A fundraising evening helped to raise money to improve the Buchan school’s computer facilities.

The black-tie event, which was themed ‘Iconic Hollywood’, was held in a marquee in the grounds of the fee-paying school in Castletown and was attended by more than 180 guests.

It was organised by the Friends at Buchan (FAB), which raises money for school projects.

The evening raised money to update and improve The Buchan’s ICT (information and communication technology) suite.

The night was supported by Manx Educational Foundation (MEF), which sponsored the live and silent auctions, while business IT specialist Skanco Business Systems was the ICT sponsor and provided the main raffle prize, an Apple iPad (Retina Display) 128GB.

The Hollywood theme included guests walking along a red carpet into the marquee which was decorated black and white with a giant ice Oscar and pictures of Hollywood icons replacing the usual table numbers.

Guests enjoyed a champagne reception before sitting down to a three-course dinner followed by an auction compered by Keith Kerruish from Chrystal’s. There was also a silent auction which ran through the evening. Guests could buy raffle tickets for a jeroboam of champagne, from Oddbins Online and there was also a raffle.

Big item sponsors for the auction included Manx Telecom, which donated a Manx Telecom cycling shirt signed by Tour de France winner Mark Cavendish, Olympic Gold medalist Peter Kennaugh and former World Road Championship medalist, Jonny Bellis.

Local restaurant The Abbey provided one of the biggest auction items of the night, exclusive use of the restaurant for 100 guests and a hog roast meal.

Children from the Buchan will benefit from an upgraded ICT suite when they return to school after the summer holidays.

Alan Macnair, the Buchan’s IT coordinator, said: ‘We are so grateful to our generous sponsors, raffle/auction donors and all the parents, Buchan friends and staff who took part in the evening.

‘The enthusiasm and drive to help raise money for our ICT suite was heartwarming and will have a very positive impact on Buchan pupils.

‘We will have a much more interactive ICT suite with digital displays, the facility to project any child’s work centrally, easier communication between pupils using the same technology, and the facility to continue electronic school work at home. This is only achievable with machines capable of running more CPU (central processing unit) hungry software and will bring our IT more in line with current technologies.’

Nicole Perry Ellis, chairperson of FAB, said: ‘We wanted to bring The Buchan community together with local businesses who have been so supportive and generous, and promote the importance of acquiring ICT skills for all children. The money raised will greatly benefit the children and help develop their ICT skills in this fast-moving, technology-driven world. We would like to thank our wonderful sponsors and each and every business and parent who have so generously donated auction and raffle items.’

Pictured Mr Hedley, Mrs Alison Hedley, headteacher of The Buchan, Mr Peter Clucas, Mrs Francesca Humphreys, Mr Martin Humphreys, Principal of King William’s College, Mrs Lorraine Wood, Mr Nigel Wood, Chairman of The Governor’s King William’s College.

Pupils at two Ramsey schools that will merge for next term have helped shape their own identity by working together to design a new-look uniform.

In September Auldyn Infants’ School and Scoill Ree Gorree will become a single school: Bunscoill Rhumsaa.

The schools sit side by side in Lezayre Road, and children progress from the infants to the juniors at the age of seven.

They are both already operating under a single head teacher, Mrs Jacqueline Barrow.

The Bunscoill Rhumsaa name was chosen after consultation with the local community, and now pupils’ ideas for logos have been considered and incorporated into the final design, after the school councils gathered the input of classmates and their parents with suggestion boxes.

Mrs Barrow explained that the sweatshirts would still be the distinctive red associated with Ree Gorree and the old Albert Road School as that was the most popular choice.

‘The logo was designed with input from all the children and incorporates elements representing the old schools; the swan of Auldyn and the Albert Tower of Ree Gorree and Albert Road, as well as new ideas,’ she said.

‘The children wanted the Ramsey landmark of the swing bridge included and it was agreed that the supports of the bridge would be people holding hands – representing the support of the community for one another.’

Mrs Barrow added: ‘The children also requested the Three Legs of Mann so that anyone looking at it would know we are Manx. All these ideas were cleverly put together by Sarah Stephenson, a member of staff, and we are all delighted with the result.’

An extra £1.77 million pounds will be spent repairing roads in the 2013/14 financial year.

It comes after Tynwald this week approved the Department of Infrastructure reallocating the funds to its strategic highway refurbishment programme from another part of its budget.

