The Chief Minister has described the failure of negotiations to save Ramsey post office as ‘extremely disappointing’.

A bid by Ramsey Courthouse Limited (RCL) to take over the running of the post office has been under discussion for some weeks but came to nothing after a post office spokesman said they had been unable to reach any positive conclusion to the negotiations.

Ramsey MHK Mr Bell, as Chief Minister, would oversee CoMin’s decision to close the Crown post office in Regent Street, Douglas and the one in Ramsey Courthouse. He said he was disappointed the RCL bid had not worked out: ‘My understanding was that both parties were close to a final agreement so I am still trying to understand what the final stumbling blocks were that prevented an agreement. I will be making further enquiries to see if anything can be done to retrieve the situation now it has fallen through,’ he said.

‘In any event the post office still needs to have a presence in Ramsey, in the courthouse short to medium term, until another operator can be found.’

As work has been done to regenerate the area in Ramsey and the courthouse and Parliament Street have been given a facelift, he said it was important to ensure the building itself was not simply left vacant: ‘It’s an iconic building in the centre of the town – an important structure – so it needs to have a positive use. I think the support is as much for retaining the building itself as for retaining the post office,’ he said.

‘I have been helping behind the scenes to try to find a solution and for this to come off the rails at the last minute is disappointing to say the least.’

The original plan was for Ramsey (and Douglas) post offices to be come sub post offices, each situated in the Spar shop. The plan to close the two Crown offices was to save the Isle of Man Post £360,000 but the Ramsey proposal prompted a huge backlash.

Next Monday’s Classic Racer Magazine Classic TT Lap of Honour is set to be one of the highlights of the Festival of Motorcycling.

It will include some of the country’s finest ever pure road racers and celebrate the career of TT legend Geoff Duke.

The line-up of riders will have a combined total of no fewer than 95 TT victories and 209 TT podiums between them.

Outright lap Mountain Course lap record holder John McGuinness will lead the way on his own 600cc Triumph Daytona that he rode in the TT in 2003, while six-time world champion and TT winner Jim Redman MBE returns to the island on a 500cc Honda-4 similar to the bike he rode during the 1966 GP season.

Four past and present TT legends from Northern Ireland in the parade will be Brian Reid, Phillip McCallen, Con Law and Michael Dunlop.

A trio of Scottish greats, Ian Simpson, his father Bill Simpson and Alex George - all TT winners’ - will grace the Mountain Course again.

Bruce Anstey will ride a 500cc Manx Norton as part of the tributes to Geoff Duke, while Steve Plater and Mick Grant, who worked together in Norton development, will parade Norton’s SG3 and SG2 respectively.

Charlie Williams will parade his own 350cc Yamaha, having finished a superb ninth in last year’s 500cc Classic TT on a Manx Norton.

Racing journalists Matt Oxley and Malcolm Wheeler will both be on the lap (Malc on the Ducati F2 upon which he achieved three TT podium finishes in the 1980s).

American Dave Roper will will ride an extremely rare and exotic AJS Porcupine, while other star riders in the lap will include Ian Richards, Glen English and Rex Butcher.

Peter Duke will ride a 500cc Gilera in memory of his late father and six-time TT winner and world champion Geoff.

l A memorial service for Geoff Duke OBE will take place at St Ninian’s church, near to the TT Grandstand, this Sunday evening at 6.30.

A public inquiry will begin in October into how an offender came to be released early from jail only to kill a walker in a hit and run collision.

Donovan Bradley Kitching was jailed for 10 years and 72 days last October after admitting causing the death by dangerous driving of Gwen Valentine in April last year.

Her family had called for changes to prison and probation procedures after it emerged that Kitching had been released from jail under licence only three weeks before the tragedy.

Tynwald last month voted unanimously for a public inquiry into the circumstances of Kitching’s early release.

Now it has been announched that the inquiry is to be conducted by respected retired lawyer and chairman of the former Financial Supervision Commission Geoff Karran. It will be held in two parts, starting towards the end of October, it has now been confirmed.

