On 24 June, an eye-opening court ruling was made in the Hague District Court - with potential repercussions on governments around the world. Including, of course, here. Cat Turner, Co-ordinator of Isle of Man Friends of the Earth, explains

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For the first time a court has ordered a government to strengthen its climate change policy and set higher targets.

It decided that the Dutch state must take more action to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the Netherlands than it had been intending. Here’s how it happened.

Urgenda, a climate change NGO, on its own behalf and on behalf of almost 900 Dutch citizens, brought proceedings against the Dutch state over the Netherlands’ climate change policy and greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets.

The Dutch state’s climate change policy currently aims at a 17% reduction in GHG emissions by 2020.

The key points of Urgenda’s arguments were that:

l Current levels of global GHG emissions are likely to result in global warming of over 2 degrees C, with potentially catastrophic consequences.

l The level of global GHG emissions is contrary to Articles 2 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

l The Netherlands makes a significant, excessive contribution to global GHG emissions. This makes the GHG emissions of the Netherlands unlawful.

l The Dutch state has the ability to manage, control and regulate Dutch GHG emissions (because they occur on Dutch territory), so it has “systemic responsibility” for total Dutch GHG emissions and can be held accountable for the Dutch contribution to dangerous climate change.

l Under national and international law, the Dutch state has an individual obligation and responsibility to ensure Dutch GHG emissions are reduced, in order to prevent dangerous climate change.

l The Dutch state’s duty of care means that the Netherlands should achieve a reduction of 25% to 40% GHG emissions by 2020, or a 40% reduction by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.

l The Dutch state’s current climate change policy (which is expected to achieve a reduction of 17% by 2020) is a breach of this duty of care.

Urgenda asked the court to order the Dutch state to ensure that GHG emissions from the Netherlands are cut by 25-40% from 1990 levels by 2020, or to ensure that emissions are reduced by 40% by 2030.

In response, the Dutch state argued that:

l Urgenda had no cause of action, to the extent that it was bringing a claim on behalf of current or future generations in other countries.

l There is no real threat of the Dutch state acting unlawfully towards Urgenda.

l The Dutch state’s current climate change policies aim to limit global warming to less than a 2 degrees C increase, and are expected to achieve this, in conjunction with international and EU law, policy and targets.

l The Dutch state does not have a legal obligation under national or international law to achieve the GHG emission reductions claimed by Urgenda.

l Dutch climate change policy is not in breach of Articles 2 or 8 of the ECHR.

l It would be a breach of the principle of separation of powers for the court to allow any of Urgenda’s claim. The court cannot force the Dutch state to change climate change policy.

The court considered the question in the context of international and EU climate change legislation and policy, including:

l The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and Kyoto Protocol;

l The Treaty on the Functioning of the EU;

l The EU Emissions Trading Scheme legislation;

l Various climate change policy documents published by the European Commission and EU GHG emissions reduction targets.

It also looked at the relevant Dutch Civil Code and the Dutch Constitution.

After all this deliberation, it decided that the Dutch state does have a duty of care to mitigate climate change as quickly and as much as possible, as part of its duty of care under Dutch law to protect and improve the living environment.

The court considered the extent of this duty of care, and the limitations that could be placed on it. It concluded that a reduction of less than 25% to 40% would be a breach of the Dutch state’s duty of care. However, it didn’t think there were sufficient grounds for it to require the Dutch state to adopt a target of more than a 25% reduction.

The court has therefore ordered the Dutch state to ensure that Dutch GHG emissions achieve a reduction of at least 25% of 1990 levels by 2020.

The court also said that:

l Urgenda did have standing under the Dutch Civil Code.

l The Dutch GHG emissions reduction target is below the standard considered necessary by climate change science and international climate change policy, so the Netherlands (and other countries) must cut emissions by 25% to 40% by 2020 to meet the 2 degrees C target.

l Urgenda itself cannot rely on Articles 2 and 8 of the ECHR, as it is not a direct or indirect victim under Article 34 of the ECHR. However, the court used the principles of the ECHR to help it interpret the state’s duty of care to Urgenda.

l The Dutch state does not have a legal obligation towards Urgenda under Article 21 of the Dutch Constitution, the “no harm” principle, the UNFCCC, Article 191 of the TFEU or EU ETS legislation. However, this legislation is relevant in considering the nature of the state’s duty of care to Urgenda.

There has been speculation in the press that the decision will encourage NGOs in other countries to bring similar claims. A similar case is currently pending in Belgium so it’ll be interesting to see the approach that the court takes there.‎

However, the court’s decision revolved mostly around the duty of care under Dutch law, which is based on the Dutch Civil Code, so the court’s reasoning cannot be directly applied to the common law principles of tort in the UK, or indeed here on the island. . . if there are any lawyers out there who’d like to comment on this for us, we’d love to hear your views.

