read the school’s tribute.}

Beach Buddies has a special evening event on Thursday, when volunteers will be meeting on Port Erin Upper Promenade for an assault on three beaches which are in regular need of cleaning.

The event is scheduled to precede the re-opening of the coastal walkway which has been closed for some years, due to damage and a bridge which was beyond repair.

The bridge has been replaced, large sections of railings replaced and the footpath returned to working order, thanks to Port Erin Commissioners.

Beach Buddies has offered to make the three beaches below the footpath look at their very best for the official opening, so volunteers who can make it are asked to meet at the Upper Promenade at 6pm for a session which is expected to last no longer than an hour.

All equipment will be provided, as usual, and Beach Buddies will remove the items collected afterwards, recycling where possible.

Visitors to the Royal Manx Agricultural Show on Friday will be given the opportunity to see the Barclays Premier League trophy.

The iconic trophy can be found at the Barclays marquee from 9am till 3.30pm and visitors to the event will be welcome to take a selfie with it.

The Royal Show takes place at Knockaloe, just south of Peel, on Friday and Saturday.

The Barclays Premier League Trophy was crafted in 2004 when Barclays became title sponsor of the Premier League. Due to its value the Barclays Premier League Trophy is always flanked by two security guards when on display as the trophy is officially classed priceless.

The trophy was won for a record 20th time by Manchester United at the end of the 2012/2013 Barclays Premier League.

Head of local markets at Barclays, Colette Johnston, said: ‘It’s very exciting to have the Barclays Premier League trophy on the island for the Royal Manx Agricultural Show so visitors to the show can see it.

‘The next day, Saturday, August 8, marks the start of the new season so it’s great timing for local football fans, young and old, to see the coveted trophy.’

In this week’s Manx Independent there will be a 24-page special about this year’s Premier League.

The paper will be on sale from Thursday morning.

FACT FILE

• The trophy stands at three foot five inches tall and 24 inches wide.

• The total weight of the trophy is four stone. The base of the trophy accounts for two and a half stone alone.

• Cast by Asprey and Garrard, the Crown Jewellers, the main body of the trophy is made from solid sterling silver. The crown is cast from 24 carat silver gilt, to a depth of half a millimetre.

• The base of the trophy is made from Malacite, a semi-previous stone found in Africa. The green colour of the opaque stone represents on the day.

• The design of the trophy is based on the theme of ‘The Three Lions of English Football’. Two of the lions can be found above the handles on either side of the trophy. When the captain of the title winning team raises the trophy (and its gold crown) above his head at the end of the season, he becomes the third lion.

Establishing a formal Steam Packet users’ group, which would comprise representation from both passengers and freight customers is just one of the suggestions from the island’s TravelWatch group.

The organisation, which monitors the Isle of Man’s air and sea links with the UK, was responding to news of a government public consultation on the future of the island’s ferry services and has urged as many passengers and freight customers as possible to air their views.

A group spokesman said it offered an opportunity for better sea travel for the island. ‘The completion of the Heysham to M6 link will eliminate the traffic delays through Lancaster, and increase the attractiveness of Heysham for freight and accompanied vehicles,’ he said.

‘An early agreement between the government and the Steam Packet could provide clarity regarding future vessels, and their operational requirements.’

The group said clarity and robust negotiations were needed for Liverpool services, where agreement is still to be reached on a replacement river berth.

According to TravelWatch it is vital any new Liverpool facilities are close to the city centre for the benefit of foot passengers.

The group has suggested options to address the ending of the current user agreement in 2026. One is to maintain the status quo up to 2022 when a formal tendering process for the service should be undertaken. However, it suggests uncertainty during the twilight years of the current agreement could make the Steam Packet unwilling to invest, leading to ageing ships and declining service.

Another option would be to invite the Steam Packet to propose a new deal of such exceptional value it would be welcomed by Tynwald. No complex tendering process would be required and there would be the added advantage of certainty.

However, Travelwatch suggests any new agreement should incorporate a publicly accountable regulator ‘with teeth’. It would also like to see government representation on the company board, transparent ‘open book’ accounting, and more customer focus.

Other suggestions include a more imaginative fare structure with discounted pricing schemes such as used by airlines, and a customers’ loyalty scheme. It also called for an end to small print terms and conditions.

One of the Strand Shopping Centre’s outlets is to shut.

The Body Shop will pull out of Douglas in September after 25 years operating in the premises.

