THE Steam Packet has cancelled tonight’s (Monday) 7.45pm return Isle of Man to Heysham sailing on the Ben-my-Chree due to weather conditions.
Severe gale force winds are expected to hit the Irish sea tonight.
And it has warned of further disruption/cancellations for tomorrow’s sailings on the Ben-my-Chree ‘due to ‘forecasted severe gale nine, possible storm force 10’ winds.
Passengers are being informed that a final decision on Tuesday’s sailings will be taken at 7am.
A MANX charity is lending its support to the Military Wives Choir in a bid to help their single Wherever You Are reach Number 1 this Christmas.
The song has captured the country’s imagination following the success of choirmaster Gareth Malone’s BBC series The Choir: Military Wives.
Bookies have placed the Military Wives as the favourites for Christmas Number 1.
Proceeds from the sales will go to the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help and the Royal British Legion – two military charities that support the Armed Forces community.
Jim Kewin, public relations officer for SSAFA Forces Help’s island branch, said: ‘The Military Wives typify everything that is good about the Armed Forces community – we are all behind them.
‘This campaign is fantastic for us as it raises the profile of the work we do locally and also the charity as a whole. We hope that people will buy a few copies for their friends to help nudge the single to the top of the charts.’
Wherever You Are was written by Royal Wedding composer Paul Mealor and the music is set to a poem he compiled from letters to and from the servicemen and their wives on a six month tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Support
It will be released on December 19 but it is available now for pre-order.
Gareth Malone’s 91-year-old grandfather is currently being helped by SSAFA Forces Help and the RAF Benevolent Fund. He served with the RAF during the Second World War and is just one of the 50,000 people that the UK’s oldest military family charity assists each year.
Locally, more than 30 families have been helped in the Isle of Man this year.
Alice Clarke, one of the singers in the choir, said: ‘The Military Wives Choir is delighted to be supporting SSAFA Forces Help, a wonderful and essential charity.
‘The help that it provides to so many military families – past, present and future – is varied and crucial.
‘The fantastic system of having people in all areas of the country is a reassuring blanket that most of us don’t even realise we sleep under.
‘As a military community we couldn’t be without you and the choir is proud to be singing for you.’
BBC Radio 2’s breakfast show presenter Chris Evans has put his full weight behind the Choir as the wives from RMB Chivenor and Plymouth traverse the country to promote the song on national TV, even making a public appearance at No. 10 Downing Street, pictured above.
A minimum of 40p from the sales of the record and 50p from each download will be donated jointly to SSAFA Forces Help and the Royal British Legion.
THE Bishop of Sodor and Man, the Right Reverend Robert Paterson, has announced two changes to his staff team.
The Reverend Canon Peter Robinson, who is presently serving as the Vicar of Arbory, Castletown and Santon, as Rural Dean of Castletown and Peel and who is an Honorary Canon of St German’s Cathedral, Peel, is appointed to the full-time post of Chaplain to the Bishop.
He succeeds Gill Poole who has served mainly as Chaplain to the Bishop but also as Diocesan Mission Adviser for the past two years. Gill has now been appointed to that adviser role full-time.
Both Peter and Gill will take up their new posts in the early spring of next year.
Peter is married to Rosi, a teacher and accomplished artist, whom he met at Loughborough College of Education, where they were both training to teach in the early 70s. They have a daughter, Jenny, and two sons, Tim and Andy. They also have five grandchildren.
He said: ‘I’m very excited by this opportunity to serve the Bishop and contributing to the church and wider community in this new role in the positive changes and developments taking place here in the island.’
Gill said: ‘Bishop Robert’s plan to expand one post of two part-time roles into two full-time posts is a very positive move for the diocese and in the full-time Mission Adviser post I will be able to concentrate on the mission of the church across the Diocese working with individual churches and other organisations.’
A BODY which carried out an independent audit into Noble’s Hospital is no longer available to inspect Manx health services following a restructure.
It means the island’s health services don’t come under the remit of an identifiable external body and are now only internally audited.
Health Minister David Anderson MHK revealed the information in response to a question in the House of Keys this week from Kate Beecroft (Douglas South). He moved to allay any concern by going into great detail about the processes in place to protect the quality of patient care.
Mr Anderson explained that the Healthcare Commission, which carried out the Noble’s inspection in 2006, became part of the Care Quality Commission after it was merged with inspectorates responsible for social care facilities and for mental health.
