Up to five tax cappers may have left the island since measures were introduced to prevent potential abuse of the system, the Manx Independent has learned.

Chief Minister Allan Bell admitted: ‘It may have rebounded on us.’

The House of Keys this week voted to give a second reading to changes to the Income Tax Bill that will amend a new rule brought in only last year that obliged tax cappers to sign up to the £120,000 cap for five years.

That five-year provision was designed to give certainty to Treasury revenues. But in the Keys Treasury Minister Eddie Teare admitted there was another reason – to prevent the potential for abuse.

Under the planned amendments, individuals can effectively opt out of the tax cap and choose to have their tax liability assessed in the normal way.

Mr Teare told the Keys that this was about recognising people’s circumstances can change - for instance they may have sold their business.

But iomtoday has been told two tax cappers left when the tax cap election was introduced and the island had lost another three ‘high net worth’ residents in the last few weeks, with the loss of nearly £5m in revenue.

Mr Teare, however, said he was not aware of any tax cappers having left.

Explaining the reasons for the introduction of the tax cap election in last year’s Budget, he said: ‘We didn’t recognise that the scheme as originally drafted had the potential to be abused.

‘We thought it only right and fair that we should deal with that. It was brought to my attention by a taxcapper who thought it only right and fair that everybody not only abide by the law but the spirit of the law.’

He said there was evidence the previous system was open to abuse because a person could declare himself a taxcapper in one year, take a big dividend from the company and then have no tax liability at all in subsequent years. He described this as ‘dipping in and dipping out’.

He insisted the new clause allowing tax cappers to be assessed normally would only be used in ‘extenuating’ circumstances and they would still have to pay the tax due.

And he said he had been assured by the assessor that this measure will not lead to abuse.

The Chief Minister said the tax cap policy had brought significant economic benefits, having created several hundred jobs and encouraged millions of pounds of investment. ‘The whole intention is to encourage young entrepreneurs. We’ve got to be flexible sometimes as well.’

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What is a ‘tax capper’?

Since 2006, the Isle of Man has allowed the super-rich to pay a maximum amount of income tax a year. So they pay a fixed amount and pay no more in income tax, making their accountants’ live much simpler. It’s currently set at £120,000 a year. It was introduced to attract wealthy entrepreneurs to the island. But last year it was decided to make tax cappers sign up to the scheme for five years in a row.

Cellist Laura van der Heijden will be the guest performer in the latest of the Ramsey Music Society’s winter concert season.

Miss Van der Heijden will be travelling to the island to perform on Monday evening (February 9) in the West Hall at Ramsey Grammar School, starting at 7.45pm.

Fresh from playing at the BAFTA awards at the weekend, her Ramsey repertoir will include Beethoven’s sonata for cello and piano in C, Schubert’s Arpeggione sonata, Fitkin’s L for cello and piano and Poulenc’s sonata for cello and piano.

Still only 17, Miss Van der Heijden is currently studying her A levels at secondary school near her home in Sussex. She will be joined for the concert by pianist, composer and arranger Tom Poster.

Please note the concert is on Monday night, February 9, as usual, not on Friday February 5 as reported in the Island Life section of the Manx Independent.

Entry is £10, students can attend free of charge.

Cuts made in the Department of Infrastructure were outlined this morning its minister.

Thirty-three members of staff have left the department during the current financial year under the terms of a Mutually Agreed Resignation Scheme (MARS), creating a saving of about £1 million.

That is on top of a £3 million cut in staff costs achieved since 2011-12 through the reduction of more than 100 full-time posts.

The MARS scheme remains open to applications from employees across the department as it looks to secure the additional savings needed to meet its £5 million budget reduction target.

Minister Phil Gawne MHK said: ‘In common with most areas of government, a substantial part of the department’s expenditure is on staff costs.

‘The huge scale of our financial challenge meant there was always going to be an impact on jobs.

‘However, this government has consistently stated that it would not adopt a “slash and burn” approach. The reductions in Infrastructure have been carefully managed through retirements and voluntary departures, with input from staff and their unions. There have been no compulsory redundancies.’

