THE MYSTERIES of marshalling were revealed on Sunday as part of a scheme to get more young people interested in joining the so-called Orange Army.

First along to sample the marshalling experience – not to mention the famous Jurby Airfield microclimate – was Carla Fargher who spent the day helping out at the Andreas club’s opening meeting of the year.

In fact she got more that she bargained for when a shortage of marshals on the day saw her in action from the outset.

Carla, who is 21 and lives in Ramsey, said she had a really enjoyable day.

‘In a way it was really quite relaxing – I enjoyed it,’ she said.

‘We had a chance to see things like riders’ sigining on and the scrutineers giving safety checks to the bikes. We visited the race control and the time keepers and got to see how all that works and we even went to the riders’ briefing before the races started.

‘It turned out they needed me straight away so I was positioned with some experienced marshals on the first corner after the start-finish straight.

‘Fortunately no one came off on our corner but it was really interesting watching the bikes and seeing how the different riders improved as the day went on.’

The sessions have been instigated by Andreas Racing Association secretary Mary-Rose Trainor, who was prompted to take action after a shortage of marshals saw the first MGP practice session severely curtailed last year.

‘Marshals are getting older, there are fewer young people coming in to it and we also rely heavily now on people who live off island so we really need to get some more people involved,’ she said.

Andreas club chairman Gordy Moore said: ‘We do get times when we are short and it is often running at the minimum manning level.

‘You get days when people are on holiday too, so it would be nice to have a bank of people we can call on.

‘When they are recruited, we can get them involved in the TT and the Manx Grand Prix. Marshals on average are getting older, but for the kids there’s so much for them to do now and those that might be interested seem to start racing earlier now too.’

The next meeting at Jurby is in mid-April and Carla said she definitely planned to be there again.

‘I loved it,’ she said. ‘As for anyone else who is thinking about it, I’d say just go for it. It’s a really nice community there. I want to do my bit for the TT and the MGP as well now.

‘You won’t be thrown in at the deep end. They will offer you a “taster” session so you can try it out and you can just opt to do what you are confident with – get involved as much or as little as you want.’

Anyone who is interested in taking part in a marshals’ taster session at Jurby should contact Mary-Rose on 264073 or email {mailto:trainormaryrose@yahoo.com|trainormaryrose(at)yahoo.com}

THE Steam Packet has cancelled all sailings till tomorrow morning at the earliest.

While the Ben-my-Chree’s 8.45am sailing is scheduled to leave Douglas, the Manannan’s Liverpool sailing is subject to disruption. A decision will be made at 6am tomorrow.

Bad weather hit the island overnight, with the west of the island being particularly badly hit. The weather is expected to get worse tonight, with more snow to come.

Many roads are closed.

Those affected include the road between Ballacraine and Ballaugh bridge, the Mountain Road, Tholt-y-Will and Beinn-y-Phott roads, the Foxdale road the to Mines Road junction, Ballakillowey road to Roundtable junction, Glen Road, Colby, to the Round Table junction.

All major routes will be gritted, and police have asked drivers to drive with caution and to the road conditions.

The Manx Electricity Authority has a significant number of customers off supply due to a combination of weather-related faults, including snow, ice on lines, high winds and fallen trees.

A spokesman said: ‘We have managed to restore supply to another 100 homes. However, access issues have hindered our efforts to restore supply to homes north of Peel through to Kirk Michael, including Cronk v Voddy, and in the North West Curraghs area.

‘It is extremely unlikely that we will be able to restore these remaining supplies before tomorrow. We recommend that customers make any necessary arrangements to stay warm and safeguard themselves. Should you have concerns regarding those who are vulnerable contact MEA 687687.’

The bus service is also badly disrupted.

The only routes operating are:

1 & 2 routes will only travel as far as the Manx Arms and then detour via Royal Avenue – Promenades and Lord Street.

11 & 12 the same as above.

5 & 6 will run main roads from Douglas to Peel only and return (ending at Queen Elizabeth II High School).

3 running as normal via Grandstand.

The Steam Railway has also been cancelled today. Neither it nor the Manx Electric Railway will operate tomorrow.

Several trees have fallen, leading to problems for traffic. The Department of Infrastructure has tweeted a photo of a tree on a vehicle’s roof.

The House of Manannan is now closed.

Manx National Heritage has decided to close the Laxey Wheel, Peel Castle and Castle Rushen tomorrow but will review the forecast conditions on Sunday as to whether to open these attractions.

It will try to open the Manx Museum and House of Manannan tomorrow as planned.

The Co-operative is chartering a plane to airlift food supplies to its stores on the Isle of Man, as severe weather disrupts scheduled ferry services.

The Co-operative, which has 10 stores across the island, is using a Hercules aircraft, which will fly from Manchester to Ronaldsway Airport later today (Friday).