Although the Healthcare Commission had not, strictly speaking, been responsible for auditing in the Isle of Man it had agreed to take on the role. But since the CQC had formed, said Mr Anderson, it had been made clear to health chiefs in the island that this arrangement would not continue.
Mr Anderson said he would not rule out asking the CQC again when it came time to look for an external auditor but he went on to say there may be a need to find one elsewhere.
The Health Minister then listed the in-house monitoring in place.
‘Considerable effort goes into maintenance of clinical governance and other standards,’ said Mr Anderson.
But Mrs Beecroft said the systems Mr Anderson had detailed were not the same as an external independent audit and pressed him for a reassurance that he would find a solution.
Mr Anderson said he would ‘look elsewhere’ to find an external body to carry out an audit ‘when relevant’.
Mrs Beecroft picked up on the latter comment and pushed him further, asking him to let members know when he had contacted other potential audit providers. ‘It is vitally important that treatment is of the highest standard possible,’ said Mrs Beecroft.
A FINANCIAL advisor who drowned in the sea off Castletown in the summer took his own life, an inquest has ruled.
Coroner John Needham recorded a verdict of suicide on 32-year-old Andrew Paul David Cross, whose body was discovered on the beach at Scarlett on June 26 this year.
The court heard police had discovered a suicide note and a rudimentary will in Mr Cross’s flat at the Majestic Apartments in Onchan.
A statement from Jo Kemsley described how she had exchanged emails with Mr Cross and had met him for the day in London just two days before his death.
‘The relationship was not a romantic one,’ she said. ‘But he seemed cheerful, optimistic and we talked about the future and meeting again in July.’
But the following day she received an email from Mr Cross which alluded to accusations made against him and added that ‘as a result of the ignorance of the accusers’, he planned to take his own life. Miss Kemsley’s statement said she had tried to call Mr Cross but his telephone was switched off, so she dialled 999 to report what the email said.
‘I emailed Andrew in the hope that he might read it before it was too late,’ she said. ‘I continued calling him in the hope I could talk him out of it. He told me he had recently changed his telephone number because he had been receiving nuisance calls. He struck me as a well-balanced individual.’
A statement from Constable Emily Perkins confirmed that Mr Cross had been arrested and interviewed in June about an alleged offence but he had not been charged with anything.
Divorcing
The court heard that Mr Cross and his wife were in the process of divorcing. A statement from his wife, Julia Cross, said the couple had lived originally at Rose Hill Mews before moving to Castletown.
Though the relationship had failed, she said they had remained amicable.
Mrs Cross said she saw Mr Cross’s Renault Clio drive past her at sometime around 8.20pm on June 25. Soon afterwards she received a text from him saying goodbye and adding that he was at Scarlett Point, which he said he remembered as his happiest place.
Mrs Cross said she went with her father to Scarlett Point and found a police car there as well as Mr Cross’s car. When she returned home she found an email saying: ‘Goodbye. By the time you read this I will have killed myself.’
A full-scale search was started and the lifeboat was launched soon before 10pm to check the coastline from Scarlett to Poill Vaaish quarry. Bad weather forced the search to be abandoned at shortly before 2am, with the intention of resuming later that morning.
Mr Cross’s body was found on June 26 on the shore about 100 yards from Queen Street, Castletown. A post-mortem examination by Dr Christopher Clague confirmed the cause of death to have been drowning.
Examination of his mobile telephone showed numerous unanswered calls from June 25 and the internet history on his laptop computer showed he had looked at suicide-related websites in the days before his death.
Recording his verdict, Mr Needham said: ‘The police investigation may have been the reason for him taking his own life. He did not feel he had done anything illegal and he was not charged with any offence.’
Mr Needham said evidence suggested that Mr Cross had entered the sea at about 9pm but the precise time of death could not be established so he was obliged to record it as having been at some time between June 24 and 27.
CANADA Life International Limited (CLI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Quine to the position of compliance officer.
Michael has worked in the finance sector in the island since leaving Ballakermeen High School in 1997.
Before joining CLI he spent a number of years working for both Lloyds TSB and Zurich International Life.
During his employment with Lloyds TSB he led several teams including risk, payments and treasury.
His responsibilities included managing staff, identifying and resolving cheque fraud, overseeing international payments, standing orders, direct debits, account reconciliations and treasury deposits.
More recently Michael worked within the regulatory policy team at Zurich assessing regulatory changes and the impact these changes may have on the business.
