After a loud and lively second heat of Amber Bar’s battle of the bands competition, the four acts that will take the stage for this Saturday’s (November 30) big final have been decided.

With the Gentlemen’s Musical Emporium and Teresa McNulty already booking their places in the first heat, there were two slots remaining as 9 Bar Gypsies, Deady Long Legs, Dr Q and The Evil Empire and Your Gold Teeth prepared to play.

There was no shortage of energy or bodyheat that night, and 9 Bar Gypsies added an element of tongue in cheek theatre with their spandex-clad, 1980s hair metal-themed visual assault.

In the end it was a quick decision as the judges totted up their scores: the original grooves of Your Gold Teeth took top spot, with the riffilicious covers of Dr Q and the Evil Empire earning them second.

A three-piece for much of their lifespan so far, Your Gold Teeth (Steve Henthorn and siblings Jack and Lily Wolter) have added a new dynamic with the keyboards of the inimitable Brian Brough; his complementary layers sit well.

It is a shame that Dr Q, led by force of nature frontman Andy Frankland-Davis, are unavailable to play on Saturday, so their slot is taken up by the next-highest points scorers over both heats 9 Bar Gypsies.

Also worth a look this Saturday is the visit of Manchester-based hip hop collective The Mouse Outfit to Carnival Live Lounge in Douglas, courtesy of promoters Dark Horse IOM. Expect a vibrant blend of soul, jazz, funk, reggae and classic hip hop breaks.

In the more immediate future at Carnival – this evening (Thursday) to be exact – is another worthwhile.

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The Manx Sound Exchange is Lee Brooks’ ramblings on the rumblings of the Isle of Man’s music scene and appears each week in the Manx Independent. Help support the scene by emailing lee.brooks@newsiom.co.im or calling 695674 with Manx music news, reviews and photos

Samanthan Barks will be appearing on Channel 4 show Sunday Brunch on Sunday.

The Manx actress and singer, pictured, is expected to be promoting her new film, The Christmas Candle, on the show, which screens between 9.30am and 12.30pm.

Set in the English village of Gladbury in 1890, the plot follows the legend of an angel visiting the village candlemaker every 25 years, touching one candle during each visit.

Whoever lights the candle receives a miracle on Christmas Eve.

The film was released in the USA earlier this month, to mixed reviews.

But Manx film fans can make their own mind up when the film is screened twice in the island during December.

A special one-off showing will take place at the Villa Marina’s Broadway Cinema in Douglas on December 8. See cfvg.gov.im/ for ticket details.

And the Films in Peel team have arranged for the movie to receive another one-off screening at Peel’s Centenary Centre on December 18.

Doors will open earlier than normal on the night at 6.45pm for mulled wine and mince pies before the film begins at 7.45pm.

Tickets can be reserved at HMV in Douglas, Shakti Man in Ramsey and Thompson Travel in Port Erin.

A Tynwald inquiry into the government’s bail-out of the Sefton Group found no evidence of preferential treatment.

Controversy surrounded the bail-out deal announced in April, in which government approved a £1.3m loan repayable over five years and a £3.2m sale and lease back agreement for the Middlemarch site. At the time, Chief Minister Allan Bell said it was designed to prevent the debt-ridden group from going under.

Now the Economic Policy Review Committee has published its report into the affair – and has concluded the government was right to act as it did.

It states: ‘We have not found any evidence of preferential treatment connected with the support by the government.’

It concludes it would be fruitless to speculate what would have happened without the bail-out – but that government was reasonable to assume that its support was needed to guarantee that the Sefton Group was saved.

Its report into the affair states: ‘It is quite clear the Sefton Group was in serious difficulties. The Sefton Group found it necessary to approach the government for support.

‘Based on the evidence we have seen, we find it quite reasonable the government should assume that without its support the future for the Sefton Group was limited.’

The committee conclude there was a substantial risk of considerable job losses if the Sefton Group had failed which would have been a serious blow to the island’s economy at a difficult time.

