The Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival saw EcoVannin and its Green Centre partners present with games, competitions, demonstrations of solar gear, a petition, piles of handouts – and lots of local produce grown by gardener Tony Garland

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The Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival, organised by the Department for the Environment, Food and Agriculture, was a real treat.

EcoVannin and its Green Centre partners were there, with games, competitions, demonstrations of solar gear, a petition, piles of handouts – and lots of stunning local produce grown by gardener extraordinaireTony Garland.

In particular, the IoM Friends of the Earth team (smack in the middle of their hectically busy Fortnight of Action for Bees) were raising awareness of how important these, and other pollinators, are to our food chain.

Without them, a fair number of the vegetables, fruit and herbs that you have on your dinner plate would be missing.

It’s not just the obvious ones like strawberries and apples that spring to mind. Other things like broccoli, cabbage, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes and carrots also need to be pollinated by various different types of bee and other insects.

But many bees (and there are more than 250 different species within the British Isles) are struggling because of a variety of problems which I touched on last week.

One of the chief of these is, as readers will know, certain types of pesticides known as ‘neonicotinoids’, which – while not believed to be heavily used in agriculture on the island – certainly turn up in garden centre products and find their way into peoples’ gardens.

These chemical compounds are neurotoxic to bees, especially the wild bees that do so much of our pollination. This can mean, among other things, that they become unable to navigate, stop foraging for themselves and die prematurely.

So it was good to see that one of the main manufacturers of pesticides known to harm bees – Bayer – is at last taking steps to remove some of these nasties from their most popular products, starting next year.

The particular neonic they’re getting rid of is Thiacloprid, and it’s found in both Provado and Baby Bio, both of which are familiar to many gardeners.

It’s replacing the thiacloprid element of Baby Bio and Provado with another chemical known as a pyrethroid, in this case deltamethrin.

This is great news and in the meantime many gardeners, alerted to the dangers of thiacloprid by this news, will doubtless stop using them right away, until the reformulated products are available.

Indeed, more and more are realising that if they want to support wildlife and have thriving biodiversity in their gardens, it’s best to try and avoid spraying chemical insecticides altogether, except in extreme cases.

As regular readers know, certain neonics are already banned in the UK for agricultural use. But as Thiacloprid isn’t one of them, it’s still available and actively used in agriculture across the UK,though there are hopes it will be banned soon.

Bayer neonic pesticides Calypso (used in orchards) and Biscaya (some vegetable crops and oil seed rape), which also contain Thiacloprid, are pretty widely used across the UK.

Bayer’s action is being seen as a pre-emptive move, and the company has been quoted as saying: ‘Neonicotinoids have become a contentious issue. It is likely that the regulations and legislation around thiacloprid will change in the near future, and Bayer has decided to be proactive about changing its products to meet the demands of these changes.’

So far, so good. But in the meantime, if you’re concerned about supporting the fuzzy little fellows who keep the food on our plates, you might not want to wait until 2016.

Why not investigate the many alternatives to neonics right now, which range from switching products, to companion planting?

You’ll learn lots, avoid damaging our bee population and have less chemically-infused produce to show for it, too.

If you, like me, are a devotee of the newspaper cartoons of the late Dusty Miller, go to the exhibition of his work published during the Second World War currently on at the House of Manannan in Peel.

It coincides with the 70th anniversary of the end of the war and it’s called ‘Dusty Sees It Through’.

The recorded background noise for it is supplied by me, recalling much of Dusty’s remarkable life.

He died in 1964 and our newspaper paths coincided only briefly. But I knew him better from what used to be called the Boy Scouts.

He was Scoutmaster of the 8th Douglas Troop when I was in it from the age of 11. He would take us on our summer camps and one was to Glen Wyllin where he took us out on early morning dips in the sea, naked.

This was my first confirmation that boys looked different from girls when unclothed and it also raised the question of what girls actually looked like as well, in what respect I wasn’t sure.

For some time I had dreams about seeing Girl Guides swimming in the sea at Glen Wyllin. Then I began to learn by experience exactly what girls looked like with no clothes on and as a good Scout I had to remind myself of the Scout motto:

‘Be Prepared.’

ON the X Factor last week four competitors, including the Isle of Man’s Simon Lynch, were successful. Simon Cowell told them, and it must be true because it was on Manx Radio: ‘Youse guys are through to the next round.’

See, I told you Mr Cowell is a Yessir.

THIS week’s crossword clue was in the Daily Telegraph cryptic as follows: ‘Manxman perhaps making one defamatory remark (8).’ It was sent in by usual suspects Sara Goodwins, Barbara Taylor and Richard Hetherington.

PAUL Michael has been on to point out that in the Manx Independent two weeks ago on page 20 there were at least 30 small ads put in by Bergere de France for the sale of balls of wool in different colours and different prices.

Clearly they weren’t trying to pull the wool over people’s eyes.

As for balls, you must admit 30 is a lot.

JOHN Garfield has featured in this column in the last few weeks for one odd thing or another and he now says he has suffered ‘Divine Retribution’ for doing so, a suspected heart attack and a dose of pleurisy. I extend my sympathy to John.

What I didn’t know is that He – or She – is one of my readers.

ANDREW Kerr-Phillips reports that in last Week’s Manx Independent there was a court story headlined: ‘Teenager jailed after head butting worker’ and it said the victim ‘suffered a cut and swollen lip from the butt’.

