Police are investigating a report of damage caused to a light blue Volkswagen Beetle in the area of Mona Drive, Douglas.
The damage is believed to have been caused by a large goods type vehicle sometime between 8.30am on Friday and 9am on Tuesday.
The vehicle was unattended at this time.
Constable Lana Gardner, based at Lord Street police station, is investigating.
Any changes needed to improve the hospital complaints procedure will be implemented, according to the Health Minister.
The statement by Howard Quayle in this week’s Tynwald sitting was in response to external reviews carried out of the service by the West Midlands Quality Review Service.
‘Using the findings of the external review and inspection I am confident that our services and the manner in which the department manages and resolves complaints will be improved,’ Mr Quayle said.
‘I am prepared to make a commitment to return to Tynwald Court once the department has had sufficient time to consider recommendations of the WMQRS inspection on governance and to implement any changes that are necessary.
‘I hope to be able to do this by April 2015.’
July’s inspection by the West Midlands Quality Review Service was the third inspection in a three-year programme looking at different areas. The £200,000 review started almost a year ago with phase one looking at accident and emergency, theatres and anaesthetics and critical care. Phase two looked at acute medical admissions and the care of adults with long-term conditions and phase three considered health service governance, including health and safety, infection control and auditing.
Mr Quayle said the report from the third inspection carried out in July was received on Monday and was still under consideration.
‘We are in the process of reviewing the recommendations regarding the current complaints processes including any recommendations about the role of the Independent Review Body,’ he said, adding: ‘It is important to understand that the IRB becomes part of the complaints process once all other attempts at local resolution have failed.’
Mr Quayle told the court he was keen to improve the complaints resolution process and since his appointment in March he had appointed a completely new leadership team, with new chief executive Mark Charters taking up his post in July and the new executive director of health Michaela Morris starting in September.
Law firm boss Tom Maher says island companies should not be afraid of flying the flag for ‘Isle of Man plc’.
The managing director of Dougherty Quinn says businesses should be aware of their responsibilities in pushing the island’s interests.
Mr Maher said that when travelling around the world on business ‘we all have to make an effort to promote the Isle of Man. We at Dougherty Quinn always ensure we fly the Isle of Man plc flag first and the firm’s flag second.
‘Without [island firms] doing that we would lose our track position very quickly to competitors such as Jersey who do seem to have a magic pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for marketing.’
He told Business News: ‘It’s important for all of industry to take ownership because the [Isle of Man] Government does not have the same budget any more to spend on international marketing and international travel.
‘It [the govt] is engaging in very targeted focused marketing internationally. Clearly China has been addressed as target number one by the government. But the government does not have the budget to promote the Isle of Man on its own. It is incumbent on industry to pick up the slack and to take its fair share of that responsibility.
‘In our firm we believe that we do that. We go to a lot of industry events , for example we were in South Africa in February at the world’s largest mining conference. We were there but the IoM Government was not there because they did not have the budget to go there. So we engaged with the government before we went down. We went, we promoted and we flew the Isle of Man flag and we came back and told the government what we did.
‘The government is keen to support industry in any way it can. We were also in the US several times this year and are off to Hong Kong this week.
‘But I think the message that I try and get out to my peers and colleagues in other law firms and financial services businessses is that we have to all make an effort to promote the Isle of Man and to work together to promote Isle of Man plc.’
Mr Maher added: ‘I appreciate the Isle of Man government cannot magic money out of thin air but government budget for promotions and raising the international profile of the island should not be shrinked any further in my opinion.
‘If we want to grow business in the island we have to invest the right amount of expenditure in marketing and raising the profile of the island.’
Mr Maher spoke to Business News shortly after the business, based in Mount Pleasant, Douglas, had received good news in the prestigious Legal 500 annual guide to the world’s leading lawyers.
He said they were delighted to see their specialist trust and private client team elevated to the highest ‘First Tier’ status.
He said this was due recognition for the world class expertise of the team led by Manxwoman Annemarie Hughes. The former St Ninian’s High School educated Annemarie, 38, has also been recognised as a leading trust lawyer by the respected Chambers Global and in the Citywealth leaders list.
She is also a leading light in STEP -The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.
Mr Maher and fellow corporate director Mark Dougherty are also two of only three lawyers in the island who are ranked in the elite Band 1 for corporate and finance in the Chambers law directory.
Mr Maher told Business News that Dougherty Quinn was a medium sized law company that ‘punches well above its weight.’
The firm was formed just seven years ago and in that time the number of staff has more than doubled.
‘We are a young dynamic firm and staff very rarely leave us’ said Mr Maher who added the firm was planning to expand it premises into another nearby building in Mount Pleasant.
Mr Maher, 40, hails originally from a small town called Carrick on Shannon in Ireland.
‘But I’m as Manx as Annemarie in heart really. I came here to work for Cains for six months in 1994 and I’m still here. I was at Cains for 12 years and here at Dougherty Quinn for the rest of my career. I’ve never had to write a CV.’
‘I’ve had two proper jobs in my life if you ignore all the jobs I did when I was a teenager.’