He added: ‘Delivering the same range of public services with fewer staff has increased the workload on the remaining employees, but they have responded with great professionalism and commitment.’

As well as cutting staff costs, the department has also introduced energy-saving measures to lower utility bills across its estate and increased the use of technology.

Changes to working practices in highway services, public transport and at the airport, including revised arrangements for the airport information desk, have ‘significantly’ lowered operating costs by virtually eliminating premium payments for overtime and increasing flexibility around shift patterns.

Amalgamation of the driver and vehicle licensing and driver and vehicle examination teams has realised savings through the loss of one senior post. Further improvements expected from this reorganisation will lead to a slicker service for customers and a reduction in administration costs.

Strategic capital investment is also making a contribution to the reduction in revenue expenditure.

The modernisation of the Isle of Man’s bus fleet is lowering fuel and maintenance costs, as well as improving services for passengers, and new jet patch technology means that some roads can be repaired up to 10 times faster.

In addition, the department is recycling more than 15,000 tonnes of material taken out of the roads, a five-fold increase over the last three years.

New efficiencies are being achieved through shared services in government’s fleet and estates management, while the introduction of a digital planning portal and online payments for vehicle tax has helped to reduce administration costs.

Mr Gawne, who is one of the MHKs for Rushen, said: ‘While we have increased charges for certain services, raising new revenue is just one element of the response to our budget responsibilities.

‘The department has also made great strides in terms of merging divisions, eliminating senior management posts and reducing bureaucracy. We will continue to assess the way we do things, with the aim of achieving leaner and more sustainable services.’

One of our reporters talked to Mr Gawne about the savings for a report due to be printed in Tuesday’s Examiner.

The town boundaries in Castletown need expanding to allow more housing to be built, the town’s local authority said at this week’s meeting.

They agreed to discuss the issue with planners.

The commissioners considered a letter from the Department of Infrastructure about the Draft Strategic Plan.

Infrastructure planning policy officer Diane Brown wrote that the plan ‘sets out the department’s general policies in respect of the development and other use of land’ and informs assessment of planning applications.

Comments made on the review of the plan (from 2007) have been compiled in a draft plan which is available for consultation until March 13.

If authorities want to discuss the draft, they can discuss it with an officer of the planning policy team. All comments will be considered by the department and forwarded to the independent planning inspector appointed to conduct the public inquiry.

Commissioner Kevin Weir said: ‘They [planners] told us Castletown was having a ministerial review, this is separate from that, we have not actually discussed this. Didn’t the inspector of the Southern Area Plan say nothing had been sorted for Castletown as far as houses were concerned?’

The Southern Area Plan, adopted by Tynwald in 2013, paved the way for a review of housing land allocations in Castletown once the implications of new household projections – revealed by the 2011 Census – were fully understood.

Andrew Thomas said: ‘Castletown’s population has not expanded since 1981. We are lumbered with a fixed community because there is no area to expand. It’s like a pressure cooker.

‘The SAP recommendation was we have ministerial review, but nothing has happened. We need to expand, we need another 500 houses at least. The only way we can do that is by taking land off our neighbours. We need more houses. What rates do they (neighbouring authorities) get out of a field (into which the town would expand)? Our duty as commissioners is to enhance Castletown.’

Mr Weir said they should enlist a planning expert to represent their views to the department.

‘This is our future. If this [hiring an expert] is an expense it’s a good one, if we get nothing out of it at least we had one hell of a try. It’s making the argument strong enough and for that we need an expert.’

Mr Weir proposed they hire a planning expert to represent the authority.

He added: ‘We should ask somebody from planning to come to our next board meeting after that.’

Alwyn Collister proposed an amendment that they invite someone from planning to discuss the matter to a meeting next Monday, to give them more time before the deadline in March.

If Castletown were to expand, it would be into either Malew or Arbory, the only parishes that border the town.

Employees’ outstanding achievements have been recognised in the Heron & Brearley Managed Estate Awards 2014.

