Tomorrow’s Manannan sailings to and from Liverpool and Belfast have been cancelled.

The Steam Packet Company has this afternoon confirmed that specialist engineers and aluminium fabricators are arriving later today (Thursday) to help assess the damage caused when the vessel crashed into Victoria Pier, Douglas, last night.

They will assist the firm in determining whether repairs can be done in Douglas or if the vessel needs more extensive work in dry dock.

The assessment and repair will take some time and, therefore, the the decision has been made to cancel Manannan’s scheduled sailings tomorrow.

Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘Our telephone lines are extremely busy as passengers discuss alternative arrangements with staff. Due to the volume and length of these calls, additional staff have been brought in to help in both Douglas and Liverpool.

‘It is anticipated that over the peak Easter days not all passengers booked to travel can be accommodated, although we are making every effort to provide an alternative to as many passengers as possible.

He added: ‘Back-up freight vessel MV Arrow will arrive in Douglas tomorrow and will allow Ben-my-Chree to be dedicated to passenger traffic.

‘Ben-my-Chree was not scheduled to sail on Saturday night, but an additional Heysham round trip will now be operated to assist passengers. Additional crew have been sourced to allow the vessel to increase to her maximum passenger capacity on all sailings.

‘We would like to thank all those affected for their patience and understanding.’

A statement released at 3.25pm said: ‘Passengers booked on affected sailings can either cancel and receive a full refund or are asked to contact the Call Centre on 08722 992 992 or 01624 661661 to discuss alternatives. Online account holders may amend their bookings through the company’s website www.steam-packet.com

‘Passengers on the cancelled Belfast sailings have the option of making alternative arrangements direct with other operators and then writing to the Steam Packet Company with receipts as appropriate.

‘Passengers booked on today’s 3pm departure to Liverpool and the return sailing at 7.15pm have already been contacted.’

The next update is expected to be issued tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow’s Manannan sailings to and from Liverpool and Belfast have been cancelled.

The Steam Packet Company has this afternoon confirmed that specialist engineers and aluminium fabricators are arriving later today (Thursday) to help assess the damage caused when the vessel crashed into Victoria Pier, Douglas, last night.

They will assist the firm in determining whether repairs can be done in Douglas or if the vessel needs more extensive work in dry dock.

The assessment and repair will take some time and, therefore, the the decision has been made to cancel Manannan’s scheduled sailings tomorrow.

Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘Our telephone lines are extremely busy as passengers discuss alternative arrangements with staff. Due to the volume and length of these calls, additional staff have been brought in to help in both Douglas and Liverpool.

‘It is anticipated that over the peak Easter days not all passengers booked to travel can be accommodated, although we are making every effort to provide an alternative to as many passengers as possible.

He added: ‘Back-up freight vessel MV Arrow will arrive in Douglas tomorrow and will allow Ben-my-Chree to be dedicated to passenger traffic.

‘Ben-my-Chree was not scheduled to sail on Saturday night, but an additional Heysham round trip will now be operated to assist passengers. Additional crew have been sourced to allow the vessel to increase to her maximum passenger capacity on all sailings.

‘We would like to thank all those affected for their patience and understanding.’

A statement released at 3.25pm said: ‘Passengers booked on affected sailings can either cancel and receive a full refund or are asked to contact the Call Centre on 08722 992 992 or 01624 661661 to discuss alternatives. Online account holders may amend their bookings through the company’s website www.steam-packet.com

‘Passengers on the cancelled Belfast sailings have the option of making alternative arrangements direct with other operators and then writing to the Steam Packet Company with receipts as appropriate.

‘Passengers booked on today’s 3pm departure to Liverpool and the return sailing at 7.15pm have already been contacted.’

The next update is expected to be issued tomorrow morning.

---------------

>> PICTURES: Manannan crashes into Victoria Pier - five injured

>> Manannan crash was due to ‘systems failure’ says Steam Packet boss

>>‘Brace, brace, brace!’: Student relives crash drama onboard Manannan

The Isle of Man’s horse trams will be back in action this summer after being given a temporary reprieve from closure.

The Department of Infrastructure will operate the historic attraction for the 2016 season, maintaining a reduced service using existing staff.

After approval from from the Council of Ministers and a deal with Douglas Borough Council to use the trams and horses at no cost, the trams will run between May and October.