Asked what those jobs were Mr Maher reeled off a long list: ‘You wouldn’t think it of me but I was a fitness instructor in a gym but only because I did the 6am to 7.30am slot that nobody else wanted to do.
‘I was a very poor clothes shop manager; I spent more time breaking display stands than selling clothes and worked in a hotel as a pot scrubber, bottle collector, but my most enjoyable job was working in the boat industry teaching Swiss and German tourists how to drive boats. My home town is the largest centre in Ireland for hire boats.’
The married father of three children, all born in the Isle of Man, said he is immensely proud of the work done by hiscolleagues.
‘We are a progressive firm,’ said Mr Maher. ‘People don’t want to leave us once they arrive. Because we are a medium sized firm we are able to be nimble and innovative.’
Annemarie said the firm was proud of being island based and she has helped organise staff to take part in an initiative aimed at helping them learn some Manx words.
‘It is called the Thousand words challenge and we have taken this up with Adrian Cain who is the Manx language officer.’
The family of Gwen Valentine, the Tholt-y-Will hit and run victim, have called for changes to prison and probation procedures.
Today Donovan Bradley Kitching was jailed for 10 years and 72 days after admitting causing death by dangerous driving.
Kitching had only been out of prison for three weeks after he was released early.
Speaking after the sentencing Mrs Valentine’s son, Stuart Valentine, read out a statement.
‘This is an appalling tragedy for Gwen and her family and friends, as well as for Mr Kitching and his family.
‘In the six months since she was killed, Gwen was due to have re-married, celebrated her first grandchild’s first birthday and first steps and seen her daughter graduate to a Cambridge PhD.
‘Gwen will always been sorely missed and the ripple effects of her death will impact us all for the rest of our lives.’
The family went on to thank Kitching for pleading guilty and sparing them from a painful trial.
However they were critical of the process which allowed him to be freed early, saying: ‘Today the Deemster said that the “system had failed both the public and Mr Kitching”. We cannot understand how he was considered a low enough risk to the public to be released early.’
The Deemster also said that rehabilitation of Kitching during his last sentence had failed and the family statement highlighted a 2011 report by Her Majesty’s Inpectorate of Prisons on the Isle of Man prison which said: ‘Very little was done to address prisoners’ offending behaviour or help them obtain work and accommodation when they left prison.
‘Prisoners returning to the prison, as they did all too frequently, were greeted almost as absent friends. I hope the governor and government can address this, as the costs and risks to future victims of not doing so are likely to be considerable.’
The family statement said of this: ‘That prediction has surely now come true. We want to understand why the rehabilitation system is in the state it is in, and what can be done about it.’
The family also queried probation procedures as a probation report had declared Kitching as a ‘medium risk for re-offending’, an assessment which Deemster Montgomerie said in court that he disagreed strongly with.
Mrs Valentine was killed at Tholt-y-Will on April 26.
Kitching, who’s from St John’s and aged 30, had previously pleaded guilty to causing the death of Mrs Valentine, from Winchester, who was walking on the Tholt-y-Will Road when she was struck and killed by a vehicle driven by him.
Deemster Montgomerie also sentenced Kitching to an additional two years and 72 days in relation to a previous sentence which he was on licence for, having been released just three weeks before the April incident, bringing his total jail time to 10 years, 72 days.
The court heard he was under licence having been released from jail three weeks earlier after serving a sentence for burglary.
Prosecutor Rachael Braidwood read a statement from Mrs Valentine’s family telling of the impact the loss had had on them.
Mrs Valentine had been due to marry her fiance, Clifford Turner, just three weeks after she died and the prosecutor said: ‘Her son meant to give his mum away on her wedding day on June 21, not scatter her ashes.
‘He has lost his mum, his son has lost his grandmother, she can never be replaced. For him and her future grandchildren, their loss is incalculable.’
Kitching was also disqualified from driving for 15 years, sentenced to seven months jail for driving while disqualified and one month for possessing amphetamines both to run concurrently to the eight years.
Mrs Braidwood had earlier told the court how Kitching had borrowed a blue Ford Focus belonging to James McLean but had told him that he had a full driving licence when he did not.
In fact Kitching had never even had a driving lesson or held a full driving licence and said in his police interview that he had ‘taught himself to drive’.
The Ford Focus was already damaged and Kitching and another man, Shaun Bignell showed the car to a motor vehicle body work specialist who said that there was damage which meant the vehicle was not roadworthy and which would cost £60 to fix.
At 4.45pm a police officer was parked at the Mountain Box layby monitoring traffic when he saw the Ford Focus brake hard to avoid a ‘road closed’ sign.
He followed the car and when he stopped it Kitching got out. He told the police officer that the damage had been caused the previous day and that he was the owner of the vehicle but didn’t have his documents with him.
He smelt of alcohol and admitted to drinking vodka the night before.
Kitching was arrested but asked the police officer if he could get his property from the Ford Focus, he sat in the car and started rolling a cigarette saying, ‘You’re not in a rush are you.’
