DASH, the Drug Advice Service, today confirmed that it is to close.

The news doesn’t come as a surprise and was reported by Isle of Man Newspapers last week.

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{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/health/drug-advice-service-and-helpline-to-close-in-november-1-7477819|Click here for a reminder of the story.}

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But DASH itself had not made an official comment until now.

Today it confirmed in a press statement that the service would close in November.

The statement says: ‘This action has been taken due to the present financial situation both within the charity and in fund-raising generally.’

The organisation lost a lot of government funding in 2012.

In August of that year the Department of Social Care withdrew £84,456.96 funding for DASH’s adult services plus the £25,000 cost to have a part-time young persons worker.

The government said a better use of its money would be on its own services.

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{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/health/dash-problems-sad-says-charity-chairman-hannan-1-4326469|Click here to read our news report}

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{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/drug-advice-service-helpline-dash-pledge-on-last-ditch-talks-1-5536107|The issue was also raised in the House of Keys}

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Today’s DASH statement says that the organisation was grateful to many funding charities, individuals, companies, community events and supporters.

It singles out the Manx Lottery Trust, Pokerstars, Microgaming, the Cockfield Trust, Peel Charity shop and GoughRitchie.

It adds: ‘We are also wish to thank our staff members for their work in the field of addiction and for the successes they achieved which undoubtedly improved the life of very many people in our

community.’

The statement was emailed by {http://www.motiv8.im/|Motiv8}, the government-backed agency that deals with addition.

The DASH statement says: ‘We can confirm that the charity has had discussions with Motiv8 and we are working closely with them at this difficult time, to support our remaining worker and our clients.

‘We can also confirm that the members of the managing committee are all volunteers and many have been committee members and fund-raisers for many years and as it is the clear responsibility

of charity officials to protect the funds raised, from whatever source and for the purpose for which they are raised and where DASH is concerned, that is to support members of the community who

require the support of professionals to help overcome drug addictions.’

Chris Mitchell, chair of Motiv8, said: ‘Motiv8 Addiction Services is offering to support DASH whilst the organisation meets its charitable obligations during closure. Motiv8 has offered to

assist by offering a secure base for the remaining member of staff, Jo Yeardsley to operate from and continue to see DASH’s clients.

‘This will take place at Motiv8’s premises under the management and clinical supervision of Motiv8’s director.’

Director of Motiv8 Thea Ozenturk said: ‘Motiv8 Addiction Services is a Manx registered charity of 38 years’ standing and has a reputation of offering trusted, confidential services to anyone affected by an addiction including family members.

‘Being able to extend our provision to DASH’s clients and providing them with a continuity of service at Motiv8 is paramount.

‘With DASH’s staff member joining us at Motiv8 we hope anyone affected by the closure will feel comforted in the knowledge that support will be ongoing and they will feel encouraged to contact Motiv8’s confidential services for ongoing and future support.’

DASH was set up 19 years ago to work with and counsel people with a drug addiction, educate the public and support families. In recent years DASH has concentrated on supporting young people through individual consultations and education in secondary schools and youth clubs.

The Manx Utilities Authority says the repair to Peel’s leaking sewer pipe has been completed.

It released a photo of the work, which was undertaken early this morning at low tide.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/leak-from-peel-s-sewage-pipe-1-7454993|Click here to read more about this issue.}

Approval will be sought at the October sitting of Tynwald for the appointment of members to the island’s new Financial Services Authority (IoMFSA), which comes into being on November 1.

The IoMFSA has been created by merging the Financial Supervision Commission (FSC) and the Insurance and Pensions Authority (IPA).

Treasury will seek Tynwald approval, at the sitting on October 20, for the appointment of the following successful candidates as members of the IoMFSA: Geoff Karran, existing FSC member (chair); Lillian Boyle, existing IPA member (deputy chair); David Stacey, IPA member; Roger Butler, FSC member; Alan Smith, FSC member; Paul Wright, FSC member (off-island); Mark Waterhouse new member; Peter Kenny, new member.