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK told iomtoday: ‘I’m delighted that we’ve been able to offer the horse trams a temporary reprieve, but beyond the summer we will have to have a major rethink about their future.’

The service was sensationally scrapped by Douglas Borough Council in January, which revealed that it was operating at an annual loss of more than £250,000 funded entirely by Douglas ratepayers.

The Minister claimed that the DoI could run this year’s service at a cost of around £50,000, largely thanks to the deal with Douglas Borough Council, while also generating more revenue from ticket sales.

‘We anticipate that we will be able to generate an additional £25,000 in revenue, primarily with our expertise in marketing heritage railways,’ he said.

Mr Gawne said that the long-term future of the service would now be decided after September’s General Election. ‘We can either recognise the value of what I believe to be one of our most unique heritage attractions, or accept that the horse trams have had their day and they won’t be replaced.

‘But it will be a decision for the next government to take to see what their long term future will be.’

Before the closure was originally announced the horse trams were already controversial as a DoI scheme to renovate the promenades proposed relocating the trams onto the walkways. These plans were dropped after a critical report from an independent planning inspector which was upheld by the Council of Ministers last week.

But even if the horse trams’ long-term future is secured, it’s been revealed that the service will only run between Strahallan and the War Memorial if the DoI’s latest plan for the regeneration of Douglas promenades goes ahead.

The department will file a planning application next month to resurface the highway between the Sea Terminal and the Villa Marina Colonnade, but there will no no provison for tram tracks either on the road or the walkway.

An annual church collection gets under way on Saturday to raise money to help some of the world’s most poverty-stricken people.

Last year, Isle of Man residents raised more than £9,000 towards the Adventist Development and Relief Agency’s (ADRA) appeal, which works with more than 120 countries trying to eliminate poverty.

A team of 35 volunteers will be carrying out door to door collections across the island from this Saturday until Sunday, April 17.

All collectors will have identification and wear yellow vests with the ADRA logo on.

They will be collecting between 5pm and 8pm.

Twenty per cent of the money raised will stay in the island – going to Rebecca House children’s hospice.

ADRA UK reported that last year that it helped around one million people living in poverty or distress and gave disaster relief to over 75,000 people.

For more information visit www.adra.org.uk or contact noelapugan@yahoo.co.uk

A new four-year study has been launched and aims to determine whether the Manx dialect is at risk of dying out.

The university study, conducted by former English teacher Andrew Booth who comes from Neath in South Wales, aims to find out how the Manx accent is changing and how much dialect there is still in use.

The Examiner spoke to island residents to find out their thoughts on whether the Manx dialect is dying out or evolving.

Andy Bass, 35, who was born and bred in Onchan but now lives in Grenaby:

‘I don’t hear it so much now but you know of the Bunscoill (Manx Primary School) and things like that so it seems to be quite popular and quite well attended, from what I know. It seems to be that they are certainly trying to retain Manx dialect, without a shadow of a doubt.

‘It’s part of our heritage so we should definitely retain it. If it was taken away and died out then no one would get the chance to learn.’

Manxman Andrew Newton, 27, from Douglas:

‘My sisters are big supporters of the Bunscoill and that seems to have brought back a resurgence in the Manx dialect and spoken Manx and I think that’s good. I think they make very valid arguments for why it should be encouraged in the Isle of Man.

‘I think it gives an attractiveness to the Isle of Man, a novelty, and you look at other places like Wales, Scotland and Ireland where they are encouraging the culture in languages and the Isle of Man should be no different and it would be a shame to lose that connection to the past.

‘The accent’s a difficult one because I don’t think I embody a Manx accent but my niece and nephew are going to go to the Bunscoill, where they’re taught Manx which seems bizarre but seems really interesting at the same time and I look to encourage it.’

Manxman Patrick Goodby, 40, from Baldrine:

‘I think it’s almost evolving, you’ve got, what I would consider, very old traditional Manx accents which are still thriving and then the younger generation who I think are evolving the language somewhat. I think it’s still quite distinct and I’m proud to be Manx. Me and my friends do it quite a lot in gest, we emphasise how Manx we are - I think it’s good.