Legendary cult band Echo and the Bunnymen come to the Villa Marina on Saturday.

The band had mainstream success in the 1980s with 10 top 40 hits including classics such as The Killing Moon, The Cutter, Never Stop, Seven Seas and Bring on the Dancing Horses.

Albums ‘Heaven up Here’, ‘Porcupine’, ‘Ocean Rain’ and ‘Echo and the Bunnymen’ all made the top 10 before the band split in 1988 when singer Ian McCulloch went solo.

After an unsuccessful stint with a new singer the band split in 1993 before reforming with McCulloch in 1997 and they have been together again ever since.

We spoke to guitarist Will Sergeant about recording, touring, the current music scene and the future.

‘I’ve been before in the early 90s I rode around the island on a tandem bike with my wife and enjoyed it,’ said Will.

Asked what fans can expect on Saturday and if there are more albums to come, he said: ‘We’ll be playing two or three off the last album (Meteorites), a couple of new ones and all the older stuff like The Killing Moon.’

The band are about to embark on tour which will include several dates in America but have not been fans of going there in the past.

Will said: ‘It’s a bit better now, the buses are a bit nicer, the places we’re playing are very close to each other so we’re only going short distances.

‘I didn’t like America at all, it’s taken a while, it’s sort of not their The band are about to embark on tour which will include several dates in America but have not been fans of going there in the past.

Will said: ‘It’s a bit better now, the buses are a bit nicer, the places we’re playing are very close to each other so we’re only going short distances.

‘I didn’t like America at all, it’s taken a while, it’s sort of not there fault, all that “Have a nice day”, to us it was dead phoney. fault, all that “Have a nice day”, to us it was dead phoney.

‘We did a tour playing the ‘Crocodiles’ and ‘Heaven up Here’ albums, I never sit around listening to our stuff after writing it, I had to listen then and I was quite surprised how good they sounded.

‘Ocean Rain is a great album, we were trying to do something that wouldn’t fade away. But Heaven up Here is probably my favourite.

‘When we first started recording it was all new to us, we had Hugh Jones producing Heaven up Here and he knew what he was doing, he could manipulate sounds and opened our eyes.

‘He would do things like put an amp down one end of the corridor and the mic down the other end and record.

‘He had Pete, our drummer, playing the slit drum, he had us trying different things, working with recorders bending the notes.’

Asked if there will be another Bunnymen album Will said: ‘It could depend on finances. There has been talk of another album but we haven’t got a label pushing us to write, in the past we’d do John Peel Sessions and that would sometimes give us a kick up the bum to write songs.’

Bands like The Witches, British Sea Power, Orval Sibelius, Tame Impala and Temples are amongst the guitarist current favourites but he is not impressed with today’s charts.

‘You don’t know what’s number one these days, there’s not the same kudos. I hate it, it’s like Simon Cowell has a stranglehold. You only need about 4,000 sales to get in the charts these days.

‘When we were in the charts there were a lot of rules about what you could own but he has record label, tv show to push his own artists.

‘But everyone laps it up. We done a show in Istanbul sponsored by some digital download people, which they were obviously trying to promote and they asked what I thought the internet had done for music and I just said it’s reduced music to the value of toilet paper.

‘Anyone who has got a passion about music has gone back to vinyl.

Will has his own solo project, Glide, which he has also been working on.

‘I’ve just done a new one, just finished the cover, I like doing it, I did play live a while back, supporting the Bunnymen, it was good fun, half an hour or so, it was convenient.

‘I have been thinking about doing more. I don’t know if people will want to hear it.’

So how long does he see the Bunnymen lasting ?

‘Who knows? I always find it a strange question. It’s my job. I’m travelling the world playing music with my mates, going to great places.

‘Look at people like BB King or Ken Dodd, no one expects them to retire.

‘We’ve been going longer now since we got back together with Ian than we were the first time.

‘Last year we were all over South America and everywhere was chocca, places like Argentina and we were playing to full houses.

‘I’m travelling the world playing music with my mates, going to great places.’

The Manx Wildlife Trust is offering adults the chance to relive their childhood with a dedicated rockpooling session next Wednesday at Niarbyl.

It will be followed by a meal at the Niarbyl Restaurant during which Lara Howe, the trust’s marine officer, and Dawn Dickens, the education officer, will give a presentation about rockpool life.

People who are less mobile are invited to wait at the top of the beach and join in the show and share session of the specimens that are found.

The session is from 6pm to 10pm and costs £15.

Book via dawn@manxwt.org.uk or phone 844432.

