Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood officially opened the Isle of Man Art Society’s Easter exhibition at the Villa Marina Arcade.

Guests attending the opening night on Wednesday had a chance to see the work of more than 100 artists who are exhibiting more than 400 paintings, which have never been publicly displayed or put on sale before.

Most of the paintings will be available to buy and, for the first time at the event, there is a craft section featuring 3D artworks such as wood carving, ceramics, jewellery and gift cards.

The exhibition runs until April 25 and is open daily from 10am and 5pm in the Villa Marina Arcade, except April 25 when it will be open from 10am until 1pm.

Mr Wood was given a guided tour of artworks on display by Isle of Man Art Society chairman David Sayle, the society’s education officer and committee member Peter Hepworth, and Manx Telecom data centres director Stuart Paul.

The phone company is sponsoring it.

In his speech to officially open the exhibition, His Excellency spoke about the wealth of artistic talent which the island has, and how he has seen local artists progress in the four years he has attended the event.

Also attending the opening night was renowned Manx artist David Byrne.

During the exhibition raffle tickets will be on sale every day to win his watercolour painting of Old Kirk Braddan Church.

It is on display and the raffle will be drawn on Friday, April 25.

There is a second prize of £50.

Byrne is Manx-born and has lived on the island all his life and began painting in 1956.

Working mostly in watercolours and pastels exhibiting landscapes and seascapes regularly in local shows and galleries, his work has also been exhibited by the Royal Institute of Watercolour Painters in London.

The Pastel Society and The Royal Cambrian Academy in Wales. He also occasionally exhibits work featuring subjects painted on holiday - Venice being a favourite venue - but, according to a press statement from the Art Society, mostly he is inspired by the Isle of Man and its ‘Manxness’.

He is presently vice-president of the Isle of Man Art Society.

Entry to the exhibition costs £1.50 which includes a catalogue of paintings. For more information {www.isleofmanartsociety.com/easter-exhibition-2014|click here.}

Pictured: Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood at the opening night of the Isle of Man Art Society’s Easter Art Exhibition at the Villa Marina Arcade. With him, left to right, are Peter Hepworth, Art Society education officer and committee member; David Sayle, Art Society chairman; and Stuart Paul, Manx Telecom data centres director

Nearly 2,000 people in rural Africa have access to clean water thanks to the efforts of a Kirk Michael charity worker.

Forty-five-year-old Fams Camara, founder of the charity Mannin Africa Sponsors International, bidded for funding to drill a new borehole in his childhood village in the Gambia.

Around 1,800 villagers now have access to plentiful clean drinking water following a donation of £6,000 from the Isle of Man International Development Committee.

After moving to the island with his Manx-born wife in 1995, Mr Camara established Mann in Africa Sponsors International to give children in the Gambia the chance of an education through sponsorship. He explained that the charity’s goals expanded to include supplying drinking water to villages with boreholes after a trip to his childhood home:

‘They were digging and there was hardly any water coming out - it was literally just a hole with a tyre around it, and I thought ‘what is the solution to this?’

‘We were only talking about five to six thousand pounds for 50 years of guaranteed safe and clean water’.

He recently spent four days in the village to oversee the digging of the new borehole and construction of the well:

‘The whole village came out to welcome us and express just how much this means to them, it was very emotional.

‘They were saying “Now we are not digging in vain – our children and grandchildren have a future”.

@One of the oldest guys in the village came up to me and said ‘I never thought this would happen in my lifetime.’

He also distributed football shirts and balls donated by Charles Turner from Intersport and team shorts, socks and goalkeeper shirts donated by Ramsey Sports and Leisure.

A number of Gambian villages and schools also benefited from clothing and pens donated by RL360°.

Mr Camara said: ‘Just £50 a year pays for a child’s school fees and uniforms.

‘There are so many children we would like to help.’

For more information about the charity, telephone the One World Centre on 800464.

The former co-ordinator of the shopmobility and volunteering charity CIRCA (Centre for Information Resource Care and Assistance) is again to head up the organisation after returning to the island following a period of working in the UK.

