Essential dredging operations in Peel harbour will be carried out as a matter of urgency, government Ministers have insisted.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture and the Department of Infrastructure say they are working together to ensure the next phase of dredging works gets underway as quickly as possible.

Operations are likely to resume next week, said Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK.

The DoI and DEFA issued a joint statement following criticism that a build-up of silt in the harbour was causing problems for larger boats visiting the marina.

DEFA Minister Richard Ronan MHK said: ‘We fully appreciate the need to get the next phase of work under way as soon as possible.

‘The economic and amenity value of our marinas and harbours is significant and we are working to address the operational and environmental challenges presented by dredging the harbour and disposing of the silt.’

Peel Sailing and Cruising Club director Martin Birchenough claimed lack of proper dredging in the harbour is causing silt to build up around the marina, creating problems for larger visiting boats.

A photograph in the Manx Independent showing how ‘black sludge’ was being pumped into Peel Bay prompted outcry earlier this year.

Silt dredged from the harbour was pumped via a pipe along the top of the quay and then dispersed from the end of the breakwater.

Mr Gawne said the plan was now to gradually remove silt from the harbour each year, with smaller amounts dispersed out to sea each time.

He said: ‘Both departments are fully committed to tackling the silting problem at Peel as swiftly and responsibly as possible. I apologise to marina users for any problems they’ve experienced.

‘Everything that can be done is being done.’

The public in the west of the island will have their chance to quiz police and politicians on the recent cuts to the force.

The Police Consultative Forum (PCF) will hold a meeting at Peel’s Centenary Centre on Tuesday, September 23, at 7pm.

Attending the meeting will be Chief Constable Gary Roberts and Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson.

Walter Gilbey and Adrian Christian make up the PCF in the west. There have already been meetings in Douglas and the south regarding the cuts.

Ramsey’s PCF is in the process of arranging its meeting.

Cuts were announced last month including the closure of Lord Street and Port Erin police stations.

Policing of the south of the island will be carried out from Castletown, with proposals to move to a new base within the town’s civic centre.

The number of police officers will reduce from 236 to 210, levels last seen in the mid-1990s. In the short term it will fall further to as low as 198.

Mr Gilbey said: ‘The public should make it clear to their MHK that they will not tolerate any further cuts and the cuts which have taken place must gradually be restored.

‘Having been for 18 years in Tynwald I can assure you, you take notice of what your constituents say if you want to stay there.’

Asked if there is anything else the public could do Mr Christian said: ‘I think the police must get frustrated when people leave their door or car open.

‘I think anyone can help the police by being a bit more savvy and ensuring their windows and doors are closed.’

Talking about possible privatisation of any services Mr Gilbey was sceptical.

‘They would not be members of the uniformed force that has street discipline,’ said Mr Gilbey. ‘Do you really think you’d save money? You’re not just paying the overheads of a private firm, you’re paying for the profit of a private firm. I would have thought it was the very last thing to do. What they need is more money so they can keep up the level of officers they’re employing.’

Mr Christian said: ‘The chief constable and his inspectors have done a really good job in managing to use what they have got to give a really effective police force.

‘The problem is 90 per cent is spent on manpower and they can’t be made redundant because they work for the crown.

‘At the momemt every single reported offence here is checked out by a policeman but in the UK they’ve been suggesting that some small crime may be decriminalised because they don’t have the resources to deal with it. We don’t want that here.’

Mr Gilbey added: ‘What I hope is that everyone will rise up and say to their MHK and the decision makers, that they will not allow any further cuts.

‘It’s vital to everyone if we want more new business here, people aren’t going to come to a lawless place, they come to us because of our high level of law and order.

‘We have a lovely environment, you’re not constantly worried that you’re going to be burgled or your car is going to be stolen.’

Mr Christian added: ‘We have to appreciate the actual level of crime we have on the island. If crime was high people would be jumping up and down right now, but because crime is pretty well under control, it’s not top of people’s agendas, but any more cuts and crime will do nothing but increase.’

‘It’s really up to the public,’ said Mr Gilbey, a former MHK for Glenfaba. ‘We’ve stressed very clearly it’s only members of Tynwald who can ensure that there aren’t further cuts.

‘Gary Roberts has done a wonderful job in accepting and finding the most efficient system and working with it.

‘Law and order is the primary responsibility of governments and it’s vital for the Isle of Man economically and socially, that of all the things they cut, it should not be the police.’

Douglas lifeboat volunteers were called out last night to rescue a man in the sea.

