Ramsey Crookall staff bought toys from local outlets for the Salvation Army Christmas present appeal for children.

Pictured above are some of the staff from the stock broking company involved.

Douglas-based Regency Travel has won the Travel 2 ‘Biggest Value Booking of the Year’ for 2015 at an awards ceremony held at St Andrew’s in Scotland.

It is the fourth year in a row that Regency Travel has won an award with Travel 2, beating competition from all over the United Kingdom.

reviously Regency Travel has been named the Travel 2 luxury agent of the year in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Travel 2 is the UK’s largest long-haul tour operator and is recognised market leader for tailor-made worldwide holidays, specialising breaks for the individual traveller.

At the award ceremony, Tony and Tracy Lawrence from Regency Travel collected the award.

‘We are delighted at winning another major award,’ Tony told the Isle of Man Courier.

Staff who work at a government building in Douglas have a charity ‘dress down’ every Friday where they contribute cash to take part.

Each Markwell House staff member who takes part nominates a charity. That charity is entered into a hat and each time they reach the total of £200 collections, a charity is picked from that hat by one of the senior management team.

Autism Initiatives was the charity picked out recently. It was nominated by Hayley Fox, scheme manager and maintenance executive in the Department of Infrastructure.

Karen Campbell, a registered manager with Autism Initiatives, said how pleased she was to be able to accept this donation on behalf of the service users within Autism Initiatives and that she intends to use the money to buy sensory equipment and in particular weighted blankets.

Weighted blankets have long been popular for calming individuals with autism spectrum condition (ASC).

Typically the blankets contain metal or plastic beads sewn into quilted layers.

The idea is that the weight provides gentle, deep pressure that addresses the sensory-integration issues often associated with ASC.

These sensory issues, in turn, may add to the sleep disturbances that are common among those who have autism.

Studies suggest that 40 to 80 per cent of individuals with ASC have significant sleep problems – in particular difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.

A study visit to Tynwald by a delegation from the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) of the Parliament of Kenya has been hailed an ‘experience of a lifetime’ by Senator David Musila MP.

Senator Musila was speaking at the conclusion of the delegation’s four-day visit, the programme for which was arranged by the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office to provide an insight into parliamentary practices and procedures and the delivery of support to members in a small parliament.

The visit built on links first forged in 2010 by MHKs Juan Watterson and Phil Gawne at the 56th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Nairobi. In 2011 those links developed when officers from the Parliament of Kenya made a study tour to Tynwald against the background of the country’s newly formed constitution, and were strengthened in 2014 when Tynwald welcomed a delegation from the County Assembly of Laikipia in north-central Kenya.

This latest visit provided opportunities for the nine-strong delegation, headed by the Hon Justin Muturi, (pictured, centre, holding plaque) Speaker of the Kenyan National Assembly, to observe sittings of the House of Keys and the Legislative Council, which proved of particular interest, the Parliament of Kenya having moved to a bi-cameral parliamentary system in 2012.

Senator Musila said: ‘We have all been touched by the warmth of welcome extended to us and by how every question we asked received a frank and honest reply. The study visit has been an opportunity to renew our acquaintance with the institution of Tynwald and remind us of the close relationship and historical ties between our country and the Isle of Man.

‘Observing proceedings on the House of Keys and Legislative Council reinforced our view that even in a modern parliament tradition is still important. We were also interested to learn of the outreach work Tynwald undertakes, such as the annual sitting of Junior Tynwald. We, too, believe that the people whom parliament serves should never be taken for granted; it is, after all, their parliament.’

He went on to say that learning how Tynwald was harnessing the power of IT and social media to engage with as a wide an audience as possible had proved extremely valuable. He said it was an area the PSC would wish to explore further, prompting him to comment: ‘We will definitely be coming back.’

Reflecting on the visit he said: ‘What we have learned during our time at Tynwald has been so much more than just procedures. In more than 20 years as a parliamentarian this visit to Tynwald and the Isle of Man stands out the most. It has been an experience of a lifetime.’