Compèred by Manx raconteur Roy Moore, well-known as one of the ‘voices’ of the TT and Manx Festival of Motorcycling, and with entertainment by stand-up observational comedian Alun Cochrane, the black-tie event was held at the Gaiety Theatre, Douglas.

The audience of H&B senior management, employees and sponsors, heard H&B’s retail and estates director Steven Taylor say a few words.

He said: ‘These awards are a great way to recognise the skills and dedication required by our team to successfully overcome the challenges that are ever present in our industry.’

Eighteen award categories were presented at the event which also provided the opportunity to congratulate and present certificates to the 43 H&B employees who had successfully completed their industry-accredited FLOW hospitality training modules.

H&B managing director Ian Lennox said: ‘The awards night was a great way to acknowledge the hard work, achievements and vision of so many of our people across our business.

‘As the island’s leading hospitality company, it is important for us at H&B to recognise those who are championing fantastic service and contributing to better standards overall for the Isle of Man.

‘And, with a good number of our guests and sponsors who attended having come from the UK, the evening allowed us to showcase the Isle of Man to a new and wider audience.

‘Congratulations must go to all the finalists and winners and thanks to the team that organised such a fantastic evening.

‘Day to day we are all focused on driving the business and delivering value and quality to our customers.

‘The awards evening not only gave us an opportunity to celebrate success but also to reflect on the past and look to the future - a future in which everyone in the H&B Group has a vital role to play.’

The H&B Managed Estate Awards 2014

Pub of the Year - The Queens

Community Pub of the Year - The Union

Local Pub of the Year - The Manx Arms

Best Night Out Pub of the Year - Artisan

Best Support of the Year - Geraldine Jordan

Best Newcomer of the Year - Jamie Napier

Best Cask Ale - The Stanley

Best Compliance Pub of the Year - The Bowling Green

Best Financial Improvement of the Year - Sam Webbs

Best Sales of the Year - Thomas Rigby’s (Liverpool)

Best Customer Service Pub of the Year - Artisan

Chef of the Year - Tim Brogan, The Whitestone

Best Food Pub of the Year - The Horse and Plough

Bar Person of the Year - Hannah McGuire, Thomas Rigby’s

Assistant Manager of the Year - James Parry, Thomas Rigby’s

Team of the Year - The Terminus Tavern

Manager of the Year - Ashley Burgess, Sam Webbs

Outstanding Contribution - Fiona Hornsby, Thomas Rigby’s

Employees’ outstanding achievements have been recognised in the Heron & Brearley Managed Estate Awards 2014.

Compèred by Manx raconteur Roy Moore, well-known as one of the ‘voices’ of the TT and Manx Festival of Motorcycling, and with entertainment by stand-up observational comedian Alun Cochrane, the black-tie event was held at the Gaiety Theatre, Douglas.

The audience of H&B senior management, employees and sponsors, heard H&B’s retail and estates director Steven Taylor say a few words.

He said: ‘These awards are a great way to recognise the skills and dedication required by our team to successfully overcome the challenges that are ever present in our industry.’

Eighteen award categories were presented at the event which also provided the opportunity to congratulate and present certificates to the 43 H&B employees who had successfully completed their industry-accredited FLOW hospitality training modules.

H&B managing director Ian Lennox said: ‘The awards night was a great way to acknowledge the hard work, achievements and vision of so many of our people across our business.

‘As the island’s leading hospitality company, it is important for us at H&B to recognise those who are championing fantastic service and contributing to better standards overall for the Isle of Man.

‘And, with a good number of our guests and sponsors who attended having come from the UK, the evening allowed us to showcase the Isle of Man to a new and wider audience.

‘Congratulations must go to all the finalists and winners and thanks to the team that organised such a fantastic evening.

‘Day to day we are all focused on driving the business and delivering value and quality to our customers.

‘The awards evening not only gave us an opportunity to celebrate success but also to reflect on the past and look to the future - a future in which everyone in the H&B Group has a vital role to play.’