Crew members were paged at 9.24pm and the RNLI all-weather lifeboat Sir William Hillary was launched under the command of volunteer coxswain Neal Corran who proceeded to the seaward side of the Victoria Pier where the person was successfully located.

The casualty was recovered to the lifeboat and taken immediately to the Liner Berth inside the harbour to a waiting ambulance.

A spokesman for the RNLI couldn’t say how the man got into the sea.

A message from the police dog unit on Facebook said that PC Griffiths and PC Dougherty, from the dog unit, had to jump into the harbour to save the man.

It says: ‘They were in the water with him, struggling, for a period of time. Other units and emergency services were in attendance and thankfully no one was injured or worse.’

It was a very low tide last night and some people were seen on Conister Rock earlier in the evening, although that might simply be a coincidence.

Businesses in the island are taking advantage of a bank’s foreign exchange trading service.

Barclays Wealth and Investment Management says it is a major player in the foreign exchange (FX) sector

The banking giant recently invested in BARX Corporate and its Enterprise Data Management Solutions (EDMS), improving, it says, the accuracy, security and dealing times, allowing clients to trade in real time with streaming exchange rate information.

The service has proved to be a boost for island based Nasaleze, manufacturers of the world’s first powdered hay fever and allergy relief nasal spray, launched in 2002.

The business, which has featured previously in Business News, has a factory in Ramsey and a sales office in Douglas.

Paul Duxbury, managing director, said the company recently started using the BARX Corporate trading platform for the company’s foreign exchange trading.

He said: ‘Ninety per cent of the Nasaleze products we manufacture in the Isle of Man are shipped abroad to Russia, China, Europe, South America and the USA, so we receive payment in a number of different currencies.

‘As we buy all our raw materials in pound sterling it’s important to have access to an FX trading platform that enables us to trade these currencies quickly and conveniently to ensure we’re getting the best deal.

‘The BARX Corp platform from Barclays allows us to do just that.

‘We’ve previously used a third party for our FX trading, who actually used Barclays for their transactions, so when we were required to review our provider it was an easy decision to go with Barclays.

‘Due to the large sums of money that are often traded I prefer the security of using a well-known bank like Barclays and as all our banking is online with them it makes all our financial dealings simpler.

‘BARX Corp is really easy to use. It also has the option to trade outside UK trading hours which gives me the opportunity to exchange currencies at good rates which you might not get if you had to wait for UK trading to open.’

Locally clients can discuss their market requirements with Peter Downey, vice president, treasury and brokerage, who is responsible for helping investors access this resource through the Isle of Man operation.

Peter is supported by the 10 strong Central Treasury Team based in the Isle of Man and headed up by Peter Sutton.

‘Clients can access real time FX services provided by BARX Corporate whenever we’re open for trading globally,’ said Mr Downey.

‘We’re seeing an increase in international trading, especially offshore as clients are holding different currencies for various reasons.

‘FX planning is an important tool for risk management. Currency movements can have a substantial impact for clients with overseas investments or those who trade internationally. By working with our clients and understanding their needs we can develop tailor-made risk management strategies or simply ensure their trading needs are met in the most efficient and effective manner.’

Mr Downey believes more Isle of Man companies and clients can benefit from carrying out their FX trading with a global bank. ‘Investors and businesses in the island may not realise they can access such a sophisticated, secure and transparent FX trading platform right on their doorstep,’ said Mr Downey

‘The system will support clients’ FX needs outside of UK trading hours throughout the business week making it more convenient and giving them ownership of the trading process.

‘Whether clients are dealing foreign exchange via an e-channel or over the telephone, the investment the bank has made in these systems has had the positive impact of reduced transaction time for clients allowing them to focus on other key issues.

‘The real time system has not only made the process of foreign exchange trading more efficient for clients, it also allows for a more strategic conversation to take place.

‘We continually enhance the platform ensuring we are responding to the needs of our clients, while spending more time having deeper conversations to understand their needs and work through market developments and the potential impacts.’

Meanwhile Mr Duxbury of Nasaleze said: ‘I like the flexibility and convenience of being able to review the market and make a decision without having to ring and agree via telephone dealers, but if I do need support there is someone from Barclays available on the phone to guide me.’

More than 150 people crammed into Patrick Community Centre to voice their concerns over the potential sale of Knockaloe by the government.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture Richard Ronan MHK, Glenfaba MHK David Anderson and Patrick commissioners.