It will carry around 18 tonnes of food and drink, including essentials and store cupboard staples, such as meat, eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables, enough to stock all the island’s Co-operative Food stores, including outlets in Douglas, Ramsey, Peel and Castletown.

The flight is due to leave Manchester between 6pm and 7pm today, with a flight time to the island of around 45 minutes.

A Department of Education and Children spokesman said all schools closed at about lunchtime today.

‘Parents are invited to pick up their children as soon as they are able to,’ she said. ‘No school will close until the last child has been picked up. School meals are being served as normal.

‘As it’s now the school Easter holidays, schools will reopen on Monday, April 8.’

Schools in the west of the island didn’t open at all.

All DEC youth and play clubs due to operate tonight are closed. All lettings of school properties tonight will be cancelled. Hirers will receive an email today. Due to road conditions the following schools have been closed: Michael, Foxdale, QEII, Peel Clothworkers and St John’s, in addition further schools have closed mid-morning they are: Jurby, Dhoon, Pre-school Centre at Pulrose, Bunscoill at St John’s, Sulby and Ballaugh.

All Department of Education and Children youth and play clubs due to operate tonight are closed. All lettings of school properties tonight will be cancelled. Hirers will receive an email today.

All post offices throughout the island will be closing at 3pm an there will be no collections of mail this afternoon.

The UK’s newspapers will not be flown in to the island today because of problems at Birmingham Airport, from where they were meant to be coming.

The civic amenity site in the north, west and east are closed.

Isle of Man Creamery delivery drivers have delivered to 90 per cent of homes and stores on the island overnight and through this morning. Drivers are still making deliveries where it is safe to do so.

The Isle of Man Met Office has forecast for further snow overnight with a covering possible of 5cm to 10cm accompanied by gale force winds.

Doorstep delivery drivers will be out later today to begin the deliveries that were due on Saturday morning, so deliveries might be earlier than expected.

A spokesman said: ‘The safety of delivery drivers is paramount to Isle of Man Creamery and, as there is a strong possibility that trees may be uprooted due to the high winds, and roads may be impassable, we do not want to put delivery drivers in any danger and have asked them to drive with caution and avoid areas that are treacherous.

‘Isle of Man Creamery wishes to apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause customers who do not receive their deliveries and hope that customers will understand the difficulties in these circumstances.’

The Isle of Man Indoor Bowling Association’s annual general meeting, which was scheduled this evening at the NSC, is now postponed till March 28.

The planned under 18s disco at Port St Mary Town Hall this evening has been cancelled. The organisers will publish a new date soon.

BOSSES at the tip and recycling centre in Douglas are cracking down on companies leaving waste there.

The Eastern Civic Amenity Site joint committee, which operates the civic amenity site at Middle River Industrial Estate has published rules applying to users of the site.

Vehicle recognition cameras will be installed to deter commercial enterprises dumping waste.

Chairman of the site Bill Malarkey said the technology would alert staff to vehicles that come to the site regularly and these will be checked for commercial waste.

New regulations will come into force on April 1. The rules include:

• A limit to the amount of rubble and inert waste being brought in, to six rubble bags (or equivalent quantity) per person per week or 12 bags in a month.

• A height limit of 2.2 metres on vehicles entering the site;

• A limit to the time any individual may remain in the recycling area, and for vehicles to be parked on site, to 15 minutes in any one day; and

• Protection for users and staff on the site from abusive behaviour.

In a statement the committee says: ‘Anyone breaching the rules will first be warned that they are in breach, and if they persist they may be barred from using the site.

‘The staff of the contractor operating the site have the full authority of the committee to do so.’

The charges for disposal of fridges and freezers are to change too. It will cost £10 to dispose of standard units (now £14.34) and £12 to dispose of large units (now it’s £19.14).

Wider, American-style fridges and freezers will cost £20, up 86p.

The Eastern Civic Amenity Site is run for authorities in Douglas, Onchan, Braddan, Laxey, Lonan and Santon.

DID you manage to get to work okay in yesterday’s snowstorms?

Chris Gregory of the Children’s Centre has been suggesting different methods to get to work including go-kart, scooter, pogo sticks and a hobby horse. It’s all part of Chris’s March2Work idea to highlight the need for children to spend more time playing outdoors. Last year Chris spent the whole of March getting to work using various methods based on kids games and toys.

Related article: {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/hop-to-it-for-march2work-1-5506248|Hop to it for March2Work}

This year Chris was inviting people to get to work in an unusual way on March 22. Yesterday’s atrocious weather couldn’t dampen Chris’s spirits either as he and his supporters braved the sleet and hail, pulling each other along in two wheelie bin rickshaws. Chris is easily identifiable in our video as the guy in the monkey suit.