In Tynwald last month, Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson MHK said he had met with Mrs Valentine’s son, Stuart, and given a commitment to establish an independent inquiry into the circumstances of Kitching’s release from prison on parole.

He told the court: ‘I should make it clear I have no reason to suspect at this time that the current procedures were not followed in relation to this specific instance.

‘It could be bad luck, but it also could have been bad judgement or bad process that culminated in Mrs Valentine’s death.

‘However, when such a tragedy occurs, in my view it is essential that we make sure any action necessary is taken to protect the public, and this investigation will discover any changes that may be required.’

The main purpose of the inquiry will be to establish why it was deemed appropriate to release Kitching early on parole and determine whether there were any deficiencies in the practices or procedures of the Prison and Probation Service and the Parole Committee.

Mr Karran will be asked to make recommendations for any changes to ensure public confidence in the parole system is maintained.

The first part of the public inquiry will be held on Monday, October 26, in the lecture theatre at the Department of Home Affairs’ Homefield base on Woodbourne Road in Douglas, starting at 10am.

This will focus on practices and procedures and will continue onto the Tuesday and Wednesday of that week if necessary.

The second part of the inquiry will look at the specific circumstances of Kitching’s release. No date has yet been set for this.

Anyone wishing to make representations about the issues which form the focus of the inquiry can do so in writing to Mr Karran, Ballaleigh, Alexander Drive, Douglas, IM2 3QX by September 25.

Foodbank volunteers have condemned the ‘despicable’ theft of a mobile telephone which was the lifeline link for many people in crisis.

The mobile, which was the main point of contact for anyone seeking help from the Foodbank, was stolen on Tuesday afternoon from the charity’s Housing Matters headquarters on Peel Road, Douglas.

Used by staff and volunteers, it was a lifeline between those in crisis and those who could give them the support they need.

Now any calls to the number, which was advertised on all the charity’s literature, will get no response.

The incident has been reported to the police and is being investigated.

Neal Mellon, a director of Isle of Man Foodbank and centre manager at Housing Matters, said: ‘This is a despicable crime as it is not an offence against an individual but against Manx society.

‘It prevents any member of society, individuals or families in crisis, or professionals seeking help for others, from being able to access help quickly and efficiently.

‘People who are strapped for food and cash are desperate when they ring that number. It takes a lot to make that first call.’

Since it was launched in October 2013 by a consortium of government and third sector organisations, the island’s Foodbank has dealt with hundreds of cases of individuals and families in crisis - and distributed scores of food parcels.

Those given help have been aged between 17 and 62.

Mr Mellon added: ‘There is no need for the crime as no one, however desperate, leaves the Foodbank empty handed. We help everyone who seeks our assistance through a process of problem solving.

‘This usually involves food parcels, advice or by signposting to other organisations who can help tackle the underlying cause of the crisis. We aim to support clients through their crisis without generating dependency on the charity’.

Following the theft, anyone needing to access help from the Foodbank should ring the Housing Matters landline on 675507. Foodbank volunteers say they want to retain the original telephone number, 311550, on any replacement mobile.

Scotsman Ewan Hamilton is devoted to road racing in the Isle of Man.

The 58-year-old from the small village of Drumoak, in North Deeside, Aberdeenshire first competed in the Manx Grand Prix in 1987 and has since clocked another 46 starts in both the Manx and the newly-introduced Classic TT.

He is one of a number of riders with multiple rides in both events over the coming fortnight.

Hamilton will ride a 500cc Matchless in the Bennetts Senior Classic on Saturdayand a 250 Yamaha in the post-Classic F2 race next Monday, sponsored by Motorsport Merchandise.

He will round off a busy 10 days with an outing on the same TZ250 in the Lightweight class of the IMGold Manx Grand Prix 48 hours later.

That will be his 50th start in 28 years racing on the Mountain Course.

When he first entered the MGP Newcomers Lightweight race in 1987, where he came seventh in a race won by Ian Morris from Ewan’s fellow Scot Ian Simpson, little did Hamilton know that almost three decades on he’d still be racing and what’s more still be competitive.

