IN case you’re one of those Old Age Pensioners like me who are so bewildered by today’s events that we have only a marginal grasp on what’s going on around us, I feel it is my duty to advise that you should go to the Welcome Centre (it’s in the Sea Terminal at Douglas to forestall any further confusion) and get a new bus pass.

Government, as represented by the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure, along with Isle of Man Transport, wants us to have new ones to replace our old Pink Pass.

I am assured that this was announced in the Examiner a short time ago. But as I read the paper only to ensure that they’ve spelt my name right, I missed it.

Why they want us to have new ones I don’t know. People of a suspicious nature might conclude that it is Big Brother on the march again in case there are subversive elements amongst us trying to foment public disorder.

The trouble is that at the first underground meeting we hold we will have forgotten what we’re there for.

I had to be told that I needed a new pass in a letter from Margaret Ellis, who is luckier than most of us in the Isle of Man in that she lives in a cottage at Glen Mooar. She also wonders about the reason.

She asked me: ‘Has it reached your ears that the reason for the brand new version of the pass is to crush the OAP Mafia who have been purchasing pink cards and producing counterfeit passes for their younger friends. On such stories are urban myths founded.’

I don’t know about that, Margaret.

What I do know is that we ancients are becoming far too numerous in the Isle of Man and this means we are threatening to drag it into an economic collapse worse than anything in the Eurozone.

My suspicion is that we are being secretly kettled by the Manx authorities in order that one day soon we can be rounded up and taken to the embattled Meat Plant to be humanely killed.

If that’s the case, Margaret, I will seize my new pass and use it to get on the bus to Kirk Michael and hide out with you.

I must say getting it was a painless process. Two young men were carrying it out at desks in the Welcome Centre. I took along my old pass dating back to 1996 with its mugshot looking to be that of someone I had never seen in my life before.

You have to have a new photo taken. When I was there a lady at the next desk told her young man: ‘Try to make me look better, there’s a dear.’

I had brought a copy of my own photo taken a short time ago for my new driving licence. This also looked like somebody I had never seen in my life before.

The pass itself is a fine piece of work. It is similar to a credit card. It’s in full colour with a map of the Isle of Man on it and drawings of a bus, a steam train and an MER tram.

There isn’t a horse tram. You still have to pay on those, even though I find it more and more difficult every summer to climb aboard one.

There is also essential information printed on the card. There is my name. There is my serial number. There is also: ‘Expiry date 12.06.2017.’

I didn’t really want to know that.

• BILL Jopson, describing himself as a silver oldie, sent me this cutting from the Examiner of December 19, 1896, found while researching his family history at the iMuseum:

‘Dr R.M.Mathieson, who has been engaged for about three months as locum tenens for several medical men in Douglas and other parts of the island has been the recipient of a very handsome testimonial consisting of several cases of surgical and other instruments. The present was subscribed for by a number who were intimate with him while he was house surgeon at Noble’s Hospital.’

• THE following heading was included in the district news on the Isle of Man Today website on a story saying that the annual Peel in Motion event had turned out to be a big success:

‘Rain fails to damp out Pee in Motion.’

MY favourite Isle of Man Newspapers supplement of the calendar, Pet Factor, is out.

A fascinating competition, run in the Isle of Man Examiner’s sister paper the Manx Independent, it reveals masses about human nature without actually featuring one human. Pet Factor asks a simple, yet loaded, question: ‘Which is the cutest pet in the Isle of Man?’

Rivalled only by the rush of family pride engendered by our Child of the Year pull-out, Pet Factor asks those close to the competitors to vote them into first place.

The prize is a goody bag from Mars Petcare UK and another from Shoprite, plus the prestigious Pet Factor cup.

While goody bags are always going to come in handy, I suspect it is the cup most entrants are desperate to get their paws on.

It’s about pet ownership status. A ‘my cat/dog/goldfish/guinea pig/dead rabbit is more palatable than yours’ kind of thing.

Why not? If your guppy has the shiniest gills you’ve ever seen then why not crow about it? Whatever makes for a more lighthearted, happier life I say.

I think my favourite part of thumbing through the Pet Factor supplement each year is reading the names given to pets, particularly when they are partnered up with a surname.

For example, something like Flopsy Qualtrough or Tigger Quayle*. It adds a kind of mirthful solemnity to a pet’s existence.

It used to happen when I took my childhood pet, a scruffy but much-loved dog called Benji, to the vets. No matter how concerned I was about my under-the-weather dog, a receptionist calling out ‘Benji Goff’ into the waiting room always made me snigger.

Another amusing part of Pet Factor is the poses into which owners contort their pets for their photographs.

Sunglasses are plonked on to dogs, bows are tied into hamsters’ fringes and frogs are shoved into t-shirts, or whatever.

Some animals appear to be ‘relaxing’ on the couch while others are pictured energetically splashing through a stream.

You can almost tell whether an owner views their pet with tongue-in-cheek affection or proper reverance by the setting of the photograph. For popping out of a cardboard box with a half chewed bone in mouth see the former and for forlornly gazing off into the distance in a flower garden see the latter.

One year there was a picture printed of a reclining rabbit I could have sworn was dead**.

Talking of reclining pets, I have recently been reading an article about the pampered power pooches of New York.

As well as quoting the owner of two brilliantly named dogs - Jennifer Lopez and Leonard Cohen - it propounds the virtues of New York as a Mecca for canine contentedness.

One featured owner sends her beloved pet, a Chihuahua called Killer Samson Hercules (Kiki for short), to doggie day care. She also dresses him in bespoke Italian cashmere and feeds him treats of pears and watermelon.

‘New York is a wonderful place for dogs, so many services: pools, spas, dog runs,’ she is quoted as saying.

I can just picture the dog owners of Douglas turning green with envy as they traipse once again with their dejected hounds through the boggy beauty of lower Noble’s Park dog walking area, swinging their see through bags of doggy doo as they go.

Another owner quoted in the New York article claims her pets like a holiday and ‘prefer’ country inns to grander city hotels.

Well la-di-da. My dog used to ‘prefer’ chewing rotting seaweed on the beach to eating proper dog food.

Perhaps most disturbingly, the article features a picture of a small dog on a massage table, wrapped up in comfy towels, with a small towelling turban on its head. The look of confusion in the small creature’s eyes is haunting.

But New Yorkers aren’t alone in thinking their dogs are the centre of the universe.

Just look at this year’s Britain’s Got Talent winner, Pudsey the performing dog.