The group even turned the weather to their advantage, stopping at the Grandstand to stage an inpromptu snowball fight.

HE ran the gauntlet of U-boats and the Luftwaffe, braved sub-zero polar temperatures and survived a double torpedo attack that led to the sinking of a Navy escort ship.

Now 70 years on, John Kermode’s widow Marjorie – who is 89 in two weeks’ time – has applied for him to be presented with a medal from the British government for his role in the infamous Arctic convoys.

And Marjorie, who lives in the Cooil-ny-Marrey sheltered housing complex in Ramsey, believes that there may be other widows and relatives of survivors of convoys living in the island who could be eligible for the Arctic Star – but may be unaware of the recent announcement that the medals are finally to be awarded.

She said: ‘The convoys were a real suicide mission. It’s taken 70 years for the crews to get recognised. My husband would have been 93 if he was still alive today. I want the medal for my boys.

‘Nobody seems to know about this medal. It’s not been well publicised. A neighbour of mine came across the website while surfing the internet.

‘I just want to let people know about it as there may be other survivors of the convoys in the island – and it’s not just survivors or their widows but their children and grandchildren.’

The Arctic Star recognises the service of Royal Navy and merchant sailors who delivered vital aid to the Soviet Union between 1941 and 1945.

It is thought between 200 and 400 sailors, all now in their late 80s at their youngest, survive what Churchill acknowledged was ‘the worst journey in the world’ in which crewmen endured constant attack by enemy submarines, aircraft and surface ships as well as atrocious polar weather conditions. If ships were sunk, sailors perished in minutes in freezing waters.

Marjorie’s husband was just 19 when he joined the Navy in November 1939 as a blacksmith. After training in Plymouth, he joined the crew of the HMS Edinburgh, a Navy cruiser which was subsequently tasked with escorting the Arctic convoys taking vital supplies to the Russian port of Murmansk.

Returning from Murmansk in April 1942 with a 4.5 ton cargo of gold bullion intended as payment for Allied supplies to the Soviet Union, HMS Edinburgh was torpedoed twice by a U-boat. Marjorie’s husband should have been in the engine room, where the first torpedo struck, but he survived because he had gone on deck to the forge. Edinburgh, having sustained a second torpedo attack, was scuttled to prevent the gold getting into Nazi hands.

John met Marjorie on Paddington station in 1946 when both were returning to Plymouth from leave.

They married the following year and went on to have four sons and one daughter.

After completing his Navy career as a Petty Officer, John worked as an agricultural engineer for Booth W. Kelly in Ramsey.

He died in 1997.

The island has endured another night of freezing temperatures and stormy winds.

Some bus routes are now operating. They were all suspended earlier today.

To see the latest news from Bus Vannin {http://www.gov.im/publictransport/|Click here} The travel alerts are shown near the top of the page.

The route 3 from Douglas to Ramsey is now operating a ‘main road’ service.

Many roads remain closed throughout the island.

The Mountain Road is now shut from Hillberry in Onchan to Ramsey.

The Douglas to Peel bus services (routes 5 and 6) are now operating as far as the Queen Elizabeth II High School. They will not serve the Strang.

Richmond Hill was shut during the night but it has now re-opened.

The west of the island remains badly hit.

The Peel coast road is closed and the road from Kirk Michael to Ballacraine, via Cronk-y-Voddy and Glen Helen remains shut.

In the south, the Old Castletown Road from Outlands Road to the Blackboards, the Sloc, the Ballamodha road and the Clannnagh Road from St Mark’s Road to Main Road, Santon, are all closed.

Hundreds of homes are without power. Faults have been reported in Patrick, Michael, Ballaugh, Jurby, Maughold, rural areas in Onchan parish, Foxdale and the Dhoon.

There have also been power cuts in Fleshwick, Scard and Earystane.

The Manx Electricity Authority’s engineers have been working through the night to try to restore supplies.

An MEA spokesman said: ‘We are still aiming to get the majority of customers affected back on supply over this weekend.

‘Should you have concerns regarding those who are vulnerable, please contact the MEA on 687687.’

The Steam Packet’s Manannan service to Liverpool, which had been due to leave Douglas at 7.30am, has been cancelled.

But the Ben-my-Chree left the capital for Heysham at 8.45am.

Manx Telecom is causing reduced mobile coverage in Ballaugh, Creg-ny-Baa area and Earystane and Colby.

The Post Office has announced it won’t be delivering letters today.

The airport is open as usual. But some destination airports in the UK have been affected by bad weather there, so travellers should ring their airlines to find out the latest news on their flights.

The Manx Museum in Douglas is open until 4pm but the House of Manannan in Peel will be closed all day.

And there’s bad news for those wanting to relive those heady days at the Cave disco in Summerland. The Sounds of the Cave night, which was scheduled to take place at the Villa Marina tonight, has been cancelled.