The newly appointed IoMFSA chief executive Karen Badgerow will also be a member of the authority but is not subject to the Treasury appointment process.

The need to reduce the public finances deficit is more critical than ever.

That’s the message from backbench MHK Alfred Cannan who claims that the current government has ‘lacked the leadership, inspiration and determination to bring forward the necessary changes’.

The Michael MHK claims that government spending from reserves has only fallen slightly since 2011 from £82m to a forecasted £77m this year and that if we continue at the current rate all the reserve finances will have been used within the next six to seven years, with the exception of the National Insurance Fund.

‘The public must understand that the need for deficit reduction not only remains, but is now more critical than ever,’ he said.

Mr Cannan says we need a three pronged approach encompassing revenue of around £20m, raising contributions or finding savings of £20m from public sector pensions and £30m of savings and efficiencies from government.

But he added: ‘However the money is found we must accept that sustainable public finances are a pre-requisite for economic stability and a clear deficit reduction plan must now be delivered.’

Organist and teacher Gareth Moore said Castle Rushen High School made him who he is today as he gave an inspirational speech at the school’s prize-giving ceremony.

‘From the moment I stepped through the door one wet September morning in 1996, the staff here gave me the confidence and help to fulfil my goals and gave me the skills to equip me for the roles I would later achieve and I’m sure many of your gathered today, both young and old can make testament to the same,’ he said.

He recalled ‘many hours of wonderful music making’ and during the Christmas concerts ‘I discovered and developed my love of accompanying, playing for the choirs and soloists which continue to be my passion today.’

He knew he wanted to teach, ‘and the obvious choice for my subject, was music’.

He said: ‘It wasn’t until Mike Porter suggested to me that I should consider going to a conservatoire to study the organ did my plan change somewhat. I’ll be honest - I hadn’t heard of a conservatoire. Nothing of the sort existed on the Isle of Man and the internet wasn’t what it is today. There was no Facebook, YouTube, iplayer - I was completely ignorant to the existence of such places. He set me on the right lines, I applied and trotted off to Manchester and London to do auditions at the Royal Academy of Music in London and the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.’

Auditions were challenging as he was used to St Mark’s church organ ‘which had one keyboard and eight stops. Each of these instruments had at least three keyboards and 80/100 stops and an array of buttons along the bottom of all the keys and the pedal board. To say I was panicking was an understatement.’

He was given an unconditional offer by the Royal Northern College of Music, where he spent four ‘exciting and musically inspiring years’.

He returned to the island in 2007 and became organist at King William’s College, later teaching music and now director of music.

He told students to not fear failure and said: ‘I failed my Grade 2 piano exam in epic proportions!’

‘You too might come across failure sometime but we all have to realise that failing is the best bit!’ he said. ‘For those off to university, maybe you’ll start your new challenges with 100 per cent enthusiasm but quickly realise you’d rather be doing something dramatically different. It’s OK to change your mind and direction. None of these things will you discover unless you’re brave enough to fail … learn from your failings and remember, if at first you don’t succeed, try again.’

He also encouraged them to nurture friendships made at school. ‘The friends I have made [at CRHS] are lasting friends and have stood the test of time. Make the effort to care and look out for your friends and if they have moved on to work or university, make sure you keep in touch and support each other through the rough and smooth.’

Finally he advised them to ‘make the most of everything this wonderful school has to offer’.

He said: ‘Fully immerse yourselves in the extra curricular clubs available to you here. Each thing you do is an experience that’s helping to shape who you are and who you will be. These activities often lead on to the things you will end up focussing your entire life on so make the most of the experience you can gain here at school.

‘For those moving on to pastures new, be yourself. Find those things that make you happy, don’t be afraid to try something new and remember, it’s OK to say: “That’s not for me”. Continue to set yourselves goals and aim to be the best you can be.’

