A total of 44 young viola players are assembling in Port Erin today (Saturday) to take part in the 12th international viola festval and competition at the Erin Arts Centre over the coming week,

Players from at least 17 different countries will be taking part in the comptition.

Out of almost 100 entries from 26 different countries, 44 were selected to come to the island to take part after recordings of their performances were assessed by a judging panel.

America, Australia, South Korea, Taiwan, Britain, China, Portugal and Russia, not to mention Spain, France, Sweden and Poland, are just a few of the countries represented at the event this year.

Musicians will take part in the competition during the week culminating in a public performance involving up to eight semi-finalists at the Erin Arts Centre on Friday.

Three competitors will then take part in the final which takes place next Saturday, also at the Erin Arts Centre, with a prize presentation by the Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood.

Some of the most exciting young viola players from across the globe will be playing in the 12th Lionel Tertis international viola festival at the Erin Arts Centre.

Music lovers will also be able to enjoy exquisite recitals by members of the jury who are themselves among the leading viola players in the world, all for £10 for each performance.

Festival director Dr John Bethell said: ‘There will be nowhere else on the planet where there will be such an outstanding gathering of the finest viola players.

‘Whatever your taste you should not miss the opportunity to visit at least one recital to hear their outstanding music here in the Isle of Man.’

The gala series begins tomorrow (Sunday) with a recital by Sarah-Jane Bradley, accompanied by John Lenehan (both UK).

She was on the 2013 jury, and in January recorded early 20th century British viola concertos written for Lionel Tertis with the Halle.

Monday (March 14) will feature Wing Ho, one of the most influential and respected violists and teachers in China, and Caroline Dowdle (UK).

On Tuesday (March 15) the recital will be given by Garth Knox (Ireland) accompanied by Louise Lansdown (UK).

He plays across Europe, the USA and Japan and is also much in demand for theatre, dance and film scores.

Wednesday night is president’s night with Yuri Bashmet accompanied by Xenia Bashmet (both Russia).

Said to be the pre-eminent viola player of the modern age, he has motivated leading composers to expand the repertoire with significant new music.

Thomas Riebl (Austria) and Sophia Rahman (UK) round off the celebrity series on Thursday (March 16).

He has appeared with leading orchestras including the Chicago and Vienna Symphony orchestras and with conductors such as Claudio Abbado and Andrew Davies.

Limited tickets for the recitals are available in advance from the EAC box office, call 832662.

The competition semi-finals are open to the public for just £5.

The final and prize-giving, attended by Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood on Saturday, March 19, is £10.

The festival is sponsored by the Isle of Man Arts Council.

All young string players on the island can attend any festival event for free.

Police have issued an appeal for information after a hit-and-run accident in Douglas.

They are keen to trace the driver of a silver Citroen Saxo that apparently collided with a parked black BMW car on Windsor Road on Friday between 11am and 1pm. The car then made off without stopping and leaving details.

A witness who left information but no contact details on the BMW’s windscreen is also being asked to get in touch.

Anyone with information should contact the police headquarters in Douglas on 631212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Meanwhile, police have cautioned drivers to use headlights and excercise extra care when driving in foggy conditions. The appeal was made after reports of motorists driving in thick fog on the mountain without using lights, and following a single vehicle accident on the Sloc this afternoon. There were no injuries.

The public will be able to see artwork created by prisoners over the Easter holidays.

A selection of arts, crafts and creative writing produced by them will be on display in the main hall of Isle of Man College from March 29 to April 4.

Education is provided at the prison by the college.

A press release from the Department of Home Affairs says: ‘In art lessons prisoners have been exploring traditional techniques with their drawing tutor, Angie Patchett, creating self-portraits and renditions of classical sculptures.

‘Painting and mixed media pieces reflect a more personal approach exploring individual themes, interests and interpretations of various art styles.’

The release quoted one unnamed prisoner, who said: ‘The art class has enabled me to express myself in a positive way.’

Working with craft tutor Helen Watson they have created soft furnishings, wall hangings and toys. Many use the class as an opportunity to make small gifts for their children and family.

