The Steam Packet has issued the following new sailing information:

With the delayed arrival of the Marine Surveyors from the UK we have no choice other than to cancel Manannan sailings on Saturday 26th March and Sunday 27th March.

We will start using Arrow today (Friday) which will release passenger and vehicle capacity on Ben-my-Chree. We have called in additional crew allowing her to operate on maximum passenger capacity.

Sailings to and from Ireland:

Regrettably there are no opportunities available for us to operate a sailing to Ireland before Wednesday 30th March, which means we have unfortunately had to cancel the Dublin sailings on Sunday 27th March. We currently have a sailing of Manannan to Belfast scheduled at 07:00 on Wednesday 30th March; should the repairs to Manannan take longer than planned, we have a contingency of operating a sailing to Belfast with Ben-my-Chree. This would depart at 19:30 with the return departing Belfast at 01:00 Thursday 31st March.

Sailings to and from Liverpool Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 March:

All Liverpool passengers and their vehicles have been automatically transferred to alternative sailings as shown below – you do not need to make contact with us to confirm these arrangements unless you wish to transfer to other sailings.

Saturday 26th March:

Passengers and vehicles booked on Douglas to Liverpool at 07:30 & 15:00 have been automatically transferred to the Douglas to Heysham sailing at 19:45.

Passengers and vehicles booked on Liverpool to Douglas at 11:15 & 19:15 have been automatically transferred to the Heysham to Douglas sailing at 02:15 Sunday 27th March.

Sunday 27th March:

Passengers and vehicles booked on Douglas to Liverpool at 15:00 have been automatically transferred to the Douglas to Heysham sailing at 08:45.

Passengers and vehicles booked on Liverpool to Douglas at 19:15 have been automatically transferred to the Heysham to Douglas sailing at 14:15.

In order to check-in, please present your original booking confirmation/reference number.

Coach transfers for foot passengers:

Coaches will be available to transfer foot passengers between Liverpool and Heysham as follows:

Depart Liverpool Terminal 11:00 for the 14:15 Heysham departure

Depart Liverpool Terminal 20:30 for the 02:15 Heysham departure

Depart Heysham on arrival of Ben-my-Chree – journey time is expected to be approximately 90 minutes.

Notice for online account holders on disrupted Manannan sailings:

The best way to check for alternative sailing options is to log in to your online account, access your booking and use the ‘amend’ function.

A further update will be provided for next week’s sailings by midday Saturday 26th March.

Sailing Information line 01624 645745 updated regularly.

To discuss a booking the Reservations Team can be contacted on;

661661 (IOM), 08722 992 992* (UK) / 0044 8722 992 992* (ROI & Outside UK)

Katherine Ellis, from international multi-family office Boston, has been announced as a finalist in the WealthBriefing European Awards 2016.

Katherine, business development director at Boston for the past four years, has been selected in the ‘Women in Wealth Management’ category of the awards which recognise excellence in the European wealth management industry.

With more than 17 years’ experience in the sector, Katherine has been at the forefront of some major developments during her career.

She was instrumental in the launch of the Isle of Man Commercial Yacht Register and the establishment of the Island’s Aircraft Register.

In her role at Boston she continues to specialise in the management of commercial yachting and business aviation while also helping to grow the multi-family office proposition.

CEO of Boston Group, Greg Ellison, said: ‘It is excellent news that Katherine has been selected as a finalist in these highly prestigious awards.

‘Over the past few years, Boston has grown significantly from its small family office origins and now offers a complex mix of wealth management services to an international client base.

‘It is thanks to the experience and expertise of talented people such as Katherine that Boston has been so successful and now enjoys a worldwide reputation that places us with some of the most esteemed names in the business.’

WealthBriefing is a business intelligence service for the wealth management industry and first introduced the awards in 2014 to spread the word about the profession’s achievements to a wider audience.

Stephen Harris, publisher and ClearView Financial Media’s chief executive, said: ‘These awards will recognise the very best operators in the private client industry with independence, integrity and genuine insight the watchwords of the judging process – such that the awards truly reflect excellence in wealth management.’

The awards will be judged by a panel of industry experts and the winners announced at a gala dinner, attended by some 500 senior banking and wealth management professionals, at London’s historic Guildhall on May 19.

Bride Methodist Chapel will be hosting its Easter celebrations this Sunday (March 27).

Sunday school children and guest artists will perform and Reverend Steve Wilde will also join in with the celebrations.

It starts at 6.30pm and light refreshments will be available. The celebrations replace the Easter Monday Concert. Everyone is welcome.

An Isle of Man farmer has taken part in an initiative to encourage rural farmers across the UK to make greater use of digital techonolgy.

David Cooil, who farms at Ballagawne in Ballabeg, took part in a group Skype call between farmers from the UK and the Republic of Ireland as part of a digital training day.