More bad weather is on its way to the Isle of Man.

Today’s Isle of Man Examiner leads with a story and a warning from our weather forecasters.

There’s more on the unusual weather inside.

We picture daffodils flowering in a Douglas park and ask experts about the effects of the unusually warm winter.

The front page also has a photo of the only baby born in the Isle of Man on Christmas day.

There’s news from around the island inside, plus the latest sport and business events.

This week’s paper also includes the first half of Isle of Man Newspapers’ picture review of the year.

And there’s a chance to win flights to Belfast.

The island’s favourite newspaper is in the shops now.

A serving police officer has died.

Police Sergeant Andy Pailor, who was 45, died after a short illness at Noble’s Hospital on Monday surrounded by his family.

A police force spokeman said he was ‘known to many as a friend, colleague and police officer’.

He added: ‘Most importantly he was a loving husband to Allyson and a loving dad to Francesca and Ben.’

Andy joined the force in 1998 and worked in a number of departments and most recently was a force incident manager in the emergency services joint control room.

Funeral arrangements are to be released soon.

Force flags will be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect.

Ten new student police officers have successfully completed their initial training and will start work with the neighbourhood policing teams.

Isle of Man Constabulary’s newest recruits attended a graduation ceremony at the Villa Marina to mark their success.

The new officers will serve as probationary constables for two years under the supervision of an experienced colleague. They will undertake duties such as arresting and interviewing suspects, taking witness statements and dealing with traffic issues.

The new recruits are Lewis Cassidy, Kirsty Finn, Lisa Fitzgerald, Greg Gronowski, Stephanie Leece, Ari Ludford-Brooks, Elizabeth Partridge, Amy Speed, Stephen Hay and Daniel Willson. Photo credit: Ruth Gale Photography.

A leading local commissioner has welcomed the government’s announcement to freeze the rate paid by local authorities to use the incinerator.

Onchan commissioner Rob Callister has campaigned over the last nine months to have more transparency over waste disposal charges at the Energy from Waste Plant (EfW) in Braddan.

The current gate fee for the disposal of household domestic waste will remain at £79.50 per tonne for the 2016-17 financial year and will come into effect from April 2016.

Mr Callister said: ‘This is the right decision for all stakeholders involved, and more importantly for the island’s ratepayers that have seen domestic rates increase significantly in recent years because of these charges.’

In 2012 the government removed its subsidy towards the cost of waste disposal and decided between April 2013 to April 2018 that domestic waste charges would rise by £21 per tonne, plus a 2.42 per cent indexation charge each year. This would bring the charge to £161.35 per tonne, plus indexation charge, by April 2018.

Mr Callister said that since April 2013 local authorities have taken on additional costs which total over £2.5 million from the Department of Infrastructure, and most of these costs are now having to be funded through domestic rates systems. He believes that local authorities are now paying a ‘reasonable charge’.

‘It is right for local authorities to pay a fair and reasonable charge for disposing of domestic waste, but to ask authorities to pay £161.35 per tonne from April 2018 would be clearly seen as overcharging the ratepayers at a time when families are already struggling.’

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK said: ‘This important change means that local authorities will not face continuing increases in their total EfW gate fees in the years ahead. This will be welcome news for local authorities and their ratepayers.

‘The financial challenges faced by government are also being felt by local authorities and many people in the Isle of Man. By freezing waste disposal fees and capping the increase to public sector rents in line with inflation, the department is recognising these budgetary pressures.’

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/good-news-for-ratepayers-fees-for-using-incinerator-frozen-1-7640068|Click here to read last week’s story about this issue.}

Wet weather on Boxing Day failed to deter revellers from taking part in the Celtic custom of Hunt the Wren.

Music and dancing took place on streets around the island – apart from in the south where the festivities were confined to St Mary’s Church hall, over fears the rain could damage their musical instruments.

Our photographers captured the action from a number of the events.

Maughold Social Club organised an event starting from St Paul’s Church. The music and dancing was led by Chloe Woolley Culture Vannin.