He won the nation’s hearts in the same way as Paul Potts, Diversity and, er, Jai McDowell.

The Queen, fresh from that glorious extended weekend of Diamond Jubilee celebrations in London, must be quite literally sick with excitement at the prospect of watching Pudsey prance at the Royal Variety Performance later in the year.

Apparently he signed a book deal recently.

Think on and aim high all you Pet Factor contestants.

*I intend neither of these as real examples so if your animal is called Flopsy or Tigger and your surname is Qualtrough or Quayle, I sincerely apologise if you took offence.

**Again, if this was your rabbit, I apologise. I am sure you didn’t send in a picture of your deceased pet.

ON her Pride in Mann nomination form, Sulby’s Jeanette Arnold described Age Concern’s Gail Corlett as ‘one amazing lady’.

Jeanette put Gail – the supervisor at Onchan’s Meadow View Day Centre – forward for the customer service award after seeing the exceptional care her father was receiving.

Jeanette wrote: ‘Our family was in despair until I called Gail. My dad, Raymond Clague, has Parkinson’s and memory problems and had to be watched all the time.

‘He now does four days a week at the centre. They play games, do activities and have sing-songs to name but a few. Gail is always there at the end of the phone. She has been caring for many years and she is one amazing lady.’

Jeanette added: ‘The whole team at Onchan make such a difference to people who need the respite. And they are always so happy to talk to the family with any problems they may have.’

Gail was embarrassed to learn she had been nominated, and was very quick to point out it is all of the staff that help care for Raymond.

‘That’s really nice,’ beamed Gail upon hearing the news. ‘Ray is lovely too, he’s been coming here two years and really settled in well, he’s absolutely hilarious!’

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/community/pride-in-mann|click here to see the other nominees}.

Gail, 45, left school with ambitions to become a nurse, but without the qualifications she decided to go to college to earn an NVQ in social care. She has since become qualified as a tutor, and helped put six of her staff through the NVQ course.

‘It’s hard to get into work without qualifications,’ said Gail. ‘I’ve trained people my age who had never even learned how to use a computer.’

All of this work helped her earn the Rotary Club award for best vocational student in May this year, which Gail described as ‘a lovely surprise as it has never been given to anyone in social care before’.

At the same award ceremony Gail also collected the Department of Social Care’s outstanding contribution award, cementing her reputation as a dedicated carer.

‘I feel we are a really good team,’ said Gail of the Onchan day care centre. ‘I enjoy it. There’s lots of people out there who need this kind of help.’

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/community/pride-in-mann|click here to see the other nominees}.

Nominations for Pride in Mann have now closed.

FANS wanting to preserve a little of this year’s TT history could do worse than to log on to internet auction site eBay.

There they will find TT star John McGuinness’s 18th TT winning tyre is available to the highest bidder.

Accurately described in the accompanying words as ‘used’ the photograph shows it with the characteristic scuffed rubber of extreme use and hard riding. eBay describes a used item as: ‘The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully functioning.’

A message chalked on the tyre says ‘John McGuinness, IOM TT 2012, TT Sbk (superbike) win.’

Buyers’ information says the tyre is located in Douglas and is being auctioned to raise money for an island resident left quadriplegic after a hit and run traffic accident.

{http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/John-McGuinness-19th-TT-WINNING-TYRE-/270996238305?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3f18a26fe1|www.ebay.co.uk/itm/John-McGuinness-19th-TT-WINNING-TYRE}.

The details also say: ‘100 per cent genuine used by John McGuinness to win his 18th IOM TT. ‘Please bid high.’

Bidders have until 3.47pm on June 21 (today) to place their bid with the current price after five bids standing at £200.

Thursday, June 21

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

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

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

• Age Concern Isle of Man free computer sessions, iMuseum, Douglas, 10am-12.30pm. Also Wednesday. Also Thursday, Southlands, Port St Mary, 2-4.30pm; Monday, Ramsey Town Hall, 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3.30pm; Tuesday, Ramsey Town Hall, 10am-12.30pm; Wednesday, Southlands, Port St Mary, 2-4.30pm.

• Step-In for tea, coffee, chat and music, Onchan Baptist Church, 10.30am.

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

• Parents and tots, Auldyn Infants School Community Room, Ramsey, 1.30pm.

• Arbory Tots, from birth upwards, Parish Hall, Ballabeg, 2pm. Cost £1 per family. Call 832394.

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

• The Children’s Centre Parent Support Group, informal chat with family support workers, at Douglas Family Centre, Woodbourne Road, 7-9pm.

• Manx Gaelic class with Cathy Clucas, Arbory Commissioners’ Hall, 7.30pm. Call 838527.

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

• Great Laxey Mine Railway. Until the end of September. Saturdays. From 11am until 4.30pm.

Friday, June 22

• Parents and Tots, upper room, Sulby Methodist Church, 10.30am. Call 897364.

• Willaston Weekly Drop In Centre, Willaston Methodist Church, Barrule Road, 10am - midday.

• Drop in for coffee and a chat, Sulby Methodist Church, 10am-midday.

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

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

• Prayers with Bears Tots group, All Saints Church Vestry, Alexandra Drive, Douglas, 10am. Contact 483248.

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

• Storybox, Family Library, Westmoreland Road, Douglas, 10.30am. Also Saturday, Sticky Finger Craft for 6 years and over, 10.30am; Wednesday, Busy Bee Time for pre-schoolers, 1.45pm. Call 673123.

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

• Learn Manx with Adrian Cain, beginners midday-1pm, intermediates 1pm-2pm, Manx Museum, Douglas. Admission free. greinneyder@mhf.org.im or call 838527 or 451098.

• Coffee and chat with Arthritis Care Ellan Vannin, Industrial Unit 7a, Union Mills, 1pm-4pm. Call 852664.

• Friday Lunchtime Choir, Salvation Army Citadel, Lord Street, Douglas. 1.15pm.

• Onchan carers and tots, Parish Hall, Onchan, 1.15pm. Call 625328.

• Tiny Tunes, music time for 0-3s, Family Library, Westmoreland Road, Douglas, 1.30pm. Cost £2.50. Call 673123.

• Natural History Walk, Peel Castle, 2pm. Curator’s walk looking at the plants, animals and geology of St Patrick’s Isle. Spaces limited, call 648000.

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

• Summer Ball in aid of the Isle of Man Parkinson’s Disease Society at the Palace Hotel. Tickets £50. Call 682716.