‘I can’t believe I’ve been racing here for almost half my life,’ said the wily Scot. ‘The Isle of Man really is my second home. I’ve been on the podium eight times, including four wins in the Lightweight 250cc MGP [now the Classic TT], and in 2009, my most successful year, I won three replicas, including first place in the MGP 250cc Classic.’

Ewan’s love of road racing, and the Isle of Man in particular, stems from a visit to the TT in 1984.

‘Watching Joey Dunlop roar down Bray Hill made me decide then and there that I wanted to be a road racer,’ he continues.

‘Three years later I was competing at the Manx. For a newcomer, the MGP offered everything I wanted: it was friendly and supportive yet still highly competitive, an ideal start for an ambitious road racer.’

Unfortunately, injuries sustained in a crash at Ballaspur in the MGP Lightweight in 1991 put paid to Ewan’s TT ambitions, but not, thankfully, to his road racing career.

In recent years, Ewan has devoted time to support newcomers to the Mountain Course. ‘When I started, it took me about five years to learn the course properly, but the help that’s now given to newcomers is fantastic.

‘It minimises the risk to the riders and really does add to the friendly nature of the event,’ he says.

‘I’ve given as much help as possible to newcomers over the years and, as the plan is to retire to the island eventually, I hope I’l l be able to continue to offer the benefit of my experience in the coming years.

‘The standard of newcomers now is quite something, but the Mountain Course is a very special challenge, not to be taken lightly.’

Ewan’s passion is for two-stroke bikes and he acknowledges that these require very different skills to modern four-stroke engines.

‘The challenge is first to get to the start, and then get to the finish line in one piece,’ he laughs. ‘I’ve finished more than 65 per cent of races I’ve started in the Isle of Man, both on classic and modern two-stroke bikes, but the competition to even get an entry is getting tougher and every year I hold my breath until I get confirmation of my place. Still, 50 races isn’t bad is it?’

He wouldn’t still be racing here if it wasn’t for the support of some very special island friends, Stu Fayle, the McFee and Twist families, Ron Todd and his daughter Amy. ‘ I couldn’t have done any of this without them,” says Ewan, who has no plans to give up just yet.

‘I’ve developed my own regime involving a hot tub and a wheely-bin full of cold water and ice to keep my 58-year-old body fit for racing,’ continues Ewan. ‘The TT course is really tough on the body, but as long as I am healthy and fit I’ll be road racing on my favourite roads, in my favourite place – the Isle of Man.’ Ewan will be competing at number 20 in the IMGold Manx Grand Prix Supertwin/Lightweight race on a 2002 TZ Yamaha two-stroke; at no.82 in the Classic TT Formula Two on his own 1991 Yamaha TZ two-stroke (the same bike he crashed in 1991), and at no.44 in the Classic TT Senior on a 500cc Matchless.

Ramsey’s RNLI lifeboat, the RNLB Ann and James Ritchie, was launched shortly before 8am today to go to help a visiting French yacht anchored in Ramsey Bay.

The 30-foot fin keel yacht had anchored overnight just off Ramsey Harbour.

The anchor winch failed this morning while the lone yachtsman was attempting to raise the anchor.

With a freshening south-westerly wind and groundswell he was unable to raise the anchor single-handedly, so he used the vessel’s VHF radio to tell Liverpool Coastguard, which co-ordinates RNLI work in the Irish Sea, of his plight.

Liverpool Coastguard then contacted the duty harbour keeper in Ramsey.

Once the lifeboat was at the scene two crew members from the lifeboat boarded the yacht. They manually raised the anchor, with the yachtsman assisting at the engine controls.

The yacht, under its own power and escorted by the lifeboat, was then able to sail safely into Ramsey Harbour.

Ahead of this weekend’s British MotoGP at Silverstone, Ramsey resident Cal Crutchlow has extended his deal with LCR Honda.

The Coventry-born ace has signed with the Monaco-based outfit for another two years after moving to the LCR team for the 2015 campaign.