If you have any photos of the snow where you are, please email them to newsdeskATnewsiom.co.im

YOUNG designers are showing what they’re made of in Isle of Man Newspapers’ Design An Ad 2013 competition.

Local businesses, charities and government divisions taking part will sponsor the publishing of the winning advertisements designed for them.

Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation is inviting pupils to come up with an advertisement based on its current fundraising project to raise £60,000 this year for 35 defibrillator machines for the island’s primary schools.

Chairman Paul Healey explained the charity was keen to raise more awareness of their campaign among young people.

Their next heart screening for people aged 14 to 35 takes place on April 13-14 at the Palace Hotel, Douglas. Book your free place at {http:www.craigsheartstrongfoundation.co.uk|www.craigsheartstrongfoundation.co.uk}

Shoprite has called for students to come up with an advertisement showing the company is Manx and prides itself on being the most loyal supporter of Manx suppliers and food producers in the island.

Amanda Noble said the concept allowed pupils to get creative, receive recognition for their work – as well as give organisations the chance to raise awareness about themselves.

She added she particularly liked to see the younger generation’s perception of Shoprite: ‘Even at a young age they are tarting to understand we are a Manx company selling Manx products and supporting the Manx economy.’

Isle of Man Bank is challenging primary school pupils to advertise its young saver accounct for under 11s, and for secondary school students to promote its bank account for 11-18-year-olds.

Matt Cory explained the bank’s decision to get involved: ‘One of our key areas of focus in the community is education so the Design An Ad competition fitted in really well with that.’

He said the competition was an important part of young people’s education.

Students that take on the Manx Co-operative’s brief will be promoting the company’s ethos.

Chris Boyd said: ‘Co-operatives around the world believe that co-operatives build a better world.

‘We want, therefore, to inspire young people to use their voice and tell us how they feel the world can be a better place. Working with schools and pupils with the Design an Ad Competition gives us a unique way of doing this and The Co-operative is delighted to be sponsor. We also hope that the young people taking part have a lot of fun!’

• See Monday’s Examiner to hear from the competition’s remaining sponsors: the Steam Packet, Department of Infrastructure’s waste management division, Manx Telecom and Lloyds TSB/Taylorian Productions.

PARTS of the island remain cut off this morning after Friday’s snowfall.

The north and west of the island have been worst hit.

The Manx Electricity Authority has teams of workers trying to ease problems after hundreds of people were cut off.

The Department of Infrastructure has also been battling against the elements.

A statement from the department reads: ‘The department made good progress today in some difficult conditions.

‘Teams managed to reopened a single track into Kirk Michael from the north but have not broken through from the south on the coast road again. Unfortunately, it is likely to be many days before we will get through on the Cronk-y-Voddy where there are snow drifts of 10ft in places.

‘Teams with heavy plant managed to get access to several people in need for the emergency service but we are still trying to get through to some others in particularly inaccessible areas..

‘Glen Maye, Dalby, Cronk-y-Voddy and Kirk Michael remain effectively cut off, many still without power.’

Today the DoI is continuing to work in these areas, plus Ballamodha, Braaid and Foxdale.

The statement continues: ‘We will also continue to dig our way up to the Creg-ny-Baa where we are just over halfway up the straight.’

The DoI is today going to move into some of the worst-affected estates in north and west Douglas and Onchan.

‘We will also seek to ensure that light timing are adjusted at strategic junctions to help the rush hour flow of traffic on Monday through the limit routes into Douglas.’

The MEA said: ‘Extreme weather conditions on the Isle of Man over the past 36 hours have imposed significant stresses on the electricity overhead line system – causing the most widespread damage since the storms of January 2005.

‘However, the system has demonstrated a high degree of resilience so far, and in combination with MEA’s experienced response teams across the organisation, supplies to almost 99 per cent of customers have been maintained.

‘Our priorities remain the safety and welfare of our customers. However, some customers may be off supply beyond the weekend. At this point in time, we are focussing our efforts to restore the higher voltage systems which will hasten our overall restoration times.’

In a statement issued just before 8am, the authority said its current estimate for recovery times (based on weather conditions which appear to have stabilised) were as follows:

12-24 hours: Eairystane, Dalby to Waterfall Hotel

48 hours: Barregarrow, Jurby Church, Sartfield, Fleshwick

72 Hours and beyond: Ballacallin Hotel – Lhag, Cronk-y-Voddy, Glen Helen, Ballaholly to Ballcrye, areas of Abbeylands

An MEA spokesman said; ‘We have successfully restored some supplies. This is of course no consolation to approximately 600 of our customers currently off supply. We apologise for the inconvenience caused and would also like to thank these customers for their understanding and patience whilst our teams battle against severe conditions to restore normal operations.’

