A request has been made to the Department of Infrastructure that ownership of the public toilets by Thirtle bridge be handed over to Castletown Commissioners.

Commissioner Colin Leather raised the matter and said if they have to close the public toilets by the civic centre for refurbishment at any point, the town will have no public toilets at all as the facilities by the Thirtle bridge are earmarked for closure at the end of this year.

Kevin Weir said: ‘The toilets cost us £10,000 a year, they are not ours. We should be asking if they could be handed over to us.

‘If we cannot have them as our property we should not be maintaining them.’

Andrew Thomas proposed they contact the department about taking ownership.

There was more good news for the tourism industry this week as one island hotel group reported a signicant upturn.

The Sefton Group says its 2014 occupancy levels in the peak June to September period rose 4 per cent compared with 2013.

The group’s results reflect the general improvement in visitor numbers {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/what-s-on/manx-entertainment-news/tourism-is-up-10-in-first-half-of-the-year-1-6880090|reported by the Isle of Man Examiner earlier this week.}

Since 2012 the Department of Economic Development, the Sefton Group and other key parties representing the tourism and leisure sector have been working together, through the Visitor Economy Strategic Group, to improve the marketing of the island and to identify and promote new opportunities, particularly in the short-break holiday sector.

Brett Martin, Sefton Group chief executive, said: ‘Our occupancy improvements and the broader good news disclosed by the department paints an encouraging picture of the visitor economy as a whole. From our point of view we’re clearly delighted that our figures for both the number of rooms sold to date this year and the revenue generated, show good increases, particularly for the May to September period.’

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/govt-bail-out-struggling-sefton-group-1-5597293|Last year the government bailed out the debt-ridden Sefton Group, which owns the Sefton Hotel and the Palace Hotel in Douglas, as well as the Sefton Express at the airport.}

Major changes are proposed for sheltered housing provision in Peel.

Peel and Western District Housing Committee wants to demolish the bungalows and flats at Westlands deemed ‘not fit for purpose’ and replace them with homes that will be fit for purpose for at least the next 50 years.

The committee has applied (14/01136/B) to planners for a 40-unit sheltered housing scheme on land next to Croit Ny Greiney, in Douglas Road, for residents currently in phases two and three at Westlands.

In the bid, it states in future it wants to demolish those phases and replace it with a 33-unit sheltered scheme.

It also wants to demolish the west end of phase one and 12 bungalows and extend and refurbish the existing phase one building to provide 39 units. The remaining 12 bungalows would then be converted to six mobility bungalows.

The committee describes Westlands as ‘dated and substandard’, most of which does not comply with the Disability Discrimination Act.

The floor area in the homes is 17 to 44 per cent below current standards.

It states: ‘P&WDHC believe this 44-year-old sheltered scheme does not meet the needs of their existing tenants. It is also not attractive to applicants on the waiting list or tenants who could transfer from and release, general let, public sector houses in Peel and elsewhere.’

The bungalows were built in 1970, followed by phase one flats (1970 and extended in 2007), phase two flats (1977) and phase three flats (1982).

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and director of public health have moved to reassure the public that the risk from ebola remains very low in the island.

Director of public health Dr Parameswaran Kishore said: ‘I would like to reassure the public that we have taken steps to ensure that we are fully prepared for any suspected ebola cases in the Isle of Man. However. I must emphasise that the ebola outbreak in West Africa poses a very minimal risk to the Isle of Man and the chances of importing a case on to the island are very low, with the risk of an outbreak here virtually zero.

‘It is important to remember that since 1994 there have been ebola outbreaks every year in sub-Saharan Africa – so this year’s outbreak is not unexpected – it is the scale of the outbreak that is posing a significant challenge.’

A DHSC statement also said that the risk from the deadly disease remains very low in the Isle of Man and that the island’s health services are prepared.

‘Only those who have recently visited one of the affected countries (Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia) and who have been in contact with patients with ebola are at risk,’ said the statement.

‘Ebola is caused by a virus which is transmitted when an individual comes into direct contact with bodily fluid (blood, sweat, saliva etc); it is not airborne.