• Port St Mary Cabaret Party, Jubilee Extravaganza at Scoill Phurt Le Moirrey 7:30pm. Also Saturday June 23 at 7.30pm. £6 Adults £3 Children. Tickets available at Aries Fashion Port St Mary, or on 424735 or 473276

• The Manx Aviation and Military Museum, 10am-4.30pm. Also Saturday and Sunday. 10-4.30pm. Free admission. Donations welcome.

Saturday, June 23

• Milntown House Tours, Ramsey. 2.30pm. £6. Call 812321. Also Wednesday.

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

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

• Ayre WI coffee morning, Ramsey Town Hall, 10am-noon.

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

• Family Fun Day and biggest bargain Car Boot Sale. The Fun Farm, Onchan 11am - 4pm. Call 822143 or email lairdscott@manx.net

• Mannanan Model Boat Festival, Onchan Park. Also Sunday.

• Isle of Man Farmers Market, at Northern Lights Community Centre, Ramsey, 10am-1pm.

• Strawberry Tea, Union Mills Chapel, 2.30pm. In aid of Marown & District Anti-Cancer Association.

• Michael Heritage Trust -Manx Family History with Priscilla Lewthwaite (Manx Family History Society) in the Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael at 7.30pm.

Sunday, June 24

• Indoor Car Boot Sale, Morton Hall, Castletown. Call 673320 or 481532.

• Parkinson’s Disease Society Drop In, at the Palace Hotel 10am to 3pm.

• Sunday School, Sulby Methodist Church, 10.30am. Also youth group for school years 7 and up at 7pm. Call 450104.

• Anniversary service, Crosby Methodist Chapel, 11am. Also Songs of Praise at 6.30pm.

• Dreamcatcher Charity Day, Groudle Glen Railway, 11am-4.30pm.

• Manx Footpaths Conservation Group, Laxey Promenade.

• Manannan Festival Matins service, St Catherine’s Church, Port Erin, 11am.

• Fishing workshops for beginners, includes both river and sea, bait, spinning and fly fishing, at Adventurous Experiences lecture room, Patrick Road, St John’s, by Kelvin Tastagh, owner of Kelvin’s Tackle, 2pm. Entry £3 donation to RNLI. Call Kelvin on 478224.

• Isle of Man Farmers Market, at S.100 Clubhouse, Castletown. 1.30-3.30pm.

• King’s Reach Nursing Home, Ramsey Summer Fair. 2pm-4pm. Call Linda Mitchell on 816929.

• Friends of Robert Owen House 10th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service, Ballaugh Church, 2.30pm.

• Chapel’s 150th anniversary at Sandygate. Also the Mariners’ service. Starts 6.30pm.

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

Monday, June 25

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

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

• Noah’s Ark Tots Group, Church on the Rock, behind Ramsey Bus Station, 9.30am. Call 459890.

• Breastfeeding Buddies, The Salvation Army Citadel, Ridgeway Street, Douglas. 10.30am. Call 656030.

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

• Action Songs and Rhymes, from birth upwards, The Children’s Centre, Woodbourne Road, Douglas, 1.30pm. Also Tuesday, Sulby School, 9.30am; Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 2pm; Wednesday, Auldyn School Community Room, 9.15am and 10.30am.

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

• Vannin Bridge, Onchan Pensioners Hall, 2pm. Also Thursday.

• Onchan Silver Band practice, The Band Room, off Main Road, Onchan, beginners, 6.30pm and seniors 7.30pm.

Tuesday, June 26

• Manx Cancer Help drop-in day, Lisa Lowe Centre, Woodbourne Road, Douglas, 11am-4pm.

• 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 Baptist Church, 9.30am. Also Wednesday, Living Hope Community Church, Lancashire House, Santon, 9.30am. Call 835091.

• Laxey mums and tots, Laxey Pavilion, 1pm. Call 438408.

• Manx Gaelic conversational class with Adrian Cain, The Rovers, Douglas, 1pm. Also Manx Gaelic class with Brian Stowell at Isle of Man College, Douglas, 7pm. Call 623821.

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

• Abbey Acorns, ages four and above, the Abbey Church, Ballasalla, 3.30pm.

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

• Castletown Over 60s Club, Band Concert and Buffet Supper, Rushen Silver Band at Morton Hall, Castletown, admission £3. 7.45pm

Wednesday, June 27

• An hour of popular music, at 7.45pm, St Thomas’s Church, Douglas.

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

• Mini Club for parents and tots, Anagh Coar School, Douglas, 10am. Also 2pm at Kirk Braddan Church. Call 675523.

• Ballabeg Busy Bugs for under fives, Arbory Parish Hall, Ballabeg, 10am. Call 429676 or email BusyBugs2009@manx.net

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

• Computer Training Sessions for everyone. Leonard Cheshire Disability, Main Rd, Onchan. 11am-3pm. Call 679030.

• The Voice Youth Group, Corrin Hall, Peel. 6pm

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

• Vintage Nostalgia Evening, Groudle Glen, 7pm and 8pm. Take a trip on the Manx Electric Railway from Derby Castle to Groudle. Guided tours by Peter Kelly. Pre-booking recommended at www.ggr.org.uk

• Manx Gaelic class with James O’Meara, St John’s House, 7.30pm. Call 843436.

• Manx Footpaths Conservation Group Evening Walk, Liverpool Arms. 7.30pm.

• Bingo, South Douglas Old Friends Association, Finch Road, Douglas, 8pm.

• Bingo Quiz, Archibald Knox, Onchan, 9pm.

Thursday, June 21

• Cardiotone, Laxey Institute, New Road, Laxey. 7-8pm. Also Monday 7-8pm. Call 452729/863602.

• Thighs, Bums and Tums, Laxey Institute, 9.30am. Also Tuesday. Call 335635.

• Walk and Talk, Harbour Lights Cafe, Peel, 10am. Also Friday, NSC, Douglas, 10am; Monday, Pulsom Park, Castletown, 10.30am and Noble’s Park, Douglas, 5.30pm; Tuesday, NSC, Douglas, 10am; Wednesday, Ramsey Rugby Club, 10am. Call 688592.

• Fitness league exercise class, Ballafesson Church hall, Port Erin, 10.30am. Call 832759.

• Gentle Circuits, NSC, Douglas, 11am. Also Saturday. Call 688588.