A mind, body and spirit evening in the south of the island raised between £500 and £600 for charity.

The evening at the Falcon’s Nest hotel in Port Erin was organised by the Manxaid charity which supports a number of good causes around the Isle of Man.

Wendy Douglas, one of the organisers from the charity, said it had been wonderful to see the evening so well supported and thanked everyone who helped out and supported the event. Among the attractions on offer were massage, tarot card readings, jewellery stalls and astrological readings. JM150626 (60)

The glory days of southern tourism are celebrated in a new exhibition staged in Port St Mary town hall by Rushen Heritage Foundation. It focuses on five famous southern hotels - the Balqueen, Perwick Bay, Belle View/Port Erin Royal, Falcon’s Nest, and the Bay Port Erin.

‘This exhibition builds on the small pilot exhibition at Thie Rosen in second half of March 2015,’ said trust member Hugh Davidson. ‘This was designed to bring in local people with their memories and artefacts about the glory days of southern tourism. This initiative was very successful in bringing in new memories and contacts with older people, some of whom we have interviewed since.

‘We have now built on this local initiative to build a larger and more ambitious exhibition about these five famous Southern hotels, especially in the “Glory days of Southern Tourism” across the twentieth century.’

Since last autumn, a group of eight amateurs (Jonathan Latimer, Barbara Guy, Sylvia Jarrett, Rosemary Latimer, Graham Hall, Brian and Kathleen Trustrum, and Professor Davidson), who comprise the Heritage Action Team (HAT) researching tourism have been working closely together preparing the ground for the exhibitions.

The product of their research is featured on information boards with details such as the Balqueen (run by the Kelly family from 1913 to 1965), was for most of this period one of the leading resort hotels in the north of the British Isles.

There were some fine entrepreneurs and big personalities in the history of Rushen tourism, including the Kellys especially Anníe, and her son Walter; Bobby Littler and Charlie Ward at the Balqueen; Doris Nelson, owner operator of the Bay for 60 years, still behind the bar at 90 years old, then Martin Brunnschweiler in more recent years; Mr Scrimgeour, Mona Quillin, and Ken and Margaret Ives at the Perwick Bay Hotel; Gilbert Robertshaw, then Jack Wilson and Sue Gowing at the Belle Vue/Royal; Brian Trustrum’s grandfather at the Falcon’s Nest in the last two decades of the nineteenth century, and Mr and Mrs Bob Potts in more recent decades.

A lot of famous people stayed at the Belle Vue/Port Erin Royal, most involved with the Erin Arts Centre. Also some well known locals, like Chris Robertshaw MHK who worked for his father there in the 1970s; David Saunders, lead singer, later head of retail at Isle of Man Bank; Tony Brown, later chief minister; Dennis Maxwell, later head of customs and excise, a barman of legendary skills.

This is the second major exhibition this year to be run by the trust. The first, ‘Friend or Foe’ about the women’s internment camps during the Second World War, held at St Catherine’s Hall Port Erin was a great success, with over 3,000 visits.

He thanked sponsors the Gough Rítchíe Trúst for its support.

The display also christens the town hall’s newly refurbished west room, a facility for exhibitions and a variety of public and private events.

The exhibition runs from July 13 to 26, 10.30am to 4.30pm daily.

Chances are very few people have heard of St Pierre and Miquelon (StP&M).

They are two small islands off Southern Newfoundland near the Grand Banks and their main claim to fame is that they are part of France. Indeed, they even send a Senator and Deputy to the National Assembly in Paris!

SP&M was the subject of a brief flurry of attention in the early days of World War Two. Following the fall of France, the islands’ Governor declared for Vichy, the collaborationist regime.

De Gaulle’s Free French based in London, desperate to assert themselves but fairly weak (militarily) at that stage, decided to seize the islands.

Being sited as they were so far from the main action of the war at that time it was a safe bet! However, the US government took exception and for a brief time there was a stand-off between Washington, London and De Gaulle. Eventually matters resolved themselves and StP&M relapsed into obscurity and is still part of France.

The French go to great lengths to retain and maintain their scattered pieces around the world. StP&M, like Reunion Island many thousands of miles from France in the Indian Ocean, can be reached by direct flight from France courtesy of large international airports built at some expense (although in the case of StP&M flights still route via Canada).

The French therefore make no pretence of hanging on to their colonies – it’s a case of ‘they’re ours and we’re keeping them’!

The British on the other hand are more subtle. Their overseas territories and dependencies are ‘not really part of the UK, they have their own distinct identities’ and have ‘so called democratic governments’. (Pause for chuckle).

I was minded to think about this some weeks ago when Speaker Steve Rodan and some colleagues from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (another absurd organisation) packed their buckets and spades and headed off to the British Virgin Islands.