Many prizes were awarded, the principal ones went to Matthew Unsworth, for a remarkable set of GCSE results and to Clare Harris for getting top grades at A-level. She is now studying medicine at Edinburgh university.

A special award, the Appleby shield for endeavour, went to Archie Veale, 16, who has inspired others through his stoic battle back to health having contracted septicaemia last year.

His organs were failing, he had surgery and faced the prospect of possible leg amputation; he spent months in hospital but within a short time he was back at school, where he is studying for his A levels.

Residents suffering from long-term health conditions can now apply for a programme which teaches them new skills to help manage their condition.

The ‘Live Well Stay Well’ programme places emphasis on self-care by learning a new skill each week, such as finding ways of coping with fatigue or pain, maintaining a balanced diet, improving communication skills and planning for the future.

Ann Corkill, senior nurse of self-care, said:‘If you are living with a long-term health condition, for example diabetes, arthritis, chronic pain or high blood pressure, the ‘Live Well Stay Well’ programme can help you.’

Anyone with a long term health condition can apply for the course, which consists of two and a half hour sessions every week for six weeks, run by trained volunteers who themselves have long term health conditions, as well as being supported by health care professionals.

The next ‘Live Will Stay Well’ course starts on November 4 in Ramsey.

A recent evaluation of feedback questionnaires showed that 92 per cent of respondents felt more positive about living with their condition since completing the course. Problem solving, communication with family, friends and health professionals, and healthy eating were also reported to have improved.

As well as this, some participants stated that they would be less likely to visit A&E because of their condition and others said they had reduced their need for emergency GP appointments following the course.

‘The feedback questionnaires highlighted the enormous benefits participants received from completing the course,’ said Mrs Corkill.

Minister for Health and Social Care Howard Quayle MHK said: ‘Supporting people with long-term health conditions to enjoy life to the full and remain as healthy as possible is extremely important. From the results of the programme feedback, participation in the programme has been shown to give people the skills to manage their long term health condition with appropriate support from health and social care professionals as necessary.’

As part of the programme a ‘Looking After Me’ course has also been developed, which is based on the same principles as the ‘Live Well Stay Well’ programme, but is aimed at carers who sometimes forget about their own health. The next ‘Looking After Me’ course starts next Thursday (October 8) in Douglas.

For more information about the programmes or to book a place contact Mrs Corkill on 811830 or email ann.corkill@gov.im.

A similar programme called the ‘Expert patient’ has been running in the UK.

A ‘pretty large black cloud’ looms for teachers’ pensions, a teaching union official has warned.

Peter Middleman, the National Union of Teachers’ newly appointed regional officer for the North West of England, was speaking in his first visit to the island.

‘There’s a pretty large black cloud in the form of pension arrangements,’ he said.

‘We are expecting some feedback to a set of proposals unions have made imminently.

‘At that point we will be consulting members on the appropriate next step.

‘It’s very unfortunate it’s looking inevitable that teachers will be working longer, paying more and getting less.

‘The prospect of 67/68-year-old teachers trying to chase five or 16-year-olds just doesn’t seem right to any reasonable thinking person.’

Jessica Egelnick has taken on the role of the union’s island branch secretary full-time following the death of Karl Flint in August.

Mr Middleman met the Department of Education and Children’s director of education Geoff Moorcroft and director of strategy and corporate services Heather Christian.

‘It was an introductory meeting to reassure them we are going to continue to encourage the same sort of relationship they have enjoyed with my predecessor and Jess’s.’

During his visit last week, Mr Middleman also enjoyed tours of Ballakermeen High School, in Douglas, and Dhoon School – to see the contrast between one of the island’s biggest secondary schools and a small, rural primary school.

He described Ballakermeen’s £3.2 million extension to accommodate a growing sixth form, which was opened last year, as ‘very impressive’.

Mr Middleman said Ballakermeen was ‘clearly a very efficiently run school’ and described head teacher Adrienne Burnett as ‘demonstrably proud of both the school and the students’.