You have to wonder how he managed to do that.

OUT of my Funnies File today comes the following from Manx Radio’s ‘Thought for the Day’ years ago when the speaker referred to Hadrian’s Wall saying: ‘It has been a few years since I last saw that great fornication.’

MATRIMONY: ‘Two secrets to keep your marriage brimming. Whenever you’re wrong, admit it. Whenever you’re right, shut up.’ Patrick Murray.

Crossword clue: Islander.

John Reginald Beckett and Heather Jane Beckett, both of The Old Parsonage, St Mark’s, bought 5 Homefield Park, Ballasalla, for £475,000.

It was bought from Dorothy Joan Corrin.

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

Maurice Elderfield, of Hertfordshire, sold Hadleigh, 15 Keeil Pharick Park, Glen Vine, for £442,500, to Michael Charles Thompson and Loretta Thompson, both of Woodlands House, Lower Foxdale.

Brian Arthur Moore and Sandra Moore, sold Hillway, Brookfield Avenue, Ramsey, for £305,000 to Michael Antony Godfrey Hodgson and Donna Hodgson, both of 18 Westbourne Road, Ramsey.

Janice Ann Rice sold 11 Ormly Avenue, Ramsey, for £299,000, to Geoff Carter and Jan Jevons, both of 5 Beach View, Windsor Mount, Ramsey.

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

Now in its third year, the Isle of Man Poker Tournament 2015 will coincide with organisers PokeStars marking 10 years in the island.

The event, which opened yesterday with a 3D projection and lighting spectacular in the Villa Marina gardens, overlaps with a nine-day chess tournament, and carries on until Sunday.

The five-minute light show, which uses lasers and strobes to create a celebration of the Isle of Man, will be repeated tonight (Thursday) at 8pm and 9pm and again tomorrow at 8pm and 9pm with a three minute firework display rounding off the final show.

The action unfolds at the Villa Marina, and comprises 13 separate poker tournaments, the most major of which is today’s £440 No-Limit Hold’em Main Event,

Saturday night sees the charity tournament for invited players. Money raised by Saturday evening’s event will by matched by PokerStars and the total will be donated to the Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation charity.

Held for the first time last year, the Isle of Man International Chess Tournament will also take place over the coming weekend at the Villa Marina. This runs from tomorrow to Sunday, October 11. The chess tournament will see grand masters and international masters from around the world taking part.

PokerStars mind sport ambassador Jen Shahade said: ‘It’s great to see the chess tournament returning for another year. I think having the two festivals running simultaneously is fantastic as it really demonstrates the similarities of skills and strategies that make both games so interesting. I am really looking forward to playing in both.’

Some of the world’s most illustrious poker players are taking part, including Jake Cody, one of the UK’s most successful players who has made more than $3 million since his debut year in 2009.

Originally from Kent, model, astro-physicist and television presenter Liv Boeree will be another participant. She gained fame in 2010 after winning $1.6 million at the European Poker Tournament in Sanremo, Italy.

Poker player Fatima Moreira De Melo from Rotterdam is equally at home whether facing her opposition across a card table or a hockey pitch: she is one of Holland’s best known field hockey players and played as part of the gold medal winning team in the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Meanwhile, the aptly-named Chris Moneymaker found stardom among poker playing circles in 2003 after winning £2.5 million.

A government department has admitted liability following a claim alleging irregularities during a tendering exercise.

Isle of Man Newspapers revealed back in March that the Department of Economic Development has been accused of passing information about a competitor to a company that went on to win the bid.

The complaint was made by Tromode-based Island Fire, a company that specialises in fire extinguishers, alarms and emergency lighting maintenance, and related to procurement for TT services.

Island Fire went on to issue high court proceedings against the DED, claiming damages and breaches of data protection.

Now lawyers acting from the DED have now written to Island Fire to confirm the department had admitted ‘liability, causation and loss’ in relation to the loss of the contract, in an out of court settlement amounting to £5,740 plus costs.

A second case against the DED in relation to the data protection breach has yet to be settled. The department has admitted making the data protection breach but disputes the scale of damages claimed.

DED chief executive officer Chris Corlett said the department had disputed the first claim but on advice had decided to take a pragmatic view.

He said: ‘When a claim is made against the department we must work with the insurers to look at the outcome which provides best value for the taxpayer. That is exactly what we’ve done.

‘Based on the advice we received it was more cost effective to settle than it was to continue to pursue the case with the significant costs attached, not least legal fees and officer time.’

In relation to the second claim, Mr Corlett said the DED did not dispute that it had mistakenly given information to a third party but the point of difference was in terms of the scale of the losses claimed.

He said: ‘Yes, we made an error. But we don’t believe the claim is proportionate. We don’t feel the scale of what’s being claimed is reasonable or realistic.’

A spokesman for Island Fire said: ‘It’s not the money, it’s the principle.’

The firm also launched proceedings against three other government departments - the department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, Infrastructure and Home Affairs.

Those other cases are still before the courts.

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An earlier version of this article featured a picture of Ian Thompson, who is not related to this issue in any way. We apologise for the error.

Manx folk group Barrule appeared this week on the Radio 2 Folk show, with presenter Mark Radcliffe.