‘The department is fully prepared to deal with any suspected cases of ebola. Detailed information has been circulated to all clinicians in the Isle of Man advising when to suspect ebola and how to deal with it; travel history is extremely important.

‘The department’s Public Health Directorate maintains close contact with Public Health England and the World Health Organisation.’

A pensions and benefits smart card launched this week could be extended to access other government services in future.

But while photos can be included on the new MiCard, the MHK responsible for social security insisted this was not a precursor to the introduction of identity cards.

Member for Treasury Bill Henderson said: ‘This is a standalone measure but there is a possibility it could work with other government systems in future.

‘Hopefully people are going to like it. It’s simpler than bringing in a pension book and there’s no waiting for the cheque to arrive in the post and no risk of it getting lost or mislaid.’

Subject to Tynwald approval, a pilot scheme for MiCard will take place at Foxdale and Anagh Coar post offices early next year and is expected to last around three months.

Some 400 residents currently collect their pensions and benefits from Anagh Coar and Foxdale post offices.

If the pilot goes well, the Treasury hopes to roll out MiCard across the Post Office network later in 2015.

People can choose to have their photo printed on the card and if they don’t they will have to provide some other form of photo identification to collect their pension or benefits.

More than a fifth of island pensioners collect their retirement pension from a post office. There had been fears that the introduction of prepayment cards could threaten the future of some sub-post offices.

But the MiCard aims to support the network of sub-post offices.

Promoted by the Treasury in partnership with Isle of Man Post Office, MiCard will retain payments at post office counters.

The move to electronic payments in place of cheques and vouchers will also cut down on paperwork and processes within the Social Security Division, which pays state pensions and benefits at Post Offices to around 11,500 of its customers.

As well as being simple and easy to use, the MiCard system is also very secure and is PIN protected.

No cash value or personal data is stored on the card.

For those customers who are unable to collect their own benefits, arrangements can be made for a nominated person to collect their benefits or pension on their behalf.

Treasury Minister Eddie Teare MHK said: ‘I look forward to the results of the pilot scheme with interest.’

Post Office chairman Graham Cregeen MHK said: ‘We are pleased to be part of this exciting new initiative.’

A top-tier firm in nine practice areas!

This is the accolade given to Isle of Man-based law firm Cains in the prestigious and totally independent 2014 Legal 500 guide for the British Isles published last Wednesday.

A total of 22 Cains lawyers are also recommended in the guide’s comprehensive editorial.

The practice areas embrace banking and finance, commercial, commercial property, dispute resolution, insurance and pensions, investment funds and capital markets, shipping and aviation as well as space.

The firm’s London office is singled out for offshore firms operating in London.

The guide, which has widespread international recognition, also ‘recommends’ the firm in a further two practice areas, employment and private client, trust and tax.

In the section devoted to outstanding lawyers nationwide, eight Cains advocates are named in the elite ‘leading lawyers’ list. They are the firm’s managing director Andrew Corlett, Ben Hughes, Jeremy Walton, John Rimmer (as a consultant to Cains), Peter Clucas, Richard Vanderplank, Seth Caine and Tim Shepherd.

Mr Corlett said: ‘We are absolutely delighted at this overall recognition for both the firm itself and so many members of the team.

‘This recognition is all the more important as the Legal 500 is an independent guide with firms and individuals recommended purely on merit.’

He added: ‘We are also very pleased that Cains has been shortlisted by The Legal 500 in the Offshore Law Firm of the Year category for their 2014 Awards to be announced tomorrow (Wednesday).

The Legal 500 Series, now in its 27th year, is widely acknowledges as the world’s largest legal referral guide. More than 250,000 corporate counsel are surveyed and interviewed globally each year.

The rate of inflation in the Isle of Man has fallen according to one measure.

The Consumer Prices Index for September shows the annual rate at 1 per cent, down from 1.3 per cent in August.

However, according to the Retail Prices Index, the rate of inflation for September was 2.6 per cent, the same as the month before.

The Consumer Prices Index excludes mortgage interest payments and household expenditure such as buildings insurance.

It is the measure that the UK government tends to highlight.

The number of people out of work in the island has fallen.