In addition to assessing impact he was also involved in several projects implementing necessary regulatory changes and where necessary delivered training to ensure understanding and compliance.
Michael was also the European employee forum representative for Zurich attending seminars held by the business.
Building on his previous experience Michael has been appointed to the role of compliance officer at CLI. His responsibilities include the role of money laundering reporting officer (MLRO), fraud prevention officer, and data protection officer. Since joining Michael has undertaken a review of corporate governance, delivered training to new staff on anti money laundering, fraud prevention and data protection, reviewed literature and begun to feed into a number of company projects.
Sean Christian, managing director, Canada Life International Limited, said: ‘I’m absolutely delighted that Michael has joined our team, bringing with him extensive compliance experience from his previous companies.
‘It’s particularly pleasing for me to see the development and career progression of “home grown” talent from within the Isle of Man, an aspect that is a key focus within CLI.
‘We have a number of exciting and major strategic initiatives under way.
‘Michael will be central to the compliance and regulatory aspects of those developments’.
Michael Quine said: ‘I’m very happy to have joined CLI on the back of a very successful year for the company. I believe this success is based on the strong compliance foundations that are in place and I look forward to being able to contribute to CLI’s ongoing future success.’
EXPECTED storm force 10 winds forced the cancellation of today’s (Tuesday) 8.45am return Isle of Man-Heysham Ben-my-Chree sailing.
The Steam Packet is also warning passengers that the 7.45pm sailing, scheduled to return to the island tomorrow morning, is subject to disruption or cancellation.
Passengers are advised that a final decision will be made at 5pm.
Meanwhile, the Steam Packet has confirmed that is has been unable to find a freighter charter while the Ben-my-Chree goes into dry dock at the weekend for the refit of its repaired bow thruster.
The Manannan will operate passenger and limited freight capacity services at the weekend.
Chief executive Mark Woodward said: ‘Manannan is freight capable but we had planned to supplement her with a freighter charter.
‘However, the company from whom we had hoped to charter has itself been beset by technical and weather issues.
‘As a result, they do not feel able to release a freighter to us. We will continue to explore all other avenues to secure a last-minute charter but, given the lack of suitable freighters operating in our waters, this now seems unlikely.’
Chief Minister Allan Bell met Steam Packet Chief Executive Mark Woodward today for an update on the company’s proposals to maintain services to the island in the pre-Christmas period.
‘The Steam Packet is obviously faced with an exceptional situation at the moment, as an unusually prolonged succession of gales has coincided with the Ben-my-Chree’s technical issues, which are scheduled to be resolved this weekend,’ Mr Bell said.
‘Clearly it will be necessary once the immediate difficulties have been overcome for the Government and Steam Packet to sit down together to review what lessons can be learned for the future from this experience.
‘In the meantime I have impressed upon the company the importance of this time of year for local retail businesses, as well as other aspects of island life, and I have encouraged them to keep up their communication with the public.
‘My impression from talking to people is that most of members of the public are being grown-up about what is happening and understand that services have been disrupted by a rare convergence of circumstances.’
PEOPLE of all ages got into the Christmas spirit at the weekend to join in the fun on the Santa Trains.
The magic of Christmas returned to Groudle Glen on Sunday when the first of the popular Santa Trains at the volunteer run railway at Groudle Glen took place.
Hundreds of families braved the chilly weather to travel on the illuminated steam train for North Pole Halt to see Santa and his elves hidden in his grotto deep in the glen.
The annual festive services have been a popular point in the calendar ever since the volunteers started restoring the line in 1982 and ran the first Santa Trains in 1983.
Railway chairman Trevor Nall said: ‘The passenger experience is very important to us. We spend months beforehand planning that not only should everything look smart and tidy at the railway, but the day should be fun and magical for everyone. We enjoy running the railway and we want to make sure the people who visit us feel they’ve enjoyed themselves too. You see plenty of smiles on both sides.’
The Santa Trains in Groudle Glen are running again between 11am and 3.30pm this coming weekend, Saturday and Sunday, and once Santa has returned to the North Pole, Mince Pie Trains are operating on Boxing Day between 11am and 3.30pm.
The Manx Steam Railway Santa Trains have also been a success, this year the passengers were taken on a magical journey to Christmas in Castletown and Santa’s magical Christmas Kingdom at Castle Rushen. Santa’s little helpers have been hard at work creating a Narnia-themed winter wonderland, which included falling snow and festive lights for children to enjoy. Other attractions include Santa at Castle Rushen, Christmas lights, a nativity scene, Christmas Carousel ride, family games, farmers’ market and festive market stalls.