However, they were not going for the sun, sand and the ‘exotic’ scenery – this was ‘serious stuff’. Their role (I’m not making this up) was to be part of an ‘Election Observation Mission’.

So, just so you get this right, ‘politicians’ from the CPA including two from ‘pretend parliaments’ (namely Isle of Man and Turks and Caicos) were having a Caribbean jaunt to ensure that ‘democratic parliamentary norms’ were maintained in another ‘pretend parliament’, the BVI.

The democratic credentials of this jaunt were exposed by the fact that they had ‘been invited by the BVI ‘Governor’ – democracy in action!

It is long past the time when people grew up and realised that all this ‘bull’ about the Isle of Man being one of the world’s oldest parliamentary democracy is just nonsense.

The Isle of Man no more controls its own destiny than StP&M, the only difference being that, unlike the residents of those overseas French outcrops, we get to pay the tab for building and running our own airport and generally the people in the ‘National Assembly’ in London are more interested in running us down than defending our interests.

The Manx government could, if it wanted, stop being a ‘pretend parliament’ and become the real thing. But a lot of the current crowd in Tynwald don’t want that.

Vociferous among those is our island-hopping Speaker Steve ‘Mc’ Rodan. Indeed, in 2011 Rodan stressed the value of our links with the UK when the UK were keen on ending one of those links: the Reciprocal Health Agreement.

Unlike those French islands I mentioned earlier, the UK government do not like funding anything in the Isle of Man. The Reciprocal Health Agreement was maintained but eventually it will be severed. The VAT agreement lurches from crisis to crisis.

The UK screw every penny they can out of us, be it for defence (?), common services, higher education (that’s overseas rates, so bring the Manx government cheque book) and specialist health care (again, keep that cheque book handy).

Why don’t the Manx government shake off their dependency culture and stop living in a pretend world with a ‘pretend parliament’?

Have the real thing and tell the United Kingdom to take its governor and all the rest of its colonial baggage and ‘get the boat’.

Either that or settle for the StP&M option.

At least that’s more honest!

Young people of all ages took part in the island’s first Hip Hop Youth Arts festival, King of the Rock, at the weekend.

Organised by David Cowley of Represent Dance Company it saw a range of workshops, from graffiti to DJing, at the Youth Arts Centre, in Douglas, culminating in the island’s first under 16s break dancing championships.

‘To say that the event was a resounding success would be a huge understatement,’ David said.

‘The outpouring of praise for the day has been overwhelming!’

DJ P-Nuts, who is the eighth best scratch DJ in the world, spent the day introducing his students to the basic elements of mixing and scratching and by the end of the day already had some promising young DJs in the making.

The DJ said: ‘There were no scratch DJs on the island when I arrived, but I know that next time I’m there, there is gonna be a whole squad of them giving me a run for my money.’

David said they were now working him and local DJ John Faragher to raise funds to buy a DJ setup so the youngsters can keep on building up their skills.

And DJ P-Nuts is donating some top end equipment to get them started

The graffiti workshop run by Hyro started off with an inspiring classroom session in which he explained the history and culture surrounding street art, the legal dos and don’ts and the basic techniques involved.

The lesson then moved outside to some large boards in which the whole group collaborated to form a spectacular piece of artwork, which later on provided the backdrop to the competition and showcase.

The break dancing workshop lead by Sir Swifty saw kids learning not only the moves but the history and ideas surrounding the dance.

Many of them then took part in the competition, which saw 18 youngsters – five from the UK – battle it out to be crowned King of the Rock.

The first round was a ‘winner stays on’ test of stamina, followed by solo battles.

In a close final, the winner was Jackson Katz, AKA Jackspin.

David said: ‘The King of the Rock team will return in 2016 with more of the same - but bigger and better!

‘Our mission is to create an opportunity for young people to engage with the arts through hip hop culture, developing their skills and learning new ones, building bridges with other communities throughout the UK.’

Anyone who would like to get involved should contact David: info@representdance.co.uk or 408545.

He thanked Middleton Katz, the Angel Network, John Faragher, and Isle of Man Arts Council for their support.

The delegations for the political members of the Department of Health and Social Care have today been unveiled by Minister Howard Quayle MHK.

The Department welcomed two new members – Ralph Peake MHK and Tony Wild MLC – on 23 June.

Mr Peake has been given responsibility for Acute Healthcare Services and Mr Wild has been given responsibility for Children and Families Social Care Services.

David Quirk MHK retains his responsibilities for Adult Social Care Services while Michael Coleman MLC retains his responsibilities for Mental Health Services and the Department’s corporate governance as well as taking on responsibility for Primary Healthcare Services and the Drug and Alcohol Action Team.