The H&B Managed Estate Awards 2014

Pub of the Year - The Queens

Community Pub of the Year - The Union

Local Pub of the Year - The Manx Arms

Best Night Out Pub of the Year - Artisan

Best Support of the Year - Geraldine Jordan

Best Newcomer of the Year - Jamie Napier

Best Cask Ale - The Stanley

Best Compliance Pub of the Year - The Bowling Green

Best Financial Improvement of the Year - Sam Webbs

Best Sales of the Year - Thomas Rigby’s (Liverpool)

Best Customer Service Pub of the Year - Artisan

Chef of the Year - Tim Brogan, The Whitestone

Best Food Pub of the Year - The Horse and Plough

Bar Person of the Year - Hannah McGuire, Thomas Rigby’s

Assistant Manager of the Year - James Parry, Thomas Rigby’s

Team of the Year - The Terminus Tavern

Manager of the Year - Ashley Burgess, Sam Webbs

Outstanding Contribution - Fiona Hornsby, Thomas Rigby’s

A local charity has scored a major coup by attracting a Hollywood star to their launch event next week.

Lonan-raised actress Samantha Barks will name Sailing for the Diabled’s new yacht Pride of Mann III in a ceremony in Douglas Marina on Wednesday at 1.30pm.

She will say a few words, spray champagne on to the yacht’s bow and may join the crew for a sail if the weather is kind.

Ian McCauley, the charity’s chairman, said: ‘We were delighted when Sam agreed to name the new boat.

‘We wanted to attract someone special to carry out the naming ceremony and Sam is just perfect.

‘Pride of Mann III is a wonderful boat which will bring joy to many children, young people and people with disabilities. It is only fitting that she is named by someone who brings such joy and happiness through her singing and acting.’

He said that everyone is welcome to come and watch the ceremony, and the public will get a grandstand view from North Quay around Ridgeway Street, near the Little Fish Cafe.

The brand new 48-ft vessel, which arrived in Douglas in September last year, is the third yacht to bear the name Pride of Mann.

The yacht has several modifications to assist people with a variety of physical disabilities.

Users of motorised wheelchairs can be accommodated thanks to an access ramp from the stern, and a built-in lift can take a wheelchair down into the saloon.

Sailing for the Disabled boasts around 130 members with disabilities and 100 volunteers who organise sailing trips virtually all year round.

Their previous yacht was officially named by Princess Anne in 2005, and in 2006 the charity was presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Manx Cancer Help is urging people to make March ‘Make a Will Month’ having teamed up with local law firm Gelling Johnson Farrant to remind people of the importance of having one properly prepared.

You can register your interest free of charge throughout January, February and March by contacting Gelling Johnson Farrant, who will send you a will pack.

Make a Will Month allows you to have a straightforward will written up by Gelling Johnson Farrant, in exchange for a minimum donation to Manx Cancer Help of £95.

As the writing up of a straightforward will would usually cost you £250, this means you save £155 as well as donating to a very worthy cause.

As well as having peace of mind that your affairs are in order, you will be helping the charity continue its essential work in the island.

Established in 1983, Manx Cancer Help provides specialist psychological and emotional support to anybody whose life has been affected by cancer, with a tailor-made support package for each individual according to their needs.

If companies are interested in participating in this scheme for employees, contact Gelling Johnson Farrant for more information.

Elizabeth Parkes from Gelling Johnson Farrant said: ‘We believe that this provides an excellent opportunity for us to support a Manx charity, whilst at the same time helping convey the importance of making a will.

‘We certainly hope that the scheme will be as successful as last year and help raise significant funds for Manx Cancer Help.’

MCH fundraising co-ordinator Ally Martin said: ‘A will is one of those things that people often put off doing, or think that they are too young to need one, but did you know that you can make a will from the age of 18?

‘You do not need to own your own home or have large savings; you may just want to leave some small specific gifts to your loved ones when you are gone.

‘It may not be something we like talking about, but having a properly prepared will is really important to make sure those you care about are provided for.