And it featured a beautifully decorated wren pole, decorated by Helen Clarke.

In St John’s, enthusiastic dancers and musicians met at the arboretum car park before dancing their way around the village. While in Douglas, a group of ‘Woodland Warblers’ entertained themselves and others in Woodlands Close.

Other events took place from the Woodbourne Hotel, in Douglas, and around Kirk Michael.

Originally gangs of youths scoured the countryside for a wren to trap and kill but artificial birds are now used.

The wren is the centrepiece for a ‘bush’ – two wooden hoops set at right angles and placed on top of a pole and covered with ribbons and evergreens – which was carried to houses while the group sang the Hunt the Wren song and hoped to collect some money or treats.

Weather forecasters say we should be prepared for more flooding as they upgraded their warning to ‘red’.

The Met Office at Ronaldsway says it will be mostly dry with sunny intervals today, with maximum temperatures reaching 10 Celsius.

But spells of heavy rain will develop this evening.

Very heavy rain is expected overnight with totals of 20mm to 40mm possible, with 60mm to 100mm over the hills.

The worst of the rain is expected between midnight and 9am tomorrow.

Weather forecasters say there is a risk of flooding in some inland locations.

Current indications are that the north of the island will experience the worst of the rainfall.

Gale or severe gale southerly winds around the time of high tide, 2.15am tomorrow and south-southwest winds at 2.30pm tomorrow will cause significant waves and debris to wash onto exposed promenades.

Areas affected Castletown Promenade, Carrick Bay, Chapel Beach in Port St Mary, the northern end of Douglas Promenade and Laxey.

They will be worse affected than was previously believed, weather forecasters said after revising their predictions.

A police spokesman said: ‘If you have been prone to flooding in the past please consider the use of sandbags but only take as many as you need and only if you think you will need them. Sandbags can be found at the Ginger Hall, Sulby, and all fire stations.

‘We are working with all our partners to respond as necessary. The Manx Utilities Authority has checked culverts and drains, the Department of Infrastructure has been placing sandbags in areas around the island and have staff working. Civil Defence are available to turn out if required. The fire service, police, ambulance service, Civil Defence, Department of Infrastructure and the Manx Utilities Authority are all working to keep you safe.’

He added that the public could help the emergency services.

The police’s advice:

Help keep demand down by keeping calls to services to a minimum BUT DO call up to report dangerous or significant issues.

Don’t travel unless you need to.

Secure any loose items in your gardens (eg trampolines).

Get sandbags if you need them.

Tomorrow will see heavy rain at first, with difficult driving conditions and still some flooding until mid morning.

But it will be mostly dry from mid morning with bright intervals and just a few showers.

The wind will ease for a time in the morning then increase to gale or severe gale again early afternoon easing during the evening.

Thursday will be mostly dry although a few scattered showers are possible especially early in the afternoon, but these will die away by evening with temperatures reaching up to 9°C at best.

It will be breezy with a strong south or southwest wind.

{https://www.gov.im/transport/floodwatch/?iomg|Click here to see the government’s flood watch page}

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/ben-my-chree-leaving-heysham-an-hour-earlier-than-usual-1-7646905|Steam Packet services have been disrupted}

This afternoon’s Steam Packet sailing from Heysham to Douglas is to leave earlier than usual.

The Ben-my-Chree will set sail from the Lancashire port at 1.15pm, an hour earlier than its scheduled time.

The Steam Packet has made the decision because storms are forecast in the Irish Sea later today and tonight.

The return sailing tonight from Douglas and the early morning sailing back are likely to be disrupted or even cancelled.

To keep up with the latest news from the Steam Packet {https://www.steam-packet.com/LatestSailings|click here}

{https://www.gov.im/weather/current-shipping-forecast|Click here to see the shipping forecast}

The Flybe lunchtime flight to Stansted has been cancelled.