The trio, featuring Jamie Smith, fiddle player Tomas Callister and bouzouki player Adam Rhodes, performed a live session, featuring three tracks, ‘Kinnoull’, ‘Illiam Boght’ and ‘The Laxey Reels’.

Aside from performing the songs, all taken from their second album ‘Mannanan’s Cloak’, the three all talked about the Manx music scene, the island’s culture and language, and were clearly greatly received by listeners during the one-hour show.

The show can be heard all week on the BBC radio website: {http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06cxcl7#play|here}

Thursday, October 1

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

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

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

• Andreas Produce Show, in the parish hall. The show will be opened at 3pm by Alfred Cannan. MHK. Schedules are available from Caleys Stores, Sulby, Andreas Stores, Farmers Combine Ramsey, Mairanne Florists, or the secretary P. Kinrade, call 880331.

• Hubstars, opn mic night at Breagle Glen Cafe, Port Erin, 6.30pm.

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

• Gospel message in Ballaugh village hall, 7.30pm.

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

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

Friday, October 2

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

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

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

• An evening with Jeremy Paul, Travels of a Wildlife Artist at the Centenary Centre, Peel, 7.30pm. Tickets £10.

• Bingo and Raffle night 8pm start at Morton Hall, Castletown.

Saturday, October 3

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

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

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

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

• Isle of Man Farmers’ Market at Villa Marina, Douglas, 10am-2pm.

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

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

• II Trovatore (Verdi), new series at the Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin, live from the Met, 5.45pm. Tickets £15/over 60s £139u18s £2. Also Sunday Faberge: A Life of Its Own, 3pm. Tickets £10/u18s £2.

Sunday, October 4

• The Isle Gallery, Tynwald Mills, Lino printing one day workshop, 10am-3pm, £35 including materials and use of equipment.

• Car boot sale at Morton Hall, Castletown, 2pm. Call 673320/481532.

• Harvest afternoon teas at Dalby Schoolrooms, 2.30pm-5.30pm.

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

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

Monday, October 5

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

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

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

Tuesday, October 6

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

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

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

• Whist for Hospice, Michael Methodist Church, 7.30pm, £2.

Wednesday, October 7

• Independent Living Centre, Open Day, Ballakermeen Road, 9.30am-3.30pm. Call 642511.

• MS Society coffee morning, Harbour Lights, St Paul’s Square, Ramsey, 10.30am-noon.

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

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

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

• St John Ambulance free first aid session, Scoill Phurt Le Moirrey, Sation Rd, Port St Mary, 7pm-9pm. To book call 674387 or email marketing@sja.org.im

• Samba percussion workshop, no experience necessary, Onchan Silver bandroom, off Onchan Commissioners’ car park, 7pm. Cost £5, email sambamann@manx.net

• Bingo Quiz, Archibald Knox Onchan.

Thursday, October 1

• Karaoke FM at Nexus Vodka bar, Douglas.

• Karaoke, Guys and Dolls, Douglas.

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

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

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

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

Friday, October 2

• Ian Thompson at Jaks, Douglas.

• Karaoke FM at the Queen’s, Douglas.

• Borderline at the Queen’s, Laxey.

• Piano Series, with Valentin Schiedermair, at the Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin, 8pm. Tickets £10/u18s £2.

• Shoh Slaynt at the Tynwald Hill Inn, St John’s, 8.30pm.

• DJ Tim, Second Venue, 21 Victoria Street, Douglas, 8pm. Also Saturday.

• Karaoke at the Albert, Douglas, 9pm.

• Irish traditional music session at The Mitre, Ramsey, 9pm.

Saturday, October 3

• Simon Thacker’s Karmana, Villa Marina Arcade, doors open 7pm, £15.

• Sounds of the Sixties with Steve at the Bowling Green Hotel, Douglas.

• Littl Miss Dynamite at the Mitre, Ramsey.

• Ian Thompson at the South Douglas Old Friends Association, Douglas.

• Karaoke FM at the Manx Arms, Onchan.

• Borderline at the Railway, Douglas.

• Konstruktion at Jaks, Douglas.

• Rachel Hair Trio Concert, Centenary Centre, Peel, for more information www.centenarycentre.com

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

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

• Karaoke at the Central Hotel, Ramsey.

Sunday, October 4

• Ray Sloane Karaoke at Jaks, Douglas.

• One Wo/man One Guitar at the Mitre, Kirk Michael featuring Eddie Rough and Darryl Williams, 8pm.

• Karaoke at the British, Douglas.

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

• Disco Fever at Macbeth’s, Second Venue, Douglas, 10pm-2am.

Tuesday, October 6

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

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

Wednesday, October 7

• Karaoke at the British, Douglas.

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

Thursday, October 1

• Jump Fx - cardio classes, Ballabeg hall, 9am, and Wednesday, 6pm. Also, gentle circuits at St Catherine’s hall, Port Erin, 10.30am. Phone Sara 432535 or email saraszestforlife@gmail.com

• Southern Swimming Pool, Castletown, Thursday, 9.15am, circuits, 7pm, aquafit; Fridays, 9.15am circuits, 6.30pm; Saturday, 10am, yoga; Monday, 9.15am, circuits, 2.10pm, aquafit, 6.30pm, circuits; Tuesday 2.30pm, aquanauts/rehab swimming, 6.30pmpm, yoga; Wednesday, 6.30pm, circuits.