‘Yes it should be preserved, absolutely, it doesn’t necessarily have a massive utilitarian use but it’s good to keep it alive. My daughter is learning it at school which I think is a positive thing. I don’t think it should be forgotten at all.’

Charlotte Green, 19, from Douglas and Caren Harrison, 38, from Castletown:

Caren said: ‘They’re teaching it at school now, whereas when I was at school we just used to do Lord’s Prayer in Manx and that was it. I think it’s getting more popular now.’

Charlotte said: ‘I think it’s important to preserve it. I think we’ve done well so far, most little islands don’t really have it do they?’

Alex Downie, 70, born and bred in Douglas:

‘I think the dialect is evolving and there’s always been new words coming into the local dialect. In my younger days lots of the terminology was a mixture of what we call the old Scouse and some of the old Manx because, unfortunately, most Manx people had to go away and earn a living in the North West and other places and they picked up anecdotes and different things.

‘What you’ve got to realise is the Manx are a minority but it’s good to see that lots of people who are coming into the Isle of Man are actually interested in keeping the indigenous language alive and if you look at the last census figures, we’ve now got over 980 Manx speakers.

‘If you go back 10 to 15 years ago, they were worried about losing the language altogether.

‘I think it’s important and I think people like John Dog Callister, who promote the Manxness, are actually doing a good job and I think they are keeping it alive.’

Mary Doyle from Douglas:

‘I do think there’s a strong dialect and some of my accent, even though I’m from Dublin, has changed a little bit but I think it’s a good thing.

‘We should have an accent, I think it’s important. It would be a shame if anything indigenous to here completely died out, it’s what makes us different.

‘To me, a dialect makes a place. It would be a real shame for it to die out and we all became neutral transatlantic people with no accent.’

One of the highlights of the island’s Celtic cultural calendar returns to the north of the island this weekend.

Shennaghys Jiu (Tradition Today) sees workshops, concerts, ceilidhs and a band night in venues across Ramsey and Andreas from tomorrow (Friday) to Monday.

A family concert and ceilidh takes place at the Masonic Hall, Ramsey tomorrow evening.

Saturday night sees a Celtic ceilidh at Andreas parish hall.

And the final night’s concert and ceilidh will be at the Masonic Hall.

A popular event is the bands night on Monday, again returning to Bar Logo.

A festival spokesman said: ‘We hope this year to build on the successes of previous years, and continue to provide enjoyable concerts and ceilidhs in the hope we can build on our family atmosphere and encourage new people to discover Manx traditional music and the joys a festival has to offer.’

Since its launch in 1998, Shennaghys Jiu has hosted a wide range of talent from many different Celtic cultures.

Joining this year’s line-up are Scottish performers Ross Hull, Cameron Grant and Christian Gamaulf.

Ross and Cameron played as a duo until they met Christian while they were all studying at Uist. Christian’s interest in Cape Briton brings a much welcome swing to the duo’s existing sound.

Two Irish groups, Achrann and The Kilcummin Set Dancers are joining forces especially for the weekend.

Achrann is made up of a range of talented musicians who have all toured and played music professionally: Greta Curtin on concertina, Jessie Healy (fiddle), Darragh Horan (guitar) and Eoin o Sullivan (banjo). This weekend is one of their debut performances.

Joining them on stage are the highly acclaimed Kilcummin set dancers, who have toured throughout Europe and are reigning world and all Ireland champions.

Expect Sean Nos, set dancing, Irish dancing and brush dancing.

The Christine Wilson Highland Dancers, originating from Edinburgh, are returning to Shennaghys Jiu this year.

They have all been involved in competitive dancing at Highland Games and competitions throughout Scotland.

They were taught by and introduced to the festival scene by Christine Wilson, a former World Champion Highland Dancer who retired in 2010 and continue to dance in her name.

Joining the line-up are a range of Manx acts.

The Mollags, a regular performer at Shennaghys Jiu, will be returning to perform their eclectic mix of self-penned songs and traditional material in both English and Manx Gaelic.

Singer and guitarist Adam Melvin will be bringing his sound to the festival, described as deeply rooted in folk, Americana and alternative country.

Matt Kelly returns to Shennaghys Jiu as a solo act for the first time playing acoustic guitar.

It features Celtic-themed instrumentals you might expect, and more contemporary songs with vocals that you might not.