• Chair based exercise sessions, Onchan Youth and Community Centre, 1.30pm. Also Friday, Port Erin Methodist Church hall, 2pm; Monday, Ramsey Town Hall, 10.30am; Tuesday, Castletown Sandfield residents lounge, 2pm; Wednesday, Westland’s Residents Lounge, Peel, 10.30am. Call 642668.

• Tai Chi Chuan, Lezayre Parish Hall, 2pm. Call 813222.

• Manx Fencing Club, Ashley Hill School, Onchan, 4pm. Also seniors at Ballakermeen High School, Douglas, 5pm; Tuesday, Arbory Village Hall, beginners at 4pm and Grade 1 and above at 5pm; Wednesday, Ramsey Grammar School, juniors at 5pm and seniors at 6pm, also at Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, juniors at 6.30pm and adults at 7.30pm.

• Southern Gymnastics Club, Ballasalla School, 4pm. Also Tuesday, Castle Rushen High School, 5pm. Call 473741. • Northern Gymnastics Club, Ramsey Grammar School, 5pm.

• Braaid Fencing Club, Foxdale School, 5.45pm. Call 801832.

• Aqua Zumba, NSC, Douglas, 6pm. Call 688588.

• Pilates, St John’s Methodist Church Hall, 6.15pm. Also Friday and Monday, 9.30am; Wednesday, 6.15pm; Monday, 6.15pm Colby Methodist Hall. Call 427401.

• Western Athletics Club, QEII High School, 6.30pm.

• Peel Badminton Club, Corrin Hall, Peel, 7pm.

• Aquafit, Western Swimming Pool, Peel, 7pm. Also Tuesday, 1.15pm.

• Aerobics and body toning, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 7pm. Also Monday, Park View Hall, Kirk Michael. Call 455924.

• Yoga, Cooil Methodist Hall, 7.15pm. Call 494489.

• Fencing for ages 7 and up, Onchan Community Hall, 7.30pm. Also Monday, Andreas Parish Hall, 4.30pm; Tuesday, Arbory Parish Hall, 4pm and Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, 6.30pm; Wednesdays, Scoill Ree Gorree Sports Hall, Ramsey, 5pm. Call 880863.

• Zumba, The Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 7.30pm. Call 425270. Also Tuesday.

Friday, June 22

• Walk and Talk, Earroo Nane House, 1 Snaefell View, Threshold Estate, Jurby, 10am.

• Manx ABC Boxing, Palace Terrace, Douglas. Juniors, 6pm. Seniors , 7pm. Beginners welcome. Also Monday and Wednesday.

• Tai chi chuan, Murrays Road School, 7.30pm. Call 612305.

• Indoor bowls, Legion Hall, Port St Mary, 7.30pm.

• Yoga, Morton Hall, Onchan, 6.30pm. Call 494489.

Saturday, June 23

• Pregnancy yoga, All Saints Hall, Douglas, 10am. Call 461461.

• Yoga, Laxey Institute, 10.15am. Also Monday.

• Yoga, Arbory Parish Hall, 10.30am. Call 494489.

• St Mary’s AFC mixed under 11s training, Pulrose Football Fields, 10.30am. Call 405859.

• Tae Kwondo beginners, Pinewood Complex, Pulrose, 10.45am. Also 6-7yrs, Wednesdays at 5.30pm and Monday and Wednesday, 8-13yrs at 6pm, all ages at 7.15pm. Text 432152.

• Gymnastics and dance, St Ninian’s School, Douglas, 2pm. Also Wednesday, Call 254499.

Sunday, June 24

• Yoga & Nutrition. Karma Yoga Studio, Douglas 6-7.30pm.

Monday, June 25

• Pilates, St. John’s Methodist Church Hall, 9.30am Call 427401.

• Circuit Training, NSC, Douglas, 6pm. Also Wednesday at 7pm. Call 688588.

• Beginners Pilates, Rushen Primary School, Port Erin, 6.15pm. Improvers at 7.30pm; Beginners Wednesday at Victoria Road Primary School, Castletown, 7.30pm. Call 491963.

• Exercise Boot Camp, Corrin Hall, Peel, 6.15pm. Also Wednesday, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 6pm; Thursday, Glen Vine Church Hall, 9.15am.

• Cardiotone, Laxey Institute, 7pm. Also Thursday. Call 452729.

• Women’s self-defence classes, British Legion Hall, Port Erin, 7.30pm.

• Kirk Michael Badminton Club, Park View Hall, Kirk Michael, 8pm. Call 878536.

Tuesday, June 26

• Fit2Go walking sessions, Car Park, Station Road, St John’s, 9am. For ladies. Cost £3.

• Pilates for Horse Riders, Ballaugh, 5.15pm and 6.30pm. Call 465115.

• Pilates, The Hall at Church on The Rock, Ramsey, 6.15pm. Call 491449.

• Zumba, Fiesta Havana, Douglas, 7pm. Email sjh@manx.net

• Tai Chi Chuan, Lezayre Parish Community Hall, 7pm.

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

• Qigong, Community Hall, Clenagh Road, Sulby, 7pm. £5 per session, Call 878607.

• IOM Karate Federation, Murrays Road School, Juniors 7pm, Seniors, 7.30pm. Call 612305.

• Zumba Toning, Jurby Parish Hall, 7.40pm. Also Monday, Morton Hall, Castletown; Wednesday, Corrin Hall, Peel. Call 230369.

• Arbory Badminton Club, Arbory School Hall, 8pm. Call 832094.

Wednesday, June 27

• Gentle yoga, ladies class, Gena’s Dance Academy, Peel, 9.30am. Call 456782.

• Pilates, Braddan Church Hall, 5.30pm and 6.45pm. Call Suzanne 465115.

• Thompson Travel Netball Club junior training, Braddan School, 6pm. For ages 10-14.

• Bowling club night, Port Erin Bowling Club, Breagle Glen, 6.30pm.

• Beginners yoga, St Ninian’s Dance Studio, Douglas, 6.30pm.

Thursday, June 21

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

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

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

• Irish set dancing Douglas Old Friends’ Club, Douglas, 8pm. Call David on 457268.

Friday, June 22

• Acrobatics, Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 4.30pm.

• Modern Dance, Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 5.45pm. Also Thursday at 4.30pm.

• Tap Jnr, Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 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 or 324110.

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

Saturday, June 23

• Dance Time for children, Port Erin Methodist Hall, sessions from 9.30am. £2.50 per half hour session. Call 835696.

