The election result for Ramsey Commissioners is now in.

Ramsey is divided into two wards, with good news for Liberal Vannin in one, but disappointment in the other.

RAMSEY NORTH: Seven candidates for six seats. 40.87 per cent turnout (compared with 47.54 [er cent in 2008)

Elected:

(Dr) Alexander John Allinson, St Olave’s Rectory, St Olave’s Close, Ramsey, General Practitioner (sitting member). 916 votes.

Lawrie Lee Hooper, Mount Auldyn, Ramsey, accountant. 333 votes (Lib Vannin).

Graham Steward Jones, Ormly Grove, Ramsey, retired chartered architect.555 votes.

John David McDonough of Greenlands View, Ramsey, civil servant. 278 votes.

Nigel Howard Malpass Clifton Drive, Ramsey, International Marine Consultant (sitting member). 444 votes.

Wilfred George Young, Young’s Yard, Derby Road, Ramsey, haulage contractor (sitting member).586 votes.

Not elected: Christopher Mayers, Balleigh Court, Ramsey, traffic consultant. 258 votes.

RAMSEY SOUTH: Seven candidates for six seats. 23.9 per cent turn out (compared with 41.2 per cent in 2008)

Elected:

Sylvia Patricia Beattie, Yew Tree Apartments, Walpole Drive, Ramsey, retired (sitting member) - 415 votes.

Huard Steven Bevan, Greenlands Avenue, Ramsey, I.T. Consultant (sitting member) - 402 votes.

Anthony John Harmer, King’s Court, Ramsey. Retired School Teacher / Retailer -335 votes.

Geoffrey Keith Quayle, The Oaks, Lezayre Road, Ramsey, retired bank manager (sitting member) - 356 votes

Richard Radcliffe, Park Road, Ramsey, investment manager (sitting member) – 444 votes.

Stephen William Rand, Tides Reach, Queen’s Drive West, Ramsey, retailer – 437 votes.

Not elected: Patrick Stephen Ayres, Brookfield Crescent, Ramsey, self employed (Lib Vannin) – 178 votes.

Douglas Council leader David Christian has topped the poll in Hills ward with 960 votes.

He and fellow sitting member Carol Malarkey (633) were returned, along with new face Eddie Joyce, who polled 876 votes.

Kevin Oliphant-Smith was the candidate who missed out with 395 votes.

Hills is one of four three-member wards in Douglas where there was an election today.

It’s a double celebration for Mrs Malarkey, as her husband Bill, who lost his seat as Douglas South MHK last year, is back in politics, as a councillor in Murray’s ward.

He finished third, on 277 votes, behind John Skinner on 414 and Ritchie McNicholl on 327. The unsuccessful candidates were George Campbell, with 234, and Helen Callow, with 182.

In Athol ward the following three were elected: Stanley Colvin Cain, 344, Alan Victor Quirk, 287 and Doreen Kinrade, 251. The unsuccessful candidates were Inkerman Faragher, on 217 votes, and Thomas Michael Gelling, on 209.

In Victoria Ward, David Ashford topped the poll with 228 votes, followed by Raina Chatel on 180 and John Joughin on 174. The unsuccessful candiates were Henry Geoffrey O’Grady, with 162, Richard Kissack with 142 and Karen Angela with 138.

There were no contests in the other two wards: St George’s and Derby.

THE Positive Action Group has given its support to a bill to reform the House of Keys and Legislative Council.

The Electoral Reform Bill 2011, promoted by David Callister MLC, provides for MLCs to be publicly elected on a constituency basis.

And it promotes the idea of eight new constituencies being drawn up – with three MHKs and one MLC being returned by each.

A joint House of Keys and Legislative Council committee was set up in December to consider constitutional principles raised by the bill.

At the latest sitting last Friday, Roger Tomlinson, chairman of the political lobby group, spoke in favour of having directly elected MLCs, saying: ‘If this bill came in it would give more power to the electorate and it would be perceived as extending the democratic power.’

And he said he believed it would also lead to residents taking more of an interest in politics.

Meanwhile, Mr Tomlinson said that having three MHKs per constituency – at present constituencies have either one, two or three – would enable a democratic anomaly to be rectified, leading to equality of representation.

In addition, Mr Tomlinson said that members of LegCo should be eligible to become government ministers – and if they were elected by the public, that would give it a legitimacy.

He acknowledged that were an MLC to be appointed as a minister now ‘there would be somewhat of a mild public outcry at the fact that they were not democratically elected by the public’.

Eddie Lowey MLC, who moved in LegCo for the joint committee to be set up, also gave evidence last week.

He said that having publicly elected MLCs would ‘fundamentally alter the balances and checks that are in place now’.

He added: ‘The Keys, which we now recognise as the legitimate and primary voice, will not be primary any more.’

In addition, Mr Lowey said that not enough weight was being given to the historical links of parishes, constituencies and local loyalties.

He said: ‘I think sometimes, in looking at simply weighing out the electorate into absolute equal numbers, that in itself destroys what I would call localities and history, and I think that is well worth keeping.

‘I am a Manxman, I am proud of our history and our heritage, and I believe that equally gives me concern.’

He said that while he had been part of the ‘charge for reform’, he believed that the pace of reform now needed to slow down.

He added: ‘We are now an international centre based on our system of sound government.’

The committee is chaired by Douglas East MHK Brenda Cannell.