Infrastructure Minister David Cretney MHK said the island’s roads network was a ‘vital piece of infrastructure’.

And he said investment would lead to lower maintenance costs, as well as fewer complaints.

The work will be prioritised so that roads in most urgent need of attention will be targeted first.

‘They will be scientifically prioritised,’ he said.

‘We will do what we can with the money available.’

Ramsey MHK Leonard Singer, a political member of the DoI, said it was likely to be small-scale projects that went ahead because the works had to be completed by the end of the financial year.

He added that he hoped the work would be spread around the island so that everyone would see some benefit.

The money was originally due to be spent centralising the department’s depots to one location in Tromode, but Mr Cretney said this plan had been put on the ‘backburner’.

The Children’s Centre’s Community Farm is launching a programme for people with disabilities thanks to funding from Manx Mencap.

The ‘Inclusion Programme’ starts in September, but a series of taster sessions will be held at the Community Farm during the summer starting on July 23.

There’s also an open afternoon at the farm on Monday, July 15, from 4pm to 6pm.

The taster sessions are split into three categories – socialisation, experience, and learning. The ‘socialisation’ sessions will focus on developing confidence, communication skills and team work – and aim to help participants make new friends. Sessions will take place at the Community Farm and include trips to other places of interest.

workshops

The ‘experience’ sessions will involve six workshops in which participants will be encouraged to try new challenges based on countryside activities with the aim of allowing them to discover new skills and interests.

The ‘learning’ sessions include educational workshops based on horticulture and animal welfare.

Thanks to Mencap’s funding, the Community Farm is able to offer the taster sessions for a charge of £2 per person, per session.

Darren Bostock, inclusion officer at the Community Farm, said: ‘This is a really exciting programme which we hope will make a huge difference to everyone who takes part. The open afternoon is the ideal opportunity to find out more about the inclusion programme, to sign up for the taster sessions, and discover more about the Community Farm.’

The Community Farm is based at Wallberry Farm on the Carnane Estate off the Old Castletown Road in Douglas.

Since the project began in January 2011 staff and volunteers have been creating an environment in which children and young people from across the island can learn, from practical experience, the skills needed to care for animals and to grow crops.

The farm also has workshops where children learn skills that will be put to good use in maintaining and repairing farm tools and machinery.

The Community Farm is a charitable project run by The Children’s Centre and relies on donations and voluntary workers supporting the project.

For more details about the inclusion programme contact the Community Farm by emailing farm@thechildrenscentre.org.im or call 610540.

Ocean Colour Scene will play the Villa Marina in Douglas on August 29.

The band burst on to the Britpop scene with their album Moseley Shoals, which sold 1.3 million copies after it was released in the mid-1990s.

Memorable tracks Riverboat Song and Day We Caught The Train received heavy airplay during this period and captured the public imagination.

Turning to 2013 and several solo projects and albums later, OCS continue to perform to huge crowds and are on the bill to play at this weekend’s T in the Park festival in Scotland as they promote their new album, Painting.

Support will come from Chris Helme who, alongside Stone Roses guitarist John Squire, saw platinum success with The Seahorses. The 1997 album Do It Yourself featured the hits Love Is The Law and Blinded By The Sun.

The concert takes place in the Villa Marina’s Royal Hall on Thursday, August 29, at 7pm.

To book tickets, call the box office on 600555 or visit villagaiety.com

There are four payday loans now operating in the island, according to trading standards bosses.

The Manx Office of Fair Trading is investigating the rise of the payday loan phenomenon and how it is impacting on Manx consumers.

It is currently reviewing the operation of local providers registered with the OFT under the Moneylenders Act 1991 and also loans made to island consumers by UK lenders through online and call centre channels.

This work was motivated by concerns in the UK about payday loans rather than specific complaints by local consumers, said Manx OFT chief officer Mike Ball.

He said online questionnaire elicited 23 responses. They had taken out 26 loans, of which about a quarter were with local lenders.

One website called Manx Quick Cash is offering payday loans of up £1,000, promising customers they will get their cash in just 15 minutes with no paperwork. But it comes at a price - with interest charged at a rate of as much as 1,737 per cent APR.

Manx Quick Cash is not registered with the Manx Office of Fair Trading. It is operated by SDM Corporation Ltd of Fareham, Hampshire, under the trading name Lending Hub Technology, with a Consumer Credit Licence issued by the UK OFT.

