Community mental health worker Michael Thorne is taking on the challenge of trekking the Grand Canyon in March to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society.

The 49-year-old from Kirk Michael qualified as a mental health nurse in 1987 and much of his career has been spent caring for the elderly.

Michael says he knows only too well the journey that people with dementia go on as a big part of his job involves him assessing people who are experiencing memory problems.

He said: ‘I am often the first person that people will come into contact with if they have any concerns regarding their memory.

‘I will then refer people to a consultant and offer support and advice to the person with dementia and their family. Over the years I have seen many changes in dementia care and how this affects people’s lives.

‘I believe that with the correct funding and improving people’s understanding of dementia we can improve lives and help people live well with dementia and one day hopefully find a cure.

‘I have chosen to trek the Grand Canyon for Alzheimer’s Society on March 8 as it is a subject that I deal with on a daily basis and see the heartache of a diagnosis not only on the individual but on those close to them.’

Michael has raised money for Alzheimer’s Society previously by completing the Inca Trail and trekking to Machu Picchu in Peru.

People who want to donate money should go online to www.justgiving.com/mikethorne

Alzheimer’s Society community fundraiser for the Isle of Man, Jo Dobbie, said: ‘It’s great that Michael is giving his time to support Alzheimer’s Society. As a charity, we rely on the generosity of individuals like Michael to help us continue our vital work so that Alzheimer’s Society can continue leading the fight against dementia.’

For more information on Alzheimer’s Society’s events, including cycles, Memory Walks, and UK and overseas treks, visit www.alzheimers.org.uk/events

Alzheimer’s Society provides a wide range of support in the Isle of Man.

For more information go to www.alzheimers.org.uk/localinformation or call The Alzheimer’s Society Isle of Man office on 613181.

A special stamp sheet featuring two new stamps has been created to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Jutland.

Produced by Isle of Man Post Office, the stamp sheet is divided into two parts and showcases the key figures in the First World War naval battle.

The first half features William Wyillie’s painting of HMS Iron Duke opening fire along with portraits of Commander of the British Royal Navy Grand Fleet Admiral Sir John Jellicoe and Admiral Scheer, commander of the German Navy’s High Fleet.

The other side shows William Stower’s painting of a German torpedo boat with portraits of Vice Admiral Sir David Beatty and Vice Admiral Franz Hipper.

The Battle of Jutland was fought between May 31 and June 1, 1916 and was the only encounter between the main British and German fleets during the First World War.

It lasted less than 12 hours and 249 ships and 100,000 men fought in the battle off the coast of Denmark’s Jutland peninsula.

Nick Jellicoe, grandson of Sir John Jellicoe who was Commander of the Grand Fleet for two and a half years between 1914 and 1916, produced the historical text that accompanies the sheet and his daughter Francesca Jellicoe helped design the stamps.

Nick said: ‘It is a fitting tribute to the men of both the Royal Navy and the German High Seas Fleet to have such a fine commemorative miniature stamp sheet issued in their memory.’

The stamp sheet will be available to order on February 17. To view and pre-order the stamps visit www.iompost.com

The former Summerland site is back on the market after two previous attempts to sell it fell through.

Economic Development Minister Laurence Skelly told the House of Keys the site has been close to sale on two occasions but ‘regrettably the proposed developers were not in a position to proceed’.

He told MHKs: ‘There have been several other opportunities with proposed developers. It is unfortunate, I think it was last year in March, that the agreement with the company to develop fell into administration, and therefore that is why it is back on the open market.’

Mr Skelly explained that the site is being marketed by Michael Chapman & Co, with the objective to generate capital receipt for government and to see the site redeveloped, creating economic activity for the benefit of the Manx economy.

How quickly the site is sold will in part depend on market forces, he said.

Mr Skelly said government needed to consider a ‘creative offer’ but it also needed to recognise it is a difficult site for a number of different reasons – not least the stability of the cliff face and restricted access.

David Quirk (Onchan) asked if the government should consider stabilising the cliff face.

Mr Skelly replied that this was a good idea.

He said: ‘We would all recognise, this had been a problem with previous bidders, and should government be proactive and stabilise and resolve that issue? I think it is a very good question and something we need to raise within our development team, and I will take that up.’

Bill Malarkey (Douglas South) queried whether the site actually has a price tag on it, or is it just open for tender. ‘Is the department prepared to let it go for 25p if somebody puts the cliff face right, or are we actually marketing it for so many millions of pounds?’ he asked.

Mr Skelly said he did not believe there is a set price and the site is open for offers.

Education chiefs are working on a number of initiatives to attract good candidates living in the island into teaching and to attract teachers from off-island to teach here.