To check the latest departures from Ronaldsway {https://www.gov.im/categories/travel-traffic-and-motoring/isle-of-man-airport/flight-departures/|click here}

To check arrivals {https://www.gov.im/categories/travel-traffic-and-motoring/isle-of-man-airport/flight-arrivals/|click here}

Paul Bird, three-time winner of the Manx National Rally and head of one of the biggest and most successful teams in British motorcycle road racing, has been suspended from all sport for two years following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation.

The Penrith poultry businessman, who was responsible for John McGuinness’s original introduction to the TT in 1996, tested positive for benzoylecgonine (a metabolite of cocaine) and furosemide (a diuretic) following an in-competition test, after his win at the Nicky Grist Stages Rally in July.

He has subsequently been suspended from all sport until July 10, 2017, although it is not clear at this stage if his personal ban will have any affect on the Paul Bird Motorsport team that has seen Shane Byrne win British Superbike crowns and last year supported Ian Hutchinson’s heroic return to form at the TT.

The Nicky Grist Stages was a round of the BTRDA Championship he was contesting this year.

Bird has competed in the island since the 1980s, originally as a motocrosser in the TT support events, and later as a rally driver, primarily in the national events but he has contested the Manx International and more recently Rally Isle of Man.

He supported David Knight for a brief while a few years ago, but his highest profile individuals on two wheels were unquestionably the late Steve Hislop at BSB and World Superbike level and Joey Dunlop in his final Superbike TT win.

While Ian Hutchinson has joined Phillip and Hector Neill’s Tyco BMW team, the PBM team has switched from Kawasaki to Ducati and were as recent as last week testing with ‘Shakey’ Byrne and Glenn Irwin.

l The UK Anti-Doping Rule Violation team flew into the island last September during Rally Isle of Man to carry out testing on the final day of the event. Up to half-a-dozen drivers were randomly tested, after which they left the island again under complete secrecy.

A new head of community rehabilitation has been appointed to help stop reoffending in the island.

Geraldine Martin has been appointed by the Department of Home Affairs to help the rehabilitation of prisoners, reduce levels of reoffending and support victims of crime.

Geraldine was a senior officer at the Lancashire Probation Trust for more than 20 years and has held senior positions in the criminal justice service in Merseyside and Cumbria.

She said: ‘I am looking forward to supporting the department’s efforts to reform the criminal justice system. I want to work with my colleagues to build on the solid foundations that are already in place and provide an efficient, effective and transparent probation service for the Isle of Man.

‘There is scope to modernise the island’s approach to criminal justice, in particular through restorative justice. By giving victims of crime a voice and helping offenders to reintegrate into the community we can protect vulnerable people and keep the island safe.’

Geraldine, who has extensive knowledge in probation and community service, plans to expand restorative justice in the island and develop stronger links with the Isle of Man Constabulary, Youth Justice Team, Department of Health and Social Care and Isle of Man Courts.

Restorative justice provides a way in which offenders can make amends for the harm they have caused and gives victims an effective means of explaining the distress they have suffered.

It has also been proven to reduce reoffending as individuals reflect on the impact of their behaviour.

The new appointment is part of the department’s drive to modernise the Isle of Man Prison and Probation service.

A seal pup has been rescued after it became trapped in a six foot deep hole at Douglas breakwater.

The young pup had fallen into a hole between concrete blocks at the breakwater on Sunday afternoon (December 27) and was saved after a one and a half hour rescue mission.

Douglas coastguard and the MSPCA were initially called to the scene at 2pm after reports of a stranded seal at the high water mark at Douglas breakwater. Following an assessment the pup was deemed safe and well and could return back to the water by itself.

However, the organisations were called out an hour later after a member of the public noticed the pup had fallen into a hole.

Chris Burton, senior watch officer at the marine operations centre, said the rescue mission took around an hour and half and the operation was ‘very much a case of stop and start’ due to the poor weather conditions.

‘The seal was in a bit of an awkward position for him to get back to the water. At about 3pm the pup got himself into a bit more trouble and fell into a hole.’

Following the rescue operation, the young animal was checked over and safely returned back to the water.

