A DEAL to purchase shares in the Pinewood film studios could finally be signed this month.

Tynwald voted in June, following a five-hour debate, to invest in Pinewood Shepperton. But the proposal has continued to court controversy ever since.

The move will see Treasury buy a stake of up to 19.99 per cent in Pinewood Shepperton from Peel Holdings at a cost of £24m and appoint the studio to act as investment manager for the Media Development Fund.

A Treasury spokesman confirmed that no shares have yet been purchased.

But she added: ‘The shares will be purchased at the same time as the investment manager’s agreement being concluded. We are working towards a completion this month.’

She said the investment management agreement could go ahead once the UK Financial Services Authority licence conditions are met. FSA approval is not needed for the share purchase but Treasury wanted both agreements do be done coterminously.

Shares will be purchased in two phases with half acquired on an interim basis and the remainder secured in a second tranche at a later date.

Although the Pinewood deal has yet to be signed, Isle of Man Film has already announced its first collaboration with the studio.

Filming of lavish period drama Belle will begin in the island next Monday (September 24). Alongside Gugu Mbatha Raw in the title role, the cast boasts an impressive ensemble of Britain’s finest actors including Tom Wilkinson, Miranda Richardson, Matthew Goode, Penelope Wilton and Emily Watson.

Laurence Skelly MHK, Department of Economic Development member with responsibility for Isle of Man Film, said he expected Belle to be the first of many collaborations with Pinewood.

He insisted that figures he had quoted about the cast and crew of the production injecting £1 million into the local economy were based on the island’s previous experience of making films here.

He told the Examiner: ‘It’s estimated to be around the £1 million mark based on our past history. It depends on the size of the film, the number of people involved, transportation, accommodation, catering, extras, prop hire and locations – everything surrounding the production.’

Isle of Man Film’s next project – its 100th – is to be announced soon.

Steve Christian of CinemaNX said contracts were still in negotiation so it would premature at the moment to give further details of the production.

During the Tynwald debate on the Pinewood deal in June, Treasury Minister Eddie Teare called for members to take ‘bold and decisive’ action and insisted there were tangible benefits from the deal.

But critics including Kate Beecroft (Lib Van, Douglas South), Brenda Cannell (Douglas East), Zac Hall (Onchan) and Alfred Cannan (Michael) argued there had been no clear business plan and no proper due diligence.

THE line-up for the Manx Litfest has encountered more last-minute drama than is packed between the covers of its authors’ best-selling titles.

RJ Ellory, one of Britain’s top crime writers due to feature in the festival at the end of this month, has had to pull out at the 11th hour after it was discovered he has been secretly writing his own glowing reviews on Amazon while slamming his contemporaries.

But, far from crumbling under the chaos that has followed this discovery, the Manx Litfest organisers have rather ironically and amusingly snapped up Scottish crime writer Stuart MacBride, the recipient of particularly scathing reviews by Ellory, to take his place.

Ellory was forced to issue an apology after it was found he’d posted fake reviews of his own works under a psuedonym on the Amazon website, referring to his writing as ‘breathtaking’ and akin to ‘magnificent genius’.

Reviewing his own award-winning novel A Quiet Belief in Angels, Ellory described it as a ‘modern masterpiece’ and ‘chilling’, awarding it five stars.

But of MacBride’s Dark Blood, he said: ‘Unfortunately this is another in the seemingly endless parade of same-old-same-old police procedurals that seem to abound in the UK.’

MacBride’s booking as Ellory’s replacement at Manx Litfest, therefore, is an interesting one bound to garner a great deal of attention.

Birmingham-based Ellory hit the headlines after he was exposed on Twitter by British spy writer Jeremy Duns.

Duns said Ellory had been posting on Amazon under the names Nicodemus Jones and Jelly Bean.

In an apology statement, Ellory said: ‘The recent reviews – both positive and negative – that have been posted on my Amazon accounts are my responsibility and my responsibility alone.

‘I wholeheartedly regret the lapse of judgment that allowed personal opinions to be disseminated in this way and I would like to apologise to my readers and the writing community.’

The Crime Writers’ Association, of which Ellory is a member and former board member, said it had launched a review.

Ellory was due to be grilled by Manx Litfest director John Quirk in the main marquee in the Villa Marina Gardens on the second day of the four-day festival which starts next Thursday (September 27).

They were to talk about his writing life, genre and the great US/UK divide, after which he was to sign copies of his book.