Becky Hurst performs her own compositions on the whistle and Anglo concertina.

And acoustic outfit The Birds and the Beards, made up of vocalist Stephanie Tomlinson with Nell Kneale, Adam Swales and Mike Giles on guitars, describe themselves as ‘acoustical balladeers pioneering through space and time’.

Young musicians from youth project Bree will also be performing, fitting with the festival’s original ethos of giving younger performers the opportunity to take to the stage without the added pressure of competition.

Shennaghys Jiu is indebted to Culture Vannin and the Isle of Man Arts Council for their support.

For more information visit shennaghysjiu.com or the festival’s Facebook page.

Speaker of the House of Keys Steve Rodan deliverd a stern rebuke to politicians at the start of Tuesday’s Keys sitting.

Member for Garff, Steve Rodan, told MHKs there had been many examples of bad bahaviour during sittings, including exchanges between members and even with the chairman.

‘I am unhappy about one exchange involving Mr Karran and his being dissatisfied by an answer from the Treasury Minister, when he was told to resume his seat no fewer than five times,’ he said.

He reminded members they could be required to withdraw and be suspended from future sittings.

Two brothers will walk the coastal Raad ny Foillan path over Easter weekend and make a film they will donate to help promote tourism.

Joel and Barney Rookwood live in England, but their family’s attachment to the island – particularly Port St Mary – stretches back several generations.

Their parents met on the boat to the island in the 1960s. They were on their way to beach mission – the annual gathering in Port St Mary which attracts hundreds of children – in which the family had been involved for several generations.

The Rookwood’s spent two weeks every year at the beach mission until he was 14. The family nearly moved here in 1991 when Joel’s father was considering the job as chaplain at King William’s College. So when Joel and Barney’s mother died in 2012, it seemed right to spread her ashes on Chapel Beach and buy a memorial bench, which is on the lower promenade.

Joel has trekked across England and Ireland, so walking around the island seemed like a natural thing to do. As did talking his brother Barney, 44, a GP in Newcastle, into joining him. They start and finish at the memorial bench.

Joel, 35, a senior lecturer at Southampton Solent University, intends to donate the film to Isle of Man Tourism.

For one night only, Kirk Andreas – not Paris – was the fashion capital of the world.

At least that was the way it seemed when the doors swung open to reveal Andreas parish hall transformed to evoke the atmosphere of the French capital.

Red, white and blue bunting, a soaring backdrop of the Eiffel Tower, bistro-style tables set with French wine, cheese and pastries, all contributed to the ambience.

The Andreas Paris(h) Fashion Show organised by the church events’ committee was officially opened by Honorary French Consul, Annie Nedellec. Proceeds will be donated to Alder Hey Children’s’ Hospital and church funds.

Compere Jennifer Kewley Draskau introduced a succession of models attired in beautifully co-ordinated outfits from famous fashion houses.

They strode down the central catwalk to a Parisian-inspired soundtrack. Bursts of enthusiastic applause showed the audience’s delight at seeing familiar faces in such an unfamiliar role.

For the grand finale, a debonair Robert Kneale escorted a party of glamorous women to the Consulate Ball.

The clothing and accessories for the fashion show were donated by generous well-wishers.

Afterwards, there was an auction of selected haute couture items, a sale of ready-to-wear clothing at bargain prices, and a superb raffle.

Manx Radio’s Simon Clarke thanked all those involved in putting on such a fabulous evening, too many to mention individually, ending with a sincere ‘au revoir’, farewell until the next time.

A bill which, if enacted, will allow the island’s Chief Minister to be voted on only by members of the House of Keys came a step closer this week.

The Council of Ministers (Amendment) Bill, which is being promoted by Michael MHK Alfred Cannan, passed through its clauses stage on Tuesday.

If enacted, the bill will mean members of Legislative Council will no longer have a vote on who is the island’s Chief Minister.

Mr Cannan described it as ‘a bill to restore primacy to the House of Keys’.

In addition, the bill provides that the Chief Minister be nominated and appointed from among members of the House of Keys, rather than Tynwald.

It also allows for the House of Keys to pass a vote of no confidence in the Council of Ministers.

An amendment by Rushen MHK Juan Watterson was approved allowing for nominations and voting to continue without a two-week break if no winning candidate is produced.