‘If you have young children, it is strongly advisable to make it clear who you would like to be their legal guardians if anything should happen to you. Making a will needn’t be complicated or expensive as those who have taken up this offer in previous years have found out.’ You can contact Gelling Johnson Farrant by calling 675367 or by emailing gjf@manxlaw.com

Beach Buddies, the group of volunteers that clear litter from beaches, is asking volunteers to help with a survey of beaches.

‘With the cold weather, we felt it was a good time to postpone cleaning for a week or two, and to ask our volunteers to send in reports about the condition of our beaches,’ said a spokesman.

The idea is that anyone, whether a Beach Buddies volunteer or not, can send in a simple report on their local beach, in terms of how much rubbish has gathered in the recent storms.

‘We are keen to tackle beaches which are most in need, so this information will be useful in planning our cleaning events in the near future.’

People who use beaches are asked to give an idea how much rubbish has collected recently, no matter how much or how little. Beach Buddies’ volunteers, in particular, will be familiar with what constitutes sufficient to warrant a team event in the future.

The public is also being asked to report on build-ups of rubbish in areas such as glens, plantations, the coastal footpath and parks. Volunteers are asked to take photographs where possible.

‘We have said for some time that we want to put together new volunteer teams to tackle these areas, and we feel that at the beginning of the year the timing is right to give this a try.’

Reports should be sent with photographs, to beachbuddies@manx.net

Beach Buddies will be holding a beach cleaning session this morning (Saturday) at 10.30am at The Lhen.

The Department of Infrastructure has submitted a planning application for regeneration work to start on Peel’s town centre.

It covers work on the town’s Market Place, from Douglas Street to the junction with Michael Street and from Michael Street to the junction with Orry Lane.

As the application is by the DoI it will be referred to the Council of Ministers for decision.

The application is for ‘the reconstruction of the highway and footpath, drainage, services, street lighting, street furniture and signage’.

Plans include a new road surface, more parking spaces, replacement seats, new bins and a public art display.

In the Market Place two art display screens will be stationed either side of the shelter depicting local scenes and traditions.

Openings will be put in both sides of the shelter with a lintel over each so it forms part of the walkway.

In Douglas Street the road will be widened outside Lloyds Bank to alleviate the problem of people parking on the pavement or blocking the road whilst attending the cashpoint.

The pavement will be removed in the Michael Street area of the plan and replaced by a change in materials rather than a kerb allowing pedestrians to move more freely between shops.

To view the full plans visit www.gov.im/planningapplication/services/planning under reference 15/00075/B

The pot holes should all be fixed and the gullies cleared in Castletown before the authority takes over services from the Department of Infrastructure (DoI) said commissioner Andrew Thomas last Monday.

From April, all authorities will take over functions such as street sweeping and hedge trimming from the department; repairing pot holes remains the DoI’s responsibility.

Mr Thomas first suggested last month that before that the transfer happens, they reach an agreement with the department about work not completed because of the potential costs involved.

Subsequently Port Erin commissioners agreed the idea of there being a ‘caveat’ in the agreement is a good suggestion.

Mr Thomas said: ‘Pot holes. This is our lever. We have waited. We should say unless you get the pot holes and gullies sorted out, we are not going to take them (services) over. They need to do all of the pot holes: Victoria Road, Arbory Road, cars are getting damaged.

‘It’s no good the minister of the DoI saying they have a 900 year waiting list (to fix pot holes - as he stated in a previous meeting).’

Laxey Working Men’s Institute has opened its new extension with disabled access at New Road in Laxey.

The project cost £240,000, including the purchase of land, and was funded by the donations from the Gough Ritchie Charitable Trust, the estate of the late Phillis Tate and the Manx Lottery Trust.

Clerk to Laxey Village Commissioners Peter Burgess said: ‘The new extension is now ready for use, giving more room, better facilities and, most importantly, proper disabled access.

‘The original building was built in 1876 so there was no disabled access.

‘There are two floors and the main purpose of the extension was to build the disabled access and disabled toilets and a lift, but the project has also allowed us to get a bigger kitchen, a bit of a reception area and a small meeting room.’

