THE island will be represented at the annual International Pan Celtic Festival, taking place in Ireland next week.

The aim of the event, taking place in Carlow from April 2-7, is to promote and strengthen Celtic languages, culture, music, song and sport and to encourage inter-Celtic tourism, trade and commerce, and exchange of information.

Manx Gaelic choir Caarjyn Cooidjagh will be competing at the competition for the first time in the choral competitions.

And vocal group Falga will return to the competition. In 2011, they took the island’s first win at the festival, in the traditional singing competition.

Duo Banjagh will be contesting the Pan Celtic international song contest with their composition My Jean Keayney (Don’t Cry).

The song is co-written by Daniel Ntuibane and his cousin Jonee Fisher, they will travel to Ireland with keyboard player David Kilgallon, of King Chiaullee.

TOTAL cost of the recent bendy bus trial was less than £10,000.

The month-long trial was aimed at testing the bendy buses’ suitability for use on island roads and not about checking their reliability.

But the exercise was dogged with series of embarrassing breakdowns.

In the House of Keys Michael MHK Alfred Cannan asked Community, Culture and Leisure Minister Graham Cregeen for details of the number of breakdowns and the total cost of the trial.

Mr Cregeen, in his written reply, said: ‘The first bus was used for driver training from Wednesday, February 6. The trial commenced when the schools returned on Monday, February 18, and continued until Friday, March 15.

‘Of the three buses we borrowed two have broken down at some point. In total there were five on-the-road breakdowns, however two of those were as a result of drivers being cautious with warning lights in unfamiliar vehicles where normally they would have continued.

‘The faults generally related to the vehicles being stood over this last winter and our unwillingness to spend more than we had to on the buses that we borrowed for the trial.’

Mr Cregeen said that if the outcome of the trial is deemed a success, his department will select potential buses to buy ‘with great care’ and would replace, as part of the commissioning process, any parts that deteriorate when a bus is not used.

He added: ‘The cost of the trial has mainly been the cost of shipping the buses here, as where we have used one articulated bus in place of two double deckers we have obviously saved operating costs.

We estimate that the trial in total has cost less than £10,000.’

The minister said he regarded this as a ‘worthwhile investment’, not only because the department gave a commitment that there would be an independent trial before any decision was made about the use of these buses on the island but also because it stood to achieve annual savings of £300,000 if it is to proceed to purchase.

Shortly after the trial ended, Mr Cregeen told the Manx Independent that he believed the exercise had ‘gone well’.

He confirmed that the vehicles’ reliability would be taken into account in any decision on whether or not to purchase them.

The breakdowns have caused embarrassment for public transport bosses.

A replacement bus had to be shipped over after one bendy developed a fault on the first day of the trial. The same week a second one broke down north of Fairy Bridge, Santon. Then in the last week of the trial, there were two breakdowns in two days.

The results of the trial have now gone to an independent body which includes TravelWatch chairman Brendan O’Friel, and representatives of the Department of Infrastructure and the Department of Education. It is expected to report back to the DCCL shortly.

HUNDREDS of people are expected to walk out to the Tower of Refuge in Douglas bay later in April.

The event, which last year saw more than 2,000 people join the escorted walk out to Conister Rock, will take place on Friday, April 26, and is set to be ‘bigger and better’, said Douglas development manager Chris Pycroft.

‘Last year’s walk was a runaway success and afterwards we were inundated with inquiries about when it would be held again,’ he said.

The event is open to all ages, although under-16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Suitable clothing and footwear must be worn and instructions by the coastguards and stewards followed at all times.

Subject to weather and tide conditions, the walk out to the Tower of Refuge is expected to begin at about 5.45pm returning by 8.15pm.

The event is being sponsored by Tower Insurance again and it will raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institute.

Mr Pycroft added ‘The Tower of Refuge walk is part of a programme of events planned over the coming months to help the town centre reclaim its role at the heart of the community and make it a vibrant social destination not only for retail, but also for leisure and cultural activities.’