‘It reinforces to us that where there’s a mutual respect in the workplace it produces the ideal conditions for teachers to concentrate on what they do best, which is teaching,’ he said.

The 2015 ACU Isle of Man

Centre road race championship reached a finale at Jurby Motodrome over the weekend.

Callum Collister sealed the solo title, also securing Andreas Racing Association’s 600cc club title for good measure, while Darren Hope and Paul Bumfrey came from third place to ultimately take top honours in the sidecar class for the first time.

Enjoying the best weather of the entire season, Mikey Evans was the star of the weekend with six wins from eight starts on his 600cc Suzuki.

He won all four solo Centre championship races, two from Collister on Saturday and the others from Andy Dudgeon on Sunday.

With Collister’s only serious challenger to the main Isle of Man title, Ryan Cringle, sidelined by a fractured wrist, he did enough on day one to make certain of winning the No.1 plate, but the 600cc contest went all the way to the wire with Dudgeon and Evans both well in contention.

Evans and Collister traded first and second places on Saturday, with Dudgeon third in both, to give Collister a 24-point lead going into the final two races on Sunday which saw Evans win the first from Dudgeon.

Mathematically, it was then all over, but Collister caught Evans napping in the last few hundred yards of race two to end the season with a win.

Ramsey man Dudgeon was dominant in the Single, Twin, Triple and 650 classes to record a double success on Rob Brew’s SV650 Suzuki in the respective overall campaigns.

Brendan Fargher completed an impressive full-house of wins in the Clubman championship having gone through the entire season unbeaten.

With leaders Dave Molyneux/Ben Binns and second-placed Karl Bennett/Lee Cain sitting out the final weekend of the season, the sidecar honours went to Hope and Bumfrey. They had two wins on Saturday and two seconds on Sunday behind Craig Melvin and Stuart Christian to jump from a distant third to a surprise first in the final standings.

Hope and Bumfrey also did enough to win the F2 club championship.

Jack Hunter won the Post-Classic championship, Lewis Parkinson the Steel Frame 600s, Ian Raybon the 400s, Luke Chambers 125cc and Bob Simmons the Classic.

l More from Jurby in Thursday’s Manx Independent.

The government has launched a consultation on the allocation of public sector housing to the elderly.

It has come up with changes aimed at promoting ‘greater fairness’.

The Department of Infrastructure wants feedback on its assessment criteria for eligibility and access to ‘older persons’ public sector housing’ – previously referred to as sheltered housing.

The revised process would result in a broader initial assessment of eligibility for entry onto the waiting list, with allocation being prioritised on the basis of income and assets, as well as health and wellbeing.

The intention is to introduce a points-based system to determine an older person’s priority for allocation in line with that used for the general public sector housing stock.

The proposed change supports the government’s national priority of protecting vulnerable members of the community by ensuring that accommodation is provided to those who need it most.

The criteria for older persons’ housing was last assessed in 2002. The modernisation of the system would help Government to better target older persons’ housing.

The consultation forms part of a wider review of all aspects of public sector housing provision.

Chris Thomas MHK, the politician with responsibilty for housing, said: ‘Following discussion with the local housing authorities, the department is proposing to broaden the waiting list and allocation criteria to ensure a fairer allocation of older persons’ housing.

‘The approach would remain needs-based, but income and assets would be taken into account when prioritising. Our home is important throughout our lives – I hope many people will submit their views as an important decision is taken.’

The consultation document is available to view on the government website {https://www.gov.im/consultations.gov|here}

Alternatively, written comments can be emailed to housing@gov.im or by post to: Housing Division, Department of Infrastructure, Markwell House, Douglas, IM1 2RZ.

The deadline for responses is November 11.

Nigel Crellin and Chris Molyneux walked all over their rivals in the penultimate round of the ACU British Sidecar Trials Championship on Sunday.