At the end of September 859 people were registerd out of work, a drop of 45 on the previous month.

A total 685 vacancies were notified to the Job Centre during the month andat te end of it 381 vacancies were unfilled.

However, many of those vacancies were in sectors such as health and education, which have to be filled by people with specific qualifications.

The island’s unemployment rate is now 1.9 per cent.

That compares with the UK’s rate of 6.2 per cent.

Time is running out to see an exhibition designed to encourage the public to have their say about where the the horsetrams’ tracks should be located after the promenade revamp.

The exhibition is being held at the Sea Terminal in Douglas.

Outline designs, technical information and artist’s impressions are available to view in the main foyer.

Members of the project team will be available to explain the proposals and to answer any questions from the public today and tomorrow (Friday and Saturday) from 10am to 8pm.

There are two options on display –

Option 1 shows the relocation of the horse tram tracks on the highway next to the Marine Gardens

Option 2 shows the tram tracks on the Promenade Walkway

The proposals, which feature the same layout beyond the War Memorial to Strathallan Crescent, are being reviewed as part of the broader scheme to reconstruct the highway, footways and drainage on Douglas Promenade.

The Department of Infrastructure is inviting feedback from people on their preferred location of the horse tram tracks. Visitors to the display at the Sea Terminal can respond to the questions in a leaflet which includes illustrations of the two proposals.

The feedback leaflet can also be downloaded {http://www.gov.im/doi|here} and sent to Jim Davidson, Project Coordinator, Highways Services Division, Department of Infrastructure, Ellerslie Depot, Crosby, IM4 2HA. Alternatively, people can email their comments to DouglasProm@gov.im

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK said: ‘The decision on which option to progress has not yet been taken. I would encourage as many people as possible to submit their preference for the location of the horse tram tracks. I am aware of strong feelings regarding both proposals and we will listen carefully to what the public has to say.’

A band that should be given the title of one of the hardest working bands in the island must surely go to Peel-based modern blues/folk/rock exponents Nick Barlow and The Bad Noise.

Having racked up a huge amount of gigs over the summer, the band made up of Nick Barlow (vocals/guitar), John Cleator (drums), Dave Reekie (bass), Stu Dunn (keys) and Mark Lawrence (guitar), make their way to Ramsey for a show at Bar Logo on Saturday.

For anyone wanting to check these guys out, and I highly recommend that you do, they kick off at 9pm.

Making our way to Amber, where another band that are starting to up their gig quota make an appearance.

Post War Stories bring their dark, brooding, delay-laden, dynamic and often ethereal soundscapes to the Douglas venue. Support comes from garage, fuzz-drenched indie boys Baad Acid.

At Amber, the deadline for bands wanting to participate in the annual Battle of the Bands is fast approaching.

Bands (covers and originals) and solo artists have until October 17 to sign up, with the competition running from Saturday, November 1, and each subsequent Saturday throughout the month (excluding November 22).

The winner will receive £750 and the runner-up £250. Get in touch via the Amber Facebook page. They are also looking for judges.

Following a brief quiet period, Manx-based Small Bear Records are geared up to unleash a number of great new releases in the coming months.

The first of these, available now, is a collection from isvisible and can be found at isvisiblesmallbear.bandcamp.com/

The work of Simon Pott, former member of cult noise-makers The Chasms, Ways of Stephen and The Gregs, as well as head of SVC Records, isvisible combines elements of experimental, drone, synthpop, melodic and noise music, utilising modular synthesisers.

Startlingly prolific, to date there have already been 17 releases from isvisible and ‘retrospective 0413 - 0714’ serves as something of an introduction to his work.

These are not just straight reissues of the tracks however, as each one has been remixed, re-edited and/or re-mastered exclusively for this release, with the CD version coming with a brand new track which will be unavailable elsewhere.

As is often the case with music from Small Bear Records, the album can be downloaded on a pay-what-you-like basis, with a beautifully packaged physical release featuring artwork from Graeme Swinton available for the bargain price of just £3.50.

-------------------

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

Appleby (Isle of Man) LLC has achieved tier one ranking across eight categories in 2014 according to The Legal 500, the world’s leading independent authority on legal services providers.

