Douglas North MHK Bill Henderson has taken on responsibility for the new Treasury division, Social Security.

Social Security was transferred to Treasury from the then Department of Social Care as part of the re-organisation of government.

Meanwhile, Phil Braidwood, the longest serving member of the Treasury, will continue to have political responsibility for the Capital Projects Unit, Investment Management, Commemorative and Circulating Coin Design Approval; for oversight of the Financial Supervision Commission, Insurance and Pensions Authority and the Gambling Supervision Commission; and for Insolvency and Company Law Reform.

Alex Downie MLC, who joined the Treasury in 2013 has responsibility for Procurement, the Accounting Audit and Value for Money Committee; and for Internal Audit, General Registry and Rating.

Minister Eddie Teare said: ‘I am fortunate to have an experienced and dedicated team who bring a wide variety of ideas and a strong commitment to their roles. As a team I am sure we can, and will, achieve much for the benefit of our community.’

Anyone interested in Parkinson’s disease is invited to a research lecture hosted by The Parkinson’s Disease Society Isle of Man at the Palace Hotel, Douglas, on May 20.

Lecturers are King’s College, London, professor of pharmacology Peter Jenner, doctor Jon Stamford, director and co-founder of Parkinson’s Movement and neuroscientist from Cure Parkinson’s, and Noble’s Hospital consultant physician doctor John Thomas. Call 627982.

King William’s College Society has unveiled plans to celebrate its 125th anniversary.

On June 13 and 14 the college grounds will be the venue for rounders, classic cars and bikes, and visiting alumni.

Founded in 1889, the society’s keeps former pupils of KWC and the Buchan School in touch with each other and the school.

The society’s president, Peter Clucas, said: ‘I am looking forward to meeting and socialising with formers pupils of college, the Buchan School and their families, as are my fellow directors.

‘The weekend marks a significant anniversary for the King William’s College Society and it is hoped that alumni and their families will join in the celebrations surrounding this important occasion.’

Celebrations start on June 13 with a champagne reception and dinner in the Barrovian Hall, hosted by the 2004-05 year group of former pupils and led by Flight Lieutenant David Bellamy, also celebrating their 10 year reunion.

The following morning a traditional service of matins will be held in the School Chapel of St Thomas at 10.30am, in the presence of the Very Reverend Nigel Godfrey, a former college pupil.

Trips around the college will be offered to see how it has changed.

The all England under 14s rounders team will play an all–island team. The upper sixth leavers will field teams and the 2004-05 year group will take on an all-comers team.

Displays of vintage cars and motorcycles will be provided by The Classic Car Club and Vintage Motorcycle Club.

Isle of Man law firm Dougherty Quinn’s managing partner Tom Maher attended an evening reception with An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Ireland’s Prime Minister.

Douglas based Mr Maher, who is from Ireland, said Mr Kenny told him he was looking forward to visiting the Isle of Man and the island’s Chief Minister Allan Bell ‘in the near future.’

The event took place in the Bloomsbury Hotel in London, part of an Irish owned international hotel chain, during the historical Irish state visit to the United Kingdom last week.

An Taoiseach told the invited guests that this state visit was a truly historical moment in Ireland and the United Kingdom’s relationship.

Mr Kenny highlighted the programme of trade co-operation being planned over the next decade to strengthen trade relations between Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Ireland and the UK undertook their first ever joint trade mission in February 2014 to Singapore.

Last Thursday night Mr Kenny told the invited guests that he and Prime Minister David Cameron were planning further joint trade missions and that they will attend personally.

Mr Maher said later that this close co-operation between Ireland and the UK is paying dividends and is also an indicator of how the Isle of Man can work more closely with both the UK and Ireland in promoting the Isle of Man in a manner which is complementary to the trade and business interests of the UK and Ireland.

A drop in visitors numbers last year may be reversed by the upturn in the UK economy, Economic Development Minister John Shimmin believes.

Visitors numbers fell by 1 per cent last year, according to the 2013 Passenger Survey - but their overall spending actually increased by 1.6 per cent to £107m.

The survey showed the number visiting friends and relatives fell 8 per cent but the number of leisure visitors staying in paid-for accommodation increased by 5 per cent while business visitors increased by 1.2 per cent.