The problem of Manx schools finding it difficult to recruit specialist teaching staff was highlighted in last week’s Manx Independent, where it was revealed one GCSE physics class at Castle Rushen High School had no fewer than 56 students.

Current teaching vacancies also warn potential candidates from the UK that the UK Teachers’ Pension Scheme treats the Isle of Man as an overseas scheme.

It means teachers who come to the island and remain in teaching here for more than five years would not be able to rejoin the UK Teachers’ Pension Scheme as an existing member.

The Department of Education and Children says a shortage of teachers is affecting schools across the British Isles.

A spokesman said: ‘The Isle of Man is not alone in being affected by the issues regarding recruitment and the demand for teachers out-stripping the supply.

‘The shortage of teachers applies especially in science, technology, engineering and maths.

‘However, the DEC is working on a number of initiatives to attract good candidates already living on the island into teaching and to attract teachers from off-island to teach here.’

The spokesman said: ‘It is difficult to know precise numbers of people who have been put off applying by the current pension arrangements as it’s impossible to establish who hasn’t applied for a vacancy and why.

‘However, we are striving to ensure the many benefits of living and working in the Isle of Man – such as the high standard of living, successful economy, our record for innovation, our rich culture and heritage, Government’s investment in school buildings and our much-praised Six Rs curriculum – are advertised widely.’

The DEC is working with UK recruitment agency Hays to promote teaching on the island.

Hays is developing a ‘microsite’ dedicated to Isle of Man vacancies, promoting them across its database of some 100,000-plus colleagues.

It is creating a ‘Careers on the Isle of Man’ postcard campaign and is ensuring Isle of Man representation at recruitment fairs.

The DEC offers ‘golden hellos’ (an additional payment to new teachers at the start of their second and third years of their permanent employment), rent subsidies for teachers in shortage subjects, relocation packages and are about to advertise the benefits of teaching here through ITV Player.

Representatives from each of the DEC’s secondary schools recently visited UK teacher training institutions to promote teaching on the island and to seek out potential recruits.

The department says the waiving of the requirement for a work permit for secondary school teachers was helping.

The DEC offers two main routes to qualifying as a teacher in difficult to recruit subjects, both aimed at graduates working in schools as an unqualified teacher in a ‘shortage’ subject.

There are 15 candidates working across the DEC’s secondary schools currently taking these pathways.

The DEC also funds, where eligible, students who follow traditional pathways into teaching through degree courses.

For people of a certain age, the Palace Lido in Douglas usually evokes many memories.

At one time in the 80s it claimed to be the ‘biggest laser disco in Europe’.

It developed from a dance ballroom and hosted many big names during the heyday of Manx tourism.

In 1989 it even featured on the late-night show The Hit Man and Her when record producer Pete Waterman and presenter Michaela Strachan showed the island to viewers and filmed people dancing at the venue.

Next month people will be able to relive its golden days.

‘The Palace Lido through the ages’ is a one-off event that will take place on Saturday, March 5, in aid of local charity Manx Gateway at the Palace Hotel in Douglas.

The Lido used to be behind the seafront hotel. Now where it once was is a car park between the cinema and the Living Hope Church.

Next month’s event will recreate the Lido, where superstars such as AC DC, Slade, Status Quo and the late David Bowie have previously performed.

Showcasing different years at the Lido from the ballroom to the disco era the afternoon’s activities between 1pm and 5pm will highlight ballroom dancing, afternoon tea, quizzes, raffles and an exhibition of the Lido.

Children are welcome to enjoy the spirit of the Lido during the afternoon activities.

The disco will then start at 8pm where customers can expect live music from local bands, entertainment, food and DJ David Cretney will be playing hits from a variety of eras.

Tamiko Ross from Utopos Events said: ‘We are extremely excited to be bringing back the iconic Palace Lido for one day only and this will hopefully prove to be a fun filled day that all can enjoy.’

Tickets go on sale during this week.

Details on where to buy these can be found at www.utoposevents.wordpress.com

Manx Gateway works with people with special needs, it holds discos, has badminton and table tennis facilities, as well as a computer room and activity room for arts and crafts.

Ramsey booked their place in the Shimmin Wilson Manx Cup final with a 13-5 victory over PDMS Southern Nomads at Mooragh Park on Saturday.

Heavy overnight rain, which continued throughout Saturday morning, left the pitch covered in pools of standing water, with one area in particular several inches deep.

Referee, Tony Heggs, and both captains agreed that it was unsafe and kick-off was delayed to allow the rain to ease and some water clearance work to take place.

After a great effort by members of the Ramsey team, the water was cleared and kick-off set for 3pm. Many thanks to Tony Heggs and both sets of players for their patience and good humour.