There was also individual recognition for 15 Appleby lawyers in the Isle of Man when the updated UK guide was published last Wednesday.

Appleby achieved a total of 11 tier 1 rankings, with the Isle of Man office receiving eight, an improvement on last year’s seven categories, and the Jersey office receiving three.

Appleby Isle of Man office received tier one ranking in banking and finance, commercial, dispute resolution, employment, insurance and pensions, investment funds and capital markets, eGaming, and shipping and aviation.

Among the Isle of Man lawyers to receive individual recognition were partner Claire Milne, who was described as ‘exceptional in her field’, and partner Simon Harding for leading a team that has ‘a strong knowledge of local insurance regulation and legislation’ and ‘can also provide a more global outlook’.

Faye Moffett, partner and corporate and commercial practice group head, was praised as giving ‘commercially astute’ advice which is ‘always given in a timely fashion’, and was recommended for her ‘willingness to assist and help to achieve completions when timescales are tight’.

Also acknowledged were partner Simon Cain and Associate Tom Brook, for advising a communications company on the refinancing of its senior debt facilities, and counsel Michelle Brook for being ‘very responsive’.

The Legal 500 UK 2014 guide also notes that associate Eleanor Dangerfield ‘goes above and beyond to ensure that transactions run as smoothly and efficiently as possible’.

Sean Dowling, Isle of Man office managing partner, said: ‘Appleby’s ranking recognises the professionalism and expertise of its Isle of Man office, and we are delighted to have received a tier one ranking in an ever greater number of categories.

‘These results are a testament to the outstanding calibre of our team in the Isle of Man and I am grateful to our peers and clients whose recommendations are integral to the research process and the recognition that we have received for the high quality of services that we offer.’

Appleby has also been shortlisted in the ‘Offshore Firm of the Year 2014’ category for The Legal 500 Awards.

The shortlist is compiled using The Legal 500’s proprietorial research and feedback gathered during the course of the year from more 50,000 interviews with in-house counsel.

The winner will be announced tomorrow (Wednesday, October 8).

Published for more than 20 years, The Legal 500 series provides comprehensive worldwide coverage on legal services providers in over 100 countries.

Used by commercial and private clients, corporate counsel, CEOs, CFOs, professional advisers and other national and international referrers of work, the series is globally respected for its definitive judgement of law firm capabilities.

The Curraghs Wildlife Park has welcomed a new resident with the arrival of a male fishing cat.

Fishing Cats are medium-sized wild cats from south and south-east Asia, and in 2008 they were officially classified as endangered by the IUCN due to the loss of their wetland habitats.

Over the last decade, the fishing cat population throughout much of its Asian range declined severely.

It is hoped the new arrival will breed with a female kitten born at the Wildlife Park in 2012, one of only 10 fishing cats born in captivity in the world that year.

Wildlife Park general manager Kathleen Graham said: ‘We are really pleased to have this new male arrive as part an international breeding programme.

‘The fishing cat EEP (European Endangered Breeding Programme) carefully co-ordinates breeding “matches” to ensure that the captive population are genetically healthy. There are also American region and Australian-Asia regions of the studbook, with all three regions co-operating on a global level to ensure, through captive population, that this cat does not become extinct.

‘We have an older female who gave birth to a female kitten in 2012 and we were pleased when we bred the kitten as she was one of only 10 born that year in the global studbook. We hope the new male Arun will breed with our young female and help strengthen the number of fishing cats.’

The park in Ballaugh has three linked fishing cat enclosures that allow the cats to be brought together and separated as required. This is important as often males are only tolerated by females during the breeding process.

The Steam Packet transported ‘Arun’, who had travelled from a zoo in Sweden.

his is the latest animal transfer the company has assisted with this year, having previously helped the Wildlife Park transport a red panda, Brazilian tapir, roul-roul partridge, kookaburra and pairs of ring-tailed lemurs and dik-diks as part of important breeding programmes.

Steam Packet boss Mark Woodward said: ‘The Wildlife Park is not only a popular attraction for island residents and visitors, but also plays a vital role in breeding programmes which help ensure the survival of endangered animals.