Mr Shimmin said the upturn in the UK economy, together with greater certainty over air routes, could lead to leisure visitor numbers starting to increase again. ‘There’s reason for optimism,’ he said.

The decline in visiting friends and relatives reflects falling household incomes in the UK, down 7.6 per cent since 2008, which has caused many to reduce discretionary spending.

People in the north of the island have been asked to look out for an unusual visitor after a ring-tailed lemur escaped from the Curraghs Wildlife park on Monday.

The animal is one of two female lemurs that arrived four weeks ago from Marwell Zoo in Winchester.

After bonding with the park’s two resident male lemurs they were introduced to the outside enclosure on Monday, where one of the two managed to escape into woodland across the road from the park.

Park general manager Kathleen Graham has appealed for the public to keep an eye out while park staff continue to search:

‘We’re hoping she’s still in the vicinity across the road and that we might find her and get her to come to us, but it could be that she’s scampered further away. That’s why we’re asking if anybody out walking their dog spots a strange animal, let us know because it could be our lemur.’

Mrs Graham continued: ‘We know people want to help us look, but we don’t want a big search party as that might only scare her. Because she has been at the park for a few weeks she is familiar with the keepers, so it’s better that they go out as she might come down for a familiar face who she knows will feed her.’

The ring-tailed lemur has black and white eyes, a grey body and a distinctive bushy black and white ringed tail.

The public are asked to report any possible sightings to the Wildlife Park on 897323.

Rugby star British Lion John Bentley is to visit the Isle of Man for the first time on May 17.

‘Bentos’ enjoyed careers in rugby league and rugby union, the pinnacle of which was the 1997 South Africa vs British Lions series and the ‘Living With The Lions’ video.

He will speak at a dinner organised by Douglas Rugby Club.

For more information email tony@wsmcars.com

British Airways purser Stacey O’Dell swapped an aircraft cabin for a lifeboat bridge when she visited the island to give out early Easter eggs during a publicity stunt for the airline.

Stacey and teams of colleagues from the airline went on a tour of the island to hand out more than 2,000 eggs to mark British Airways’ new increased flights to London City Airport.

The airline {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/ba-to-cut-flights-from-island-to-london-1-5812178|dropped its three-times-a-day service} last year and cut it to once.

That led to fears that the business community would be cut off from easy access to the English capital, especially after Flybe also announced it was pulling out of Gatwick and its four-times-daily service to the island from the end of March.

Now British Airways is flying three times a day to London City from Ronaldsway, after the service was underwritten by island-based software company Microgaming.

When BA staff called in to surprise the crew at Ramsey Lifeboat Station last week they were invited in for a tour of the station and the lifeboat itself.

Matt Round, British Airways’ ‘sales partnership manager’ for the UK regions, said: ‘It was a very hectic day, but when the station manager invited us in for a look at their operation we just couldn’t resist. They do a fantastic job and it was a privilege to be able to see first hand what they do.’

Stacey, who flies on British Airways flights from London City Airport, added: ‘This was the highlight of a fun and busy day. I really enjoyed seeing the Isle of Man for myself and meeting some interesting people.’

During the day Adam Carson, managing director of BA CityFlyer, and Bernard Lavelle, London City Airport sales director, headed teams of British Airways staff who drove round the island handing out specially-branded Easter eggs to local residents, business and travel agents.

They were promoting the new three-a-day return flights between the Isle of Man and London City Airport which increased at the start of the summer schedule. They also hosted an evening event at The Sefton Hotel in Douglas.

With the improved schedule commuters now have the opportunity to do a full day’s business in London and still be home in the Isle of Man by evening, while leisure customers have a choice of flights, many connecting with British Airways’ extensive network of European destinations from London City.

All inclusive one way hand baggage only fares from the Isle of Man to London City are available from £65. All British Airways flights include free on-line check-in and seat selections 24 hours before departure, complimentary snacks and drinks on board and no debit card fees.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/three-daily-flights-to-london-city-ready-to-book-1-6375286|Flashback: Three flights a day confirmed}

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/british-airways-easter-egg-publicity-stunt-1-6547025|Last week’s story about the Easter eggs publicity stunt}

Respected financial journalist Merryn Somerset Webb surprised many at an island breakfast briefing when she recommended investors consider investing in Russia.

She suggested investors look East even though it is deemed by many to be too risky, because of social and political instability.