Under the tutorship of Judith Tattersall and Gemma Middleton, English lessons have provided prisoners with the chance to work on creative writing.

display

In addition to work produced in classes, the display will also feature pieces that prisoners have created in their own time and examples of Morsbags, which are made by the prison for Zero Waste Mann.

Bob McColm, head of the prison and probation service, said: ‘I have been amazed over the years at the many talents demonstrated by prisoners. This is yet another example of the creativity and skill that we should be looking to bring out of those who come to our education department.’

Following the exhibition, much of the work will be entered for the Koestler Awards. The Koestler creative arts competition is open to all offenders.

The new old people’s home being built on the site of the old Homefield bus depot in Salisbury Street in Douglas is now nearing completion.

Plans were submitted in August 2014 to demolish the old bus garages and construct the home, with building work starting last spring.

Work has now started on the perimeter wall. The exterior walls of the building are complete, using a mixture of yellow brickwork and render which matches other buildings in the area. Early this year slates were being put on the roof and windows installed.

When completed later this year, the home is to have on-site parking spaces for staff, visitors and deliveries. On-street parking is to be reinstated. The gardens are still to be landscaped, creating raised sensory flower beds and a water feature, that are easily accessible for residents who have difficulty walking or use wheelchairs.

Many of the rooms should also have en-suite facilities and direct access to patio areas outside.

Are large local and multinational retail businesses paying a fair contribution to the island’s economy and society?

Treasury Minister Eddie Teare told the House of Keys that tax on the income of large corporate businesses – the so-called ‘Tesco tax’ – had generated £1.98m in the tax year ending April 2014, of which £1.65m was received during the 2014-15 financial year.

He said: ‘In my opinion, these figures clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of introducing this measure.’

But Chris Thomas (Douglas West) asked if the Treasury Minister believed £2m was sufficient – and whether other sectors should be contributing according to their activity in the Manx economy.

Mr Teare said he could not comment on whether it was sufficient as he didn’t have the information to hand. But he said it was vitally important we don’t ‘impugn the integrity’ of the zero/10 corporate tax regime as this was the ‘cornerstone’ of our economy.

Any extension to that would have to be reported to the EU code of conduct group, he said, adding: ‘If it was deemed to be harmful then it could throw the whole zero/10 regime into jeopardy and I’m not going down that route.’

Mr Thomas said the activity in this sector had fallen by 21 per cent, from £162m to £129m, and queried whether this was linked to the introduction of the tax. The Treasury Minister Eddie Teare said the tax was on profits of £500,000 or more so if there was a slight downturn for companies on the margins they could fall outside the tax net.

Leonard Singer (Ramsey) pointed out the original estimate for income from this tax was £3m. Mr Teare replied: ‘Yes, we did anticipate there would be a considerably higher figure but there has been a downturn in the retail sector.’ He said some operators had undertaken considerable capital expenditure for which they could claim tax relief.

An abruptly cut off 999 call led police to a property in Strand Street in Douglas where they could hear a disturbance, a court has been told.

Inside, they found Kenneth Andrew O’Connell who was described in court as being ‘gobby’.

Prosecutor Hazel Carroon said 37-year-old O’Connell asked for a ‘lift to Douglas’ and swore at police when they declined him.

She said O’Connell swore at police and a minor argument broke out culminating in him being arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

His advocate Louise Cooil said O’Connell, of Falcon Flats in Douglas, was very disappointed in himself to be back before the court.

‘He does not really remember the incident but he did apologise the next day when he woke up and found himself in a police cell,’ she said.

‘There had been an argument earlier but he was leaving, as asked, and that argument just continued in his frame of mind.’

She added O’Connell was involved in stressful legal proceedings at the time and this had caused him to drink.

‘But he now understands he must stop,’ she said.

Sentencing him, Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes noted he had accepted the offence and admitted it straight away.

He was fined £150 and must pay costs of £125. Mrs Hughes also noted two recent drink-related offences and banned him from entering on-licensed premises for three months.

Well I might as well get it over with. I’ve just had a brain scan.

And yes, for the benefit of the comedians who read the Indy, they found that I have one. And yes, it was the right size. And I can tell anyone who is interested, they found nothing wrong with it.