THE island’s bishop has sent out an Easter message.

Bishop Robert Paterson’s message is below.

This has been a tough time for farmers in the west of the island, particularly those with animals on the mountains. We have been praying for them:

Good Shepherd,

we thank you for all who are involved in the farming communities of this island,

and pray that you will bring hope 

to those whose livelihoods may be at risk as a result of recent bad weather.

Help us all to appreciate the work they do

as stewards of your creation,

and enable us to find the means and the strength

to serve all who are in need.

For your glory

who laid down your life for us

and now live and reign with the Father and the Spirit,

one God for ever.  Amen.

No doubt many will also have been giving practical support and donations to the Isle of Man Agricultural Benevolent Trust can be sent care of Charles Fargher, Ballafreer House, Union Mills.

This comes at the same time as the financial crisis in Cyprus, and events in Syria have reached what even those resilient people acknowledge is breaking point – we would have broken far sooner.

The support of our churches for the Disasters Emergency Committee and other relief agencies working in Syria is greatly appreciated. {http://www.dec.org.uk/how-to-help|The bishop provided this link}

How does the Christian gospel speak into these human tragedies?

If it doesn’t, then it might be accused of being ‘pie in the sky when we die’.

I believe the good news of Christ is not only a promise of a new heaven but it is the best motive to act for a new earth. Take a look at some of the greatest social reformers of the last two millennia: so many were people motivated not by a secular desire to make things better, but by a faith-inspired longing for the flourishing of the whole of God’s creation.

What, then, do Christians believe about how that flourishing comes about?

It happens when a disordered world and, in particular, our mis-directed human motives are restored to harmony with God.

Christians do not believe this can happen simply by trying to do better or living in a Peter Pan world where we all think happy thoughts of what might be improved. No, our radical disorientation calls for the radical solution we call Easter.

The gospel affirms that Jesus of Nazareth was not simply a good man, but he is in person God’s very speech, the word that is behind everything in creation.

That makes his crucifixion not just a local disturbance in a troublesome city of the Roman Empire, but a matter of cosmic importance.

In the destruction of his body God’s son willingly took on himself once and for all the disorder that defaces and destroys what is good and prayed for our forgiveness: ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ In his resurrection he implanted the seeds of renewal and hope, and commanded his people to be the agents of love.

This powerful motivation enables us to rise far above the petty squabbles that sometimes so debase the Church. The message of Easter is the message of forgiveness and new life, of hope and new possibilities for a broken world.

The Lord be with you as you experience his resurrection,

SAMANTHA Barks has been filming in the island.

The actress from Lonan has spoken to one of our reporters and tomorrow’s Isle of Man Examiner will include the interview.

It might be a bank holiday tomorrow, but the Examiner will be in the shops as usual.

CROSSROADS Care is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

In this time the charity has provided over half a million direct care hours. To mark this achievement, it is holding two conferences on caring.

Crossroads, in association with Carers Trust, has organised an event concerning the issues related to young carers in the Isle of Man. The event is called ‘Hear My Voice’.

It will be an opportunity to see life through young carers’ eyes, and what they have to deal with in their daily lives. There are more than 1,000 young carers on the Isle of Man.

All members of the public interested can attend. Two guest speakers will also attend: Daniel Phelps and Karen Davies.

A short feature film made with the help of young carers will be shown.

It will be held on Thursday, May 9, from 1.30pm to 5pm in the Villa Marina’s Colonnade Suite. Admission is free.

People are asked to register their interest and reserve a place by Monday, May 6, by emailing mail@crossroadsiom.org

The second conference is ‘Prepare To Care’, which the general public can attend. This will look at caring, the impact it can have on all our lives and the impact it has on the community.

It will be held on Wednesday, September 18, from 1.30pm to 5pm in the Villa Marina’s Promenade Suite.

For more information on either of the conferences, email Crossroads Care at mail@crossroadsiom.org, or contact Alex Wilson on 673103.

EDUCATION Minister Tim Crookall admitted that he had been surprised on his appointment by the level of financial cutbacks sustained by the department.