The training day was organised by Northern Ireland’s Department for Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) and the training day was part of the ‘Go ON NI’ initiative, aimed at developing farmers’ digital skills and getting more rural farming communities online.

David, who is a winner of the Tomorrow’s Farmer award given annually by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture to forward-looking members of the farming industry, said he is a keen user of technology to make his farming business easier and uses an electronic ID system for his cattle.

He said: ‘I’ve invested in technology to help the farm become more efficient for the future and it’s made a big difference to how I work.

‘I can easily register births, handle medical records and track weight gain. It saves me money, cuts down on paper and, most importantly, means I can spend more time with my family.’

In the island, the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture is aiming to have as many services as possible online.

Belinda Leach, general secretary of the Manx National Farmers’ Union, said more farmers from across all sectors are using the latest digital technology and are also using social media for communication.

‘There is increased use on farms of digital technologies, including GPS systems on farm machinery, electronic identification readers for recording data about animals and even the use of drones for field survey work and crop surveillance needs.

‘A project like this highlights how Manx agriculture is taking advantage of modern technology and information exchange.’

Juan Watterson MHK, Minister for Home Affairs, put on his army gear last Saturday to have a go at target shooting with the Isle of Man Army Cadet Force.

Mr Watterson, who is the ‘Armed Forces Champion’ for people who want to find out more about the island’s Armed Forces, was invited to the Windy Corner shooting range to try his hand at target shooting with 30 young army cadets and eight cadet volunteers.

He also had a tour of the facilities and the Army Cadet Force HQ in Tromode, Douglas.

Paul Lewin, sergeant major instructor and public relations officer for the Isle of Man Army Cadet Force, said Mr Watterson enjoyed the day.

‘He said it was a really good day. We do a lot of community work and try to make the cadets better citizens with discipline and adventure training and that sort of thing.

‘Our motto is “Inspire to achieve” so we try to push the cadets to get out of their comfort zone.’

There are around 100 army cadets, aged 12 to 18, across the island and the Army Cadet Force provides training in activities such as map-reading, first aid, target shooting, and adventure training.

Primary school students across the island enjoyed a host of creative activities to mark Fairtrade Fortnight.

Youngsters celebrated the annual event, which took place from February 29 to March 13, by holding assemblies about Fairtrade, dressing in the Fairtrade colours of blue and green and making cakes and biscuits with Fairtrade ingredients.

This year’s focus for the fortnight was on Fairtrade breakfasts, inspired by Martin Luther King’s famous quote: ‘Before you finish eating breakfast in the morning, you’ve depended on more than half of the world.’

The quote was used to illustrate how dependent people are on products from other countries and how Fairtrade makes sure farmers and producers are paid a fair price for their goods.

Students from schools such as Dhoon, Ballasalla, Ballacottier, Scoill yn Jubilee, St Thomas’ and Bunscoill Rhumsaa all celebrated with a variety of different activities to help pupils learn about Fairtrade.

Rosemary Clarke, member of the Isle of Man Fairtrade Group and One World Centre director, said: ‘We are particularly pleased to see so many schools taking part with such enthusiasm.

‘The concept of fairness is something children can easily understand and it is very heartening to see such empathy displayed with others around the world.’

A bill which aims to give more power to local authorities to deal with derelict and unsightly buildings passed its clauses stage in the House of Keys on Tuesday.

The Local Government and Building Control (Amendment) Bill gives greater powers to local authorities to fine property owners who fail to comply with notices to repair.

However a drafting error in an amendment to end the exemption from paying rates for owners who do not live in their proprties, could have seen Peel Castle paying rates.

Douglas South MHK Bill Malarkey proposed the amendment which would mean owners still had to pay rates on an empty property. He said: ‘There’s nothing worse than having a run down property next to you, when you keep yours in good order, and then you find out the owner is not even paying rates. This type of situation is extremely common.’

He cited the example of a house on Derby Road in Douglas which the council had dealt with recently. He said the house had been bequeathed to the owner who lived in South Africa.

‘The local authority had to spend money doing it up and it has recently been sold.

‘This amendment would mean people would have to keep on paying rates and if they did not, they would be in court for non-payment,’ he said.

An amendment to the bill’s long title was approved accordingly, but a corresponding change within the main clauses of the bill had to be postponed to a later sitting.

Mr Malarkey told members: ‘I won’t be moving this amendment at the moment because as it is worded it does not clafy ‘derelict’ and ‘ruinous’. I’m advised that as it stands it could mean rates had to be paid on Peel Castle and other such historic buildings.’

He said the amendment was to be re-worded and would be presented at a later sitting.

Onchan MHK Peter Karran suggested checks and balances or possible means testing may be needed and also queried what could be done if the owner of a property could not be traced. He also suggested extra guidance needed to be given to local authorities defining exactly what constituted ‘dilapidation’ to ensure they did not act unreasonably.