Commenting on the delegations, the minister said: ‘Political delegations are an important part of the island’s system of government, enabling a significant number of Tynwald members to play an active role in developing policy within departments and statutory boards.

‘I am delighted to welcome Mr Peake and Mr Wild to the department. I believe that with the appointment of two new members and retention of two existing members, we have been able to strike a balance, ensuring continuity as well as fresh perspectives.

‘Being a political member of a department as large and diverse as the DHSC is a challenging role, so I am grateful that I have been able to secure a team with the dedication and ambition to continue our work to develop health and social care services of which we can be proud.”

The minister thanked Dudley Butt and Alfred Cannan MHK for their service, following the end of Mr Butt’s term of office as a member of the Legislative Council and Mr Cannan’s move to the Department of Economic Development: ‘I would like to extend my thanks to Mr Cannan and to Mr Butt for their valued contribution over the past year. In particular I would like to pay tribute to Mr Butt who served as member for Health Services for five years.’

The Fire Service issued the following statement after a car crashed at Greeba injured three people.

A Fire Service spokesman said: ‘In the early hours of this morning the Emergency Services Joint Control Room mobilised the duty crew from Douglas, Red Watch, to a single vehicle road traffic collision at Greeba.

‘At the time of mobilisation it was thought that there were three people still in the car.

‘One pump and the Service’s Enhanced Rescue Vehicle responded to the incident.

‘Upon arrival the Officer in Charge, Sub Officer Mark Walker, liaised with paramedic officers who informed him that two casualties had already been transported to hospital but one person was still trapped by his injuries in the rear of the three door hatchback.

‘Due to the nature of the casualties suspected injuries he needed to be immobilised before he could be moved.

‘The fire crew quickly created space for the casualty’s extrication by removing the tailgate using hydraulic cutters, spreaders and small gear.

‘The creation of space and extrication of the casualty this was made more difficult due to the position of the vehicle at the scene and the damaged that it had incurred during the crash.

‘Sub Officer Walker praised the close working relationship between the Fire and Ambulance crews as this always helps to ensure that a casualty arrives at the Hospital without any unnecessary delay.

‘Before leaving the scene of the crash, at 1:30 am, fire crews ensured the vehicle was made safe.’

Fire crews from Castletown and Port Erin have been dealing with a car fire on the Round Table road.

The incident has been made more difficult as there is live ammunition in the vehicle which Is detonating due to the heat from the fire.

Crews have put ground monitors in place and withdrawn to safe positions . The roads in the area have been closed

Police are trying to identify the driver of a silver coloured four door Honda Civic saloon that was involved in an incident which occurred about 5.50pm on Thursday, July 9, at the smaller Quarterbridge roundabout (junction with New Castletown Road)

The Honda Civic has been travelling from the New Castletown Road and has turned right towards Douglas causing a double Decker bus which was travelling out of Douglas towards Peel to brake sharply.

This has resulted in two passengers on the bus being thrown from their seats.

Both received injuries which required treatment at Nobles Hospital.

Anyone with information regarding this matter is asked to contact Pc DYER in the Roads Policing Unit on 631212.

The Isle of Man’s health services have been branded a ‘strategic policy vacuum’ in a report by an independent watchdog.

The Health Service Consultative Committee (HSCC) has urged the Department of Health to either endorse or discard their 10-year Health Strategy, first published in 2011, which ‘appears to have been marginalised without an alternative taking its place’, according to committee chairman John Whitehead.

The HSCC’s annual report, published last week and covering April 2014 to March this year, has also called on the Department to publish the delayed Strategic Vision for Health as soon as possible.

‘Despite the strong commitment of its staff it is items such as this that cause much frustration,’ Mr Whitehead said. ‘It is imperative that the Department and the leadership team deliver on its promises so that the staff and patients can have confidence in the long term future of health services provision.’

The HSCC provides independent scrutiny and advice on the performance, effectiveness and operation of the island’s health services.

They acknowledged that the recent restructuring of the Department to take on new services and the loss of all five divisional managers at Noble’s Hospital within 12 months had created ‘significant challenges’.

But they went on to criticise both the pace of change and the lack of visible progress in the last year.

Mr Whitehead said that although some progress had been made, ‘this has not been as quick as we could have reasonably expected.’

‘There is also minimal evidence that ongoing progress is visible to the Department’s staff and patients, in particular with regard to the direction of health services in the Isle of Man,’ he continued. ‘The previous Health Strategy appears to have been put to one side and yet to be replaced by an alternative.’

The Committee praised some ‘notable areas of success’ including the Ramsey Cottage Hospital, which it described as ‘a positive role model in the provision of intermediate care’. A recent drive to recruit nurses, progress in Mental Health, encouraging staff to report and learn from incidents and improved listening to patients was also praised by the committee.