It means the Gas Gas pair (above) have won the title with one round remaining.

Crellin’s cousin, William Caine, and passenger Bethany Thomas ran away with the Clubman class of theMel Harrison event.

Bethany’s parents, Graham and Hazel Thomas, trail Jake Pope and Chris Skidmore in the newcomers’ championship by three points with the final round in November.

Local politicians in Laxey, Lonan and Maughold want their boards to merge and become one authority.

They are calling for a single body for the whole of the Garff sheading and will hold a meeting next week to invite views from the public.

A statement, sent out by the Garff Joint Initiative, formed by commissioners in all three authorities, says: ‘If the public demonstrate support and amalgamation goes ahead it will signal the first significant change to local authority structure on the island for many decades.’

Previous mergers have included Onchan village and parish merging to form Onchan District Commissioners, and Michael parish and village.

Attempts by central government to force more radical changes have failed.

The island has currently has 24 local authorities, varying from Douglas, which has a population of almost 28,000, to Bride with a population of just over 400.

The roles of the authorities have been limited, although the government now wants to give them more to do.

The extra jobs include hedge cutting, street sweeping, gully emptying, public toilet provision, minor local road safety matters, minor pavement repairs, weed spraying, verge trimming and tidying and off-street parking.

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{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/local-authorities-could-be-given-more-work-1-6900428|Click here to read a story about that.}

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/meetings-focus-on-giving-boards-of-commissioners-more-to-do-1-7369964|Click here to read another recent story.}

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The boards in Laxey, Maughold and Lonan would rather get together than be merged with other larger neighbouring authorities such as Ramsey and Onchan.

The Garff statement says: ‘The amalgamation would allow the creation of a larger authority which would be of a size and structure that to discharge and deliver the new services being transferred from central government.

‘The three authorities are already working closely together and have successfully delivered new services devolved from government such as hedge cutting, street and gulley cleaning.

‘It is felt that the new Garff authority would be best placed to continue delivering these services as well as undertaking other important services such as refuse collection across the sheading, rather than having a model of local authority structure imposed that split the Garff authorities into Ramsey in the north and Onchan to the south.

‘The commissioners of Garff firmly believe that the proposed new authority would provide an ideal size and structure to allow the maintenance of close control over finances, efficiency and quality of service.

‘It would also allow the continuation of the agile, and rapid response to individual queries and problems that ratepayers are accustomed to in Laxey, Lonan and Maughold.’

The public meeting is to take place at 7pm on Wednesday, October 7, at Laxey School.

A letter has been sent to residents outlining the details and asking them to become involved by forwarding their views, either through attendance at the public meeting or directly to the offices of the three commissioners at 35 New Road, Laxey IM4 7BG. Email can also be used to forward views to laxeycommissioners@manx.net.

One of the issues that’s bound to be raised is the cost of the rates.

Lonan’s current rate is 62p in the pound, Maughold’s is 96p and Laxey’s is 174p.

Coincidentally, the current Keys constituency of Garff will be changed at the general election in September 2016. Currently, the Speaker, Steve Rodan, is the MHK for the area.

Part of Onchan is being merged with it from next year, so it will return two MHKs, like all constituencies in the new electoral map.

A 29-year-old woman from Douglas was given a suspended sentence this afternoon after pleading guilty to knowingly permitting intent to supply cocaine from her home.

Katie Cassandra Blaymire, of Spectrum Apartments, was sentenced to 22 months’ custody, suspended for two years.

She was also sentenced to seven days custody, also suspended for two years, for cannabis possession, to run concurrently.

Blaymire admitted finding a suitcase containing £7,560 worth of cocaine on top of a wardrobe in the house she shared with Ronald Justin Heald.

She said she had found the suitcase two days before police raided their home but had ‘foolishly turned a blind eye’.

Heald, 35, has admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply and will be sentenced on November 5.

Police are hunting a driver whose car was damaged.