The police officer tried to take the keys from Kitching but he knocked his arm away, then knocked the officer away again, got in the car and drove off with Mr Bignell also inside.
At Tholt-y-Will 62-year-old Mrs Valentine was walking towards the Bungalow with her fiance and son when the Ford Focus came over the horizon in the middle of the road, zig-zagging.
The car hit Mrs Valentine and her son yelled ‘It’s my mum. What have you done you idiots?’
Kitching and Bignell got out of the car and Kitching said: ‘It wasn’t my fault, she walked out.’
The pair then ran off as Constable Radcliffe arrived on the scene and saw that Mrs Valentine was dead.
Bignell returned to the scene and said: ‘Is she OK? Donovan told me to say it was him.’
The police officer noticed a small bag blowing down the road which was later found to containing a white powder later identified as amphetamine.
Later Kitching was apprehended and said: ‘My God is she dead? This wasn’t meant to happen, I’m not a bad person. Is she really dead? I did make a pretty good effort to get away.
‘If I knew she was dead I’d have handed myself in. Why didn’t you get the helicopter out? I hit the woman and rolled a few times, I just borrowed a car. What am I supposed to be under the influence of? It’s speed. I don’t know if that’s a class A drug.’
Mrs Valentine’s family expressed their concerns in a statement read in court that Kitching had not been properly rehabilitated after his early release from prison.
They also asked that the Department of Home Affairs look at their processes and asked why Kitching was released early.
Speaking to Ms Valentine’s family, Deemster Montgomerie said: ‘No sentence can cure your anguish, no sympathy that I can express can alleviate your suffering.’
Around 250 people were said to have attended Mrs Valentine’s funeral.
Passenger watchdog TravelWatch predicted traffic and parking chaos at Ronaldsway Airport at peak times.
The proposed removal of the designated 30-minute maximum ‘disc zone’ would result in car park spaces nearest the terminal not being available for those collecting or dropping off passengers, with the result that these drivers would create extra congestion as they search, perhaps fruitlessly, for spaces in the car park.
TravelWatch has requested a meeting with the Minister, as it believes that the savings he seeks can be achieved in ways which are much less disruptive for passengers.
A spokesman said: ‘Airport parking provision is generally based on the principle that fast turnover short term parking should be nearest to the terminal, with long term parking further away. Irrespective of whether the first few minutes of parking should be free or not, TravelWatch calls for the government to manage the car parking provision for the benefit of both passengers and efficiency by continuing the existing disc zone, relieving pressure on short term parking space by discouraging long term parking in the short term car park.
‘Our previous discussions with the department on car parking arrangements at the airport led to improvements for all concerned and we look forward to continuing that dialogue, to the avoidance of potential traffic chaos and customer complaints.’
{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/government-considering-charging-for-on-street-parking-1-6680934|Our report about the proposals in June}
{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/plan-to-end-all-free-parking-at-airport-1-5793789|There was a plan to end free parking at the airport last year} . . . {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/minister-meets-public-halfway-on-airport-parking-1-5855408|but the government did a U-turn on the proposal}.
{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/charging-for-services-will-never-be-popular-admits-gawne-1-6913476|Click here for a longer report about yesterday’s announcement}.
The politician who has introduced a raft of charges to help the government balance its books says he knows they won’t be popular.
Yesterday, Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK announced a number of changes that will hit many people in the Isle of Man in the pocket.
{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/government-to-charge-charge-and-charge-again-1-6910476|Yesterday’s story about the issue has been read by thousands of people and has attracted a lot of comments.}
Mr Gawne said: ‘I appreciate that charging for services that have previously been free or heavily subsidised, is never going to be popular.
‘It is my intention that new and increased charges on this scale will not be contemplated in the years ahead.
‘The department is putting in place measures to build on the progress that has been achieved in recent years.’
He added: ‘Substantial savings will continue to be delivered through new working arrangements for staff, further efficiencies in shared services and better use of technology.’
The Department of Infrastructure has to make up a shortfall of £5m this year – half of the government’s overall target.
It’s trying to balance the books by charging for more services.
{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/government-considering-charging-for-on-street-parking-1-6680934|The DoI, under its previous minister, outlined a number of options in June.}
Mr Gawne MHK said: ‘No politician wishes to increase charges unless they absolutely have to and I accept that such an approach is not a long-term solution to our financial challenge.
‘That said, some charges currently in place are not sustainable and in all cases where increases are to be introduced, people have a choice as to whether or not they use the service.’
The measures being introduced at a date yet to be confirmed include:
• Charging for parking spaces in central Douglas used by Tynwald members and government staff earning above a certain threshold.
An initial charge of £275 will apply, and is likely to rise in future years.
• Introducing a charge of 50p per journey for children travelling to school by bus using pre-paid smartcards. Pupils in receipt of free school meals will be exempt.
• Removing 30-minute free parking period and disc zone at the airport.
• Introducing pay-and-display parking on Douglas Promenade walkway over the winter months and reducing the maximum stay for parking in the disc zone between Granville Street and the Sea Terminal to one hour.