Last month iomtoday revealed that the government was considering selling the former experimental farm, which was also home to thousands of internees during the First World War.

Captain of the Parish Pat Costain opened the meeting, which was standing room only as passionate locals filled the hall.

Mr Ronan told the gathered crowd that Knockaloe would not be sold to property developers such as Dandara or used to build a sewage facility.

‘Certainly I have made no decision, and this is absolute honesty from me, I have made no decision on Knockaloe,’ said Mr Ronan.

‘Are we going to fill Knockaloe full of Dandara houses? No we’re not.

‘That’s not going to happen. Do I need to put that to bed?

‘I can assure everyone in this room there’s been no offers from property developers.

‘I would be set against that anyway. If that is a rumour, let’s just put that to bed.

‘I want to assess all the options. What I want to hear is ideas, what do we want to happen?

‘Leaving it alone, is that feasible? The old farmhouse is derelict.

‘Any decision has to be the right one for the community and the farming industry.

‘There’s nothing to stop the likes of Sir Alfred McAlpine making an offer, I can’t predict the future, but I doubt that will happen and I would be set against that.

‘I’m determined to see food production and agriculture grow in the Isle of Man.’

There were also questions about a sewage treatment area being built at Knockaloe, another rumour that was strenuously dismissed.

Mr Ronan said: ‘Let me just read out what Manx Utilities have said on this “We have not received the final feasibility study from our consultants, however the siting of a sewage treatment works at Knockaloe is not the preferred option.”. So I can publicly say tonight, that a sewage treatment plant will not be in Knockaloe.’

Earlier Patrick commissioner David Talbot had told the audience that they had been looking into the legal position regarding selling the land.

He said: ‘The land was initially donated by the Henry Bloom Noble Trust and we have been looking at whether there is any covenant. Our research wasn’t conclusive. Further investigation is needed into the Henry Bloom Noble Trust papers, legal advice would be needed and we have hesitated at that point, as obviously that costs money.’

MHK David Anderson said: ‘The rumour mill has been been rife over the last few months. Knockaloe is an asset, it was left for the nation to use and I believe the government shouldn’t offload it.’

Other ideas that were mentioned included making Knockaloe a historical attraction with a visitors’ centre.

Peel commissioner Ian Davison said that he had spoken to DEFA about moving his ice cream factory to Knockaloe and also building a visitors’ centre with a small replica of the internment camp but said he had been told he needed £4m to buy the whole site.

Mr Talbot said that there were currently tenancy agreements in place with 15 years to run and these would have to be honoured so that would restrict what could be done with the site.

One member of the public, Brian Partington, asked: ‘Why the need to sell? People want this retained for the farming industry, this should have been used for young farmers to give them a start.’

Mr Ronan replied: ‘I hope it is retained for agricultural use, however that may be, that’s what I want to see, absolutely. We’ve got options, do we leave it as it is, do we rent it out as separate lots, do we sell it lock, stock and barrel, does it stay in government to protect the land, do we split the sale between properties and land, please understand I’ve taken a step back from this, I want to listen, it’s about making the right decision.’

Afterwards Mr Ronan issued the following statement: ‘I’d like to thank Mrs Costain, Captain of the Parish, and Patrick Commissioners for organising the meeting and so many local people for attending to let us know their views and to listen to some of our considerations.

‘As promised, my department will now discuss the matter further with Mr Anderson MHK and the commissioners in the coming weeks and months.

‘There were some exciting and innovative ideas and suggestions and what is important now is that we gather information, sit down and talk and follow these up in the right way in order to allow balanced decisions to be taken.’

Following a proposal from Mr Anderson MHK, the meeting resolved: ‘This meeting wishes the department to take note that we believe Knockaloe should remain in government ownership and be retained for agricultural, educational and community use.’

Mrs Costain also proposed that the meeting should be reconvened in six months to review progress.

Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood swapped the Tent of Dreams for a technical challenge of his own during a visit to the island.

The Silver Fox switched from star baker to star biker as he took a spin round the Mountain Course with TT legend John McGuinness.

Mr Hollywood left soggy bottoms and the great baked Alaska-gate scandal far behind him while filming a new BBC series in the island. Fellow Bake Off judge Mary Berry was not there to ride pillion.

Reader Peter Smith took this picture of Paul and John together at the Grandstand.

John McGuinness tweeted: ‘Fantastic day riding the world famous TT course today with @PaulHollywood I just love the place.’