Nomads had the strong wind at their backs for the first half and used it well. At every opportunity skipper Mark Young sent the ball splashing and skidding downfield to keep Ramsey pinned back. And, with racing snakes Alex Lewthwaite and Jacob Callow in hot pursuit, the Ramsey back three of Any Cleator, Ethan Benjamin and Matty Clague had to work creatively to gather the slippery ball and avoid the chasers on the treacherous surface.

With eight minutes gone, Nomads struck the first blow in the game. A Ramsey clearance failed to make touch and Jacob Callow took it cleanly while on the hoof. He slipped through two first-up tackles and into the Ramsey backfield.

Full back Clague made the crucial tackle but by then Nomads were within five metres of the Ramsey line and earned a five-metre scrummage.

The Ramsey front five put on a counter-drive at the scrum but Nomads number eight Harry Catlow was able to control the ball and get his back line moving. The ball was shipped wide on the left where Callow slid in to finish what he started and give his side a 5-0 lead.

But the Manx Shield champions were unable to add to their score and, in a similar fashion to their game against Ramsey B two weeks earlier, they leaked a crucial try before half-time.

Ramsey’s big second row, Anthony Fergusson, was the catalyst. He found himself with the ball and some space around the halfway line and set the throttles for maximum revolutions, slicing through the Nomads forwards like an icebreaker. Dave Walsh eventually made the tackle but Ramsey generated quick ruck ball and Fintan Cummins, Craig Long and Andy Cleator linked well down the left to get close to the line.

From the ensuing ruck, Ramsey scrum-half Scott Kneale sneaked over for his second in two weeks and left the score level 5-5 at half-time.

The second half started disastrously for Nomads. Ramsey kicked off, the ball was knocked on and a player in front played it leaving Cummins with a penalty shot. He missed, but eight minutes later he was presented with a similar kick and made no mistake second time around, putting Ramsey 8-5 in front with half an hour to play.

Nomads weren’t there to make up the numbers and Alex Lewthwaite broke clear down the right wing to set up promising field position.

After Ramsey’s Mark Oldfield was sent to the sinbin for 10 minutes it looked like they might sneak one back. Ramsey’s seven-man scrummage held firm for back-to-back scrums though and the danger was cleared.

At the other end, with a little over 10 minutes to play, the decisive score came. Greg Radcliffe was bundled into touch just short of the line. But Ramsey won a penalty from the lineout and started to pound the Nomads line. Dale Radcliffe was close, so too Mikey Craine and Will Wren. Eventually, after numerous penalties, Nomads’ Steve McHugh was also given 10 minutes in the cooler and, playing a man down, the Nomads wall finally faltered with Craig Long plunging in from close range.

The drama didn’t quite end there though as referee Heggs was unsighted and initially he wasn’t going to award the try. Touch judge John Higginbotham did have a good sight of the score and on his advice the try was given.

Nomads really went for it in the closing stages bur Ramsey’s eight-point buffer and the strong gusting wind meant that progress was always going to be difficult and, try as they might, the game was beyond them.

Ramsey now face a wait to see who they will play in the final, which is scheduled to be played at their Mooragh ground on April 30.

Old firm match

postponed

The other semi-final between Douglas and Vagabonds was postponed after Port-e-Chee suffered as a result of the heavy overnight rain.

The pitch was inspected on Saturday morning and was not fit for play.

There is no provision in the competition rules for a change to another ground and, with both sides free again on February 27, the match was postponed.

League Table

P W D L F A Diff Pts

S. Nomads 10 9 0 1 525 105 420 28

Douglas B 10 8 0 2 457 154 303 26

Ramsey B 7 5 0 2 241 128 113 17

Vagabonds B 6 4 0 2 247 85 162 14

W. Vikings 8 3 0 5 144 322 -178 14

Emg Nomads 8 2 0 6 145 335 -190 12

Noa Nomads 7 2 0 5 128 390 -262 11

Castletown 10 0 0 9 78 337 -259 9

DAVE CHRISTIAN

The final two weekends in January saw Team AXA Isle of Man Swimming Club competing in the Lancashire County Championships.

The team’s first weekend was a much quieter affair with only two members competing due to the arrangement of the programme.

Magnus Kelly, aged 10, and 12-year-old Blae Richardson completed every race in new personal best times, with Blae setting best split times on the way to overall PB success.

Magnus took Team Axa’s first medal of 2016 in the 200 metre individual medley for the 11-and-under age group.

The second weekend of competition saw a much larger representation from the island, with more than 20 athletes competing including the of the team’s Isle of Man Sport Aid recipients and also seven recent additions to the Sport Aid Academy.