Mr Malarkey pointed out the rates amendment applied only to unoccupied properties so it should not affect anyone on limited means.

Other provisions in the bill allow for a higher maximum fine of £5,000 for an owner of a building who fails to comply with a statutory notice to take action. It also provides for a daily charge while the problem is not addressed.

Extra powers are also given to local authorities to require an owner or occupier to remedy a defect and prevent it from recurring.

Events seem to derail Allan Bell and CoMin in their attempts to tell us that the island is on the verge of a ‘Great Leap Forward’ akin to the move by Mao back in the 1960s to rescue the failing Chinese economy. Allan and Mao have a lot in common. Apparently Mao liked to get his own way, like Allan, and he was always coming up with grand designs, like Allan.

Before the ‘Great Leap Forward’ there was ‘Land to the tiller’ the disastrous collectivisation of agriculture. Allan has had his disasters as well as small ones like ‘The Bounty’ which sank without trace and big ones like Mount Murray.

I have to say I always had my doubts about swathes of US executives jetting in for a game of golf at the Alex Inn.

Recently the Economic Development Minister announced that some firm no one had ever heard of had been appointed to handle the great EDF Giveaway. Laurence averred that it was important the people giving our money away were not the same politicians who had voted to give it away. I’m still trying to get my head around that?

It seems people will be reassured if politicians and civil servants aren’t involved which kind of plays to a narrative that the public have that those groups can’t be trusted. It’s a bizarre philosophy but then nothing is simple up at DED.

As part of Mao’s ‘Great Leap Forward’ people were energised by being fed false information about the economy. They were told they were not poor and hungry and if they were suffering that was so the plan would eventually work.

Similarly here sections of the media are enlisted and we are told that although there is fuel poverty we are actually better off than some other places that have ‘bad’ fuel poverty so the 3,500 households in fuel poverty can participate in Allan’s ‘Great Leap Forward’ and not feel left out. They may be cold but they’ll be on message – the government’s mouthpieces will see to that.

‘Good news weeks’ follow previous ‘good news week’.

Laurence Skelly told us recently the unemployment figures in February had dropped slightly and there would be a construction boom.

Now the basis for Laurence saying this was questionable but no one was going to challenge him as we all need to focus on the ‘Great Leap Forward’.

But then suddenly and unexpectedly something happened that showed the ‘Great Leap Forward’ wasn’t likely to be as successful as we have all been led to believe.

In a resounding ‘vote of confidence’ in Allan and CoMin a Minister jumped overboard! He wasn’t just any Minister, he was the Minister for Policy and Reform, John Shimmin, brought back by the Chief Minister, Allan Bell, after a brief spell in the wilderness, ‘post Sefton’, to replace the previous Minister for Policy and Reform who also jumped ship.

Previously some members including Ministers had taken to the ‘LegCo lifeboat’ but this was different – this was a key player in the team saying ‘come September’, as the ‘Great Leap Forward’ is in full swing, ‘I’m off’!

Bell swam against the tide bringing John Shimmin back in from the cold but he wanted Shimmin because he’s a team player and loyal, commodities in short supply in CoMin.

You can’t underestimate the significance of this – it’s the equivalent of Mao’s trusty lieutenant Chou En-lai announcing during the ‘Great Leap Forward’ he was leaving shortly ‘to spend more time on his allotment’.

I don’t care how positive the spinmeisters on government play this one, I’m decidedly worried about OUR £50 million EDF because if all the architects of this plan jump ship or are kicked out, who will be left to carry the can? You guessed it – us!

By the way, just as an historical footnote, after Mao’s ‘Great Leap Forward’ there was a famine!

Indeed it was a rerun of the one after ‘Land to the tiller’!

The Steam Packet has issued the following sailing information.

Saturday, 26 March 2016

Ben-my-Chree

Departure: 14:15

Expected Arrival: 17:45

Douglas to Liverpool

Manannan

Cancelled: 15:00

Cancelled: 17:45

Passengers automatically transferred to alternative Heysham sailing, Coach transfers available for foot passengers. Full Details: https://www.steam-packet.com/aboutus/news/2016/Mar/PR566-Manannan_Update

Liverpool to Douglas

Manannan

Cancelled: 19:15

Cancelled: 22:00

Passengers automatically transferred to alternative Heysham sailing, Coach transfers available for foot passengers. Full Details: https://www.steam-packet.com/aboutus/news/2016/Mar/PR566-Manannan_Update

Douglas to Heysham

Ben-my-Chree

Departure: 19:45

Expected Arrival: 23:15

Sunday, 27 March 2016

Heysham to Douglas

Ben-my-Chree

Departure: 02:15

Expected Arrival: 05:45

Douglas to Dublin

Manannan

Cancelled: 07:00

Cancelled: 09:45

This sailing has been cancelled, please contact Reservations on 01624 661 661 to make alternative arrangements