Adrian Cannell, animal welfare officer at the MSPCA, said it was difficult to get the animal back to safety due to the poor weather. ‘It was a success story but it was hard with the bad weather conditions.’

General manager at the MSPCA Juana Warburton added that the public should watch a seal pup for as long as possible and see what happens when the tide comes back in before reporting a stranded seal.

She said: ‘Often very young pups are being looked after by their mothers who need to go off hunting and so might not be visible, or an older pup might simply be resting.’

So far this year Douglas Coastguard has responded to 46 emergency calls.

Tonight’s Steam Packet sailing from Douglas to Heysham has been cancelled.

It means the Ben-my-Chree’s return trip tomorrow cannot go ahead.

The Steam Packet has blamed the stormy weather for its decision.

The company {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/ben-my-chree-leaving-heysham-an-hour-earlier-than-usual-1-7646905|warned earlier today} that the sailing was likely to be cancelled.

Things are looking better for tomorrow.

The company says: ‘Based on the current forecast, this sailing [the 8.45am from Douglas to Heysham] may be subject to a short delay. Passengers are requested to check in on time for this service.’

For the latest from the Steam Packet {https://www.steam-packet.com/LatestSailings|click here.}

Weather forecasters predict stormy and wet conditions tonight.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/red-alert-risk-of-flooding-as-weather-worsens-1-7646886|Click here to read our story.}

Glen Maye Chapel held itd fifth annual ‘Christmas in the Barn’ last week at Ballacreggan Farm.

Church steward Paul Craker said: ‘Once again it proved a popular event, with more than 250 people in attendance, and we have had many reports of how much people enjoyed it.

‘As always the Crosby Silver Band played the carols brilliantly and the chapel is very thankful for their support.

‘Twelve-year-old Edward Craker started the singing with a solo verse of “Once in Royal David’s City”, and there was a lot of ahs when three-month-old baby Mack Berry was laid in the manger.

‘In between the tradition carols there were bible readings, poems and narration.

‘Rubyann, aged five, and George Craker, seven, were Mary and Joseph, and Lily Marriot , seven, was the angel Gabriel, with 17 other children dressed up for the nativity. Cara Inglis, aged 11, dressed as a shepherd, led a meg lamb round the congregation. There were sheep and donkeys on view in pens outside.

‘Due to the waterlogged fields, parking was a bit restricted, but everyone was very good spirited and patient, as the car park was unblocked. The chapel owes a great deal of thanks to Gordon and Claire Clague for once again making their barn available for the chapel to use.’

One of the island’s biggest names in the thriving eGaming sector has expanded into a new brand.

PokerStars, the largest internet poker betting site in the world has made a significant move into sports betting.

BetStars will initially offer a range of betting options across more than 25 sports, including football, tennis and basketball, as well as offering odds on eSports and poker contests.

Rafi Ashkenazi, chief executive officer of Rational Group, said: ‘We’re very excited about the launch of the BetStars brand, and expect it to be one of the most talked about sports betting sites in 2016 as it continues to evolve with new products and features that we believe will set us apart as a betting brand for the true sports fan.

‘We’re applying the same dedication and passion we have for poker to sports betting, and intend to create an authentic, world-class offering.

‘The BetStars brand will build on this passion and provide a safe, trustworthy and, most importantly, exciting environment for sports fans.’

More sports, including horse racing, are intended to be added throughout 2016.

The brand will also feature a range of in-play betting options and offers and promotions. PokerStars anticipates the brand will expand throughout 2016, extending its reach to approximately half of PokerStars’ unique active poker customers.

More than 200 people work at the global headquarters at the landmark Douglas Bay Complex, on Onchan Head.

Ella Olesen scholar Bethany Quayle has certainly made the most of her first term at the University of Idaho.

Bethany, of Colby, is one of two Manx students along with Cathy Breed, spending nine months at the American university.

She said students were ‘spoiled for choice’ when choosing what to study.