Its members are MHKs Phil Gawne (Rushen), Leonard Singer (Ramsey), and MLCs Phil Braidwood, David Callister and Alex Downie. The bill received its first reading in LegCo in June 2011.

ZAC Hall MHK will discover whether he has been expelled from the Liberal Vannin Party on May 2.

The Onchan representative was suspended from the party on Sunday. The party said then that he would be ‘brought to account’ for failing to adhere to the party’s manifesto.

The May 2 meeting will decide what sanctions to impose. Chairman Roy Redmayne confirmed that could mean he would be expelled from the party.

The news comes after Mr Hall and fellow member for education John Houghton MHK (Douglas North) absented themselves from a crunch debate on pre-school nurseries last week.

In Tynwald last week, Speaker Steve Rodan tabled a motion calling for teacher-led government nurseries to continue but the court voted instead to back Education Minister Peter Karran’s to privatise the pre-school service.

Following a Council of Ministers’ meeting, Mr Hall and Douglas North MHK John Houghton were sacked from the department for breaching the government code on collective responsibility by failing to support Mr Karran.

Then in a statement released on Sunday, Mr Redmayne said: ‘As chairman of the Liberal Vannin Party I have informed Zac Hall that he has been suspended forthwith from the party.

‘The Chief Minister had no other course of action but to dismiss Mr Hall and Mr Houghton from their positions as political members of the Department of Education as their behaviour on the April 17, 2012, was reprehensible and struck at the very heart of our democracy.

‘They had no respect for the debating chamber or the President by making themselves absent from a debate to which they both had responsibility to contribute. What could they have contributed to that debate? They offered no alternative solution to the nursery education scheme, only criticisms to it and had no plan other than to request more money which they knew was not available.

‘The public of the Isle of Man should be under no illusion. Both MHKs, since taking their positions in the Education Department, have continually undermined Mr Karran’s and the chief executive’s efforts to bring about an affordable and universal nursery school service on the Isle of Man.’

Mr Redmayne added: ‘I take exception to claims made in public that Mr Karran was unable to manage his department, after the debates on the 3rd and 17th April. It is self-evident that his political departmental colleagues were way beyond any management control and this led to them being sacked.

‘The Chief Minister called for unity from our politicians in the face of huge financial losses in revenue which will affect not only us but future generations. The Liberal Vannin Party will continue to support the Chief Minister in finding a solution to our current fiscal difficulties, but question those who elected him to office why they cannot support the difficult decisions which have to be made to ensure future generations’ prosperity.

‘The party has to concede that Mr Hall has not performed to the high ideals that we set ourselves when our party was formed six years ago. Mr Hall led us to believe that he supported the party system and would promote our ideals. As a matter of mandatory procedure he signed his acceptance to the Liberal Vannin constitution and national manifesto and was willing to abandon his career as an airline pilot to represent the people of Onchan and Liberal Vannin.

‘I also assure you that Mr Hall will be brought to account for his actions and his failure to adhere to our manifesto.’

The pre-school nurseries issue cost Mr Karran all three of his department’s political members. Dudley Butt MLC resigned over the issue last month.

In a joint statement following their sacking from the department, Mr Hall and Mr Houghton claimed Minister Karran had been badly advised over education cuts – but they admitted that they may have got it wrong by not taking part in last week’s debate.

They said: ‘Despite recording our objection to the proposals, we were horrified that the minister was adamant to take a course of action without the support of any of the departmental members.

‘The minister appeared to show a lack of understanding of the subject matter and the real value of teacher- led nursery opportunities for children and that its withdrawal would result in lower standards. We believed it was a short-sighted, regressive step that will be very hard to reverse in the future and will have a detrimental effect on the progress and attainment of pupils in the long term.’

They added: ‘As we were largely removed from the decision-making process, did the civil service leadership support the Minister of Education and Children sufficiently as they tried to develop options?

‘We do not believe the minister received good advice or support from them. The bureaucratic response to budget reduction was simply to cut non-statutory provision.

‘In fact, informed analytical consideration, not rushed decision, was needed. We were concerned that this decision was being made without first consulting and fully discussing the proposals with teachers and head teachers who would be affected by the changes.

‘They were left largely on their own to shoulder the burden of parents’ anger and concerns about a policy decision that was not of their own making, and about which they knew nothing until it was too late to prepare an adequate response, which they were confronted with at very short notice.’

The MHKs continued: ‘We did not want to be dishonest to Tynwald by supporting a policy we couldn’t endorse in the form being proposed, but with consideration for the minister, we decided at the time it was appropriate to remove ourselves from the debate and abstain from the vote.

‘However, with the benefit of hindsight, we regret that we were not present in the court in order to be able to vote in support of Mr Speaker’s motion. We have been taught a lesson which we have learned. We recognise that it would not have made a difference to the outcome or our own positions in government.’

WITH Women Worldwide have presented a generous £3,500 to the Pumps 4 Kids campaign.

The donation helped the Isle of Man Newspapers/Manx Diabetic Group reach its original stated target of £20,000 to eradicate the current children’s waiting list for pump therapy for Type 1 diabetes.

The money was raised through a charity disco held in March, added to some funds left over from last year’s fundraising efforts.