It happened yesterday (Tuesday) in the area of Westmoreland Road, Douglas.

A driverr realised upon getting home that her car had hit a silver vehicle which was parked in the street.

She returned to Westmoreland Road upon realising that she has collided with the other vehicle, however, the vehicle was gone upon her arrival.

A police spokesman said: ‘If you own a silver vehicle that was parked on Westmoreland Road yesterday, please check that is has not been damaged, If it has then contact police on 631212 and quote the following reference number. P290915043’

Breast Cancer Now’s Isle of Man branch is setting up stall in Strand Street, Douglas, on Saturday, to raise awareness about the disease and raise money for research.

The breast cancer awareness stand, part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, will be outside Dealz, which is holding a ‘Wear it Pink’ day.

Julie Clarke, of Onchan, has again added her support to the stand by knitting about 40 teddies and dolls with a pink theme to be sold. The stand will also feature awareness information, cakes and a raffle.

Julie said: ‘I only have a three-month break each year, if that, as I get itchy fingers to start again before Christmas!’

The charity’s chairman, Angie Aire, said: ‘October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and although we should be breast aware at all times this is a good reminder for women and men to check their breasts for any changes.

‘Our charity has a simple message: TLC – Touch, Look, Check – your breasts.

‘If you think something isn’t right, make an appointment with your doctor. Talk to someone – your partner, friend or relative – don’t feel that you are alone.

‘Often it turns out to be nothing but you need it to be assessed by a professional.’

And she urged women aged 50 to 70 to attend their mammogram screenings. Women aged over 70 can self-refer.

Anyone interested in holding a ‘Wear it Pink’ event in October should email Angie on angie.bcnowiom@gmail.com

Crafters and merchandisers looking to showcase their Christmas gift ideas are being urged by Douglas Development Partnership to take a stall at a Christmas fair on Saturday, December 19, in Castle Street and Marina Road, Douglas.

Pitches start from £15 or £35 with a gazebo, which the Douglas Development Partnership will provide.

To apply for a stall contact Michelle O’Malley, MOMalley@douglas.gov.im 696304 or Chris Pycroft, CPycroft@douglas.gov.im 696305, or call into DDP’s office in Victoria Street, Douglas.

A UK veterinary group has unveiled plans to open a practice at pet superstore Pets at Home.

Companion Care (Services) Limited has (applied 15/01063/B) to government planners for a mezzanine floor at the store, in Spring Valley industrial estate, to include a pet care, treatment and grooming facility.

The proposed mezzanine would measure approximately 254 square metres and the proposed facility would occupy about 178 square metres.

In the application it states: ‘Companion Care is part of the Pets at Home group.

‘It is a service industry offering care and veterinary facilities for pets, and forms an integral part of the overall product range and services offered by Pets at Home in its larger format stores.

‘The facility will comprise three consulting rooms where general pet care advice is given and animals receive basic preventative medicine and treatments (such as worming or flea treatments).

‘There will be a small operating theatre to undertake small-scale procedures such as spaying and X-raying. The facility will also include laboratory, pharmacy and grooming areas.’

The facility would be accessed through the store, so Companion Care’s opening times would be controlled by that of the retail use.

The application continues: ‘Given the unique characteristics of Pets at Home and the overall physical and functional relationship between the retail business and the Companion Care facility, we consider that the mezzanine floor space and its use as a pet care, treatment and grooming facility will not have any material effect on the function of the unit of the wider commercial area.

‘The scale of the mezzanine alone means that the floor space can only be described as de minimis [too trivial or minor to merit consideration].’

The Pets at Home store opened in 2011.

• Do you think planning permission should be approved for this development? Email opinions@newsiom.co.im

The Isle of Man has been ranked third in the world as a space commerce nation.

New research shows that, thanks to the efforts of ManSat, the island has come from a standing start 15 years ago to become the third biggest commercial satellite filing country, behind only the US and the UK.

If you include military and other non-commercial satellites, we are ranked eighth in the world.