‘There is no doubt in our mind that the collapse of all or part of the Sefton Group would have had significant effects on many local businesses throughout the island – many of them small businesses which might well not have survived,’ it added.

It accepted the acting Attorney General John Quinn, a former legal counsel and company secretary for the group, played no role in the negotiations and there was no evidence of special treatment because the Sefton Group’s chairman is former Chief Minister Sir Miles Walker.

The committee said a matter of concern had been the buy-back option on the Middlemarch site but concluded this arrange had made sense as it would not have been to the benefit of the economy if plans to develop the site had been undermined.

But it found the government stretched its authority in using the Land and Property Acquisition Fund to acquire the Middlemarch site – a use which it said was ‘well beyond’ the fund’s fundamental purpose.

Its report outlines a series of recommendations including a review of the law to government to support a company which falls foul of the Enterprise Act 2008 over payment of income tax and national insurance, but, where there is no suggestion of dishonesty.

Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK gave a rousing speech at the Isle of Man Newspapers Awards for Excellence ceremony last week.

The event was screened live online here at iomtoday.

But many people have been in touch to say they would like the opportunity to see Mr Bell’s speech via our on-demand video facility.

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Cheers and tears at the Isle of Man Newspapers Awards for Excellence ceremony
The winners in Isle of Man Newspapers’ Awards for Excellence

Firefighters were called to a pub this morning to deal with a fire started by a candle.

Following a 999 call three fire engines, two from Port Erin and one from Castletown, an aerial ladder platform and the duty officer from Douglas responded at about 6.50am to the report of an a smouldering fire and smoke logging at the Shore Hotel in Gansey

On arrival the officer in charge, Andrew Collard, confirmed that the fire was small and confined to a wooden mantlepiece above a fire in the restaurant side of the pub.

Firefighters entered the property to put out the fire.

The incident was dealt with in under 30 minutes, and the burnt materials were removed from the property while fire crews cleaned up the small amount of water that was used to put out the burning embers. A fan was also used to clear the smoke from the ground floor.

The fire alarm in the property alerted the occupants in plenty of time so that they could exit safely.

Damage to the property was confined to the area around the seat of the fire and the Shore Hotel should be open for business as usual today.

The cause of the fire was thought to be a candle that had been left burning overnight.

The fire service said fires caused by candles are not uncommon.

A spokesman said: ‘When using candles, everyone should be aware of the impact of a naked flame and melting wax on adjacent combustible materials, and ensure they are not left burning in rooms that are unoccupied.’

The Isle of Man’s rate of inflation has increased, according to the latest figures from the economic affairs division of the Treasury.

The annual rate of inflation measured by the Retail Prices Index stood at 2.5 per cent for November, that’s up from 2.3 per cent the month before. In September it was 2.4 per cent.

Excluding housing costs, the annual rate of inflation shown by RPI stood at 2.3 per cent, up from 2.1 per cent in October.

The Consumer Price Index, which excludes mortgage interest payments and household expenditure such as buildings insurance, stood at 1.2 per cent in November, up from 0.9 per cent in October.

The cost of rent and food has risen much faster than other prices. Monday’s Isle of Man Examiner will have more details.

Manx crimefighters are working with their counterparts in Japan to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

Senior officers from the Isle of Man Constabulary’s financial crime unit this week signed a Memorandum of Understanding with their counterparts from Japan’s Financial Intelligence Centre.

A government spokesman said: ‘The move further demonstrates the island’s commitment to working with its global partners in the fight against financial crime.’

The Isle of Man is a full member of the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs), a network of FIUs that promotes international cooperation through the exchange of intelligence, training and the sharing of expertise.

The MOU was signed by Detective Inspector Iain MacMillan of the Isle of Man financial crime unit and Hiroyuki Mizobata, assistant director at Japan Financial Intelligence Centre, in the presence of Kevin Roper, senior financial intelligence officer at the Isle of Man FCU, Chief Inspector Naoki Kojima, the officer responsible for MOUs with foreign FIUs, and Mr Kanji Totokawa, first secretary, police attaché, UK Embassy of Japan.