The MEA urged customers to safeguard themselves and check on vulnerable neighbours.

The MEA’s customer support team’s phone number is 687687.

The spokesman added: ‘Our teams are working around the clock but we have been hampered by restricted access to some parts of the island. We would like to thank the assistance we have received from our colleagues in the Department of Infrastructure, emergency services, Civil Defence and the local community.’

Phil King, the MEA’s chief executive, said: ‘I am very proud of the efforts of the entire MEA team, who continue to work in difficult conditions to ensure customers supplies are restored as soon as practicably possible.’

The snowfall has led to problems for farmers, especially those with new-born lambs.

Scores are feared dead because of the low temperatures and the amount of snow that’s fallen.

The Steam Packet’s services are back to normal after disruption caused by stormy weather.

Have you taken any photos of the snow?

Email newsdeskATnewsiom.co.im

The photo above was taken in Glen Maye by reader Andrew Corlett

GIBRALTAR may have a higher number employed in its egaming industry – but our egaming sector contributes £74 million more to our economy.

In Tynwald, Onchan MHK Zac Hall asked what key differences there are in government support to the gambling sector that have enabled the Isle of Man to employ about 750 in the industry but allowed Gibraltar to employ some 4,000.

In his written reply, Economic Development Minister John Shimmin insisted that government support was by no means the critical factor in encouraging the relocation and growth of gaming industry operators.

He explained that other factors including gaming duty, labour availability costs and VAT.

Mr Shimmin MHK said: ‘It is clear that the decision by some of the large companies to locate their gaming operations in Gibraltar as opposed to the Isle of Man is based on many factors only one of which is taxation.

‘The nature of the Gibraltar operators’ business model, the lower salaries required for employees and lower overall overheads, the lower demand for government provided infrastructure eg housing, health, education, roads etc are, perhaps, more significant factors.’

He pointed out that many of Gibraltar’s employees are not resident in that jurisdiction, whereas in the island all employees are resident.

The Minister said the Isle of Man can do little to compete with the lower costs available in Gibraltar, but the island’s operators are less reliant on a single gaming market which should mean the impact of the UK’s 2014 licensing legislation will also be less dramatic than anticipated in the Mediterranean protectorate.

Gilbert Licudi, Gibraltar’s Minister for Gaming, has warned this could have very serious consequences for the economy of the British Overseas Territory.

He said this is an important factor as the gaming sector represents 20 per cent of Gibraltar’s Gross Domestic Product whereas in the island’s more diversified economy, it contributes 8 per cent.

Mr Shimmin said 20 per cent of Gibraltar’s £1 billion GDP represents about £200 million, but the 8 per cent GDP contribution in the Isle of Man equates to about £274 million.

‘Therefore the island’s gaming sector contributes £74 million per year in real terms more to our economy than in Gibraltar despite their higher number of employees,’ he said.

• What do you think? Email {mailto:opinions@newsiom.co.im|opinions(at)newsiom.co.im} or sign in to add your comment below.

TEN young people have begun 6-9 month skills training programmes with the Department of Infrastructure’s operations division.

The programmes are for 16 to 24-year-olds that are not currently in employment, education or training.

One trainee is learning how to maintain and service electromechanical equipment at the Douglas and Peel Bridges, the Marina Flap Gates and the Harbour Linkspan. Some are working on the Duke Street redevelopment, Lezayre Road reconstruction and the Finch Road pavement upgrade.

Another trainee is part of the public rights of way team working with one of the divisions’ joiners to repair and construct bridges and board walks around the island’s footpaths.

One trainee is working at the Animal Waste Processing Plant and another is working in the Technical Services Office helping to electronically archive design drawings, some of which are 100 years old.

Engineering manager Graham Allison said: ‘The team has been very impressed with our trainee. He is working very hard in all weathers and is picking up skills very quickly.’

Infrastructure Minister David Cretney MHK said: ‘I’m delighted we have been able to offer opportunities to these young people. The jobs market is very tight and young people are getting squeezed out.’

It is estimated there are 300-700 people not in education, employment of training in the island. Trainees on the DoI’s programme received an extra £30 per week on top of any benefits that they would normal receive.

KING William’s College student Emily Rimmer took second place in the senior section of the Cranmer Awards national finals.

The competition took place at the Royal York Hotel, in York.

Fellow King William’s College student Emer Halton represented the island in the junior section.

The Cranmer Awards are organised by the Prayer Book Society, which promotes the use and understanding of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.

The competition sees 11–18 year-olds reciting, from memory, their favourite passage from the Book of Common Prayer.

There were separate awards for juniors (aged 11–14) and seniors (aged 15–18).

Prizes were presented by the Archbishop of York, the Most Revd Dr John Sentamu.

Finalists earned their places at the national finals by winning their local heats.

