RAMSEY police are investigating after an alleged assault involving two footballers at a match in Laxey on Saturday.

Two players sustained injuries in the second half of the match between St John’s and Laxey during the game at Glen Road.

Though the injuries are said by police to have been serious they are not life-threatening.

Police have asked anyone with information to contact them at Ramsey police station on 812234 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

For more details on this incident see the Isle of Man Examiner on Monday March 4.

PRIMARY school pupils will taste foods from across the globe a week on Friday – the first ever International School Meals Day.

All primaries are offering special French, Italian or Chinese menus alongside normal menu choices.

The celebration of school meals is backed by governmental and educational organisations and nutrition watchdogs.

Its aims are to raise awareness of the importance of a nutritional midday meal and to emphasise the connection between diet and better learning.

Chris Wilson, schools catering manager, said: ‘International School Meals Day really highlights how important school meals are now considered in so many countries, with the USA being the latest country to introduce stricter rules in order that their school meals served meet health standards.’

Schools opting for the French menu will serve up French-style chicken with peas and ham, sauté potatoes and French cheese with baguette and grapes.

Those going Italian will enjoy Neapolitan pizza, red and green salads and zeppole, a doughnut with topping.

On the Chinese menu is sweet and sour chicken with Chinese style vegetables, special rice and a lychee pudding.

The Department of Education and Children’s School Meals Service serves up to 3,500 meals a day.

School meals exceed key nutritional standards in areas such as fibre, protein, zinc and calcium.

They keep within standards on fat, salt and sugars.

For more information about school meals, or about healthy eating, contact Chris Wilson by email at {mailto:chris.wilson@gov.im|chris.wilson(at)gov.im} or go to our wiki {http://www2.sch.im/groups/schoolmeals1/|www2.sch.im/groups/schoolmeals1/}

Mr Wilson said meals cost £1.95 a day and menus are rotated on a four-weekly cycle, and completely changed twice a year, to ensure children enjoy a good variety of food.’

MARK Cavendish has become a patron of Help for Heroes, the UK charity which supports the recovery of wounded servicemen and women.

The Manx cycling superstar will front a campaign to promote the Hero Ride, before taking part in the event scheduled for June 2.

Cav said: ‘I have seen first-hand the great work that Help for Heroes do and I’m a passionate supporter of the charity.

‘Hero Ride is a very special project to me because it engages the sport I love for a greater cause.’

Cavendish first became involved with the charity in 2010, when he attended a Help for Heroes event in California. It was here Cav met Peta Todd, his fiancée and fellow Help for Heroes patron, who was the welcoming party for a group of injured war veterans who had just completed a trans-America charity bike ride.

The father-of-one has continued his support of the charity by visiting Headley Court and the Help for Heroes-run recovery centres and by meeting wounded heroes. On one occasion he gave a Tour de France stage-winner’s jersey to Private Scott Meenagh.

The charity was founded with a fundraising bike ride in 2007. Co-founder Bryn Parry said: ‘We are proud to announce Mark as a patron of the charity, especially with the charity’s long-term association with cycling.’

Monday, March 4

Aries

(March 21 - April 20)

With the start of this new week, you are ready to get moving and shaking. Share hopes and plans with those who can help progress. A somewhat sluggish feeling shuffles around until midweek. After that, energy builds. Make some basic changes with your diet to bring an ideal weight closer. The emphasis, though, is on looking to the future and making a fresh start.

Taurus

(April 21 - May 21)

This is a week in which you need to fully embrace the word ‘flexibility’. There are changes that seem unnecessary but go with the flow to avoid stress. You see that everything, eventually, has a purpose. A recent romantic meeting seems to have sown the seeds of a long-term friendship, if not a grand passion. Well, you can never have too many friends!

Gemini

(May 22 - June 21)

Finely tuning your life is necessary now. The things that are holding you back will change with time but you can help them on their way. Be prepared to embrace new ideas and consider proposals. To get what you want in any area, be willing to negotiate. Flexibility is essential. Keep talking to a loved one and use your charm and persuasive nature.

Cancer

(June 22 - July 23)

A lighter week takes a while to get accustomed to after recent events. Still, you have learnt how to bend with circumstances and survive. Of course you want to do more than just get by. Chances to get ahead will come soon. Be ready by tying up loose ends and organising finances. It may be necessary to turn on the charm at home to defuse an emotional situation.