But Merryn said stock prices were discounting the risk and even discounting a return to communism.

She said this means the possibility of a good return over 10 years was much higher in Russia than the US.

Merryn highlighted the ‘manipulated market’ in the United States as one not to invest in, warning valuations were far too high, driven by QE, favourable taxation and results-driven bonuses for executives.

She said the values could not be sustained in the long term, and things are already changing, which will bring prices down.

She also confirmed that gold should be a significant part of everyone’s investment portfolio.

More than 100 Isle of Man business leaders were given a detailed insight into the true global economic position at the breakfast briefing organised by Ramsey Crookall.

Merryn, who is a Financial Times columnist, addressed the briefing at the Mount Murray Hotel, offering her assessment of what the future holds for investments, inflation and growth.

The editor-in-chief of MoneyWeek, the UK’s best-selling financial magazine, explained how the policy of Quantitative Easing had resulted in inflated asset values, making the wealthy even richer and widening the social divide.

Merryn said this had already caused social inequality and may lead to extreme social conditions in the long term, as money is not being invested into the innovations which will drive true economic growth which will benefit all.

She also added that the inflated asset values and the benefits of the reported economic recovery were not being shared by all.

Contrary to the low official inflation data, prices in essentials such as utilities and transport were rising much faster and in some cases 25 per cent higher than at the start of the financial crisis.

Merryn warned asset values will dramatically fall once QE enters its adjustment phase, adding the Bank of England had warned what the impact of QE would be, but that advice had gone largely unheeded.

Her briefing also discussed how the lack of cash being lent had led to the growth of social financing, known as crowd funding, which showed that however policy tries to direct or stem the flow of money, it will find a way to where it is needed or wanted.

Ramsey Crookall chief executive officer Joanna Crookall also revealed that the firm had spent much of the past 12 months developing new digital systems to benefit clients.

Ramsey Crookall has developed an online portal through its website which allows clients to view their portfolios and trading history.

The firm has also developed an App which will allow clients to access their portfolios on the go with a mobile device, such as Smart Phone or Tablet.

The App will soon be available to download, for free, from Google Play and the Appel App Store.

Joanna also thanked Merryn for her briefing.

She added afterwards: ‘Merryn is a widely respected and tremendously experience financial expert, so this was a valuable opportunity to hear her view on what is really happening with investment markets and, vitally what the future holds.

‘She provided a thought-provoking and interesting briefing letting our audience share her views on the issues which affect us all.

‘I’d like to thank Merryn and all our guests for attending.’

A government department has offered to pay for a local independent retail expert to give advice to Callow’s Yard developer Roy Tilleard.

Economic Development Minister John Shimmin has written to Mr Tilleard explaining the aim would be to try to effect a retail solution for the complex in Castletown.

The letter was leaked to the Isle of Man Examiner.

The full story is in this week’s Examiner, which is on sale now.

A requisition meeting about Callow’s Yard’s future is to be held tonight (Tuesday) at Castletown Civic Centre.

If you have any views about the story, email opinions@newsiom.co.im

Olympic gold medallist swimmer Rebecca Adlington was guest of honour at the Isle of Man Bank Sports Awards last week at the Villa Marina.

Prior to attending, Rebecca spent time with some of the young up and coming stars of the future and attended a question and answer session for high school students at a lunch, organised by the bank, at Ballakermeen High School in Douglas.

25-year-old Rebecca talked about the joy of winning two gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, followed by two bronzes at the London Olympics in 2012, and answered a number of questions about how she motivated herself and how to overcome setbacks.

‘Every time I had a bad swim, it made me more determined to prove everyone wrong and prove myself wrong,’ she said.

Her success made all the hard work worthwhile, she told the young swimmers, and she was keen to share her experience with the next generation.

‘I was very proud to represent my country and put the Team GB kit on and to win a medal for your country is a big thrill,’ she said.

‘For me, going on the Olympic team, I felt like I had a responsibility as an athlete to pass on that legacy.’

There was even time to answer questions about her appearance on the ITV show I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here.

The biggest problem she was warned about, ahead of the show, was the boredom.

‘I’m a swimmer, I stare at a black line for two hours a day, I can deal with the boredom! It was a great experience, I am so glad I did it.’