• Zumba at 9.30am, total tone at 10.15am, call Jane 201811. Legs, bums and tums at 7pm, call Lisa 438150. Also Monday, high intensity circuits at 6.30am, Wednesday and Friday 6.30am, call Shelley 487270. School Drop Boot Camp at 9.30am, also Wednesday and Friday at 6.30am, call Errol on 488105. Vibro-step classes at 12.15pm and 7.15pm, also on Wednesdays and Fridays at 12.15pm and Tuesdays and Fridays at 9.15am, call Shelley 487270. Tuesday, Tae-Bo at 5.45pm, kettlebells at 6.30pm, call Kate 347160. Wednesday, kettlebell core, 6pm, also Saturdays at 9.30am, call Kelly 220220. Elite Fitness, Douglas.

• Thighs, bums and tums, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 9.30am. Also Tuesday, call 335635.

• Yoga, Iyengar (mixed) 9.30am. Tuesday, men only class, 7pm; Wednesday, mixed, 6.45pm, 10 Perwick Bay, Port St Mary. Call 452791.

• Wheelie Active Parents (mums and buggies) 9.30am, Villa Marina reception, £2. Also Walk and Talk, Peel promenade, outside Harbour Lights Cafe, 9.45am, £1.50. Friday, Walk and Talk, NSC, 9.30am; also Mondays, Poulsom Park, Castletown, 9.45am, £1.50. Racquet sports and boccia, 12.15pm, NSC, £1.75; Walk and Talk, 5.30pm, NSC, £1.50. Tuesdays,Walk and Talk, NSC, 9.30am, £1.50; Walk and Talk, Ramsey Mooragh Park, (meet Rugby Club), £1.50, 9.30am. Call Gianni 688556.

• Pilates with Lizzy Main, The Pilates Studio, The Viking Longhouse, West Quay, Peel (all classes at this venue unless stated). Thursdays 10am (chair based Pilates) and 6.15pm. Also, Fridays 9.30am and 10.45am (Pilates Gold – gentle Pilates). Saturdays 9.45am and 11am (Ante-natal Pilates). Mondays, 9.30am (also 6pm at Methodist Church Hall, Colby which is followed by Pure Stretch at 7pm). Also, Wednesdays 5.15pm and 6.30pm. Classes £9 when pre booked in blocks of six, £10 drop-in. Call 427401.

• Gentle Circuits, NSC, 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, Westlands’ residents’ lounge, Peel, 10.30am. Call 642668.

• Pilates, beginners to intermediate, 38 Woodbourne Square, Douglas, 2pm, 5.30pm and 7pm. Call 491449.

• Tai Chi Chuan, Lezayre parish hall, 2pm. Call Pete Jackson 898468.

• Mini tennis coaching, year 3, 4.30pm, year 4, 5.30pm. £3. Also Tuesday, adult beginners and improvers tennis coaching, 6pm. Douglas LTC, Kensington Road. £5. Call 302642.

• Iyengar inspired yoga classes, children’s yoga from 3.30pm, yr3-yr6, 4.30-5.15 rec yr 2, teenage yoga 5.15pm, men’s yoga, 6.30pm, mixed ability hatha yoga, Monday, 9.15am, adult Iyengar inspired yoga. Wednesday, 7pm-8.30pm adult Iyengar inspired yoga.. All at Laxey Football Club. Call Jane on 863130 or janepycroft@manx.net

• Unite, mixture of yoga and Pilates, 4pm-5pm. Also, Fridays 6pm legs, bums and tums, 7pm aerial suspension fitness. Saturdays, 9.30am zumba and 10.30am aerial fitness. Mondays, 6pm zumba and 7pm aerial yoga. Tuesdays, 6pm, fitness Pilates and 7pm kettlebells. Wednesdays, 6pm, high intensity interval training and fitness yoga. Jillian’s Unique Fitness Solutions, 48 Loch Promenade, Douglas.

• 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+, 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.

• Men on mats - core strength/Pilates class, 6pm. £8. Jillian’s Unique Fitness Solutions, 48 Loch Promenade, Douglas. Call 376574.

• Anti-gravity yoga, 6.30pm. Also, pole fitness class at Savina’s Secret Studio, Glen Falcon Road, Douglas, 7.45pm. Call 203502.

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

• Zumba, Carrefour Health Club, Douglas, 6.30pm. Also Monday, 8pm; Wednesday, 9.45am.

• Hot yoga 7pm. Friday: kettlebells 7am and 1.10pm, get yoga fit 10am, hot yoga 6.30pm. Saturday: hot yoga, 10am and 11.30am. Sunday: hot yoga 10am and 11.30am. Monday: kettlebells 7am and 1.10pm, get yoga fit 10am, warm Pilates 5pm, hot yoga for beginners 6.30pm. Tuesday: 7am hot yoga, 5.30pm Pilates. Wednesday: kettlebells 7am and 1.10pm, get yoga fit 10am, hardcore 6 pack abs 5.45pm, Pilates 6.30pm at The Gym, Ramsey. Call 812100.

• Cardiotone, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 7pm. Also Monday 7pm. Call 452729/863602.

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

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

• Aerobics and body toning, bring your own mat, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 7pm. Also Monday, Park View hall, Kirk Michael. Call 455924.