Mr Ball said: ‘There are currently 89 registered moneylenders under the 1991 Act but only four of these are currently offering what would be recognised as “payday loans” in the Manx market. As part of the registration process, the OFT identifies those persons responsible for the operation of the money lending business and ensures that they are “fit and proper”.

‘With regard to manxquickcash.com, it does not appear to be operating as a moneylender but rather as a credit broker. It is a price comparison website offering a range of UK-based online loan products.’

Manx Quick Cash’s website features the Energy FM logo. Juan Turner MLC, technical director of Energy FM, described it as a ‘client advertiser’.

The OFT payday loans report is likely to be published later this year, said Mr Ball.

The I Love Manx campaign has published a brand new edition of the Guide to Isle of Man Food and Drink.

Containing information on the Isle of Man’s many food producers and their range of quality produce, the guide is said to be ‘the way to find that special celebration cake, locally milled flour, the freshest vegetables and many other delicious products’.

Environment Minister Phil Gawne MHK said: ‘It is very encouraging to see how this guide has changed over the years, with more and more producers and products becoming available.

‘I note that we now have a source of goat meat and tofu as well as a new artisan bakery and locally-made pies using Manx meat plus all of our well known local products from shellfish to honey, meat and dairy and much more.

‘Concerns about what is actually in our food were highlighted by the recent horsemeat scandal but in the isle of Man, there is excellent traceablility for our meat, dairy and milling wheat because producers are members of Farm Assurance schemes.

‘The new guide enables consumers to talk to and meet producers directly and they will be delighted to answer any queries about their products. I hope that everyone will enjoy reading the Guide and using it to find their favourite local food and drink products – or to try some new ones.’

President of Manx National Farmers’ Union Ray Craine said: ‘The agricultural and fisheries industries in the Isle of Man produce high quality products of which we can all be proud. It is very pleasing to note the increase in number and variety of products on offer and I can highly recommend this publication as the way for you to discover them.

‘In this time of recession, it is especially important to support local producers – and you will be rewarded with fresh quality produce which tastes wonderful.

‘I hope that people find the Guide both useful and informative.’

It is available now from the Welcome Centre, at the Sea Terminal in Douglas, at the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture building at Thie Slieau Whallian in St Johns, Shoprite, events such as the agricultural shows and the Isle of Man Food & Drink Festival in September, and at the premisesof many of the producers featured in the publication.

It can also be downloaded from http://www.gov.im/defa/food_and-farming/food.xml

A newly-privatised pre-school is set to close, Education Minister Tim Crookall told Tynwald.

Mr Crookall said the providers of the pre-school at Victoria Road School in Castletown have indicated they do not wish to continue beyond this year.

He said this was partly in response to competition as there are a number of other nurseries in Castletown.

But he there has also been a rapid increase in pupil numbers at Victoria Road School in the last couple of years with well over 50 children due in the reception class from September, a 100 per cent increase on two years ago.

The Minister said his department would therefore not be offering the space for lease for pre-school provision as it will provide additional space for reception groups instead.

Castletown MHK Richard Ronan said he was ‘disappointed’ with the news. He asked Mr Crookall: ‘This was a commitment by the Department of Education - would the Minister confirm that? Okay, the reception class at Victoria Road School has substantially increased – I should know as my own son is in it at the moment – but should he and his department not have factored this in beforehand?’

Mr Crookall replied that when the extension plans for Victoria Road School was presented to Tynwald, it was stated that the space was going to be used for a pre-school for as long as it was needed, and if not, it would go back into the school’s use.

Douglas West MHK Chris Thomas asked whether provision to accommodate a pre-school will be included in plans for a new primary school on the old Noble’s Hospital site which could be brought into use if there was a change of the current privatisation policy.

The Minister said he was led to believe there is provision in the area already.

He said since the pre-schools were privatised and a voucher scheme introduced, 88 per cent of next year’s reception children have benefited from pre-school care and education supported by the public purse.

A total of 664 families have accessed the standard credit amount £350 credit, and an additional 229 low income families have qualified for the higher rate of £1,150.

Parents, pupils and the wider community will have the chance to comment on plans for a new primary school building this week.

The new Noble’s Primary School will be located on part of the site of the old hospital of the same name in Westmoreland Road, Douglas.