The team produced a huge number of new personal best times in more than 90 per cent of all swims over the weekend.

Despite swimming against some of the toughest competitors in Britain, the team had representatives in every finals session.

The Isle of Man medallists were as follows: Magnus Kelly (11) silver in the 100m breaststroke and 50m butterfly, bronze in the 200m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 100m butterfly and 200m individual medley; Jack Fairhurst (13) silver in the 50m and 100m breaststroke plus 50m butterfly and bronze in the 50m freestyle; Brody Hewison (17) bronze in the 50m butterfly 17-and-over and open; Alex Bregazzi (17) silver in the 400m freestyle 17-and-over; Emma Hodgson (14) bronze in the 100m freestyle 13-and-under; Kazia Whittaker (15) silver in the 100m butterfly and bronze in the 50m butterfly 14-and-under.

Head coach Lee Holland praised the team across the board for their performances:

‘The medals and personal bests came thick and fast for our younger swimmers, with Jack Fairhurst entering the GB top-15 rankings for the first time and Magnus Kelly achieving No.1 GB ranking in the 11-year-old 100m breaststroke.

‘The senior athletes, for this was not a target meet and were not rested and tapered, performed well and raced really tough and learned some valuable lessons.

‘The girls’ highlight of the weekend was Kazia Whittaker winning silver and bronze in her preferred butterfly events and swimming within 0.2 seconds of the proposed consideration time for the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games ahead of the window opening.’

We always try to be very honest when we’re describing animals that need re-homing, so that they can find new owners who have the right circumstances and knowledge to make the adoption a success long term.

Sometimes, however, adoptions ‘break down’ and the animals come back.

The most common cause is that the owner’s existing animals do not get on with the adopted one, and we always suggest that a family’s pets are brought to Ard Jerkyll and introduced to the new pet they intend to adopt.

We have a socialisation room in which dogs can meet each other away from the hustle and bustle of the main kennels block, and enclosed exercise fields for them to run around in safety together.

And a family’s existing pet rabbit can come ‘on holiday’ to Ard Jerkyll and stay with its potential adoptive friend, sharing a pen under the supervision of the staff, to make sure that they get along. Like most dogs, rabbits are social creatures who like the company of other rabbits. We recommend they are kept in pairs.

The ManxSPCA’s rabbits are all neutered and so pairing them up with other rabbits will not result in lots of baby rabbits. Cats are different! Often they prefer to live as the only cat in a house, and they can be quite hostile to new cats being introduced, especially if they are adults.

Usually time and patience win out, and even if the cats do not become the best of friends they will tolerate each other and live in relative harmony.

Beside cats not getting on with each other, the next most common reason for adopted cats to be brought back to us is that they don’t interact enough with their new owners – they’re too shy and nervous.

The cattery team and volunteers spend as much time as they can socialising with the cats, lessening their fear of humans and building up their trust. Some cats come to us as very wary creatures, and some have been classed as feral because of this. However, we have a number of cats that we describe as ‘semi-feral’ and that simply need lots of time and patience, and an understanding owner, to encourage them to be more friendly.

One such cat is Fern, a six-year-old female that came from a house overrun with cats and so she simply wasn’t handled enough. She has been in the cattery for 18 months and has become much less nervous of humans, and she craves attention. Why not come and meet her in one of the cat socialisation rooms?

The feral cat population of the island is bigger than many people think, and they can be considered a nuisance when they populate urban areas. Female cats can become pregnant at five months of age and can give birth several times a year, and without early human contact their kittens become feral and begin the cycle of breeding again.

The ManxSPCA operates a policy of humanely trapping, spaying or neutering, vaccinating and ear-tipping feral cats, alongside testing to ensure that they do not have underlying health issues.

They are then returned either to the outdoor environment they came from or to a suitable alternative such as farms or stables that need help with rodent control. Ear-tipping identifies feral cats that have been spayed or neutered, and provides immediate identification so that a cat is not brought back to the society for a second time.

Ear tipping is a humane procedure that is always performed under general anaesthetic by a vet. It is a technique used across the world.

If snakes had ears then Mac, the brown and tan corn snake, may well have had his tipped due to his somewhat feral behaviour. Joking aside, Mac has been with us for some time because he is so shy – he prefers to hide under the newspaper in his vivarium rather than be handled, and so he needs an owner who has experience with snakes and who will spend time with him and help him to be more comfortable with human interaction. Corn snakes have an average life expectancy of about 15 years and given Mac is only seven his new owner would have plenty of time to reap the rewards of their investment in him. Could this be you?

On January 27, a large attendance of members and guests gathered for an evening of delightful contrasts with two contrasting presentations.