Last term she studied everything from special education: teaching exceptional children and sign language to beginners Spanish and physical geography. And after the Christmas break Bethany will be taking classes in deviance and crime, abnormal psychology, applied sport psychology and a fitness class.

‘The staff are lovely and I have found they are often more than happy to have an international student in their class,’ she said.

‘The work system is similar to school as you get homework often and exams are very frequent but if you keep on top of it there is plenty of time to enjoy what Idaho has to offer.’

She said there were ‘endless opportunities to try new things and meet new people’ at Idaho.

‘The international Program office advertise events that are happening both on campus and around Idaho, to help you make the most of the experience.

‘Through IPO we had the honour of carrying our Manx flag onto the field with the other international students as we welcomed the players before the start of the first American football game.’

And at Halloween, she enjoyed the chance to visit Scarywood, a theme park in Silverwood.

‘It was a great trip full of laughter and screaming as various people or things jumped out at you!’

Her first trip away from Idaho with friends was to Yellowstone National park on ‘Labor Day weekend’.

‘The park is mainly in Wyoming but stretches in to Montana and part of Idaho,’ she said.

‘We saw a lot of deer and bison and very briefly saw a black bear in the distance. We explored the park seeing the mud flows, mud pools and waterfall when we went on a short hike up the mountain.

‘It was a long drive there but once we saw what the park had to offer, it was breathtaking and totally worth it!’

And then during Thanksgiving break she travelled to Vancouver, in Canada, and Seattle, in Washington.

‘We watched our first ever NHL game in the Rogers arena, where they also hosted the Winter Olympics in 2010.

‘It was a great experience, something I wouldn’t have dreamed of doing before coming to America.’

And in Seattle, they were lucky enough to be invited to a friend’s house for dinner and got to experience a traditional Thanksgiving celebration.

• Read Cathy’s account of her first semester in this week’s Manx Independent.

A games room made by pupils at Bunscoill Ghaelgagh as part of their school fair has raised £110 for Hospice Isle of Man.

Eight-year-old Lilee Fox was keen to support the charity to thank them for the support given to her granny before she died.

Lilee explained: ‘They were good games and they raised a lot of money.

‘In one game they had to role a coin to land on the North Pole. There was a shooting game called Grinch Busters, a calendar game where they had to guess a date and if that had been chosen they won a prize, guess the name of the guilley sniaghtee (snow boy), a lucky dip, a fruit piano where they had to complete circuits using fruit to power it and play Jingle Bells, throw a ball into a pot, pin the nose on Rudolf and choose the card with a carrot on to win a prize.’

Lilee thanked the pupils for making the games, which raised £44. The remainder of the money presented was raised by Lilee’s family.

The money will be used to buy arts and crafts materials at Hospice.

Plans to create a ‘destination venue’ for events at Ardonan Farm in Regaby have been refused at appeal.

Ardonan Estate Ltd applied to create a working country estate with 16 five-star tourist bed spaces, a new home from which Mr and Mrs Kerruish would live and administer the business, habitat improvements and space for marquees to be erected for events along with parking.

The plan (14/01308/B) was supported by the Department of Economic Development’s tourism division, which said the development would provide an ‘economic benefit from construction of about £2m and on-going benefits for the tourism sector and by local sourcing of food and drink’.

The whole application was originally refused, and at appeal, independent inspector Stephen Amos upheld the decision, adding two more reasons for the decision.

Now DEFA Minister Richard Ronan has allowed some aspects of the development but refused others.

Subject to a number of conditions, Self-catering tourist accommodation can be created at the ‘spud shed’ and the farmhouse can be used as tourist accommodation. A new road access can be created and works can be carried out to create or alter ponds, dubs and wetland areas.

But he refused approval for a new home to be built, which the applicant had described as ‘essential’.

And he refused the creation of a destination venue, saying it had not been established that nearby residents would be adequately protected from harm to their living conditions due to potential noise and general disturbance.

Andreas Commissioners had opposed the destination venue, saying it would be ‘out of keeping with the small, quiet hamlet’.