Subject to planning permission and Tynwald approval being obtained, it is hoped to open in September 2016.

The building will accommodate the current Ballacloan Infants’ School and Fairfield Junior School.

These schools will merge as a single through primary school in spring 2014 on the retirement of Ballacloan headteacher Jill Gill.

Members of the public can inspect and comment on the plans for the new school at Fairfield Junior School on Wednesday (July 17), between 3.30pm and 7pm.

Present to discuss the plans will be Richard Collister, Department of Education’s estates director, and the architect and project manager.

Mrs Gill and Fairfield head teacher Ian Walmsley will also be attending.

Mr Collister said: ‘This is an opportunity for anyone with an interest in the development of the new school to view our proposals.

‘Ballacloan and Fairfield are very much community schools and we want to get the community involved at this early stage.’

He said: ‘We’ve got good experience of what is needed and good experience from what we have done at recent new school developments so we have put all that into a melting pot.

‘Hopefully we have pretty much hit the nail on the head in terms of what we are proposing but I’m to keen to explore if there are things we’ve missed or people feel this shoud be in couded or questioning as to why we have incorprated that.

‘Let’s have an open dialogue next Wednesday evening and see what feedback there is.’

The DEC has said the move is the final step in the reorganisation of separate infant and junior schools into primary schools.

Fairfield head Ian Walmsley will head the combined school.

The first phase of the work to turn the old Noble’s Hospital into a school started in March 2010.

It involved making the site ready for demolition.

Some £927,905 was approved for the preparatory works, which included removing asbesos from the buildings, demolition, levelling the ground and securing the site.

At that time it was intended that construction would start in 2014, with the school being ready to open in 2015.

The old Noble’s site was opened in 1912 but has been marked for educational use since 2004 following the creation of a new hospital in Braddan.

Equiom’s team, who recently undertook the Three Peaks Challenge, were successful in their attempt and have raised £10,000 for Hospice Isle of Man.

The team of seven including Equiom chairman, Larry Kearns and group managing director, Sheila Dean undertook the UK’s premier mountain challenge with the initial aim of raising £1,200 to cover the first print run of a cookbook project, which had been brought to their attention by Hospice’s Northern Committee.

However, cheque presentations were made to Hospice Isle of Man and to Northern Hospice Committee for £7,500 and £2,500 respectively. Sheila Dean speaking at the presentations said: ‘So many of us have personal attachments to Hospice on the island, and the fantastic work they do.

‘So to be able to give something back and support them was something very close to my heart.

‘Having bonded closely with the team, training in all kinds of weather – nothing could have prepared us for the challenge that lay ahead.’

Sheila added: ‘I speak for the whole team when I say that this is a personal achievement to be extremely proud of, as it was definitely more challenging than we all expected.

‘A big heartfelt thank you to all those who kindly supported us and by doing so helped us to raise funds in excess of what we set out to achieve – friends, family, staff and colleagues all contributed.’

Margaret Simpson, chief executive of Hospice Isle of Man speaking on accepting the donations said: ‘We were deeply touched when presented with this amazing amount, as it had been kept a surprise for us until the actual presentation.

‘To say we were stunned would have been an under-statement.

‘Huge congratulations and many thanks to Equiom and their supporters for raising such a significant amount and well done to the team on their fantastic achievement.’

The team, who completed the daunting challenge with Sheila and Larry, were James Horrigan, Robert Cattle, Mike McHale, Fiona Noon, Emma Corlett and Andy Wilson.

The Northern Hospice Recipe book is expected out in print at the end of November in time for the Christmas shopping season.

Continent 8 Technologies have announced the appointment of Stephen Trimble as head of product, based at the company’s headquarters in the island.

Stephen brings more than 15 years of experience in Telecommunications, IT and Data Centre operations to lead Continent 8’s global product management function.

He will take responsibility for the management, definition and delivery of both existing and new products and services for the global business.

John Stone, for the company, said: ‘Continent 8 are delighted to have attracted such an experienced and well-respected individual.

‘Stephen’s skills and experience greatly complement our plans for the expansion of our global footprint and the enhancements we are currently making to our portfolio of services.

‘With the Isle of Man data centre expansion currently underway, Stephen’s appointment also underlines our commitment to further growth in the island.’

Stephen said: ‘It is extremely exciting to be joining a company as dynamic and forward-thinking as Continent 8.