So laugh all you like, because I know that my brain is all right, thank you Jack.

I also had my carotid arteries scanned and was told the veins in my neck are all squeaky clean, so wash that down with skimmed milk.

My liver, my thyroid, well I think you get the drift. Everything is working as it should, except for one important detail. I was a touch anaemic. Now if I cut myself, I bleed, but I don’t faint. If I see someone else bleed I will be concerned, but I would not panic, I would try to help.

But if I am told for the next three hours, 300ml of someone else’s red stuff is going to slowly drip into my right arm, I will feel decidedly ill.

Now let me say just one important thing. Thank you! I am extremely and profoundly grateful. But I will still feel ill.

I can’t explain why but it is a fact. Anyway, the job was done (twice) and here I am typing away.

Now, obviously I have no idea who the two people are who are now part of my blood pressure but I hope that your donation is pleased to be whooshing and splooshing through my spotless arteries.

I shall try to be careful with your gift.

I was in Noble’s for three days.

I was well looked after from the minute the ambulance dropped me off at the side door until the porter and his wheelchair waved me goodbye at the front door.

I arrived in A&E at about midday on the Monday. The waiting room was full, the examination rooms were full and the noticeboard told those who could read that there would be a waiting time of four hours before they would be seen by a doctor.

As usually happens, by the time you see your GP you are starting to feel better.

When you arrive at the dentist’s surgery your toothache suddenly vanishes.

And when I had jumped the queue and was on the bed in an examination room I felt fine but I was now in the system.

In my case, this was my second admission in eight days so they had decided to ‘keep me in’.

My holiday lasted three days. I was looked after by the nurses, examined by the doctors and fed by the caterers.

And I thank them one and all. Their combined efforts and a couple of medication adjustments and here I am, back at work.

Have you been up to Noble’s recently? Free health care for all must cost an absolute fortune to provide.

And the day to day running of the place. I just don’t know how they do it.

We have all heard about someone’s Uncle Joe who almost had the wrong leg amputated and the patient who was sent an appointment to see the cardiologist four weeks after he had died from a heart attack.

I have no doubt that some mistakes can and will happen, and in a hospital, even the smallest of errors could prove serious and must be avoided.

But when you think about the sheer volume of folk who are treated every day it is a credit to staff at all levels, from the cleaner to the consultant, that the huge machine we all know simply as Noble’s, works so well.

But I have to end this visit to the hospital on a serious note. I mentioned I had a couple of 300ml bags of blood slowly dripped into one of my arms.

Now I am very grateful for my gift but I have one or two slight reservations.

Is it possible, do you think, you can be influenced by the previous owner via his blood?

I could find myself supporting Millwall instead of Chelsea.

I only mention this, because I have recently started to think about joining the Liberal Vannin Party.

The Isle of Man International Development Committee (IDC) has allocated £50,000 of Emergency Aid to provide life-saving support to some of the world’s most vulnerable people.

A devastating drought in Ethiopia has led to the country’s worst food shortages in 30 years.

The situation has been classed by the United Nations as the world’s third biggest humanitarian crisis. The IDC will support Oxfam’s emergency response by providing £30,000 for food and safe water for drinking and washing.

A further £20,000 will be provided to support GOAL, a charity working to assist those affected by the refugee crisis in Europe.

Funding will improve the food security of Syrian refugees in southern Turkey by providing e-vouchers for the purchase of food and water.

Funding donated by the Isle of Man is continuing to make a positive difference to disadvantaged people around the world.

Phil Gawne MHK, chairman of the International Development Committee, said: ‘These charities urgently need funding to deliver vital food, water and medical supplies in countries devastated by conflict and natural disasters.

‘The support from the Isle of Man will add to donations from other nations to improve the lives of thousands of vulnerable people.’

A driver who spun her car and almost plunged down the cliff as she was travelling along King Edward Road in Onchan had bald tyres and defective brakes, a court has heard.

Tina Shimmin, of Cushag Road, Anagh Coar, lost control of her car, spun round and ended up wedged against a bush at the cliff top facing in the opposite direction after the accident on January 9.