• Zumba, The Institute, Laxey 7pm-8pm, also Tuesday 7.30pm, £5.

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

• Fencing for all ages, Ashley Hill School, 7.30pm. Also Monday, Andreas parish hall, 4.30pm; Tuesday, Arbory parish hall, 4pm and Ebenezer Hall, Kirk Michael, 6.30pm; Wednesday, Scoill Ree Gorree sports hall, Ramsey, 5pm. Call 880863.

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

• Fun Aquafit class at the Cherry Orchard Hotel pool. 7.45pm. Don’t forget the jaccuzi and sauna afterwards. Also Tuesday.

Friday, October 2

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

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

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

• Tai chi chuan, Murray’s Road School, Douglas, 7.30pm. Call 612305.

• Indoor bowls, Legion Hall, Port St Mary, 7.30pm. No experience necessary.

Saturday, October 3

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

• Yoga, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 10.15am. Also Monday.

• Yoga, Arbory parish hall, 10.30am. Call 494489.

• St Mary’s football club 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.

• Fun and fitness, NSC, 11am-noon.

Sunday, October 4

• Reikido, The Royal British Legion, Port Erin, 11am. Also Monday 8pm. Call Nick on 398955.

• Bowling club night, Port Erin Bowling Club, Breagle Glen, 4pm.

• Yoga and Nutrition, Karma Yoga Studio, Douglas, 6pm.

Monday, October 5

• Women’s activity morning, NSC, 9.30am. Call 688556.

• Beginners yoga, 10am, Karma, 2nd Floor, 8 Victoria Street, Douglas. Also at 10am (over 60s half price, £5).

• Stretch ‘n’ Flex exercise, NSC, noon. Call 688588.

• Begin to Run ( running club for all abilities), Douglas seafront, meet Jubilee Kiosk, noon – 1pm, cost £2, call Trevor Christian for more details on 688576.

• Disability swimming sessions, NSC, 3pm, £1.55. Also Tuesday, 6pm.

• Aquafit, NSC, 1.30pm. Also Tuesday at noon and Wednesday at 6pm. Plus deepwater aquafit on Monday at 7.15pm, and Thursday deepwater at 6pm.

• Circuit training, NSC, 6pm. Also Wednesday at 6pm.

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

• Bodyweight and cardiotone, Laxey Working Men’s Institute, 7pm. Call 452729.

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

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

Tuesday, October 6

• Early Morning Boot Camp, 6.15am. Also Wednesday and Friday. Evening Boot Camp, 6pm, Tuesday and Thursday, and 9amam Saturday. Also kettlebell classes, Wednesday, 6pm, Saturday, 8am, Marown Millennium hall. Call 465335.

• Fit2Go walking sessions, car park, Station Road, St John’s, 9am. For women looking to improve their fitness. £3.

• Pilates at 38 Woodbourne Square, Douglas, 9.15am. Pilates at Trinity Church, Ramsey, 6.15pm. Also, balance and Pilates, Cooyrt Balleigh, Ramsey, 1.30pm. No floor exercise. Call 491449.

• Social-cise, social fitness sessions, NSC, 2pm. Also, Boccia, 5pm.

• Cheerleading, All Saints’ Church hall, 4.30pm. Call 254499.

• No strings badminton, for novices, beginners and getting back into badminton, NSC, 5pm.

• Adult beginners and improvers tennis coaching, Douglas LTC, Kensington Road, 6pm, £5. Call 302642.

• Pilates, Trinity Church hall, Waterloo Road, Ramsey, 6.15pm. Call 491449.

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

• Tai Chi Chuan, Lezayre parish community hall, 7pm.

• IoM Karate Federation, Murray’s Road School, juniors 7pm, seniors 7.30pm. Call 612305.

• Badminton club, Arbory School, Ballabeg, 8pm-10pm. Call Liz on 466370. TERM TIME ONLY

Wednesday, October 7

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

• Zumba classes, beginners, antenatal and postnatal 9.45am, zumba fitness, advanced, 10.45am at Zumba Isle of Man, Silvercraigs Hotel. Call 677776.

• Gentle body toning, NSC, 11am.

• Chair-based exercises/stretch and flex, NSC, Douglas, noon. Call 688588.

• Thompson Travel Netball Club junior training, Braddan School, 6pm.

• Valkyrs Hockey Club training, QEII astro pitch, Peel. Juniors, 6pm; Seniors, 7.30pm. Call 801802.

• Iyengar inspired yoga, 6pm. Brightlife, Andreas. Call Kel on 452015.

Thursday, October 1

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

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

Monday, October 5

• Isle of Man Ladies’ Luncheon Club, Palace Hotel, 1pm. Speaker Graham Walton, ‘My life with Seven Women’.

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

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

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

• Ramsey Gardening Club at Quayle’s hall, Ramsey, 7.30pm, £2.

Tuesday, October 6

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

• The Tuesday Group, flexible learning room to try your hand at basic crafts, have a chat, coffee and fun, Peel Clothworkers’ School, 1.15pm. Pre-school children catered for. Call 614180.