The bill was also passed through its third reading.

Cains Fiduciaries Limited, part of law and professional services group Cains, is continuing its ongoing expansion with the appointment of Andrew Gosnell as a senior corporate administrator.

Andrew, who has worked within the Isle of Man fiduciary sector for the last five years dealing principally with commercial real estate matters, said: ‘I am really looking forward to the opportunity to work for such a reputable and established organisation as Cains.’

Andrew was educated at St Ninian’s High School and he graduated from the University of Chester with a BA (hons) degree in history in 2009.

Since returning to the Isle of Man following his undergraduate studies, he has progressed through an ICSA Certificate in International Finance and Administration and is currently sitting an ICSA Diploma in Offshore Finance and Administration.

Ryan Cregeen, a director of Cains Fiduciaries Limited, said: ‘I am delighted to welcome Andrew to the company.

‘It is always pleasing to have the opportunity to hire someone with experience in commercial real estate to join our existing team of professionals involved in that sector, and I am confident Andrew will continue to build on his knowledge and experience to date.’

This Saturday night The Amber Bar plays host to Manx metal behemoth The Fletcher Christian Mutiny in what is now one of the band’s regular visits to the stage of the Douglas venue.

Last seen back in November of last year as the victors of the annual Battle Of The Bands held at Amber, the band whose ranks are made up by Nell Kneale and Justine Lewis on guitars, Stephen Quinn on drums, Keef Lawler on vocals and Andrew Cregeen on bass, entrench themselves in the heavier end of the spectrum.

Think System Of A Down, Black Sabbath, In Flames and Metallica and you’re in the right ballpark.

Support for this show comes from post-metalcore exponents Ignite The Sky.

The band – Daniel Cross and Richard Kinrade on vocals, Luke Williams and Adam Elston-Lane on guitars, Leo Craig on bass and Aaron West on drums – have been around since 2010.

Influence wise, the likes of Architects, Asking Alexandria, A Day To Remember, Bring Me The Horizon and Slipknot are very prevalent in their musical offerings.

The doors open at 8pm, the event is free entry and Ignite The Sky kick off proceedings around 9.30pm.

For more information on both bands, visit www.facebook.com/The-Fletcher-Christian-Mutiny-113777941975060/ and www.facebook.com/ignitetheskyuk

Head to The Creek in Peel tomorrow night (Friday) and you’ll catch three-piece outfit Powercut.

Formed back in 2009 and comprising members John Percival on bass, Simon Watson on drums and Ian Bradley on guitar, they play a set of material that ranges from The Kinks and The Who at one end of the spectrum through to the likes of more modern day offerings from the likes of The Kaiser Chiefs, Razorlight, The Kings of Leon and Green Day at the other.

For more information on the band, visit www.facebook.com/Powercut-33638987057

Elsewhere, this Saturday sees The Noa Bakehouse, in Douglas, play host to Indie boys Baad Acid.

The band, whose line-up features Leigh Mitchell, Jamie Marshall, Benjamin Jones and Brian Brough, have been away from the live scene for a little while now, indeed this is their first live show in nine months.

Support on the night comes from live scene regulars Post War Stories, who have certainly kept themselves busy in recent weeks with a healthy quota of live shows.

Ed Oldham of Manx Radio fame will also be spinning some tunes.

The doors open at 7.30pm and tickets can be purchased from The Noa Bakehouse for £6.

For further information about the band visit www.facebook.com/events/656103547863417/

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Steve Leach brings the latest rumblings, murmurings, news and views on forthcoming events in and around the island’s music scene. Help support the scene by emailing leachsteve@hotmail.com

A government department has stepped in to clarify the position regarding the future operation and maintenance of school minibuses.

As reported in this week’s Manx Independent, parents at Arbory Primary School were ‘outraged’ at apparent plans to centralise all school minibuses into a single pool operated by the department.

The school had made great efforts to raise funds for their minibus, and held a meeting over the issue on Tuesday, attended by Rushen MHK and Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne.

Now the DoI has said in a statement that changes are being introduced in April as part of a wider programme designed to create a shared service to achieve consistent standards and generate cost efficiencies across the Government fleet.

In future, all government minibuses will be operated and maintained under the Department of Infrastructure’s pperator licence.