Leo

(July 24 - August 23)

Are you feeling in a better mood? There is an air of anticipation that is hard to ignore and even harder to explain. Let your mind rush ahead in plotting and planning. Give thought, however, to any health issues. Just because you are busy, there is no need to burn yourself out! If a lovely warm glow reaches you at the weekend, ask yourself who or what caused it. Hold that thought!

Virgo

(August 24 - September 23)

Is someone being pushy this week? Maybe they need to back off and sort themselves out first! Carry on with what you know is right for you and yours. A plan at work may have faults that are easy for you to see. Speak up but be prepared to be discreet. Finances could be holding you back but, if you remain determined, time will find a lasting solution.

Libra

(September 24 - October 23)

This is a week to be instinctive and show your feelings. Your usually calm exterior could change if you don’t take control. Somehow your natural sense of justice will show what is right or wrong for you. Thoughts may be sharp but can be tempered with your natural charm. Refuse to be pushed around to suit others but in the ‘nicest possible way’!

Scorpio

(October 24 - November 22)

A happy spring is around the corner. That’s the good news. Right here in this week, however, you need the patience of a saint at times. With Mercury the Messenger retrograde, communications can be awkward or misunderstood. This will ease mid-month. Use your energy to plan ahead and be ready when the atmosphere changes, which it soon will.

Sagittarius

(November 23 - December 21)

Slow down a bit and smell the roses. Not the time for roses? Well, how about some rosemary? Look for the things that relax and satisfy you and be prepared to enjoy them. Rushing around is not always necessary. There are others that need some of your valued attention. Look after your health and wellbeing. Without it, you won’t go far.

Capricorn

(December 22 - January 20)

Get down to that problem-solving you love so much. Whatever or whoever challenges you this week, there is a way ahead. Indeed, seeing how well you are doing in this area, others may want your advice! Not sure where you are going next? Think about what will really satisfy you and what you want to be doing in five years’ time. Is that clearer?

Aquarius

(January 21 - February 19)

Something that you thought was sorted out comes up again. Now you have the chance to make an even better decision or contribution. It is an exciting and unexpected week in many ways. It does seem that in helping others, you have pleased yourself too. A new scheme needs thought and be sure that others manage to pull their weight this time!

Pisces

(February 20 - March 20)

Make lists when you get those bright thoughts. Don’t wait until they evaporate into the everyday fog. Work through your lists this week and you will be surprised how well you do. Recently a bit of confidence has slipped away. The weather certainly doesn’t help. Try to look on the sunny side and this weekend reach out to make new friends. Get active and be optimistic.

THE long term future use of Douglas’s historic Market Hall could be decided this month (March).

Six expressions of interest have been submitted from individuals, groups and business looking to lease the loss-making facility from Douglas Corporation.

The council invited expressions of interest following a survey which found there was broad support for the continuation of a six-day market there.

Closing day for the exercise was February 15 and councillors and officers were this week due to evaluate the proposals to see if there is a viable option.

They will report back with recommendations to the next meeting of the borough’s housing and property advisory committee this month.

Among those who have submitted an expression of interest in running the facility is Peter Young of Event Solutions who has organised a series of weekend artisan markets with the aim of raising the market’s profile and highlighting its potential.

Mr Young said: ‘We’ve heard nothing so far. It is very difficult for the people in there who have got contracts with Douglas Corporation.’

The second of the two artisan markets was held last weekend with a third taking place this coming weekend.

Mr Young said the success of the artisan markets showed the potential of the Market Hall.

‘The footfall has been tremendous. It has exceeded all our expectations,’ he said.

The artisan market featured a range of products from traditional fresh bread bakers and a fish stall to arts and crafts, and photography - a mixture which Mr Young believes could be the key to a successful market in the future.

Council leader David Christian said the Market Hall made an annual loss of about £20,000. ‘It’s not a huge sum but it in the current climate we feel someone else could come in an lease it off the council.

‘We want the market to continue in some form. That’s is our aim - to try to keep the market going. It’s difficult to attract new traders in there.

‘There is no intention at the moment to sell the building on. It’s an historic building which often requires maintenance.

‘The maintenance costs and the occupancy rate is the reason why it is losing money. We are looking to keep it open for six days a week. It’s a case of getting the right mix in there. The artisan market seems to have been well received.’

AN astonishingly bad-tempered football match ended in violence and now the police are involved.