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

• Irish Dance Mixed, Dance Factory, Onchan Park, 3pm. Also Prim/Int on Monday at 4.30pm and Tuesday at 6.15pm. Beginners on Tuesday at 5.15pm.

Sunday, June 24

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

Monday, June 25

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

• Irish Dance Prim/Int, Viking Works, Riverside, Peel, 6.30pm. Also Wednesday at 5.45pm. Beginners, Wednesday at 5pm.

• Modern, street and stage dance classes, Rinkey Studios, Mill Road, Peel, from 6pm. www.rinkey.co.uk

Tuesday, June 26

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

• Sequence dancing and social, South Douglas Old Friends Association, 7.30pm. Admission £1.50.

• Beginners Line Dance, St John’s Football Club, 7.30pm-9pm. Call 462104.

• Sequence dancing with Port Erin Dancing Club, Port Erin Methodist Church hall, 8pm. Admission £1.50.

Wednesday, June 27

• Sequence dancing, Morton Hall, Castletown, 2pm. Admission £1.

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

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

• Modern Line Dance-exercise class for beginners, Legion Hall, Onchan, 7.15pm. £3.50.

• Ballroom dancing, Villa Marina, Douglas, 8pm. Call Ellis Killey on 623414.

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

Thursday, June 21

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

Friday, June 22

• Jubilee Extravaganza, Scoill Phurt Le Moirrey, 7.30pm. Also Saturday

Thursday, June 21

• Martin Roscoe piano recital, Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin, 8pm. Tickets £20, concessions available.

• Big Noise – Transition Concert, Gaiety Theatre, Douglas. Tickets £5.

• Manx Youth Wind Band, Villa Marina Arcade, Douglas, 8pm.

• Karaoke, Guys and Dolls, Douglas.

• Soundcheck, Basement, Youth Arts Centre, Kensington Road, Douglas, 6.30pm. Also Saturday and Wednesday.

• Ramsey Folk Club at The George Hotel, Ramsey, 8pm.

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

• Guitar Lessons, Meeting Room, Archibald Knox, Onchan, 5-45-6.45pm.

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

• Ellan Vannin Home Midsummer Musical Miscellany at St. Ninian’s Church at 7.30pm

Friday, June 22

• Little Miss Dynamite at The Haven, Port Erin.

• Grass Roots, at Jaks, Douglas.

• 3 Million at The Highwayman, Peel.

• Brown Sugar at The Queens, Douglas.

• L’yriade, Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin, 8pm. Tickets £15, concessions available.

• Musicale – Singing for you. Eden Park. 7pm. Tickets £10.

• Karaoke, The Albert, Douglas. 9pm,

• Thai Night, authentic food and music, The Railway, Douglas, 6pm. Also Wednesday.

• Manx Music session, Tynwald Inn, St John’s, 8.30pm.

• Irish Traditional Music session, The Mitre, Ramsey, 9pm.

• Kiaull as Gaelg, The Albert, Port St Mary, 9pm.

Saturday, June 23

• Little Miss Dynamite at The Commie, Ramsey

• 3 Million at Jaks, Douglas.

• Summer Concert with Glyndebourne Supper. 7.30pm in Old Kirk Braddan.

• Mambo Jambo, Centenary Centre, Peel, 8pm. Tickets £12.

• Psy Power at The Engine Room, Ship Inn, Castletown.

• Manx Music session, The White House, Peel, 10pm.

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

• Karaoke at the Central Hotel, Ramsey.

Sunday, June 24

• Ray Sloak Karaoke at Jaks, Douglas.

• ManninBlack at the King’s Reach Garden party. Ramsey.

• Young Singer of Mann 2012 final, Erin Arts Centre, 2pm. Tickets £5, concessions available.

• Music Box with David Castro and Stephanie Chatterley at Guys and Dolls, Walpole Avenue every Sunday from 8pm till late

• Karaoke at the British, Douglas.

• DJ Karaoke and Disco at Jaks, Douglas.

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

Monday, June 25

• Sean Shibe guitar recital, Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin, 8pm. Tickets £15, concessions available.

• St. John Ambulance’s celebratory concert at St. George’s Church, Douglas. At 7pm

Tuesday, June 26

• Red Priest, Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin, 8pm. Tickets £20, concessions available.

• Ramsey Town Band, Villa Marina Arcade, Douglas, 8pm.

• The Cathedral Church of St German Concert, Crosby & District Silver Band. 7.45pm

• Acoustic Sing-a-Round, The Manor, Willaston.

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

• The What You Want Acoustic Music Club, The Manor, Willaston, 8.30pm.

Wednesday, June 27

• Wurlitzer lunchtime concert, Villa Marina Arcade 1pm.

• Sheean Prash, St. Catherine’s Church, Port Erin at 8pm.

• Karaoke at The British, Douglas.

• Soprano Ruby Hughes and pianist Julius Drake, Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin, 8pm. Tickets £20, concessions available.

• Sheaan Prash Brass Ensemble, 7.45pm St. Thomas’s Church, Douglas.

Thursday, June 21

Broadway Cinema

• Rock of Ages (12A). Friday to Thursday 7.30pm. Also Wednesday 2.30pm.

• Men in Black 3 3D (PG). Saturday and Sunday 2.30pm.

Palace Cinema

• What To Expect When You’re Expecting (12A). Nightly 7.30pm.

• Prometheus 3D (15). Nightly 7pm. Also Saturday and Sunday 2pm.

• Snow White and the Huntsman (12A). Saturday and Sunday 2.30pm.

Thursday, June 21

• MRA Stretch and Flex at the NSC, Douglas at 10am. Also Friday Ten Pin Bowling at the Sure Bowling Alley in Ramsey at 9.45am. Also Monthly Luncheon at Glen Helen Hotel, St. John’s at 12.30pm. Tuesday Onchan and Douglas Coffee Morning at the Cat with No Tail, Hailwood Centre, Douglas. Wednesday Miniature Golf at Onchan Pleasure Park, Onchan.

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

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

• Onchan Pensioners Club, coffee morning, Morton Hall, Onchan, 10am-noon. Also bingo, 7pm. Friday, sequence dancing, 2pm; Monday, bridge, 2pm; bingo 7pm; Tuesday, coffee morning, 10.30am-midday; Wednesday, Onchan Ladies Club, 2pm, whist, 7pm.

• The Dalby Art Group, St James’ schoolrooms, Dalby, 2pm. Bring your own equipment. Call Cheryl on 843471.