Douglas to Heysham

Ben-my-Chree

Departure: 08:45

Expected Arrival: 12:15

Douglas to Dublin

Manannan

Cancelled: 10:45

Cancelled: 14:00

This sailing has been cancelled, please contact Reservations on 01624 661 661 to make alternative arrangements

Heysham to Douglas

Ben-my-Chree

Departure: 14:15

Expected Arrival: 17:45

Douglas to Liverpool

Manannan

Cancelled: 15:00

Cancelled: 17:45

Passengers automatically transferred to alternative Heysham sailing, Coach transfers available for foot passengers. Full Details: https://www.steam-packet.com/aboutus/news/2016/Mar/PR566-Manannan_Update

Liverpool to Douglas

Manannan

Cancelled: 19:15

Cancelled: 22:00

Passengers automatically transferred to alternative Heysham sailing, Coach transfers available for foot passengers. Full Details: https://www.steam-packet.com/aboutus/news/2016/Mar/PR566-Manannan_Update

Douglas to Heysham

Ben-my-Chree

Departure: 19:45

Expected Arrival: 23:15

Monday, 28 March 2016

Heysham to Douglas

Ben-my-Chree

Departure: 02:15

Expected Arrival: 05:45

Sailing Information line 01624 645745 is updated regularly.

If you wish to discuss your booking the Reservations Team can be contacted on;

661661 (IOM), 08722 992 992* (UK) / 0044 8722 992 992* (ROI & Outside UK)

Isle of Man dogs had something to wag their tails about after triumphant wins at Crufts.

Handlers Anita Quayle and her crossbreed Odin and Debbie Martin and three-year-old crossbreed Fred, who are part of the Isle of Man Dog Club, both took home obedience rosettes at the world famous dog show.

Anita and Odin came second in the Beginner Class and Debbie and Fred came in third place in the Novice Class.

Both dogs competed in the show, at the Birmingham NEC, as part of the Northern Ireland Inter-regional Team, which was made up by three other Manx dogs and two Irish dogs.

Anita Quayle said she felt an ‘overwhelming sense of pride and achievement’ after Odin came second. ‘Odin is a one in a trillion dog and has exceeded my expectations beyond my wildest dreams!

‘When it came to the presentation, it is something I will treasure for the rest of my life, to have our names called out and receive a second place on the famous green carpet is something I will never forget. The support and cheers from the audience was overwhelming.’

Debbie Martin said there is ‘nothing quite like the atmosphere’ at Crufts and hopes to return next year. She said: ‘To say I was over the moon with my boy would be the understatement of the year! Fred is just three years old and came as a puppy from rescue in Ireland so he has come from rags to riches in a very short time.

‘He coped amazingly well with the entire experience and at the presentation at the end of the day he was actually flirting with the staffie that was the team’s other novice dog - he does have an eye for the ladies!’

In addition, Ynchreenoo show dogs, based in Ballasalla, enjoyed great success with its team of Pharaoh Hounds and an Ibizan Hound. Three-year-old Pharaoh Hound Boy Muddy took first place in the Open Dog class and won the Reserve Dog Challenge Certificate.

Ibizan Hound Ice also came in first place in the Limit class and also took home a Reserve Dog Challenge Certificate.

Laura Merryweather, owner of Ynchreenoo Show Kennel, said: ‘It was a fantastic experience to go head-to-head with some truly stunning exhibits from all over the world and we are really pleased to be awarded two Reserve CCs and looking forward to competing in future shows in the UK.’

The Manannan will go to Birkenhead for repairs on Monday and it is hoped it will be back in action by Wednesday.

A Steam Packet statement said: ‘Marine Surveyors from the UK have confirmed that Steam Packet Company proposals for repair of the damage to Manannan are acceptable. This will necessitate a short period of dry docking in order to properly effect repairs.

‘Manannan will sail to Birkenhead during the early hours of Monday 28th March and work will be carried out in the Cammell Laird shipyard. The repairs are expected to be completed in time for Manannan to take up her scheduled 07:00 sailing to Belfast on Wednesday 30th March.

‘MV Arrow started sailings on Friday, which released passenger and vehicle capacity on Ben-my-Chree; employing additional crew has allowed her to operate on maximum passenger capacity throughout this period.’

Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘This has been a very trying period for all of our booked passengers and we would like to thank them for their patience and understanding. I would also like to thank our crew and staff who, at times, have had to work under difficult circumstances and in many cases have also had to sacrifice their own holiday plans and family commitments.

‘The repairs to Manannan will allow her to resume her planned schedule from Wednesday morning and the information below details the arrangements for passengers booked in the next few days.’