• Introducing a £25 charge for residential permits, exempting holders from time restrictions at disc parking zones where they live.
• Increasing the charges at Chester Street, Drumgold Street and Parade Street East and West car parks by 50p in most tariff bands.
• Increasing the age of eligibility for free bus travel for senior citizens from 60 to the state pension age.
Passes will not be withdrawn from existing holders who will retain ‘grandfather rights’ to their passes.
• Increasing revenue generated by vehicle excise duty by 10 per cent overall by revising the charging structure.
The aim is to secure the funding needed to maintain the highways.
Currently, the total income from vehicle duty is £12.5 million and the estimated cost of maintaining the road network in the island in 2015-16 is more than £16 million.
• Revising charges for the collection and processing of fallen stock at the Animal Waste Processing Plant to help secure the longer-term sustainability of the facility.
• Introducing new arrangements for ply-for-hire and private hire taxis at the airport.
Taxis currently charge a £1 per trip airport levy, but for many years this has not been passed on to the department.
{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/education/parking-fees-for-teachers-nurses-firemen-and-police-1-6689985|Among the proposals not adopted is charging public sector employees to park outside their workplace in areas outside Douglas.}
Braddan Commissioners will be holding a Womble Walk on Sunday, when everyone is invited to join in, pick litter and help have a general tidy up.
The Womble theme is being used by the Keep Britain Tidy campaign to celebrate its Diamond Jubilee.
And the Parish of Braddan is joining in as part of its No Waste In Braddan project.
Anyone wishing to get involved should meet outside Braddan Commissioners’ offices from 1.30pm, to take part in the tidy up, which will take place from 2pm till 4pm.
Families with children will be invited to turn their attention to the Heritage Trail, while adults who don’t have small children to look after can tidy the roadside.
Participants should wrap up well and bring gloves – a number of litter pickers will be provided.
Braddan Commissioners’ year-long No Waste In Braddan project is being run with help from local environmental charity Zero Waste Mann, which is aiming to cut waste and litter, increase recycling rates and remind people why the parish is such a great place to live and work.
Ramsey Group Practice (RGP) held a flu clinic and health day last week at St Paul’s Church.
Practice manager Mandy Kelly said: ‘We have been doing these days for many years now and they just keep growing and growing.
‘We generally vaccinate between two and three thousand of our patients with the influenza vaccination.
‘As you will appreciate this would be a lot of appointments, so we decided to get out in the community and turn it in to a health day with lots of promotional agencies towards health of the public.
‘We offer the vaccination, height and weight monitoring, blood pressures and advice. We have many agencies that come along and support us and offer specialist advice in their fields. It is a busy day, steady throughout the day and we normally get through about a thousand patients on each day.
‘We had nurses and staff from RGP, a dietician from Public Health, the Manx Stroke Association, First Responders and many more attending.’
Moves to reform the Countryside Care Scheme have been put on hold.
A £50,000 cap on payments and widening the scheme to cover smaller farms of 12-20 acres were among suggestions of a scrutiny committee report debated in Tynwald. Michael MHK Alfred Cannan said it didn’t go far enough and proposed a raft of other changes. Malew MHK Graham Cregeen’s call for DEFA to consult with the industry on all proposals was backed by Keys but not LegCo. A combined vote will be held next month.
Robert Louden Brown returned to the society as its guest judge for the October ‘open’ prints competition and a warm welcome was extended to him by the president.
Introducing him to members and guests, the president summarised Robert’s distinguished career.
He had become a commercial photographer in 1957 in Glasgow with the Northern Press Photo Agency of Cheshire.
In 1960, he had moved into the highly specialised field of medical photography, graduating in 1969 as a member of the British Institute of Professional Photography.
Ten years later, he became the Director of Medical Illustration for Glasgow University and from 1990 to 2002 be was Visiting Professor to the John Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA.
From 2001 to 2007, Robert served as Adviser in Medical and Scientific Photography to the UK Government from his Edinburgh base before being appointed as Specialist in Public Health to the Isle of Man Government from 2001 until he retired to the south of the island in 2007.
So, there could be absolutely no doubt that Robert was highly qualified to fulfil the role of judge again.
There were fewer entries than normally anticipated at this time of the year but perhaps this was because the Indian Summer we have all been enjoying recently might have encouraged members to think they were still on holiday!
Leaving that aside, Robert started by outlined his approach to judging and was quickly into his stride.
He had found the overall quality of the entries to be very good in both colour and monochrome. Indeed some he regarded as ‘outstanding’.
With his own gentle style and good humour, Robert’s perceptive comments covered composition, sharpness, the use of different shutter speeds to capture the desired effects, the importance in producing the full tonal range in the mono images, and the choice and style of mounting - but all were constructive and designed to be helpful.
He had looked for impact and even praised inventiveness in choosing appropriate titles.
There was a wide range of subject matter before him, but he had found the variety pleasing.