In a press statement, Strand Centre general manager Louise Whyman described the news as a ‘devastating’ blow’

Ms Whyman said that Body Shop regularly reviewed its store portfolio performance and had ‘reluctantly’ taken the decision not to renew its lease when it comes up for renewal in September.

She added: ‘In addition to competition from internet sales, the store has been hit hard by poor footfall during regeneration works and the increase in car parking charges is discouraging shoppers from coming into town.

‘This, coupled with the 18 per cent increase in Treasury rates, is making trading conditions very difficult for retailers.’

Louise added she would like to thank the customers who had supported the shop over the last 25 years and wished the staff the best of luck in securing new positions.

Manx health bosses have announced that there are to be more vaccinations to prevent meningitis for young people and shingles in older people.

The first change will offer enhanced protection for children and young people against more strains of meningococcal bacteria; the second will provide protection for older people against shingles. Meningococcal bacteria can cause Invasive Meningococcal Disease. This can lead to serious illness such as meningitis, which is an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, and septicemia, an infection of the bloodstream. Both conditions can cause disability and even death.

Until now vaccination has been offered to children and young people against the C strain of meningococcal bacteria.

This is provided for babies at three months of age with a booster at 12 months and a further booster at ages 14/15.

From August, the booster usually given at ages 14/15 will be replaced with a new combined vaccination against the A, C, W and Y strains of meningococcal bacteria. A catch–up programme will be offered to every pupil from school years 10 to 13 over the coming years.

The added protection from the W strain is particularly important as it has become more common among those in their late teens and early 20s. As such, all students currently aged 17/18 and those aged 19 to 25 who will be attending higher education for the first time this year will also be offered the vaccination urgently from August 1 this year.

From September, babies born after June this year will be offered a vaccination against the B strain of meningococcal bacteria at two, four and 12 months of age.

There will also be a catch-up programme for infants born between May 1 and June 30 this year. The meningococcal C vaccination will continue as above.

As well as changes to the Invasive Meningococcal Disease vaccination programme, from September those aged 70 to 79 will be offered a vaccination to protect them against shingles.

The condition usually causes a painful rash that develops into itchy blisters and is a reactivation of a previous chickenpox infection.

Although not life-threatening, shingles can be very painful and debilitating and affects people more commonly as they get older.

The Minister for Health and Social Care, Howard Quayle MHK, said: ‘Vaccination programmes such as these are the bedrock of preventing ill-health from occurring, which has to be the first duty of a modern health service.

‘I welcome the changes to our comprehensive on-island programme, which is based upon robust clinical evidence, and mirrors the UK vaccination programme.

‘Vaccinations help give peace of mind to individuals and families for the protection they offer against some of the most serious and sometimes life threatening diseases.’

The changes are in line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation an independent expert committee and executive body established in England to advise on immunisations.

The public can contact their GP Practice to discuss the vaccination programmes.

GP practices will be letting patients know when their particular vaccinations are due and inviting them to take part.

Leaflets and information are available at GP practices, pharmacies and online {http://www.gov.im/categories/health-and-wellbeing/vaccinations/meningitis|here} and {http://www.gov.im/categories/health-and-wellbeing/vaccinations/shingles|here}

Conor Cummins will be back on-board the Honda Racing CBR1000RR Fireblade SP at this week’s Ulster Grand Prix.

Dan Kneen is lining up for another ride on the Valvoline Racing by Padgett’s Racing Honda in the same event.

The first practice takes place over the 7.4-mile Dundrod Course tomorrow, Wednesday.

The Ulster is dubbed the world’s fastest road race and Cummins was forced to miss the meeting last year for after sustaining an injury at the Southern 100. He won the Superbike race in 2009 and is a former lap record holder, something he hopes he can repeat this year.

Kneen won last year’s Superstock race on the Cookstown BEC Suzuki, but was the innocent victim of a hefty crash in the following 600cc race involving Dean Harrison, that also took Keith Amor out. All three were sidelined for the remainder of the season.

The Manx duo will go head-to-head in all the main events. The race days are Thursday and Saturday.

A joint �£3.4 million investment by the Manx government and a charity in new health facilities at Noble�’s Hospital reached a milestone yesterday, with the breast and endoscopy units being made weather tight.

The new Breast Care Unit – an ambition of consultant surgeon Ms Millie Bello – has been possible thanks to a fundraising campaign by the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group (MBCSG) and the generosity of the people of the Isle of Man.