Crutchlow said: ‘I am very happy to continue my relationship with LCR. I look forward to growing further with them and with Honda. We started the season well and I believe we can score some great results in the rest of this year and in the season to come.’

The 29 year-old currently sits ninth in the standings ahead of the weekend’s 12th round of the series. Qualifying takes place on Saturday afternoon, with the race 1pm on Sunday.

Competition in the telecoms market can only be a good thing for customers, says the island boss of Sure.

Mike Phillips, chief operating officer of Sure said a ‘telecommunications milestone’ had now been reached.

He said the launch of the company’s fixed line voice service sparked the introduction of full competition in the local telecoms market for the first time.

He said this would have benefits for all consumers but has some specific advantages for businesses.

Yesterday (Tuesday) marked the relaunch of the Sure shop in Strand Street after a revamp of the premises.

Mr Phillips said there had been a good response from people wanting to take advantage of Sure’s pre-order registration process for those who wish to switch to the company’s new fixed line telephone marketplace which opens up on September 1.

Speaking from Sure’s registered office in Athol Street,Douglas, Mr Phillips said these were exciting times for Sure which was first launched in the island in 2007.

He told Business News: ‘True competition also paves the way for marketplace innovation as competing companies are driven to explore new products and services to stay ahead. This year Sure has already rolled out its 4G mobile network and a range of services which has revolutionised the ways in which business can be conducted on the go.

‘The ability to conduct business efficiently wherever and whenever is a huge help to some businesses but, for many more, the centre of operations remains the office.’

He believes telecommunications has a key role in ensuring the island’s business sector continues to thrive.

Mr Phillips, 41, who has been with Sure for six years, took over as chief operating officer last year.

He said of the latest moves, ‘in my mind is very much the last part of the jigsaw puzzle’ that brings Sure into full competition.

He promised innovations will continue to be made over the years ahead.

‘For me competition is absolutely vital for the island and any economy to make sure it continues to thrive.

‘And more importantly consumers and businesses have choice.’

He said price ‘will always be a driver butit’s also more than price, it’s about relationships,it’s about trust and that customer experience, it’s the service you deliver and how you help business and consumers.

‘We also get heavily involved in the community.

‘We are part of the Isle of Man economy.’

Mr Phillips added: ‘We are a young organisation in the Isle of Man and we have made, and I’m very proud of this, a huge impact on the island from both a consumer and a business point of view.

‘We are here to stay in the island to drive bestvalue and best choice for all of our customers.’

In the early hours today, police arrested a 44-year-old local man in Baldrine, Lonan, as a result of reports that a man had been seen trying the doors of parked vehicles.

The arrested man has subsequently been charged with multiple offences of attempted theft, taking a vehicle without permission, going equipped to steal and other motoring offences.

He will appear in court tomorrow.

Sergeant Vinny Lund said: ‘The vehicles targeted were unlocked. If you live in the local area, can I ask you to check your vehicle – you may have an item or items missing.

‘If you have, please contact Ramsey police station. Once again I would urge people to lock their doors. This simple precaution will deter the opportunist thief.’

The One World Centre, is encouraging Girl Guides to learn more about the culture of India with the launch of an ‘I Love India’ challenge badge.

The badge has been developed to provide 38 sessions of ideas and activities for Girl Guides of all ages including the chance to explore Indian food, art and dance as well as finding out about famous Indian women and the traditions surrounding significant events such as weddings.

Rosemary Clark, director of the One World Centre, said: ‘The idea of creating a badge came from one of our members and it is an excellent way of engaging young people with the idea of global citizenship and exploring what life is like beyond British shores.

‘India has a particular relevance to Girl Guiding at the moment as 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of the Sangam World Centre for guiding, which is based in Pune, in the Indian state of Maharashtra.

‘Sangam means “coming together” in Sanskrit and we hope the “I Love India” badge will help guides from around the world, including the Isle of Man, make connections with their counterparts in India.’

The badge works in harmony with the girl guiding five essentials framework, which supports the development of girls and young women.