Some of the digitally enhanced entries he had found more difficult to critique but, in spite of this, he decided his final ‘orders of merit’ as follows :-
Results:
Standard Class Mono – 1st ‘Gone Fishing’ by Lara Howe (one of our new members); 2nd & 3rd ‘World at War’ and ‘Carrbridge’ by Joy Brodie.
Standard Class Colour – 1st ‘Don’t Look Down’, again by Lara Howe; 2nd ‘Juvenile Sparrow’ by Beryl Quayle; 3rd ‘Dunlop – On the Limit’ by Paul Dougherty; 4th ‘Reeds’ by Beryl Quayle; 5th ‘Fishing on the Mekong’ by Paul Dougherty; and 6th ‘Tower Bridge’ by Joy Brodie. ‘Brown Bear Feeding’ by Richard Shafto was commended.
Intermediate Class Mono – 1st ‘Cat on the Tiles’ by Jenny Shanley; 2nd ‘Finishing Touch’ by Mark Falconer; 3rd ‘Inside the Hive’ by Jenny Shanley; 4th ‘What Did You Say’ by Nessie Gillen; 5th ‘In The Zone’ by Mark Falconer; and 6th Splashing Time’ by Nessie Gillen.
Intermediate Class Colour – 1 ‘Not Forgotten’ by Shirley Lotfy; 2nd Belting Through Ballaugh’ by Mark Falconer; 3rd ‘Brighten West Pier’ by Nessie Gillen; 4th ‘Santa Ponsa, Majorca’ by Ian Lumsden; 5th ‘Berried Bike’ by Nessie Gillen; and 6th ‘The Only Answer to Mankind’s Problems’ by Ian Lumsden. Three entries were highly commended. These were ‘Crane Fly’ and ‘Pride of Madeira (Echium Candicans)’ by Jenny Shanley; and ‘Common Blue Damselfly’ by Shirley Lotfy.
Advanced Class Mono – 1st ‘Stairs to the Chapter House, Wells Cathedral’ by Ron Shimmin; 2nd ‘Steam Up’ by Sue Jones; 3rd ‘Grasshopper’ by Chris Blyth who also had ‘Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth’ placed 4th; 5th ‘Footbridge, Salford Quays’ by Ron Shimmin; and 6th ‘At Home with the Vikings’ by Tony Curtis. Patricia Harvey was highly commended for ‘The Stairs’, as was Sue Jones for ‘Misty Morning’.
Advanced Class Colour – 1st ‘Haddon Hall’ by Ron Shimmin; 2nd ‘The Smithy’ by Sue Jones; 3rd ‘Altar’, Salisbury Cathedral’ by Ron Shimmin; 4th ‘Bearded Dragon’ by Tony Curtis; 5th ‘Poetry in Motion’ by Bob Servante; and 6th Cormorant’ by Tony Curtis.
Patricia Harvey was highly commended for her image ‘Osprey with Catch’. Four entries were commended. These were ‘Common Blue Damselfly’ and Over the Top and Tally Ho’ by Chris Blyth; ‘Time to Cross’ by Patricia Harvey; and ‘Stroll Through Bluebell Woods’ by Bob Servante.
Robert had been set one final task and this was to select the best overall image in the competition to qualify for the season long competition for the ‘best of the best’ and the award of the Brian Kershaw Memorial Trophy. This went to Ron Shimmin for ‘Stairs to the Chapter House, Wells Cathedral’.
Giving a well-deserved vote of thanks, John Phipp commented on how fortunate the Society was to be able to call upon such an experienced and well qualified ‘local’ judge. It was clear that considerable care and time had been devoted to the task he had been set and the society was extremely grateful.
On October 29, we shall have our first ‘small prints’ (7.5 x 5in) competition and a presentation by Gary Harrison on ‘Putting Things In Perspective’.
The entries will also be due in that evening for the first assignment competition on the subject ‘Reflections’
Looking ahead to November 7, we have a photographic ‘battle’ with the Western and Southern Photographic Clubs at Edwards Restaurant, Onchan, for which tickets are now available from our secretary or Treasurer.
The society meets every Wednesday at 7.30 pm at Thie Ellyn, off Withington Road, Douglas, when new members and guests (for a nominal charge) are always most welcome
Antony Hamilton
An award-winning island finance company employing more than 200 people is working well adapting to change.
That was the message from Mark Hartigan, the chairman of Zurich International Life during a two-day visit to the business in Athol Street, Douglas.
The former Army officer told Business News he was impressed with the work done by the team and its chief executive officer Clive Baker.
He told Business News he makes visits several times a year: ‘I come over to deal with some of the issues raising their head.
‘These [issues] include how Zurich International Life business is meeting the changing needs of the markets that it supports.
‘I think that as those needs change one of the great reassons why the international life business has been so successful is that it has constantly been able to adapt to the way it supports the markets.
‘And as those markets change the Isle of Man and its support for those markets has got to change with it.
‘They have got to move with the times.
‘But I think all businesses are on a continuum of change.
‘That continuum will not stop, it might slow down but it will never stop.’
He also told of the change in business generally from ‘immature regulatory markets to very mature regulated markets.’
Mr Hartigan said he believes there are ‘two drivers’ moving the business to adapt to change.