Then on the following evening, the disgraced author was to join Manx writer Chris Ewan and Ann Cleeves, author of the books which became the TV series Vera, on a Crime Writers Panel in the Villa Marina Promenade Suite.

Mr Quirk declined to comment on Mr Ellory’s withdrawal but said: ‘Thanks to the efforts of Chris Ewan, we secured leading crime writer Stuart MacBride to step in at the last minute.’

The festival, the brainchild of Mr Quirk and his wife Emma, is the first of its kind in the island.

The festival is the brainchild of Mr Quirk and his wife Emma. It will also feature well-known authors such as BBC war correspondent Martin Bell, Tolkien Scholar Colin Duriez, Jasper Fforde, Fiona O’Brien, Neil Ansell, Roisin Meaney, Ben Haggarty and Elizabeth Buchan.

There will be masterclasses and seminars, open mic poetry, children’s storytelling, school visits, book signings, a wine evening and even a chance to pitch your idea to an agent.And a new Bushy’s beer, named Bestcellar, has been created especially for the event.

For the full schedule visit {http://www.manxlitfest.com.manxlitfest.com}.

BY ANGELA GREGORY AND LOTTIE RAY

WE have had the Olympics. We have had the Paralympics.

Now we need something else to keep the flame alive and satisfy the world’s hunger for more sporting excellence, courage, patriotism, human endeavour and lots of noisy television with unhinged BBC commentators shouting: ‘Look at that’ when this is already what we’re doing.

The year 2012 is not over yet. There is time for one more great international sports spectacular.

I give you – the Oldiolympics. Or the Agedolympics. No, the Oapolympics might be better . . . I think this needs a little more work on it.

The essence is that taking part will be confined to Old Age Pensioners, of which there are a lot in the Isle of Man, and I will be taking part for one.

First we will need a television spectacular for an opening ceremony, with show business personalities appropriate to the theme.

Sir Paul McCartney has already appeared for the Olympics, which is perhaps fortunate for us. But there’s no problem.

We can have the Rolling Stones.

One thing though. We don’t want the damn thing going on half the night. Some of us like to be home early and in bed with the Horlicks.

As for a closing ceremony, we will dispense with one of those. We’ll all be too knackered.

Now the events. I would suggest the first should be the 10 yard sprint. We don’t do 100 yards. We don’t do 10 metres either. We don’t properly understand new-fangled things like metres.

There will be no starting gun, of course. Not all of us will be able to hear it.

There will have to be other events within the capabilities of the aged. Marbles for instance.

I realise that it will be difficult for us to get down on the floor and then get back up again. But we will be allowed to have assistance from grandchildren and the winner will be the first to lose all his or her marbles.

Synchronised swimming? No. The heart sinks, and so might some competitors.

Finally, the marathon. We will have to have something of the sort, appropriately modified. I think a Zimmerathon would be wholly appropriate.

Next, commercial sponsorship. There’s the Oldie magazine for a start and Werther’s Originals are a must. Coca Cola and McDonald’s would not be suitable. But they could be substituted by Dandelion and Burdock and Lyon’s Corner Shop Tearooms – if they still exist.

Of course, the spirit must carry on. There is one more important thing. Legacy.

In this connection the Department of Health has advised that all events will have to be closely supervised by doctors and resuscitation teams.

If any of us overdo things in the heat of the moment there will be more legacies available than you can shake a walking stick at.

• ROSIE Scott at Ballabeg draws attention to the Examiner story about the Sefton Group facing debts of £47 million and the company’s report saying that it is cutting away ‘ at the ‘fat’ and ‘excess baggage’ that the group has accumulated.’

Chief executive Brett Martin is then quoted as saying: ‘I think the largest shareholders are in support of what we are doing.’

Stout fellows.

• JOHN Dodsworth reports hearing a Manx Radio live news report saying: ‘We are stood outside the new school . . .’

John hopes the pupils at the new St Ninian’s Lower School know their tenses better than this. Black marks, he says.

I would add that somebody should have to write out 100 times: ‘We are standing . . .’

POLICE are investigating a hit-and-run incident in Douglas.

The collision took place in the area of Victoria Road, but police haven’t said when.

Officers would like to speak to the driver of a small red vehicle displaying R plates. This vehicle was involved in a collision and is likely to have sustained light front end damage.

The second vehicle involved in the collision sustained extensive front end damage. As a result of the collision two parked vehicles also sustained extensive damage.

Following the incident the driver of the small red vehicle left the scene and has failed to go to the police.

Police are keen to identify the driver of this vehicle.