Kerry Bell held the position for five years before taking up an appointment in Cambridge as co-ordinator of volunteers for Anglia Ruskin University. After working there for over a year she returned to the Island and has been appointed centre manager.

CIRCA chair Margaret Brown said: ‘During Kerry’s absence Maureen Crawford - who had previously been Kerry’s assistant - stepped into the role and we are extremely grateful for the dedication she showed. However, she is now going into semi-retirement and when we advertised for a new manager Kerry was subsequently appointed.

‘We are really pleased that Kerry has accepted the appointment. The charity wants to increase both its profile and services and we are certain that with her past experience and enthusiasm Kerry will drive the charity forward.’

Kerry said: ‘I am delighted to be back at CIRCA and looking forward very much to working with Government departments, voluntary organisations, private companies and all members of the Island community. I will be promoting the charity positively and proactively to give the best service possible.’

CIRCA is based at the Chester Street car park in Douglas (level 2).

It was established 20 years ago to offer assistance to Manx charities by providing information on areas relating to health and welfare.

Since then it has developed a shopmobility scheme, whereby machinery such as wheelchairs, electric scooters, and walking aids are available for hire. It also acts as a volunteer service which aims to direct would-be volunteers to the organisations most suited to their particular skills and interests.

A further element relates to the compilation of a data base containing details of charities currently operating in the island.

The government’s youth service is looking for more staff.

It offers a wide range of positive activities for young people aged eight to 21, seven days a week.

Indoor and outdoor sessions not only teach young people new sports, skills and crafts but offer them a place to meet, socialise and obtain support and guidance.

Ken Callister, principal youth officer, says a network of hard-working and skilled youth workers keep sessions running 38 weeks of the year but there’s a need to boost the number of supply staff assisting at weekends, so sessions can continue.

The Department of Education and Children is advertising vacancies for supply staff and is keen to talk to anyone who thinks they might fit the bill.

‘Friday nights and Saturdays are important nights for young people as they are generally free of school work and are looking to engage in activities, but those are also the times when adults have family and social commitments of their own and can’t spare the time to assist at our projects and sessions,’ Ken said.

‘It won’t be for everyone but we are looking for a particular type of dedicated individual who is willing to work with young people at times other people may find anti-social.

‘You don’t need any particular experience or qualifications – just an interest in spending quality time with young people.

‘We have a dedicated team of youth workers-in-charge who are the backbone to this service and they will support anyone thinking of offering their help.’

The youth service runs more than 100 sessions at week at 30 venues and interacts with 3,000 young people.

A recent survey of 11- to 18-year-olds, conducted by the Youth Service on behalf of the Children’s Services Partnership – which consists of the departments of Health and Social Care, Education and Children, Economic Development, the third sector and the police – showed seven in 10 take part in organised, adult-led activities at evenings and weekends.

Applicants for supply posts must be over 18 and will require a successful Police check prior to starting work.

To discuss becoming a supply youth worker, ring the Youth Service on 686057 and to apply for a post, visit {www.jobtrain.co.uk/iomgovjobs/displayjob.aspx?jobid=131|here}.

The Villa Marina is set to rock to the strains of the popular band Queen at the end of May.

International hit show Rhapsody Queen has toured around the world with its performance which includes the greatest hits from the band.

The show has played to sell-out audiences in threatres, concert halls and some of the biggest rock festivals around the world, and will visit the Isle of Man for one night only.

Included in the show are many of the best loved performances, including the famous Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, We Are The Champions, Another One Bites the Dust, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, and many more from the band’s extensive repertoire.

Described as one of the world’s top Queen tribute shows, so far, it has played to rapturous audiences and attracted excellent reviews describing it as ‘first class’, ‘a fantastic show that will never be forgotten’ and ‘This is witheout doubt the best Queen tribute band we have everheard, nothing compares to the look and sound of Rhapsody.’

Organisers are advising people to book early to avoid disappointment.

