A survey undertaken every two years to allow government and partner agencies and plan and target services for young people in the island starts on Friday.

The survey of 11 to 18-year-olds is being conducted by a new charitable organisation, the Youth Trust, which will report the findings to the Children’s Services Partnership.

Previous surveys have been run by the Partnership, which is made up of government departments that work most closely with young people.

The Youth Trust will encourage young people to lead healthier lifestyles, achieve their potential and contribute to the community.

The survey comprises 50 questions relating to schooling, leisure, health, social attitudes, lifestyle choices and wellbeing, and takes around 20 minutes to complete.

It can be accessed by visiting www.youth.im and clicking on the survey tab.

Ken Callister, principal youth officer with the Department of Education, said: ‘The 2013 survey elicited 1,477 responses and we are looking for a similar response rate.

‘In response to the last survey, we strengthened existing services and planned new projects.

‘As examples, we launched the multi-agency Manx Motor Meet, which equips young drivers with skills, and improved access to support for emotional health and wellbeing, strengthening listening services in schools and training staff as emotional first aiders.’

Beach cleaning charity Beach Buddies is holding a series of craft day sessions at Niarbyl Visitor Centre during this week’s half-term break.

Using materials collected from the island’s beaches, such as shells, driftwood and sea glass, children of all ages are given tuition and advice to help create an object to take home.

The Beach Buddies Craft Days cost £10 a child, which includes all materials, and each child goes home with a unique item of their own design or they can follow templates of various styles.

New ideas for the half term include driftwood Christmas trees, butterflies made from shells, and table decorations.

Sessions run daily until Friday, from 1pm to 4.30pm.

Booking in advance is necessary as there is a maximum of eight children for each session.

Bookings can be made by emailing beachbuddies@manx.net or calling 496560.

The RAF will be visiting the Isle of Man on a recruitment drive next week.

A team from the Armed Forces Careers Office in Liverpool will be holding a selection test at the Job Centre in Douglas at 9.30am on Wednesday, November 11.

They will also be attending the Employment & Skills 2015 careers convention on Thursday, November 12, at the Villa Marina in Douglas, 9am to 6pm.

There is still time to have your say on proposals aimed at promoting greater fairness in the allocation of public sector accommodation for older people in the Isle of Man.

The deadline for responses to the Department of Infrastructure’s public consultation is 5pm next Wednesday (November 11).

The department is seeking feedback on proposed changes to the assessment criteria for eligibility and access to older persons’ public sector housing. The revised process would result in a broader initial assessment of eligibility for entry on to the waiting list, with allocation being prioritised on the basis of income and assets, as well as health and wellbeing.

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.

Chris Thomas MHK, DoI Member with responsibility for housing, said: ‘Access into what has been called sheltered housing has been an issue. For instance, how should income and wealth be taken into account once need has been established? I hope organisations and individuals will share their views at this stage.’

The consultation document is available to view on the government website at https://www.gov.im/consultations.gov

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

Construction work will begin this week on a new sewage treatment works for Ramsey - that will stop the blight of raw effluent being pumped into the sea off the Isle of Man’s northern coast.

The £6million scheme will provide sewage treatment for Ramsey via a new pipeline and pumping station to be constructed at the Vollan fields in Ramsey, and for Andreas via a refurbished pumping station and a new transmission pipeline.

Currently, Ramsey and Andreas have no sewage treatment facilities and untreated sewage is discharged directly into the sea through a sea outfall near to Mooragh Park.

When the new sewage treatment works at Balladoole in completed, treated effluent will be discharged from the existing Mooragh Promenade outfall, while the Smeale sewage outfall in Andreas, dating back to the 1940s, will be taken out of service.

Chairman of the Manx Utilities Authority Alfred Cannan MHK said: ‘This is great news for residents of the North who will no longer have raw sewage being discharged into the sea at Smeale and Ramsey and will have huge benefits for the beaches and the marine environment.’

The project will be completed by Spring 2017.

Planning consent for the Balladoole works was secured in April this year. A planning application has been submitted for the replacement pumping station at the Vollan (15/01140/B).

When the project is complete, the MUA will achieve the bathing water standards approved by Tynwald and will also meet the more stringent 2006 bathing water quality standards currently in force in the EU.

This is the final part of phase one of the regional sewage treatment strategy which has seen upgrades to treatment works in Bride, Dalby, Corrany, Glen Mona, Maughold Village, Booilushag, Jurby, Patrick, Glen Maye, Port Lewaigue and Kirk Michael, along with a sludge import facility and new drier – under construction at Meary Veg, Santon – to support the regional works.