Their Santa Trains will leave Douglas train station on December 17 at 9.50am, 11.15am, 12.50pm and 2.15pm, and Port Erin on December 17 at 10.10am and 1.10pm.
Dealz and Pets at Home have celebrated the opening of their stores in the island.
Discount retailer Dealz was opened in the former Woolworth’s store in Strand Street, Douglas, on Saturday, by Coronation Street star Katy Kavanagh, who plays Julie Sharp in the ITV soap.
The previous day, UK chain Pets at Home opened a store in Spring Valley Industrial Estate, in Braddan.
While the announcement was widely expected, Dealz, part of the Poundland empire, only confirmed its arrival last week.
Dealz launched in the Republic of Ireland in October of this year and is on track to open at least six stores in Ireland by the end of the current financial year, in March 2012. It is promising ‘amazing value’ on up to 3,000 products.
The new Dealz store has 6,000 square feet of retailing space and will create 45 jobs, including 10 temporary Christmas jobs.
Poundland chief executive Jim McCarthy said: ‘The Dealz brand has had a fantastic reaction in the Republic of Ireland and we are confident that savvy price conscious consumers in the Isle of Man will welcome a professional discount retailer.
‘Poundland had a great year in 2010/2011, achieving record profits and opening 64 new stores throughout the UK, and we’re excited to see our continuing expansion with the new Dealz store in Douglas.’
To mark the opening, there was a family fun day at the store.
Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor of Douglas David Ashford has officially opened Pets at Home in Cooil Road.
The firm has invested more than £400,000 in the store and has created 12 jobs.
Store manager Nigel Thijs said: ‘We’ve all worked really hard to get the store looking fantastic for our customers and their pets.’
He added: ‘We look forward to being actively involved in the local pet community from day one and hope that we’re able to support lots of local organisations in raising awareness of responsible pet care in the area.’
Pupils from Anagh Coar School in Douglas also attended the opening and enjoyed a tour of the store and a pet care workshop.
MSPCA volunteers also spent time at the store over the weekend to tell customers about their work and raise much needed funds.
The 8,000 square feet store has thousands of pet products for dogs, cats, small animals, reptiles, birds, fish and wildlife.
The store will also be home to a Pet Adoption Centre, where pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and other small animals are cared for until a new home can be found.
Other in-store features include an aquatic centre, with cold water and tropical fish, and a reptile centre, where a dedicated team will be on hand to answer any questions about caring for bearded dragons and leopard and crested geckos.
THE Mountain Road has reopened after being closed earlier today due to snow.
However, the Tholt-y-Will Road and the Brandywell Road remain closed.
Earlier today, police were also forced to warn that conditions on the Slieu Lewaigue to Ramsey coast road were treacherous due to the snow.
Motorists were advised to avoid the area.
Due to the extreme weather conditions, the Route 3 service to Ramsey was for a while running only from Douglas to Laxey and return only as the road was impassable from Laxey to Ramsey. However, the service is now back to normal.
You can check the condition of the mountain roads using the live webcam feed {http://www.gov.im/tourism/webcam/webcam.aspx?webcam=8|here|Click here to see the mountain road webcam}
DOUGLAS East MHK Brenda Cannell told Tynwald she had not sat on the town’s regeneration committee for more than a year because she felt it was just a ‘talking shop’.
Her comments came as she questioned Infrastructure Minister David Cretney MHK about the costs of improvements made so far.
Phil Braidwood MLC asked the minister to name the members of the Douglas Regeneration Committee.
Mr Cretney replied that he chaired the committee and that the two Douglas East MHKs – Mrs Cannell and Chris Robertshaw – were among the political members.
Mrs Cannell said: ‘I have not attended a meeting for over a year because I believe that it is far too big an organisation and has resulted in just being a talking shop. Does he not accept that?’
The minister replied: ‘It is not a talking shop. We have made the first significant development for many, many years in relation to the long overdue regeneration of Douglas town centre.
‘It has been something that has been commented on endlessly over the years, in terms of the principal street looking so sad and tired and run down. I believe it was entirely right we did the first phase on Upper Nelson Street so we could learn any issues before we move on to the main centre of the town because inevitably such work is going to cause disruption in Strand Street, Castle Street and Duke Street and we need to minimise that.’