Isle of Man Bank head of community investment John Lindon thanked Rebecca for taking the time to talk to the students and said to them: ‘I hope you have been inspired by what you have heard and everybody can go on to achieve great things.’

During last Thursday’s awards night Mark Cavendish lifted the Isle of Man Bank-sponsored Sportsman of the Year award for a record eighth time, while the Isle of Man Sportswoman of the Year award went to equestrian’s Yasmin Ingham.

• For full coverage of the Isle of Man Bank Sports Awards see this week’s Isle of Man Examiner. It’s in the shops now.

A feature film version of Spooks begins shooting this week at various locations around the Isle of Man.

The film stars Pompeii and Game Of Thrones star Kit Harington, and Zero Dark Thirty and Ides Of March star Jennifer Ehle alongside Peter Firth, who reprises his role as Harry Pearce from the original television programme that ran for 10 series.

The Isle of Man’s National Insurance fund is forecast to collapse in 20 years’ time as the population ages and more resources are spent on older people.

Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK today circulated all Members of Tynwald with further information on the major review of the future of the island’s National Insurance fund being, which is carried out for the government by specialist consultants.

The £650 million fund, which pays for state retirement pensions, the Manx pension supplement and a range of other social security benefits, is heading for a dramatic decline as the proportion of retired people increases and benefits paid out of the fund exceed NI contributions paid in.

Over the next 30 years the number of over-65s is projected to almost double from 15,000 to 29,000.

The National Insurance fund is forecast to start collapsing in around 20 years’ time and to run out completely by the 2050s, leaving the younger generation with a bleak future in terms of state support for their retirement.

The review work is in two parts.

Phase I, costing £250,000, was put out to tender in December 2012 and produced an initial assessment and planning report presented to the Council of Ministers in September 2013.

Phase II, costing £750,000, is taking place now and is being carried out by Ci65 with the same personnel who conducted phase I while working for RSM Tenon.

The phase II work is looking at a wide range of options for the future of National Insurance and social security policies.

The consultants are due to report back to the Council of Ministers this summer and the outcome will be presented to Tynwald for its consideration in due course.

In the current financial year Government is expected to spend £275 million providing social security benefits – one third of its total gross expenditure – including £129 million on retirement pensions and £37 million on the Manx pension supplement.

The National Insurance Fund pays for £190 million of the benefits bill, the rest coming from general revenue.

Liberal Vannin leader Kate Beecroft MHK has launched a stinging attack on the former minister for health, David Anderson, after a damning report into Noble’s Hospital criticised weak management and a ‘culture of blame’.

Mrs Beecroft, who was one of the first to make public concerns over patient safety at Noble’s, said she felt the report had vindicated her party’s stance – and justified the removal of David Anderson as minister.

She added: ‘I don’t know how he can hold his head up high after what has been shown to be the situation on his watch. The report, while it does not make for pleasant reading, clearly vindicates our stance on Noble’s over the last few years.’

Mrs Beecroft suggested that Mr Anderson should have brought in independent inspectors two years ago when concerns were first raised by consultants.

She also hit out at the way three senior managers in the health department had all taken early retirement just days before the publication of the report by the West Midlands Quality Review Service.

‘They have been rewarded for failure,’ she claimed.

Asked whether the three – chief executive David Killip, his deputy Lesley Keenan and director of healthcare delivery Norman McGregor Edwards – had indeed been ‘rewarded for failure’, Chief Minister Allan Bell told the Examiner: ‘I suppose you could look at it that way.’

But he added: ‘We should not focus on what happened in the past but look at rebuilding confidence in the future with new structures and new strategies going forward.’

Mr Bell said it had been clear there were problems at Noble’s and he had asked the West Midlands’ inspectors to produce a ‘warts and all’ report.

He said that a new management structure was being put in place. ‘There is no way we are shying away from the problems. But we now have to look to the future.’

In the Budget, it was announced £2.1m was being set aside in a new Health Inspection Fund specifically to deal with the problems highlighted by the report. Asked if that would be enough, Mr Bell said: ‘That’s the anticipated cost – clearly it will depend on the extent of problems identified. Not all issues are about resources. But if we need further funds it will have to be reviewed.’

He said the island faced a real challenge on how to fund quality health services in the future – and this may include radical options such as the wider use of private health medicine.

‘A private hospital might complement what we are doing in the NHS,’ he said.