With phase one completed, up to 85 per cent of the island’s sewage will be treated.

Scheduled to proceed between 2016 and 2021, phase two will take in Peel and the surrounding area, Laxey and Baldrine, Sulby and Ballaugh and villages in the island’s Central Valley.

A visual of how Ramsey’s new treatment plant will look is available at:

https://www.manxutilities.im/about-us/our-assets/sewerage/ramsey-sewage-treatment-works/

The Isle of Man FA’s representative side continues its FA Inter-League Cup defence in Knutsford on Saturday afternoon.

Nick Hurt’s side take on the Cheshire League in the second round of the competition they won in 2014.

Having disposed of the Chester & Wirral League 7-1 in September’s first round, the Men will make the trip across the Irish Sea in confident mood as they try to become the first side to retain the trophy.

Hurt makes two changes to the 16-man squad that travelled to Chester for this weekend’s tie.

The Canada Life Premier League’s top scorer, Ciaran McNulty, returns after being on holiday for the first round victory.

Also coming back into the fold is St George’s centre-back Sean Quaye.

The former FA skipper covers the absence of Peel’s Dominic McGreevy who misses out on the trip because of work commitments.

Another one of the Sunset City side’s number to miss out is Daniel Bell.

The midfielder is wearing a cast on a broken arm, meaning the match officials on Saturday would have the final say on whether he would be allowed to play.

Apart from that the squad is as you were with Rushen’s Liam Cowin the only non-St George’s or Peel player in the selection.

Peel’s Max Thomas remains the only keeper in the squad, with usual number two Damyan Petkov (St John’s) inellgible for this competition.

Isle of Man FA squad: Max Thomas (Peel), Liam Cowin (Rushen), Sean Quaye (St George’s), John Myers (St George’s), Marc Kelly (Peel), Lee Gale (Peel), Frank Jones (St George’s), Conor Doyle (St George’s), Chris Bass Jr (St George’s), Ashley Webster (Peel), Ciaran McNulty (St George’s), Jack McVey (St George’s), Matthew Woods (Peel), Sam Caine (St George’s), Calum Morrissey (St George’s), Andrew Crennell (Peel).

TT ace Dean Harrison has signed a two-year contract with Silicone Engineering Racing.

Dean made his TT races debut in 2011, finishing the highest placed newcomer in the Supersport class.

His achieved his first TT race win in the 2014 Lightweight TT, which followed his second place in the RL360 Superstock race earlier in the week.

The Bradford man also finished runner-up in the 2013 Lightweight TT and has a fastest lap of 130.261, which he set in the 2014 PokerStars Senior TT.

He has two Classic TT race wins; the 2013 Motorsport Merchandise Formula Classic Race and the 2015 Bennetts 500cc Classic Race.

Commenting on his decision to join Silicone Engineering Racing Harrison said: ‘As soon as I met Paul and the rest of the team and saw the set-up from the bike preparation to the calibre of the other riders and their knowledge, I knew it was a great opportunity to join a team on the up.

‘The flexibility of how the team is run was another plus for me as I can really have an influence on key decisions on the bike, which I believe will take me to greater levels and hopefully bring success to the team.’

Dean also spoke about the importance and focus on the bikes, commenting: ‘I think this really gives us scope in the next month to consider the best options open to us to decide on the right manufacturer for the 2016 campaign.’

Silicone Engineering team manager Paul Iddon said: ‘We’re absolutely delighted to have Dean come on board and join us for the next two years.

‘It is a massive opportunity for Silicone Engineering Racing to take the step to another level and push the team to new heights.’

He continued: ‘We’re a relatively new team to road racing and with Dean’s success and stature within the sport we can really grow our brand name and achieve big things in the next couple of years.’

As well as the TT Dean will contest other international road races and selected BSB meetings for the team.

The Ben-my-Chree is trying to catch up after fog disrupted sailings yesterday.

The Steam Packet vessel is due to leave Douglas for Heysham at 10.30am today instead of its usual 8.45am departure.

For the latest sailings schedule {http://www.steam-packet.com/LatestSailings|click here}.

Several sailings were cancelled or postponed yesterday.

The Ben-my-Chree was diverted to 12 Quays in Birkenhead yesterday evening after heavy fog at Heysham meant it was unable to dock.