Det Insp MacMillan said: ‘As well as having a FIU that meets the Egmont model requirements, the Isle of Man also has legislation in place to allow for intelligence sharing and, where necessary, the investigation and prosecution of those involved in money laundering or the financing of terrorism.’

He added: ‘The Egmont Group recognises the importance of international cooperation in the drive to prevent money laundering and financing of terrorism. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Isle of Man and Japan will further strengthen that global network and enhance the overall effectiveness of our FIUs.’

As well as signing the MOU, the Japanese delegation enjoyed a tour of legislative buildings with Clare Christian, President of Tynwald, and visited the island’s financial crime unit.

Pictured:

Sitting: Hiroyuki Mizobata, assistant director at Japan Financial Intelligence Centre and Detective Inspector Iain MacMillan of the Isle of Man financial crime unit

Standing: Kanji Totokawa, First secretary, police attaché, UK Embassy of Japan; Chief Inspector Naoki Kojima, the officer responsible for MOUs with foreign FIUs, Kevin Roper, senior financial intelligence officer at the Isle of Man FCU

Buckingham Palace has announced that The Princess Royal (Princess Anne) will visit the Isle of Man on Tuesday, January 21.

Her official engagements will include visits to the Isle of Man Prison in Jurby and the headquarters of the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.

She will also open Ballavartyn Equestrian Centre in Santon.

The Tynwald Christmas carol service will be held at the Church of St Mary of the Isle, Hill Street, Douglas at 1.10pm on Thursday, December 12.

The public is invited to join members and officers of Tynwald, some of whom will be singing in the choir, for the service which will feature familiar and lesser-known music from the Isle of Man and elsewhere.

In extending a warm invitation to members of the public and the local business community President of Tynwald Clare Christian, said: ‘I know that this is a very busy time of the year for everyone but we should be delighted to welcome all those who can spare the time to take a break from the pressures of the day to join us in this celebration of Christmas.

‘I am delighted to say that Canon Philip Gillespie, Roman Catholic Dean of the Isle of Man, has decided to donate the retiring collection to the Philippines typhoon appeal. ‘

The service is expected to finish at about 2pm after which those attending are invited to stay for a cup of tea and a mince pie.

Historic shipping firm Ramsey Steamship Company Ltd has sold vessels the Ben Maye and Ben Varey to Kent-based shipowner Angel Shipping Limited.

They will be operated and managed by Absolute Shipping Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Angel.

This summer Ramsey Steamship Company announced it would be wound-up after 100 years because of its pensions liability.

Captain Eion Lyons, managing director of Angel and Absolute, said the acquisition was ‘extremely good news and represents a further investment in our expanding short-sea dry cargo fleet’. He said the vessels were well maintained and operated.

‘It is our intention to build on the excellent reputation of RSSC and to further develop the service they have provided to the local community and to customers around the Irish Sea. To assist in that process, Tony Kennish (currently managing director of RSSC) is joining the Absolute management team.’

Mr Kennish said the RSSC’s years of service to the island and Irish Sea area, it is was ‘a very sad day’ that the firm’s name will be no more. He thanked all personnel and customers.

The ground floor of Markwell House has been revamped.

The Department of Social Care’s base, on the corner of Market Hill and Well Road Hill, Douglas, has replaced what it calls ‘the confusing array of service counters spread across numerous floors’ with a ‘one-stop shop’ on the ground floor.

The DSC says it’s part of the move away from universal benefits towards a much more targeted approach to individual need.

Members of the public have traditionally had to try to work out how they ‘fitted in’ in the past the DSC said.

A DSC spokesman said: ‘It no longer matters whether you are inquiring about benefits, pensions, housing or social care matters, simply call in at the ground floor and counter staff will do their best to meet your needs.