With Women Worldwide began three years ago and, since then, it has raised £10,000 for charities supporting women and children both in the island and further afield. For further information about With Women Worldwide, call Anne Graham on 491370 or email manxnewwoman@yahoo.com

Our original Pumps 4 Kids campaign hit its £20,000 target in just six weeks, thanks to the generosity of our readers. Launched in conjunction with the Manx Diabetic Group in early March, Pumps 4 Kids aimed to raise the money to eradicate the children’s waiting list for pump therapy for Type 1 diabetes. Pump therapy completely replaces the need for injections.

We set ourselves a target of achieving the total by Christmas, but we did it in just six weeks.

As a result, we decided, with your help, to keep going. It will hopefully mean that, in future, no child will have to wait again for a pump.

We’re keeping our charity account open and hope you’ll keep letting us know about any events you’ve organised. If you would like to help Pumps 4 Kids, send your donation to The Treasurer, Pumps 4 Kids, 9 Hillcrest Grove, Birch Hill, Onchan, IM3 3HZ.

Alternatively, a special account has been set up at Barclays, under the account name Manx Diabetic Group - Pumps 4 Kids.

The account sort code is 20-26-74 and the relevant account number is 33877280.

Donations can be made in person at the bank or by sending the money to Barclays Private Clients International, Isle of Man International Banking Centre, PO Box 9, Barclays House, Victoria Street, Douglas, IM99 1AJ.

Cheques can be made payable to Pumps 4 Kids.

If you are organising an event, contact reporter Angela Gregory on 695642 or email angela.gregory@newsiom.co.im well in advance and we will cover your event and, diary permitting, provide a photographer.

SUSPENDED Liberal Vannin MHK Zac Hall says he disappointed at the ‘unprofessional’ way in which he had been treated by his party.

But Mr Hall, who was elected as Onchan MHK under the Liberal Vannin ticket, refused to comment when asked whether he should now stand down and force a by-election in the constituency.

He and Douglas North MHK John Houghton were sacked from the Department of Education and Children on Thursday after failing to support Mr Karran, the minister in charge, in a debate on Mr Karran’s decision to scrap state-run pre-schools.

Then on Sunday evening, Liberal Vannin party chairman Roy Redmayne issued a statement announcing that Mr Hall had been suspended from the party for undermining Minister Karran, who is Lib Van party leader.

In the Keys this week, it was clear that things were a little awkward between party leader and suspended party member – who both represent Onchan – as they took their seats next to each other.

‘Political relationships are a lit bit strained,’ Mr Hall admitted afterwards to the Manx Independent. ‘I’m disappointed at how I’ve been treated by the party. It’s a bit unprofessional.’

Mr Karran refused to speak to the Manx Independent after the Keys sitting, saying his was ‘absolutely appalled’ at the way the issue had been reported by Isle of Man Newspapers.

Mr Hall said he had been no clue that he was about to be suspended and said he found it ‘rather strange’ that the party leader had previously appeared sympathetic with the stance he had taken on the pre-school issue. He said: ‘Mr Karran came to my house on Saturday. It was the first time I had seen Peter or spoken to him since the debate on Tuesday. We had a conversation and at no time when he was there did he indicate I was going to be suspended from the party. I believe he must have known – he’s the party leader.’

He said he was summoned by email the following day to see the party chairman who informed him of his suspension.

In his strongly worded statement, Mr Redmayne said the party had to concede that Mr Hall had ‘not performed to the high ideals that we set ourselves when our party was formed six years ago’. He said Mr Hall would be ‘brought to account for his actions and his failure to adhere to our manifesto’.

Mr Hall said he was disappointed at the tone used in that statement. ‘It could have used language that was far more professional of a political party.’

He said he had no idea what sanctions the party intended to use against him.

Mr Hall insisted that Liberal Vannin did not have a party whip system and members were entitled to use their own political judgement and were free to vote against matters that they didn’t feel were right or in in the public interest. Asked whether he would be happy to rejoin the party if his suspension was lifted, he replied: ‘That’s a matter for me and the party in due course.’

And pressed on whether he should stand down as Onchan MHK and seek re-election, he said: ‘I’m not making any comment as far as that goes.’ He said he would be making a full statement later this week in response to his suspension.

• Has the Liberal Vannin Party suffered irreparable damage to its credibility or is it merely Zac Hall whose reputation has been hit? Email opinions@newsiom.co.im or sign in to add your comment below.

MORE than 400 parking spaces are allocated for government employees in central Douglas, figures released in Tynwald show.

In a written reply to a question from David Quirk MHK (Onchan), Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK revealed that the value of the car parking spaces available to government employees in central Douglas offices was estimated to be in the region of £1,000 to £1,300 per space, per year.

Mr Bell said data in relation to the overall number of car parking spaces available to staff within government was not readily available and he believed it would be a time-consuming and difficult exercise for officers to collate all that information.

Data was more readily available, however, on parking available for government employees in central Douglas offices.

The Department of Infrastructure has 34 spaces, the Department of Economic Development 57, the Department of Education and Children 33, the Department of Home Affairs (excluding 25 at Homefield) 29, the Department of Social Care 93, the Department of Health (Crookall/Yn Alban only) 56, the Department of Community, Culture and Leisure seven and the Treasury 92.

These figures exclude those spaces allocated to members at Central Government Office. Mr Bell added: ‘As there are significantly less available spaces than employees in Central Douglas, car parking spaces may be allocated to more than one individual at any time and also for pool vehicles.

‘In other instances parking spaces are unallocated and permit-holders only able to park if there is available space. As such, quantifying data by reference to individual employees with allocated spaces is not readily available.