Sailings to and from Ireland:

‘Regrettably, with the loss of Manannan, and there being no suitable alternative vessels available, we are unable to operate a sailing to Ireland before Wednesday 30th March. This means we have had to cancel the Dublin sailings on Sunday 27th March. We currently have a sailing of Manannan to Belfast scheduled at 07:00 on Wednesday 30th March; should the repairs to Manannan take longer than planned, the contingency plan is to operate a sailing to Belfast with Ben-my-Chree. This would depart at 19:30 with the return departing Belfast at 01:00 Thursday 31st March.’

Sailings to and from Liverpool Saturday 26th March and Sunday 27th March:

Saturday 26th March:

Passengers and vehicles booked on Douglas to Liverpool at 07:30 & 15:00 have been automatically transferred to the Douglas to Heysham sailing at 19:45.

Passengers and vehicles booked on Liverpool to Douglas at 11:15 & 19:15 have been automatically transferred to the Heysham to Douglas sailing at 02:15 on Sunday 27th March.

You do not need to make contact with us to confirm these arrangements unless you wish to transfer to other sailings. In order to check-in, please present your original booking confirmation/reference number.

Sunday 27th March:

Passengers and vehicles booked on Douglas to Liverpool at 15:00 have been automatically transferred to the Douglas to Heysham sailing at 08:45.

Passengers and vehicles booked on Liverpool to Douglas at 19:15 have been automatically transferred to the Heysham to Douglas sailing at 14:15.

You do not need to make contact with us to confirm these arrangements unless you wish to transfer to other sailings. In order to check-in, please present your original booking confirmation/reference number.

Sailings to and from Liverpool Monday 28th March and Tuesday 29th March:

Monday 28th March:

Passengers booked on the 07:30 and 15:00 sailings to Liverpool plus the 11:15 and 1915 sailings from Liverpool should contact the Call Centre on 08722 922 992 or 01624 661661 to discuss available alternatives.

If you have an online account the best way to check for alternative sailing options is to log in to your online account, access your booking and use the ‘amend’ function.

Tuesday 29th March

Passengers and vehicles booked on Douglas to Liverpool at 07:30 & 15:00 have been automatically transferred to the Douglas to Heysham sailing at 19:45.

Passengers and vehicles booked on Liverpool to Douglas at 11:15 & 19:15 have been automatically transferred to the Heysham to Douglas sailing at 02:15 Wednesday 30th March.

You do not need to make contact with us to confirm these arrangements unless you wish to transfer to other sailings. In order to check-in, please present your original booking confirmation/reference number.

Sailings from Wednesday 30th March will operate as originally scheduled.

Coach transfers for foot passengers:

Coaches will be available to transfer foot passengers between Liverpool and Heysham as follows:

Depart Liverpool Terminal 11:00 for the 14:15 Heysham departure.

Depart Liverpool Terminal 20:30 for the 02:15 Heysham departure.

Depart Heysham on arrival of Ben-my-Chree – journey time is expected to be approximately 90 minutes.

Notice for online account holders on disrupted Manannan sailings:

The best way to check for alternative sailing options is to log in to your online account, access your booking and use the ‘amend’ function.

A further update will be provided should any of the above plans change.

A new shop in Douglas is helping to build wells for people who don’t have access to clean water.

Top Banana has opened at 79 Strand Street in Douglas and is being run by Tony Stevenson and Jane Royal.

The shop aims to offer different and new products.

The majority of its items are gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free, vegan or vegetarian.

The shop has also launched sales of Life Water, who promise that for every bottle sold, they will fund the delivery of at least 1,000 litres of clean drinking water to a commmunity in need through charity Drop4Drop.

Every 200 bottles sold provides one person with clean drinking water for their entire life.

If successful, the well will have a plaque to show that the well has been ‘donated by the people of the Isle of Man through Life water’.

To date Life Water has funded projects in Kenya, India, Haiti, Zambia, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Uganda, Nicaragua, Senegal and Cambodia.

The sales of the water were launched in conjunction with World Water Day which took place on Tuesday.

Drop4Drop is a charity whose mission is to alleviate the global water crisis.

Over 650 million people worldwide don’t have access to safe, clean water.

Top Banana began after Jane had been ill and found out that it was because of gluten.

Tony and Jane started ‘Against the Grain’, a small retail website supplying gluten-free food and offering an island-wide delivery service.

Jane said: ‘Having participated in the Food and Drink Festival at the Villa Marina for two years, we listened to the public who wanted a retail outlet so they could browse and look for products. It was the public that inspired Top Banana.

‘We were looking for a bottled water to sell in the shop and came across Life Water.

‘So many of us drink bottled water, and by drinking Life Water you can benefit your own health and someone else’s.’

At the moment Top Banana is the only retail outlet on the island selling Life Water.

Top Banana is open from 10.30am until 3.30pm Monday to Friday and 10.30am to 5pm on Saturday.