Hazel Carroon, for the prosecution, said the 39-year-old was heading north in her Peugeot on a Saturday afternoon.

‘She crossed the carriageway and ended up facing back the way she had come, in the area of the Howstrake former holiday camp,’ Miss Carroon said.

She added Shimmin was doing around 40mph and was uninjured.

‘The car was only prevented from going over the cliff by a sturdy bush,’ Miss Carroon said.

A test centre examination of the car found defective tyres and handbrake. The defendant said she thought the spin was caused by something on the road surface but admitted the car had not been serviced while she had owned it.

Shimmin’s advocate Louise Cooil said her client bought the car a year previously. A friend had checked it over for her but it had not undergone a professional examination. She said Shimmin was not aware the car needed a service and she had failed to notice the tyres becoming worn.

She added the accident had been a frightening experience for Shimmin who had suffered occasional nightmares since it happened.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said she would sentence on the basis that no-one else was involved in the accident.

‘You had the car for a year but it was only checked by a non-mechanic friend. The condition of the tyres should have been obvious,’ she said.

Shimmin admitted careless driving and having a car in a dangerous condition. She was fined a total of £700 with £50 costs, her licence was endorsed and she was banned from driving for six months.

The Manx Operatic Society’s production of Oklahoma! - which opened its week-long run last night at the Gaiety Theatre - is a stunning show in the traditional sense, but involves a mix of modern technology and contemporary twists.

The start of the show, for example, is unusual, clever and thought-provoking.

Without giving too much away, the audience are left wondering. Showing off more of our wonderful theatre than many Gaiety-goers are used to seeing, the opening action gives the audience a little taste of the buzz and nervous activity that happens just before the curtains usually rise, until the hidden heroes of ‘the dark side’, the backstage crew, take centre stage.

The scene is set with great stage props but also a filmed backdrop of the corn crops of Claremore, which alters subtly with each scene, adding another dimension and greater depth.

Curly McLain played by David Cowley bursts on to stage singing the time-honoured ‘Oh What A Beautiful Morning?’ and seeks out his true love, tomboy farm girl Laurey Williams - beautifully characterised by Sarah Elder - niece of everybody’s favourite Aunt Eller, expertly portrayed by Nicola Openshaw.

Whilst the bright colours and rousing hoedown dances give out a great ‘yeehaa’ atmosphere, matters take a dark turn when Curly’s love rival, Jud Fry played by Dr John Snelling, shows his twisted, murderous side. This is played with such conviction that I’m not sure my visits to Peel surgery will ever be the same again.

Comedy and laughs are raised by Ali Hakim, the crazy ‘Persian Peddlar’ played brilliantly by Dean Callow. His one-liners and fabulously funny facial expressions bring amusement throughout as he desperately tries to avoid committing to local tease Ado Annie (Abi Newton), who shares her affections between the slippery peddler and hunky cowboy Will Parker (Lewis Kelly).

Along with my 11-year-old dance fanatic daughter, we were delighted to see director Anthony William’s amazing choreography playing a huge part in the story - Lewis Kelly’s bandy-legged, thigh-slapping, heel-kicking cowboy moves were spot on!

The show also provided classical ballet through the ‘Out Of My Dreams’ sequence, which cleverly used the youngest male and female members of the cast, Alicia Schofield and Sam Baxter, to recreate the main characters in their childhood. But the romantic dream turns to a nightmare as the menacing Jud appears, with scenes of saloon show girls in frilly corsets and risqué ‘dirty dance’ moves all set off perfectly by the wonderful live orchestra.

Overall it is a top show - the principals’ voices all rang out beautifully, the dancing brought life and character, and the clever staging and set brought it all together perfectly.

My only wish was that the backstage boys and girls got to wrap the show up as they had set it off - bringing our theatre and beautiful stage through its full circle at the end of a high energy, high colour, high talent show.

Oklahoma! continues nightly until Saturday, which will also feature a matinee performance. Tickets from the Gaiety Theatre box office, online at villagaiety.com or by calling 600555.

Hilltop Hallucinations have been voted People’s Choice by the audience who attended Manx charity Junior Achievement’s The Next Big Thing talent contest in February.