The One World Centre’s aim is to encourage understanding and respect for the lives and cultures of all people so they can help shape a fair society that celebrates our global differences and interdependence.

Film fans will get the chance to watch the cult classic The Goonies (12) under the stars at the Douglas Head amphitheatre.

The special 30th anniversary screening on September 9 marks the opening night of the 2015 Isle of Man Film Festival.

For a £5 hire charge the audience will get ‘silent disco’ style headphones to make sure they catch all the memorable lines. Headsets – limited to 100 – can be reserved via the festival’s Eventbrite link. Visit www.isleofmanfilmfestival.com/2015-events-programme or www.facebook.com/IOMFF

The Goonies starts at 8pm. Refreshments available.

Manor Ark Community Centre in Pulrose will be starting free afternoon story time sessions to help children prepare for primary school.

The ‘Pre-school Story Time’ is aimed at children from birth to three years old.

The community centre is operated by the Department of Education, and owned by the Methodist church.

Youth worker Panda Dooley, who will be leading the sessions from September, explained sessions would involve reading poems, nursery rhymes and short stories that will all help children develop a strong sense of literacy.

She thanked The Quilting Guild, who have created and donated two quilts for the children to sit on.(JM150819-32)

School children’s winning designs from a competition to illustrate characters featuring in a book written in the Isle of Man are being published in a new graphic novel.

The competition asked children to draw and design one of 12 characters from ‘A World Apart’, a sci-fi/fantasy novel written by Annmarie McCarthy, who is studying for a Master’s degree in English literature at Lancaster University.

Kenny Diack, 35, the man behind the project, said: ‘The purpose of the competition is to encourage creativity in children and to provide opportunities for artistic based employment.

‘The idea is that the kids will benefit from being creative, the graphic artists will benefit by being employed to translate the winning entries into the graphic novel and local writers will benefit from having their profile raised and their work made more accessible.’

The winning designs were created by students Leah Quayle, George Reed, Orry Quaye, Alice Main, Keever Quigley, Lilee Cosgrove, William Corkill, Sam Corlett, Erin Gilbert, Freya Skillcorn, Chloe Hughes, Finn Martin, Kyle Santanatoglia and one entry with no name from a student in year eight at the QEII High School in Peel.

The final graphic novel, which will be published after Christmas, will be completed by Isle of Man College students Andy Noble, Bryan Moore and Alex Corlett, who are studying for a higher national diploma in art and design.

Kenny, from Peel, hopes the competition will become an annual event with a different local book being converted into graphic form each year. He is also looking to convert the novel into a cartoon and publish the final product in both English and Manx.

All proceeds from the novel will go to charity, the project for the next year and to the artists and author.

To find out more about the project visit www.b43d.co.uk.

Chris Brannigan has been appointed as the Isle of Man’s new rugby development officer.

He will be working within the environs of Manx Sport and Recreation and will be an integral part of the MSR development team but with his primary focus on the promotion and development of rugby within the island.

Brannigan, who is new to the island, took up his post at the end of June and he thanked everyone in Manx rugby for making him feel so welcome.

He said: ‘Manx rugby is most definitely alive and kicking.

‘The job now is to drive it a level or two, attract new faces to the sport and put smiles on those faces.

‘With the volunteers I’ve already met, the sport has a bright future and I’d like to thank everyone for making my first six weeks easy and enjoyable.’

Brannigan is the holder of a BA (Hons) degree in Sports Studies and has previously held posts as a coach developer and educator with the English RFU and as a head coach at several universities, colleges, schools and clubs in Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Cumbria.

He brings a wealth of experience both as a coach and developer of rugby, particularly with the youth age group.

Chris has quickly taken to his role in the island and is already a popular member of the MSR team.

He is already developing substantial links with the local rugby clubs and schools and has set up programs for the running of casual rugby events and summer touch rugby sessions with a focus on bringing rugby to the wider community.

Numbers already show that newcomers to the summer touch sessions are transitioning in to local clubs.