Contact Jane and Tony via info@againstthegrain.im or by calling 253131.

Free wifi will soon be available on board all Manx buses.

Bus Vannin is rolling out the free service on all its buses and the majority of vehicles will have free broadband internet connections by the summer.

The service has already been fitted on 42 of the 65-strong fleet and in February Bus Vannin saw 994 passengers using the service, spending an average of 26 minutes online.

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK said: ‘Fitting free wifi has been an ambition of ours for some time and we know it will be a welcome enhancement of our bus services. We have clean, efficient and regular bus services and with the addition of free wifi, Isle of Man public transport is now demonstrably a great alternative for business commuters across the island and for those travelling to and from the airport.’

The initiative is part of the government’s digital strategy and is being managed by the Cabinet Office’s government technology service.

Director of government technology services Mark Lewin said: ‘There is a clear and growing need for government’s information and services to be available online and increasing the places where the general public can safely access essential information was outlined in the strategy as one of the digital principles.

‘This service in public transport is already being extensively used by the public on daily basis and is part of the broader strategy.’

The Easter Festival of Full Length Plays offers the chance to watch and hear the adjudication of five plays over five nights.

The Manx Amateur Drama Federation festival, being held for the 64th time this year, runs at the Gaiety Theatre from Saturday to Wednesday (March 26-30).

Judging the entries is the Guild of Drama Adjudicators member Mike Tilbur, with the winner of The F.M. Cubbon Trophy for best play going forward to compete in the British All Winners Festival.

After each performance there will be an opportunity for the directors, actors and crew to meet and discuss the adjudication in the Green Room, a nightly social occasion open to all groups and audience members.

First to take to the stage is Bejou Productions on Saturday with their take on Harold Pinter’s gripping depiction of infidelity in Betrayal.

The play begins at the end of the affair and pursues events in reverse chronological order to the first flickers of desire.

White Cobra Productions will stage Justin Butcher’s Scaramouche Jones on Sunday.

The pale-faced child born at midnight on New Year’s Eve 1899 in a dingy Trinidad knocking shop, Scaramouche’s life has been a vivid odyssey through extraordinary adventures, crumbling empires and the darkest episodes of the 20th century.

Now, on Millennium Eve 1999, Scaramouche steps out of the circus ring to reveal the loves, brutalities, comedies and tragedies that created him.

Rushen Players is bringing of One Man, Two Guvnors to the Gaiety stage on Monday, having entertained with the production at the Erin Arts Centre in November.

Richard Bean’s story is set in Brighton in the 1960s and follows Francis Henshall’s increasingly fraught attempts to work for two major criminals at the same time without either knowing he is working for the other.

On Tuesday, it’s the turn of Legion Players.

They will present Night Mother by Marsha Norman.

It opens with an ageing mother and widow telling her daughter she plans to commit suicide that evening.

The subsequent dialogue slowly reveals her reasons.

Finally, Wellington Theatre Company will take to the stage on Wednesday with The Flint Street Nativity by Tim Firth.

Mrs Horrocks’ class of seven year olds is about to perform their nativity play.

Squabbles arise when Gabriel wants to play Mary, the star grumbles that he is not a proper star like they have at NASA, Herod won’t stop waving to his parents and the Innkeeper is determined to liven up the traditional script.

And then the stick insect escapes.

Doors open each evening at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

Tickets ( nightly or season) are available by calling the Gaiety box office on 600555 or visit www.villagaiety.com

Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. There will be adult content in Scaramouche Jones.

A new bill which proposes a variety of changes to legislation governing road racing in the island passed its clauses stage in Legislative Council this week.

The Road Races Bill, if passed into law, will allow for racing to take place on Sundays in certain circumstances, as well as enshrining certain powers of TT marshals in law.

Several amendments proposed by Bill Henderson MLC were accepted.

Duties of a marshal are laid out in the legislation and, according to the bill include securing the safety of competitors, officials, spectators or the public and preventing any person, animal or vehicle from obstructing or hindering the conduct of the race.

It says that in order to carry out these duties, a marshal may remove a vehicle, person or animal from the road or land, detain a person to ensure their safety or deliver them into custody. Marshals are also authorised to prevent any person doing something that compromises the safety of competitors or the public, and erect and maintain road closure barriers.

The bill has already been criticised by Methodist lay preacher Peter Murcott who expressed concern about the possible effects of Sunday racing on church services.

‘Although they say they are safeguarding Sunday worship that is nonsense because there are quite a lot of problems they could run into with this bill. And they seem to be overlooking the fact that some churches do have evening services,’ he said.

Mr Murcott said he was also concerned the bill appears to create offences of strict liability, in other words, ones where the perpetrator does not need to be proven to have acted intentionally or perhaps recklessly. Instead it is sufficient simply to establish that the act was committed.