He and outgoing chief executive Stuart Dobson were grilled on issues ranging from tuition fees to bendy buses when they appeared before the Social Affairs scrutiny committee.

Committee chairman Brenda Cannell MHK asked him: ‘You’ve not been in as Minister for very long. Is it what you expected or more demanding and perhaps perplexing? Were you surprised by the level of financial cutbacks?’

Mr Crookall MHK replied: ‘Certainly more perplexing. With everything going on it keeps you on your toes and very busy. I have to say I was [surprised] at what the department had gone through since 2008, with huge cuts one way or another, staff movements and big cutbacks, yes – very big.’

Most of the committee’s questions were handled by Mr Dobson, beginning with the newly privatised pre-schools.

He said that as at March 23, credit vouchers had been claimed for a total of 863 children attending one of 43 registered pre-school settings.

He said 25 per cent had received the enhanced vouchers – providing £800 on top of the standard £350 for those who are eligible for free school meals – and Mr Dobson admitted: ‘This is quite a surprise.’

Mrs Cannell said: ‘Twenty five per cent of the 863 are for families who are struggling financially – that figure could grow because of the state of the economy.’

Questioning then turned to the issue of class sizes. Mr Dobson said that five years ago, it would be fairly rare to find a class size of 25 or more children. Now 41 per cent of classes contain 25 pupils and 9 per cent have more than 30 children.

‘That sounds pretty bleak but schools are being much more creative in the way that they staff.’

He said the teacher-pupil ratio had risen from 1-20 to 1-22, which he said still compared favourably with the UK.

David Callister, former MLC, asked whether there were any schools that were too small to be sustainable.

Mr Dobson replied: ‘We’ve none that are so small. We have some with shrinking roles. I don’t think we have got any under 60 currently.’

Steve Rodan asked about the sweeping reforms proposed by Mr Crookall’s UK counterpart Michael Gove which envisaged a return to old methods of teaching facts, figures and dates.

The Minister replied that he was someone a ‘bit biased towards the old system’ having experienced that in his own school days.

But Mr Dobson said a rote learning approach went completely against pedagogical and psychological research that young people do not learn more simply by ‘regurgitating facts for examination’.

Mr Rodan said that children needed to draw on a body of knowledge perhaps learned by rote. ‘To that extent isn’t Mr Gove right?’ he asked. Mr Dobson said Mr Gove’s comments significantly undermined schools doing a good job. ‘We all learn best when we make errors,’ he added.

Turning to student loans, Mr Dobson said it was too early to say whether the introduction of a £2,500 contribution to university fees would have an impact on the number of students going off-island to study.

Mr Dobson said the changes had led to students really thinking about what they wanted to do. ‘They are thinking quite differently about the purpose of going to university. I think that’s a good place to be.’

He said having met with students he wasn’t aware of any parents who had refused to pay the fees but some had refused to pay for courses that their child wanted to go on.

There had been a lot of interest in alternatives such as studying at Isle of Man College, he added.

Asked about the education department’s stance on bendy buses, Mr Crookall said: ‘We are all concerned about it. We are concerned about 100 standing children, possibly 140 children on a bus.’

He said he would like to think if there was anything to be concerned about it would come out in the report being done by the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure.

Mr Dobson said views of head teachers would be sought and the department would give its honest feedback.

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

Monday, April 1

Aries

(March 21 - April 20)

Looking forward to an energetic week? Just as well, as you will be firing on all cylinders. Rather than just rush around, though, make this energy count. Get things done. Start something new. Help someone who is not feeling so good. In that way, by the weekend there will be a sense of achievement. Be a little self-indulgent at the weekend. Pamper and get that well-earned back rub!

Taurus

(April 21 - May 21)

Enjoy this week and stifle those nagging feelings that you should be doing more. We all need time to ‘do our own thing’ and this is your chance. You have had some problems and it is hard to leave the memory of them behind. Realise that you should, and move on. The words of loved ones are reassuring and only confirm what I have just told you. Don’t worry. Be happy.