Rhapsody Queen is on at the Villa Marina on Saturday May 31. Tickets cost £20 with concessions priced at £18.

Book at www.villagaiety.com or by calling the box office on 600555. For information call the Villa on 694500.

With the outbreak of war in 1914 many thousands of German, Austrian and Turkish civilians living in Britain found themselves regarded with suspicion as enemy aliens.

Within weeks of the outbreak of war the Aliens Restriction Act was passed, curtailing their movements and in September 1914 the first internees arrived on the Isle of Man, to be housed in the requisitioned Cunningham’s Camp.

As their numbers grew, a purpose-built camp was established at Knockaloe near Peel, which would ultimately house some 25,000 men.

People with an interest in this area are possibly aware of the work of James T. Baily, a Quaker teacher who set up industrial workshops within Knockaloe Camp to provide the internees with something productive to occupy their time – the production of bone vases, wooden craftwork and metal work.

Less well known, however, is the work of those who came to minister to the internees and to attend to their spiritual welfare.

The importance of religion to the internees should not be underestimated; in those days strong religious belief was more widespread anyway, but in a time of great personal and emotional turmoil (as many of those who were interned undoubtedly experienced) religious faith could be an important source of inner strength.

In the early days of the First World War, the commandant of the Douglas Salvation Army, Major John T. Bourne obtained the permission of the Lieutenant Governor Lord Raglan, and subsequently also that of the camp commandant Colonel Madoc, to enter Douglas camp and preach to the interned men, accompanied by a fellow Salvationist who spoke German.

He wrote of his visit afterwards: ‘On arrival at the camp for the first meeting we were told it was necessary for us to have an escort.

‘We expressed our thanks, but gave assurance that we would rather go amongst the men without an escort.

‘We went forth with confidence in the name of God and The Army.

‘A strange silence seemed to prevail in the camp and amidst the many tents, and very few men were to be seen. We climbed a little mound, and after standing a few moments I suggested that the captain give a call in the German tongue.

‘From the right and left men came rushing from the tents. To my great surprise a number had open razors in their hands. But after a moment of suspense, the Captain whispered “All’s well!”

‘We had arrived as the men were performing their morning toilet, and a number were shaving.’

Bourne continued his ministrations for the remainder of his time on the Isle of Man.

Meanwhile, a similar service was being rendered on the other side of the Island by a Catholic priest from St Mary’s Douglas, Father Thomas Crookall, who ministered to the inhabitants of Knockaloe.

Crookall had been parish priest at St Mary’s since 1902.

When he died in 1937 his obituary recorded that: ‘So closely did he endear himself to those thousands of Catholic prisoners that right down through the ages letters of thanks kept pouring into St Mary’s Presbytery from men who benefitted by his ministrations and kindness during internment – each letter a testimony to the help and comfort he brought to those in sore affliction and in need of spiritual counsel.’

The ciborium used by Thomas Crookall to hold bread whilst performing Holy Communion in Knockaloe may be seen at the Manx Museum, as part of the exhibition ‘This Terrible Ordeal’. It also features in the book of the same name, published by Manx National Heritage.

A new cycle lane and pedestrian refuges in the centre, are the major changes to Peel Road, which is now nearing the end of its major upgrade.

Construction manager for the DOI Gary Saunders said the refuges should help pedestrians to cross and also improve safety on the road, which is expected to be completed around 10 weeks ahead of schedule at the end of this month.

‘There are still bits to finish off but once it’s all complete I think drivers will be happy,’ he said.

Parts of the new cycle lane, where it meets junctions are to be coloured green so it stands out for drivers and cyclists. In addition, line and chevron painting still has to be completed, marking lanes out more clearly for drivers. New traffic lights will also be installed at the Brown Bobby and Pulrose Bridge junctions, and by MacDonalds.

The new cycle lane runs at the side of the road from the Brown Bobby to Quarterbridge and moves on to the pavement between the firestation and Quarterbridge.

A new central refuge by the west entrance to Hills Meadow industrial estate means traffic can no longer turn right into or out of the estate.