The Isle of Man Examiner today has more on the story on page one.

The main page one story is about Legislative Council and the candidates. The Examiner points out that only one has ever won a political election. It’s also the subject of our editorial comment column.

Inside the paper, we report on a man who is described as a danger to children.

He was quite open about his sexual interests to police and to the courts. He has now been jailed.

There’s a different court story on page 5. We were in court to see Moto-GP star Cal Crutchlow’s appearance. He wasn’t. Full details in the Examiner.

In the aftermath of the tuition fees wrangle, the paper have two stories.

In one we talk to the Isle of Man College, which is planning to allow students to start their degree courses there.

In the centre spread, we revisit the campaign and ask students who fought so hard against the introduction of fees about what they have learned about the political process.

Sticking to the education theme, we talk to one father who is angry that the taxpayers’ financial support for music lessons has been hit.

While the economic news has been so-so at best, we hear from one estate agent. He tells us what he thinks will happen with the Manx property market.

Football is on the back page as well as the front. There’s a report on St George’s thrashing of Castletown.

The Examiner is in the shops now.

MANX film star Samantha Barks is being linked in the UK and Australian media to actor Russell Crowe.

The Daily Mail reports a story from New Idea magazine suggesting that the couple had developed a ‘special relationship’.

But Sam’s father, Richard, who lives in Lonan, told the Daily Mail that Sam and Russell were friends but not in a relationship.

{http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2287587/Is-Russell-Crowe-48-dating-22-year-old-star-Gladiator-star-linked-Les-Miserables-actress-Samantha-Barks.html?ito=feeds-newsxml|The Daily Mail story}

SURE has been selected by Intelligent Energy - a global power technology company - to trial a hydrogen fuel cell portable energy device.

Intelligent Energy has asked Sure to assess the suitability of its fuel cell technology to power various mobile devices.

Over the next few months, Sure will ask selected customers to trial the device and provide feedback.

The device - which generates clean energy - has been designed to meet a growing demand for portable power driven by an ever-increasing need for greater amounts of power for ‘on-the-go’ electronic devices, such as smartphones.

A study of mobile users in the UK - conducted by Intelligent Energy - shows that more than 70 per-cent of users find themselves with a flat or near-flat battery on their mobile device at least once a week.

Mobile operators across the world are keen to find a solution to the problem of battery power not keeping up with customer usage, so that they can deliver the best user experience, earn the loyalty of their customers and also increase the average revenue per user.

Mike Fawkner Corbett, the head of mobile at Sure, said: ‘Fuel cell technology presents an attractive solution to powering our devices off grid, which in turn provides a much longer operating life than a conventional battery. This would enable consumers to stay connected and use their devices for longer, unshackled by the constraints of battery life,’

He added: ‘We are delighted that Intelligent Energy has chosen Sure to trial this cutting-edge technology and we will be working with selected customers to provide valuable feedback.’

John Maguire, chief financial officer at Intelligent Energy, which is based in Loughborough in the UK, said: ‘The constant need to monitor and recharge batteries can mean a loss of productivity, a decreased sense of security and an inability to stay connected when it’s most needed’.

John added: ‘The consumer electronics industry tells us that neither future battery improvements nor power reduction strategies will develop as quickly as needed. Intelligent Energy’s portable fuel cell systems offer a durable and cost-effective solution that can be integrated into a wide range of consumer applications and we hope this trial with Sure will be a success.’

THE retirement of Eddie Lowey from Legislative Council was marked in a special occasion.

Mr Lowey, who’s 75 years old, spent 38 years in Tynwald.

The President of Tynwald Clare Christian and Speaker of the House of Keys Steve Rodan hosted a reception in the members’ room where the former Rushen MHK and keen football fan was presented with a clock set in a piece of wood engraved with the final words he spoke in Tynwald, borrowed from TE Brown:

‘And the years do come

‘And the years do go

‘And when you look back

‘It’s all like a puff

‘Happy and over and short enough’

Mr Rodan thanked him on behalf of the House of Keys for Mr Lowey’s seven years of service on the Rushen bench in the company of Sir Miles Walker and Noel Cringle.

He said Mr Lowey had made many friends both within Tynwald and, more widely, on the international stage.

He added that whenever members travelled abroad and mentioned they were from the Isle of Man many people would mention Mr Lowey, always in the fondest of terms.