The group’s efforts have raised the �£1.5 million required to build and equip the facility.

The unit will be the home for all outpatient breast care in the island, including screening, which will move from the Community Health Centre on Westmoreland Road.

It will be the first time there has been a single, dedicated breast care facility on the island, with care currently delivered across multiple clinic spaces.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women.

As well as advice on signs and symptoms to look for, the Department of Health and Social Care operates a breast screening service for those aged 50 to 70, with the aim of early detection.

About 6,000 breast screenings take place each year in the island, with around 100 women diagnosed with breast cancer.

The outpatient clinic has more than 3,000 outpatient appointments a year.

Built above the Breast Care Unit is a new �£1.9 million Endoscopy Unit. Funding for the facility was approved by Tynwald last November.

Endoscopy, which uses miniature cameras to examine the inside of the body, is an increasingly used diagnostic and treatment tool.

More than 3,500 endoscopies are performed each year at Noble’s Hospital. With increasing demand, advances in practice and changes to standards, there has been a growing need for a dedicated and purpose-built facility.

The new unit will see endoscopy facilities completely separated from other clinical areas. In doing so, the new clinic space will enable Noble�s Hospital to meet the latest in best practice, standards and guidance.

The DHSC says the layout and design of the unit will ‘greatly enhance’ privacy and dignity for patients and will free up much needed capacity in the endoscopy service�s current home � the busy Day Procedures Suite.

Julie Stokes, chair of the MBCSG, said: �’We’re thrilled to see plans for the unit coming to fruition. When we launched the �£1.5 million fundraising campaign in April 2014, who would have thought we’d be completing construction only 15 months later?

‘It’s taken a great deal of work �but it will have a lasting impact on the quality of breast care for generations to come. Through screening, every woman on the island will at some point in their life use the unit.

‘�The project would not have been possible without the support and generosity of so many on our island � not least the committee, our patrons, sponsors and donors � with special mention for the Eric and Marion Scott Trust and the Scheinberg family.

‘Delivering a project of this scale and in such a short period of time speaks volumes of our community spirit and people of the Isle of Man.’�

Work on the Breast Unit began in October 2014 with work on the Endoscopy Unit starting in December 2014. Both facilities are expected to be operational early in 2016.

Scottish Widows has raised £4,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society (Isle of Man).

The money was raised after colleagues held dress-down days, raffles, an afternoon tea, a Taste the World event, a picnic in the grounds of its former Victoria Road headquarters and a Mad Hatter’s tea party at its new offices in Evergreen House, Circular Road.

The company has also hosted a dementia information session, led by dementia support worker Sue Walker.

The charity’s manager Grahame Bell said: ‘We are enormously grateful to Scottish Widows for this generous donation. £4000 makes a very real difference to our work and helps us guarantee delivering services to those living with dementia, their families and carers.

‘All money raised stays on the Island and the people of the Isle of Man have been extremely generous in their support, especially over these past 18 months when we’ve been trying to raise our profile to promote greater dementia awareness and alert the public to the services we can provide.’

Mr Bell said the society was keen to recruit more volunteers. ‘We’re looking for all kinds of volunteers, including befrienders to people living with dementia. Befriending is provided one-to-one with each case risk assessed and volunteers given training and support from experienced befriending managers.’ He added: ‘Befriending is fundamental to the society’s approach that you can live well with dementia.’

Sue Walker said: ‘This is a fantastic sum to have received from Scottish Widows. It will help us in our work to help change attitudes and promote greater understanding.’

Scottish Widows managing director Juan Clarke said: ‘CMI staff have really got behind the Alzheimer’s Society’s campaign to raise awareness of the condition and the support that’s available in the island and I would like to thank them for all the hard work they have put into the fundraising. Special thanks must go to my colleague Jude Hall who was instrumental in arranging, and indeed baking for, the various tea parties and picnics that we held which were very well supported.

‘Statistics show that around 850,000 people live with dementia in the UK and that dementia costs the UK £26.3 billion a year. Research also indicates that one in three people over the age of 65 will develop dementia.

Against the background of an ageing population the Alzheimer’s Society is helping to keep people with dementia connected to their lives and their loved ones, while through our fundraising initiatives we at Scottish Widows would like to think we are playing our part in supporting the society’s belief that “life doesn’t end when dementia begins.”’

Forthcoming Alzheimer’s Society events include a memory walk along Douglas promenade on Sunday, September 13 between 2 and 5pm (registration from 1pm).