First, was Chris Sharpe, a well known amateur ornithologist and principal editor of the widely acclaimed Manx Bird Atlas, published in 2007.

Describing himself as ‘a researcher and cameraman’ these days, he spent part of 2013 and 2014 netting and ringing birds at the Landsort Bird Observatory on the granite island of Öja, an hour south of Stockholm, Sweden.

Öja is less than three miles long and under a mile wide and sits in a north-south orientation in the archipelago.

It is acknowledged to be a resting place for almost 500 different species of migratory birds who feed on the local insects and berries. The remote observatory is blessed with most (but not all) essential comforts so only very dedicated ornithologists need apply!

Chris gave a fascinated illustrated talk during which he projected clear and close-up images of many beautiful birds which had been caught, ringed and recorded. His commentary displayed his comprehensive ornithological knowledge which has earned him a much deserved and growing reputation. Also featured were images of the Landsort lighthouse, the oldest in Sweden, and the general environment, all greatly enjoyed by an appreciative audience.

Chris then showed a short film he had made in October and November, 2015, in Madagascar, a visit to study three different endangered species of lemur (the Common Brown, the Coquerel’s Sifaca and the Aleotra Reed Lemur) for the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.

Next came a splendidly impressive travelogue by Chris Nicholls, showing the unique, picturesque island of Santorini in the Aegean Sea. With his wife, Ruth, he had taken a tour by car in 2014 with local photographer, Olaf, who advised him to ‘follow the Rule of Cs’, when capturing his images, namely control, composition, curiosity, creativity, communication and cheek.

Santorini is the largest island of a small, circular archipelago and is a popular port of call for cruise passengers. It is also a romantic location for wedding photographs, particularly for the Japanese, it seems. The southernmost member of the Cyclades group, the island is easily recognisable by its blue roofed, whitewashed buildings, many perched precariously high on the rim around the Caldera (the sea). They visited several of the hundreds of pretty churches as well as the volcanic beaches and the archaeological site of Akrotiri. Chris’s images were much admired.

On February 10 at 7.30pm at Thie Ellyn, there is a presentation by Lara Howe and another practical session. The entries for the Open Print Competition competition will also be due that night.

Antony Hamilton

This year’s Ramsey Grammar School community quiz was won again by the ‘Leg Ends’ team, who returned to defend their title for the third consecutive time.

Head teacher Annette Baker was quiz master and dealt out rounds of challenging questions to 25 teams.

The Hooded Ram Brewery served refreshments and everyone enjoyed ‘school dinners’ cooked by the school’s catering staff.

The annual event is organised by the school association and raised more than £1,500, which will be used to build a greenhouse for the school’s rural science unit.

Send your community news and photographs to newsdesk@newsiom.co.im

Always include a phone number so we can get back to you.

Some £10m a year will be distributed to charitable causes following the death of island businessman Albert Gubay.

Mr Gubay, who died on January 5 at the age of 87, set up The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation in his later years.

Trustees have now revealed initial plans for where some of his fortune will distributed.

The Derwent Group, an island-based group of property companies now owned by the charity, is estimated to be worth about £700m.

In a statement the trustees said that Derwent Group will reinvest at least half of its annual profits to ensure continued growth but the rest will be distributed to charitable causes, initially at an estimated £10m a year but rising to £20m annually.

Foundation director and trustee John Nugent said: ‘We estimate that the initial donations will be up to £10m each year.

‘This is an arrangement that will exist in perpetuity, continually growing and making ever greater distributions, for generation after generation and because of the way that Albert Gubay positioned The Derwent Group, growth will come very quickly.

‘We estimate that the annual distributions of up to £10m will rise in the next five years to up to at least £20m each year.’

During his lifetime, Mr Gubay made a series of substantial donations to local charities, including £500,000 each to the Manx Sports Aid Foundation to fund scholarships for talented young sportsmen and women and the Department of Education to help young Manx people attend world-leading universities.

He also gave £20,000 sponsorship to help the island stage the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games.

In 2011 Mr Gubay was given a Papal Knighthood for his service to the Roman Catholic Church.

Rent paid by Derwent Group’s tenants is now effectively being paid to charity and each year it is estimated that up to 40p of every £1 of that rent will end up being spent on worthwhile causes, with the proportion increasing over the next five years.

The Foundation says the charity will be run in accordance with the guiding principles of its founder including that ‘every penny made will be used to help someone and every penny wasted is lost to someone in need’.

It hopes to make its first donations as early as the autumn of 2016, but with the full application and vetting processes unlikely to be in place to deal with those distributions by then, the trustees say they will not accept applications this year and will identify appropriate projects instead.

From 2017 onwards the annual donations will be made via the application procedure.