It waited for hours outside Heysham, hoping for the fog to clear, before sailing to Birkenhead after getting permission from Stena Line to use its berth there.

Last night’s 7.45pm Douglas-Heysham and the 2.15am overnight return service were cancelled.

Steam Packet chief executive Mark Woodward said: ‘We made every attempt to get into Heysham yesterday afternoon, but we finally had to admit defeat.

He added: ‘We would like to thank our customers for their ongoing patience and understanding in these difficult circumstances. We are making every effort to contact any passengers who may be affected by these disruptions and to organise alternative travel arrangements.’

Plans have been submitted for another new housing estate to be built in Crosby.

James Cowell, on behalf of the estate of Amy Kissack, has applied to government planners for approval in principle for 36 homes to be built on land between Peel Road, the old railway line and Old Church Road.

Meanwhile, a decision is pending on an application (15/00775/A) by JM Project Management Limited for approval in principle for a development comprising 28 houses and 4,500 sq ft of retail space on a site that is part of Ballaglonney Farm. The development site borders the bowling green on Old Church Road.

In the Architect’s Design Statement, submitted by Ellis Brown as part of the latest application, it says the proposal is for six homes to be built in the grounds of Close Jairg Beg and 30 homes in neighbouring fields.

Access to the development would be provided by widening the existing driveway at Close Jairg Beg, off Old Church Road.

A pedestrian link would be created on to Peel Road, near the bus shelter, and to the old railway line.

The homes would be a mixture of three and four-bedroom houses, all semi-detached.

Nine homes would be affordable housing, in line with the 25 per cent provision set down in the Isle of Man Strategic Plan.

In the statement it says: ‘Crosby recently lost its local sub-post office and village shop and development of the proposal site would contribute to encouraging the restoration of such a facility.

‘The form of the proposed development is similar to that of the village and all topographical features are retained to maintain the character of the village.’

Open space on the site would total about 2,273 square metres.

The statement says: ‘All the trees and landscape features on the edges of the site along Peel Road, Old Church Road and the former railway line will be retained as will the existing property of Close Jairg Beg and its garden ground fronting Old Church Road, with development set back from this road to maintain the existing green character of the area.

‘Similarly, all existing landscape features on the site – trees, Manx sod banks and ditches – will be retained and incorporated in the landscape proposals for the development, no trees will be lost as a result.’

A radar glitch is now thought to have sparked the search for an aircraft reported missing on Saturday.

Port St Mary RNLI helped in the search after RAF Kinloss in Scotland reported that an aircraft had issued an emergency code.

A RNLI boat from Newcastle in Northern Ireland, along with two coastguard rescue teams and the Irish coastguard search and rescue helicopter, were also involved in the operation.

However, the search for the aircraft, which was said to have issued a distress call off the coast of the Isle of Man, was abandoned after four hours.

Isle of Man Coastguard rescue team manager Philip Adams said: ‘The search was co-ordinated by Belfast coastguard following the initial alert.

‘Given the estimated position Port St Mary lifeboat was tasked to assist the Irish lifeboat and Castletown coastguard were tasked to deploy their Radio Direction Finding (RDF) equipment to the high ground of Mull Hill to take bearings on any signal from a transponder.

‘After a thorough search of the area with nothing found the search was terminated by Belfast coastguard.’

A spokesman for Belfast Coastguard said: ‘What we believe has happened was that a spurious signal was picked up by the radar site.

‘Air Traffic Control will investigate it further this week and try to narrow it down. At this time we are putting it down to some sort of radar glitch.

‘Obviously, at the time of the report we wouldn’t take a chance on that being the case which is why treated it as an aircraft in distress.’

Police are searching for a driver who failed to stop at a pedestrian crossing at a red light.

The motorist was driving a silver Toyota Yaris towards Baldrine at about 3.50pm on Tuesday, October 27, near to Sandringham Drive, Onchan.

No one was put in danger but police would like to speak to anyone who saw the incident.

A man armed with a knife tried to steal money from a shop yesterday.

It happened at about 5.30pm at Strang Stores, The Strang, Ballaoates Road, Braddan.

The woman behind the counter, who was working alone, refused to cooperate with the offender and he fled.

Police suspect there were two other men in the area involved with this crime.

Initial accounts suggest that all made off on foot through the area of Strang Close, into Ballanawin Estate towards Cronk Grianagh.

Following that, it is not known whether they headed to a nearby address or left in a vehicle.

The knifeman is described as in his teens to early 20s, average height, slim build and darkly dressed, with his hood up. The other two males dressed in similar clothing.