Mr Saunders said traffic turning right into Hills Meadow had been involved in a number of accidents over the years and right turning traffic emerging from the estate often took time to find a gap while queues built up behind.

Instead, right turners can now enter and exit the east entrance nearer to the Brown Bobby, which has been widened allowing left turners leaving the estate to pass at the side of cars waiting to turn right. The east entrance is also further away from the busy Pulrose Bridge junction.

Cars leaving Douglas and turning at Pulrose Bridge will have to cross the cycle lane to filter left but Mr Saunders said the different coloured tarmac should alert drivers to look out for cyclists.

‘It’s a standard design used in the UK,’ he said.

‘If cyclists are turning left they will use the footpath and for those going straight on towards Quarterbridge there is a reservoir (a box marked in green at the front of the queue) by the traffic lights.

‘Once people can see the green coloured surfaces they will understand how it all works,’ he said.

‘There’s still more painting to be done and some hatching for the third lane.’

As well as the new refuge by Hills Meadow, there are additional ones by the Brown Bobby and McDonald’s which, he said are mainly for pedestrian safety: ‘We have put them in near pedestrian areas like bus stops,’ he said.

Traffic heading west, straight along Peel Road will find a slight chicane as they pass through Pulrose Bridge traffic lights - similar to that for traffic heading south past the end of Groves Road - created by extra traffic islands.

With the fire station on Peel Road and the hospital nearby at Braddan, fears that emergency vehicles could be baulkedby the extra refuges have been dismissed.

‘If drivers behave as they should and pull well in onto the cycle lane, vehicles should be able to pass and emergency vehicles can also pass the other side of the refuges if need be. It doesn’t cause a problem in the UK,’ he said.

The scheme, which was originally scheduled to take 80 weeks, has benefited from the mild winter, ending early despite some delays from the heavy snow a year ago and the sometimes torrential rain.

A charity set up to provide support to bereaved parents has expanded its remit to reach out to more families.

A Little Bit of Hope was set up by Port Erin mum Helen Sheppard in 2012 in memory of her daughter Hope, who was stillborn the previous year.

For the first two years, the charity concentrated on raising money for parents in the island who lost children aged up to 16 to help with the costs of funerals and headstones.

But from now, support is being widened to include parents who have lost children aged 16 to 21 without life insurance.

In addition, A Little Bit of Hope is now fundraising for parents who have children with physical or mental disabilities who need help purchasing items to help with their needs in the home.

And they are now raising much needed funds to help parents whose children need treatment in UK hospitals with the costs of travel and other expenses.

Helen explained: ‘Since we started we’ve spoken to a number of parents and had a number come to us, with issues which we couldn’t help with.

‘It wasn’t just one, it was a few times, so we saw a need on the island for the changes.’

She said the charity’s first two years had been well supported by local residents and companies: ‘We have definitely grown as a charity.

‘We want to try and help parents.’

Their next fundraising event is an Easter baby boot sale, taking place at All Saints Church hall, in Douglas, tomorrow (Saturday), from 2pm to 4pm. As well as stalls, there will be a children’s fancy dress contest and a guess the name of the Easter bunny competition.

The charity is keen to hear from anyone interested in walking the Parish Walk for them in June. Anyone interested should call Helen on 378284.

For more details about the charity go to {http://smellslikeporridge.wix.com/alittlepieceofhope|here}.

The most-read story on our site last week was about the predicted collapse of the island’s National Insurance fund.

The story also attracted a lot of comments from readers concerned about what would happen to their pensions.

Two parts of our three-part series from John Callister, who has told of his struggle on the dole in the island, are also in the list.

Pubs also seem to interest our readers.

A plan for the old Douglas Hotel on the North Quay and the end of the Farmers’ Arms in St John’s made the top 10.

Meanwhile, the fire at Jaks was also a big draw to the site.

Each week around 150 stories, including business, sport and district news, are uploaded to iomtoday.co.im.