Gemini

(May 22 - June 21)

Stay optimistic. Realising that things won’t change for the better overnight is annoying, but true. On the positive side, you know that they eventually will. Keep plotting and planning. You are so good at that! Friends seem extra willing to help and advise, which can be fun. A long overdue meeting can be more romantic than expected and will certainly set you thinking.

Cancer

(June 22 - July 23)

With a lot of energy at your command, it will need to be channelled. If not, you could be running around like the headless chicken! Get organised if you can, get as much done as is practical and see some great results. Trusting your intuition more shows others that you have your finger on the pulse of life. Inspiring others is no mean task, but you manage it well.

Leo

(July 24 - August 23) Bouncing through the week really suits you. With so much that you want to do, energy comes just at the right time. Give a little extra thought to any business deals. Make sure that you are getting the best available at the time. Organise and play your own game at the weekend. You are now allowed to slow down a bit. Well, it is necessary if you want that romantic tryst!

Virgo

(August 24 - September 23) Being a success suits you! You don’t think that you are? Oh, but look at what you have achieved. Comparing yourself to a high-flyer may disappoint, but compare yourself over a wider field. See what I mean? The best is yet to come and, playing your cards right, you can come up trumps! A loved one worries about petty things. Help them to also see the bigger picture.

Libra

(September 24 - October 23) This is a time for you and you alone. Despite time spent with others, you do realise that some moments are ‘make or break’. In a busy and demanding week, a little indulgence midweek is sensible. Rewards are necessary now and again to keep your energy high. The only opinion that matters right now seems to be your own. Certainly, being single-minded can get you ahead.

Scorpio

(October 24 - November 22) Being a little self-centred this week can be a lifesaver. Both in personal and financial terms, it is time to concentrate on your own needs. Anything that is going awry can be sorted out if you are single-minded. Negative thoughts are not allowed when you know that the outcome will be positive. Bring someone closer to you by planning ahead for quality time together.

Sagittarius

(November 23 - December 21) Take the chance, this week, to look for more meaning in your everyday life. Rethink some of your habits and attitudes. Romance may have eluded you because of your approach. Through reading and investigating, you find out a real truth. Recharge yourself by spending time with someone very positive who does not need anything from you.

Capricorn

(December 22 - January 20) Having been given the chance to move ahead with a plan, are you doing that? If energy is low, then be prepared to delay. Even so, let others know of your continued keen interest. There is a lot of competition around but that does not have to affect you. Be confident and show that you are willing to give it your all. Success comes with effort.

Aquarius

(January 21 - February 19) Grab all of that energy and run with it this week. Of course, it helps if you know where you are going! Set a plan and get going, but be prepared to change it. The main thing is to take opportunities as they arise. Avoid sitting on the fence when you can be racing with the pack! What can life offer you that you don’t already have? Find out and enjoy the journey.

Pisces

(February 20 - March 20)

Being grounded and near to your base really helps this week. After all, it is from this perspective that you tend to have the most success. Working in a way that you are familiar with brings fast results. Both intuition and optimism are high. This gives you a distinct advantage over more negative types. What people want now is an optimistic approach.

SOME 1,000 students across the island watched a dance theatre production aimed at raising and focusing aspiration.

The ‘Destination’ project aims to motivate 13-18 year olds to maintain a sharp focus on their future plans in the hope that they are more likely to progress into successful education, employment or training.

It comes as youngsters in year nine (ages 13 and 14) are making their choices of GCSE options.

The project, sponsored by the Isle of Man Arts Council and departments of Economic Development and Education, was delivered by Qdos Creates – one of Yorkshire’s leading providers of dance theatre.

The tour visited all secondary schools and there was also an evening performance at Kensington Road Youth Arts centre, in Douglas, which was open to the public.

Anjie Taylor, artistic director of Destination and chief executive of Qdos Creates said: ‘We really want to inspire and raise the aspirations of the island’s young people through Destination’s original music, song, new media and set design.