‘One is regulation. With international regulations being a lot stiffer and I think that is a good thing for a company like us.
‘And the other driver is the customers themselves.
‘As the customer is more aware of competition and how the markets are changing and how their expectations are being raised through it.
‘I think our game has got to be better as we anticipate increasing demands from the customer.
demand curve
‘We have to move ahead of that demand curve.’
Mr Hartigan was speaking from the Athol Street, Douglas offices of Zurich International Life which have been in the island for around 32 years making Zurich one of the longest established finance firms in the Isle of Man.
On the table in front of him were the nine awards which were recently awarded to the island based business at the international life industry’s flaship event, the International Adviser Awards.
As reported recently in Business News, this impressive tally was four more than the company won last year and more than any other product provider working internationally.
Mr Hartigan said: ‘I often think of Zurich International Life customers as being a little more discerning.
‘I often think we are not the cheapest solution in town but I think there’s a reason for that and that is because of the surety that we bring.
‘If you take a long term production product from our business you are going to be sure we are going to pay.’
Zurich International Life Limited provides life assurance, investment and protection products and employs 214 people in the island alone.
Mr Hartigan, who is based in Hong Kong, was full of praise for the island team.
He told Business News: ‘The reason why Zurich International Life has been here for 32 years is the ability of the Isle of Man to respond to the changes in the marketplace it supports.
‘We have a really forward looking government here, we have a strong well respected regulator and we have all the ingredients for a strong international business that is responsive to the changing needs of the international market.’
He said a good example of the way business had changed responding to regulatory change was that the business now sold products only to people that are resident in the countries in which they sell.
‘That’s a good example of how we have adapted to changing market requirements.’ Mr Hartigan said he enjoyed visiting the island and after our interview and a full day in the office he was planning a leisurely run along Douglas promenade.
Encouraged by the success of this year’s revitalised Douglas Carnival, organisers will stage another in 2015.
Despite unsettled weather this year, the first Douglas carnival for around 15 years attracted a sizeable number of entries – more than 60 – watched by an enthusiastic crowd which lined the promenade on both sides.
Additional funding amounting to £5,388 had to be provided for this year’s event but this was to cover unforeseen expenses, according to Michelle O’Malley of the Douglas Development Partnership.
She explained: ‘It was because it was the first year back. Some of our estimates were bob on and a few cost a bit more, like signs, barriers for the road closure and providing marketing, and a dedicated carnival website [www.douglascarnival.im]
‘So there were some costs associated with year one that won’t be repeated in years two three and so on.’
The impact of possible road works next year on the promenades will be considered nearer the time. ‘It is possible we might have to shorten the route next year or look at how the work is done on the day, but it will go ahead,’ Miss O’Malley said.
Work is planned for next year involving resurfacing the remainder of the promenades, from Regent Street to Derby Castle, and moving the tramtracks either to the seaward side of the road or on to the promenade walkway, depending on the outcome of a current consultation. This year’s carnival king and queen were selected from pupils at St Ninian’s and Ballakermeen schools, who were nominated based on their contributions to the school and community.
This year they were transported along with the deputy mayor and mayoress by trike. Next year the plan is to include them on one of the council’s floats.
‘The council did a fantastic float this year so it would be great if they were to be included on it,’ she said.
‘For the first year of the new event, we were really pleased with what we had and we hope it has now inspired people to be ready for the next one.’
At a recent meeting, Douglas council agreed the date for next year’s event would be July 18 with a contingency date of July 19, should the weather prove to be poor.
A carnival queen will again be selected in advance to travel on the council float and the fun day will again form part of the carnival itself rather than taking place some distance away in Noble’s Park.
Organisers also hope to have broadcast commentary points along the route which is to remain unchanged from that used this year.
Modern, energy-saving LED lights are likely to be installed in Shaw’s Brow multi-storey car park in the centre of Douglas in the near future.
The new lights will cost the council £42,000 to fit but a report given to the council said the cost should be recouped within three years because the new units would be more efficient, saving electricity costs.
The decision comes after a report compiled for the council looking at ways of improving lighting in Shaw’s Brow car park and reducing power costs.
The report said the new LED lights had a life of eight years and a trial had already been carried out with 30 LED lights fitted into the existing lamp holders.
A report by the council’s accountant said savings would not initially benefit the council as it would simply mean they received less in grants from the Department of Infrastructure. However, this agreement between the DoI and council expires in 2018, at which point the council will benefit from the reduced costs.
The council is also to petition the DoI to borrow £877,220 to upgrade lighting and provide CCTV in the Douglas regeneration areas. The money will provide additional LED street lighting columns which also can provide coloured LED lighting, CCTV and a public address system.
Additional features on the lighting posts can include decorative feature lighting and wifi provision. The money will cover the lighting scheme running through the regeneration area. Should the regeneration scheme be extended to include from Market Hill and Marine Road, the new lighting will also be extended.
Join Shrek and his loyal steed Donkey as they set off on a quest to rescue the beautiful (if slightly temperamental) Princess Fiona from a fire-breathing love-sick dragon.