THE winners of 2012 Step Scheme have been announced.

Co-ordinated by local businessman, Ian Moncrief-Scott, this year has seen the largest single group of Step students and organisation projects to date with 32 placements secured.

The winner of the ‘Most Enterprising Student’ award went to Kevin Burridge, who designed a rice steamer for Strix. The runner up in this category was Joanne Durber, who worked with Quinn Legal on a website design.

The ‘best presentation’ was by Kate Holland, who has been working with Ramsey Cottage Hospital on their website. The runner up in this category was Tom Bateson, whose placement was with the Department of Health training services division.

Matthew Cooper was commended by the judges for his research project with the Communications Commission and Callum Taggart was also commended for his health and safety project with Swagelok.

Step co-ordinator Ian Moncrief Scott said: ‘Helen Cowley and Maree Bashforth, both experienced judges, have asked me to stress just how difficult it was this year to select the award winners due to some exceptional students and the challenges of projects involved.’

‘Each year has seen a steady rise in the calibre of students taking part in the programme and, in particular, I have noticed increasingly high standards of reports and presentations. I would also like add my thanks to the host organisations for their valuable support and commitment to Step.’

Nick Gibbs, of Strix, said: ‘We were once again pleased to support the Step scheme this year.

‘Kevin Burridge, the student allocated to work with us, completed a project to investigate the use of our recently developed steamer technology in to the rice steaming market, which is a new market for us.

‘We are grateful for Kevin’s efforts and plan to continue his work with further taste testing by staff in our Asian offices, where the product might eventually be launched.’

The Department of Health had four Step students on placements over the eight-week academic summer break. They were all engaged on specific projects demonstrating and expanding their research, analysis and reporting skills.

Kate Holland impressed the two independent judges, Helen Cowley and Maree Ashworth, with her knowledge and understanding of the role the internet can play in the access and provision of healthcare services.

Kate delivered a strong, clear five-minute presentation of her project evaluating and providing research based proposals for updating the current website, including a video of the services available at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital, which she filmed and edited with her own equipment and software. The video is available here: www.gov.im/health/services/hospitals/ramsey

Improving access to health services is a key component of the department’s strategy for the future of health services. The department’s website now provides the foundation for the e-business programme, which will deliver appropriate high quality public services in an online environment, wherever and whenever this best suits individual needs.

Sophie Miller, who enjoyed her placement at Noble’s Hospital, was assigned a similar project to evaluate the current website and provide research based proposals for updating. The web projects completed by Kate and Sophie, will enhance the current service provision, but most importantly, will provide a true public perception about how online services and support can be further developed.

Tom Bateson, working with the ‘learning team’ at Keyll Darree, designed and developed a database for the 38 mandatory training courses delivered by the learning team. This will allow managers to monitor training needs and compliance with the key performance indicator in their area.

Not only is the database to be piloted for three months in four different areas of the department, but Tom also created a training video and manual.

The way he presented his work on this project to the Step judges won him the runner-up award for ‘best presentation’.

Natalie Coleman teamed up with the salaried primary care dental service, to produce a working system for the maintenance of patients’ paper records including an archive database, which has been adopted and allows the staff quick and easy access to patient details as soon as they contact the service.

A UNION boss says she is hopeful that agreement can be reached over plans to change compensation and injury benefits payable to government staff.

It was announced last week that a working group had been set up to review and modernise the current ‘complex’ benefit schemes which have been in place since the 1980s but which are linked to various pension schemes that have now been superseded by the Government’s Unified Scheme (GUS) introduced in April this year.

Related Article: {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/manx-government-staff-compansation-scheme-outdated-1-4926931|Manx government staff compensation scheme outdated}.

Angela Moffatt, negotiations officer for the Prospect-Government Officers’ Association, said change was inevitable.

She said: ‘Change has already happened in the UK and change therefore was always on the cards in the island.

‘It was part of our negotiated position on GUS that we would have negotiation on this – which is why I’ve always been somewhat mystified by statements made on the floor of the Keys highlighting the need for change.’

Ms Moffatt said that in the UK the changes had ‘definitely’ been about cutting costs.

‘Cost is an issue here,’ she said. ‘But there is a whole wadge of schemes that will probably end up just being one.

‘This is about streamlining, simplification and obviously about cost.’

She said that where the unions were given the opportunity to engage in ‘calm, rational, dialogue’, there was invariably a satisfactory outcome.

This was what the union was aiming for and it was a case of ‘everybody keeping a calm head and keeping focussed’, she added.