The island’s top judge has returned from a top-level visit to Hong Kong

First Deemster Doyle travelled to the former British colony for four days as a guest of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

He participated in a dialogue between Antonin Scalia (a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States of America) and Kemal Bokhary (a Justice of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal) on judges and democracy.

He also met Geoffrey Ma, the chief justice of Hong Kong, and attended a dinner at the chief justice’s residence on the Peak. There he met with Justice Scalia and Professor Garner, who acted as the moderator of the dialogue and justices of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal including Robert Ribeiro and Joseph Fok.

Deemster Doyle attended a hearing at the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal and discussed matters of mutual interest with the Justices.

Deemster Doyle was shown around the impressive new home of the Court of Final Appeal in the heart of the central district.

On the Tuesday, before flying back to the island that evening, the First Deemster spent the day with Kemal Bokhary and his wife Verina who is also a judge in Hong Kong.

Justice Bokhary is a friend of the Isle of Man and in one of his recent publications made reference to the Deemster’s oath and the need to administer justice as impartially ‘as the herring backbone doth lie in the midst of the fish’.

Deemster Doyle said: ‘I am grateful to Professor Christopher Gane, the Dean of the Faculty of Law of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Justice Bokhary for inviting me out to Hong Kong to participate in the dialogue between Justices Scalia and Bokhary.

‘It was also of great benefit to meet up with a Justice of the United States Supreme Court and the Justices of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal and in a small way raise the profile of the island internationally.

‘There are many connections between the island, Hong Kong and America and it is important that their judges, including those at the highest level, are aware of the island’s legal system and its independent judiciary.

‘We should all appreciate that we are a part of a global community. Whether a compact island such as the Isle of Man, or a superpower such as the United States of America, we are all part of a (to use Justice Kennedy’s words) “wider civilisation”.

‘We all have something to learn from each other. Greater international co-operation and communication will generate greater knowledge and understanding.

‘In turn this will give us all greater security, wisdom and an extended reach that comes from dialogue.’

The winners of a photography competition held at Milntown have been announced.

During the course of the 2015 garden season Milntown near Ramsey ran a competition for their visitors to send in their favourite photographs taken on the estate.

The overall winner was Georganne Comish with her image of the house from the walled garden, which won her a £50 voucher for the Milntown Café.

Lowri Almond was the proud winner of the under 18s category with her image of a hydrangea, Lowri won a voucher for Toy Master.

Vicky Crellin, events and fundraising co-ordinator, said of the competition: ‘This is the first time we have run a photography competition here at Milntown and we were overwhelmed with the quality of the images that we were sent.

‘So much so we asked local photographer Simon Park to be our judge because it was too hard to chose with our untrained eyes.

‘Every time I walk through the gardens I see something new, the gardeners work so hard through the seasons, and it was wonderful to see the estate through our visitors eyes, everyone has a different area they particularly enjoy or sparks their interest.’

Milntown Gardens opened on Monday for the 2016 season.

During half-term week there will be a free children’s treasure hunt in the gardens for the duration of the week.

The Quarterbridge pub will re-open later this month after flood damage caused it to close on December 3.

A Heron and Brearley spokesman said that December flooding had damaged the cellar, kitchen and toilets but urgent repairs, as well as new cellar equipment, meant it is hoped the pub will re-open in mid-February.

A determined Douglas woman was so focused on losing weight she caught a plane to a weight loss clinic in Cheshire every week - despite the fact she hates flying.

Former florist Dawn Vowles took the 250-mile round trip to Wilmslow in Cheshire by car, plane and taxi setting off at 7am each week. But now she is reaping the rewards after losing over five stone in five months, going from 16 stone four pounds to 10 and a half stone.

She said: ‘I hate flying and always have done, so the hardest part of the whole diet for me was getting on the plane.

‘It was even harder because I was doing it on my own, which I would never normally do, but I had reached the point where my need to lose weight was stronger than my fear of flying. I just had to keep telling myself why I was doing it, to try to keep as calm as I could. But every time my fear was that the plane would crash and I would be leaving my children without a mother, I knew it was irrational but I couldn’t help it.’

Dawn, 43, decided to get in better shape after she developed chronic pain in her hands and then feet five years ago, forcing her to use crutches.

‘I suffered from constant nerve pain, which is called neuropathy. It was a vicious circle, I was in pain so I didn’t move much and I comfort ate and then the fact that I was getting bigger and bigger made the pain worse.

‘Every doctor and consultant told me losing weight would improve my condition, but I couldn’t do it. I hadn’t always been overweight, it gradually crept up on me. I got married in my late 20s, had children and the weight went on.