‘We are very proud of the Isle of Man’s role in this important work, and delighted to be able assist with transporting the animals.’

Just one year after the launch of an ambitious funding campaign, work is to begin on a new dedicated breast unit at Noble’s Hospital.

As fundraisers have already raised two thirds of the £1.5 million target construction is to start in earnest on Monday.

The start of building work coincides with Breast Cancer Month. Julie Stokes, chairman of the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group, said: ‘We want to thank everyone who has helped us so far. We still have a long way to go but we are certain we can achieve our goal.’

Mrs Stokes said they had received fantastic support from Sheila Dean of Equiom who organised two ladies’ lunches, the most recent raising £10,500. Other Manx companies who had lent support, she said, included Mannin Media, Manx Move, Claire Christian Couture, Heron and Brierley, Black Grace Cowley and others. Support has also come from the Eric and Marion Scott Trust and the Henry Bloom Noble Trust.

‘I think it’s fantastic that we can start the build during Breast Cancer Month. We never imagined we would be able to start so soon,’ Mrs Stokes said.

Supporters have so far sold 15,000 pin badges of the Isle of Man, available in pink or black, to support the fundraising effort. Charity members and nurses have just finished shooting their breast unit calendar which goes on sale in November and the group’s first anniversary ball is at the Mount Murray on November 1.

A Peel teenager has pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and will be sentenced on November 17.

Craig Ryan Bridgewater, aged 18, of Carmane Close, crashed a car on the Switchback Road near Peel, on March 8.

Lucia Porter, aged 14, who was a passenger in the car, died in the crash.

Bridgewater was granted bail, and Deemster Alastair Montgomerie told him: ‘It is likely your sentence will be one of immediate and lengthy custody.’

Last month, the owner of the car, Andrew Reeday, 19, from Colby, was banned from driving for nine months and ordered to perform 180 hours’ community service for allowing Bridgewater to drive his car without insurance or a licence.

Gough Law has been recognised as a Top Tier firm for Dispute Resolution in the Legal 500’s latest listing, which comments that its ‘strength belies its size’.

Gough Law, a specialist litigation practice, regularly acts on high profile insurance, banking and investment fund disputes with referrals from UK and US law firms.

Charles Coleman, director at Gough Law said: ‘We are delighted by this recognition by the Legal 500, it is indicative of the sheer hard work, energy and dedication of our whole team and also the faith put into Gough Law by our clients.’

Charles Coleman is applauded as an ‘extremely impressive lawyer’ in the Legal 500’s latest listing, which also recommends firm founder and director, Alan Gough, whose recent caseload includes professional indemnity insurance claims and disciplinary hearings.

The guide also focuses on Mr Coleman’s recent representation of an AIM-listed company against multi-jurisdictional defendants in claims concerning real estate investments and directors’ duties. The Legal 500 is the UK’s leading guide to law practices.

Ballaugh hosted a free afternoon of events on Saturday as part of the celebrations for Island of Culture Year.

Workshops, exhibitions and entertainment were all part of the day, which was entitled ‘Ballaugh’s Got Culture’, supported by the Isle of Man Arts Council.

Chairman of Ballaugh Heritage Trust, Fenella Bazin, said: ‘Even the organisers were awed by the quality of work on display.

‘The events were spread over five venues, with participants ranging from age four to, well, senior seniors!

‘The newly-restored Railway Goods Shed hosted an exhibition featuring persuasive writing projects by children from the village school on “Why you should come to Ballaugh”, extolling the beauty of the landscape, the variety of wildlife, the sense of community, and, most importantly, friendship.’

In the school there was a huge range of craftmanship on display with Roger Smith’s reputation as a watch and clock maker proving a huge draw.

Other displays included Carol Williamson’s exquisite lace, Frauke Watson’s imaginative recycled art, and the vivid colours of mohair and angora from Ballanorman.

Mark Noel attracted a lot of interest with the seismometer which has taken him two years to design and build. It is capable of detecting the tiniest of shock waves from earthquakes on the other side of the world.