‘By using dance and drama we’re trying to show young people that it’s possible to overcome whatever life throws at you; that you can achieve whatever your goals and wherever you come from.

‘Everyone has a potential to succeed.’

The performance was set at a school reunion in 2030.

The Destination was a journey through time which followed the different lives of three best friends.

The twists and turns they face reflected the typical challenges and choices people encounter in their professional and personal lives.

It included a post-performance creative dance-theatre based workshop where pupils explored the different issues raised in the performance.

It was performed by a team of professional artists (including Australian dance artist and Rambert School of Ballet graduate Nicole Guy, Jason Boyle graduate of Northern Contemporary Dance and Louise Edwards graduate of Bretton Hall). They are taking the production to secondary schools, colleges and youth-led organisations across the British Isles.

THE new boss at the helm of Isle of Man Stamps and Coins is to be Maxine Cannon.

Mrs Cannon will take over as general manager on April 2 prior to Dot Tilbury’s retirement in May after 15 years in the job.

Commenting on her new appointment, Mrs Cannon said: ‘I’m grateful to my colleagues past and present in all areas of the business and at every level for their help, advice and good humour over the years, which has enabled me to reach this stage in my career and for making it possible to follow on from Dot.’

Mrs Cannon has worked in the stamps and coins department – most recently as sales and marketing manager since starting work with the post office in 1981.

Thanks to her time with the department, she has enormous expertise on stamps and coins and this, added to her great enthusiasm makes her well fitted to her new role.

Mrs Cannon has said her intention is to build on the achievements of Isle of Man Stamps and Coins from the past 15 years under Mrs Tilbury’s leadership.

Looking forward to her new role, she added: ‘As we move past our 40th anniversary milestone, knowing that Isle of Man Stamps and Coins has the support of a worldwide customer base and an extensive network of top ranking suppliers, researchers and contributors, both on and off island, gives me great confidence for the future.’

During her 15 years in charge, Mrs Tilbury had a key role in producing creative and topical stamp issues which have been seen around the world.

She said: ‘I can honestly say that I have had the best job in the world as manager of Isle of Man Stamps and Coins.

‘However, none of that would have been possible without Maxine’s invaluable knowledge and assistance.

‘I am so delighted she is to take over the reins and that with the support of the wonderful team in the department, she will ensure that Isle of Man Stamps and Coins will continue to be successful.’

Mrs Tilbury joined the business in 1975 and was praised for her ‘loyal and dedicated service’.

Post office chief executive Mike Kelly, described Mrs Tilbury’s retirement as the end of an era and Maxine’s appointment as a new chapter.

He said: ‘We are enormously grateful for the all that Dot has contributed over the years and we are confident Maxine is the best person to take the business forward to build on those successes.’

THE Unite union is refusing to sit at the same table as Prospect during crucial negotiations with government.

Today’s Isle of Man Examiner has the full story.

Also inside, reporter Adrian Darbyshire talks to Samantha Barks, who’s been filming in the island.

The front page picture is of one of the best-known people in the island,Dot Tilbury. She will be leaving her job at the Post Office.

On page 4, the paper reveals how much the farmers’ charity has raised after livestock died in the snow.

We also talk to the two candidates who have so far announced they are planning to stand in the Douglas West by-election.

After bendy buses, the paper reveals plans to introduce ‘articulated’ or bendy steam trains.

There’s also a look inside Port St Mary’s old police station, which is on the market. Fancy living there?

In the centre pages, we join the churches in Port Erin on their procession with the cross through the village for Easter.

The main story on the back page is the Easter Running Festival, while inside we report on Ayre’s victory in the Woods Cup final.

It might be a bank holiday, but the Isle of Man Examiner is in the shops as normal today.

DID you see an incident of dangerous or inconsiderate driving between Richmond Hill and Fort North Roundabout in Douglas last Tuesday (March 26)?

Police are investigating following an allegation of dangerous driving which is claimed to have taken place at around 8am, and which resulted in a collision between a Blue Honda FRV and a Silver Subaru Legacy.