These were the most-read stories from April 13 to 19:

1. {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/expecting-a-state-pension-the-island-s-national-insurance-fund-is-forecast-to-collapse-in-20-years-time-1-6562945|National Insurance fund forecast to collapse}

2. {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/woman-bitten-by-false-widow-at-amenity-site-1-6568306|Woman bitten by false widow at amenity site}

3. {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/what-s-on/manx-entertainment-news/filming-on-spooks-starts-in-the-isle-of-man-this-week-1-6562897|Filming on Spooks starts this week}

4. {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/frogman-has-to-help-to-remove-car-from-the-sea-1-6560876|Frogman helps remove car from sea 3,189}

5. {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/at-last-a-new-lease-of-life-for-historical-pub-1-6560898|At last, a new lease of life for historical pub}

6. {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/everyday-expenses-become-hardest-costs-to-bear-1-6552407|Everyday expenses become hardest costs to bear}

7. {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/last-call-for-the-farmers-arms-as-historic-building-is-demolished-1-6552921|Last call for Farmers’ Arms as building is demolished}

There’s video of the demolition of the Farmers’ Arms {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/with-video-farmers-arms-disappears-in-a-single-day-1-6565117|here}

8. {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/pointing-finger-at-unemployed-brings-shame-on-government-1-6556632|Pointing finger at unemployed brings shame on government}

9. {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/a-e-staff-fear-for-their-safety-1-6564959|A&E staff fear for their safety}

10.{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/fire-hit-jaks-hopes-to-re-open-some-time-over-the-weekend-1-6565943|Fire-hit Jaks hopes to re-open over weekend}

The island’s public health director has admitted he was never impressed with the influenza drug Tamiflu.

It comes after a major study into the drug claimed last week that it does nothing to halt the spread of flu and caused potentially serious complications.

Similar to governments around the world, the island stockpiled the drug in 2006-07 at a cost of about £250,000 due to the threat of bird flu spreading from the Far East, where nearly half of people infected died.

While that threat didn’t materialise, it was used to treat residents with swine flu, a milder condition, that hit the island in 2009.

Dr Parameswaran Kishore said: ‘I was never impressed with the drug.

‘The main complications were mothers of children saying: “He wasn’t too bad until you gave it to him. You made him worse. He had a fever and was coughing and now he’s throwing everything up”.

‘We had to stop the drug in several cases because of severe vomiting. After that when we gave it to children we’d say to the parents if their child gets quite sick just stop after a dose or two.’

In addition, he said it was found the drug had ‘limited effectiveness’.

He said while the study ‘more or less confirmed his suspicions’ there was no systematic study into the effectiveness of Tamiflu in the island.

Dr Kishore explained: ‘Countries around the world stockpiled Tamiflu, some countries had enough for 60 per cent of the population, we stockpiled enough for 25 per cent as that was the maximum expected hit rate.

‘There were demands we should be stockpiling for 100 per cent of the population which we managed to resist. That would have been a waste of money.’

Researchers from The Cochrane Collaboration found Tamiflu only cut flu-like symptoms from seven days to 6.3 days and there was no evidence of a reduction in hospital admissions. Eight children who took the drug in Japan committed suicide after suffering psychotic episodes.

Other side effects included kidney problems, vomiting and headaches.

Roche, the drug’s Swiss manufacturer, ‘fundamentally disagrees’ with the report’s findings.

The Department of Health no longer stocks the drug.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/patients-with-suspected-swine-flu-should-phone-their-gp-1-1794044|Warnings were given to Manx patients about Tamiflu in 2009}

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/uk-news/review-raises-question-over-tamiflu-1-6552122|Doubts emerge over Tamiflu}

The pension supplement could be ditched, the Isle of Man Examiner has learned.

It is one of the options being considered by politicians who are looking at ways to tackle the Isle of Man’s impending National Insurance fund crisis, which we reported {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/expecting-a-state-pension-the-island-s-national-insurance-fund-is-forecast-to-collapse-in-20-years-time-1-6562945|here} last week.

The Examiner reports on a number of different options which are being considered.