The band - Luke Campbell, rhythm guitar, Antony Coward, drummer, Jordan Kirk, lead guitar, Niall McCabe-O’Kelly, vocals and Eddie Morris, bassist – are pupils at Ballakermeen and St Ninian’s high schools and all members of Soundcheck, the government inititive designed to promote music.

The People’s Choice award, sponsored this year by Lloyds Bank, was inaugurated in 2015 in memory of youth worker Paul Cooper, who died in 2014 but who, as leader of the Soundcheck project, had been an influential figure in the Next Big Thing since it began.

The band received their People’s Choice trophy from Paul’s widow, Georgina and daughter Georgia.

Junior Achievement’s chief executive Sue Cook said: ‘Hilltop Hallucinations were worthy People’s Choice winners. They opened the show in fantastic style and went down really well with the audience. They’re also great ambassadors for Soundcheck whose members work with us every year in the auditions leading up to The Next Big Thing final. Just like The Next Big Thing, Soundcheck aims to inspire young artists and give them the confidence to develop their talent.

‘We’re very grateful to Lloyds Bank for sponsoring the award and all of us at Junior Achievement wish the band every success.’

To find out more about Junior Achievement and The Next Big Thing, visit jaiom.im or contact Sue Cook, 666266, sue.cook@jaiom.im

Soundcheck provides musicians over the age of 13 with a place to meet up, organise gigs, make recordings and videos and offers practice facilities. It is a Department of Eduction and Children- run project that operates out of the Douglas Youth Arts Centre, Castletown and Peel Youth Centre’s. It is funded by gigs, collections, sponsorship and subscriptions.

People with a visual impairment are going to be able to enjoy Manx literature when local books are turned into audio books.

The first books to be recorded will be The Manx Connection and The Manx Giant – The Amazing Story of Arthur Caley by island writer John Quirk.

Manx Blind Welfare Society volunteers coordinator and events organiser Debbie Thomson said: ‘After Manx Litfest last year, a number of our blind and visually impaired members mentioned that they would like to be able to enjoy locally-written books alongside the thousands of titles we provide through our audio library.

‘I approached John, as director of Manx Litfest, to see whether he thought local authors and their publishers would be willing to give permission for works to be turned into audio books.

‘He was very positive about the idea, and offered us the opportunity to begin the initiative with two of his books.

‘These will be recorded in the coming weeks and made available for our members to borrow from the library at Corrin Court in Onchan.

‘We’d now like to hear from any other published local authors who would be prepared to grant permission for their work to be turned into audio books for the enjoyment of the society’s members.’

John added: ‘One of the aims of Manx Litfest is to spread enthusiasm for enjoying reading and writing across the whole community, so it was rewarding to hear that last year’s festival had inspired members of the society to request locally-written books in audio formats.

‘The society does a fantastic job making thousands of titles available to blind and visually impaired people in the Isle of Man, ensuring they can continue to enjoy literature.

‘It is great news that this range is going to be expanded further with the inclusion of books written by local authors.’

Manx Litfest and the society are now discussing the possibility of Corrin Court hosting an event for visually impaired people during the 2016 Manx Litfest, which runs from September 27 to October 2.

The audio recordings will be made at the prison as part of a partnership between the society and Department of Home Affairs, which has already seen prisoners contributing to the society’s weekly recorded news service.

A government minister is urging would-be politicians to come forward.

The island’s 22 local authorities will all be holding elections next month, meaning every single council and commissioners’ seat is up for grabs.

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK says the elections, which take place every four years, provide a chance for people to make a positive contribution to how their towns, villages, districts and parishes are run.

Individuals interested in standing for election as a councillor or commissioner must submit their nomination papers by 5pm on Tuesday, April 5. A total of 150 local authority members are needed to serve 22 different boards. Voting will take place on Thursday, April 28, in constituencies where there is a contest for the vacant seats.

Mr Gawne is urging more people to become involved in local politics.

He said: ‘Local people know their communities better than anyone and I hope public spirited individuals will come forward to stand for election. This is an opportunity to influence the issues that directly affect people’s daily lives. We all want to see greater public engagement in Manx politics and an end to uncontested elections. Some areas of the Isle of Man have not witnessed a local authority election for many years. That cannot be healthy in a modern democracy.’