Members of Ballaugh Women’s Institute were in action busily demonstrating and teaching a number of handicrafts.

The day also saw the launch of the church recorders project. For the past two years, a group of dedicated members of the Church Recorders has been cataloguing and researching the contents of the two churches.

Copies of the detailed reports were presented to Reverend Canon Cyril Rogers, Rector of St Mary de Ballaugh, and Paul Weatherall, Manx National Heritage.

The afternoon ended back in the village hall with an entertaining session of ‘Poetry and Pastries’, chaired by MHK Alf Cannan.

For further information, see the Ballaugh Heritage Trust facebook page, call 898207, or email bridgeatballaugh@manx.net or collect a free events guide in the village.

High quality and customer service excellence in the Isle of Man’s hospitality industry was recognised at the 2014 Taste Awards and Tourism Accolades.

David Cretney MHK, the department’s political member with responsibility for tourism and motorsport presented the awards.

He said: ‘I was very impressed with the number of industry members achieving excellence and note that there is already a waiting list of interested parties seeking recognition for next year.

‘As laid out in our strategy for the “visitor economy” [the term the Department of Economic Development now uses for tourism] we are committed to helping drive up quality. This is the most competitive industry in the world so it’s important that we continue to raise our standards and facilities in line with the expectations of both visitors and local residents.

‘These awards recognise the high achievers in our local industry and I would like to thank and congratulate them for their dedication and the tremendous effort they put into their businesses.

‘The visitor economy is an important wealth generator for the Isle of Man and as well as being a source of jobs and revenue. The quality of our hotels and eateries is also a key factor in attracting valuable new residents to the island.’

The Highest Quality Assured, Quality Assured and Harvest Scheme Taste awards are presented to food and drink establishments and Silver, Gold and Breakfast accolades to Accommodation providers.

There were 49 food and drink establishments recognised with 22 being awarded ‘Highest Quality Assured’.

Sixteen Gold and three silver accolades were awarded to accommodation providers. Eleven of these properties were registered and inspected for the first time this year reflecting the new businesses that have opened and the growth in bed spaces.

Additionally, a number of accommodation providers were accredited under the newly-introduced National Accessible Scheme for the provision of accommodation for those visitors with mobility, hearing and visual issues.

Each of these establishments had demonstrated a serious commitment to providing accessible accommodation by joining the scheme at their own cost and making any necessary adjustments to their property.

Mr Cretney added: ‘I’m delighted to say that every applicant was successfully accredited and we now have a portfolio of accommodation to offer to visitors with restricted mobility.’

The 2014-15 Taste Isle of Man Directory has now been published and 15,000 copies are being distributed island-wide. Copies can also be downloaded from.visitislofman.com/taste or collected from a Taste accredited venue or from the Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal in Douglas.

The Gold and Silver Accommodation Accolades recognise exceptional quality in all areas, in particular in service and hospitality. The awards reflect an exceptional level of quality, comfort, plus high levels and attention to detail towards customer care and food provision.

The Breakfast Award is presented to those properties achieving exceptionally high scores for the quality of the breakfast they serve. As part of the annual assessment the assessor scores the breakfast served based on the specific criteria; choice and range of dishes offered, presentation and culinary skills, quality of the produce and breakfast service.

The Harvest Scheme award is given to real champions of local produce who work to source and promote the wonderful produce the Island has to offer.

Following a recent review of the usland’s current Accessibility Scheme for Visitor Accommodation, Isle of Man Tourism adopted the National Accessibility Scheme (NAS), a Visit England initiative used to rate the accessibility of Visitor Accommodation. It was introduced in England to comply with the UK Equality Bill (formerly the Disability Discrimination Act).