Ms Moffatt said the provisional deadline of December was ‘quite optimistic’ but the unions were hopeful they could work to that but that it would be better, if needed, to ‘take longer to get it right rather than rush it and get it wrong’.

Compensation benefits provide for those public sector workers who are made redundant while injury benefits are provided for those government workers who are injured during in the course of their employment and are payable on either a temporary or permanent basis, dependent on the circumstances.

Historically, the island’s public service pension and other related benefits for public servants have been based upon equivalent provisions in place in the UK.

However, because of the implementation of the Unified Scheme and also recent changes made to UK compensation and injury benefit arrangements, the Council of Ministers considered that the Isle of Man arrangements should also be reviewed.

The working group is chaired by the Public Sector Pensions Authority’s vice chairman Alfred Cannan MHK who said its aim was to bring employers and employees together to seek a common solution to employee benefit issues.

The island’s One World Centre will be holding its annual meeting in Douglas tomorrow (Friday), with public opportunities to learn more about global poverty, and the work of the One World Centre.

Hosted at the Jabberwocky café in Duke Street, Douglas, the meeting will be followed by a talk on global poverty from the Global Poverty Project called ‘1.4 Billion Reasons’.

Presented by local schoolteacher and Isle of Man Global Poverty Ambassador Kristina Crawford, the talk seeks to persuade people to become part of a movement to rid the world of ‘extreme poverty’ within a generation. The number 1.4 billion is estimated to be the number of people in ‘extreme poverty’ across the planet.

One World Centre director Rosemary Clarke said: ‘With the recent debate about the Manx government’s response to overseas aid still much in the news, this is an ideal opportunity for people to come and learn about the real life issues millions of people around the world have to face on a daily basis. It will provide a new perspective for many of us and help give a sense of context to those of us who are lucky enough to enjoy a more fortunate lifestyle on the Isle of Man.’

The meeting and presentation are free to attend, and will start at 5.30pm.

YOUNG people who have gained their bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award were celebrating on Tuesday.

More than 100 youngsters were invited to attend the annual presentation evening with friends and family at the Gaiety Theatre, Douglas.

They were presented with their awards by Sam Skelton, head of intermediaries and real estate finance, of event sponsor Isle of Man Bank.

Education and Children Minister Tim Crookall MHK also attended.

A record number of people registered for and gained one of the three levels under the award scheme this year.

To gain the award, sections must be completed in volunteering, physical and skills sections, as well as planning and completing an expedition.

The DEC’s Youth Service is registered as an operating authority and has 15 award units – including schools and youth groups – signed up to offer the award.

A number of independent authorities such as King William’s College and the Air Cadets operate the scheme.

UNEMPLOYED young people were invited to find out more about the food industry and help prepare them for the workplace with workshops led by The Co-Operative Group.

The workshops, held on Monday and Tuesday at the firm’s store in Duke Street, Douglas, were part of Feeding Britain’s Future – Skills for Work Week, a British Isles-wide campaign, from September 17 to 21 to help unemployed people aged 16 to 24.

But out of the 12 people due to attend the sessions, advertised by the Job Centre, only three turned up.

One of those who attended was Richard Cooper, aged 26, of Castletown.

He said: ‘I’ve been unemployed on and off for 10 years. I’ve had trials and short stints but nothing solid.’

He described being in a ‘Catch-22 situation’, with prospective employers favouring those with experience in the role, but no one being willing to give him the experience necessary to get his first step on the career ladder.

When asked what he hoped to get out of the workshop, Richard said: ‘I thought it was a good opportunity to learn more new skills, especially for someone like me who is in long-term unemployment.’

He added: ‘I hope it will help me with my job search.’

The workshops saw participants learning about the different jobs available in food retail, what the job involves and what behaviour would be expected of them in the role. The importance of customer service and having a positive approach were also highlighted.

They also received training in the skills they need to help them secure jobs, such as creating a CV and interview techniques.

The workshops were led by Sarah Thompson, The Co-Operative’s operations trainer, who said: ‘The aim is to provide young people with the knowledge and skills to get a job.’

She added: ‘Young people are not given the opportunities. Either they don’t have the experience to do the job or the skills or the knowledge.’

Andrew Corrie, The Co-Operative’s area operations manager, said: ‘We are very, very keen to promote retail as a career for people and we provide lots of promotion opportunities in our business as it is a genuine career path.’

He said the turnout was disappointing but added that if there was enough interest, then another session could be organised.