‘It’s an opportunity to remember those lost to the disease and support loved ones living with dementia,’ explained Mr Bell.

Monday, September 14 sees the start of an all-island week-long road show which will be in a different part of the Island every day, providing information about dementia and the services offered.

The Alzheimer’s Society (Isle of Man) is offering support for carers who often get overlooked.

The carers information and support programme provides carers with facts about dementia, legal and benefits information, behavioural changes and the importance of looking after themselves.

The programme also provides opportunities for carers to share experiences.

To find out more call 613181 or email IsleofMan@alzheimers.org.uk

There’s a chance for people to get involved in the island’s biggest guided walk as Vision Awareness Week returns for 2015.

‘Walk My Way’ will take place in Douglas on September 20, and the Manx Blind Welfare Society is inviting the public to get involved.

First held last year, ‘Walk My Way’ is intended to raise awareness of the free guided walking training the society offers businesses, charities and other organisations.

Guided walking is the method used by sighted people to escort the blind and visually-impaired, and the training enables them to assist confidently and safely.

Individuals and teams are invited to sign up now for the guided walk from the War Memorial on Harris Promenade towards the former Summerland site and back. Walkers will be paired up, with one person blindfolded and the other guiding, and can walk as much of the route as they feel comfortable with.

Manx Blind Welfare Society volunteers’ cordinator and events organiser Debbie Thomson said: ‘We hosted the first Walk My Way during last year’s Vision Awareness Week and it was a huge success. We had a great turnout and many walkers told us it had given them a different perspective on the challenges faced by the visually impaired.

‘We’d like to have even more people taking part this year, gaining a greater understanding of what we can do, as a community, to remove the barriers to learning, work and social environments experienced by blind and visually impaired people in the Isle of Man.

‘We hope Walk My Way will demonstrate to everyone that takes part why it is so important to understand how to safely and confidently escort a visually impaired person, and will encourage more organisations to sign up for our free training.’

She added: ‘You can enter Walk My Way on your own or with a team. Entry is free, but if you’d like to be sponsored and raise money to support the Society’s vital work with more than 600 people in the island with serious sight loss, that would be very welcome.’

The second Vision Awareness Week runs from September 14 to 20 and is intended to promote improved care for eye health and awareness of the challenges faced by blind and visually impaired people. It will include an open day at Corrin Court, a series of talks to schools, businesses and local organisations, fundraising events and acoustic shooting

Entry for Walk My Way is free and more details are available by calling 674727 or emailing enquiries@mbws.org.im.

The Steam Packet has officially responded to an ultimatum issued by the Manx government.

During last month’s sitting of Tynwald, Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK told members that the ferry company should make the island a ‘significantly enhanced’ offer or ferry services would be put out to competition.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/minister-issues-ultimatum-to-steam-packet-make-an-offer-or-face-competition-1-7373604|Click here to read our report at the time.}

Mr Woodward then told iomtoday.co.im that the Steam Packet would review Mr Gawne’s statement.

This afternoon the company issued a short statement.

It reads: ‘The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has carefully considered the recent Tynwald statement made by Phil Gawne MHK, Minister for Infrastructure, in respect of future sea services.

‘The company notes the three options outlined by the Minister.

‘The company is now developing a proposal with a view to approaching the Department of Infrastructure with a revised framework for guaranteeing future sea services which benefit island residents, visitors, businesses and the local economy.

‘This proposal will take careful note of responses to the department’s proposed public consultation.’

The Steam Packet said it would not be making any further comment about the matter and would not agree to take part in any interviews about it.

Mr Gawne’s three options were:

1. Do nothing until going to the market in the year 2022, a date proposed on the basis that any new potential operator of the service after 2026 can prepare to take over as soon as the user agreement expires.

2. Agree to a request from the Steam Packet to end the current user agreement early and go to the market. ‘Of course, the Steam Packet would have to accept the risk that it may not succeed in the procurement process,’ Mr Gawne said.

3. Invite the Steam Packet to make an ‘exceptional’ new offer. Mr Gawne said this would ‘allow Tynwald to confirm that an extended or new agreement with the current provider is in our people’s best interests’.

Pressure group Travel Watch has also commented on the situation.

It suggested there should be a Steam Packet users’ group.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/travelwatch-consider-options-for-future-of-isle-of-man-ferry-service-1-7391661|Read our report about that here.}