Mrs Beecroft has given a warm welcome to the new Minister of Health, Howard Quayle MHK.

She congratulated him for publishing the inspectors’ report in full.

She said: ‘I have discussed the report with Howard and he is genuinely committed to making the health service something that we can all have confidence in and be proud of.

‘He has given a promise to be open and honest about any failings and to work to correct these as soon as is possible.

‘There are many problem areas and Howard has a difficult road ahead of him but, whilst he stays true to his stated commitments, LibVan will support and help him and his new management team whenever and wherever we can.

‘We have always maintained that it has been the management that have been the problem and that the staff should not be blamed and it seems that the independent review body agree.

‘They have repeated their praise of “caring and committed staff” throughout the report.’

Daredevils with a head for heights took part in the first-ever abseil from the top of Douglas Head Lighthouse at the weekend.

This was the first time that abseiling had been allowed from the top of the 80 foot lighthouse.

It was organised by The Children’s Centre to raise funds for its charitable projects, which include Mobex, Out2Play, Child Contact Centre, Community Development and the Community Farm.

Mark Eastham of The Children’s Centre said: ‘It was a great day and all of the abseilers did brilliantly following expert advice from our MOBEX team.

‘Twenty-two people took part, including MHKs Laurence Skelly and Kate Beecroft, we had a few showers, but the rain didn’t dampen spirits.

‘We should raise in the region of £5,000.’

Mr Eastham thanked everyone who took part as well as the sponsors, and owners of the cottages at the foot of the lighthouse, Jim and Maggie Shutler, and John and Tina Mather.

The Children’s Centre has organised several abseiling events in recent years to raise funds, including descents from the top of the Strand Shopping Centre, the RBS International Building in Douglas and last year, the top of the Point of Ayre Lighthouse.

An opening address by the bishop lent an ecclesiastical angle to this year’s CAMRA beer festival which, fittingly, also offered Absolution – a strong pale bitter from Sheffield’s Abbeydale brewery.

This year’s event, which ran until close of play on Saturday night, boasted 125 real ales, ciders, perries and fruit wines, including offerings from all five of the island’s breweries.

Addressing an already enthusiastic and vocal crowd at the festival’s opening public session, the Right Reverend Robert Paterson told them: ‘When I was asked to come and do this I wondered what people would think of the bishop opening a beer festival. I looked in the Bible for inspiration and found that Jesus was a friend of publicans and sinners so I thought I could follow that example and get some practice in tonight.’

This year’s charity ale, produced by Bushy’s is Airmed Ale, and a donation goes to the Rob Vine Fund, which pays for medical equipment used at motorsport events and in the rescue helicopters, for each pint sold.

‘It is a great privilege to pull the first pint of Airmed Ale and it is worth remembering that 850 people have been airlifted by the helicopter in the 29 years it has operated,’ Bishop Paterson said.

‘It’s also a privilege to be here and if anyone asks what the bishop was doing at the festival, just tell them he favours responsible drinking.’

A range of local bands and musicians provided the entertainment on Friday and Saturday.

Regular flights to the island from an airport in Yorkshire began yesterday.

LinksAir launched the first ever Isle of Man service to Robin Hood Doncaster-Sheffield Airport.

The airline flies three times a week, operating on a Monday, Friday and Sunday, leaving Ronaldsway at 11.55am on a Monday and at 3.40pm on a Friday and Sunday.

Return services leave Doncaster-Sheffield at 10.30am on a Monday and at 2.05pm on a Friday and Sunday.

TT racer Michael Moulai, who has had six top 15 finishes in the event, was on the first flight to the Isle of Man, along with South Yorkshire journalist and TT writer Rachael Clegg. Rachael’s grandfather Tom and father Noel both raced in the TT.

LinksAir commercial manager Roger Hage said: ‘We are delighted at LinksAir to have commenced the first-ever services from the Isle of Man to Robin Hood Doncaster-Sheffield Airport, which given the tremendous support of all so far and higher than anticipated early bookings, has already allowed us to add extra flights especially for the TT-race fans.

‘The Isle of Man is a vibrant leisure destination but this service also importantly allows the only direct access from the Isle to the UK’s fifth largest city region in Sheffield and surrounding South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Humber regions.’