Chris is looking to help rugby become more accessible to all in the island and remove any potential barriers there may prohibit people from getting involved.

Increased fixtures and participation are two of the main goals.

Chris is a welcome recruit to Isle of Man rugby and is a substantial asset in the Manx Rugby Football Union’s continued promotion and development of the sport throughout the community.

It’s not an expansion in the population that’s needed, but an increase in the work force – and some of that could be provided by our own school leavers, according to the island’s Chief Minister Allan Bell.

Mr Bell said an increase in the working population was essential to ensure National Insurance contributions kept pace with pensions.

Mr Bell was speaking to the Examiner in the wake of a lot of negative reaction to the suggestion of an increased population.

‘In my Tynwald speech I was referring to the work force,’ he said. ‘Keeping unemployment at a very low level, 1.8 per cent last month, is only a part of it.

‘There has been a major contraction in the size of the work force. In the last three years the number of people in employment has dropped by around 800, that’s almost two per cent of the work force.

‘If this is continued, in 10 years’ time we could have major problems funding pensions,’ he said.

The major problem, he said, was that the pensions system worked on what he called a ‘hand to mouth basis’, in other words what is being paid into the pension pot at the moment is what funds the current crop of pensioners in the island.

But over the next few years the number of people aged over 65 is set to increase to around 20 per cent of the island’s population, ‘so we have absolutely got to grow the size of the working population, not of the retirees,’ he said.

Historically over the past few years the island’s population has risen annually by somewhere between 500 and 1,000 people, but Mr Bell said this had slowed down dramatically in the past couple of years.

Certain changes had already been made in the form of changes to the work permit system and the proposed £50 million Enterprise fund to stimulate businesses and create jobs, and these, he said, would encourage more workers to the island.

He said he thought fears expressed by some about the ability of the island’s infrastructure to cope in terms of housing, health, education and other services, were being over stated.

‘A large amount of money has already gone into the modernisation of the island’s infrastructure in the past few years,’ he said, citing the power station in Douglas and improvements to the sewerage systems as examples.

‘There would be a need to expand some areas of the island’s infrastructure if the population were to grow, but if we do nothing, there will be a slow and steady decline and in the next 10 to 15 years we will be hit with a major problem funding pensions.

‘But there has been some nonsense spoken about this: the work permit system would still be there and permits would still be required. We would not be an open house.

‘Also, we have to create jobs in the first place for people to do. To create new jobs we first need to stimulate the economy with new investment.

‘If we can do that, then in due course we will be able attract the skills we need.’

He added it was not just about attracting new people to the island.

The important thing was to increase the working population. As the retirement age increases this may happen anyway, but he said if the economy were thriving and jobs were available, it also meant we have a better chance of retaining the island’s young people leaving school and university, who often end up working in the UK. ‘These extra people in the work force do not necessarily have to come from off-island,’ he said.

‘It can be internal, but we need to create jobs first or we won’t be able to do either.’

The Isle of Man Film Festival has announced that screen legend Sir John Hurt is to be a special guest of the event and will be in conversation with Mark Kermode at the Gaiety Theatre on Saturday September, 12.

Sir John has had a long and fascinating screen career including Elephant Man, Alien, The Naked Civil Servant and the evening will include a screening of Mark Kermode’s choice of one of his films.

‘We’re really excited that Sir John is joining us for the festival this year,’ says organiser Zoe Guilford.

‘It’s a measure of how highly the Isle of Man is thought of in the film industry.

‘The evening promises to be a real audience pleaser so we suggest anyone interested keeps an eye on our website www.isleofmanfilmfestival.com to see when the tickets – priced £10 - go on sale.’

The Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling’s disjointed week continued on Wednesday night as two incidents near the 13th milestone early in qualifying resulted in a red flag.

The session was called off shortly after 7pm with the weather closing in.

Michael Dunlop (114.29) and Dean Harrison on the Steelcote Solutions Kawasaki were the only riders to complete laps in excess of 110mph ahead of Russ Mountford on the Silicone Engineering Racing Kawasaki (109.72) and Michael Rutter (105.47).