He added: ‘There have been a number of significant transfers of powers and services to local authorities over the last year or two and there are plans for more to follow. This is an exciting time to be a member of a local authority as you will be shaping the long-term relationship between local and central government, as well as having a significant say in how your local community is governed.’

Local authorities have recently taken on additional responsibilities for a range of highway maintenance functions, while new approaches are also being explored for big ticket issues such as waste management and public housing.

Chris Thomas MHK, the Department of Infrastructure member whose responsibilities include local authorities, said: ‘Those commissioners and councillors who are elected – with or without a contest and regardless of the turnout – will be able to contribute to the determination of the scope and structure of local government and housing authorities in coming years.’

Candidates must be on the electoral register at April 1 to be eligible to stand as a candidate, or to vote, in the 2016 local authority general election.

The cut-off point for inclusion is Friday next week Details are available from the Electoral Registration Unit, Crown and Elections, Cabinet Office, Government Office, Buck’s Road, Douglas, IM1 3PN, email voters@gov.im or call 685754.

A soldier who lost both his legs while serving in Afghanistan will cycle the 37.73 mile TT course for charity.

Stuart ‘Robbo’ Robinson, from Morecambe, is part of Team Legless who will take on their TT challenge on Saturday, March 26.

While serving in Helmand province in Afghanistan in 2013, Robbo’s patrol vehicle hit an explosive device while protecting Camp Bastion.

He suffered life-threatening injuries, losing both legs and suffering 18 fractures of the spine, a fractured pelvis and arm, three fractures of the jaw and broken shoulder blades.

After only a couple of months in hospital, Robbo was discharged and he has been under the care of the military rehab unit at Headley Court in Surrey since.

Along with Stuart, there will be Anton Shephard, who is paralysed from the chest down after a motocross bike landed on his back after a crash in April 2014.

Local veteran Kurt McGuinness will also take part. Although Kurt is not disabled he will be doing the challenge on a hand bike.

Visit Team Legless on Facebook or follow the team on Twitter @leglessrobbo.

Local artists and those who love their work have a new place to meet up thanks to an innovative website which captures who’s who and what’s on in the island’s visual arts scene.

The Manx Art Directory has an events calendar, a news feed and lists of galleries and shops which support the art community.

And each artist has their own page which showcases up to six photographs of their work, contact details and links to their websites and social media pages, and a brief biography.

The pictures open up to full size so their work can be fully appreciated.

The website www.manxartdirectory.com has been put together by Ramsey-based interior designer Jane Hall.

‘This is still a work in progress,’ she said. ‘I am hoping that many more artists will want to be listed when the word gets out.

‘It’s a great way for them to have an online shop window at no cost.’

The site not only lists fine artists but also photographers, ceramic artists, glass artists and sculptors.

Some of the island’s best known artists are already signed up, including Jeremy Paul, Bruno Cavellec and Juan Moore.

Jeremy said: ‘We have some very talented artists on our island but it is often difficult for everyone to get their work seen and to develop their skills.

‘I think it’s a wonderful idea to have a single resource site so artists of very different styles and techniques can be seen together.’

Juan said: ‘With most artists only producing a show every two years or in some cases even longer, it is vital that the public do not forget that artists are still around.’

Bruno described the Manx Art Directory as the ‘missing link between artists and the public and a great way to connect both sides of the art world under one single, professional platform’.

In the future, Jane hopes the site will pay for itself via corporate sponsorship and advertising, pairing up artists who have new work to sell with companies that wish to support the arts.

‘It’s a win-win,’ she said. ‘The artists get their work seen by a much wider audience and the companies supporting them get their advertising banners or other promotional material on the same page, which is available 24/7.’

Contact Jane on 450997 or jane@graceandhall.com

World-renowned investor Jim Mellon will be among five stars of the finance industry lined up for a leading event next month.

They will deliver ‘inspirational’ talks to an audience of 8.000 investors.