‘These improvements have freed up space on the floors above and allowed the department to move staff from 3 and 4 Hill Street which, in turn, has been put up for sale.’

Social Care Minister Chris Robertshaw MHK said: ‘Our credo is no longer the administration of categorised entitlement, but rather the desire to reach out to and understand real need.

‘This fundamentally new approach to service delivery is epitomised by the changes at Markwell House and is another step down a long road of change.’

Age Isle of Man has come of age.

The charity celebrated its 21st birthday at its annual general meeting and Christmas lunch at the Empress Hotel, for staff and volunteers.

Formerly known as Age Concern Isle of Man, the charity’s history was described briefly in his address by chairman Malcolm Kelly.

He recalled how Age Concern Isle of Man was set up with its headquarters in Ramsey in 1992.

He went on to talk about the opening of the first Age Concern shop in Ramsey followed by one in Port Erin in 1993.

Malcolm recalled the charity taking on Bob Clucas as a new chief officer that year and telling him after he was appointed, that there was only enough funds to pay him for six months, so he had better get out and raise some money, otherwise he would be out of a job!

Current chief officer George Quayle rounded off the proceedings by presenting a review of the past year.

He congratulated staff for their contribution to the work of Age Isle of Man, and described how demands for its services were steadily increasing/

He closed by thanking all the volunteers who had given their time to support the charity by working in shops, computer learning centres, day centres, lunch and activity clubs.

Long service awards were then presented by Age Isle of Man’s Patron, Bishop Robert Paterson, to Beryl Sandwell, Pat Callister, Ann Reynolds, Hillary Kermode, Jean Renshaw, Vivienne Watkins, Muriel Putnam and Eileen Walker who had all been volunteers for more than 15 years.

Bishop Robert also presented the ‘Employees of the Year’ award to Mary Gallagher and Jonathan Kelly for their splendid work in the Meadow View Day Centre in Onchan.

Advocates at Douglas-based Smith Taubitz Unsworth Ltd are making simple wills for people in return for a minimum donation to the Clatterbridge Cancer Charity of £100 instead of charging their usual fee.

The offer runs for this month and next.

Advocate Vicki Unsworth stressed the importance of making a will for those with children or who are in relationships but who are not married.

Wills bought on the internet and in newsagents are based upon English law and therefore do not cover the Manx position.

If you would like to support the work at the Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, contact Vicki Unsworth at Advocates Smith Taubitz Unsworth Ltd, on 677888 or by email to vicki@advocates.co.im.

Maintenance work is to be carried out to the entrance flap gate to Douglas’s inner harbour this week.

In order to undertake the works, the Douglas inner harbour area will have to be closed to vessels seeking to enter or leave.

The work has been scheduled from 1am on Tuesday to 1am on Friday (December 3-6).

The Department of Infrastructure has apologised for any inconvenience that may be caused by these ‘essential’ works.

A Douglas man has been to the House of Commons after being nominated for an Individual Fundraiser of the Year Award.

Eugene Wilson did not win the overall award but received a special commendation at the Anthony Nolan Supporter Awards 2013.

The awards recognise outstanding individuals who have contributed to the blood cancer charity over the last year.

The charity uses its register to match potential bone marrow donors to blood cancer patients in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant.

Eugene has run six marathons, taken on a Great Wall of China trek and will run the London Marathon in 2014.

He has raised over £25,000 so far for the charity.

Eugene’s daughter, Lisa, died in 2005 at just 22 years old after a fight against leukaemia.

For more information visit www.anthonynolan.org

Education bosses want to spend £4.9 million on training facilities for the engineering and construction craft industries.

Tim Crookall MHK, Minister for Education and Children, will seek Tynwald’s approval this month for phase one of a scheme to improve training facilities for the two industries at the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education.

He said: ‘We have strong, home-grown construction and engineering sectors and it’s essential that suitable training facilities are provided to support these industries and bring through the next generation of engineers and tradesmen.