Ann Reynolds, director of ports for the Isle of Man, said: ‘This is very welcome news for those looking to have a weekend break in the Isle of Man or Yorkshire, or those looking to develop business opportunities between the two regions.’

Steve Gill, managing director of Robin Hood Doncaster-Sheffield airport, said: ‘This is fantastic news for the airport and for Yorkshire passengers.

‘This new route is a great addition to our offering as our new three-time weekly service to the popular Isle of Man is Yorkshire’s only link to the island, famous for its world famous TT motorcycle race event and its rugged coastline and sandy beaches. It is also a convenient link for the financial services sector.’

Fares on the short 55-minute flight start from £64 one-way, which includes all government taxes and airport charges, a hold-bag up to 15kg, lounge access at the Isle of Man on some fare types and fast-track security access at Doncaster.

Additional flights to the island have already been added for May 29 and 31 to help accommodate the extra capacity expected for the TT. The airline says more are being planned.

The last air link to Yorkshire from Ronaldsway was operated by Manx2, which flew to Leeds Bradford Airport. The service was dropped in January last year.

Last week the Manx Independent reported that there were plans {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/manx2-pulls-out-of-leeds-and-oxford-1-5127996|for a new air link to Chester.}

Police officers have been rewarded for their bravery in the line of duty.

Stories of remarkable professionalism, compassion and courage in saving lives were outlined during the Chief Constable’s annual awards ceremony held in Villa Marina’s Broadway Cinema.

Constables Mark Hempsall and Rob Midghall were commended by the Royal Humane Society for their incredible efforts in saving the life of a three-year-old girl, who had stopped breathing after she choked on a lollipop.

On their arrival they found a truly traumatic scene – the child, who had turned blue, had been unresponsive for five minutes and a hugely distressed young mother and another younger child.

The child to all intents and purposes was dead. Over a lengthy period, with Constable Midghall helping support the child’s limp body, Constable Hempsall was able to find and release the obstruction, which eventually led to the child beginning to breath again.

Constable Robin Arnold received a commendation for saving the life of an 11-year-old boy who collapsed in the street in Castletown in January this year after suffering a severe asthma attack.

A communications mix-up meant that an ambulance was sent to the wrong location but Constable Arnold quickly found the boy, who had stopped breathing, and began work to resuscitate him, with the help of a doctor who arrived at the scene, until the paramedics arrived.

Detective Constable James Butler also received a commendation for saving the life of a motorcyclist following a crash on the Mountain Road in June 2013. His calm actions in administering first aid ensured the man survived.

Constable Steve Lapsley was presented with Isle of Man Newspapers’ Community Police Officer of the Year award for his work in the Pulrose and Anagh Coar estates include establishing a community council which uses Facebook to communicate with the public, doing excellent work in Manor Park School and making a genuine difference to the proud people of the two estates by giving them a voice.

‘He is a deserving winner of this award,’ the Chief Constable’s citation reads.

Constable Lapsley also received a commendation from the Chief Constable for saving the life of a man who attempted suicide in December last year. He smashed the window of a car that had been parked in a remote and disused car park, dragged the apparently lifeless man from the vehicle and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Special Constable Andy Culshaw received a certificate of merit and civilian Max Christian was commended for their part in saving the life of a young woman suffering from mental health problems who had jumped into Ramsey harbour in January this year.

The weather was cold and inclement, with heavy rain falling and a strong wind blowing. The harbour was half full of water.

Mr Christian, who was nearby, saw what the young woman had done and, without thought for his own safety, jumped in and swam to the young woman, who had gone beneath the water.

Special Constable Culshaw had seen both people jump in and showing quick thinking, he was able to help make available ropes and a buoy, which allowed him to help Mr Christian, who had taken hold of the young woman, and pull her from the water.

Sergeant Andy McKillop and Constable Dave Baker received an award from the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire for pulling a man from a burning first floor flat in Woodbourne Road, Douglas, in May 2012.

He was taken to hospital for treatment for severe smoke inhalation. ‘There is little doubt that they saved his life,’ the Chief Constable’s citation reads.

Detectives were also awarded for their investigative skills.

Detective Constables Kate Crompton and Emily Perkins, together with prosecutor Linda Watts, received a commendation for their role in the successful prosecution of maths teacher Davoud Taghinejad who was jailed for 15 years in prison in February this year after being found guilty by a jury of one rape and 10 sexual assaults.