However, they noted that issues continue in the recruitment and retention of staff, waiting lists, housekeeping and portering services.

The report also revealed that the out-of-hours emergency doctor service, known as MEDS, is almost entirely dependent on locum staff to operate, with temporary agency staff comprising 90 per cent of the on-call doctors.

HSCC also urged politicians to focus on strategic and policy issues relating to Noble’s Hospital, noting that political intervention, however well meaning, can ‘erode the willingness of staff at all levels, who continue working in the best interests of the patients, despite unclear strategic direction and an ever-evolving management structure.’

Meanwhile ‘serious damage’ has been done to staff morale in the Public Health Directorate, which has undergone three separate reviews and assessments in the last year. The report said: ‘During this period, serious damage was done to staff morale, sense of direction and purpose. Still having no clear indication of their future role, they were unable to produce an annual plan of their activities.’

Responding to the report, Health Minister Howard Quayle said: ‘The committee plays a valuable role as “critical friend” to the Department looking at the effectiveness of delivery across the full spectrum of health services and providing objective scrutiny of activities and performance.

‘The Department will now take some time to consider the report’s recommendations and looks forward to continuing the open dialogue between the Department and the committee, supporting the process of change and the provision of quality health services.’

Fans of steam railways and food can combine their passions when the popular dining service to Port Erin railway museum starts up again this week.

The evening trips take place on Thursdays until September 24 and for £25 per person, passengers can enjoy a return trip with a two-course pie and mash meal en route as well as entry to the museum for a guided tour.

Passengers leave Douglas at 7pm and get an hour at Port Erin before the train returns at 9.15pm and those non-diners paying a standard return fare can still enjoy drinks from the bar carriage in both directions. This year the museum celebrates its 40th anniversary and volunteers will be there between 6pm and 9pm to tell the story of the Isle of Man steam railway, with video and audio presentations.

Museum entry costs £2 per person or £1 for children and there is no additional charge for guided tours though donations are gratefully received. Among the museum exhibits are the locomotive Mannin, built specially for the Port Erin line in 1926, and Peveril, locally remembereed as the Peel engine, which celebrates its 140th birthday this year. The royal carriage and the Duke of Sutherland’s saloon coach can also be found at the museum. To book a trip on the train, call 697457

Dhoon School is celebrating after receiving two UK-recognised quality mark awards.

It has been re-evaluated for Investing in Children Status and has gained the Inclusion Quality Mark.

Both awards involved the school staff working towards a series of benchmark standards which were then assessed by an independent validator.

Chief Minister Allan Bell presented the awards to the student council in a ceremony this week.

Investing in Children promotes the human rights of children and young people.

Organisations applying for the award have to demonstrate dialogue with young people which leads to change.

Recommending the status be re-applied to Dhoon School, assessor Nigel Bennett said: ‘The school continues, under its new leadership, to heavily involve its pupils in effective dialogue and change.

‘The children continue to have an input into their curriculum which has so many advantages.’

The Inclusion Quality Mark required the staff to undertake a rigorous self-audit and prepare an action plan of areas upon which the school could improve.

Inclusion manager Emma Huxham introduced a number of changes including a new Inclusion Policy, a new Facebook page, updated Twitter accounts, a refurbishment and re-imagining of the mobile classroom as an area for nurture-style provision, continued involvement in community projects, the opening of their first school library, and a commitment to bring its vision for education to life.

Head teacher Maxim Kelly said: ‘I am delighted that her many contributions towards this Award have resulted in success for our school.

‘Not only did Dhoon School meet the requirements for the Inclusion Quality Mark for which it had offered itself for assessment, but the quality of the school was deemed such that it could be awarded “Centre of Excellence” status too - a welcome surprise and a further endorsement of the quality of the school.’

Time is running out to see the latest exhibition at the Hodgson Loom Gallery, in Laxey.

It features stunning Manx landscapes and beautiful portrait studies by award-winning professional artist Barry Westcott and evocative stone artistry by sculptor Neil Milsom.

Barry, originally from Manchester, has made Laxey his home. He has held numerous exhibitions in the UK, including London’s The Bond Street Gallery, showing alongside renowned wildlife artist David Shepherd.

Barry said: ‘In a painting, no matter how long you have been looking at it, you should always find some new and surprising feature.

‘A painting is not just a piece of wall furniture, but something you want to look at and see, a talking point, a memory or the way it makes you feel.’

Barry sources deep inspiration from the sea’s moody temperament through the seasons, the beaches, the clear waters presenting a myriad of different colours, the rocks with their timeless forms sculpted over centuries.