Police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision or either of the two vehicles prior to the collision.

If you can help, contact Lord Street Police Station on 631426 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

AN appeal is being made for information after police came to be in possession of 24 used car batteries in the early hours of Sunday.

Officers are eager to trace the owner of the batteries, as, at this stage, it is believed that the items have been stolen.

Police are urging businesses that deal in used vehicle batteries to check their premises to see if any are missing.

Also, if anyone has information regarding this matter they should contact Detective Sergeant Paul Holland at police headquarters in Douglas on 631212 or any other police officer.

THE education department is not abandoning nurture provision, the Minister in charge has insisted.

Tim Crookall was quizzed in the House of Keys and in a Tynwald scrutiny committee over his department’s plans to reorganise nurture provision in schools.

As part of the shake-up, stand-alone nurture groups led by teachers are to be replaced with a ‘whole school’ model using education support staff instead. Eleven posts are at risk.

A number of schools have already changed to the new model. Only three of the DEC’s five secondary schools and six of its 34 primary schools now have teacher-led nurture groups.

In the Keys, Brenda Cannell (Douglas East) asked Mr Crookall why his department is ‘abandoning’ nurture groups in schools – and what consultation had been undertaken in determining this policy change.

Giving a written reply, the Minister insisted: ‘The department is not abandoning nurture provision, all schools which currently have provision are keeping it.’

He explained that nurture provision is in place in some of the island’s primary schools and three secondary schools but in recent years, three schools have asked to give up their nurture groups as they were struggling to find pupils who could benefit.

At the same time, two new groups were opened, one in an area of relatively high deprivation.

Their whole purpose is to give children the emotional stability and social skills to rejoin their class and successfully reintegrate as quickly as possible, he said.

Mr Crookall said there is very little evidence to show that a model using two education support officers is less effective - and, indeed, the link with the mainstream class can be even stronger.

He reassured MHKs that Manor Park, Jubilee, Ballacottier, Peel Clothworkers, Victoria Road, Auldyn and Ree Gorrey Primary schools will continue to have two members of staff devoted to emotional and social well-being as will Ballakermeen High School, Ramsey Grammar School and Castle Rushen High School.

The Minister admitted there was small saving to be made from this change but that this money will remain, in full, in the Special Needs’ budget which he stressed has not been reduced in any way.

He said: ‘This change should be seen as a modernisation of our approach but we are still offering a high level of support for children who need it. In short then, all schools who have nurture keep it. It will be staffed properly albeit differently.’

Appearing before the Social Affairs policy review committee, Mr Crookall was asked by former MLC David Callister: ‘Are you backing away from properly protecting the vulnerable?’ He replied: ‘Definitely not’.

Chief executive officer Stuart Dobson, who has announced he is to retire at the end of August after heading the department since January 2011. hit out at ‘sensationalist’ headlines about the changes to nurture provision.

Headlines stating ‘Special nurture groups to close’ appeared on a radio station’s website on March 14.

‘They are not closing,’ Mr Dobson said.

He said it was hoped that almost all of the 11 nurture teachers would redeployed.

He said a freeze had been put on recruitment in primary schools and there were vacancies already. He accepted that those who hadn’t been redeployed by August could face being made redundant.

THE Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) team at Noble’s Hospital bought a model that details the cavities of the nose, mouth, throat and larynx, thanks to funding from the League of Friends of Noble’s Hospital.

The ENT team provides specialist outpatient and surgical services for children and adults suffering with conditions affecting the head and neck. Treatment can involve an array of procedures that include: investigations and diagnostics for infections of the ear, dizziness, hearing loss, sinusitis, laryngitis, as well as surgical procedures such as fitting grommets, removing tonsils and vocal cord or nasal polyp removal.