Mr Cretney said the recent improvements in Upper Nelson Street had been very well received. He said the overall construction costs, including street lighting, was £290,000, of which £274,979 had been charged to the government’s Town and Village Regeneration Fund.
THE Fire and Rescue Service is urging residents to be prepared.
Over Christmas last year, fire crews responded crashes, flooding and even fires at home caused by heating systems and fires that hadn’t been lit for some time.
Head of fire safety Jeff Looker said: ‘During severe and prolonged weather periods and in particular over Christmas time people remain indoors more and extra fire hazards such as candles, fairy tree lights and portable heaters are introduced into the home.’
He added: ‘I would also appeal to drivers to take extra care while driving as winter weather heightens the dangers on our roads. During severe weather only make essential journeys.’
Drivers should prepare for all eventualities, such as delays and breakdowns.
They should ensure their vehicles are in a sound, roadworthy condition, paying particular attention to the tyres and lights.
And motorists should prepare for the worst and carry with them a mobile phone and some additional warm clothing or a blanket.
{http://www.iomfire.com.iomfire.com}
A CHANGE in the culture of government is needed if savings are to be made in public finances, Chief Minister Allan Bell told Tynwald.
Mr Bell was replying to call from David Callister MLC who asked whether he would re-examine the 2006 scope and structure of government report.
The Chief Minister had previously announced that he proposed to reconstitute the original committee behind the 2006 report and he told Tynwald that an initial meeting had now been held.
He said the committee’s remit was to review only the recommendations relating to the scope of government, as he believed the structure of government did not require further review at this time. Mr Bell said the committee had been asked to provide a report to the Council of Ministers by March 31 next year and this would subsequently be brought to Tynwald.
Mr Callister said any ideas of further rearrangement of government departments should be dropped as this had been of little benefit. He said that hopefully the focus could be on areas where taxpayers’ money can be reduced or saved by government and private sector arrangements.
Mr Bell replied: ‘I do believe that government has had enough upheaval over the last 18 months in terms of the restructuring. There are one or two small areas I have initiated a review of, but it will not entail a wholesale review of the overall structure of government at this time.
‘I think officers across government need time now to consolidate and look towards the improvements that we need.
‘But, fundamentally, the area I am most concerned about is that we have to change the culture of government.
‘Unless we change the culture of government, we will not be able to make the savings we need and the Transforming Government Group within my office is working hard on that at the moment.’
What do you think? Email {mailto:opinions@newsiom.co.im|opinions(at)newsiom.co.im} or sign in to add your comment below.
THE popular Port St Mary quayside market returns for another year on Wednesday evening (December 21).
The Port St Mary-based festivities will take place on the quayside between 6pm and 10pm, and will include a host of local produce, arts and crafts, carol singing and Santa’s Grotto.
Stall holders include Staarvey Farm, Ellerslie, Cocoa Red, Suzanne’s Flowers and Faye Christian Ceramics.
Plus, of course, there will also be Paddy’s wide range of fish and seafood.
As well as his popular seafood platters and smoked salmon, he also offers selection of local game – pheasant, partridge and wild duck – all prepared and oven-ready.
Hot food available will include a hog roast, bratwursts, hot roasted chestnuts and a warming cup of gluhwein.
The market is also the final destination of this year’s Christmas Lantern Parade, which leaves from Scoill Phurt Le Moirrey (Port St Mary School) at 6.45pm and follows Santa’s Sleigh through the village and down to the quayside to complete the evening.
The procession will carry willow lanterns made at Arts Council workshops at the school - 10am-4pm on Saturday and 1pm-4pm on Sunday. The workshops are free and open to all ages.
A PEDESTRIAN remains seriously ill in hospital following a road accident in Santon.
Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision which took place at 3.20pm on Thursday on the New Castletown Road near to the Hop Garden.
A man from Baldrine was taken to Noble’s with serious injuries after he was involved in a collision with a white coloured Renault Van driven by a man from Port St Mary.
Police would like to speak to anyone who was in the area and may have witnessed anything - in particular the van and any pedestrians that were on the Mount Murray side of the road.
Anyone who has information about the incident should contact police headquarters on 631212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
PASSENGER numbers at the island’s airport are keeping pace with last year’s figures.
November recorded a slight increase of just under one per cent over November 2010, with 55,652 passengers passing through Ronaldsway, just over 500 more than the same month last year.