Meanwhile, sculptor Neil Milsom is showing a collection of compelling and tactile slate sculptures in what is his first exhibition.

Before moving from Dublin to the island in 1998, Neil spent many years visiting Ireland’s ancient monuments.

‘The intricate geometric and spiralling patterns carved into the stones intrigued me from a very early age and I was fortunate to experience these sites prior to their development as major tourist attractions,’ he said.

‘Whilst much is known about these sites from an astronomical and geophysical viewpoint, the associated culture and meaning remains open to interpretation, which overlaps with another passion; that of mythology, folklore and legend.’

Since moving to the island he has enjoyed finding out about our folklore and ancient monuments. He said: ‘I felt the same sense of serenity and purpose here too; none more so than Cashtal yn Ard, only a short walk from the cottage where we live.’

The exhibition continues until Saturday, July 18.

As the year progressed, there were different things to look forward to.

Winter always meant snow. And snow was fun. Kids in Pulrose enjoyed snow.

There were the usual snowball fights and snowman building but the best fun of all was sledging.

In those days, there was no traffic to contend with. The only motorised intrusions into our world were usually predictable.

The yellow buses, the Friday fish van from Peel, Shakey Craine with the fresh veg, and Randles batteries on Saturday afternoon.

Milk was delivered daily but that was more risky for the horse than it was for us.

In those days, the wireless, as we called it, was powered by a battery. These batteries were called accumulators and were re­chargeable.

Randles Accumulator Company, from Glen Falcon Road in Douglas, would hire out batteries and each week, in our case on Saturday, would collect the old battery and deliver a fully charged replacement. Dick Barton, special agent, was guaranteed for another seven days.

Back to the sledges and the snow. There was no bus if there was snow. If there was no bus, there was no traffic, and any kid with a piece of metal or wood that could be sat on, had a sledge. Fantastic.

There was just one snag. We still had to go to school. If there was no bus we had to walk. But nothing is perfect.

Winter would slowly slide into spring. Easter would be next with painted eggs and school holidays, and a certain air of anticipation would start to stir the senses of all red blooded Pully kids.

The excitement would slowly build, money boxes would be emptied, counted, and re­filled. The days were marked off on imaginary calendars. It was getting closer by the day. The Sunday School picnic.

In those days most kids went to Sunday School, and one of the highlights (not as far as I was concerned) was the Sunday School anniversary.

We’d be scrubbed and polished, lined up in front of our scrubbed and polished parents, and sing a scrubbed and polished version of ‘All things Bright and Beautiful’. But the reward was worth the effort - The Sunday School picnic.

The picnic was always on the Thursday following the anniversary and the weather was always perfect.

To a small boy it seemed as if there were hundreds of picnickers but in truth that was probably just an impression.

We all had a favourite destination for the picnic, and get there by coach or steam train.

If we went by train we would go to one place for the day but if we went by charabanc (what the private coaches were called), things were more flexible.

In these days of car ownership a day out is no big deal, but in those times no­ one owned a car, and a day out to somewhere as far away as the Mooragh Park in Ramsey was an adventure to be relished.

And to have your tea in a cafe was a once a year treat.

Not only the fact that we all sat together at long tables, but we had food that on any other day would only be a dream.

In the years following the war times were tough. Every family budget was stretched to the limit, some foods were still in short supply or on ration.

A triangular sandwich to a Pully kid, was the height of sophistication and trifle with cream was dreamland.

Taking into account the numbers involved there was a reasonable choice of venues.

We could go to the Mooragh, Silverdale Glen, or Glen Wyllin. These were always popular. They were accessible by steam train and they had boating lakes. And somebody was going to fall in.

These days there is instant, on demand entertainment, on­line shopping, and Face­book.

We had Sunday School picnics, Ramsey Joke Shop, stink bombs and severed thumbs in matchboxes.

If you ever went on a Sunday School picnic you’ll know what I mean.

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A decade ago Pullyman – aka Michael Cowin – was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, a condition that affects people in different ways. Michael discovered writing and Island Life is featuring some of his musings. Sometimes topical, sometimes nostalgic, read about life as seen through the eyes of Pullyman

The founder of an international development charity says he is proud to be Manx after the support shown by island folk.

Simon Maddrell is the founder and executive director of Excellent Development, a charity registered in the Isle of Man and England and Wales, which has enabled almost a million of some of the world’s poorest people to transform their lives with 838 sand dams.

Simon was born in Douglas, with a Manx family history that dates back over 350 years.

He was invited by the Manx Government to attend the Tynwald ceremony as an honoured guest.

This coincided with Excellent Development having received 10 years of staunch support from the Isle of Man, which adds up to an astonishing £600,000 from the Manx people.

That money has funded;

82 rural dryland communities to have a lifetime of clean water close to home.