• Freetime, Youth Arts Centre, 2-4pm, Also Friday and Monday-Wednesday.

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

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

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

• The Isle of Man Children’s Centre Parent Support Group, informal chat with family support workers, at Douglas Family Centre, Woodbourne Road, 7pm-9pm.

• Willaston Youth Club, school years 7-9, Willaston School, 7-9pm. Also Friday, school years 4-6, 6.30-8pm.

• Ramsey Youth Club, school years 7-9, Auldyn School, Ramsey, 7-9pm. Also Monday; Friday, school years 4-6, 6.30-8pm; school years 9 upwards at Ramsey Youth Centre, Waterloo Road, Monday, 7-9pm; Tuesday and Thursday, 7-9.30pm; Wednesday, 4-6pm.

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

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

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

Friday, June 22

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

• Castletown Youth Club, school years 4-6, Youth Centre, Arbory Street, Castletown, 6-7.15pm. Also school years 7-9, Friday, 7.30-9.30pm; Wednesday, 6.45-8.45pm; school years 9 and upwards, Saturday and Tuesday, 7.30-10pm; soundcheck, Monday, 6-9pm; girls club, school years 9 and upwards, 7-9.30pm.

• Onchan Youth Club, school years 4-6, Onchan Community Centre, 6.30-8pm. Also school years 9 upwards, Kenyon’s Cafe, 7-9.30pm; Tuesday, school years 9 upwards, Kenyon’s Cafe, 7-9pm; Wednesday, school years 7-9, Onchan Community Centre, 7-9pm.

• Youth Club, school years 4-6, Ballacottier School, Douglas, 7-8.30pm. Also Tuesday, school years 9 and upwards, 7.30-9.30pm; Wednesday, school years 7-9, 7-9pm.

• St John’s Youth Club, school years 9 upwards, St John’s School, 7-9pm. Also Monday, school years 7-9, 6.30-8.30pm; school years 4-6, 6.30-8pm.

• Youth Club, school years 7-9, Douglas Youth Centre, Kensington Road, 7-10pm. Also Saturday, school years 9 and upwards.

Sunday, June 24

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

• Isle of Man Poetry Society, Archibald Knox meeting room, Onchan, 8pm. Call 664796 or 897815.

Monday, June 25

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

• Mannin Art Group, St Paul’s Hall, Ramsey, 10am. Email mailbox@manninart.org

• Onchan Ladies’ Choir, Methodist Hall, 1.30pm. Call 673453.

• Peel Craft Club, the family room, Peel Methodist Chapel, 2pm-4pm.

• Sulby Youth Club, school years 4-9, Sulby School, 6-8pm.

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

• Onchan Rotary Club, The Max Restaurant, Groudle Road, Onchan, 6.30pm.

• Brownies, Corrin Hall, Peel, 6.30pm.

• Onchan Silver Band practice, The Band Room, off Main Road, Onchan, beginners 6.30pm and Seniors 7.30pm.

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

• Do Drop Inn Drama Club, children aged 10 and above, St Paul’s Hall, Ramsey, 7pm.

• 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, June 26

• Twins/Multiple Births Club, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 10am. Contact 426395.

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

• Onchan Pensioners’ Social Club, Morton Hall, 10.30am. Also Thursday.

• 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.

• Computers for Beginners, Onchan Library, 10am-noon. Call 621228 or e-mail onchan.library@onchan.org.im

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

• Peel Footlights Youth Theatre for ages eight-16, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 4pm. Contact 843819. Also Thursday.

• Cheerleading, All Saints Church Hall, 4.30pm. Call 254499 or email gengym@manx.net

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

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

• Rotary Club of Rushen and Western Mann meet, Falcons’ 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 or 628655.

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

Wednesday, June 27

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

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

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

• Ballaugh WI, Ballaugh Bowling Club, 7.30pm. Call 803804.

• Port St Mary WI, Mount Tabor School Room, Port St Mary, 7.45pm. Call 818194.

• Peel Pensioners Club, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 7.30pm. Call 844972.

Thursday, June 21

• Ballajora Artists, Maughold. Frank Crompton will be artist in residence from 2pm on June 24.

• Spring into Summer, The Mananan Festival Art Exhibition, Erin Arts Centre

Showcasing the artworks of Judi Rivlin, Jean Buck and Katie Woodley. Until June 30.

• Southern Photographic Society Exhibition, Port Erin Railway Station. Until June 30.

• Manx Motorsport, new Our Sporting Life display, Manx Museum, Douglas.Until September 29.

• Garretts Gallery Summer Exhibition, Unit 11, Kirby Farm Industrial Estate, Vicarage Road, Braddan. Sat/Tues/Wed 10am-6pm. Until June 30.

• Printmaking exhibition, Sayle Gallery, Douglas. Until July 8.

• Simon Harris - Exhibition of Photographs, Light and Space Gallery, Malew St, Castletown. Until June 28.

AN embarrassing slip up has meant that Treasury Minister Eddie Teare cannot take over as interim Education Minister, it’s been confirmed.

Just 24 hours after it was announced that Mr Teare would take over interim Minister, Tynwald members have been told that instead Health Minister David Anderson will take on the dual responsibilities until a full-time successor for sacked Peter Karran can be found.

Chief Minister Allan Bell explained that it had been hoped to accept Mr Teare’s offer to cover both duties but although this would have been a practical and logical solution, it now appears this is prevented by the Government Departments Act 1987 which specifically prohibits any member of Treasury from performing a role in another department.

Mr Karran, who was sacked for failing to support the government over the Pinewood studio deal, told iomtoday: ‘Of course this is embarrassing. It’s ridiculous to have made such a fundamental mistake.

‘This highlights the need for Liberal Vannin to do our best to help the government and work with them wherever possible to fill the void of strategic policy in these very difficult times.’

FOUR Manx riders took part in the fourth round of the British Cross-Country Mountain Bike Series at Kirroughtree in the Scottish Borders on Sunday.

Joe Haddock and Nathan Draper were in the Youth 14-16 class on a 6km course that had seen a lot of rain the previous day, making the going for all classes slippery.

Both made a good start, but once into the single track climb they got off and ran as the slippery roots were unrideable. They finished well, where many would have given up, Joe 15th and Nathan 23rd.

Microgaming Team Isle of Man rider Rob Sorby started well in the premier class and his opening lap was on a par with some of the best, but it all went wrong when he hit a tree head-on descending into the finish area and wrecked his bike’s front wheel.