• Albany Lawn Tennis Club: Social tennis Tuesdays 7 – 9pm club night. Wednesdays 10.30am–12.30pm. Club morning Fridays 10am–noon. Friday ladies. Saturdays, noon – 2pm, junior beginners, mini tennis. Sundays 10.30am–12.30pm, club morning All sessions are open to members. Non­members can attend three sessions with no charge. Indoor court available when it rains. Call Pat Sharp 861497 or Jan Gaskill 862144. Private coaching contact Ian Watson 496293 or email ianwatsonpts@manx.net

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

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

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

• Glen Maye WI, St James’ Church hall, Dalby, 7.30pm. Call 818194.

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

• Santon WI, The Church Centre, Church Road, Santon, 7.30pm. Call 818194.

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

• Castletown Over 60s Club band concert at Morton hall, Castletown, 7.45pm-9.45pm.

• The Isle of Man Amateur Radio Society, Sea Cadet hall, Tromode, 8.30pm-9.30pm.

Wednesday, October 7

• MS Society coffee morning, Harbour Lights, St Paul’s Square, Ramsey, 10.30am.

• Laxey Sketch Club, informal drawing and painting, Laxey Football Club, Glen Road, 1.30pm-3.30pm, £10pa membership and £2 per session. Call Norman 861125 for more details.

• Onchan Pensioners Club, Morton Hall, Castletown, ladies club, 2pm.

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

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

• Jurby and District WI, Jurby parish hall, 7.15pm.

• St Mark’s WI, St Mark’s School room, 7.30pm. Call 818194.

Thursday, October 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friday, October 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Saturday, October 3

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

• Messy Church at Promenade Methodist Church, 3.30pm to 5.30pm. Messy crafts, worship/celebration and lovely food, and a tots area. Free admission, but there will be a collection afterwards. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Sunday, October 4

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

• Sunday School, Sulby Methodist Church, 10.30am.

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

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

Monday, October 5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Brownies, Corrin Hall, Peel, 6.30pm.

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

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

Tuesday, October 6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday, October 7

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

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

• Twins/Multiple Births Club, Philip Christian Centre, Peel, 10am-11.30am. Call 458202.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thursday, October 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friday, October 2

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

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

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

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

Saturday, October 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sunday, October 4

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

Monday, October 5

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

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

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

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

Tuesday, October 6

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

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

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

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

Wednesday, October 7

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

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

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

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

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

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

Palace Cinema

• Everest, 3D, (12A). Nightly at 7pm.

• The Visit, (15). Nightly at 7.30pm.

• Hotel Transylvania 2, (U). Saturday and sunday at 2pm.

• Inside Out, 2D, (U). Saturday and Sunday at 2.30pm.

Broadway Cinema

• The Martian, 3D, (12A). Friday at 7.30pm, Saturday and Sunday at 1.30pm and 7.30pm, Monday and Tuesday at 7.30pm, Wednesday at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. 2D, Saturday and Sunday at 4.30pm.

Erin Arts Centre

• II Trovatore (Verdi), new series, live from the Met, 5.45pm. Tickets £15/over 60s £139u18s £2. Also Sunday Faberge: A Life of Its Own, 3pm. Tickets £10/u18s £2.

• Julie Anne Denton’s exhibition at the Isle Gallery, Tynwald Mills. Until October 4.

• ‘Places I Remember’ an exhibition of photos of lost Ramsey landmarks showing at the Ramsey Heritage Centre, Albert Street, Ramsey (next door to the tram station) Centre is open daily except Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm. Until 31 October.

“Do or dare’’ – that was the challenge to my fellow young travellers.

Ruaridh (8) and Flora (5) carefully studied their options. Do – was to eat a huge steaming hot bowl of snails, cooked in garlic. The dare was to follow the city’s tradition and run as fast as they could through the bubbling fountain in the main square.

After examining the shell-like creatures with curious disdain, the intrepid duo followed in the footsteps of their Belgium hero Tin Tin and ran as fast as they could through the freezing cold water.

Luckily for them, the sun was out and they were soon as dry as bones and laughing hysterically at their feat. Welcome to Mons, the fun city which is really making the most of its status as European Capital of Culture for 2015.

It’s a city bursting with life. Home to two universities and lots of retired people, who come to this corner of Belgium, just an hour or so away from Brussels, because it has such a lot going on and is so easy to move around on foot. And why not, as its pretty beautiful too, with four UNESCO- listed treasures to enjoy.

Mons is most famous for being the place for the British and Commonwealth forces, where World War I started and finished and in 2014 was centre for centenary celebrations, with Prince William and Princess Kate representing Britain.

We arrived for our four day stay in lovely September sunshine at the city’s railway station which is proving to be a bit of a talking point with the locals. Plans have been drawn up for a dragon shaped design to reflect the city’s obsession with St George and the Dragon. Delays have meant it will be 2018 until it is finished, but if the drawings displayed at the temporary station are anything to go by, it will be worth it, as it really looks amazing.

From the station, it’s a short walk through the twisty medieval streets to the hub of the old part of Mons. This was where our hotel aptly named Dream! was, full of eccentricities which made it hard to leave. The rooms are wonderfully designed, all with individual themes and quirky cartoons. Even the carpets are fun, with black and white splodgy squares leading you to your room. We were on the third floor of the converted 19th century convent and were welcomed by a stained glass window to look out of as we left the lift. Our room’s huge window was framed with neo Gothic stonework and much to Ruaridh and Flora’s delight, there were back to back televisions so everyone could be entertained. With electric curtains and a jacuzzi bath which lit up in wonderful colours at night, to enjoy, we really were dreaming. And the view was spectacular, especially at night when the city’s main monuments were lit up in an array of brightness. Food at the hotel is also a luxury, all traditional and served with elegance and some lovely Belgian beer.