‘At a time of local and global expansion I am looking forward to assisting with the introduction of further world-class products and services.

Michael Tobin, Continent 8 chief executive officer, said: ‘Building the Continent 8 organisation can only be accomplished through the creation of a world class team.

‘Stephen is a welcome addition to help continue our growth on the Isle of Man and throughout our global footprint.’

Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond will visit the Isle of Man this week to deliver the Chief Minister’s International Lecture.

He is due to deliver the lecture to an audience of nearly 200 invited guests in the Villa Marina tomorrow (Tuesday) evening.

His visit will also include a separate meeting with the Chief Minister Allan Bell as well as seeing something of the island’s economic and culture life.

Mr Bell said: ‘Mr Salmond is one of the most high profile politicians in the UK at the present time. With the referendum on Scottish independence now only a year away he is likely to have an even higher profile.’

Mr Bell said the future of Scotland, our nearest geographical neighbour with whom we have strong historical and cultural connections, would undoubtedly have some influence on our economy, particularly if it set its own tax rates under full independence or some form of alternative ‘Devo Max’ proposals - under which is would be handed full control of domestic affairs.

The Chief Minister said: ‘The Scottish government has been looking very closely at the island’s constitutional position with the UK and many would like to have a similar relationship, in particular the freedom to set their own tax rates, particularly corporate tax. That’s pretty much what Devo Max is.

‘If the referendum ends in a ‘no’ vote for Scottish independence, there is sure to be discussions about reviewing the relationship between Scotland and Westminster. Should it achieve full independence or deliver some form of Devo Max then clearly there could be more competitive relationship with the Isle of Man in future. We are watching developments with considerable interest.’

Bus Vannin bosses claim a new bus ticketing system will save £200,000 annually and pay for itself in two years - mainly by tackling fraud.

Tynwald last week voted overwhelmingly to spend £400,000 on the Ticketer system - with the Community Culture and Leisure Minister Graham Cregeen insisting it was not a ‘Rolls Royce’ option.

He said lessons had been learned from mistakes in the past which has resulted in the current system having to be replaced after just five years.

A public accounts committee investigation found serious mistakes had been made in the purchase of Almex which was introduced at a cost of £381,483 in 2008, but is now deemed no longer fit for purpose.

Mr Cregeen told Tynwald: ‘We’ve learned the lessons from the mistakes in the past’.

Insisting it’s ‘not a Rolls Royce scheme’, he said the replacement Ticketer system will allow for the use of Smart card technology. It will also cover the heritage railways.

The Minister claimed the system will save about £200,000 a year - and so pay for itself in two years. By helping eradicate ticket fraud alone, it would apparently save £175,000.

DCCL chief executive Nick Black told iomtoday: ‘The department knows that it currently pays £50,000 in commission to the various businesses that stock and distribute multi-journey tickets.

‘Once smart cards are available, these tickets would be topped up either on the bus or online and therefore there will be no need to issue or indeed print the current tickets. This saving is therefore easily calculated.

‘The larger element of saving comes from the analysis of actual travel versus travel that has been paid for. Industry surveys suggest that such losses are in the order of 4-10% per cent of takings and we have therefore used the low end of this range and estimate an overall combined saving of £200,000 a year. As you will know, with a capital cost of £400,000, payback will be pretty swiftly achieved with savings being generated thereafter.’

The PAC’s report on the Almex fiasco found a civil servant with no experience in this area was put in charge of procurement, hindering the selection of the most appropriate system. Almex didn’t deliver the required specification and some £30,000 had to be spent to fix it for immediate use.

Middle MHK Howard Quayle branded the DCCL’s track record as ‘disastrous’. Michael MHK Alfred Cannan suggested Ticketer’s purchase was ‘premature’ given no decision had been reached over possible privatisation.

A man whose body was discovered in Ramsey last week has been named as 37-year-old Kieron Gerald Hughes, a plumber who lived at Rectory Court.

Ambulance crews found Mr Hughes dead at an address in St Paul’s Court in the town at around 1am on Thursday morning.

The death is as yet unexplained and police have appealed for anyone with information to call them, particularly those who had contact with Mr Hughes during the 24 hours before his death.

Police inquiries are continuing and anyone able to help should call Ramsey police station on 812234 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Thomas Miller Investment (Isle of Man) Limited have donated £1,500 to the Island Games Association of Mann.