He added that there are additional car parking spaces in Douglas available to statutory boards and offices.

Mr Quirk asked whether he was concerned about the loss of revenue from 24 spaces at the rear of the Government Offices which are available for use by government staff.

Mr Bell replied that it would seem sensible to allow government officers to park in these spaces rather than contract with the private sector for additional spaces for essential users.

HOSPICE Isle of Man and Standard Bank are together offering islanders the chance to discover more about the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 from internationally renowned Zulu wars expert Rob Caskie.

At a fundraising event organised by Standard Bank, as part of its 150th anniversary celebrations, Rob Caskie a former principal lecturer at Fugitives’ Drift Lodge in KwaZulu Natal in South Africa, will draw on his vast knowledge to bring to life the story of those attempting to save the Queen’s Colour of their regiment during the Zulu wars.

The talk will offer an insight into the bravery of the Zulu army that defeated the British Army at the Battle of Isandlwana and also that of the 139 British soldiers who were attacked by 4,000 Zulu warriors; a British victory which saw the award of more Victoria Crosses than in any other single action in history.

Margaret Simpson, the Hospice Isle of Man chief executive, said: ‘Rob’s story-telling is world renowned and thousands of people travel to Fugitives’ Drift Lodge every year to hear about the Zulu wars.

‘We are very pleased to be able to bring him to the Isle of Man to share with us the story made famous by the Michael Caine historical film, ‘‘Zulu’’ that has captured the imagination of generations.

‘We are very grateful to Manx Museum for allowing us to host this event and for Standard Bank support.’

To buy tickets contact fundraising@hospice.org.im or phone 647431.

John Coyle, chief executive of Standard Bank Isle of Man, said: ‘Our African heritage goes back 150 years and to celebrate this milestone, and to mark our 20 years in the Isle of Man, we are absolutely delighted to bring Rob to the island to share his fascinating tales of the Zulu Wars. This is a great opportunity for us to celebrate our African links in a way that benefits the local community and raises vital funds for Hospice Isle of Man.’

He added: ‘The event in May offers a unique opportunity to experience the heat of the battle and the emotion of those involved through Rob’s story-telling and we are looking forward to an evening that promises to be as exciting as it is educational.’

The talk will take place in the lecture theatre at the Manx Museum and will follow a drinks and canapés reception. Tickets are now on sale and cost £20.

All proceeds will go to the Hospice Isle of Man which provides specialist palliative care for patients and their families facing life limiting illness.

The care includes physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects and is provided by a multidisciplinary team free of charge. Hospice provide inpatient facilities, respite care, therapeutic day care, specialist nurses, social worker, counselling, a range of therapies and hospice at home services.

Many patients are referred to the Hospice following diagnosis; they will often be cured but need the initial support for hospice’s many services.

Rob was born in the Natal Midlands, South Africa in 1966 and was educated at Howick High where he was head boy. He went on to graduate from the University of Natal with a BSc Honours Degree in Agriculture.

After graduation and national service, he immediately made his mark on the guiding profession as a photographic safari guide and wildlife film-maker in Botswana’s Okavango Delta.

His expertise in this field earned him a place as official photographer on Kingsley Holgate’s Afrika Odyssey expedition along the waterways of Africa.

With travel, people and photography firmly under his skin, Rob embarked on a four-year round-the-world expedition which took him through the UK, Europe, Israel, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. The last 16 months were spent travelling and working in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Alaska. This global voyage cemented Rob’s interest in people, cultures and history.

In April 2001, Rob joined David and Nicky Rattray at Fugitives’ Drift on the Anglo-Zulu War battlefields. Throughout his childhood, Rob had spoken both English and Zulu and during his national service in 1984-85, he served with Zulu troops and consequently had a deep interest in the Zulu people; he quickly came to be an invaluable asset to the world-famous pioneer of heritage tourism.

It was during his tenure at Fugitives’ Drift that Rob honed his unique talent for public speaking. For 10 years he was engaged in hosting and guiding often distinguished guests around the battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. His ability to bring the drama of these battlefields to life ensured that he rapidly began to establish himself as a world-class orator.

FIVE defending commissioners have lost their seats in Port Erin after yesterday’s local authority elections.

Sixteen candidates came forward to contest the nine seats and the public verdict on the previous board has been brutal with David Bennett, Douglas Corkish, Patricia Ann Kelly, Ray Ledingham and Jean Pierre Depin all ousted.

Newcomer Ged Power topped the poll with 827 votes, followed by board member Nick Watterson on 723, another newcomer, Martin Norbury, was next on 635, ahead of board member Phil Crellin on 582, Stephen George received 529 votes, board member Gerard Callister got 517, Tony Wright 420, Godfrey Egee 407 and Lorna Mackellar, the board member at the centre of a row over releasing private information, was elected with 404.

The unsuccssful candidates were Graham Kelly on 386, Mr Bennett, 342, Carolyn Ann Hayes, 297, Mr Corkish, 207, Mr Ledingham, 175, Ms Kelly, 164 and Mr Depin, 92.

Meanwhile there was chaos at the poll in German where the 100 votes were missed off the final tally of one of the candidates – Kenneth Watterson.

The result was declared before the final tally of Mr Watterson’s vote and it would have changed it from him being the unsuccessful candidate out of the six vying for five places, to being in third place. It would also mean Susan Boot would drop from fifth to sixth, therefore not on the board.