Douglas North MHK John Houghton, who has backed the bill said: ‘In relation to places of worship, we have gone to great lengths to not allow road closures near places of worship, especially on Sunday mornings, but we would allow racing to take place in areas where there was no effect on churches, such as the Sloc.’

The House of Keys introduced a number of amendments to the original bill to try to address concerns.

Racing can be authorised on a single Sunday during the Manx Grand Prix/Classic TT and on a single Sunday during the TT races, if required because of a postponement of any race in the previous week. The authorisation would only be for racing on the whole of the TT course or the Billown course between 1.30pm and 5.30pm.

Racing on a Sunday on any occasion outside the TT or Manx Grand Prix/Classic TT may only be authorised if prior notification has been given in two newspapers in the island less than 12 months before.

In a recent contribution, I mentioned a cycle shop owner called Bill Carberry, and although I usually leave nostalgia to those who know more than I do, I thought it could be a bit of fun to recall some of the long gone shops that I have fond memories of.

Bill’s cycle shop was on Peel Road, just about opposite Pulrose Road.

Back in the old days no one had a car. You could use the bus if you could afford it, walk or get on your bike.

In my early days, it was usually a case of ‘on your bike’.

The snag was that in the early days none of my bikes were ever fit for purpose. To compare things with today, a car in a similar condition would be crushed, the owner locked up and the key thrown away.

The Isle of Man Constabulary took a dim view of un­roadworthy bikes and an even dimmer view of their owners.

The traffic section, who had more push bikes than cars, used to have snap inspections of pupils’ bikes, either at Ballakermeen or the Douglas High School.

The Flying Squad would spend a couple of hours in the bike shed and then wait for school to finish and the owners to claim their bikes.

They would politely point out any small defect and suggest the owner would be wise to put things right as soon as possible. As far as I know, they might still have the two old bikes I never claimed.

But back to the shops. As well as selling new bikes, cycle shops would have a repair department (a room at the back of the shop) and stock an extensive range of spare parts and ‘must have’ accessories such as dynamo sets and new bells. I’m quite sure it was an offence not to have a bell.

In the late 50s/early 60s Bill Carberry had a career change and became a newsagent. The cycle shop on Peel Road was taken over by Stan Deighan who later moved the business to Nelson Street in Douglas.

An interesting little aside is that it all started as a comment about advertising and Stan had a slogan at the front of his shop: ‘Get off that bus and get a bike’.

Readers may also remember Fred Callow’s bike shop on the corner of Dalton Street and Windsor Road in Douglas, and Tom King’s on the corner of Prospect Hill and Athol Street.

But by and far the biggest of all the cycle shops was Gilbert Harding’s in Duke Street. This was just about where the Co-op is now. It sold bikes and the like and was the lair of the toughest character in the island’s cycle business.

This business latterly moved to Strand Street and I think it eventually became Roy Norman’s sports shop. The toughest character in Duke Street now became the toughest character in Strand Street.

She worked about half a dozen shops away from the shop where I was to spend about 35 years of my life and I got to know her quite well.

She ran the front of shop with a no nonsense efficiency and her colleague, the mechanic in the back room, with a rod of iron. She was actually an old softy, and she and Jackie, the mechanic, thought the world of each other.

I liked her style and I am privileged to have known her.

When she eventually cycled off into the sunset her funeral was typical of the way she lived. It was held at the graveside, and apart from her son and his wife, I think that I was the only other mourner. Her name was Mina Makin.

Well that’s about it as far as cycle shops is concerned. It hardly scratched the surface of retail memories.

I worked in a family business in a street that was full of family businesses. Individual shops run by individual people. People still lived over the shop and worked long hours.

Local shops were supplied by local wholesalers. Bread, milk, fruit and veg and fish was delivered to your door.

Groceries, coal and wet batteries for your wireless. And don’t forget your daily paper.

And to go back to the cycle shop, how often do you see a lad on a carrier bike? Not very.

Ellan Vannin Pipes & Drums held a successful recruitment evening for budding drummers.

The band was keen to welcome new recruits to bolster their drum corps of snare and tenor drummers.

Band pipe major Paul Davenport said: ‘We had a good turn out on the night, with a mix of male and female and ages starting from nine years upwards.

‘They all had a go on the drums, and by the end of the night were playing some basic beatings together.’

Any pipe band is made up of a pipe corps and drum corps, and after a successful campaign for new pipers this time a year ago, the band needed to strengthen the drum corps too.

Paul said: ‘The band like to play out as much as possible for local events, but we need a good turnout of both pipers and drummers to make a band viable, and we don’t always have enough numbers available.

‘Hopefully as our new pipers and theses new drummers become proficient, we will have a much bigger pool of players to choose from, so will be able to put out some big performances.’

If you missed the recruitment night, it’s not too late.