Mr Rodan also commented on the sizeable number of well-wishers, in particular a strong showing by members of his family, who had gathered to pay tribute.

Mrs Christian referred to the three ‘Fs’: family, football and ‘philanthropy’, noting the strong support Mr Lowey enjoyed from his family, his love of football, especially his support for the game in the Isle of Man, and his philanthropic activities in his capacity as a trustee of the Lord Cockfield Memorial Trust.

Mr Lowey’s contribution to the ‘beautiful game’ in the island was further recognised when MHKs Graham Cregeen, Tim Crookall, Geoff Corkish, David Quirk and Juan Watterson presented him with a referee’s shirt.

In response Mr Lowey expressed his gratitude to his colleagues and the staff of Tynwald and went on to express his thanks to his family for their unstinting support throughout his career before cutting a celebratory cake that marked his retirement but the return of many of those present to work.

During his farewell speech in Tynwald, Mr Lowey urged members to carry on working well for the island because his pension depended on it.

David Callister, who joined LegCo in 2008, also stood down. In Tynwald he gave a speech of thanks to Tynwald, and recalled describing MLCs as ‘toby jugs’ when he began reporting proceedings for a radio station. He joined LegCo to try to change the law to make it democratically elected. However, he was unable to come up with a proposal that enough members would back.

THE Isle of Man is beginning to get its message across to senior politicians, decision makers and opinion formers that we are part of the solution not part of the problem.

Chief Minister Allan Bell and Treasury Minister Eddie Teare MHK attended a series of high-level meetings in London last week - and say the island earned praise for leading the way on international tax compliance.

They said positive discussions took place around progress towards signing an automatic tax information exchange agreement with the UK based on a similar FATCA agreement with the US.

There were also discussions on the Vicker’s banking reforms and the need to recognise the important role that offshore financial centres play in being a conduit of billions of pounds of funding to the City of London through the upstreaming of deposits drawn in from around the world.

Mr Bell said: ‘There is growing recognition of the Isle of Man’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of international developments in tax compliance. We are increasingly being seen as part of the solution rather than part of the problem.

‘Our leadership on tax issues and willingness to work with the international community is blowing away the old myths and misconceptions about the Isle of Man. The message is loud and clear; we are a well-regulated international business centre with a diverse and growing economy.’

He added: ‘The proposed FATCA agreements with the UK and USA will provide confidence to investors in the Isle of Man that they are dealing with a regime that complies to international standards of best practice. This will strengthen efforts to develop our economy and create new investment and employment opportunities.’

The visit to London continued the Manx government’s programme of engagement with key figures in Westminster and the City, along with MPs from the North West where the island is continuing to develop its business links.

Mr Bell and Mr Teare, who were accompanied by chief secretary Will Greenhow and director of external relations Della Fletcher also spoke about the Isle of Man’s renewed focus on international development and its continued support for capacity building projects such as the Small Countries Financial Management Programme.

In his Budget speech last month, Mr Teare said that negotiations with both the US and UK were substantially complete and he expected a FATCA agreement with the States and a similar deal with the UK to be signed in the near future.

FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) has been described by Mr Bell as a ‘game changer’ for the Isle of Man. It is believed that it will be a model that will ultimately be rolled out across Europe and beyond.

Mr Teare said: ‘This week’s visit to London was extremely successful in terms of building further awareness of the island’s ability to adapt to a rapidly and decisively changing global environment.

‘Our track record of leadership on global tax issues really struck a chord. We must continue to drive home the message that investors have a lot to gain by doing business in the Isle of Man.

l What do you think?

Email opinions@newsiom.co.im

FEWER people travelled through the island’s airport in 2012 than in 2011.

Figures released today by Ronaldsway bosses revealed there had been a drop of 0.68 per cent.

There were 705,993 passengers over the year, about 5,000 fewer than last year.

The comparable figure for 2008 was 763,200.

More on this story in Thursday’s Manx Independent

A PARENT of a secondary school student has criticised the introduction of charges for music lessons in schools.

The Department of Education and Children’s Music Service brought in the fees in January, after securing Tynwald approval in October.

The man, who lives in Glen Vine and asked not to be named, said: ‘The introduction of this charge has had to make us look again and sit down as a family with our son and explain the government’s actions.

‘We have had to make the decision to stop our son’s clarinet lessons, this is a sad decision as both myself and his mum were taught an instrument at school.’