The 21-time TT winner is celebrating the return of his £10,000 watch that was stolen from the glove compartment of his van in Morecambe over the weekend. Lancashire Police said the watch, engraved with the words ‘TT Senior Winner’, was handed in on Monday night.

No arrests have been made and inquiries into the theft are ongoing.

John’s wife Rebecca tweeted: ‘We have got our watch back, it is amazing that we have, somebody handed it into the police last night, the case is ongoing though. Thanks.’

Amber Bar in Douglas, in association with local acoustic troubadour Chris Gray, plays host once again to the acoustic night, Songs From The Sofa, on Saturday

This event, which is now at part five in the series and is also the series finale for this year, sees a line-up of local singer-songwriters taking to the stage.

The line-up confirmed so far for this last show of the year features Matt Creer, Joey Wylde, John Gregory, Geoff Murphy and Scott Beecroft, Adam Melvin, Jake Pinnington, Matt Kelly, Rob Millar and Lee Meier, Laura Moore and Daniel Hignett, with more due to be confirmed ahead of the event.

The doors open at 8pm and the night is free entry.

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Calling all drummers!

As the Big Beat For Hospice main event at the Villa Marina draws ever nearer, October 31 to November 2 to be precise, spaces are now available for any drummers, regardless of age, ability and time available to sign up to take part in the two day drumathon, with every single penny raised being donated to Hospice Isle of Man.

Members of the committee will be appearing at various gigs at various venues across the island in the coming weeks in order to publicise the event and to enable any willing drummers to sign up to play.

There are also spaces available for anyone who wishes to lend a hand to the drummers in a supporting role over the two and a half days.

For further information about how you can sign up and for all the Big Beat For Hospice related news, please visit the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/TheBigBeatForHospice

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Roots/reggae outfit Rusty Jam Revolution appear at Jaks in Douglas this Saturday night.

The band, fronted by Teresa McNulty, is on a current run of gigs in support of their recent ‘Live at Laxey Dub Club’ album.

The release features eight tracks of their now very popular tunes – as anyone who has attended their live show will testify – and as such this band is well worth making the effort to see.

For more information on the band please visit the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/RustyJamRevolution

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Steve Leach brings the latest rumblings, murmurings, news and views on forthcoming events in and around the island’s music scene. Help support the scene by emailing leachsteve@hotmail.com

A debate hosted by Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce provided further evidence of the growing interest in the business opportunities which may be provided by crypto-currencies such as Bitcoin.

More than 200 guests attended a lunch at Mount Murray Hotel last Wednesday.

It was followed by a debate and Q&A session on crypto-currencies featuring a panel of leading experts on the subject.

The discussion was led by Russell Kelly, a director at KPMG in the Isle of Man, who is also chairman of the Chamber’s Finance Committee.

On the panel were Eric Benz, director of the UK Digital Currency Association and adviser to GoCoin, Expresscoin, XBTerminal, ChangeTip; and Paul Davis, a barrister, solicitor and entrepreneur, and founder of the Manx Digital Currency Association (MDCA).

Joining them were Peter Greenhill, director of e-Business and chief executive officer of e-Gaming Development with the Department of Economic Development; Tom Robinson, co-founder and COO of Elliptic, a provider of enterprise digital currency services and a founding member and interim board member of the UK Digital Currency Association; and Charlie Woolnough, CEO of CoinCorner.com which is an Isle of Man based front-to-back solutions provider in the Bitcoin transactional services space.

Mr Woolnough is also chairman of the Manx Digital Currency Association.

The debate began with the panel explaining how crypto-currencies work, and the advantages which currencies such as Bitcoin can provide.

For those in the audience unfamiliar with the concept, Mr Davis used the analogy of reward points offered by airlines as an example of how many of us already use a type of crypto-currency.

The panel went on to explain how the traceability of crypto-currencies made it a much more secure form of transaction than using cash or traditional currency-based digital transactions, and that while cheque or credit card transactions incurred fees, crypto-currencies meant that transactions could be made at significantly reduced costs.

Mr Benz said that ‘Bitcoin would do for currency what the internet did for information’ and argued that the growth of crypto-currencies would be driven by the eGaming industry due to the security benefits and reduced costs of transactions.

All of the panel agreed that the Isle of Man is already well-placed to become a global centre in the crypto-currency sector.

Mr Kelly said: ‘Essentially, crypto-currency can become another technology cluster on the island.

‘It’s very mobile, and the businesses in this sector want to set-up in a jurisdiction which is secure, transparent and well-regulated.