At the end of August unemployment stood at 992, an unemployment rate of 2.2 per cent.

The number includes 38 people under the age of 18.

In addition, and not included in the figures, are 40 people aged under 18, who are registered with the careers office but not claiming any benefits.

Feeding Britain’s future involved food and grocery companies opening their doors across the British Isles to offer 10,000 unemployed youngsters the training they need to help them get a job in more than 700 locations.

THE parents of murdered policewoman Fiona Bone have spoken to the Manx Independent.

They tell the newspaper about the moment they heard the devastating news.

The paper, which is in the shops now, also includes tributes from others who knew her.

In the courts this week, the big news has been the Douglas East by-election trial. We report the latest on that.

Inside the paper we talk to Chris Robertshaw MHK, the Minister for Social Care, about cynicism about Manx politics.

Elsewhere, there’s another story about a dilapidated house. This time it’s in Laxey. We’re looking at how living near an eyesore can affect its neighbours.

Our What, Where, When section interviews one-time BBC war correspondent and later MP, Martin Bell, ahead of his appearance in the island.

And in sport we look forward to Rally Isle of Man.

The Manx Independent is in the shops now.

POLICE are investigating after a dog bit a woman.

At about 2.30pm on Wednesday a woman was walking alone up Brookfield Avenue in Ramsey, next to the entrance to Ramsey Golf Club car park.

A long-haired German Shepherd dog ran across the road and bit her leg. It is believed the dog had run out from a dark, possibly black, Ford C Max people carrier or similar.

The driver was a woman in her mid-40s with shoulder-length brown curly hair. It is believed the dog went back to this woman but neither was there when police arrived. While the woman who had been bitten was shocked and suffered amn injury, it was not described as serious.

Police are appealing for witnesses or the woman described to get in touch.

Owners are reminded that when they take dogs out to make sure they are properly under control. This includes leads or harnesses, and collars must have a dog licence and name tag with a contact number of the owner.

Constable Mark Hempsall is investigating. Contact him at Ramsey police station on 812234 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.

DO we trust our politicians?

Social Care Minister Chris Robertshaw MHK said the public consultation over welfare reform had raised two main themes – fear of change and whether people trust their politicians.

He told the Manx Independent: ‘I feel that currently we don’t enjoy the level of trust that in some ways is needed. When it comes to dealing with difficult policies, we must have the people with us.’

At a time of massively reduced government income, we are having to put our faith in our government to take the right action to get public finances back on track. We are also being asked to support some controversial policy decisions – including benefits reform, the possible part-privatisation of public services and the Pinewood film deal.

But our view of politicians here has been tainted by the experiences elsewhere – the expenses scandal at Westminster being only the latest example.

Cast your vote on this issue in our web poll panel at the right of this story

Mr Robertshaw said it was important for politicians to earn a degree of respect even if the policy decisions they make don’t necessarily enjoy unanimous support.

He said: ‘I don’t think this is necessarily just limited to politics – I heard the Bishop talking about the level of public trust in his clergy as they try to make difficult decisions. I think we are entering into a new era where the establishment doesn’t any longer enjoy automatic regard and that there is a need to prove your worth. The only way we can move forward is with an agenda of fairness and then we can build a degree of respect for what we do even if people disagree or are uncomfortable with a policy decision.’

He said Manx politics had slipped into a ‘somewhat complacent manner in the days of plenty’.

Mr Robertshaw added: ‘We’ve got a lot of work to do. We were too often seen as pursuing self interest rather than public service. That’s not going to change overnight.’

The Social Care Minister said fear of change was natural. He said there had been some sense of annoyance among the public that the social care consultation didn’t look at detailed policies, but he insisted this was always about the principles and once these had been identified, then specific policies would follow.

‘It’s important that our administration is able to articulate a clear narrative to show where we intend to go and how we intend to get there,’ he added.

Angela Moffatt, of the Prospect union, said there was a strong view among her members that MHKs were not suffering in the same way as the rest of the public as the financial squeeze took hold. She said: ‘There’s a real credibility problem for Manx politicians.

‘There are a lot of things they are trying to change with public services when there are some fundamental problems inherent in their own set up they don’t seem to want to address. They would get a lot more trust and respect if they led by example. They need to get their own house in order. We’re not talking about pay cuts, it’s about political reform. We have too many MHKs.’

• What do you think? Email {mailto:opinions@manx.net|opinions(at)manx.net} or sign in to add you comment below. Don’t forget you can vote in the panel at the right of this story too.