The money will be used to fund the travel costs of team doctor Frank Vaughan to the 2013 Natwest Island Games in Bermuda, which continues this week.

Thomas Miller Investment have previously supported individual sports for the Island Games, but on this occasion, given the high cost of travelling to Bermuda, were looking for a way to support all Manx athletes competing.

The company recognises the importance of the role Dr Vaughan will play in such unfamiliar surroundings.

Ian Jarrett , chairman of Thomas Miller Investment (Isle of Man) Limited, lived and has played sport in Bermuda. He said, ‘The team will have a great time in Bermuda – for many it will be a once in a lifetime opportunity but in the heat and humidity there is no question that it will be extremely challenging. We wish everyone concerned, but particularly one of our employees - Karen Faragher (Tennis) who is competing in her 12th Games, the very best of luck and we look forward to hearing about all the successes on their return.’

Gary Hepburn is the new managing director of the island trust and corporate business of the First Names Group.

Gary was appointed to the role after working as client service director at First Names Group for nine years.

Gary is well known within the industry, he has a wealth of experience in financial services placing him as the natural choice to lead the Isle of Man operation.

Originally from Zimbabwe he worked in the UK, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands before moving to the Isle of Man with his family.

Gary is a Fellow of the Institute of Bankers; he holds the trustee diploma as well as a Finance degree from the University of Manchester.

He is also a long-time member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and the Securities Institute.

First Names Group now have more than 400 staff operating out of eight strategic locations and is one of the world’s largest offshore trust, funds and corporate service providers.

Gary said: ‘First Names Group has grown very strongly over the last few years.

‘I am excited about the future and am really looking forward to helping deliver responsible growth, whilst crucially ensuring we continue to provide unrivalled client service.’

Morgan Jubb, chief executive of the Group, said: ‘First Names Group has ambitious plans for the future, a strong leadership team is imperative if we are going to achieve our objectives. I am delighted with Gary’s appointment. He is a strong leader and is dedicated to delivering the highest level of client service. He is well respected by clients and colleagues alike.

Sefton Group bosses have appeared before the Economic Policy Review Committee to give evidence regarding the recently announced government support for the Group.

Group chairman, Sir Miles Walker, and chief executive Brett Martin answered questions from the committee, comprising Dudley Butt MLC, Leonard Singer MHK and Michael Coleman MLC.

A £1.3 million taxpayer-funded bail-out, as well as a £3.2 million deal for the government to purchase and lease back the Middlemarch site to the Sefton Group have caused controversy.

Asked why they did not sell the site on the open market, Sir Miles answered: ‘We didn’t want to prejudice our ownership by selling away from government, as with them, there was the possibility of a buyback.’

Sir Miles told the committee: ‘When I became chairman in 2010 it was clear we had a lot of debt with Lloyds Banking Group, but we had their support and worked with them to reduce the debt.

‘By 2011 the debt was down significantly but it was obvious Lloyds were looking for a way out.

‘We looked at the Middlemarch site for the best way to get equity and approached the government to see if they were interested in purchasing it in July 2012.

Identical twins who both recorded nine A*s in their GCSEs in 2008 have now both gained degrees in Chinese.

David and Jonathan Wildman, 23, who were born two minutes apart, went to Cambridge and Oxford universities respectively.

We first reported on the Douglas twins in 2006 when they gained their nine GCSEs, and then again in 2008 when they both passed A levels in French, German, English literature and AS level physics.

David achieved an upper second class degree, known as a 2:1, just one percent short of a first-class degree, while Jonathan got a first class honours degree.

David, currently back in the Isle of Man, said: ‘I was very satisfied with a 2:1, I worked hard for it and this was the best 2:1 I could have got.

‘I’m going to relax for a bit now, it’s been a long hard slog getting the degree over the four years.’

Asked about his plans for the future, he said: ‘I would like to do a masters and maybe go to another country.’

The twins first became interested in China and the language after a Ballakermeen school trip to the country.

‘There was a school exchange opportunity at Ballakermeen and it seemed too good to be true, so after I went on that I kind of became obsessed,’ said David.

Their time spent at separate universities was the first time the twins had been apart for a long period and David said: ‘That was one of the hardest things at first, being apart after around 19 years together, but it gave us the chance to develop individually and rediscover who we are.’