‘There is a great opportunity to build a sector here which is future-proof.’

Jane Dellar, chief executive of the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce, thanked the expert panel and guests for attending, and KMPG for sponsoring the event.

She said: ‘The sheer numbers who attended are testament to the level of interest on the island in this new and exciting sector. The calibre of the expert panel ensured that we were given a well-informed and up-to-date insight into the Isle of Man’s potential as a global home for crypto-currency businesses.’

The next Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce event is on September 9 at The Sefton Hotel from midday to 2pm.

Stephen Boyle, head of group economics at RBS, will be giving his insight into the current economic outlook and global environment.

To attend this event, or for more information about Chamber, call 674941 or go to www.iomchamber.org.im

Members of the police youth scheme took part in a sponsored abseil down the tower at Douglas fire station recently.

The youth cadets, who are aged between 16 and 18, were lifted 80 feet into the air using the lifting platform on one of the fire engines and had to transfer across to the tower then complete the abseil.

Constable Mike Griffiths, who leads the police youth scheme, said 14 of the 15 cadets took part on the night and all completed it.

‘Some struggled more than others,’ he said. ‘One person screamed at the top but overcame their fear very well and completed the descent. I did it too and it was a long way down. I didn’t look down a second time.’

All the scheme members work towards their Duke of Edinburgh gold award so money raised by the stunt went towards funding that.

‘The youth scheme does not cost the government anything to run – we are reliant on the generosity of various people who support it,’ Constable Griffiths explained.

The activity gave the youth members a chance to meet and work with the fire brigade and future events are in the pipeline for them to do some activities with the coastguard and customs service as well in the near future.

‘We often work closely with the fire brigade and other bodies so it gives the cadets an insight into what we do,’ Constable Griffiths said.

To find out more about the police youth scheme, contact Constable Griffiths at Lord Street police station.

Planning permission has been granted for a new motor museum at Jurby Industrial Estate which will include classic cars, buses, lorries, fire engines and other classic vehicles.

Behind the plan are, father and son, Denis and Darren Cunningham who aim to erect a building housing the motor museum as well as a workshop, coffee kiosk and gift shop to open in 2015.

Cunningham Classic Cars was set up over 30 years ago by Denis as a small collection of classic cars which now numbers over 100 vehicles.

Denis began restoring cars as a hobby and the business grew from there.

Some of the highlights of the collection are; an ex-White House 1965 Lincoln Continental limousine used by secretary of defence, Robert McNamara, a prototype right-hand-drive DeLorean, the first Monica, a 1954 GM PD4501 Scenicruiser Greyhound coach, and a coachbuilt 1954 Humber Super Snipe built for and used by Queen Elizabeth II on her coronation tour of the Commonwealth.

The museum will also be seeking out motorcycles, race vehicles and other items of interest to loan for display.

Local owners of classic vehicles will also be invited to exhibit them in the museum on a rotating basis.

The layout also includes 107 parking spaces with seven disabled spaces and four electric car charging points.

The Jurby Industrial Estate is currently the home to the Jurby Transport Museum, a go-kart track, a racetrack, and the annual VMCC Festival of Jurby.

Work must begin on the project within four years of approval.

You can view the plans under reference 14/00343/B on the Isle of Man government website.

CIRCA is celebrating after recruiting its 1,000th volunteer.

The volunteering and shopmobility charity recruits volunteers from all walks of life for over 100 local charities.

It works with – among others – the disability employment service team, job seekers, mental health occupational therapy and the drug and alcohol team as well as youth justice, the prison and probation service.

Mary Kerruish, of Ramsey, is the 1,000th volunteer since this service was relaunched in 2007. She is a retired podiatrist and part of her voluntary commitment involves offering podiatry services to Hospice residents. She also volunteers for Ramsey Anti-Cancer.

The milestone was marked at its Chester Street offices in Douglas by Chief Minister Allan Bell who presented Mrs Kerruish with flowers, champagne and a £10 (1,000p) voucher.

Mr Bell said: ‘The work you do in providing volunteers and encouraging a conduit for volunteers to come and help others is absolutely invaluable.

‘To be doing it for 20 years is quite an achievement. I would like to congratulate you for all for the work you do. It is recognised and much appreciated by Government and we hope the relationship will continue to grow.’

CIRCA places volunteers in charities where their particular skills and expertise will be of most use. Acting chairman Margaret Brown said CIRCA prided itself on offering a gold star service in recruiting volunteers and its shopmobility service, for people with a disability to hire wheelchairs, scooters and walkers.