‘I tried every diet going, but the weight would just go back on again. Chronic pain is exhausting and I seemed to spend every day complaining and getting fatter. I just couldn’t go on anymore because of the pain and exhaustion.’

The mother of two turned to the Alevere Therapy weight loss plan, which aims to help people lose weight in a quick but safe way, to help her combat the chronic pain.

Dawn spent more than £100 on every journey, on top of the £5,000 cost of the diet but she said it was worth every penny after dropping from a size 20 to a size 12.

‘When I walked into the clinic I was on crutches and every step was agony for me, but I lost weight very fast and that started to change.

‘My life has completely turned around. I feel amazing and after barely being able to put my feet on the ground I can now walk for five miles a day and exercise in a little gym I have set up at home.

‘I love buying fitted clothes now and I am not the one always hiding at the back anymore. For the first time in a very long time, I am getting compliments.’

The Department of Health and Social Care has submitted plans for a £2.4m student nurses accommodation development in Noble’s Hospital’s grounds.

The application is for six terraced three-storey townhouses, providing 48 en-suite bedrooms and communal living and kitchen facilities, on the former Union Mills Football Club playing fields.

It would replace the ‘Nurses’ Home’ on Westmoreland Road, which the department says ‘does not meet modern standards or expectations’.

A DHSC spokesman said good quality staff accommodation was vital, particularly to be able to attract highly skilled staff to the island, where temporary accommodation is often required during the appointment and transition period.

‘Being able to offer good quality temporary accommodation to a nurse who is relocating to the Isle of Man is essential in making their transition as smooth as possible,’ he said.

‘The availability of accommodation, and indeed its quality, can be the difference between someone accepting or declining a post. It is therefore a critical factor in a highly competitive job market where demand for nurses and other health staff exceeds the supply.’

The units are also required for Noble’s Hospital to offer on-island training to junior doctors and for use by locums and agency staff.

The DHSC said the Nurses Home had ‘reached the end of its operational life’, with the changes and refurbishment that would be necessary for prolonged further use ‘not financially viable for Government’. It would also free up two other properties in Douglas used for staff accommodation.’

If approval is granted and the capital spend approved by Tynwald, it’s hoped construction will start in June with completion 12 months later.

Microgaming has received a Guinness World Records certificate for devising a game that scooped a jackpot of more than £13.2million.

Records were broken when soldier Jon Heywood scooped the cash on a 25 pence online ‘slot’ game bet.

The 26-year-0ld from Cheshire won the huge prize when playing Microgaming’s Mega Moolah game last October.

Software giant Microgaming had a stand at last week’s ICE event in London, one of the world’s biggest events for the gaming world.

And it was there that the handover of Guinness World Record certificates took place.

Mr Raatgever said: ‘It was fantastic to welcome Jon to our stand at ICE for the official certificate handover. Having spent some time with him today, I can honestly say it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.

‘We’re proud to share the world record and look forward to creating our next jackpot millionaire.’

Winner Jon said: ‘It’s been a few months since the win, but I still can’t quite believe I won such a life-changing amount!

‘And to officially become a Guinness World Records title holder is the icing on the cake.

‘With my winnings I’ve enjoyed some nice holidays, bought a new car, ensured my family are looked after and invested wisely for the future. It’s been incredible.’

Mega Moolah set the record for the ‘Largest jackpot payout in an online slot machine game.’

Jon was playing with UK company Betway when he scooped the jackpot.

It was reported after his win last year that Jon was goiing to use the money to get the ‘best possible medical treatment’ for his father who is awaiting a heart and lung transplant.

‘That’s more important than anything. Family comes first and I’d give all this money back for him to be healthy again,’ he was reported as saying after his incredible win.

l Meanwhile, during a busy week in London last week Microgaming won the ‘Innovator of the Year’ award at the International Gaming awards at the Savoy Hotel.

Roger Raatgever said: ‘What a fantastic start to ICE! And what a tremendous accolade for our research and development team.

‘They are constantly thinking ahead and pushing the boundaries, and deserve praise for consistently producing pioneering solutions that are effectively shaping the future of online gaming.

‘This award, the second of its kind in recent months, further cements our status as the creative force in our industry. It really is a fantastic achievement – well done to all involved!’

l Microgaming has signed a licensing agreement with Universal Brand Development to create an online slot game based on the blockbuster film Jurassic Park.

This is in addition to the Jurassic Park franchise deal that was announced in January 2014 and resulted in the award-winning Jurassic Park online slot game that roared to life in August of the same year.

The organisers of the inaugural International Diversity Conference (IDC), which takes place in March at the Villa Marina, are hoping that the event will lead to the Isle of Man becoming a globally-recognised ‘diversity champion’.