Just three years ago the Isle of Man was named as the fifth most likely nation to put the next man on the Moon.

That prospect now appears, however, to be just a distant dream.

But research carried out by Boston-based Northern Sky Research shows the island is still right up there when it comes to the space industry - and specifically the number of companies choosing to make satellite filings here.

Some 193 countries are members of the International Telecommunications Union, an agency of the UN. Of these 79 actively make filings. but only 55 make filings for commercial geostationary obit satellite operators.

America is top with nine satellite companies, then UK with seven and the Isle of Man in third place with five.

ManSat founder, chairman and chief executive officer Chris Stott said: ‘We started with nothing in 2000 but last year we got our fifth company.

‘The Manx government took a chance with us. We worked hard and delivered. As a Manxman it’s a source of pride. I want us to be number one and we will compete with the UK and US to do it.’

ManSat’s chief financial officer Ian Sanders added: ‘That’s quite achievable. We can easily increase that number and are working hard to do so.’

The only commercial satellite filing company in the world, ManSat was actually a late starter to the game. ‘We spotted an opportunity in the market place,’ said Mr Stott.

Working under contract with the island’s Communications Commission to which it pays an annual licence fee, all the costs and risks are borne by the company and none by the taxpayer.

Over the last decade, ManSat has paid just under $1m in licence fees ($118K last year),

Each satellite costs $200-300m including $100m to launch. They take on average seven years to plan and three years to build, and last 15 to 20 years in orbit. Some $650m worth of satellites are being built for IoM filing right now.

Satellites registered in the Isle of Man are all given a slot in an orbit named after 2001: A Space Odyssey author and inventor Arthur C Clarke, a geostationary orbit located 22,600 miles above the Earth’s surface.

Northern Sky’s research shows that US, Russia and China have nine operators each, UK has eight, France seven, Brazil and Indonesia have six each and the Isle of Man and Canada each have five.

The Isle of Man ranks fourth if only commercial and quasi-government satellite companies are considered and in third place looking at commercial companies only.

Northern Sky notes: ‘Ranking can improve to number 2 or even number 1 with aggressive targeting of operators that file outside home jurisdictions.’

The Isle of Man comes top when ranked against other UK jurisdictions including Jersey, Cayman, Gibraltar and Bermuda.

ManSat’s five companies include Canadian satellite communications giant Telesat, global satellite services provider EchoStar and California communications company ViaSat which was the first to launch, and DF Global which is a new start-up.

Mr Sanders said: ‘Although it’s an exciting industry it doesn’t attract the big headlines as most of what we do is low profile, in the technical engine room.’

ManSat’s success has let to a number of not for profit organisations setting up here. such as the Space Data Association, Satellite Interference Reduction Group and the International Institute of Space Commerce – all attracted to the island because it is part of a space cluster.

Of the diminishing prospect of Mann being on the Moon, Mr Stott said: ‘It’s disappointing. It would have been great to see, but who knows what the future has in store? It is the 21st Century after all.’

Northern Sky Research president, Christopher Baugh said: ‘The hard data is there, drawn from public domain sources and the data speaks for itself.

‘The fact that the Isle of Man ranks third behind the UK and the USA as a center for commercial GSO filings is impressive, especially when you consider the island’s unique commercial approach via its outsourced provider, ManSat, and further given they only entered this space in 2000.

‘Of note is that if you add the Isle of Man’s numbers to those of the UK in addition to the other British Islands, the UK now surpasses the USA as the choice for commercial GSO filing. We found the results of the study fascinating.’

Last week’s Marshals’ Association annual meeting saw changes at the top after chairman Terry Holmes failed to secure the backing of voters and was replaced by Robert Crane, who received 77 votes to Mr Holmes’ 12.

The new vice chairman for the association is Frank Mitchell who received 60 votes putting him comfortably ahead of Brett Hammonds, on 22.