The Master Investor Show takes place at the Business Design Centre, Islington, London, on Saturday, April 23. Now in its 14th year, the show creates opportunities for private investors to speak with CEOs, founders and decision-makers of companies.

The Isle of Man resident, reported by the Sunday Times Rich List to be worth £850m, is a highly experienced and successful entrepreneur and investor, whose talks guarantee a huge crowd.

He told Master Investor online magazine: ‘Private investors want information about investments that can become ‘‘money fountains’’. In my presentation about new technologies and future trends, I’ll introduce a number of themes that have the potential to multiply in value.’

Industry experts will deliver main-stage talks on current and future trends and provide insights on how to maximise financial returns.

There’s a new look to this year’s Guild which is set to be one of the most varied in its history.

A range of new classes, attracting a raft of new entries, has been introduced for the 2016 Manx Competitive Music, Speech and Dance Festival, which takes place from April 22 to 30 at the Villa Marina and St Thomas’ church in Douglas.

Dance classes have been extended to include solo ballet, character duet and group modern, with the latter proving popular with performers. It will take place in the Royal Hall on the first Friday of the Festival, April 22, from 5pm and on Sunday April 24 from 1pm.

The newly introduced Battle of the Bands class will take place on the evening of Tuesday April 26, also in the Royal Hall, where seven bands (three in the under 18 age group and four in the over 18 age group) will fight it out for the title.

Bands will play covers and their own original compositions and the audience will be able to vote for their favourites. This exciting new category will be supported by the Festival’s partners for the evening - Soundcheck – who will help the bands set up and use the impressive equipment at the Villa Marina.

The more traditional classes have also been very well-supported with 35 entries in the very popular Songs from the Musicals adult class, taking place on the evening of Thursday April 28. Organisers have also received a pleasing number of entries for the Folk Song class, especially in the Years 4 to 8 category.

This year some classes have been moved to the beautiful St Thomas’ church to provide a more intimate setting with a lovely acoustic. On Sunday April 24 it will host vocal, organ and spoken solos; on Monday the operatic classes and on Tuesday the Foreign Language Art Song and British Composers classes.

In another new development, the week will culminate in a Festival’s Finest 2016 concert in the Royal Hall on the last night – Saturday April 30. This will showcase some of the most enjoyable performances from across all three areas – music, drama and dance. The line-up will include the winners from prestige classes as well as highlights from the week.

As always, the Cleveland Medal contest will take place on the final Friday of the week.

Season tickets for the Dandara-sponsored festival cost £30. Tickets for individual sessions are £4 but under 18s are free of charge. The Songs from the Musicals, Cleveland Medal Test and Festival’s Finest 2016 are ticketed events costing £8 for adults and £4 for under 18s.

Festive programmes will be available in late March. For more information please go to www.manxmusicfestival.org

Government Minister and one-time candidate for Chief Minister, John Shimmin, has announced he will not be standing at the next general election.

He said: ‘I feel the time is right.

‘I’m 55 now and I’ve been in public service for 33 years and it’s time for a different challenge.’

Policy and Reform Minister Mr Shimmin says he made up his mind not to stand some time ago. Asked what his next challenge might be, he said he had nothing lined-up yet.

He left a career in teaching to enter politics, and was first elected to the House of Keys in 1996. He became Minister for Transport in 2002 and other cabinet posts followed. After the 2006 general election he put his name forward for chief minister. In 2014 he quit as Minister for Economic Development over the Sefton loans affair. Six months later he was back as member for DED before being appointed Policy and Reform Minister in February last year.

He said that as we approach the half way stage of the government’s rebalancing programme, he remained ‘extremely optimistic’ about the island’s future.

A bid to screen the derelict site of the former Golf Links Hotel swimming pool from Castletown Golf Links has been refused.

Langness Properties Ltd applied (15/00602/B) to government planners for landscaping works, three to five metres high, on the course.

But planners turned down the bid saying: ‘The introduction of man-made mounding as proposed and as has been introduced on the 18th fairway would have a detrimental impact on the visual character and appearance of the area.’

In addition, planners said the proposed work alongside the hotel and swimming pool buildings would ‘seriously impair the outlook and amenities of these sites and have a detrimental impact on the ability to redevelop them’.