Delegates from the public and private sectors and charities in the Isle of Man are invited to attend the conference, which will feature a programme of what the organisers say will be ‘highly distinguished and influential’ speakers.

They say the event will provide an ‘unparalleled opportunity’ for people from a wide spectrum of professional and personal backgrounds to discuss, share and develop perspectives on diversity.

The IDC was created by Jean-Paul Nguegang, founder of the Isle of Man-based Global Community and Sport Foundation. Jean-Paul set up the charity to educate, promote and raise awareness of ethnic, religious and cultural diversity; good citizenship; disability and social inclusion.

‘The Isle of Man is now an international business centre with a global customer base,’ he said. ‘Every organisation should reflect and cater for the diversity within its client base. There is ample, research-based evidence that embedding a culture of inclusiveness results in a more dynamic, efficient and competitive business. And, of course, practising and promoting fairness and equality is the prerogative of any progressive, ethically aware organisation.’

Elaine Codona, a director of HR organisation Global People Solutions – one of the conference’s affiliates – believes that the Isle of Man is currently at a significant juncture in terms of how it is perceived by its national and international neighbours.

She said: ‘In the UK, the Equality Act came into force in 2010. In the Isle of Man, the equivalent Bill is still due to go through the Legislative Council.

‘Now is the time to demonstrate that we have the capacity to be proactive – not simply to “toe the line” with regard to best practice and policy but to fully engage with and embrace diversity. As a small community, we have the ability to implement good business models as an example for others to follow.’

Mr Nguegang added: ‘No business should miss out on the opportunities afforded by this event. Every participant will receive a CPD (Continuing Professional Development) certificate, which is an incentive at a personal level, but the benefits to every delegate - and therefore their colleagues, clients and organisation as a whole - are rich and wide-ranging.

‘You will have the chance to gain new skills and insights, increase your professional network and develop your career but most importantly, to become an ambassador for positive change. We are confident that every delegate will return to their workplace with the inspiration and resolve to help create and foster a truly diverse and inclusive environment.’

To book your place visit the website www.idc.co.im and go to the registrations page http://idc.co.im/registration.php or email info@idc.co.im

If you are a charitable organisation or in full time education and would like to attend the conference email info@idc.co.im to request your special discount.

The public toilets in Maughold village could be demolished and new ones built in the nearby local authority car park.

Maughold Commissioners has applied for registered building consent (16/00086/CON) to demolish the public toilets, to the rear of Thie Ny Chleree.

And they have applied (16/00084/B) for a new toilet block to be built on part of the car park in Church Road. The toilet block, with concrete walls and timber cladding, would include a disabled toilet. The ladies would have two cubicles while the men’s would have one cubicle and a urinal wall.

Constable Paddy Moore has been recognised by his colleagues as a ‘great ambassador for the constabulary’.

He has been nominated in Isle of Man Newspapers’ Community Police Officer of the Year Award by St George’s and Murrays ward manager Mike Griffiths on behalf of the officers.

The nomination is backed by Linda Pott, manager of Waterstone’s in Strand Street, following the support he has given them over the last 18 months in his role as Douglas town centre officer, helping to run the Shopwatch scheme.

He works with a number of primary schools in Douglas and Braddan and provides cover as coroner’s officer.

Mike said the award could have been created for Paddy: ‘Paddy is passionate about the community and everybody knows him, not just in Douglas but wherever he has policed over a 20 year career.

‘Paddy always goes the extra mile for everybody and as an officer walking in the town with him it takes an age as everybody stops to talk to him.’

He said he was ‘conscientious, hardworking and always has a smile on his face, adding: ‘Paddy has a knack for putting people at ease and he has built up some fantastic relationships with partners such as Waterstones who donate unwanted books for Paddy to forward on to those in most need.

‘Paddy was nominated last year by Kewaigue School who stated that “nothing is too much trouble for Paddy”. I am speaking for all my colleagues who would wholeheartedly agree with that statement.’

Chief inspector Phil Shimmin said: ‘He is a great ambassador for the Constabulary and he is trusted by the community he serves.’

Linda said Paddy checks on the store regularly after helping with an incident 18 months ago. On one visit, Paddy was explaining his work with the elderly and schools when she realised she could help by donating advanced reading copies of new books they receive.

‘We’re really lucky to have him as a police officer as he is very caring,’ she said.

Paddy, who has three daughters and lives with his partner Vicky in Peel, said he ‘thoroughly enjoys’ his job.

He said it was a ‘great compliment to be nominated’, adding: ‘I don’t see anything that I do as out of the ordinary. Making the Isle of Man a safe place to live is what drives me.’

• To nominate an officer email jackie.turley@newsiom.co.im