The Laxey Working Men’s Institute is a charity run by volunteers and is available for community use.

The building can be used for anything from meetings, lectures, music and drama events to parties, functions, exercise and dance classes.

All income from lettings is reinvested in the building and its ongoing maintenance.

A new 100-mile race walk taking place in Castletown this August has attracted participants from Australia, South Africa and US.

All those who complete 100 miles within 24 hours will become a member of the Brotherhood of Centurions, of which there are just 1,134 members since the event started in 1911.

The Centurion race is held at different venues around the UK and securing it for the town is a coup.

Parish walker Robbie Callister is the man behind the Castletown initiative.

The route goes from the square along Arbory Road to the bypass, right at the Southern 100 Club headquarters, right at the traffic lights along Malew Street and back to the square. One lap is 1.6 miles.

Robbie said: ‘The last couple of hundred-mile walks have been a bit sterile.

‘We had one in 2013 on the National Sports Centre track. There’s nothing worse than doing 100 miles round the NSC track, you switch off after a while anyway.’

He said organisers wanted the community to get involved in the event, and to encourage this they intend to hold a ‘community relay’ while the race was taking place.

‘We have got a baton and want to make it so one person, say [Castletown MHK] Richard Ronan, does one lap, he passes it to a commissioner, who passes it to a fireman, then a shopkeeper, we want to try to get everyone who has something to do with Castletown – whether they live, work or have friends there – who has an association with Castletown to do a lap. This will be a community event.’

Tower Insurance is sponsoring the event and Shoprite is providing the food station, and residents – if they don’t take part – can provide moral support.

The race starts at 2pm on Saturday, August 15.

Half the roads raced on will be closed and a one-way system introduced. If 100 miles is too far, there is a 50-mile event at the same time.

These are open to those over 20 years old. Younger and less ambitious walkers (aged at least 17 on race day) can enter a 20 mile ‘early bird walk’ that will start at 8am on Sunday, August 16.

To prepare for the event, Robbie is holding weekly group walking sessions – which are not competitive – on Sundays (meet at 2pm at the swimming pool car park).

www.isleofman100milewalk.co.uk

It was a ‘shame’ there was no prior notice the Peggy was going to be lifted out of the boat cellar that had been her home for 200 years said Castletown commissioner Kevin Weir last Monday.

The boat – believed to be the world’s oldest yacht – was lifted out of the Nautical Museum and taken for restoration in a controlled environment in a building in Douglas. The work is expected to take five years to comlete after which time she will be returned to Castletown.

VIDEO: Historic yacht Peggy is lifted out

Mr Weir said he understands Peggy’s removal could only take place in good weather, so was to an extent last minute, but he added: ‘It would have been nice [to have been told].

‘There is a lot of interest to see the Peggy lifted out. I was disappointed more people did not see it, it was a photographic opportunity.

‘It was a shame.’

He asked if the Nautical Museum would remain open while Peggy is under repair.

Alwyn Collister said: ‘There are plenty of other things to see [in the museum].’

The Nautical Museum will undergo partial redevelopment and refurbishment to improve the entrance and shop area with a new ‘Quayle Gallery’ telling more of the story of Peggy and of her owner George Quayle and his family.

Manx National Heritage said recent archaeological investigation and archival research has established that the site was home to possibly the earliest slipway in the British Isles, and that Quayle subsequently replaced this with a unique private dock, which acted as a sea lock.

Exhibits will include a number of recent finds from the 2014 excavations including a leather pistol holster, a flintlock pistol mechanism, some coconut shell drinking cups and what is believed to be an eighteenth century microscope.

The Nautical Museum will reopen to the public in May following completion of the improvement works and the gallery refresh.

Peel may soon get an orienteering course set around the town.

The idea, sent to the commissioners by Chris Littler, was met with approval at Tuesday’s board meeting.

Mr Littler is a web designer who lived in Peel for three years but is now living in Sheffield.

His proposal is to produce a map of Peel to British Orienteering standards and set up a permanent orienteering course centred on the proposed redevelopment of the end of Marine Parade.