Detective Sergeant Brian Shimmin said: ‘I can confirm that no one was hurt in this incident and appeal to members of the public who were in the areas at the time to come forward with any information which may assist.

‘Uniformed officers will be in the area this evening conducting inquiries with local residents and those who frequent the area.

‘At this time the knife remains outstanding and police ask if any discarded knives are located to contact police.’

A Poppy Appeal charity box has been stolen from a business in Ramsey.

It was taken today between 10:30am and 12pm from a business on West Quay, Ramsey.

Constable Hardy said: This is a crime against the whole community as the funds collected by the Poppy Appeal help the families of serving members of the forces as well as veterans. I would ask anyone with information to come forward.’

Contact Ramsey police station on 812234 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 55511.

Lantern-making workshops are taking place in Port Erin Methodist hall at 10am and 2pm on Saturday, November 7 and Saturday, November 14.

The lanterns will be used in the grand parade, which is part of the Christmas in Port Erin celebrations on December 5.

Sessions are £2 a person and open to all ages – just turn up.

The Christmas celebrations include competitions for best Christmas outfit and fancy dress, and giant nativity puppets.

There is a special steam train leaving Douglas at 2.45pm and returns from Port Erin at 6.30pm.

Speakers with thought-provoking ideas are being sought for the second annual TEDxDouglas event in December.

After the success of the inaugural TEDxDouglas event last year, the organisers are looking for inspiring speakers to enthral the audience with powerful talks that make people think.

Last year’s event included talks from astronaut, social entrepreneur and author Ron Garan, and Manx-born Chicago-based blues guitarist Davy Knowles.

TEDxDouglas 2015 will take place at the Youth Arts Centre in Kensington Road, Douglas, on Sunday, December 6.

TED - which stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design - is a non-profit organisation devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short talks, normally no longer than 15 minutes. The movement has developed a worldwide following of millions since the first event in 1984. TEDx events are independent from the main TED conferences, but operate under the same banner and follow similar principles and guidelines.

Chris Stott, CEO of Manx satellite company ManSat Ltd, is the licence holder for TEDxDouglas. He said: ‘I’ve been involved with TED for nine years now, and I’m proud that after the success of last year’s event we are able to stage TEDxDouglas again. There are so many people in the Isle of Man who have ideas to share and the TEDx platform is the perfect opportunity to provoke conversations that matter.’

TEDxDouglas will once again be curated by a local team including Emma Quirk, Owen Cutajar and Paul Watson, with the talks being uploaded to the main TED website afterwards for worldwide viewing.

Emma said: ‘Last year was such a success, we couldn’t just leave it as a one-time event. We know that there are more stories to be told and are keen to hear from anyone who has an idea for an inspiring talk.

‘The TED philosophy is about the power of ideas to change attitudes, to make people question the world around them and how they live their lives.’

The TED mission statement reads: ‘TED is a global community, welcoming people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world. We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and, ultimately, the world.’

Tickets for TEDxDouglas will be available through the Villa Gaiety website.

If you would like to propose an idea for a talk, contact Emma on tedxdouglas@gmail.com or call her on 07624 341823.

You can keep up to speed on the latest news at tedxdouglas.im or via social media at www.twitter.com/tedxdouglas and www.facebook.com/tedxdouglas

A sensory garden at St John’s Primary School has been refurbished.

The Social Firm, in partnership with Manx Mencap, was commissioned to refurbish the primary school’s sensory garden in time for the start of the new academic year.

Sensory gardens are designed to engage all senses – sight, smell, touch, taste – by using plants and other materials. The Department of Social Care currently runs five resource centres on the Isle of Man for people with learning disabilities. Of these centres there are two that provide day services focused on employment, these are called Social Firms.

Cath Hayhow, director of adult services explained: ‘It is important for adults with learning and physical disabilities to have the opportunity to work, improving their physical, emotional and mental health.

‘The Social Firm includes two workplaces, Greenfield Garden Centre and Eastcliffe Resource Industrial Centre (ERIC), where adults with a range of educational, learning and physical needs can work in a supportive environment, with the aim of gaining employment in the wider community in the future.’

Headteacher of St John’s School Tracy Willoughby said: ‘The improved garden provides a safe, attractive, interactive space for the children to learn and develop. They have been exploring the topic “autumn” whilst in the garden this term.’

A bid to stop a fireworks display, which is part of Port St Mary Commissioners’ Celebration of Christmas, has been unsuccessful.