The island heat took place at Patrick Church in November.

Gill Qualtrough, organiser of the local heat for the Isle of Man Prayer Book Society, said: ‘The island has had several prize winners over the years which is excellent considering that we are the smallest diocese.’

The Book of Common Prayer remains the bedrock of the Church of England and the Anglican communion worldwide.

Monday, March 25

Aries

(March 21 - April 20)

Believe what you are being told on a business matter only when you have checked the facts. Apart from that, the chance to show what you can do comes along. Someone could be testing your interest so make an extra effort. When sorting out a family matter, try to be patient. Does someone disapprove of your partner? Give it time and don’t get too defensive.

Taurus

(April 21 - May 21)

You may be on your toes all week as extra demands are made on your time. Some competition is likely both at work and in love. Although not in the mood to go along with others, it could be the best tactic at the moment. When the time is right to assert yourself, you will know. Don’t mistake a flirtation for something more serious or you will do yourself no favours.

Gemini

(May 22 - June 21)

Just as one romantic door closes, so another opens. The weekend needs some planning if you are to be with the right person. When it comes to business there is likely to be some competition. You are more than capable of dealing with it. However, gaining more knowledge gives a stronger hand. Unsure of how to deal with a relative? Give it a bit more time and listen carefully.

Cancer

(June 22 - July 23)

Arrange a treat for a loved one who may be feeling a bit low. News about a relative is cheering although not everyone will see it as a blessing. Rather than let your imagination run riot, look for facts in a confusing situation. Life is something of a puzzle but, by the weekend, it should all be forming a pattern. When you get the whole picture it is pretty tame!

Leo

(July 24 - August 23)

This truly is a week to keep a low profile! Travel is not well aspected but, where there is the need, take extra care. Also check details to avoid delays and misunderstandings. Strong feelings about a work-related matter need curbing so as not to give the wrong impression. The time will come for you to assert your position, but it is not now.

Virgo

(August 24 - September 23)

When it seems that luck is on your side, make the most of it. In a mixed week these times do not come often. A piece of knowledge that you have been waiting for may not be exactly to your liking but the question had to be asked. With the emphasis on finances, now could be the time to confide in a loved one. Remember that a problem shared is often halved!

Libra

(September 24 - October 23)

There is the chance, this week, to make the most of a golden opportunity. Others may disagree with your intentions. Do they seem to be trying to spoil your happiness? Use a more relaxed time at the weekend to have any serious discussions. Right now there is the need to do well at work. Share your concerns, if you have any, with your boss or senior colleagues.

Scorpio

(October 24 - November 22)

Taking care of your health should have priority this week. Having been through a hectic time, it is possible that you have neglected your wellbeing. Loved ones will probably agree and encourage you to do a bit of pampering. A few hours out with a friend at the weekend reminds you what relaxation really is! Planning a holiday can really bring up the mood.

Sagittarius

(November 23 - December 21)

Feeling a bit fiery? Speak your mind by all means, but check up on the facts first! A disagreement could see you lose a friend. Even so, maybe it is the right time for a change? Making yourself understood is not so easy this week, especially when emotions are involved. The calmer you remain, the clearer your message. Don’t expect fast results.

Capricorn

(December 22 - January 20)

Look to family for truly relaxing moments. In an otherwise hectic and confusing world they are your stability. Perhaps it is a friend that will give you the best feedback, but you need to ask. Conflicts at work may be challenging unless you take it in small bites. They are no fast solutions, only ways forward. These should be practical and explained.

Aquarius

(January 21 - February 19)

Make it your project to do at least one thing that is new and different this week. A rut is easily fallen into but hard to slip out of. Find someone in a similar situation and see if you can help each other. A clue from the past leads to a fresh social contact. Why are you feeling restless? Is it time to move things on? Be honest in your needs.

Pisces

(February 20 - March 20)

If it seems that some personal aspects are muddled this week, be prepared to keep a low profile. Although in a rut, it is not a time to rush ahead. A relative can remind you of long-term ambitions and encourage you not to give up. As the weekend arrives, emotional matters seem to clear from their strange haze. Why are you feeling frustrated? Ask the question.

Sandra Stuszka, KPMG’s head of VAT services in the Isle of Man reports on the Superyacht Management Meeting – Fiscal, which was held in Brussels earlier this month.

The meeting took place at the Hotel Marivaux in Brussels, an apt location for a group of like-minded tax professionals to get together to discuss the current tax issues facing the superyacht industry.

The meeting was also attended by an EU Commission delegation who listened to the issues being raised and whose presence was testament to how important this industry is to the economies of a large number of EU countries.

Representatives from Spain, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the UK were joined by a large delegation from the Isle of Man, reflecting the high profile of our yachting sector.