Prospective volunteers can call 613713, email Kerry.bell@circa.org.im or go to CIRCA’s office between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.

A Douglas firefighter will be blazing a trail as he cycles 500 miles in five days.

Steve Brearley, aged 51, of Tromode, is taking part in the Ride of Britain next week, cycling from Edinburgh’s Holyrood Palace to the Tower of London.

Steve, who served in the The Queen’s Royal Husssars regiment of the British Army for 15 years, is raising money for SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen’s Families Association).

‘I am really looking forward to the challenge of cycling through cities and the various terrain en route for what is a worthy cause,’ he said.

‘I have been training for the last four months, steadily building up the mileage and I have received good advice from Rob Holden and Elliot Baxter to help with my training. Also, Bikestyle have been a great help with equipment and gear.’

Steve has been a firefighter since 2002 and is a member of White Watch, based at Douglas fire station. He will leave Holyrood Palace on Wednesday to cycle 108 miles to Newcastle. Day two is 102 miles, taking in part of the Tour de France route to Harrogate.

The next day ends in Newark on Trent after 110 miles, followed by 100 miles to Cambridge. The final day is 80 miles, 60 per cent of which is on the Tour de France route.

This year the event finishes at the Tower of London as part of its First World War commemoration, which will see 888,246 ceramic poppies being placed in the Tower’s moat – one for every death in the British forces in the war.

Steve is no stranger to challenges - he was part of the 10 man team that set the new world record for climbing a ladder for 24 hours. And he helped break the eight hour record in July 2012, raising £16,000 for local charities.

So far he has raised about £1,100 for SSAFA, which provides lifelong support to anyone who is serving or has served in the Armed Forces, and their families.

Each year staff and volunteers provide practical, emotional and financial support for more than 50,000 people, from D-Day veterans to families of soldiers wounded in Afghanistan.

To make a donation, go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SteveBrearley or make a pledge by calling Steve on 453072.

A couple who got engaged at the Tower of Refuge in April married in a ceremony at Douglas Register Office on Friday.

Richard Mylchreest and Sam Lindsey-Birchall then held a blessing at St Runius church near Crosby on Saturday.

We reported in April how Richard and Sam sealed their engagement in front of crowds taking part in the annual walk to Conister Rock.

Richard, 35, surprised Sam, 38, by popping the question at the top of the tower after organising it with the help of Douglas Council as well as two of their close friends.

At the tower, Douglas Mayor at the time Carol Malarkey and Mayoress Sara Hackman and their friends held up photographs, and carried champagne and flowers.

The couple will be staying on the island for their honeymoon, travelling around having picnics in different spots.

Friend Jay Mairs said: ‘Everything went very well. They celebrated afterwards with a garden party with strawberries and champagne.’

The couple have been together since September last year and live in Greeba.

Richard is an airport security officer and Sam is a civil servant.

The Tower of Refuge was built in 1832, the idea of Sir William Hillary, founder of the RNLI.

The island’s Beach Buddies will be rolling up their sleeves for a clean up at Fisher’s Hill tomorrow (Sunday September 14).

Anyone wanting to take part should meet up at 10am at Fisher’s Hill.

All necessary equipment will be provided by the Beach Buddies.

The aim is to be finished by 12 midday to allow time for the rubbish collected to be taken to the southern area tip before it closes for lunch.

Switching suppliers for landline calls will be made as simple as possible when competition is introduced later this year.

The Communications Commission announced this week that phone customers will soon have a choice of providers for fixed-line call services.

From October, you can choose which operators you use to make calls with, and by the end of this year you will also have a choice of who provides your fixed line.

Manx Telecom owns the island’s largest fixed-line telecoms network which can connect all houses and business premises. With competition introduced to the market, it is required to make call services on that network available to any licensed operator on a wholesale basis. This is known as carrier pre-select.

Customers who choose to switch will get a bill for calls from the new supplier and a bill from Manx Telecom for line rental.

But MT will also be obliged to offer the rental of the fixed lines themselves to licensed operators. This is known as wholesale line rental.

Consumers can get one bill for their entire fixed telecoms service including line rental, landline calls and broadband supplied by a provider other than Manx Telecom.

The same wholesale prices will be charged to all retail operators, including Manx Telecom’s own retail arm.