Conister Bank-supported Nick Corlett enjoyed a blinding start and latched onto Junior series leader Ian Paton.

They scythed through the field on the opening lap but Corlett had to stop twice to tighten his rear-wheel and lost touch with Paton who went on to finish fourth.

Corlett fended off numerous challenges to achieve his best result this year in eighth to move up to 10th in the overall standings with one race to go in Langdon Hills, Essex.

Joe Haddock, 17th in the 14-16 series, will also be attending the event, after which the two teenagers will tackle the British Nationals at Wasing Hall, Basingstoke.

IN her final year as an under-23 athlete, Isle of Man Sport Aid recipient Harriet Pryke was second in the final of the women’s 400 metre race at the Under-23 England Athletics Championships in Bedford on Saturday.

Running in atrocious weather conditions, where the 24mph wind was blustering from all directions, affecting every athlete’s times by some two to three seconds, Harriet battled to win the silver medal in an unusually slow time of 56.35 seconds.

The race was won by fellow Loughborough student, Laura Wake, in 55.15.

On Sunday, Harriet also competed in the u23 women’s 200m where she came fifth in 24.84, narrowly outside her season’s best of 24.71.

She will be competing in the women’s 400m in Birmingham this Friday evening at the Aviva UK Olympic Trials.

69: The Stuff of life

Great excitement in the Manxski Chalet; the lower garden having been licked into some sort of order, attention has turned to the ‘potager’, a 2 metre square kitchen plot clearly neglected for many a year. Now the Callows are not entire novices in the world of horticulture; well-coached by the Boss’s Grandfather we managed to produce annual runner-bean crops in our previous Island life and regularly pulled rhubarb – neither exactly labour intensive! Back in St Siggy there was some soil-turning as a preliminary, which Mrs C threw herself into with her customary vigour, then off to the Garden Centres for seedlings, canes and all the other paraphernalia. So, to date, 2 rows of lettuce thriving alongside 2 of leeks – thus far all very authentically Savoyard accordingly to the covert glances thrown over neighbours walls. But for some reason the French do not favour runner-beans nor early season spinach so Granjan was sent foraging to B&Q and seeds were brought out by special delivery; next the neighbours were intrigued as a bamboo frame rose held together by my patent string lashings, and now we scan the earth daily waiting for beanstalks to emerge...

Culinary Guru Herve was delighted to see the pots of herbs and salad leaves when he arrived for the June Cookery Courses. We were thrilled to welcome back all four ladies from the class of 2011 and ran into a second week with some fresh faces on a repeat Level 1 Course. This is a wonderful time of year; I have the triple bonus of some new techniques and advice for us, a week off cooking and some wonderful meals & company, lunch and evening. The only down-side was a perceptible thickening of the waist-line, but there’s the rest of the summer to work that off, and maybe some more gentle digging...

The hot-tub saw nightly use and on one auspicious occasion a blazing meteor was seen by us all falling towards Chamonix. It was however insufficiently warm for the swimming pool; fortunately, given that my failure properly to winterise the pool meant that the pump needed replacing, and pool technicians are rare birds in this neck of the woods. All is now well! Philippe has been and worked his wonders and the new pump is now purring away, the pool-bottom has been lovingly vacuumed and under the summer-cover the temperature is climbing daily.

With our first summer guests expected in a week or so, thoughts have turned to replenishing the shelves; with year-round operation we can no longer rely on an annual trip home with the minibus to stock up on home products. A fellow-Brit introduced the Boss to one of the burgeoning number of enterprises offering UK shopping to expatriates. The idea looked beguilingly simple; you sign up with any of the major UK supermarkets offering home-shopping, order on-line with delivery to the exporter’s warehouse, and for a value-based fee he brings the consignment out for you. So we scroll through the supermarket website putting together a trial order, trying to concentrate on what is clearly cheaper or only available in the UK with the odd treat also thrown in. The order placed we await delivery day.... Great excitement! The Boss is summonsed to the rendezvous point. No, half-wit, she tells me, they do not deliver – she has to meet the lorry in a lay-by near Morzine. I have to say this is starting to sound like something out of the Italian Job. So off she speeds and at the lay-by there sits the delivery lorry surrounded by a large number of consignees in minibuses, none of whom were talking to each other. Our payment was made and our goods collected, and home she triumphantly came – until the list was checked – half the order missing! Not our fault, claimed the shipper, speak to Asda. Not our problem, said the retail giant cheerfully, everything ordered was signed for.. The Boss, feeling with some reason that this might end up at her door took charge and with a few deft calls secured a credit to our account and a refund of commission. Will we try it again? The jury’s still out.

{http://www.manxski.com.manxski.com|Click here to visit manxski.com}

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/community/blogs|www.iomtoday.co.im/community/blogs|Click here to see earlier blog entries}

{http://www.facebook.com/pages/Manxskicom/7180218948?ref=ts|Visit ManxSki on Facebook|Click here for the ManxSki facebook page}

TT gridlock and lack of MGP advertising prompted apologies in Tynwald from the government minister in charge, John Shimmin.

The Economic Development Minister came under fire from John Houghton (Douglas North). who demanded to know why his department had failed to advertise the Manx Grand Prix during this year’s TT.

‘It wasn’t advertised. Why? Was it because someone has conveniently forgotten to advertise it?’ he asked.

Mr Shimmin said his department had put more effort and money into promoting the MGP over the last two years than had been expended in the many years before it had taken on the role as promoter of the festival.

But he pointed out the marketing and promotional budget for the MGP was ‘not and cannot be unlimited’ and that decisions had to be made about where the money available was best spent.

‘To many it may be a simple truth that advertising the MGP Festival to a captive audience at the TT is money well-spent but the reality may be quite different,’ he said.

Mr Shimmin said market research conducted as part of a recent review indicated the TT audience was well aware of the MGP. ‘Additionally, we do not believe that those who have exercised their choice to visit the TT and to spend, in most cases, significant sums of money in doing so, represent great potential for visiting the Manx Grand Prix Festival later this year.’

Howard Quayle (Middle) said it was a missed opportunity to promote the MGP in the TT Paddock and around the course.

Mr Shimmin said he would take note of everything.

Apologising, he said: ‘We shall get it better in future.’

In a separate question, Mr Houghton claimed delays in opening the TT crossing points and corridors at the advertised time on the Wednesday of Race Week had caused ‘collateral gridlock throughout Douglas’.