Mr Richard Hogg, otolaryngologist, consultant in ENT, said: ‘The anatomy of the head and neck is extremely complex so it can sometimes be difficult to explain about a patient’s condition and the structures they involve. This high quality model of the head and neck anatomy is proving of great value in helping patient’s comprehension in understanding their condition. An additional benefit to the team is that the model can be used during teaching sessions for new staff and trainee doctors. We are very grateful for the generosity of the League of Friends of Noble’s Hospital which has enabled us to acquire this wonderful piece of equipment.’

The model cost £2,590.

FANCY getting out this week and tasting some real ale?

Well, the CAMRA Real Ale Festival takes place from Thursday to Saturday at The Masonic Hall, Woodbourne Road, Douglas.

More than 100 real ales, ciders and perries from the Isle of Man and parts of the British Isles will be on offer.

The festival was held for the first time last year and attracted 1,500 drinkers, but sadly more than half the beers had run out by the second day and all the beer sold out completely during the final evening.

But this shouldn’t happen this year as there’s more beer, CAMRA festival organising committee member Alan Cooper said: ‘We have more beer available – another 20 barrels or so.’

A marquee will be erected next to hall to help accommodate the large volume of festival-goers expected.

With 85 different beers from island brewers and from across the British Isles, Mr Cooper said the festival was an opportunity to try different styles of beer that people might not have come across in the island before.

CAMRA will be on hand to advise drinkers on which brews they might like to sample.

The festival is proud to have the beer that was banned from the Houses of Parliament in Westminster (Slater’s ‘Top Totty’).

Ales from several brewers that have only set up in the last year will be featured, including the Doghouse Brewery in Jurby.

There will be beers flavoured with ingredients such as ginger, honey, raspberry, cherry and chocolate orange. Also there will again be Britain’s only green coloured beer – Stonehenge ‘Sign of Spring’.

There will be several high gravity beers, ranging up to 10% abv.

This year’s official good cause set to benefit from the festival is the RNLI in the island and Bushy’s has brewed a special beer called Slipway – a mid-gravity amber ale and 10p per pint sold in pubs will be donated to the RNLI.

Mayor of Douglas, Councillor David Ashford, will formally open the festival by pulling the first pint of Slipway.

The Doghouse Brewery let CAMRA members brew their own beer called Manx Coffee Porter – the first coffee porter ever brewed in the island and proceeds from the sale of this will also got to the RNLI.

There will be music on both Friday and Saturday evenings as well as on Saturday afternoon.

Performing on Friday will be Gaz and Joe followed by Acoustic G.A.S.P. with Caution Runners closing the evening.

On Saturday afternoon Bus Pass Blues Band will be entertaining drinkers, while in the evening’s music starts with folk rock band Shoh Slaynt (appropriately that’s Manx for cheers) followed by the acoustic Grass Roots with the Barry Nelson Band returning following a highly acclaimed gig at the first festival.

For those who prefer a quiet beer there are drinking rooms away from the main hall.

There will also be food served everyday.

On Thursday there is a preview afternoon for invited guests and CAMRA members followed by the first public session from 6pm–11pm.

On Friday and Saturday the festival is open from noon to 4pm and from 5pm to 11pm.

There is an admission charge and card carrying CAMRA members will receive a discount.

SPRING might be firmly on the horizon now but there is to be no end to the arctic temperatures of the past week.

Apart from a few flurries, the good news is no significant snow fall is expected but the cold winds are set to continue.

Gary Salisbury, of the Ronaldsway Meteorological Office, said: ‘It’s really going to be more of the same. The sun is getting quite high in the sky now but the temperatures are being kept down by the wind.

‘At the moment it is a south easterly wind and by the end of the week it will be north easterly - so it is remaining in that easterly quadrant - the source being Russia, Poland, Scandinavia.

‘There could be a bit more snow or sleet but not really any quantity.’

Last weekend’s heavy snow was typical of what happens when there is an easterly gale coupled with wintry conditions causing the snow to drop on the leeward side of the hills in the west of the island, he said.

Wind strength is low at only around force four or five, so boat cancellations are unlikely.

BUSINESSES are being urged to take part in an ambitious online survey which could ultimately become an influential ‘tool’ in bringing about a significant boost to the island’s economy.