Detective Constable Kate Crompton also received a commendation, alongside Detective Constable Nick Haxby, for care, compassion and excellence in investigation in the Sandcastles nursery sex abuse inquiry. Andrew James Maddrell, aged 24, who used to be employed as a nursery worker at the kindergarten, pleaded guilty to an offence of indecent assault against a three-year-old child and to possessing 232 indecent images of children.

More controversially perhaps, Detective Inspector Iain MacMillan and Detective Constables Jamie Tomlinson, Ian Harrison and Emily Perkins received a commendation for their role in Operation Leopard, the inquiry into perjury allegations against the Attorney General Stephen Harding. Mr Harding was formally found not guilty of the charges after juries at his trial, and subsequent retrial, failed to reach a verdict.

Constables Mark Kerruish and Darren Wylde received certificates of merit for excellence in investigation into incidents of violence involving players, club officials and spectators, during a football match between Laxey and St John’s United in February last year.

Constables Chris Treanor and Pamela Robinson also received certificates of merit for their skill, care and compassion in dealing with the sudden death of an apparently healthy baby at Noble’s Hospital in January this year.

Certificates of merit were also awarded to Constable Michael Taylor in connection with his work with children in care and to Special Constable Dave Berry, for restraining and subduing a violent offender following a disturbance in Castletown.

Detective Constable James Butler was awarded a commendation for curiosity, quick thinking and detective skill in apprehending two women on suspicion of drug smuggling.

The Curraghs Wildlife Park is holding a falconry weekend on Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27.

Phil Gibbons will be on hand all day to answer questions, give information and host flying demonstrations at 1pm and 3pm.

Previous visits from Phil and his team of flying birds, from Ringside Falconry in Country Durham, have proved popular at the park.

The display features a wide variety of birds of prey from all around the world.

There are two 30-minute flying shows and the chance for the audience to get close to and even be photographed with some of the birds in between performances.

Wildlife Park boss Kathleen Graham said: ‘Phil’s visits are always popular, as well as entertaining and informative. It is a chance not only to see these wonderful birds, but to learn about them and the skills of falconry.’

The Steam Packet = is helping out by assisting with Phil’s travel to the island with his birds.

Money Week editor-in-chief Merryn Somerset Webb has sparked a new debate on the question of whether the Isle of Man is a tax haven or not.

Last week Business News reported how the FT columnist believes the island is a tax haven even though it was pointed out to her that UK PM David Cameron has said in the House of Commons that it is not.

She made her comments after addressing a breakfast briefing at the Mount Murray.

Now influential business writer Merryn has written a blog called ‘The Isle of Man: a tax haven or not a tax haven.’

She writes: ‘I’m in trouble. When I was in the Isle of Man (IOM) last week I was cornered by a nice man from the Isle of Man Examiner who asked me various questions I can’t now remember about my views on the IOM. It seems that I referred to it as a tax haven. I meant this kindly. I thought that being a tax haven was a good thing. Apparently not.

‘The article [in the Examiner] goes on to stress that even David Cameron has said that the island can no longer be considered a tax haven.’

She adds: ‘One of my new friends from the IOM has been in touch to say that the IOM is better considered a “low-taxed financial centre” in that it is accepted by the IMF and the OECD, and has hordes of tax agreements on disclosure regarding non-residents of the IOM.

‘The OECD (in November 2011) even released a Tax Transparency Report assessing over 50 jurisdictions, and found the Isle of Man to be one of eight countries to be fully compliant in all main areas with no significant improvements required.

‘I think this might a problem of vocabulary.

‘For me, the phrase ‘‘tax haven’’ doesn’t automatically suggest any kind of dishonesty or evasion (although I accept it often includes it), just avoidance. And if you are resident in the IOM instead of, say, the UK, you can avoid one hell of a lot of tax.

‘There is no capital gains tax, there is no inheritance tax, there is no corporation tax, there is no stamp duty, and income tax comes in very low indeed: the top rate is 20 per cent. It is also capped at £120,000. No one pays more.

‘The island also looks pretty good in economic terms. It has 29 years of GDP growth behind it, and no debt. So it’s a great haven from all sorts of things where you can also pay a great deal less tax than elsewhere. A tax haven or not a tax haven?’