The main story on page 1 is a story about a campaigner who’s planning to petition Tynwald to introduce tougher regulations in animal welfare amid concerns about puppy dealers.

The paper also reports:

>The latest on Callow’s Yard. Commissioners in Castletown believe a solution to the planning wrangle is close.

>How a court dealt with the discovery of Viking artefacts.

>Peel’s sewage problems. The government is aiming to meet 1976 standards, not modern ones, causing anger in the town.

>St George’s FA Cup Final win.

>A plan to introduce a fleet of battery-powered bicycles.

>What’s in store for the newly-restored Quirk’s Croft cottage in Cregneash.

>Haven Homes’ plan for 23 new houses.

>A heritage centre plan for the north of the island

>The Easter Festival of Running

The island’s favourite newspaper includes Terry Cringle’s column and his look at days gone by, the letters page and the action-packed sports section, Final Whistle.

It’s on sale now.

An Onchan woman will sing whilst dressed as a lobster in aid of Hospice at this year’s Manx Music Festival.

Susan Gibson will perform ‘Under the Sea’ from Disney’s Broadway musical ‘The Little Mermaid’ on May 1.

Susan said: ‘Last year both my father and grandmother needed hospice care at the end of their lives.

‘I want people in the Isle of Man to be able to have help from Hospice if they need it.

‘Hospice has to raise £3.5 million every year to maintain their existing services.

‘My fundraising is just a drop in the ocean.’

Susan is aiming to raise £1,000 through donations to her JustGiving webpage online.

‘I have been practising my scales with my singing teacher for a few weeks and that is really helping me with my tuna-ing,’ said Susan.

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/Susan-Gibson2

The Manx Music Festival takes place from Friday, April 25 to Saturday, May 3, most events are at the Royal Hall in the Villa Marina.

The Festival is more commonly known as ‘The Guild’.

For more information on the festival visit their webpage at www.manxmusicfestival.org

A man has been rescued by a specialist rope team from the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service after the car he was driving became stuck 20 feet down a ravine.

The incident happened near to Conrhenny Equestrian Centre around midday, when three vehicles from Douglas Fire Station were called to the scene.

The man, who had managed to get out of the car, was lifted to safety once crews arrived. He was found to be in a stable condition but was taken to Noble’s Hospital for checks.

A petition for redress of grievance is the topic for consideration by a special meeting of Douglas Borough Council this week.

The petition from David Buttery was presented to Tynwald in July 2009 on the subject of replacing the current domestic rating system with a fair local services tax.

Councillors will be considering a report on the matter produced by the borough treasurer. The report was compiled at the request of the deputy clerk of Tynwald. The report will then be put forward for consideration by a special committee of Tynwald appointed to consider and report back on the petition. The meeting will be on Friday, April 25, in the council chambers at Douglas town hall.

A series of workshops organised by Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce are helping members keep up to date with the latest advice on issues such as work permits, industrial relations and health and safety.

The Chamber’s CPD (Continuing Professional Development) workshops create an opportunity for employers to get valuable insights from leading experts on matters which affect all business sectors in the island.

Jane Dellar, chief executive of the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce, said: ‘The feedback we have received from members who have attended our CPD Workshops has been overwhelmingly positive.

‘Subjects covered in recent workshops include work permits, industrial relations and what employers can do about the misuse of social media by employees.

‘We’ve focused on topics that affect all employers but it’s been driven for the smaller business that may not have specialist legal or HR departments.

‘Our speakers have been from Government, as well as the private sector, who have given their time freely and I’d like to thank them for sharing their expertise’.

Colin Coole, HR manager at Capital International Group, said: ‘The workshops are a great initiative set up by Chamber.

‘Their content covers real issues faced by employers on a day-to-day basis, across a range of subjects.

‘Workshops are focused on delivering practical and relevant information to all sectors of the island’s business community.

‘Each session lasts one to two hours and the low cost allows all sizes of business to benefit.

‘I would like to congratulate the team at Chamber and the expert presenters, as well as encourage others to take advantage of these welcome opportunities.’