Mr Littler says that the course could be in place in time for the completion of the new facilities and ‘would help draw visitors to the area over the long term’.

The commissioners were enthusiastic about the proposal with chairman Ray Harmer saying: ‘It could put us on the map on the island. We are all agreed it’s quite exciting.’

Mr Littler has had initial mapping costs assessed by a professional mapper and these would be in the region of £500 to £1,000, with the lower estimate being for just Marine Parade and the Headlands and the higher for the whole town.

The commissioners agreed to look into the proposal further.

The Glen Helen Inn should be retained as a tourist facility, planners have ruled.

Migragh Glen Helen Limited applied (14/00882/A) for approval in principle for the Glen Helen Inn, at Glen Helen, St John’s, to be demolished and replaced with a ‘high quality’ residential development.

The proposal was to demolish the inn and ‘unsightly single-storey outbuildings’.

Eight flats provided over two buildings would be built in their place.

In the planning statement submitted with the application it said the decision to close the facility had not been taken lightly.

The closure had resulted from a significant drop in bookings for bed and breakfast, bar and restaurant and functions.

‘After significant private investment the writing is on the wall and the site needs to be considered for alternative uses,’ it said.

But planners have turned down the application, saying that the site was not designated for development and following submissions from the Department of Economic Development that the site is viable as a tourist facility.

‘The proposal would result in the loss of a tourist facility which, whilst the applicant suggests is not economically viable, is considered by the Department of Economic Development to be a facility which would be viable in what they consider to be a unique and desirable location.

‘And it should be retained in order to provide a range of quality visitor accommodation on the island in support of the tourist industry.’

In addition, planners said that the development would result in a number of new homes in an ‘unsustainable location’.

The Isle of Man Examiner reported in January 2014 that brothers Graham and Mike Priest had made the decision to close the Glen Helen Inn.

Graham said: ‘I feel very sad really.

‘We had six years of looking forward to a successful place and having had a good reputation.

‘But sometimes you have to make hard decisions and not be governed by your heart.’

Former Deemster William Cain has been awarded the Isle of Man’s top cultural honour, the Reih Bleeaney Vanannan (Manannan’s Choice of the Year) for his voluntary work for the conservation and protection of the wildlife and environment of the Isle of Man.

Mr Cain served as chairman of the Manx Wildlife Trust for 36 years, having been a founder member of the Manx Nature Conservation Trust in 1973.

It is now the Manx Wildlife Trust and it is one of 47 wildlife trusts in the British Isles.

He was a major force in establishing the Manx Wildlife Act in 1990. In 2010 he was awarded The Wildlife Trusts’ Christopher Cadbury medal for the advancement of nature conservation in the British Islands. The Manx Wildlife Trust now owns and manages 22 reserves covering most of the island’s principal habitats. It operates two visitor centres and a wildlife gift shop and organises a regular programme of lectures and excursions.

The trust’s officers carry out research, consultancy and education work. The trust has undertaken important research into the marine environment, in particular the ecology of cetaceans and basking sharks.

The work of the Trust is only made possible by the dedication and hard work of extensive teams of volunteers.

In addition to his work for the Manx Wildlife Trust, William has served as president of the Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society and has carried out original research into the political and constitutional history of the Isle of Man, which he has published and shared through his teaching on the University of Liverpool’s MA in Manx studies.

The Reih Bleeaney Vanannan is an annual award made by Culture Vannin to the person or group who, in the opinion of the panel of assessors, has made the most outstanding contribution to Manx culture.

Inspired by Manxman Stephen Quayle, the trophy was designed by the late Eric Austwick and consists of the figure of sea-god Manannan standing on a piece of Pooilvaaish marble. Although the trophy is only held for a year, each recipient receives a medal designed by Jenny Kissack and executed in silver and enamel by Celtic Gold, Peel and the sum of £500, which Mr Cain will donate to the Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society.

Chairman of Culture Vannin Phil Gawne MHK said: ‘With the DEFA’s application for UNESCO Biosphere status imminent, I can’t think of a more appropriate recipient than William Cain. His commitment to and enthusiasm for the biodiversity of the Isle of Man have played a significant part in protecting the natural richness of our island.’