There is a lot to see and do in Mons and we found a novel way of getting our bearings, thanks to local teacher Ludovic Agneesens. Ludovic gives tours around the city on his Piaggio Ape three-wheeler, a smart invention which had Ruaridh and Flora in raptures. With his quirky and easy-going style, Ludovic soon had us falling in love with the city he moved to as a student and never left.

The advantage of the three-wheeler is that it can go where cars can’t, which is good in Mons as much of the city is pedestrianised and Ludovic knows every nook and cranny and shows you features you would no doubt miss if left to your own devices.

His one and a half hour tour takes you to all the major attractions including The Grand-Place, the main hub for people to meet and socialise. The 15th century Hotel de Ville or town hall is in the centre and home to the Guardhouse Monkey, whose head has lost its bronze shine, thanks to everyone following the tradition of rubbing its head with your left hand, all in the name of good luck.

Surrounded by cafes and bars, The Grand Place is a nice place to people spot. But once we had left Ludovic, we relied on our feet to see the sights. The cobbles dictate good shoes and I chose Mons to test out a pair of the Teva suede braided boots from the 2015 De La Vina collection. Comfy and stylish, they did just the job, especially when we walked up to the first of our stops on the UNESCO-listed buildings. A stroll up a big hill takes you to The Belfry, one of 56 in Belgium and France to be given the special honour. They were originally built as watch towers with the bells to warn locals of any trouble and also to house important documents. The one in Mons has been beautifully restored and is set in a park full of bicycle powered instruments for children (and big kids) to enjoy.

Just down from the Belfry is the Collegiate Church of St Waudru, which houses the Car d’ Or and the coffin of St Waudru. Both are at the centrepiece of the annual Doudou Festival, another tick on the UNESCO list. On Trinity Sunday, the coffin is placed on the Car d’ Or in a flamboyant opening ceremony, then the carriage, pulled by horses is pushed up the hill by locals. Legend states that if the carriage slips down the hill, the town will be destroyed. Locals take the event very seriously and it is followed by a battle where St George slays the dragon. So important is it, that the Musee du Doudou has been opened to tell the story.

For military enthusiasts, the Mons Memorial Museum is an excellent option, with interactive exhibitions re-living the wars and displaying memorabilia.

Outside Mons, the Pairi Daiza is a must for families, a short train ride takes you to the Garden of the Worlds, which is a theme park, garden and zoo, all rolled into one. There are no rides, but different areas of beauty, where animals of that country lived. The white tiger and pandas were are favourites and its easy to see why this park is Belgium’s number one place to visit. There are many restaurants on site to visit too, with the Temple des Delices serving the best Chinese.

Food and drink are a big thing in Belgium and Mons is lucky to have such restaurants as Petite Provence, Ces Belges et Vous and Chez Bily, serving traditional dishes ranging from the Cote de Porc A L’Berdouille, translated as pork in mud (which happens to be a delicious sauce) to the best frites (or chips ) in town.

The city’s European Capital for Culture motto for 2015 is “I Love Mons’’ and I think that is certainly true of the fountain racing Hay family!

Factfile: Mons, Belgium, European Capital of Culture 2015.

Accommodation: Dream! really lives up to its name, housed in a converted 19th-century convent, it really is a fabulous spot. Location wise, its in a great central location and inside the walls are decorated with trendy artwork and rooms are to die for, all with their own individual décor related to their names, ranging from my favourite childhood professional cyclist Eddy Merckx to the Belgium Expo 58 fair. There is also a private spa to relax in. Check out {http://www.dream-mons.be|www.dream-mons.be}

Tourist information: The people in Belgium are nice and friendly and that includes the lovely lot at the Belgium Tourist Office in London. For further information on Mons visit {http://www.whybelgium.co.uk|www.whybelgium.co.uk}, social tag: @whybelgium. Listings of events for Mons2015 can be found on {http://www.mons2015.eu/en|www.mons2015.eu/en}

Enjoy a spin round the city in a three wheeler with fun guide Ludovic Agneesens, check out www.triobalade.be

Guide: I have author Antony Mason to thank for inspiring the trip to Mons. In his excellent guide Mons: European Capital of Culture, Anthony shows so much enthusiasm for the city, you just have to go and see it yourself! Published by Bradt Guides, {http://www.bradtguides.com.bradtguides.com}

Transport: Flights from Britain to Belgium are good with the Charleroi airport the nearest to Mons .

There is an excellent bus/train service to Mons, with the combined ticket allowing you to use both modes of transport to reach the city. Log onto {http://www.charleroi-airport.com/en|www.charleroi-airport.com/en}

Gear: Mons is cobble city and so you need good footwear while you walk round. Shoe specialists Teva has released a smart suede boot (£80) as part of this year’s De La Vina collection, see {http://www.teva.com.teva.com} or try out social tags @tevaeurope for both Instagram and Twitter.

The Meteorological Office has crunched the numbers to prove that the island has enjoyed an Indian summer.

With 190 hours burned onto the cards, September 2015 was the second sunniest on record, behind 1991 which had 197 hours.