All of the workshops are held at the at Chamber’s offices at Athol House, Athol Street, Douglas.

For more information about becoming a member of the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce go to www.iomchamber.org.im or call 674941.

A man was beaten up during a disturbance in Douglas in the early hours of Easter Day.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which they believe involved several men.

It took place on Central Promenade, Douglas, on the seaward walkway between the bottom of King Edward Road and the Palace Hotel at about 1am.

A police spokesman said: ‘One Douglas man received serious injuries, including fractures, having apparently gone to the aid of a friend involved in the disturbance.’

Police would like to speak to anyone who may have been present, or who witnessed the incident.

Contact Lord Street police station on 631212.

Health bosses say that they have a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards violence and aggression towards staff.

Their comments come after last week’s Manx Independent revealed concerns among staff.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/a-e-staff-fear-for-their-safety-1-6564959|Click here to see the paper’s front page story}

The move follows the conviction of a patient who attended Accident and Emergency (A&E) at Noble’s Hospital last year and went on to assault two members of staff while experiencing hallucinations under the influence of drugs.

To read the Manx Independent’s story in full, {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/a-e-medics-fear-for-their-safety-1-6565130|click here.}

For more on the department’s response, see this week’s Manx Independent. On sale on Thursday.

The May 5 deadline for submitting contractor’s and employer’s tax returns is looming.

If the Income Tax Division has not received the tax returns for the year ended April 5, 2014, by May 5, a £250 penalty will be charged. Contractors and employers may also be liable to a penalty charge of £50 per day for each day that the return continues to remain outstanding, starting from the day after that on which the £250 penalty is charged. Even if the penalties are paid, the tax returns must still be submitted and the contractor or employer may be prosecuted for failing to do so.

Employers can submit their tax return online.

Anyone who is interested in doing so should register for Government Online Services and then follow the link to enrol for Income Tax Services.

To register they should go to {www.gov.im/onlineservices|this site} and select ‘Income Tax’ where video guides to assist in completion of the registration and enrolment process and completion of the return can also be viewed.

Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer can find out everything they need to know at monthly drop-in sessions starting today (Friday).

The sessions are being organised by Fostering First, which is responsible for foster care across the island and part of The Children’s Centre charity.

Currently, there are 50 registered foster carers in the island – but more are needed to provide long-term care, short-term support for children who eventually return home, and respite care for families that have children with specific needs. All of the monthly drop-in sessions will be held at Bourne House, 97 Woodbourne Road, Douglas, which is the headquarters for Fostering First.

The first one is today from 10am to 1pm.

Nigel Howard, the deputy manager at Fostering First, said: ‘The drop-in sessions are very relaxed and informal and an ideal opportunity for anyone who is thinking about becoming a foster carer to come along, have a chat with our experienced team and current foster carers, and raise any questions they have.

‘We would never pretend that becoming a foster carer is an easy decision to make, but it can also be incredibly rewarding for foster carers to see a child flourish in life because of the loving environment they have provided.

‘Of course, we are always happy to hear from anyone interested in becoming a foster carer at any time, but the monthly drop-in sessions offer an opportunity to come and talk to us in person and give us more time to cover all of the issues which potential foster carers will want to discuss.’

Foster carers can come from a wide range of backgrounds and it’s not essential for them to have parenting experience. However, some experience and knowledge of children is beneficial.

What all foster carers must be is caring and understanding, and possess the ability and desire to help a child grow emotionally. Foster carers must be over 21 (there is no upper age limit), and they can be married, divorced or single, or co-habiting. It does not matter whether or not they own their own home.

All foster carers (especially those new to fostering) receive training, help, and support from Fostering First as well as financial remuneration to cover the expenses of caring for a child.

There are several types of fostering. Short term fostering may be for a few weeks to several months, and includes providing emergency care when a child needs to be looked after at short notice; and short breaks for children with disabilities.

Long term fostering is for when a child is unable to return home; and Friends and Family Foster Care is when a relative or family friend becomes a foster carer for a child who cannot be looked after by their parents.