‘If you fancy a go at drumming, or have some percussion experience already and pipe band drumming appeals to you, please just come along any Tuesday night,’ Paul said.

‘We have excellent tutors in Gary on the snare and Errol on the tenor, so come and give it a go.’

The band meet on Tuesday evenings (in term time) in Braddan School’s main hall from 7pm.For further information, contact the band at iompipeband@gmail.com, call the secretary on 481814, or find them on Facebook – Ellan Vannin Pipes & Drums.

There are no strangers – only friends who have not yet met.

This was the principle on which John Naylor, the Manx Retirement Association’s life president, created the charity when he moved to the island in 1998.

There are now 350 active members who enjoy over 250 social events every year at which there are opportunities for retired and semi-retired people over the age of 50 to meet old friends and form new friendships.

John says he has enjoyed seeing so many friendships formed over the years.

Regular activities include whist afternoons every Tuesday at the Cat with No Tail and stretch and flex classes with instructor Liz Corrin on Thursdays, currently at Onchan Methodist Hall while the NSC sports halls are out of action.

Indoor short mat bowling is held on Fridays at St John’s Community Hall, pending repairs at the NSC.

During the summer, a mini golf competition takes place at Onchan Park every Wednesday afternoon with a prize awarded at the end of the season for the player with the lowest score.

Monthly coffee mornings are held in Ramsey’s St Paul’s Church hall on the first Tuesday, Cherry Orchard Hotel,Port Erin, on the second Tuesday and at the Cat with No Tail, Douglas, on the last Tuesday of the month.

Other monthly activities include lunches with a speaker or entertainment, guided walks and visits to places of interest. A computer discussion group is held at the Cat with No Tail on the first Wednesday of the month.

Last year, members enjoyed trips to North Wales and Scotland organised by Tours Isle of Man. This year, they will visit Northumberland.

The current director is Brian Titterington and the deputy director and events co-ordinator is Barbara Mason.

Membership is £17 for single members and £25 for couples. For more information and the association’s monthly journal, the Islander, see www.manxretirement.org

The office at West House, West Street, Ramsey is open from 10am to midday on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Call 817007 or email mra@manx.net

Police are appealing for information regarding a car which was damaged over the weekend.

A statement from the police said: ‘Constable Kearns from Central Neighbourhood Policing Team is investigating a report of criminal damage to a vehicle.

‘The vehicle which is a silver BMW X5, was parked on Marathon Drive, Douglas between 6.30pm on Friday, March 25 and 4.30pm on Saturday, March 26.

‘It appears that someone has used an implement to cause a scratch along the rear passenger side door.’

PC Kearns said: ‘We are keen to hear from anybody who may have witnessed anything at the time.

‘It is mindless incidents like this that cause people unnecessary costs and we are keen to find the person responsible.’

If you have any information regarding this matter, please contact police immediately.

Contact Name and Telephone Number: PC 298 Donna Keans Tel: 631212

Anyone who has information about this incident should contact Police Headquarters on 631212. A reward may be payable as a result of your information.

You may also contact Isle of Man Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Crimestoppers is an independent Manx charity established to enable callers to pass information regarding criminal activity anonymously. Crimestoppers is not an agency of the Police. Crimestoppers will never ask callers for any personal details.

Pupils from St Mary’s Primary School in Douglas have helped Zurich to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its sponsorship of a flagship island tennis programme.

The international life company began supporting the Zurich Primary Schools Mini Tennis Programme in early 2007.

It gave seven-year-old children from across the Isle of Man the opportunity to enjoy tennis lessons in class. The programme is led by Albany Tennis Club’s head coach, Ian Watson, who delivers a six-week structured coaching plan with the support of a number of other Lawn Tennis Association qualified teachers. The six-week coaching programme concludes with an island-wide tournament and championship finals day.

For the majority of the pupils, the programme gives them their first ever experience of tennis.

Children in Year Three at St Mary’s Primary School invited Zurich’s communications manager, Merita Taylor, to watch one of their coaching sessions.

She said: ‘The Zurich Primary Schools Mini Tennis Programme not only enables seven-year-old children across the island to learn to play a new sport, but also helps them to develop a number of other vital skills including teamwork, concentration and agility. It is incredible to see the difference between watching them learning how to hold a racquet at the start of the coaching, to six weeks later when they are able to play a game within a tournament environment.

‘The experience this gives them, and seeing the enjoyment that they get from tennis, is why Zurich continues to support this programme ten years after we began our association with this.’

Zurich Primary Schools Mini Tennis Programme lead coach, Ian Watson, said: ‘This programme makes a real impact on seven-year-olds who haven’t really ever experienced tennis before, and it is fantastic to be able to give them that opportunity thanks to our partnership with Zurich. The number of children who continue to learn how to play the game after coaching has ended is testament to the popularity of this programme, and the enjoyment they get from it.’