He said his son quickly developed a talent for playing the recorder at primary school and had won a class at the Manx Music Festival. He had progressed up to playing the clarinet, and was hoping to learn the saxophone.

The parent questioned whether the move would mean the island would now lose ‘a lot of our future music talent’, adding: ‘I know a few other parents that have this same dilemma about whether to carry on with lessons or not.

‘We understand we are in troubled economical times. But the Manx citizens have had to suffer huge energy increases over the past few years with many of us either having no pay rises or very little pay increases.

‘With the government making savings like these, they are going to have a detrimental impact to our children’s lives and surely that is wrong.’

A DEC spokesman said the number of students taking music lessons had only fallen slightly following the introduction of fees.

‘Only a very small number have ceased lessons since charging began and in most of these cases their parents have indicated that this is purely because they are busy with schoolwork or extra-curricular activity or were not picking up the instrument frequently enough to warrant having lessons.’

The spokesman said: ‘Introducing a small charge for lessons for those pupils choosing to have tuition on an instrument was regrettable but was one of the measures we announced in the Budget of February last year in response to the well-publicised fiscal difficulties faced by the Isle of Man Government and the need to balance our books.

‘Parents were asked, last August, to complete a form indicating their willingness to begin paying for their child’s music tuition.

Charging was introduced at the start of the spring term.

Children who are studying music at GCSE and A level, and those who qualify for free school meals, do not pay for music tuition.

Others are charged £2 per lesson or £20 per term the first year they receive tuition and £3 per lesson or £30 per term after that.

Some, higher grade students who receive more complex tuition pay £5 per lesson.

The DEC believes these charges ‘compare favourably’ with the charges for private music lessons.

At present, there are 1,013 pupils having music tuition.

Parents can pay £17 a term to hire an instrument pupils take home to practice on. This charge hasn’t risen since 2009.

There are specialist, experienced teachers offer guitar, woodwind and brass tuition to children aged 9 (Year 5) and above and string tuition to younger children where a teacher is available. Voice, percussion and drumkit lessons are available to secondary school students.

THIS winter might have proved to be one of the wettest on record but last month helped to make up for it with 111 hours of bright sunshine.

In fact February proved to be a month of extremes: it was the fifth sunniest since records began back in 1948. The amount of sunshine was 42 per cent above the average for the month and the sunniest day was on the 25th with nine and a half hours.

By contrast the prolonged wet weather lasted right up to the middle of the month before the high pressure became established over the British Isles bringing dry weather along with a cold easterly wind.

Although the second half of the month was completely dry, particularly heavy rain during the first two weeks still produced slightly more than the mean average for the whole month. At Ronaldsway 66.6mm of rainfall were recorded.

Average temperatures for the month were lower than normal with a mean maximum of seven degrees centigrade and a mean minimum of two and a half degrees - one degree below the long-term average in each case.

The final day of the month saw the coldest ground temperature recorded which was 6.8 degrees.

There were four air frosts and 14 ground frosts.

Heavy rain as well as sleet in places on low ground fell as snow on high ground and caused some significant travel disruption on February 13.

This proved to be the wettest February day for 10 years with 23.4mm of precipitation measured at Ronaldsway. There was sleet on three days, hail on one day but no thunder or fog.

Average wind speed at the airport was 15.1mph compared to a long-term mean of 17.0mph.

A 55mph gust on 5th, along with saturated ground, caused trees to topple.

FACILITIES management and maintenance company Prospero has acquired GenClean, a soft services company, for an undisclosed amount.

GenClean will be integrated into Prospero’s offices in Tower House, Douglas and the team will report to Ms Leigh Cruger, Prospero’s soft services delivery manager.

At present around 40 people are employed and this is expected to grow to 60 in the near future.

Prospero commenced trading in the Isle of Man in 2004 and quickly established itself as a premier provider of heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), electrical and building services to more than 100 clients in the Isle of Man.

‘The acquisition of GenClean underscores our commitment to deliver services in a manner that businesses need in this challenging economy,’ said James Pettigrew, group managing Director of Prospero.

‘GenClean adds best-in-class cleaning and front of house services to Prospero’s growing portfolio of complementary facilities management services’.

Organisations and their facilities management (FM) teams are challenged every day to provide services at the highest levels and at the lowest cost to their ‘internal customer’.