Quality Assured Award
Bangkok Thai Restaurant, Douglas
The British, Douglas
Café Rosa, Glen Tramman
Caledonia, Douglas
The Colby Glen, Colby
The Crosby
The George, Castletown
Harbour Bistro, Ramsey
Horse and Plough, Douglas
Kurries and Steaks, Douglas
Manx Gourmet Burgers at The Empress, Douglas
Marks & Spencer café, Douglas
The Mitre, Kirk Michael
Paragon, Douglas
Peel Fisheries, Peel
The Railway, Douglas
The Raven, Ballaugh
Sir Norman’s, Douglas
The Station, Port Erin
The Swan, Ramsey
Tapas Spanish Restaurante, Onchan
The Terminus Tavern, Douglas
The Views Restaurant , Onchan
The Whitestone, Ballasall

Highest Quality Assured Award
Aaron House, Port St Mary
Artisan, Douglas
The Brasserie at the Empress
The Boatyard, Peel
The Bridge, Douglas
Coast, Douglas
The CrafTea Weaver, Laxey
The Creek, Peel
HQ Bar & Restaurant, Douglas
Isola, Douglas
Jaks, Douglas
Jean Pierre’s Bistro, Ramsey
La Mona Lisa, Laxey
Lake View Resaurant at Ramsey Park Hotel, Ramsey
New Manila, Douglas
Portofino, Douglas
The Gallery at the Sefton, Douglas
The Courthouse, Douglas
L’Experience, Douglas
Little Fish Café, Douglas
Patchwork Café, Port St Mary
Swiss House Café, Bar and Grill, Glen Helen
Tanroagan, Douglas
14 North, Douglas
HQ Bar and Restaurant, Douglas

Harvest Award
Aaron House, Port St Mary
The Boatyard, Peel
The Creek, Peel
L’Experience, Douglas
Lake View Resaurant at Ramsey Park Hotel, Ramsey
Little Fish Café, Douglas
Patchwork Café, Port St Mar
Swiss House Café, Bar and Grill, Glen Helen
Tanroagan, Douglas
14 North, Douglas
HQ Bar and Restaurant, Douglas

Accommodation Accolades

Silver Accolade
Langtoft Manor, Peel
The River House, Ramsey
Cara Mie, Ramsey

Gold Accolade
Anchorage Cottage, Ramsey
Baljean, Port Erin
Ballacamaish Farm Cottages - Sunset View, Andreas
Ballagawne Farm, Kirk Michael
Creg ny Geay, Maughold
Croit ny Moight, Onchan
Edd Gollan Geayee, St Mark’s
Englewood Lodge, Onchan
Grenaby Estates, Grenaby
Kionslieu Farm Cottages, Foxdale
The Old Brickworks, St Jude’s
Welbeck, Douglas
Knockaloe Beg Farm, Partrick
Woodbrae, Ramsey
Ballavartyn Holiday Homes, Santon

Breakfast Award
Cara Mie, Ramsey
Knockaloe Beg Farm, Patrick
Port Erin B&B, Port Erin
Ramsey Park, Ramsey
Raymond’s Bed and Breakfast, Douglas
Woodbrae, Ramsey

National Accessibility Scheme
Joey Dunlop House, Douglas
King Williams College, Castletown
Lilac & Bluebell Cottages, Ballasalla
Salmon River Apartments, Laxey
The Old Stables, Kirk Michael
Thie Ribbedyr, Smeale

Since the appointment of a new manager in January, the Hospice’s shops and warehouse have gone from strength to strength.

Judith Leslie is well known within the retail industry and is making a massive impact on Hospice shops.

The warehouse based at Springham Industrial estate in Spring Valley has been a hive of activity with new ranges on display.

There are some vintage and retro pieces on the mezzanine level with a new art gallery on the downstairs level.

The warehouse is open between 11am and 3pm every Wednesday and Saturday.

The shops have also just launched their Christmas card range for 2014 with some special editions including a Victorian ‘Hospice shop’ card and a special Manx post box.

As usual there are some local scenes including the Lady Isabella by local photographer Steve Babb, Cregneash by Doreen Noble, Snowy Castletown harbour and winter in Castletown by Anita Woods.

An order form is on www.hospice.org.im and in Hospice shops.

The cards are also available at Hospice itself in its Elaine’s coffee shop or at their Christmas fair – Frosty the Snowman at the Villa Marina on Sunday, November 30, between noon and 4pm.

Award-winning Manx Christmas puddings produced by Berries (Cocoa Red) will be on sale at Hospice or through an order form with any of the shops.