The DoI says a school can ask the department to take on the responsibilities of the Operator Licence on its behalf. In this event, the department will undertake regular driver training, quarterly checks, annual servicing, the preparation and presentation of vehicles for annual tests and any additional maintenance as required.

But schools that do not wish to be part of this arrangement are free to arrange their own operator licence.

The department has confirmed that minibuses purchased by schools, parent teacher associations or charitable organisations, but transferred to the DoI’s operator licence, will remain at those schools. Schools will also retain responsibility for the use of their own minibuses and for handling bookings for other parties.

These arrangements will remain in place for the operational life of the vehicle.

Mr Gawne MHK said: ‘I want to provide reassurance to schools, parents and community groups that have raised funds to purchase their own minibuses that the Department will not be taking the vehicles from them.

‘Schools can either choose to be responsible for their own vehicles or can ask the Department to take on the legal responsibilities.

‘Even if they do, it will be very much business as usual for many schools, with most of the existing arrangements remaining in place.’

He added: ‘The changes will help to improve standards by offering schools a consistent approach to the maintenance of their minibuses.

‘All the quarterly checks, annual servicing and general repairs will be performed by qualified staff at the Department to ensure vehicles are roadworthy.

‘I’m sure everybody will agree that the safety of school minibuses and their occupants is of paramount importance.’

A double-decker bus converted into living accommodation caught fire on Wednesday night.

Firefighters from Ramsey were called to the blaze at Ballabane, on the coast road between Smeale and Bride, at around 10.40pm.

The crews used two hose reels and a nine-metre ladder to extinguish the fire, which is believed to have been caused by a faulty flue from a wood burning stove on board the bus.

The vehicle suffered severe damage to the top deck and crews were in attendance for around an hour damping down.

Both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors were present in the bus.

Police yesterday arrested three people in the Peel area for offences including money laundering under the Proceeds of Crime Act and possession of cannabis.

Two women aged 20 and 51 and a man aged 24 were subsequently charged with money laundering.

The man was also charged with drug offences.

Natasha Stephenson, an employee of Corlett’s the Jewellers, has scooped her Professional Jewellers Diploma.

Her colleagues in Castle Street, Douglas are understandably proud of hard-working Natasha.

After two years of study she now has both JET1 & 2 Qualifications.

Managing director Gary Corlett said Tasha, as she is known, has put in a lot of hard work and passed with flying colours.

He said: ‘To get this qualification Tasha has had to learn all about hallmarks, gem identification, as well as researching and following modern day jewellery fashions.

She went to collect her certificate from the Goldsmith Hall in London.

A Douglas man has admitted sending a letter to Treasury Minister Eddie Teare MHK, in which he threatened to knife his wife, Irene.

John James Corran, of Allan Street, wrote to Mr Teare in November 2014, saying: ‘Watch your wife. We will knife her before Xmas, that’s a promise.

‘I will be in my car looking for you. I will be driving around, you’re only a number at government.’

A second letter, sent in March 2015, continued the threats saying: ‘I’ll still knife your wife and you, and sooner than you think. I will knife her Teare.

‘What’s it going to be? Leave government or I knife your wife, up to you.

‘I never went to any of your meetings ’cos I would have belted you. Don’t go to the police or I will get you and Minister [John] Shimmin’s wife.’

Corran, aged 62, pleaded guilty in court on Tuesday to a charge of pursuing a course of conduct likely to cause fear of violence.

Prosecutor Mary Kelly told the court how on November 4, 2014, Mr Teare received a letter written on an envelope and enclosed in a second envelope.

It contained the threats to Mr Teare and his wife, also saying: ‘We shall phone you one night at your home, end of November, no trick, no police, watch your house, a fire?’

Mr Teare reported the matter to police and the letter was sent for forensic tests, but no match to anyone on the police database could be found.

The Treasury Minister was so concerned that the incident caused him to install CCTV covering his home, upgrade locks, put chains on doors and seal his letterbox.

On March 10, 2015, a second letter arrived, again written on an envelope and enclosed in a second envelope with the same handwriting.

More threats were contained as well as the one to John Shimmin’s wife.

The letter was again examined by forensics but no match to the police database could be found.

Police released an extract from one of the letters in July 2015 and this led to information being received concerning Corran.