Currently Sure is the only operator licensed to provide the call and line services. Any other operator wishing to enter these markets would need to apply for the appropriate licence or licence modification.

Michael Begg, head of regulatory policy at the Communications Commission, explained a process for switching suppliers has also been agreed between the regulator and the licensed operators.

He said: ‘This will involve the supply, on request, of a switching code by the “losing” service provider to the registered customer, which the customer must then supply to the “gaining” service provider, who will then pass it on to MT wholesale to undertake the switch.

‘This system was developed to avoid “slamming” practices, when a “gaining” provider has a customer’s service switched to them without the customer’s consent.’

Sure welcomed the developments. Chief operating officer Mike Phillips said: ‘Once a customer makes the choice to move to Sure they will have their calls delivered and billed directly by our network. WLR is a complimentary service as it allows both the landline and customers’ calls to be combined into a single service, delivered and billed by Sure.’

Families of post office workers who fell in the first world war are being sought by authors putting together the post office year book.

Regent Street central post office in Douglas has a memorial on the wall to the six men employed by the organisation who died in the Great War between 1914 and 1918.

The plan is to include some information in the year book marking the centenary of the outbreak of the war.

The memorial, a bronze plaque designed by Archibald Knox contains the following names: William Norman Hughes, a deck hand from Peel who accidentally drowned at sea in August 1917 on HM Drifter Victorsit, William Henry Hunter, from Douglas who was killed in action in October 1914, aged 27, George Edward Kelly from Douglas, who was killed in action in March 1918 aged 22, Walter Stanley Kennaugh, from Peel, a rifleman who died in May 1918 aged 19, James Kennedy from Douglas who was killed in action in April 1918 aged 28 and John Joseph Shimmin from Douglas, killed in August 1918 aged 20.

Genealogist Priscilla Lewthwaite from Union Mills, who was researching the matter on behalf of the post office, said: ‘The men were employed in a variety of roles from post men to engineers. Most were young and unmarried so are unlikely to have children but they did have siblings so there may be surviving nieces and nephews.’ If you can help call Sarah Read on 698471 or Maxine Cannon on 698435.

Fire crews were called out to two fires in quick succession on Friday night.

The first call saw two fire engines answering a call from a neighbour who reported a smell of burning coming from a house in Willaston.

As the first fire engine arrived the householder returned home and let firemen into the property where they found a pan left on the hob in the kitchen, which had smoke logged the house,

There were no injuries but fire crews had to ventilate the house to expel the smoke.

Only one hour later at 8pm a second call out took two fire engines from Castletown and Port Erin to a property in Ballabeg after a neighbour made an emergency call reporting a smoke alarm ringing and the smell of smoke coming from inside a nearby bungalow.

Crews wearing breathing apparatus went in to the bungalow and found a small fire on the hob in the kitchen. This was extinguished and removed and the bungalow was ventilated to clear it of smoke. Paramedics checked the occupant at the scene for any signs of suffering from smoke inhalation but no further treatment was needed. Fire crews stayed at the scene for about three quarters of an hour.

A spokesman for the fire service commended the vigilance of the neighbours in both instances, who had raised the alarm, He also reminded people not to leave pots and pans on the hob, check smoke alarms regularly, and have an escape route from the house which all occupants understood.

There is still time to be part of the first ever Vision Awareness Week, which starts on Monday.

Manx Blind Welfare Society is organising a week of events to raise public awareness of the challenges faced by blind and visually impaired people living in the Isle of Man, promote eye health and highlight the charity’s work and services.

Vision Awareness Week begins on Monday, with the official launch at the Manx Museum in Douglas. This event, supported by Specsavers, is an opportunity to find out more about the work and services of Manx Blind Welfare Society, the aims of Vision Awareness Week and what the island community can do to embrace visual impairment in society.

The launch will also be addressed by ‘the world’s fastest blind man’ Steve Cunningham. Steve lost his sight at 12 and holds three world records.

Tickets, priced £10, are available by calling 674727 or visiting Corrin Court, Onchan.

Throughout Vision Awareness Week there will be roadshows around the island giving people the opportunity to find out more about services available for visually impaired people in the Isle of Man, and information on how to look after your eyesight.

The roadshow will be from 10am to 3pm at Castletown Civic Hall on Tuesday; Corrin Hall, Peel, on Wednesday; Ramsey Town Hall on Thursday; and Promenade Church, Douglas, on Friday (September 19).