The construction of 44 sand dams (34 in Kenya and 10 in Mozambique).

The construction of three water tanks, providing a sustainable water source on site and improving hygiene and school attendance for three rural schools.

62 communities to become food secure through seed programmes.

Sustainable farming livelihoods for 19 communities.

26 young Manx volunteers to participate in sand dam expeditions to rural Kenya.

Mr Maddrell said:‘We have such strong links to the island. It makes me proud to be a Manx man.

‘In 10 years, the Manx people have helped transform the lives of 73,393 people.

‘By next year, that number will match the entire population of the Isle of Man.

‘Just think of that.

‘For every person living on the Isle of Man there is a person in rural Kenya whose life has been transformed - all because of the generosity of the Manx people.’

The Fire Service have issued a statement about yesterday’s fire involving live ammunition at the Round Table.

A statement said: ‘Castletown crews were called to a car fire on Saturday in the area of the Round Table. On arrival they found one vehicle well alight which had a horse box attached.

‘Prior to crews arrival the driver of the vehicle had removed the horse safely. The owner of the vehicle quickly made the attending crews aware that he was carrying ammunition in his vehicle.

‘On receiving this information the officer in charge, Sub/O Jeff Howland, withdrew his crews to a place of safety, whilst at the same time setting up ground monitors which could remotely direct water onto the fire.

‘The roads were closed and additional appliances requested from Port Erin and Douglas along wIth the Brigade Officer.

‘Once the fire was out a police fire arms officer was requested to declare the vehicle safe. Crews were in attendance for approximately two hours.‘

Divisional Officer Carl Kinvig said: ;This is a classic example of the unknown dangers crews can face when turning up to what on the face of it would appear to be a straight forward car fire.

‘The quick actions of the owner to alert crews to the ammunition within the vehicle allowed the incident commander to change his tactical plan quickly, which kept the public and his crews safe. Several loud bangs which crews thought to be the ammunition detonating were heard coming from the vehicle. At the height of the fire a 300 meter cordon was in place.’

When year three pupils at Braddan school wanted to complete a classroom project on their favourite author they were delighted with the support they got from the Family Library in Douglas.

The library was able to provide most of the books from the favoured writer Lauren Child who penned the Clarice Bean series and created the characters Charlie and Lola.

Class teacher Lynne Speller said: ‘The children all loved this project and we could not have done it nearly as well without the help of the family library and the schools service in particular, which is a fantastic resource for children and teachers.’

Thanks also went to schools’ librarian Sarah Johnson for her help with the project when the children visited the library to see the books and the displays.

Inspired by the Clarice Bean series of books, the children wrote stories, made their own books using collages and font styles, as well as creating their own pictures.

When the team at the family library saw the results they were so impressed they created a display at the library and the children paid a visit to the library to see the fruits of their labour out on show.

Mrs Johnson said it had been enjoyable to see all the children enjoying their visit to see the display of their work.

She said: ‘We’re always happy to help out any school with any project or to arrange visits from schools.

‘If teachers get in touch about a project we can deliver books and props to them.

‘We love to get involved with the schools in the community,’

The library has expanded its free schools service since becoming a charity in 2012 and now supplies not just books but props such as Victorian toys and Viking masks.

Individually teachers can visit the library on Westmoreland Road and borrow up to 10 books or, if they go through the schools service they can borrow more books and resources as well.

There is still time for children to register for the library’s summer reading scheme which this year has a Wonderland theme and challenges participants to read six books over the summer holidays.

To find out more, see the Family Library Facebook page or visit www.familylibrary.im or call the library on 640650.

All businesses in the Island are being encouraged to support the local economy, and to care for the environment.

Addressing these two important issues is at the heart of a new cleaning and maintenance business.

Smart Clean has specialist cleaners to cover the needs of all types of clients ranging from big businesses to private households owned by singles or couples who work full-time and need help to keep their home clean and tidy.

The name of the business stems from its aim to offer clients a service which is specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely.

It has been set up by John Hamilton who has more than 10 years’ experience in the industry.

He said: ‘We have a one-to-one relationship with our customers and provide a reliable and friendly service.

‘All of the products we use are environmentally friendly and locally sourced.

‘This not only reduces our own carbon footprint, but also that of our clients.

‘In addition to providing cleaning services we also offer maintenance services on a 24/7 basis.’

Smart Clean currently employs up to 10 full and part time staff covering cleaning and maintenance departments.

The company’s maintenance manager, Paul Dillon also has more than 25 years’ experience in the building trade and has spent the past five years solely on managed estate maintenance and ensures that Smart Clean meets its own exacting standards, and those of its clients.

All members of staff wear ID security badges.