It looks as though legal advice will have to be taken before any result can be declared valid.

TOP Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has lost his legal battle in the long-running dispute over public access to path on the Langness peninsula.

In a court judgment, Deemster David Doyle ruled that allowing public rights of way on paths bordering Mr Clarkson and his Manx wife Frances’ lighthouse cottages holiday home did not breach their human rights.

The couple had appealed against the Department of Infrastructure being granted leave to amend the definitive map to include the footpaths deemed as public rights of way by planning inspector Roy Hickey following a public inquiry.

Mr and Mrs Clarkson argued that allowing a footpath to run so close to their kitchen window was incompatible with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Five other landowners also argued concerns over wildlife conservation, trespass and criminal damage.

But Deemster Dyole held that on balancing the conventions, rights and freedoms of the defendants, and the rights of the public to use lawfully established public rights of way, the balance came down firmly in favour of the rights and freedoms of the public.

He said the use of the paths by the public must be lawful and reasonable.

And he said there was no legal requirement to grant the Clarksons any compensation.

The judgment comes as a major victory for access rights campaigners PROWL who had protested against the Clarksons re-routing a short stretch of the coastal footpath to protect their privacy.

A CAMPAIGN to wean young people away from drugs, legal highs and excess alcohol is being launched in Peel tomorrow (Friday) with the help of members of the island’s sporting community.

The initiative uses a series of DVDs, each focusing on an island personality, and the first, featuring Keirron Tastagh of Adventurous Experiences, will be shown on the launch night.

Michelle Poyzer of the Department of Health said research using young people’s focus groups found the most frequent reason given for getting involved in drink and drugs was they claimed to have nothing to do.

‘So we are responding to that by saying there is plenty to do. We want to get the message across that there are adrenaline rushes to be had in other areas,’ she said.

Tomorrow’s launch is to publicise the Crash Test Team website – www.crashtest.im – which offered information to young people about legal highs when mephedrone use was more prevalent.

New legislation has since banned mephedrone, along with several other previously legal highs.

Since then the scope of the website has widened and it now also offers advice on other drugs, alcohol and sexual health.

Young people can use the website to pose questions either publicly or by confidential email and these are then answered by a team of experts.

All help and advice is based on what is available in the Isle of Man

In the first instance there are several sports personalities lined up to take part in successive DVDs which are part of a series.

Future films will feature three times World Enduro champion David Knight, snowboarder Zoe Gillings and free runner Will Sutton.

But Mrs Poyzer said the series would not be restricted just to sports people.

‘We do intend to do more in the future and we may also focus on people involved in perhaps music or theatre and acting – it’s a case of finding whatever is their legal high.’

Mrs Poyzer has thanked Tracy Jones of the Peel Youth Centre for her help with the launch, which is at the centre from 8pm to 9pm.

Entrance is free and refreshments will be provided.

Mr Tastagh will be there to talk to people and answer questions and also speak about his forthcoming kayaking expedition to the Aleutian Islands.

On the DVD he talks to young people about some of the activities available in the Isle of Man and he is shown kayaking and coasteering.

There will also be a prize draw to win an adventurous experience.

The DVD shorts can be found on the www.crashtest.im website and Mrs Poyzer also hopes to make them available for use in schools.

CHIEF Minister Allan Bell says he hopes that job losses announced by HSBC will be kept to a minimum in the island - but the move shows our economy is not immune to the international downturn.

HSBC has announced it is scaling back its operations in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

Up to 90 jobs are being cut in Jersey while about 10 positions will be affected across the Isle of Man and Guernsey.

But Mr Bell said it is expected that the number of potential redundancies at the island branch of HSBC will be offset by the creation of several news posts - and the final number of job losses could be reduced to just two or three.

He said the resilience of island’s finance sector continued to be tested as banks continue to revise their business models in line with the changing economic environment.

Mr Bell said: ‘The world has changed dramatically since the credit crunch in 2008 and we are continuing to feel the repercussions as financial institutions restructure their operations. The changes announced by HSBC are not totally unexpected, and on this occasion the Isle of Man has been only marginally affected.’

He added: ‘I am encouraged by the comments made by Nick Winsor, HSBC’s chief executive Officer for the Channel Islands and Isle of Man, who said the company remains committed to the Isle of Man. HSBC is a major employer in the Island and an important part of a financial services industry that remains the cornerstone of our economy.

‘This latest news does, however, demonstrate once again that the Isle of Man is not immune from the fallout of the international downturn. We must continue to work hard to promote further economic growth and diversification to ensure a sustainable future for the Island and solid employment opportunities for our people.’

AS he reaches the final stages of his charity challenge, personal trainer Ben Carling reflects back on the mental and physical experience of cycling a lap of the TT Mountain Course every day in April

‘This event is by far the toughest thing I have done. I knew it would be hard, but perhaps I underestimated it a little bit.’

So said Ben, who has been negotiating the 37.75 course - more accustomed to horsepower than peddle power - each and every day this month to raise funds for Crossroads Care Isle of Man and Naseem’s Manx Brain Tumour Charity.

‘I’m into my final few days, and I have hit my physical and mental walls. My legs are tired and heavy, my knee is sore and I am now struggling to concentrate and sleep,’ reported Ben. ‘I am digging as deep as possible, combined with the thought of all the help I have received and the work the charities are doing is what keeps me going.’