During the meeting, the delegates explored the different VAT regulations currently in force in France, Spain and Italy and the proposed changes that have relevance for the coming charter season.

I advise on VAT regulation in a number of different industries but the regulations that apply to the yachting industry have to be by far the most complex.

A superyacht will operate in a number of different jurisdictions in the EU and the VAT regulations differ considerably from country to country.

Advisers, yacht managers, charter brokers and captains all need to know the VAT regulations in each and every country they operate so that they can remain VAT compliant, but the differences in regulation applied by jurisdictions are making this difficult.

This was an important meeting aimed at getting the message across to the EU Commission of the difficulties faced by the superyacht industry.

The overall message I feel the meeting presented to the EU commission was that they should do all that they can to make it easy for the superyacht industry to comply with VAT regulations by providing clear direction on how Member States should tax yacht leases and charters.

FRIDAY’S snowfall was the worst ‘snow event’ to hit the island since 1963.

Today’s Isle of Man Examiner has all the details on the extraordinary weather.

We talk to one farmer who fears hundreds of his sheep have died.

It includes pictures from our own photographers and many from readers too.

The paper also includes news about an MHK’s attempt to save the DASH drugs helpline, a row over council rent rises and the end of the idea to impose a potential 50p maximum unit booze price.

Features include the story of John Miller Nicholson, one of the island’s greatest artists and we meet a man who’s set up his own brewery.

While sport was badly hit by the weather over the weekend, we do have a chance to look back at the Sports Awards.

This week’s Examiner includes your free monthly Business Word, which looks at last week’s UK budget.

The Isle of Man Examiner is in the shops now.

EMERGENCY services and other agencies continue today (Monday) to deal with people and places affected by the severe weather conditions.

There are still parts of the island without electricity and all the agencies involved are working to deal with this issue.

Motorist are asked to use the main arterial routes around the island.

The following is advised:

If travelling from the south use the main Douglas to Castletown Road using Richmond Hill.

If travelling from the west use the main Peel to Douglas road and from the north, the coast road (through Laxey) is the main route to use as the Mountain Road remains closed.

If travelling from Kirk Michael motorists should use the TT Course and travel through to Ramsey.

Cronk-Y-Voddy, Baldwin and Dalby remain closed and impassable and these roads should not be used.

Residents are asked, if it is safe to do so, to check on the welfare of their neighbours and if anyone is worried or concerned phone (01624) 697314. In an emergency phone 999.

People are asked not to report matters to the police via Facebook or Twitter unless there is no other means of communication as messages may not be picked up.

People are asked to remain patient and expect delays if travelling.

Bus Vannin said about routes 5 and 6 between Douglas and Peel that it now has access to Albany Road in Peel. Therefore all buses arriving into Peel will stop and collect in Albany Road and Derby Road (outside Shoprite and the westbound stop opposite the Western Swimming Pool).

A POLITICAL lobby group is to hold a meeting tonight (Monday, March 25) on the subject of electoral reform.

The Positive Action Group (PAG) says it is committed to campaigning for a popularly-elected Legislative Council.

It was disappointed that the Electoral Reform Bill 2012, which would have ensured this, failed.

A spokesman said: ‘With the recent collegiate election of four members of the Legislative Council we await the next round in 2015 when the argument about the method of electing LegCo members will no doubt re-surface. It is an argument which has “run and run” to quote the President of Tynwald.’

For PAG’s next public meeting the topic is ‘The Legislative Council - What Next?’

Chris Thomas will explore some issues for the island’s constitutional and political framework in the light of debates, decisions and experience in the island and abroad.

Among the questions he will consider are:

• Does the island’s second chamber work as best it could for people and our parliament?

• What contribution should LegCo members make to government and legislation?

• Do other countries manage without a second chamber?

• To what extent could existing LegCo mechanisms and arrangements be tweaked in coming years without legislative reform?

Is now the time for a LegCo referendum?

The meeting is free and open to all, with the audience able to join in the discussion. It will take place 7.45pm at the Manx Legion Club, Market Hill, Douglas.

OUR vision of creating an International Centre for Technology in the Isle of Man is closer becoming a reality.

That was the message from those behind the Manx Educational Foundation as they outlined progress made so far in developing an island centre for IT excellence. based at the former Castle Mona hotel.

Under the proposals, the historical seafront Castle Mona, which has been empty since it closed five years ago, will become a university providing degree-qualified students for the island’s IT sector and related industries.

The Manx government has provisionally agreed to underwrite the project to the tune of £5 million over the 10 year period of the proposed lease.

Some 80 members of the island’s business community and politicians attended an event hosted by the MEF at the Palace Hotel last Thursday which was designed to raise the profile of the project - and encourage local firms to contribute funding towards the venture.