CYCLISTS are being encouraged to get on their bikes for charity on Sunday.

The 21st annual Shoprite Cycle for Life event takes place around the TT Mountain Course on Sunday.

This year, there will be a new format – the event will include the chance for solo competitors to compete in a time trial – with the chance to win £3,000 if they beat the current record.

And Olympic gold medalist Peter Kennaugh is due to take part in the team relay – and there will be a chance to meet him at the Sea Terminal, Douglas, from about 11am.

Shoprite chief executive Andrew Thomas said: ‘The Isle of Man is renowned worldwide for the quality of its cyclists with a world champion and an Olympic gold medal winner from our island in the last year alone.

‘We wanted to recognise this by providing people with the chance to benchmark themselves against the times of some of the world’s leading cyclists who have taken part in a Mountain Course time trial.’

Mr Thomas added: ‘This is a great chance for solo riders or teams to have the experience of participating in an organised, officially timed, event around the famous TT course and all of the money raised will be donated to two very deserving local charities.’

All the money raised from the event will be donated to Shoprite’s two chosen charities this year – the Isle of Man Adoption Service and the Isle of Man Cricket Association.

The event will start with the time trial for the first 50 solo competitors to register.

They will set off from the Grandstand in Glencrutchery Road, Douglas, at one-minute intervals from 7am.

Shoprite will give 3,000 prize fund to a rider who can break the record of one hour 23 minutes and 54 seconds, set by Chris Boardman in 1993. If more than one rider exceeds the record the prize will go to the fastest rider.

The winning rider will also nominate the island charity of their choice to receive a £500 donation and will receive Shoprite vouchers.

Following the time trial, there will be the traditional seven-leg team relay around the 37.73-mile course.

There will also be a family fun cycle – not a race – along Douglas seafront.

Registration is at the Sea Terminal on Sunday at 8.45am, for a 9.15am start. Children aged under eight will turn round at the War Memorial while older children will cycle to the former Summerland site and back.

Entry, which closes at 4pm on Friday, costs £30 for solo riders, £300 for teams of up to seven riders for the relay event, and £500 for corporate entries with associated sponsorship packages.

For more details or to download the entry form for the three events go to {http://www.manxshoprite.com.manxshoprite.com}.

Alternatively call Kim Makin on 683333 or email {mailto:kim.makin@manxshoprite.com|kim.makin(at)manxshoprite.com} or {mailto:suzanne.poole@manxshoprite.com|suzanne.poole(at)manxshoprite.com}.

Some 30 charities have benefited from event and received £158,000.

This weekend’s Rally Isle of Man still needs marshals and timekeepers.

In particular Friday and Saturday’s stages urgently need further volunteers, as the event chief marshal David Thompson said.

‘We’re OK for tonight’s (Thursday’s) opening four stages, but tomorrow and Saturday we would welcome any help the Manx populance could give us,’ he said. ‘We are very aware that they support so many events during the year, but would ask that if you are able to help, please do.”

Anyone who can is asked to either call in to the TT Grandstand in Douglas, which is the rally base and HQ for the event, or call the rally office on 852440.

Volunteers who’ve never been a marshal before will be placed with experienced personnel.

Rally Isle of Man is returning to the calendar after being cancelled in 2011.

KAYAKER Chris Allix has completed his 2,000-mile Man to Monaco challenge.

After crossing the Irish Sea on June 26 he reached Monaco in time for the opening day of the Monaco Yacht Show yesterday (Wednesday) at 10.15am.

On his arrival, he was presented with a trophy by Alex Downie MLC, a political member of the Department of Economic Development.

Speaking when the end was in his sights, Chris said: ‘I must admit to mixed emotions, very happy to have almost completed the challenge, proving most people wrong who thought this was an impossible dream and that I could never complete it.

‘But at the same time sad that it is almost over despite all the frustrations I have encountered over the last three months.’

After setting off from the Point of Ayre, Chris, of Tromode, who celebrated his 60th birthday on the water this month, worked his way south through England.

He crossed the Channel at the end of July, and then worked his way south through France, negotiating its rivers and canals.

Once he reached the Mediterranean he continued to make good progress – to the point that he was able to take two days off in order that he would arrive in Monaco on Wednesday.

Along the way he had to contend with high winds, animals that needed rescuing from the water and commercial barges – as well as a broken down support vehicle.

See a short youtube video of Chris accepting his award from Alex Downie MLC at the Monaco Yacht Show here: {http://youtu.be/vNYW9e_jgZE|Man to Monaco charity challenge ends at Monaco Yacht Show}.