Using an integrated facilities management model, with both hard services (building equipment maintenance and repair etc) and soft services (cleaning, security, front of house, waste management, etc) being delivered by one organisation such as Prospero can lead to significant benefits and greatly assist in achieving this goal. Some of the obvious benefits are cost savings arising from the removal of multiple vendors charging management overhead and profit margins on each of the services required by the client.

Through the implementation of an Integrated FM model, with all services provided by one vendor, clients can have the services provided at a competitive price and reduce the overall cost of operations.

Another benefit of this model is that the client’s FM team can establish a partnership approach and fully utilise the expertise of the in-house and service provider’s staff to best support its organisation structure, improve customer satisfaction and serve as a business enabler to enhance customer wellbeing and productivity.

Projects which may previously have been shelved because of budget availability may suddenly be possible as a result of cost savings being presented in the day-to-day expenditure, which would be a major achievement.

Mr Pettigrew added: ‘We are passionate about being the go-to company for advice and expertise in assisting our clients and prospective clients achieve cost savings whilst still retaining the same or better level of quality services.

‘Our Integrated FM model coupled with our energy management services will offer that and we are extremely pleased at the market reaction to our acquisition and enhanced service provision.

‘Through employing our services, our client’s own FMs are recognised for making the decision to go down this avenue, resulting in them being able to report cost savings coupled with high levels of customer satisfaction across all the services and also freeing them up to concentrate on other strategic initiatives and projects such as corporate social responsibility (CSR) . For clients that don’t have their own dedicated FM staff, it is an even more attractive solution. It just ticks all the boxes.’

As further recognition of their added services provision capability, Prospero has also decided to rebrand the trading company’s name from ‘Prospero Building Maintenance Ltd’ to ‘Prospero Facilities Services Limited’.

‘This sits better with what we can do for clients as an organisation now. We aren’t just a technical engineering firm, we can address the full capability of a client’s facilities services requirements, so our name should reflect that.’ said Mr Pettigrew.

Certainly, the integrated services model seems to be going down well in the marketplace and Prospero are a company on the up, recently advertising positions for additional cleaners, security personnel and a facilities manager to support recent contract awards.

ONE estate agent has told iomtoday that business has picked up more than he was expecting in the first couple of months of the year.

David Creane, of Cowley Groves, said: ‘While the underlying fundamental issues still remain the same and those being in the main a lack of confidence coupled with a shortage of cash in the market, I have to say that both buyers and sellers have come to realise that what we are experiencing is now the norm.

‘In that I mean the market will remain very much as it is at present and for the short to medium term bounding along with no sharp upward or downward movements.

‘The public have come to accept this.’

The government’s latest figures on house prices were for 2010-11.

The information was released last summer and showed that average house prices fell by 1.6 per cent from £290,641 in 2010 to £286,056.

The state of the property market is harder to track in the Isle of Man than in some other jurisdictions because it isn’t surveyed as frequently as it is elsewhere.

For example, both the Halifax Bank and the Nationwide Building Society publish statistics frequently, as well as the UK’s Land Registry.

However, the island has clearly not experienced drops as large as the UK since the financial crisis of 2008, although there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that properties in some markets – flats, for example – have been hit harder than others.

Mr Creane said: ‘We have come to realise the days of ever increasing double digit value increases will not return for some time, if indeed, ever. This in itself creates a stabilising effect, no bad thing.’

Properties at the top end of the market have been hit.

Mr Creane said that Cowley Groves had sold more houses than the company expected.

But one was a £2m home in the south of the island that had to be ‘substantially reduced’.

Another instance was a detached extended cottage in Baldwin with land. It fetched £1.4m and was also ‘significantly reduced’.

One area of growth in business was swaps.

The estate agent achieved eight in the first two months of the year.

‘We matched both sellers’ and buyers’ aspirations, exchanging houses with a cash consideration, which achieved the main objective for the clients in that they moved,’ said Mr Creane.

‘This product that we have been featuring for the last number of years is working very well for us at the moment, particularly with old stock that has been on the books for some time, a good result all round.’

CONFIRMATION of this week’s bus strikes was announced first on a railway enthusiasts’ website.

Before the Unite union or Department of Community Culture and Leisure officially revealed details of Wednesday’s two two-hour stoppages by Bus Vannin drivers, a timetable for contingency services on the railway was published on the website of the Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters’ Association.