Dates and times for drop-in sessions in the coming months are May 23, 10am-1pm; June 26, 5pm-7.30pm; July 25, 10am-1pm; August 29, 10am-1pm; September 25 - 5pm-7.30pm; October 24, 10am-1pm; November 21 - 10am -1pm; December 12 - 10am-1pm.

To find out more about fostering just attend one of the drop-in sessions or contact Fostering First, Family Placement Services, Bourne House, 97 Woodbourne Road, Douglas, or call 631947, or email fosteringfirst@thechildrenscentre.org.im

THE first truly Manx lager to be brewed on the island in years is to be launched by Bushy’s in the summer.

Brewery owner Martin Brunnschweiler confirmed to the Examiner that for strategic reasons the company would be adding a lager to its portfolio of ales and bitters.

‘The first trial batch of lager was tested at the Rover’s [Return in Douglas]. It is a superb beer, although possibly a little too flavoursome at the moment,’ said Mr Brunnschweiler.

He is not going public with the name of the new lager until it is officially launched.

The new beer will strictly comply with the Manx Pure Beer Act.

‘It will also be 100 per cent natural ingredients, which I hope will be a selling point,’ said the brewer who is well known around the island for his bottle-shaped customised Citroen and the Bushy’s TT tent.

‘If the lager takes off, as I’m hopeful it will, we might have to invest in some more equipment,’ he added.

This will not be a first for Bushy’s, which is now approaching its 30th anniversary. In the early 1990s it produced a lager called TT Pilsner which won a Campaign for Real Ale award.

Despite the beer having a ‘loyal following’, according to Mr Brunnschweiler, it was discontinued because the brewery did not have sufficient capacity then to produce the lager along with its ales, he said.

Raised in Blackburn in Lancashire, Mr Brunnschweiler started his working life as a chef – the trade enabling him to achieve his then primary objective of travelling the world on a working holiday.

In 1984, having just returned to the UK from Australia, he was asked by his sister Nicky, who was living on the Isle of Man, to help out by making snacks at the pub she had just taken over: Bushy’s Bar, on Douglas’s Victoria Street, previously Zhivago’s Bar.

‘I had jet lag. I hadn’t got a job sorted out yet and she asked me to help out over the weekend – nearly 30 years later and I’m still here.’

It wasn’t long before he was brewing in the cellar of the old pub.

‘It was literally a big home brew kit – it was just to test the market.’

In 1986 it was decided to set up a mini brewery in the basement, brewing Old Bushy Tail.

While working in London Mr Brunnschweiler had been impressed by the Firkin chain of pubs which brewed beer on the premises (the original UK chain is now defunct but a number of pubs operate under the Firkin name in other countries).

‘After a few months, once I realised that I would be running the bar with Nicky, I thought that the Firkin brewpub concept would be something to try.’

They had some help from a neighbour who was a retired brewer.

The following years saw business boom, and encouraged by this the company decided to buy another pub – The Rover’s Return (formerly the Albion, behind Douglas Town Hall) and expand the brewery which was practically at full stretch at this point.

The merger of Okell’s and Castletown breweries created a few free houses as they sold off the surplus pubs.

‘It meant that there were suddenly an additional two dozen potential free houses out there. That’s what spurred me to expand the brewery in 1990.’

A fully fledged brewery was established new Mount Murray in 1990.

A ‘proper’ brewer was brought in. Originally Davey Jones – a Londoner whose background was with the Firkin chain, and later Ian Caines – a Yorkshireman whose experience with Clark’s Brewery of Wakefield.

Under the current brewer, Neil ‘Curly’ Convery, the brewery has gone from from strength to strength, said Mr Brunnschweiler.

At one point he was running five pubs – either owned or leased: Bushy’s on Victoria Street, Rover’s Return, Tardis (now the Outback), Hop Garden and the Sidings.

Nowadays, Mr Brunnschweiler is involved only in the brewing.

Rival brewer Heron and Brearley brewed its own lager – Cooil – a few years ago. But it was discontinued after poor sales.