The last five months have seen an increase over the same period last year of just 0.4 per cent.
By contrast, more than 65,000 used the airport in November 2007, the year before the collapse of a number banks precipitated the financial crisis and the downturn in the world economy.
Airport director Ann Reynolds said November 2011 had produced a ‘solid performance’.
She said: ‘Naturally after the recent years where, like the whole of the UK and European air travel industry, we have seen a decline in passengers, we would now like to see more positive growth.
‘However, given the current state of the UK and European economy, I am pleased that we are still achieving – and generally slightly exceeding – 2010 passenger levels.
‘In fact, for seven out of the last eight months we have topped last year’s monthly throughput and, most importantly, retained all of our scheduled service routes.’
The additional 1,070 passengers that travelled on the daily Flybe service between the Isle of Man and Southampton in November provided a substantial boost to the numbers.
This was the first time for some years that the Southampton route, which continues on to Brussels, has operated year round. Again, it was the Flybe and easyJet services to Liverpool John Lennon Airport that saw the biggest increase, with more than 14,000 passengers flying, the highest November figure for six years and 15 per cent more than in November 2010.
This meant that all North West routes from the island, including Flybe’s Manchester and the Manx2.com Blackpool routes, notched up a 4.4 per cent gain over 2010.
Another improved route was the Aer Arann London City service which saw a 14.5 per cent increase and, while traffic between the island and London was slightly down, 47 per cent more passengers flew to and from the South and South West region of the UK.
But Ms Reynolds issued a word of caution for the approaching winter months.
She said: ‘We do expect this winter to again be a difficult one for the airline industry and our airlines have introduced some reductions in service frequencies.
‘This is bound to affect our traffic over the leaner months, especially during the early part of 2012.’
AN independent inquiry is being carried out to assess the value and competitiveness of the island’s film industry.
Treasury Minister Eddie Teare MHK has revealed his department’s joint report with the Department of Economic Development on the future direction and support of the film industry – due to be published at this week’s Tynwald sitting – is not yet finished.
Consultants Oxford Economics have been contracted to carry out a review.
Mr Teare told Tynwald: ‘This research will not only qualify the economic impact of film production on the island but also analyse the competitiveness of the Isle of Man’s offering in comparison with other jurisdictions.
‘It will also include a forward-looking economic impact analysis of the proposals being considered in respect of the future development of our film and our media industry. I am sure members will agree it is important that we have clarity going forward and, if we are able to continue to support and grow a film and media industry on the island, that we have a robust business case and economically viable proposal that will give all concerned the comfort required.’
Last December, Tynwald members supported two recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee for the Treasury and DED to consider further and then report back.
Mr Teare said: ‘These concerned the determination of options for the longer term development and support of the film industry, together with a more specific performance-management framework for the advisers who currently manage the Media Development Fund, namely CinemaNX.’
He added: ‘The arrangements for supporting the film industry have changed on a number of occasions since its inception and, I believe, from government’s perspective, we can be confident that in overall terms the industry has made an important contribution to economic activity on the island and has generated a substantial financial return to the Treasury.
‘However, we cannot rest on our laurels and, quite rightly, we must continually ask the question that, if we wish to support the film industry, which is the best way to achieve this.’
Mr Teare said the proposals were ‘not yet fully developed’ and it would take a ‘few months longer’ to finalise the possible alternative options and report back.
Meanwhile, in a written reply to a question from Douglas South MHK Kate Beecroft (LibVan). Mr Teare said that as of December 8, no film in which CinemaNX had invested had yet entirely recouped its initial equity investment.
But he said all films have or are expected to recoup the proportion of the investment made by the way of debt – mainly loans advanced against UK-generated tax credits.
He said: ‘Building long-term value through equity investment is entirely consistent in the film and television industry as is mixing the investment ratios of debt and equity to ensure revolving cash flow for future investments.’
SARAH WADE, a trainee accountant and volunteer with 440 (1st Manx) Squadron Air Cadets, has been selected by Governor Adam Wood as the armed forces’ representative Lieutenant Governor’s Cadet.
‘My squadron leader at the air cadets’ put me forward – it was a bit of a shock,’ admits Sarah, though she was aware of the Governor’s role as the four most recent forces cadets have come from the air cadets.
An informal lunchtime chat with Mr Wood followed her nomination for the role which comes up annually, on which he based his decision on which cadet to select.