The shops are also selling environmentally-friendly shopping bags at £2.

The hospice shops volunteers can also tell you all about the hospice lottery.

Judith said: ‘We have been very busy and would be delighted to welcome new and existing customers to drop in and have a look at any of the shops or the warehouse to see our fresh new look.’

There will be ghoulish goings-on at the Curraghs Wildlife Park on Friday, October 31, for a half-term Hop-tu-Naa ‘Spooktacular’.

Children in fancy dress will get free admission and there will be craft activities, a skeleton treasure hunt, creepy crawly talks, face-painting and lots more to do.

The park in Ballaugh is running the event with charity Crossroads Care, which will benefit from the proceeds of the treasure hunt and crafts.

All the park’s attractions, such as the new Enchanted Wood play area, mini diggers, jumping pillow and the café, will be open.

The miniature railway, run by the Manx Steam and Model Engineering Club, will have regular departures.

Tina Jauncey, duty manager at the park, said: ‘If there are families who haven’t visited the park for some time, they might like to drop in and enjoy our usual attractions plus all the extra activities on offer between 10am and 4pm. This will be a fun-filled way to end half term.’

Tickets cost £8.50 for adults and £5.50 for children not wearing fancy dress (£2 for children aged two and under) to enjoy the park for the entire day. Family tickets and concessions are available.

An inquest into the death of a 42-year-old Peel man has recorded a verdict of death due to non-dependent abuse of drugs.

Andrew Stanley Watson, who was sometimes known as ‘Stan’, died on Friday, January 3, at his home in Glenfaba Road, Peel.

Coroner of inquests Jayne Hughes offered her condolences to Mr Watson’s family who were in attendance and said: ‘I appreciate how difficult it must have been for you.

‘This was an extremely tragic death at a time when Mr Watson should have been looking forward to spending time with his family.’

Mr Watson, a plasterer, was found on the floor of the locked bathroom of his house with a syringe, burnt spoon, tin foil which tested positive for heroin, and a wrap containing heroin in his pocket.

Oral evidence was heard from six witnesses: Mr Watson’s wife, Paula Watson, his brother Charles Watson, his brother-in-law Russell Carey, Constable Breeshey Craine, forensic physician Dr Helen Gregg and paramedic Paul Fareham.

Written evidence was read out from 15 other witnesses.

Mr Watson had completed drug rehabilitation in Northern Ireland and was said to be a ‘changed man’, but his wife said that he had ‘fallen off the wagon’ on a few occasions since.

He had been prescribed citalopram, an anti-depressant, which he said had a side-effect of making him angry, and co-codamol, for back pain by his GP.

On the night of January 2, Mrs Watson said the couple went to bed around midnight. She said that they had argued because Mr Watson thought that someone had been going through his things.

She woke at 7am and went downstairs finding the bathroom door locked. She could not find her husband so she kicked open the bathroom door to find him on the floor. When she moved him she said that a syringe came out from beneath his body with a brown liquid in.

When paramedics arrived they said that Mr Watson had no heartbeat so they could not use a defibrilator on him and he was pronounced dead.

Police reports stated that there were no suspicious circumstances or signs of any third party involvement.

Mr Watson’s brother, Charles, said that many times he’d had to revive Andrew after he took heroin as had low resistance to the drug.

He said in his statement: ‘After his spell in Northern Ireland all his negative traits had gone, he seemed to have taken on a Christian ethos and read the Bible. He loved Paula very much and was very different.

‘It definitely would have been an accident, no way would he take an overdose. He was brilliant at sorting people’s problems and did things I wouldn’t have thought possible. In the last three years I truly believed he’d never touched anything.’

But at Christmas Mr Watson said his brother seemed ‘lost’ and wasn’t looking forward to returning to work. He often became angry and was worried he was returning to the man he used to be.

‘But he was possibly the biggest optimist I’ve ever known,’ said Mr Watson, ‘He could always cope and deal with stuff, even at his lowest points.

‘In the last few weeks, he had a look though, I can’t say for sure if it was the heroin or prescription drugs. I offered to go to the doctor with him but he said he was going to sort it out.’