Officers attended Corran’s home and he was arrested, giving no reply after caution.

At his house, a large variety of political manifestos were found as well as envelopes similar to the ones sent to Mr Teare.

Corran was interviewed at police headquarters and denied all involvement in the letters.

However, DNA was taken from him and matched to DNA on the envelopes received by Mr Teare.

Corran’s handwriting was also confirmed to be a match to the letters.

When told of the matches Corran admitted to police he had sent the letters.

He said that he had not meant any harm and that he just wanted to ‘put the frighteners on him’.

Corran said that he had been on benefits and he had become concerned about cuts to them.

He said he wanted to apologise to Mr Teare but to ask him to think about what he was doing.

The court heard that Corran had previous convictions with some similarities in the past.

The case was adjourned for the preparation of psychiatric and probation reports.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said that she was leaving all sentencing options open, including committal to the Court of General Gaol Delivery.

Corran will be sentenced on May 10 at 10am.

Bail continues with a condition that Corran reside at his home address and attend probation meetings.

A historic Victorian landmark will open to the public over Easter weekend.

The Great Union Camera Obscura on Douglas Head will open its doors from tomorrow (Saturday) until Monday.

Manned by volunteers from the Isle of Man Victorian Society, the Obscura will be open from 1pm to 4pm tomorrow and from 11am to 4pm on Easter Sunday and Monday.

This will be the 11th year the Obscura has been run by Victorian Society volunteers and it will officially open for the season on April 30.

The Manx attraction was built in 1892 for the Isle of Man tourism industry and stands on Douglas Head providing views over the capital.

Search for ‘Great Union Camera Obscura’ on Facebook for more information.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet have issued an update on the current situation after the Manannan crashed into Victoria Pier.

The statement says that surveyors coming to look at the damaged vessel from Liverpool have had their flight delayed so an update on this has been delayed.

Extra staff have also been drafted in to deal with calls.

The latest statement said: ‘We are currently experiencing very long waiting times for callers to our call centre and apologise to those trying to get through.

‘We have drafted in additional staff in Douglas and Liverpool to assist with calls, following the incident with Manannan on Wednesday night.

‘However, with thousands of passengers booked in the next few days, the sheer volume of calls and the lengthy nature of dealing with the enquiries and re-booking is making it difficult to respond to everyone as quickly as we would like.

‘If your enquiry is not urgent, we would ask that you avoid calling at this time.’

Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘We are still waiting for UK surveyors to arrive to assist with assessing potential repairs.

‘The surveyors were due to arrive on a flight from Liverpool this morning but this been delayed so we are not able to give passengers an update as early as expected.

‘The surveyors will help determine whether our proposed repairs in a short dry dock period, to minimise disruption, are acceptable.

‘As advised yesterday, all of today’s (Friday) services to Liverpool and Belfast have been cancelled.

‘We apologise for the delay in providing a further update to our passengers for this weekend’s schedule, but will do so as soon as possible.

‘We are working hard to deal with the many thousands of passengers trying to contact us.’

A further update is expected no later than 17.00 today (Friday).

Dozens of hardy souls took on a gruelling adventure challenge on Saturday and raised nearly £4,500 for a youth charity.

In a full day of intensive competition at Conrhenny plantation, nine teams from local companies took on five different challenges on both land and water as they raced to win the 2016 Adventure Team Challenge.

As well as mountain biking and orienteering challenges, the teams had to use tin baths to rescue rubber ducks from an island and build giant catapults to fire water bombs at their rivals.

But there was no chance for a breather between events as competitors had only 15 minutes to get to the next location, sometimes having to run across the plantation to get there on time.

Mark Eastham, adventure events co-ordinator at the Children’s Centre, said: ‘It’s always a great event and a total joy to organise, especially when the teams really dig deep and get into the spirit of the event. It’s a tough day but it’s great fun for everyone.’

Organised by the Children’s Centre and now in its 12th year, the event has raised over £100,000 for MOBEX, the charity’s youth project which helps young people from all backgrounds discover new abilities through challenge, adventure and creative projects.

The Baker Tilly Sharks team of Liam Cubbon, Oscar Brown, James Salmon, Andrew Perry and Shane Barks took the overall win.

Mark thanked all the volunteers and marshals who helped the event run smoothly.