Impressions
Sarah recalls her first impressions of the governor: ‘I thought he was lively, and he’s very smiley,’ she said, ‘He asked about my parents and my work. He said he thought I was quiet.’
The days passed and Sarah hadn’t been formally informed of her appointment, but the penny dropped when she was asked to take part in the Armistice Day service on Harris Promenade in Douglas in November, in her new capacity.
Later, on November 23, a ceremony at the Lieutenant Governor’s residence Government House officially acknowledged her selection as representative for the island’s cadet forces.
She described her election as an honour and anticipates the role will require her to attend formal receptions throughout the year alongside the Governor, beginning with Christmas gatherings at Government House on the 20th and 21st of December, which will also serve as a meet and greet for Sarah and her fellow Lieutenant Governor’s Cadet, Jeriel Bacani from St John Ambulance.
As she has reached the maximum age, 20, she was due to leave the air cadets this year, but do to her selection as Lieutenant Governor’s Cadet her membership has been extended by the Royal Air Force until July 2012.
After that Sarah hopes to remain involved, by volunteering and becoming a leader or trainer.
She plans to remain on the island and work at her career with Crowe Morgan Chartered Accountants, with whom she is a Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) trainee.
Sarah joined the air cadets in June 2005 and has risen to the highest possible rank of Cadet Warrant Officer, which involves training new recruits and teaching them about the history of the Air Force as well as leading off-island expeditions.
As a cadet Sarah has achieved her Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award, undertaken first aid training and has obtained two BTEC’s, one in aviation studies and the other in public services which she passed with distinction.
‘I really enjoy being an Air Cadet as it has provided me with many opportunities to broaden my horizons,’ Sarah said.
This month she will visit RAF Syerston in Nottinghamshire to learn how to fly glider aircraft, something she says she has wanted to do for years.
Amy Slee, a Partner in Crowe Morgan said: ‘We are very pleased for Sarah and all of her achievements as a cadet and I was delighted to be asked to support her at the investiture ceremony.
Sarah has worked extremely hard and applies this mindset as a trainee accountant at our firm.’
{http://www.iom-aircadets.org|www.iom-aircadets.org}
THE Wooden Spoon Wheelchair Sports Club is set to develop thanks to a donation from Britannia International.
It has donated £1,200 to the recently established club, which will be spent on specialised equipment to ensure adults and children of any ability can be included.
Mark Beresford of Britannia International said: ‘We have always taken our corporate social responsibility seriously at Britannia International and initiatives like the Wooden Spoon Wheelchair Club fit perfectly with our commitment of recognising and valuing people as individuals and treating them fairly according to their individual needs.
‘Today the co-operative family of businesses continue to champion equality and diversity, not only in the workplace, but in our society with our members, our customers, our suppliers and our local communities.’
The Wooden Spoon Wheelchair Sports Club was officially launched at the National Sports Centre, Douglas, in October.
The launch saw more than 60 people take part in wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball.
It is not solely directed at people who habitually use a wheelchair.
The club embraces people with a wide range of disabilities to participate in sport including paraplegics, amputees and people with other conditions, including spina bifida, brittle bones, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis.
The club also believes wheelchair sport can be a great rehabilitation from injury or illness and able bodied players are also welcome to get involved.
HARLEY the Siberian husky – missing from Onchan since November 30 – has still not been found, but there has been a massive public response to his disappearance.
Facebook has been the focal point of the search, with nearly 3,300 people having subscribed to a group called ‘Find Harley the Husky Dog’, through which news of potential sightings is circulated and search parties are co-ordinated.
It is believed Harley would be likely to stick to fields and tracks other than roads, and when he went missing once before (though in that case he was found within three hours) he headed for the Windy Corner track, around the Conhrenny Plantation/Glen Roy area, so searches have centred on these parts.
Harley’s owner Marco Leonetti extended his heartfelt thanks to the people who had set up the group and keep it updated, as well as to everyone who had been out searching and to farmers for their patience with search groups passing through their land.
‘People have been amazing,’ said Marco. ‘It’s unbelievable the amount of people getting involved in some way, either going out searching or circulating pictures of Harley.’
The husky is black and white, though mud may have dampened his white parts. Marco says: ‘He’s a strong boy, suited to surviving in this climate. He’s very placid and timid around others, and wouldn’t challenge larger livestock.’
Anyone with any information, however small, can contact Marco on 496495.