All the much-loved DreamWorks characters are brought to life, live on stage, in all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza Shrek the Musical.
Parker & Snell Company is fortunate to have secured the rights for the British premiere. And the show – featuring all new songs as well as cult Shrek anthem I’m a Believer – will be coming to the Gaiety Theatre, Douglas, from tonight (Friday).
Director Colin Snell said: ‘The story of Shrek is beautifully told in the show and the message of what makes us special, makes us strong comes across loudly and clearly.
‘It is undeniably a fun show which makes us look at ourselves and each other.
‘The audience can expect to see all the characters they know and love from the films, a familiar story, a host of fairytale characters, a witty and entertaining script, catchy songs and a high-energy production that will produce guaranteed dancing in the aisles.’
The 11 principals are professional actors from the UK with many paying their first visit to the island. There is also an ensemble of over 50, made up of Manx performers aged from six to 60.
Ian Fox, who plays Shrek, said: ‘Shrek is a such a good role to play and I have enjoyed exploring all the aspects of his character and his journey from grumpy loner to falling in love.’
He added: ‘The island cast and crew have been more than welcoming. I have visited many times and my immediate family now live here so I’d like to think that my performance will be my way of giving something back’
Francesca Swarbrick, who plays Fiona, said: ‘I am thoroughly enjoying my first visit to the Isle. People are extremely warm and friendly, although the same cannot be said for the weather!
Colin said: ‘It has been a wonderful experience for the Manx ensemble to work with a professional cast and for Manx audiences to have the opportunity to see a lot of new faces on the Gaiety Stage.
‘Carl Parker [producer] and myself have been delighted with the way in which the show has come together so quickly and so impressively.
‘Energy levels are high and the degree of professionalism is equally impressive. It has been an incredibly happy show to direct and to produce. Manx audiences are in for a treat!’
The creatives are also a mix of UK and Manx residents.
The set has been professionally designed in London by Rob Miles and built on the Isle of Man by island-based Graham Thomas. And London-based Robbie Drake has created Shrek’s prosthetics.
Ken Mitchell is musical director and a band of nine includes his sons.
Stage manager David Daugherty and his team are all island-based.
Shrek the Musical will be at the Gaiety Theatre nightly at 7.30pm from tomorrow to November 1, with 2pm matinees both Saturdays, Sunday and Wednesday next week. Tickets cost from £16.50 (concessions and family tickets available). Call the box office on 600555 or book online at villagaiety.com
Tynwald has delayed a proposal by the Home Affairs department to spend almost £5 million on upgrading the existing TETRA emergency radio system.
Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson said the expenditure was needed to update the system which was first installed in 2003 and will become obsolete without the cash injection to upgrade its infrastructure.
The system is used by the island’s emergency services, including the police, as well as Civil Defence personnel and marshals during the TT, Manx Grand Prix and Classic TT.
Mr Watterson said the objective was to replace the system, which has handled around 15 million calls in its lifetime with the latest generation of equipment. He said they had succeeded in negotiating a cost wich was £1 million less than first anticipated and the new system would have guaranteed support for the next 15 years. The proposal was seconded by Chris Thomas MHK (West Douglas).
Onchan MHK Peter Karran suggested the expense was not justified in times of financial hardship and proposed an amendment to refer the matter to the Social Affairs Policy Review Committee to report by April 2015. This was seconded by Leonard Singer (Ramsey).
Juan Turner MLC said systems in the UK were contracted out to an independent operator and reminded members the government had pumped an extra £4.25 million into TETRA in 2009.
Onchan MHK Zac Hall agreed more information was needed. An amendment by Malew and Santon MHK Graham Cregeen and seconded by Geoff Corkish MLC to postpone the motion until November was accepted with Kate Beecroft, Brenda Cannell, Peter Karran and Leonard Singer dissenting.
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While Tynwald held back on spending nearly £5m on upgrading Tetra, the court did vote to spend £2.776m on other capital projects.
There was unanimous support for expenditure of £330,000 towards the £480,000 cost of building a hazardous waste transfer facility behind the Energy from Waste plant at Richmond Hill.
JCK Ltd has already been awarded the contract with work due to begin, if Tynwald votes in favour, before the end of March next year.
Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne explained that the sort of hazardous materials that the plant would handle with were things that ‘could blow up, create huge fires and toxic gases’.
They include by-product from the incinerator, and waste from the hospital, laboratories and engineering. Most is currently stored where it is produced before it is shipped across for disposal.
Mr Gawne also won Tynwald backing for £1,275,000 for repairs to the Ballure bridge on the Manx Electric Railway outside Ramsey.
He described the railways was ‘historic national treasures’. ‘We must do everything we can to preserve them,’ he said.
Chief Minister Allan Bell described the MER as a ‘lifeline for Ramsey’.
Brenda Cannell (Douglas East), who was the only one to vote against the scheme, said she was concerned about the money already spent on trying to stabilise the cliffs at Ballure and needed reassurance that there was not going to be ‘good money after bad’.