‘The widening of vocational choices to complement or offer an alternative to the more conventional academic examination routes at 14-16 and beyond is also a key department priority.’

Training in engineering and construction crafts takes place across three sites – at the college in Homefield Road and at Hill’s Meadow and in Union Mills.

The availability of the former Water Authority treatment works in Greenfield Road, next to the main college, allows for improved facilities for both to be created within easy proximity.

Phase one of the scheme would provide improved facilities for engineering at the old treatment works. The original filter hall on the upper ground floor would become the main engineering hall, housing machinery and workshops, with classrooms and a computer aided design/ machinery area off this. A materials laboratory, electronics classroom and office space would be included in an extension.

At first floor level there would be further classrooms, including for materials science and electrical engineering.

At lower ground floor level, within the existing building there would be an electrical engineering workshop, and stores, staff room and meeting room. The extension at this level would include a reception, recreational space for students, a further electrical engineering workshop and a plant room.

A separate motor vehicle workshop will be created alongside the main hall, allowing for growth in the spheres of green motor vehicle technology and engine testing.

Subject to Tynwald’s approval, work on the facility would start in January 2014 and be completed by mid-August. The planned improvements would allow the College to offer new courses in mechanical engineering and electronics, such as mechatronics, supporting new industry on the Island.

The facility would be named the William Kennish Building, after the Manx inventor and marine engineer who set out early plans for the Panama Canal.

Improved facilities for engineering training would allow the college to:

· Develop the 14-16 link, providing secondary school students with enhanced engineering and motor vehicle facilities

· Train more HGV specialists on-island

· Develop ‘green’ engineering and motor vehicle curriculum initiatives

· Provide laboratories for the testing of engineering materials and the building of electronic devices

· Replicate realistic workshop environments where individuals can work on industry-standard equipment such as CNC (computer numerical control) machines, engine analysers and electrical switchboards

· Provide space for maritime engineering, to be developed in conjunction with Liverpool John Moores University’s Maritime Academy, to support the island’s shipping industry.

In June 2014, the department would seek Tynwald’s approval for phase two of the scheme, to create suitable-sized facilities for the four construction crafts – brickwork, joinery, painting and decorating and plumbing – in the space at the College vacated by engineering. Work would start in September 2014 and be completed by June 2015.

‘This scheme underlines the Isle of Man Government’s support of the construction and engineering sectors, bringing together training in purpose-built facilities that reflect the two industries’ modern-day training needs and freeing up facilities elsewhere,’ Mr Crookall said.

Douglas Council’s proposals to transform Cambrian Place into a multi-storey car park and library ‘were lacking in a number of areas’.

That’s according to Treasury and Infrastructure chiefs, who issued a joint statement explaining their decision not to approve the borrowing to fund purchasing the land and going ahead with the scheme.

Douglas Council leader David Christian announced last week it could not fund the project and the land owner, Rural Views Limited, had now pulled out.

Developer Time and Tide was given approval in principle for the scheme by the Council of Ministers in January, and submitted a reserved matters application in July.

Infrastructure Minister David Cretney said: ‘I have been disappointed that, despite a significant amount of work from all parties, the scheme has not been able to be progressed.

‘However, as the department with responsibility for approving local authority borrowing, we are responsible for ensuring that value for money is clearly demonstrated.

‘With regard to Cambrian Place, this has not been the case and it is the responsibility of the Department of Infrastructure and Treasury to safeguard the interests of the ratepayer/taxpayer in the longer term.

‘We are obviously disappointed that the development opportunity has been frustrated but clear accountability, transparency and competition for any substantial investment of this kind must be paramount.’

In the statement, it says Douglas Council was told by Treasury at a meeting in December 2012 that there were ‘a number of issues with the proposals’.

They included lack of consultation, no transparency or competition in the procurement process, and the high costs of construction and the land.

In addition, they said the contract arrangements needed amending, and the developer was unable to provide a bond.

The statement continues: ‘Both Treasury and the department have been in extended correspondence with the Council to address these issues over the past 10 months.