The minister insisted the weather had ‘conspired against us’ that day.

A scheduled start of 10.45am was delayed because of mist and cloud on the mountain and weather reports suggested that more rain was on its way which might disrupt racing and practices towards the end of the day. The sidecar race got away at 4.20pm and the leaders crossed the finish line just after 5.15pm.

As soon as the backmarkers crossed the line for their last lap, crossing points and access corridors were opened up but there was a delay opening the crossing point at Signpost and Bedstead, leading to disruption and inconvenience.

‘It was hoped the public would understand the difficult situation’.

• What do you think? Email {mailto:opinions@newsiom.co.im|opinions(at)newsiom.co.im} or sign in to add your comment below.

PROCEEDS from a Family Fun Day at Noble’s Park, Douglas, will go to our Isle of Man Newspapers/Manx Diabetic Group campaign Pumps 4 Kids.

The event will be held on July 1, from noon until 5pm and admission is free.

With Women Worldwide is behind the event, which will see a variety of attractions and stalls on offer, including hook a duck, a coconut shy, a bouncy castle and roundabout, smash the plates, kiddies carts, music, a fire engine, beat the goalie, face painting and refreshments.

With Women Worldwide began three years ago and since then it has raised £10,000 for charities supporting women and children both in the island and further afield. This year the group decided to make Pumps 4 Kids the beneficiary of its efforts and recently donated a massive £3,500.

Money keeps on rolling in, such as the £935 raised by staff of the Castletown branch of the Isle of Man Bank, who knitted Easter egg covers and sold them for £2.50 each.

William Bowers from Glen Vine, who is diabetic, and his grandson Corben, carried out a bag pack at Ramsey Shoprite at the weekend and, with a couple of helpers, managed to raise £325 for Pumps 4 Kids.

If you would like to help Pumps 4 Kids, send your donation to The Treasurer, Pumps 4 Kids, 9 Hillcrest Grove, Birch Hill, Onchan, IM3 3HZ.

Alternatively, a special account has been set up at Barclays, under the account name Manx Diabetic Group – Pumps 4 Kids.

The account sort code is 20-26-74 and the relevant account number is 33877280.

NEEDY children in Romania are to be the proud recipients of Isle of Man TT merchandise.

The young people and adults there are the happy beneficiaries of a scheme which sees unsold TT and other motorsport merchandise transported abroad to help poor people in other countries including Romania and the Ukraine.

Retired firefighter Danny Dooley is one of the people behind the charitable trips.

He said: ‘Four years ago we took out lots of children’s and adults’ T-shirts to the Romanian village of Cravia and since then we’ve done other villages too in the Bhor region. It started off with us taking fire appliances out there and helping them to set up fire stations and we were also handing out T-shirts at children’s homes and to disabled children. We did two trips last year and have done one so far this year.

‘We will also be going out to the Ukraine this year,’ he said.

Last year Mr Dooley thinks they took a total of four to five tons of clothing and he said they decided the best way to distribute aid was to give it directly to needy villagers.

‘There’s a lot of corruption stories we hear about so we decided to deal direct with the people.

The visit to the Ukraine is planned for October and already he says there are about four tons of clothing waiting to be taken.

Roy Wilson who runs a TT merchandise shop in Douglas is one of those who donates unsold and out-of-date stock to the enterprise.

‘Anything that is dated we tend to donate at the end of the season for them to take out to Romania,’ he said.

‘If it is a dated item it is no good to anyone at the end of the season so we just ring Mr Dooley and he collects it. It’s discounted for a while but by the end of the Manx Grand Prix anything unsold isn’t going to get sold, particularly sizes like the extra, extra large ones.

‘It’s much better than just destroying them. At least someone gets some benefit at the end of the day.’

He said the last large consignment they sent was some months ago although some years the merchandise virtually sells out.

‘There isn’t a vast amount to give away every year,’ he said.

‘And what we send varies. One year it was a load of hats, all dated for the previous year. Some people just burn the excess stock but it can be a large number of items and it’s free to them because it’s just cluttering up our premises. We’ll be sorting out another batch of stuff to send out at the end of the year.’

The scheme which started out under the name Florian IOM (now Manannan Overseas Aid) is run by serving and retired fire fighters as well as a number of volunteers from other walks of life.

Last year Mr Dooley said they bought an old fire engine from the Republic of Ireland which they then drove across to Romania and helped with setting it up. Currently he said there was about four tons of clothing waitng to be taken across but other items are also welcome.

‘At the moment we are also collecting bedding to take across for the hospitals,’ he said.

‘But we do also take other practical items like bicycles and pushchairs. We’ve a 16.5 ton wagon that we use for storage so there’s plenty of space, but we hire another vehicle to actually transport everything,’ he said.

For each trip the group then drives a hired lorry over a distance of about 4,000 miles - taking at least a couple of days - to reach their destination.

In October they go out to begin helping refurbish a children’s hospital in the Ukraine with a further visit planned for May 2013.

THE Children’s Centre’s annual golf day raised more than £6,000 for the charity.

Fifteen teams, including one from event sponsors Appleby, took part in the fun day at Mount Murray Golf Club on May 18.

This is the sixth year the competition has been organised by the island’s leading charity for families and children, and the second year it has been sponsored by Appleby (Isle of Man) LLC.

Sean Dowling, Managing Partner of Appleby (Isle of Man) LLC said: ‘We were pleased to support the Children’s Centre Golf Day once again and I would like to thank them for a well organised and enjoyable day.

‘It was great to see such a strong turnout in support of this worthwhile cause and to raise over £6,000 is incredible. Thank you to everyone who took part.’

As always the day provided some friendly competition and it was the team from Barclays which won with Bridgewaters picking up the runners-up prize.

Greystone LLC went home with the Wooden Spoon accolade and there were also longest drive and nearest the pin awards.

Following the rounds of golf a celebratory dinner was held in the Wentworth Suite.

Michelle O’Malley, fundraising manager at The Children’s Centre, said: ‘Thank you to everyone who supported the event and in particular a big thank you to Appleby for their continued support and sponsorship of the event which allows us to keep hosting it every year.

‘It’s a fun day for all involved and it was great to see some new faces alongside the teams we welcome back year on year.

‘Everyone who took part has helped to raise funds for our charitable work across the island.’

If you would like to receive information about the golf day and other Children’s Centre events contact Michelle O’Malley on 676076 or fundraising@thechildrenscentre.org.im