Tynwald also voted to spend £1,171,000 for further redevelopment of the Clagh Vane estate at Ballasalla.
Project six will involve the construction of eight new public sector homes.
Two items of plant machinery were stolen from the Department of Infrastructure’s site in Ramsey Road, Laxey, on Thursday.
Constable Chloe Keegan wants to speak to anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity there between 2.30pm and 3pm.
It is on part of the coast road where there are road works with temporary traffic lights currently in operation.
The stolen items included a Stihl Road Saw.
Anyone with information about the thefts is being urged to phone Constable Keegan at Ramsey police station on 812234.
An invitation to a night on Jaguar History, from two highly interesting speakers Tony Loades of Abbey Panels, and the world famous former Jaguar test driver Norman Dewis on Friday 31st October at The Mount Murray Hotel from 7pm.
A donation of £10 has been asked for a donation be made to Manx Cancer Help of £10. Tickets are going quickly if people would like to book tickets they can email ally@manxcancerhelp.org
A political debate is to take place next week on whether the island’s chief minister should be directly elected by the people.
Currently, he or she is decided by a vote of Tynwald members.
The Positive Action Group is hosting a debate led by Michael MHK Alfred Cannan (for) and Rushen MHK Juan Watterson (against).
A statement from the PAG reads: ‘By the time of the next election, in September 2016, the ministerial system will be 30 years old.
‘The method of electing a chief minister has remained the same. PAG believes it is time to examine this process. Is it reflective of the expectations of a modern democratic society?’
Following the presentations the audience will have chance to comment and question the protagonists.
The public meeting is open to all and admission is free .
It will take place on Monday, October 27, at 7.30pm at the Manx Legion Club, Market Hill, Douglas.
If you’re into a bit of classic rock, metal and AC/DC in particular you can’t do much worse than heading down to Amber this Saturday night.
Making a return for their first show at the venue since their triumphant gig on Senior Race Day at the beginning of summer, the island’s very own regularly gigging AC/DC cover band A Little Bitta’ Rosie will be headlining the venue in Douglas and are bringing 9 Bar Gypsies with them in support.
For those who have seen A Little Bitta’ Rosie live before, and let’s face it many have, this band are well worth making the effort to see again.
The band’s most famous pieces are all there in abundance – Highway To Hell, Whole Lotta Rosie, You Shook Me All Night Long and Thunderstruck just scratch the surface with regard to the back catalogue that these boys delve into.
9 Bar Gypsies on the other hand bring the late 1980s Los Angeles sleaze rock sounds to the table.
Specialising predominantly in the music of Guns ‘N’ Roses with a sideswipe at Metallica, Kiss and Steel Panther among others in the set, this event is well worth checking out.
Get your bandanas, your denim and your leather on and go check it out!
The doors open at 8pm and it’s free to get in.
This event is also being held in aid of Big Beat For Hospice, of which the main event takes place starting a week on Friday, October 31.
News on that event with a full write up in next week’s column.
In other news, Manx alternative rockers Postcode have just released their latest video single for the song ‘Losing The Battle’ a track lifted from their latest album ‘Zebratronic’.
The song is said to combine the band’s love of noisy guitars with electronic sounds, a theme that is explored further on the album.
The video can be seen at www.youtu.be/Mwhw-QYqRg0
Zebratronic’ is also available on Small Bear Records now from https://postcode.bandcamp.com/album/zebratronic on a pay what you like basis.
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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
Manx Telecom has appointed Ian Liddle as a senior account manager for the company’s Chameleon portfolio of products.
Chameleon is the brand name for the company’s UK/EU focused smart SIM solutions.
This latest appointment is part of the continued drive to grow the company’s off-island business.
Chameleon is said to be the mobile product of choice for a wide range of connection critical markets including providing protection for remote workers, remotely monitoring systems, or improving business efficiency.
The Chameleon portfolio of products is the responsibility of the company’s Global Solutions team.
Over the past few years, the company’s off-island markets have increased to such an extent that it now forms a significant and rapidly growing part of the business.
Half-year figures for the six months to June 30, 2014, showed that Global Solutions revenues grew 30 per cent as a result of increased wholesale SMS volumes, Machine-to-Machine services (M2M), and Chameleon services.
Ian Liddle joins Manx Telecom after a successful career in the travel industry. He began working at Mann Link Travel Group in 1985 and rose through the ranks as the business evolved to become Online Regional Travel Group Limited.
In 2006 Ian became operations director and a shareholder at ORTG.
Ian said: ‘I am delighted to have joined Manx Telecom’s growing Global Solutions team.
‘This is an exciting opportunity to help nurture the excellent relationships the Chameleon Team already has with our key customers and grow the client base.’
Ian will be based in the Isle of Man and his appointment adds additional strength to Manx Telecom’s already experienced Chameleon team, which includes Suzanne Mealin and Paul Craig.
The team is led by product manager Sarah Creighton, who said: ‘We welcome Ian’s appointment.
‘His wealth of premium account management experience and strategic focus will allow us to deliver excellent service to our partners.’