Culture Vannin says it is delighted to be able to make this award in the year which marks the bicentenary of the birth of noted Manx naturalist, Edward Forbes.

The panel of assessors is appointed by Culture Vannin and represents Manx cultural organisations: Yn Cheshaght Ghailckagh, Yn Chruinnaght, the Isle of Man Arts Council, Culture Vannin and Manx National Heritage.

Recipients are entitled to use the letters RBV after their name. They are also invited to name a Manx cultural cause which receives an additional donation from Culture Vannin to further its work.

This year, William Cain has named the Manx Wildlife Trust as the recipient for this additional donation of £500.

Mr Cain said: ‘I am delighted that in awarding me this trophy the work of two organisations I have helped to promote over many years is receiving public recognition. The Manx Wildlife Trust and the Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society are both bodies of crucial influence in protecting and promoting the culture and environment of the Isle of Man. Both need the awareness, support and involvement of the general public at all times.’

Award-winning illustrator Jo Davies will lead workshops for children during half-term.

Her Cool Mann exhibition at the Erin Arts Centre, in Port Erin, featuring images from projects for children, including picture books, has been extended to run until the end of the month.

The show includes drawings from Cool Manx, a soon to be published activity book designed as a teaching aid to celebrate and encourage learning Manx Gaelic.

Gallery curator Hollie Mills said: ‘Jo’s colourful images appeal to both children and adults. With its large scale hanging banners the exhibition has been designed to be informal and off the wall.

‘The children in the workshops see that the gallery can be a fun place to visit and we hope that the next sessions will be booked up. ‘Jo’s friendly and enthusiastic personality helps engage the children in making art as well as educating them in a fun, creative way.’

The half-term workshops, for children aged seven to 11, follow successful workshops attended by more than 70 pupils from Rushen School.

Jo said: ‘The children really enjoyed being illustrators and creating their own book jackets.

‘It was rewarding to see them gaining confidence in the use of pattern, shape and colour; and seeing that drawing can be a language to communicate with.’

The Cool Mann - Illustration workshops take place at the Erin Arts Centre on Tuesday at 11am and 1.30pm. Each session is about 90 minutes.

Jo has worked for major clients in illustration and exhibited and spoken about illustration internationally.

She is associate professor in illustration at Plymouth University, where her research around the function of illustration has led to her co-authoring several major books on illustration and drawing and co-founding Varoom magazine for the Association Of Illustrators.

Originally from Manchester, Jo lived until 2013 in Exeter when she moved with her family to island.

She was recently appointed by Isle of Man College for the development of its new degree programmes in art and design, and as programme leader for the new BA (Hons) visual communication course.

The cost of the workshops is £3, places must be booked in advance. To book, call the Erin Arts Centre on 832662 or email information@erinartscentre.com

Places must be paid for by tomorrow (Friday).

A blazing car caused the road between Douglas and Ballasalla to be closed for a time last night (Saturday).

The road was closed between the Orrisdale Road junction and the Whitestone garage while emergency services dealt with the incident.

Fire crews from Castletown fire station were called out after at around 7.45pm the single car had crashed and burst into flames. Fire fighters found the car’s engine compartment ablaze and the car was also leaking fuel. Hydraulic cutters were used to open the bonnet so the fire could be extinguished and a thermal imaging camera was also used to find and deal with any other hot spots inside the car. Crews returned to the fire station after about an hour.

No serious injuries were reported and police later reopened the road.

Dense fog prevented the Ben my Chree from docking when it arrived in Heysham late last night (Saturday)

The boat had to turn around and head back to Douglas, arriving in the early hours of the morning.

Because it was unable to dock, it was not able to bring the island’s Sunday papers.

This morning’s (Sunday) departure for Birkenhead left slightly earlier than scheduled at 7.50am and is expected to arrive just after midday with the return sailing taking place from Birkenhead to Douglas at 2pm, arriving at 6.15pm.