An update on progress so far was delivered by the businessmen behind the Foundation – Skanco managing director David Butterworth, Kurt Roosen, head of group systems and international operations at Duncan Lawrie Private Bank and 3FM managing director Ron Berry, together with Kevin Streater, member of the British Computer Society’s Academy of Computing Board.

Among those attending the event were Economic Development Minister John Shimmin MHK, Education Minister Tim Crookall MHK and Steve Roden MHK, Speaker of the House of Keys.

Mr Butterworth said: ‘We were delighted to see in excess of 70 people come along to listen and share in our plans for the International Centre for Technology. With the support we have already received from manufacturers, government and founders, our vision is closer to becoming a reality.’

Directors of the MEF have garnered both on and off-Island support for their project from The Open University, the British Computer Society (the Chartered Institute for IT) and IT firm Huawei.

Their long-term vision is for the university to become a centre of IT excellence on the world stage, creating an expert body of IT professionals and entrepreneurs in the Isle of Man.

MEF directors are convinced that in the current global financial climate, its creation will be essential for the development of the island’s IT, e-commerce and educational tourism sectors.

Economic Development Minister Mr Shimmin said: ‘I feel optimistic and enthusiastic that we can work together to deliver this exciting project.’

HELP for farmers affected by the snow is a priority of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA).

It is logging calls from farmers in need of emergency help as a result of the weather conditions and will attempt to match them with offers of assistance.

DEFA recognised that the farming community is doing its best to rally round and that its offer of help is to assist with efforts already underway.

Urgent needs include animal feed and shelter for stock, said the department.

Many farmers have had buildings damaged by the weight of snow and need to find shelter for their animals. Also stock in snow bound fields need feeding to help them survive the current conditions.

Offers of help can be made by phoning 685844. Similarly, any farmers who need help can call the same number.

Timing is of the essence to protect stock especially as lambing is well underway, said DEFA, which added that it is working with the Manx National Farmers’ Union to make the best possible use of resources at this difficult time.

A TEACHING union has pledged not to let the issue of changes to nurture provision from September drop.

The National Union of Teachers was one of three unions that raised its concern after education chiefs announced the end of stand-alone teacher-led nurture groups in favour of a ‘whole school’ approach using education support staff as additional support. Eleven teachers’ jobs are under threat.

NUT branch secretary Karl Flint said: ‘The NUT is extremely angry at the developments with regard to the closure of nurture provision. Nurture is nurture, it’s not support.

Related article: {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/education/concern-over-changes-to-nurture-provision-1-5504747|Concern over changes to nurture provision}

‘There’s an attempt, we believe, by certain people to disguise the fact that what they are simply doing is offering the same via a different method.

‘What they are doing is offering an unsatisfactory delivery of essential requirements for the particularly vulnerable Isle of Man young people, who in the past we believe have been successfully nurtured into responsible positions within the community on completing their education.

‘That’s attested to by the Boxall standards which have been celebrated by the [Education] department and government as evidence of the success in the past.’

He said there was ‘no economic justification in terms of a successful business plan properly thought through in terms of likely on-going costs of failing to nurture these children’. In addition, he said the DEC told him ‘nine out of 12 children to whom the money needs to be diverted for September 2013 were not island children’.

He added: ‘While I recognise all children, particularly the vulnerable and less well equipped, deserve our attention, disadvantaging the island children who have benefitted so greatly by making redundant the position of the nurture teacher is not the answer and not acceptable, particularly in the context of the politicians’ commitment to maintain front line services.’

A BACKBENCHER has tabled a question of urgent public importance in the House of Keys over the threatened closure of the confidential Drug Advice Service & Helpline (DASH).

Douglas North MHK John Houghton has branded a ‘disgrace’ Treasury’s decision to turn down DASH’s application for funding from the Seized Assets Fund – and he claims it will lead to the service’s imminent closure.

Supporters and businesses are urging people to sign a petition asking Treasury to rethink and save the confidential 17 year-old service that helps drug users, their families and young people.

Mr Houghton, who has tabled his question to Chief Minister Allan Bell, said: ‘The island will lose a highly experienced service with a high success rate and preferred choice for many people who want a confidential service outside of government.

‘If the service was no longer there, there would be no confidential support outside of government for young people who use drugs or whose parents use drugs, no specialist drug telephone helpline or experienced confidential adult drug service and was failing the very community that the House represents.’

‘It is only 12 months since DASH was last threatened with closure. Director Shelly Stanley battled to keep the charity running after the Department of Social Care announced it would be withdrawing key funding.

Mr Houghton said: ‘The department will claim they already have services covered, having given a contract to the Alcohol Advisory Service, now “Motiv8”.

‘Why give money to a non drug specialist service at the cost of one that has been providing exceptional service for 17 years? There is over £1.2 million sitting there in the Seized Assets Fund, now lets just put it to some good use.’