Ben revealed what it has taken to keep getting back on the saddle every day: ‘To give you an idea of what my body is going through on a daily basis, I am cycling about 2 and a half hours every day in any weather. To aid recovery, as it is less than 24 hours until my next ride, I am having an ice bath and a sports massage, consuming 5000 calories, six litres of fluid, energy gels and recovery shakes, a multitude of supplements and stretches all to get me back on the bike and in good shape the following day.’

So with adversaries as notorious as the elements and road traffic, has Ben been in any dicey situations?

‘A few moments spring to mind,’ he recalled. ‘A broken wheel on day one and a near miss with a car not giving way to their right at a roundabout, but it’s day 24 that stands out.

‘I was joined by three professional riders, Tim Kennaugh, Pete Kennaugh and Ben Swift. What an opportunity and a pleasure. Then - eight miles in – my chain snaps. Only due to the huge kindness of a chap at a garage in St. Johns to lend me his car could I get my bike fixed at Bikestyle in Douglas, and get back on the road. I’d have been scuppered. I managed to join back up with the boys to finish the lap.’

Though the silver lining of the intense effort has been the beautiful scenery laid out before him.

‘I have seen some brilliant views, none of which beat the view looking back over Ramsey at the top of the climb on a sunny day, although the view over Douglas on the run off the mountain is a very close second.’

Ben wished to express a heartfelt thanks for the people who have supported him.

‘I have had daily texts and calls, people wishing my good luck in the street and in shops, I have had some people ride a lap with me, and I have had brilliant support from my family and friends in the support car.

But I am really doing the easy job. The hard work is very much done by everyone connected to the two charities, both do brilliant work. I am just trying to increase awareness and help generate donations to their causes. If anyone would like to donate they can still do so by visiting www.charitygiving.co.uk/bencarling or e-mail me at info@completefitness.im’

A NEW style bus/rail photo pass for the over 60s is currently being issued for island residents.

People with surnames A to F may apply now if they don’t already have a new-style pass (issued after August 2011). Residents who are in this category holding a current pass must renew this by the May 31.

Persons with surnames beginning G onwards will be informed of their pass renewal dates in due course. The current passes will continue to be valid until further notice. Failure to carry a valid pass may result in its withdrawal and the passenger being required to pay the appropriate fare.

Application forms are available from Ramsey and Port Erin bus depot offices and the Welcome Centre, or online at www.iombusandrail.info. For more information call 662525.

TT FANS are to have year-round 24-hour coverage of TT related matters in May when Manx Radio launches its new channel TT365.

The service extends the current Radio TT service which operates for just two weeks during the TT race period itself.

The broadcasts will be on Manx Radio’s mediumwave (AM) 1368 service, which broadcasts TT commentaries during the races, and will also be available worldwide over the internet so listeners can access them using a smart phone or computer as well as interacting with the station through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Content will also be available to download as a Podcast.

Manx Radio business director John Marsom said the new channel would be self-funding using website and on-air advertising. He said they were talking to the Department of Economic Development about getting support for TT365 from TT race sponsors.

Current sponsors for the TT include life assurance company Royal London 360 and Cable and Wireless.

No government funding is being provided for the new station but he added such organisations as Manx National Heritage could well benefit from advertising its attractions with the station.

He suggested other firms which would benefit from visitors’ custom such as car hire companies may also consider advertising.

‘365 is to provide an off-island service all year round and grow the brand of the TT and, we hope, do a lot of good things for Isle of Man plc,’ he said.

‘This is a very exciting development for Manx Radio and the TT in general.’

The channel will broadcast from May 14 and the main presenters will be Chris Kinley and Chris Williams, who will host daily music shows.

There will also be archive material including race commentaries from the past 40 years, Charlie Williams and his chat shows featuring guests such as John McGuinness, Nick Jefferies and Guy Martin, as well as other interviews with riders, officials and organisers dating back to the early 1960s.

A live Saturday evening programme will feature studio guests and discussion of latest developments relating to motorcycling, racing in general and the TT.

Colin Kniveton, chief executive of the Department of Economic Development, said it would help to promote the TT races and the Isle of Man.

‘It will help us to keep fans up to date with everything that’s happening with the TT as well as adding to the services that we can offer our commercial partners.

‘The long term plan will be to integrate this activity into the official iomtt.com website where fans can already listen to live race commentary and access live timing during the TT itself,’ he said.

While there is no government subsidy, it seems likely that the government’s tourism division will advertise on the service.

Manx Radio, which is subsidised by the taxpayer, recently made a series of cuts to staff after making a loss.

The station is one of three broadcasting in the island. The government’s subsidy to the station is £850,000. Neither of the island’s other radio stations gets a state handout. Manx Radio, which also carries advertising, argues that its ‘public service’ remit justifies the money.

DELEGATES from the clean-tech sector were invited to a round table discussion on the island’s renewable energy opportunities.

More than 50 guests invited to the event held in the Barool Suite of the Legislative Buildings in Douglas heard about how the Isle of Man Government was looking to lease areas of the seabed to windfarm developers to allow the Isle of Man to become a major exporter of renewable energy.

There were also plans for the island, with its central location in the Irish Sea, to become the hub for an interconnector transmission network.

And there were also opportunities for our harbours to be used for operation and maintenance bases servicing the off-shore windfarms.

Member for Economic Development Laurence Skelly MHK told delegates that the island was ideally located for the development of renewable energy projects.

He said: ‘We own 12 miles straight out into the Irish Sea. That’s 87 per cent our territory. We want to know is that a resource?’