It shows that once again the temporary halt at School Hill, Castletown, will be used for students at Castle Rushen High School.

Trains will leave Port Erin at 7.35am, 8.10am, 3.50pm and 5.30pm, while services from Douglas will leave at 7.55am. 3.40pm. 5.15pm and 5.50pm.

Wednesday’s industrial action will take place between 7.30am and 9.30am and 3pm and 5pm. Bus Vannin should publish timetables for the strike services later today (Monday).

Community, Culture and Leisure Minister Graham Cregeen MHK said the action was deliberately timed to target young people taking exams.

Unite national officer Bobby Morton said he would visit the island again on Thursday to attend a second mass meeting of drivers. At a meeting last Monday, drivers voted unanimously to escalate their industrial action over the long-running dispute over changes to their terms and conditions.

Mr Morton said he had made a commitment at the last meeting that he would be keeping in constant touch with Bus Vannin union members.

He said this followed concerns he had with the last offer put to the membership. ‘I received a piece of paper with no figures on. I didn’t understand it and if I didn’t there was no chance the membership would either. That will not happen again.’

He said there had been no movement in the dispute, despite radio reports of a possible breakthrough.

The DCCL said: ‘The department has always been of the view that a negotiated solution is achievable. While there is no reason to believe that the strike planned for Wednesday will be called off, the promise of further meetings over coming weeks is welcomed.’

TWO men have been arrested and bailed by police investigating allegations of violence after a football match in Laxey on Saturday.

Ramsey police thanked the public for their responses so far and confirmed that the inquiry was continuing.

Anyone with any information is still beng urged to make contact with Constable Wylde or Constable Kerruish at Ramsey police station if they have any information on 812234 or 631212.

Police are investigating an incident of criminal damage at Victoria Road School, Castletown.

Sometime over the weekend someone set fire to a picnic table. This has caused a considerable amount of damage to the table and could have caused considerable damage to the school itself.

A police spokesman said: ‘The school has become something of a “hang-out” where various articles that could cause danger to pupils are being located in the shelters. Due to this, additional patrols will be focussed on the area to deter individuals from damaging any further property.’

Anyone with any information should call Constable Dave Trevethan at Castletown police station on 822222 or can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A MOTOR vehicle was stolen from the Creg Malin Car Park, Peel, sometime between 7pm on Thursday last week and 8pm on Monday.

The vehicle is described as a blue Nissan Terrano 4x4, registration number FMN 130E.

Police are asking the public to report any sightings of this vehicle to police headquarters on 631212.

TOMORROW’S buses will be running a Sunday service because of the planned strike.

There will be two two-hour stoppages tomorrow (Wednesday), with one at 7.30am and the other at 3pm.

The government minister in charge of buses last week accused the union of targeting children because of the timing of the strike.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/children-targets-of-bus-strike-says-cregeen-1-5460119|Click here to read last week’s story}

Nick Black, chief executive officer of the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure, which runs the bus service, today said: ‘We clearly cannot take the risk of passengers not being able to complete their journeys during the transition periods to the strike and must ensure that all buses are in the correct locations for services throughout the day.

‘Therefore, subject to changing conditions during the strike, buses are scheduled to operate timetables based on the regular Sunday and Bank Holiday timetables for the full day but with additional services at peak hours to serve schools and commuter travel.

‘The Isle of Man Steam Railway and Manx Electric Railway will also operate at peak times for schools and commuters but will not run throughout the rest of the day.’

Full timetables are now available at the Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal in Douglas and online at www.iombusandrail.info and cf.gov.im.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/trains-take-strain-again-in-strike-1-5465584|Click here to read our story about the trains}

In addition to the temporary bus time timetables and rail services, the Department of Infrastructure have confirmed that additional parking is available on the following locations:

· Circus Beach (pre-check in area) is available strictly between 9am and 5pm (up to 40 spaces), access through ferry entrance. There will be a £4 per day charge to use this area.

· The Bowl car park on Pulrose Road (Douglas Corporation) pay and display (100-plus spaces).

· There will be no additional parking available on Douglas Promenade Walkway.

The department has also suggested:

· Car sharing – which can be arranged using www.journeymatch.im.

· Flexible working hours – it may be possible for some employers/employees to make flexible working arrangements.

· It may also be possible for some employees to work from home

The dispute stems from a number of issues, including a proposal to end paid lunches for drivers.