‘However, they have not been successfully addressed or resolved and therefore the department has been unable to approve the petitions and Treasury has been unable to provide concurrence for the borrowing from the Local Authority Borrowing Scheme.

‘The department has sought the advice of independent valuers/surveyors who confirmed that the proposals were lacking in a number of areas and did not meet the value for money criterion which open, transparent and competitive tender arrangements would provide.’

Douglas Council submitted two petitions to the DoI in October, one for £2.5m to purchase the land, and the second for £12.072m for the Cambrian Place Development Scheme.

Chief Minister Allan Bell underlined the Isle of Man’s position as a leader in the field of economic innovation at an Overseas Territories meeting.

He was a panel member for a discussion on economic opportunities at the Overseas Territorial Joint Ministerial Council, hosted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.

Mr Bell said it was the first time a chief minister from a Crown Dependency had been invited.

‘I was able to share the story of the island’s journey from relative poverty 30 years ago to the position today where it is recognised as a leader in the fields of economic innovation and international engagement,’ he said.

‘But it was also an opportunity to learn from the Overseas Territories, who share many common challenges with the Crown Dependencies, and to hear their views on issues such as tax transparency.’

The Chief Minister, the only politician from the Crown Dependencies to attend the event, was the guest of Mark Simmonds, FCO Minister responsible for the Overseas Territories.

Mr Bell said the invitation came following a meeting with the MP in October, during which Mr Simmonds said he supported the work of the Small Countries Financial Management Programme and the support the Isle of Man is giving to Sierra Leone’s fishing sector.

He said the island’s experience of developing from a near bankrupt state to a fast growing economy, and developing new skills to deal with the evolving international agenda, was well received.

‘Many small jurisdictions are having to adjust to those same pressures and therefore listening to our experience was well received by those facing similar problems.’

He added: ‘Overall it helps to reinforce the message the Isle of Man has been promoting that we are a responsible international business centre.

‘We work actively as part of the international community to help developing countries and it recognises the work we have done to shake off the tax haven label.’

Two Douglas-based firms have merged.

Software developer Webtech and Intelligence Ltd, a company specialising in project management, software design and the use of IT in business, will in future trade as Webtech.

Chris Davies, chief executive officer of the company, said: ‘The merger has led to some changes in terms of the people we employ and while we have increased the resources in some areas we have had to make some unfortunate choices where there was duplication or changes of role, but overall the combined companies will be employing the same number of people as when they were separate entities.

‘Both companies currently have offices in Douglas, Intelligence on the South Quay, and Webtech on Athol Street. The combined company will operate out of the offices on the South Quay.’

New legislation to strengthen the Isle of Man’s ability to combat bribery will come into effect later in the month.

The Bribery Act 2013, which is being introduced by appointed day order on December 16, aims to keep the island at the forefront of international standards, according to the Manx government.

At the same time, official guidance will be published to help Isle of Man businesses to comply with the new legislation.

The Department of Home Affairs sought the views of the business community and wider Manx public about the guidance information as part of a consultation process earlier this year.

Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson MHK said: ‘The introduction of the Bribery Act 2013 is a further demonstration of the Isle of Man’s commitment to stamping out corruption and supporting fair trade and international development. This legislation is intended to enhance the island’s reputation as a responsible nation, while supporting economic growth by not being overly bureaucratic for business.’

The main difference between the Bribery Act 2013 and the legislation it is set to replace, the Corruption Act 2008, is the introduction of a new offence.

This will make a commercial organisation liable to be prosecuted for failing to prevent bribery if a person associated with it commits a bribery offence anywhere in the world for the benefit of that organisation. However, as in the UK, the organisation will have a defence if it can prove that it had in place adequate procedures designed to prevent such criminal conduct occurring.

Mr Watterson added: ‘The guidance document is aimed at giving local businesses of all sizes and from all sectors a helping hand. It sets out their responsibilities under the Act and the measures they can put in place to prevent bribery.’