The week concludes with the island’s biggest ever guided walking event on Sunday, September 21. Sponsored by Conister Bank, Walk My Way will encourage the community to experience the challenges faced by visually impaired people and learn some skills which they can use every day.

Entrants will be paired up, with one blindfolded, to walk from the War Memorial on Harris Promenade in Douglas to opposite the Empress Hotel on Central Promenade and back.

To find out more about MBWS, visit www.facebook.com/manxblindwelfaresociety

Manx schoolchildren are to have the chance to talk via Skype to children in a remote school in Uganda.

The call is being organised by 23-year-old Joe Smith, from Standard Bank in Douglas.

Joe, a support officer, won a staff competition to visit the school, which is sponsored by the bank, and will be going there in October.

He has launched an appeal for people in the island to donate school books, shoes, second hand clothes and sports equipment to take to the underprivileged children.

He said: ‘Working for Standard Bank has meant I’ve developed an interest in Africa and made me question how we, as a bank, can best help the less fortunate with skills which will help them in their future lives.

‘Here at home I have taken part in numerous programmes with a charity based company, Junior Achievement, which has developed a programme to educate young children with basic learning skills, so volunteering and children are close to my heart.’

Last year Standard Bank sent out three staff to assess how the money that is raised by staff and through the sponsorship, can best be used.

‘I know that they were surprised by the priorities,’ said Joe.

‘Most of the children didn’t have shoes and yet they walk miles to the school each day and so as soon as they returned the bank appealed for staff to donate shoes and hundreds of pairs were sent out in time for Christmas.’

During this year staff have also been raising money to buy educational equipment through cake sales, raffles, a sponsored porridge fast, and the Football Fun Day in July.

Joe and a colleague from the Jersey Standard Bank office, will be going out to Uganda on October 1.

He is hoping that Manx companies and individuals will in the meantime donate items that can be taken out to the more than 700 children who attend Mifumi school. Shoprite have been one of the first companies to donate.

In the meantime, he is contacting schools to set up the Skype call which will give children in the island an opportunity to speak to their counterparts in Africa and see what life is like in a remote African village.

Island-based writers can indulge in a day of talks and panel discussions from authors, poets and scriptwriters at this year’s Manx Litfest Writers’ Day – with some having the opportunity to pitch to a literary agent.

The Writers’ Day, which is largely aimed at unpublished writers, takes place at King William’s College, and is being sponsored for the second year running by Pokerstars.

Literary agent Joanna Swainson is returning for this year’s festival, having attended the inaugural Manx Litfest in 2012, when she signed up two unpublished Isle of Man-based writers.

The day will involve talks by Joanna, scriptwriter Shawn Sturnick from Preposterous Theatre, and visiting authors Nicola Morgan and Samantha Shannon, whose debut novel The Bone Season has been snapped up by 20th Century Fox for a series of movies.

There will also be panel discussions on ‘routes to publication’, ‘plot, structure and character’ and ‘revising and rewriting’, with several Isle of Man-based authors taking part.

In addition, Joanna will be holding 15 one-to-one pitch slots for writers, when she will give feedback on their manuscripts.

Festival director John Quirk said: ‘The Writers’ Day continues to grow in popularity, and we’ve expanded the programme for this year, with a full day of talks and panel discussions about the craft of writing and the publishing industry. There will be a wealth of advice and information available, and we’d like to thank our sponsor for the day, Pokerstars, for helping to make this happen, and of course King William’s College for hosting the event.

‘We’re delighted to have Joanna back with us this year. Her pitch slots are going very quickly, so if anyone is interested they will need to contact us as soon as possible. After Litfest 2012, Joanna said she was impressed with the quality of writing she had seen, claiming it was of a higher standard overall than she had found at some dedicated writing festivals.’

Manx Litfest itself runs from Wednesday, September 24, until Sunday, September 28, with a range of events taking place at venues across the island. Among those visiting for the festival are award-winning authors Sally Gardner, Mark Billingham and Philip Reeve.’

Tickets for Writers’ Day are priced at £25, with a pitch slot an additional £25. To inquire about availability, please email bookings@manxlitfest.com

The programme for this year’s festival is available online {http://manxlitfest.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Manx-Litfest-2014-Programme1.pdf|here}

Tickets for the main Litfest ticketed events can be bought from the Villa Gaiety box office: https://villagaiety.ticketsolve.com/production_companies/126497676/shows

Manx Litfest is a registered charity and is supported by Isle of Man Arts Council, Island of Culture, and Culture Vannin, along with several corporate sponsors.