Before starting their degrees the twins spent six months in China teaching English.

‘At first it was a bit of a culture shock but it gave us a really good foundation for the degree, and of course we met and got to know a lot of Chinese people,’ said David.

The twins’ mother, Martine, was very proud of them saying: ‘It’s great, they did find it quite hard being separated at first but they’re very happy now they’ve got their results.’

The plan to introduce a £1 airport parking fee for the first hour of car parking at Ronaldsway will not go ahead.

Instead the first half hour of parking in both the short stay and long stay car parks will be free.

In a statement released yesterday it was announced that, after considering all the public comments received, which was around 150 in total, and having met with TravelWatch at the end of June, Minister David Cretney decided to meet the public halfway and to retain a 30 minute free period, something that was in place nearly a decade ago.

‘The Department did consider having a period of up to 30 minutes’ free parking as one of the original options, however when this was originally in place, it was abused by members of the public, so we decided against the option,’ said Mr Cretney.

‘However having read all the comments, many people have said that they were not against a change but suggested that a reduced period of free parking would be helpful,’ he added.

‘So I have decided that there will be up to 30 minutes’ free parking.

‘In addition, we will re-instate a conveniently placed disc zone within the short stay car park, for genuine short term users, so that meeters and greeters, or those with mobility issues can park near the Terminal and collect their passengers and luggage, and depart within the 30 minute period,’ continued the minister.

The car park rates, with the new 30 minute free period, will be re-advertised, and will take effect from mid-August.

In summary, the charges will be as follows; free parking for up to 30 minutes in both the short stay and long stay car parks. In the short stay car park, £1 for 31 minutes to one hour, £1.50 for one to two hours, and £2.50 for two to four hours. In the long stay car park charges will be £1 between 31 minutes and two hours, and £2 for two to four hour stays.

There will be no change to the daily rates or subsequent day rates for short or long stay.

There will be a convenient disc zone in the short stay car park, for parking up to 30 minutes, and the current disabled parking nearest to the Terminal, (adjacent to the hire cars), which is currently used free, for up to one hour, will continue for disabled users free of charge.

The current facility in front of the Terminal building, whereby passengers can be picked up and dropped off, will continue with no changes.

‘I would like to thank the people who have taken the time to write or email in their comments. I hope that this decision will be met with satisfaction by most. We will continue to monitor the car park usage and we will review the situation in the Spring,’ concluded the minister.

TravelWatch welcomed the decision, saying: ‘We believe that open discussion of these issues has been helpful to all concerned and hope this might become a model for future handling of such changes.’

A driver on her way to receive treatment at the hyperbaric chamber had a lucky escape when a tree crashed onto her car as she drove along Peel Road.

Jane Perry, of Willowbrook Gardens in Douglas, said she felt lucky to be alive after the tree - one of a number of mature broad leafs that border that section of the road - smashed down on to the back section of her car.

‘It was pretty frightening,’ she said.

‘If it had been a couple of seconds different it could have been much worse. It came down on the back of the car and it really frightened the hell out of me. It just came out of nowhere,’ she said.

Mrs Perry added the trees, which are on private land, appeared to have been affected by the very dry weather in the past couple of weeks and the fallen tree simply seemed to have been uprooted from the dry ground.

‘There was no wind. It looked as if the tree had just lifted from the soil,’ she added.

Mrs Perry was heading from her workplace at BNP Paribas Securities Services on North Quay in Douglas to the hyperbaric chamber when the accident happened on Wednesday.

Th tree completely wrote off her BMW X3 motor car and blocked the road, which is currently one-way heading in to Douglas, until government workers were able to move the branches and clear the road.

‘If it had been a smaller car I don’t know what would have happened,’ said Mrs Perry, who was uninjured.

‘I didn’t know what had happened at first. I wondered what I had done. I was lucky. There was a lot of glass in the car and the windscreen broke but did not fall in. It had not completely shattered fortunately.’

She added she had been grateful for the support of kind passers by who had called police and an ambulance.

‘Then they took my car to the vehicle testing centre to check there were no faults with it - which seems a bit ironic really. It’s certainly a bit of an inconvenience.’

So far she hasn’t made it back to the hyperbaric chamber and is considering alternative strategies for getting there: ‘I think next time I go there I’m going to park at Quarterbridge and walk the rest of the way on the other side of the road,’ she said.