Ministers from the the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man have signed up to an all-islands approach to co-operate on exploiting wind and marine resources.

This joint approach could provide the prospect for the island island to become a hub for interconnectors linking windfarms in the Irish Sea.

Mr Skelly said that it could be that projects in Manx territorial waters could be eligible for UK renewable energy grants if they resulted if energy being exported to the UK.

He said it was not just wind power being considered, but wave and tidal power too.

Delegates heard that the island had an annual wind speed of eight metres per second and a spring tidal stream peaking at three metres per second, with a tidal range of seven metres.

Dr Ken Milne, senior manager for energy policy, said: ‘We are in a prime location right bang in the middle of the Irish Sea.’

He said the island was already home to more than 100 ‘clean-tech’ businesses with turnover in this sector expected to double in the next three years.

Dr Milne said the island was an excellent location for trialing new technologies, feeding electricity into the Manx Electricity Authority grid and via the existing subsea cable to the UK.

Delegates also heard from Laura Hanley, project officer for the Manx marine environmental assessment, who explained that a plan was being drawn up to consider the current and future use of Manx territorial waters and identify suitable areas for development.

Presentations were followed by two round-table sessions looking at offshore wind, marine renewables and operational and maintenance bases.

Delegates were asked what the island could learn from past experience of consultations in other jurisdictions, how the Manx Government could assist them in establishing a business here – and whether they would be interested in testing new technology here.

Earlier, site visits were arranged to the Manx Electricity Authority power station and to Douglas Harbour to view the area suitable for redevelopment. An excursion was organised at sea on the Government fisheries’ patrol vessel to view the measuring equipment available for use on the vessel.

A CHARITY has issued a plea to the callous thief who stole £600: Give us our money back.

The money for the RNLI was in an envelope clearly marked as containing charity funds, which was on the front passenger seat of an unlocked van when the opportunistic criminal struck.

The sum had been donated in lieu of gifts by guests at a birthday party party held at the weekend to celebrate the 60th birthday of Port St Mary Lifeboat’s second coxswain Mick Kneale.

He said if the person who took it wanted to give it back anonymously they could do so.

‘They can chuck it through the lifeboat letterbox,’ he said. ‘If you get a prick of conscience about you just chuck it back. We are not vindictive, some people are poverty stricken, but there are ways of going about things. If they want help they should ask.’

The cash was taken from Mr Kneale’s Peugeot Expert van as he left it parked outside the boat house in Lime Street as he worked on Monday morning.

‘It’s my own fault for leaving it there, I’m too honest,’ said Mr Kneale. ‘Even at 60 I’m too much of a local fella.

‘The C5 size envelope the money was in was clearly marked “RNLI donation”.’

When he’d finished unloading the van he returned to the front to find the money gone. He searched high and low for the envelope, even hunting through the rubbish, but was unable to find it. He went home to check but knew deep down that it had been stolen from the van.

He rang the police, who knocked on doors in the village but nobody had seen anything out of the ordinary.

‘Of course it isn’t out of the ordinary to see someone wandering past the boat house,’ said Mr Kneale, who blames himself. ‘I feel like a complete banana. It’s not my fault it’s been taken but it’s my fault for allowing the opportunity.’

Mr Kneale said those guests who had donated the money had been supportive. ‘Some people have offered to replace their donation and I think we might hold a fundraiser,’ he said.

The cash, £540 in mixed denomination notes, together with a cheque for £60 made payable to The RNLI, was taken between 9.30am and 11.30am on Monday.

Constable Adrian Brooks said: ‘Any incident of this kind is not acceptable. However, this particular matter is made worse by the fact that the money was destined for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution to help them in their vital and often dangerous work.

‘The money was donated by numerous members of the local community who gave it in good faith with the intention of helping the RNLI, they did not donate the money to line the pockets of a thief.’

Anybody with any information should contact Port Erin police station on 832222.

TEENAGE Cancer Trust, a charity that helps young people fight cancer, visited secondary schools and the Isle of Man College this week to raise awareness of the disease.

The aim of the one-hour talks was to raise awareness of cancer in young people, as well as highlight signs and symptoms and promoting healthy living.

The talks were delivered by the charity’s regional education and advocacy manager Gary Doig.

On Tuesday, Mr Doig told year 12 students (aged 16 and 17) at Castle Rushen High School that while one in four people were expected to be diagnosed with cancer, for most people it wouldn’t be until they were at least in their seventies.

But despite that, he said that each year five or six young people (aged 13 to 24) were diagnosed with cancer in the island and 2,100 young people were diagnosed in the UK.

‘The last thing anyone of your age would expect to have to deal with, on top of everything else going on in your lives, is to be diagnosed with cancer,’ he said. ‘You have to start a very different life.’

Young people often get some of the most aggressive and rare forms of cancer. The most common cancers in young people include leukaemia, brain tumours, skin, cervical, testicular and bone cancers.

Mr Doig said there were a range of common symptoms, such as pain, swellings, lumps, bleeding, bruising, tiredness and weight loss.

And he said that while young people often delayed going to the doctor with their concerns, the sooner the diagnosis, the better the outcome.

Mr Doig said 75 per cent of young people with cancer were treated successfully.

‘The myth is it’s a death sentence and once you’re diagnosed you’re counting down the months, or if you’re lucky, the years,’ he said.