Michael Russell (Bragg Creek Powersports Honda), Timothee Monot (TMR Performances Moto Honda), Jamie Coward (Mistral Racing Kawasaki), Dan Stewart (Wilcock Racing Kawasaki) and Nick Jefferies (Team Classic Suzuki) were the only other riders to clock over 100mph in the curtailed session.

Qualifying continues tonight, Thursday, with roads closing at 6pm.

A recent event saw sunshine and sales across Braddan for the first Second Hand Sunday – a day of lively, community-inspired buying and selling. Kerry Hudson reports

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Second Hand Sunday, organised by Braddan Commissioners in association with Zero Waste Mann, recently saw 33 sellers set up shop for the day in their garages and gardens, and at the Memorial Hall in Union Mills.

This represented an impressive turnout as it was the first time this has been tried on the island.

The concept is based on the annual Garage Sale Trail, which runs all over Australia and has grown into a huge success in a matter of years.

There has also been a recent surge in ‘Jumble Trails’ across the UK.

The success of these events rests on more than just the thrill of bargain-hunting.

For most people, Second Hand Sunday was about shopping – grabbing a great deal or vintage find – but this wasn’t shopping in the usual sense.

This was shopping that, first and foremost, connected people to others in their community.

Andrew Jessopp, chairman of Braddan Commissioners, said: ‘The best thing about holding a sale in your garage or garden is the social element – when you’re buying and selling, it provides a great way to break the ice.

‘Many of our sellers said they’d really enjoyed chatting to everyone who came along, and getting to know their neighbours.

‘Sellers in the same area got together to make signs promoting their sales. It was a great display of community spirit, and the whole parish was full of activity.’

As well as bringing the community together, the event encouraged reusing and recycling in a way that’s fun and sociable.

Spending a day buying more stuff might seem incompatible with sustainability, but this is exactly what Second Hand Sunday was about, whether people were aware of it or not.

Although it was always a part of the event, Second Hand Sunday wasn’t organised or promoted to be about sustainability, because for the vast majority of people it’s not. Instead, it’s about getting rid of your clutter, finding a bargain or just a fun way to spend a Sunday with the family.

The reusing and recycling – extending the life of these things that might otherwise be thrown away – just happens.

Providing a new home to someone’s unwanted treasures is simply a much more exciting way of keeping things out of the bin.

If you think this sounds like a great way to de-clutter, meet your neighbours and do your bit for sustainability, get in touch with Braddan Commissioners on 852808 or braddan@braddan.im because you can expect another Second Hand Sunday soon.

Mr Jessopp said: ‘We had so much interest from outside the parish that we decided to open the Memorial Hall for sellers to set up stalls.

‘The response was fantastic, and I think that as well as definitely holding another event in Braddan, there’s real potential for this concept to spread all over the island.’

The readers of the Manx Independent filled in their forms last week and voted strongly for leaving the Douglas horse trams where they are.

There were 732 voting forms filled in and there were 460 votes in favour of letting the trams get on with making Douglas a more stylish and interesting place.

Does the DoI buy the Independent? I don’t know.

If they can’t afford one I will send them my copy. I get mine free of charge by courtesy of the management of Isle of Man Newspapers.

They seem to think this absolves them from giving me more real money.

People who would like to see the trams done away with altogether had their say with 171 votes. This was not too surprising. There has always been a strong body of opinion among motorists that the trams serve only to slow down traffic on Douglas seafront.

Now is that really a bad thing?

Meanwhile, we hear a lot these days about driverless cars. They are on the road across the water and this means they will eventually make their way to the roads of the Isle of Man.

All right. In that case, what about more carless drivers?

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I have been sliding down the razor blade of life again in the early years of the 21st century . . .

I wanted to make a personal call to a young lady who works at what is in the telephone directory as the Royal Bank of Scotland at PO Box 151, 2 Victoria Street, Douglas, 646764. I rang the number and encountered only a number of recorded options none of which were any use to me. They all invited me have my call put through to RBS in Jersey. There was nothing else on offer. In the end I went down to Victoria street and found the lady.