The survey is being conducted by Research Offshore on behalf of Action Mann, an organisation established in the island by the Isle of Man LinkedIn group to support Manx business and the local economy.

The detailed survey, which is being publicised to Isle of Man businesses via social media and email, will not only seek to discover the key concerns for 2013 along with predictions for the Isle of Man economy but will also ask: Does your company currently lose business to off-island providers?

If the answer is ‘Yes’ the company is then asked to give reasons why they believe that to be the case.

‘It may be quality of service, availability, price or a combination of all three,’ said Steve Burrows, spokesman for an organisation whose basic ethos is to promote and encourage island businesses to work with each other and keep revenues on island.

‘There are significant benefits to the island’s economy in supporting local trade but all too often a company is unaware that there is an on-island business that can supply what is required so are then turning to a UK-based supplier,’ he added.

‘The reality seems to be that it is all too often difficult to know who on the island can provide the specific needs of another company which is why too many companies source from across,’ said Mr Burrows.

‘Informal discussions with many companies indicate that more could be done to promote on-island sourcing and procurement and it is here that the Government has an important role to play.’

Mr Burrows, a director of several companies in the island and who was previously a director of a group of companies in the UK, set up the LinkedIn Isle of Man group in 2008 which has grown to more than 2,000 members.

‘The survey, in seeking the views of the business community on the challenges they face along with their predictions for the future, can be used as a tool to inform and influence government,’ he said.

http://www.researchoffshore.com/surveys/action-mann/

BUS drivers will strike again tomorrow (Wednesday).

Their union, Unite, is involved in a dispute with state-owned Bus Vannin over proposed changes in terms and conditions for drivers, including the end of paid lunch breaks.

As last week’s Manx Independent reported, the union and management disagreed over whether a new deal had been offered and withdrawn.

There will be two two-hour stoppages – the first will start at 7.30am and the second will begin at 3pm.

BRINGING in private contractors to clean buses and cutting levels of guaranteed overtime will reduce costs by a quarter. MHKs were told.

iomtoday revealed two weeks ago that a Bus Vannin cleaner had been earning an astonishing £52,000 including overtime.

Their pay rate was revealed as the Manx government plans to streamline services and bring half of its workforce under a single employing authority.

Bus cleaners and fitters earn a basic salary of £25,031 but each has the right to a day’s overtime a week.

With the reduction in the size of the bus fleet, the number of cleaners had been reduced from six to four – but they were working long hours to cover duties still rostered for six, we reported.

In the House of Keys Middle MHK Howard Quayle asked how long the current overtime payments to bus cleaners had been in force, whether it had been cost effective to reduce the number of bus cleaners from six to four and what plans there were to change this arrangement.

Community, Culture and Leisure Minister Graham Cregeen, in his written reply, said: ‘The current working agreement dates back to September 2004 and we believe the previous one was not dissimilar.

‘Since the bus network review the number of buses in the fleet has fallen from 89 to 71 and as such the amount of work to be undertaken has fallen pro rata. This allowed the establishment to be reduced from six to four which is quite separate to the overtime issue.

‘Like many areas of government the working agreements reflect the practices agreed with Whitley Council in terms of premium days and overtime.’

Mr Cregeen said that throughout the Public Transport division much effort had been put into successfully modernising these working agreements.

Negotiations have been going on with the cleaners’ representatives for some time, he said.

Mr Cregeen added: ‘A revised agreement will come into effect in April 2013 that will address the issue of the excess level of guaranteed overtime.

‘At the same time interior cleaning for deep cleans will be undertaken by outside contractors. The overall savings will be around 25 per cent of the previous cost.’

The minister was also questioned about overtime rates for bus service managers.

In a written reply to the question from Peter Karran (Lib Van, Onchan), Mr Cregeen said supervisors are contractually entitled to overtime for additional hours.

‘Senior staff are not entitled without prior authorisation to overtime and are expected to work flexibly to avoid incurring overtime costs,’ he added.