Resident Michelle Haywood told the board: ‘Timing a display on an evening in December, which is chosen by the commissioners for their civic celebration causes confusion for local residents.’

She added that fireworks distress pets and livestock and if owners have no prior warning, they cannot ‘manage their animals appropriately’. Also ‘a substantial sum of public money is spent on an event that many of the port do not know is happening.’

She raised concerns about ‘the poor management of the safety of the fireworks display’ in previous years, adding: ‘It has been known for casings to land near the top of the Broughs, close to spectators. I have spent a considerable amount of time clearing the debris from the beach after previous displays.’
She asked the board to consider not including a fireworks display this year.

Last week the authority agreed to advertise the display more widely, close the beach when it takes place and give Ms Haywood a copy of the health and safety report.

Clerk Alastair Hamilton revealed the display cost just over £1,000.

It was right to give careful consideration to the potential opportunity afforded by a TT world series, Isle of Man business leaders say.

The Chamber of Commerce says critics of the now-ditched world series project should look at the bigger picture.

Economic Development Minister Laurence Skelly told MHKs last week that it was now felt that the time was not right for a TT world series.

He insisted that it had been a ‘valuable exercise’ and a ‘great deal had been learned’.

But critics, led by Douglas North MHK John Houghton, said £276,000 had been wasted on a ‘complete non-starter’.

The total expenditure of £276,360 covered all fees and expenses paid to the Sports Consultancy – which had been contracted to explore the feasibility of the idea – as well as the costs of advertising the tender process and producing brochures relating to that.

Chamber of Commerce chief executive Jane Dellar said: ‘The study and consideration surrounding the World Series or International TT have been ongoing since 2010.

‘The scale and complexity of the opportunity meant it was right to give careful consideration to the potential opportunity. The international nature of the proposed event meant such investigations were bound to be wide-ranging and extensive.

‘The Chamber Of Commerce believe we need to consider a bigger picture when considering the cost attached to the evaluation and report – that is, broadly the TT event is worth some £25m plus each year to the island’s economy and any cost in considering this project needs to be set against such a backdrop.’

She added: ‘It is not a wrong decision to say no, or not now, but perhaps a difficult one politically. We see the decision simply as a balanced judgement after considering the report and prevailing current circumstances which have changed significantly since the report was commissioned.’

Ms Dellar said the Chamber of Commerce wants Ministers to make the right call for the island having considered the evidence and current priorities rather than bow to political pressure.

‘In this instance we would agree with the Minister that our focus would be best placed improving the present portfolio of motor sport opportunities and visitor economy here on the Isle of Man,’ she said.

Mr Skelly told the Keys that his department believed there remain great opportunities to continue to grow the TT and Classic TT by working with a private promoter partner. A new procurement process is to begin to find the right partner.

Chief Minister Allan Bell said it was a case of ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’.

He said: ‘There may be opportunities to expand the TT in other ways. We have to take risks sometimes and take opportunities as they arise.’

Mr Bell said the same applied to the new £50m Economic Development Fund, which was given Tynwald approval this month. ‘It’s incumbent on government to explore new opportunities for economic growth. But not everything we pursue will be successful,’ he said.

This week’s Isle of Man Examiner is in the shops now.

It leads with a report from court about the father who got a suspended prison sentence after his daughter died in a car accident.

With the latest from the courts, the weekend sport, news from politics, two pages of readers’ letters, the latest community news and Terry Cringle’s pages of nostalgia, the Examiner is a great read this week.

It’s in the shops now.

Bobby Sadler Young Farmers remain top of netball’s Division One after they narrowly beat PwC Manx Gem Emeralds 26-23 on Sunday.

Unbeaten SMP Ballasalla C continue to set the pace in Division Two after they overcame Missfits B 34-13.

Resports in Thursday’s Manx Independent.

Results: Sunday, November 1

Division One

Fencibles A 29, The Spaniards 31

Manx Glass Saints 28, Team DQ 32

Thompson White 32, Simcocks White Eagles 15

Castletown Pink 26 Absolute Scaffolding 11

PwC Manx Gem Emeralds 23, Bobby Sadler Young Farmers 26

Division Two

Route 1 Reactors 45, Fencibles B 23

Route 1 Sparks 30, Simcocks Green 29

PwC Manx Gem Sapphires 30, Missfits C 13

Thompson Violet 27, Castletown Navy 17

Missfits B 13, SMP Ballasalla C 34