Chris, a director of the Douglas-based ICM Group was raising money for Sailing for the Disabled (Isle of Man), Namaste Children’s Home (Nepal), Outward Bound Trust (Monaco), Encompass Trust (UK) and the ICM Charitable Trust (Isle of Man).

Donate online at {http://www.mantomonaco.com.mantomonaco.com}.

Alternatively, drop in cheques to his office: Dominion Marine Corporate Services Ltd, 6th Floor, Victory House, Prospect Hill, Douglas.

Related article: {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/chris-aims-to-reach-monaco-this-week-1-4928752|Chris aims to reach Monaco this week}.

THE Queen has expressed her sadness at the deaths of murdered police officers Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes.

Former Castle Rushen High School pupil Fiona, aged 32, and her colleague were gunned down in an ambush in Hattersley, Tameside, in what has been described by Greater Manchester Constabulary’s Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy as ‘one of the darkest days’ in British policing.

More than 25,000 messages of condolence have been left on the force website by members of the public, 19,000 via Facebook and another 1,000 on Twitter.

In a statement, the Lord-Lieutenant’s office said: ‘In a letter to the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester, Sir Peter Fahy, Her Majesty expressed her sincere condolences to the families of PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone at the tragic loss of their lives.’

Fiona was planning to marry her partner Clare Curran and, at the start of her final tragic shift, had been excitedly talking to colleagues about her forthcoming civil partnership.

In an interview with the Manx Independent, Fiona’s parents Paul and June, who live in Port St Mary, spoke of the moment they learned of their daughter’s murder.

Later, in a statement issued by Greater Manchester Police, Fiona’s family said: ‘Fiona enjoyed life to the full from her days with the Air Training Corps, rugby at university, to her service with the police. She was planning her marriage to Clare and this joy has been taken from us.

‘Our thoughts are with Nicola’s family along with Fiona and Nicola’s fellow officers at Tameside police station.’

Their tribute came after the pair’s colleagues held a minute’s silence to honour the PCs, who were killed after they went to investigate what appeared to be a routine burglary report.

The flag has been flying at half mast at Castle Rushen High School where Fiona studied for her A-levels in the sixth form after moving to the island from Derbyshire in 1997.

It has emerged that PC Bone may have tried to defend herself with a Taser which was found out of its holster at the crime scene.

Dale Cregan, aged 29, is being questioned over the officers’ deaths and the killings of father and son David and Mark Short. He handed himself into police after Tuesday’s murders.

THE security of government’s Twitter accounts were called into question this week after two were hacked.

The Isle of Man Constabulary was also urging people to ignore a hoax police account set up on Facebook.

On Tuesday, the main government and Manx Electricity Authority’s Twitter feeds were targeted, with spam messages being sent out.

A government spokesman said: ‘We immediately advised followers to ignore any suspicious direct messages, changed our security settings and cleared up the account. The matter was resolved within minutes and we have apologised for any inconvenience.’

An MEA spokesman said staff acted as quickly as they could to take down the accounts and reset the passwords, adding: ‘It’s business as usual.’

IF recent TV programmes have whetted your appetite to join a community choir, you now have a chance.

The Friday Lunchtime Choir needs new singers as it starts its fourth season on Friday, October 5, at 1.15pm.

Run by the Department of Education and Children’s Music Service, the choir meets at the Salvation Army Citadel, Lord Street, Douglas, for half an hour a week.

Its membership ranges from young mums and dads to retirees and includes people from wide range of professions, including a pilot, people from the legal profession and shop workers and managers. Many had never sung before they joined.

Maggie Richardson, who formed and runs the choir, said: ‘All are welcome, no matter how much or how little previous singing experience they have had.

‘Recruits are guaranteed a friendly welcome. All the music is provided, although we ask for a donation of 50p a week to cover this.’

The choir has already performed end-of-term and charity concerts. This term will see its biggest performance yet – singing at the Gaiety Theatre during the Salvation Army’s annual carol concert on December 2.

Maggie said workplace choirs are becoming more and more popular.

Gareth Malone’s latest series, Sing While You Work, which started on BBC Two yesterday (Thursday) features him with four British workforces, with a sing-off to decide the winner.

The programme will mark the TV debut of Manvinder Rattan, head of conducting for the charity Sing for Pleasure, who is a judge. Maggie is a previous chairman of Sing for Pleasure, hence a lot of the Friday Lunchtime Choir’s repertoire is similar to that the programme will feature.