Instead, he said that most people’s experience would be of ‘a very difficult few months or years of treatment but you will go on to live a long, normal life.’

Mr Doig explained the different treatments available – surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy – and some of their side-effects.

He encouraged the students to become ‘experts of your own bodies’ and to get into a regular routine of checking themselves for any changes.

And he said there were a number of things they could do to ‘dramatically reduce’ their chances of getting the disease in later life.

They included avoiding sun beds, wearing high factor sun cream, not smoking, eating a balanced diet and exercising.

Mr Doig also gave talks at Ballakermeen High School and St Ninian’s High School, both in Douglas.

Mr Doig said it was the first time the charity had visited the island but hoped it would become an annual event.

He said: ‘Six young people are diagnosed with cancer every day [in the UK], so cancer isn’t something that should be ignored in schools, colleges or universities. By educating young people and their teachers about cancer, we can remove the stigma often associated with the illness.’

The Teenage Cancer Trust funds 21 units in hospitals especially for young people. Youngsters from the island attend either the unit at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, in Liverpool, or at the Christie Hospital, in Manchester.

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AUDITIONS for Romeo and Juliet, the Youth Arts Centre fourth production for a youth Shakespeare festival, will be held tomorrow (April 30).

The session will take place at 7pm in the YAC’s Centre Theatre in Kensington Road, Douglas.

The Shakespeare Schools Festival (SSF) is an inclusive, non-competitive festival to be held during October at the Duke Theatre in Lancaster.

The Manx contingent will perform alongside schools from all over the North West of England, producing 30 minute plays and challenging the preconception that studying Shakespeare is difficult or dull by performing in a professional theatre.

The event is not described as a competition. Instead, it aims to focus on the development of the individuals involved and the value of the rehearsal process as well as the end performance.

Head of youth arts Fiona Helleur said: ‘Under the direction of YAC theatre arts worker Ruth Jackson, The Bard’s most famous tragic love story will be presented in any form the actors want, be it period costumes or as Klingons, as the play is very much their play and staff have little to say on the matter.

‘The cast and crew get to imagine their own version of the play and work with actors from the Royal Shakespeare Company, who will come to the island to help with the process – making costumes, design stage lighting and sound. For Macbeth, we made a video of the ghosts and witches and they played their parts on film during the live performance which was great.’

Fiona added: ‘We love the Youth Shakespeare Festival. To date we have performed in Liverpool and London and this year in Lancaster. We have taken The Merchant of Venice, A Winter’s Tale and Macbeth with a very diverse group of young actors, many of whom had never performed Shakespeare before, and found that through this proces, they loved it and demanded to participate again.

‘We performed the Court scene from Merchant on the London Eye as part of the Transformation Trust and would love to do that again. We startled a lot of tourists!’

Rehearsals for Romeo and Juliet will take place on Monday evenings, 7pm to 9pm, in the Youth Arts Centre Theatre, with the aim of taking an original and inspiring version to the festival.

For more audition information, please contact the Youth Arts Centre’s Theatre Arts Department on 437339.

MANX National Heritage is seeking views on how to use the largest bequest it has ever received– an estate in the region of £1 million.

It was left by Colby resident and Manxman Donny Collister, who died in 2007 at the age of 93.

MNH director Edmund Southworth said: ‘Manx National Heritage is keen to capture stories of Mr Collister’s life and work with the wider community to present his story in the most relevant manner, whilst also ensuring his gift is utilised in a way in which acknowledges his wishes and interests.

‘With regard to the rest of Mr Collister’s estate, a house and plot of land in Colby and liquid assets, the Manx Museum and National Trust are now seeking views to the manner in which the gift from the late Mr John Donald Collister could be used.’

He said comments were being sought from individuals, groups or organisations on options, projects and activities falling within the remit of the Manx Museum and National Trust which may be partly or wholly funded.

Suggestions

Suggestions must focus on the Isle of Man’s heritage and must specifically benefit the people of and/or visitors to the island.

And he said MNH welcomed views on the timescale for this activity and where it might have the most impact.

Mr Southworth said MNH was ‘very honoured’ to receive the gift, and that it had come at a critical time.

He added that it ‘has the potential to make an enormous difference to heritage on the Isle of Man’.

By trade Mr Collister was a master painter who served in the Second World War with the Manx Regiment in Crete and North Africa and then returned to his trade in civilian life. He was a keen grower of fruit and vegetables, an active supporter of Laa Columb Killey and well-respected in the community.

He was very proud of his military heritage and the wider heritage of the Isle of Man.

Mr Collister’s will stated that he wished for the proceeds from his estate to be used to build a heritage centre or museum in his house or on a field he owned at the bottom of Ballastrooan in Colby.

Alternatively, MNH was named as a beneficiary.

MNH was first made aware it had been mentioned as a beneficiary in July 2011 when the estate’s administrator, Phil Games, issued a claim in the High Court seeking its assistance in the interpretation of the will.

This was considered by the High Court in January 2012. It was concluded that many of the clauses within the will could not be achieved, therefore the residual estate was left to MNH, in accordance with Mr Collister’s wishes.

Copies of the consultation document can be found online at www.gov.im/consultations

The deadline to submit responses is midday on June 29.

Responses should be sent to Lynsey Radcliffe, communications manager, Manx National Heritage, Manx Museum, Kingswood Grove, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 3LY.

Alternatively, readrs can send an email to Lynsey.Radcliffe@gov.im