Mr Holmes, who remains involved in the organisation, was philosophical about the outcome and said he was very happy to work alongside the new chairman and vice chairman. ‘I don’t foresee any problems. They are good people to work with and really that’s the idea of having an AGM, isn’t it,’ he said.

Mr Mitchell, a former Malew commissioner, said he was surprised by the result. ‘Change can be a positive thing but I don’t support change for the sake of it,’ he said.

‘Later in the week we will be getting together for a meeting and deciding if anything needs to change or needs to be done differently but we have not had a meeting as yet so we really don’t know what changes, if any will be made.’

The association needs a minimum of 550 marshals and welcomes new volunteers.

Castletown Lawn Tennis Club’s ninth annual club championship saw approximately 40 members taking part across a range of events, from mini tennis red up to men’s and women’s singles and doubles.

The mini tennis red and orange events got the week underway on the first Saturday. The mini reds playing tie-breaks to seven and the mini orange playing short sets, first to three games won.

In the reds the winner was decided by points won. The top three were separated by only five points with James Ashley finishing third, Grayse Ronan runner-up and the winner Matty Valerga who remained unbeaten throughout the tournament.

The older orange players showed how much they had progressed through the summer with some really great play. After some very close competitive games, the winner was Claire Mason who was unbeaten on the day, with runner-up Joseph Savage who lost only to Claire.

The mini tennis greens took their turn on the second Saturday and showed some real potential with some very close matches taking place which could have gone either way. The winner was Cameron Goldie with three wins, with runner-up Matthew Ashley close behind on two wins.

The preliminary rounds of the boys’ 16-and-under took place during the week which saw Nathan Frankwick and Luca Simmons progress to the final. It was to be Luca’s year taking the title 6/1.

The girls’ 16-and-under unfortunately attracted only a small entry and saw Sophie Wright take the title 6/0 against Lucy Norbury.

The men’s and women’s singles and doubles preliminary rounds took place during the week fitted in and around league matches and the courts being refurbished. The weather helped with all matches being fitted in comfortably before finals day.

In the men’s doubles it was to be Richard Kerr and Alan Macnair’s year, taking the title after winning the third-set championship tie break 5/7 6/4 (10/8) against Rob Mason and Neil Ronan.

In the women’s doubles in a similarly close competitive final Elena and Hannah Snidal came out eventual winners again after a third-set championship tie break 6/2 6/7 (10/6). The men’s doubles playback for first round losers was won by Neil Watterson and Luca Simmons.

The women’s singles was played as a round robin. With everyone beating each other during the week it meant that before finals day all four players had one win - so with all to play for, the final two matches were played on finals day.

After some very competitive matches it ended up with Elena Snidal taking her first club championship title from Lucy Kerr, with Elena beating Lucy in another three set match 6/1 3/6 (10/7).

This left just the men’s singles final with Craig Blackwell aiming for his third club championship win in a row. Rob Mason gave it his all and didn’t let Blackwell have it all his own way. The latter proved a little too strong for Mason though and took his hat-trick of wins 6/2 6/3. The men’s playback was won by Will Watterson.

At the conclusion of play the trophies were presented by Ron Ronan. Richard Kerr then thanked the Castletown coach Neil Ronan for organising the tournament.

Two rugby clubs are looking for new or even old blood to help swell the ranks this season.

Western Vikings are based in Peel and Castletown, as the name suggests, are located in the ancient capital.

Vikings’ current coaches are veterans Paul Gale and Ian Woods and the club has a new training field this season at the back of the Peel campsite.

It’s well equipped with lights and a scrummage machine and training takes place at 6.30pm every Wednesday. Players of all standards are welcome.

You can get in touch via the club’s Facebook page, just search for Western Vikings.

At Castletown, training is at Poulsom Park every Tuesday at 7pm and current skipper is Matt Quine.

The club can be contacted via its Facebook page, search Castletown RUFC, or by emailing Quine at matt-mole@hotmail.co.uk

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