I wonder, if you ring the RBS office in Jersey, they insist on putting you through to the Douglas branch.

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In the Daily Telegraph sports section last week there was a football story about the transfer of a Barcelona player to Chelsea in hot competition from other clubs.

The headline said: ‘Snatch of the Day.’

American readers will have relished this use of a US slang term.

If you need to know why, ask an American. I’m not saying.

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Crossword clues are still rolling in. This week we have Barbara Taylor reporting the following from the Telegraph Toughie: “Dog and Man, say, one inferior carrying tail forward (5). This really is a Toughie.

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Manx Radio news carried a story relating to St Matthew’s Church which newsreader Howard Caine said was ‘on South Quay in Douglas’.

Well, at least he was right about South Quay being in Douglas.

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Andrew Kerr-Phillips refers to the current campaign against dog fouling in Douglas, and asks: ‘Do you suppose offenders will be undeterred?’

I also tried to think of something amusing to say about this but I had to give up at the third attempt.

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In my Funnies File there is a pamphlet issued at one time by the Isle of Man Industrial Relations Service which said: ‘An employee has the right to compensation if he is dismissed because of pregnancy.’

Somebody must have been got into trouble over this.

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‘MATRIMONY: The great question which I have been unable to answer is: ‘What does a women want?’ Alexander Dumas.

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Crossword: Isle.

Andrew William James Cook and Yvonne Louise Cook, of 30 Ashlar Drive, Union Mills, bought Woodmead, Fern Glen, Glen Auldyn, Lezayre, for £460,000.

It was bought from Christopher Robin Frame and Stella Mary Frame.

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

Charles Paul David Emerson and Sharon Emerson, sold Cherry Tree House, Baldhoon Road, Lonan, for £400,000, to David John Brooks and Samantha Brooks, of Apartment 1, Palace View Apartments, Palace View Terrace, Douglas.

Fred Hutsby and Jeanne Margaret Hutsby sold Prenton, Clenagh Road, Lezayre, for £400,000, to Nicholas James Gotrel and Laura Caitlin Keggin, of Brackenbank, Highfield Drive, Baldrine.

David Stanley Brown and Marilyn Ann Brown sold Beechwood, 12 Sartfell Road, Douglas, for £400,000, to Nicholas Richard Gale and Michelle Dawn Gale.

Grant Donald MacKintosh sold The Elms, Duke’s Road, Douglas, for £325,000, to Sean Robert Bostrom and Tracy Michelle Bostrom, both of 4 Manor Drive, Farmhill, Douglas.

Allan George Bashforth and Maree Susan Bashforth, sold 4 Ard Reayrt, Laxey, for £320,000, to Katherine Elizabeth Stamp, of Apartment 8, 53-55 Derby Square, Douglas.

Janet Foulkes sold 2 Orchard View, Ashbourne Park, Douglas, for £300,000, to Therese Ann Ryan, of 34 Bemahague Avenue, Douglas.

Joan Watterson, by executors, Robin Conway Watterson, of 22 York Road, Douglas, as executor, and Alan Watterson, as executor, sold Hawarden Villa, Hawarden Avenue, Douglas, for £290,000, to Adele Quinn, of 1 Victoria Park, Douglas.

James Bernard Moffatt, of 3 Imman Stronnag, Reayrt ny Cronk, Peel, sold 11 Cleiy Rhennee, Shore Road, Kirk Michael, for £280,000, to Angela Brenda Moffatt.

Mavis Hopster, of Southlands Residential Home, Port Erin, sold 1 Lhag Mooar, Port Erin, for £260,000, to Barbara Karalius, of 2 Lhag Mooar, Port Erin.

Gemma Jacqueline O’Shea, of 14 Dovescroft, Abbeyfields, Douglas, and Rebecca Hurst, of Newcastle, sold 18 Sunnydale Avenue, Port Erin, for £245,000, to Graeme John Looney and Elaine June Whelan, of 28 Station Park, Colby.

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