Maggie, who heads the DEC’s Music Service, said: ‘We enjoy music of many different styles and from many different cultures. It’s chosen to be a challenge but not too difficult, so singers feel a sense of satisfaction from just a 30-minute rehearsal.

‘Many of our members joined with trepidation, having never sung a note in public, and it’s now a highlight of their week.’

For more information on the lunchtime choir, ring Maggie on 686555 or visit the Facebook page at {http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Friday-Lunchtime-Choir/156393334395594|www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Friday-Lunchtime-Choir/156393334395594}.

TWO A-level students who spent a fortnight at the NASA United Space School in August have been praised as being great ambassadors for the island.

Katy Myers and Rosie Watson were awarded scholarships to the Space School at the University of Houston, joining young people from a number of countries.

ManSat sponsors two Manx students attending the programme each year, in conjunction with the Department of Education and Children.

The company’s finance director, Ian Jarritt, said: ‘They were both right at the top of the programme, against any other nation in the world.’

Education Minister Tim Crookall MHK congratulated the students, saying they were ‘great ambassadors’.

Rosie and Katy attended lectures given by industry experts, astronauts and NASA scientists, and went on a number of trips, including to Space Center Houston.

For Ramsey Grammar School student Rosie, who lives in Baldrine, the best part of the trip was visiting the Ad Astra lab housing a prototype rocket engine which could reach Mars in just 40 days: ‘It was really cool to be able to see the working parts,’ she said.

Rosie has wanted to work in robotics for a long time and now has a greater understanding of how to get into the industry.

Katy, who lives in Onchan and goes to St Ninian’s High School, said it was hard to choose one highlight, saying: ‘We were there when Curiosity landed on Mars. There was such a great atmosphere.’

The NASA’s rover is on a quest to find out whether Mars was once habitable.

Katy said she was really inspired by the trip, adding: ‘I definitely want to work in the space industry.’

In November, Mr Jarritt will be going into secondary schools to promote the scholarship for 2013. Candidates write three essays on space topics, which are assessed by NASA representatives.

Rosie and Katy encouraged people to enter. Rosie advised students to ‘wear your heart on your sleeve’, while Katy said: ‘Three essays might seem like a lot but it’s really not. It’s a really small price for what you get.’

The first student to attend, sponsored by ManSat, was in 2000. From 2001-2006, one year 12 student (ages 16-17) was selected each year. Since 2007, two students have made the trip.

Explaining ManSat’s continued sponsorship, Mr Jarritt said: ‘We are based in the Isle of Man and it’s not entirely altruistic why we do this.

‘It’s important we have people that will come back to the island from uni and college and work in the industry we are working to build up.

‘And if they don’t come back they will be great ambassadors, telling people all the good things in the Isle of Man from a space point of view.’

• What do you think? Email {mailto:opinions@newsiom.co.im|opinions(at)newsiom.co.im} or sign in to add your comment below.

OLYMPIC gold medal hero Peter Kennaugh will be signing limited edition Gold Medal Winners stamp sheets on sale at the Sea Terminal this Sunday.

Fans of the Manx cyclist will have the opportunity to meet their sporting hero between 11am and midday.

To celebrate the success of Peter and team-mates Steven Burke, Edward Clancy and Geraint Thomas in the men’s team pursuit at the London Olympics last month, Isle of Man Post Office has produced a Gold Medal Winners sheet in an appropriately limited edition of just 2,012.

The sheet features the cycling stamps of Isle of Man Post Office’s London 2012 Olympic Games issue, designed by world-famous fashion designer Sir Paul Smith, along with images of Peter and his team-mates taking part in the dramatic race which saw the Great Britain team set a new world record time of 03:51.659.

Peter became the first Manx-born athlete to win an Olympic gold medal since Sidney Swann, who was part of Great Britain’s rowing eights team at the 1912 Games in Stockholm.

Dot Tilbury, general manager of Isle of Man Stamps and Coins, said: ‘We are delighted Peter is able to do an exclusive signing for us this Sunday.

‘It’s the ideal opportunity for people to meet our Manx cycling hero and get his autograph.

‘I’m sure crowds of people will come along to congratulate him, especially as the event coincides with Shoprite’s Cycle for Life charity event.’

Limited edition Gold Medal Winners sheets can be purchased at the Sea Terminal, Douglas, on Sunday morning priced £10 each, in advance from Regent Street Post Office in Douglas or online at {http://www.iomstamps.com.iomstamps.com}.