The fine conditions later in the month were perfect for viewing the ‘supermoon’ and eclipse, but more importantly, the related spring tides were suppressed by the high pressure, preventing what could easily have been a severe flood event in more typical autumn weather.

Rainfall amounted to just 44.4mm over the month; about 30mm less than the long term mean.

The wettest day was the 12th with 15.3mm.

Despite the fair weather, temperatures were still slightly below normal.

The average daytime maximum was 16.0°C, and minima 10.6°C. The 11th was the peak, with 18.2°C achieved at Ronaldsway.

The average wind speed over the month was 10.7 knots; about 0.5 below the long term mean for September.

The 12th was the windiest, with a gust to 35 knots.

There was no hail, thunder, fog or gales recorded at Ronaldsway, which is where the Isle of Man’s Met Office is based.

Four candidates have stepped forward to fill the seat vacated by Port St Mary commissioner Rebecca Sinfield.

The candidates are: Joyce Crook, Michelle Haywood, Samuel David Rotchell and Ian Skelly.

Ms Sinfield, who had to step down in July after it emerged her name was not on the electoral roll, is stated has having withdrawn her application.

She applied to go on the electoral roll in August, but her name was reinstated on October 1, after the deadline for nominations for this by-election had closed. She has been a commissioner in the village for 17 years and said she is disappointed to be unable to continue.

The by-election was prompted by a request for one to be held by two electors who used a provision in the Local Elections Act which states after a casual vacancy has been announced, an election will be held, ‘in any other case, within 42 days after notice in writing of the vacancy has been given to the clerk of the authority by two local government electors for the authority.’

Resident Andrew Phair also raised concerns when a by-election was not called to fill the vacant seat within 42 days.

The by election is on Thursday, October 22.

Chairman Ron Spencer describes the Diana Princess of Wales Care at Home Trust as ‘one of the best charities the Isle of Man has never heard of’.

But he’s hoping a nomination for the Isle of Man Newspapers’ Pride in Mann awards will help to change that and give the charity some welcome publicity.

The charity’s secretary, Martin Norbury, nominated the organisation in the Charity and Volunteers category.

In his nomination, Mr Norbury, said: ‘The trust aims to fund nursing staff to provide respite care and end of life palliative care for island residents who choose to remain at home in their last days. In effect it provides a Hospice at Home service.

‘Research suggests that more and more people prefer to spend their last days with the dignity and comfort that comes from being in their own homes,’ he said.

Mr Spencer echoed the sentiment: ‘There are those who need support outside Hospice or hospital and data shows most of us want to die at home but most end up dying in hospital.’

He said the Trust funds special nurses who are provided and trained by Hospice.

The trust also has a fundraising target of £50,000 a year to keep abreast of its commitments.

The charity is run entirely by volunteers and employs no staff so all money goes to benefit patients.

At some point in the future they hope to introduce an on-call service. ‘But that does mean we will have to raise our fundraising sights even higher,’ he added.

‘What we would really like to do is encourage companies or organisations to make us their charity of the year because we don’t have the colossal fundraising structure that some charities do.

‘But what we do have is a fantastic and dynamic bunch of trustees.’

Mr Norbury said the charity, though separate from Hospice, worked closely with it.

As well as funding the specialist Diana nurses and a healthcare assistant, funds are also used to help buy specialist equipment and fund further training across in the UK.

Pride in Mann is an awards scheme sponsored by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.

Nominations have now closed.

Find out more at prideinmann.com

The cost of living is still falling, according to one government statistic.

On average, things have dropped by 0.8 per cent, according to the Consumer Prices Index.

But the rate of inflation measured by the Retail Prices Index rose by 2.6 per cent.

The Consumer Price Index excludes mortgage interest payments and household expenditure such as buildings insurance and has a different basket of goods.

Some food got cheaper. For example, vegetables dropped by 10.8 per cent but fruit rose 1.8 per cent.

Petrol and oil dropped by 14.9 per cent and the price of petrol dropped again at some island retailers yesterday.

Heating oil dropped by 29.6 per cent, while gas remained the same.

The Isle of Man Ship Registry is now processing applications for endorsements recognising seafarers’ qualifications online.

The Ship Registry processes more than 3,000 applications each year for endorsements which are issued to allow seafarers holding internationally recognised certification to sail on Isle of Man registered ships.

This latest move will allow crew managers to apply online and submit all supporting documentation electronically, improving the service for crew managers around the world.

The online service has been tested by two of the Ship Registry’s major clients and has been hailed as a success. Now that it has passed client testing, the online system will be available to all of the Ship Registry’s customers.

Dick Welsh, director of the Isle of Man Ship Registry, said: ‘This next step in our online offering will greatly improve the service for clients by reducing application times and paper usage. Our commitment to continual improvement forms a key element in our ISO 9001 quality system and the benefits of the system will contribute to the registry’s drive for the environmental management standard, ISO14001. Staff and clients both see great advantages in this online system and it will help us stay ahead of the competition.’

Leonard Singer MHK, the politician with responsibility for the Ship Registry, said: ‘This is a great step forward for the Ship Registry. Already recognised as one of the world’s leading ship registers with a reputation for high levels of service, this is another milestone in driving efficiency improvements and further improving the service to international clients. This move to an online process dovetails perfectly with the Department’s commitment to the island’s digital strategy.’