Liberal Vannin is inviting people to meet their local elections candidates tomorrow (Wednesday).
The event will be held at the Old Friends’ Club on Finch Road in Douglas at 7.30pm.
Current representatives Lawrie Hooper and Pat Ayres (Ramsey), Cat Turner (Douglas St George’s) and Claire Wells (Douglas Hills) are putting their names forward for another term.
A plan to convert the former Canada Life building in Castletown into seven residential flats got the support of the local authority.
The plan (16/00356/B by Mike Osborne) is for the flats, balcony garden and parking for the building at Alexandra Road, which was vacated by the company in 2014.
There is parking on site, but as the company grew it created problems with staff members parking on residential streets in the vicinity.
Last week, Kevín Weír told the board: ‘I cannot see anything wrong with it.’
Colin Leather said: ‘It’s sad properties are converting to apartments, but it’s a sign of the times, we do need apartments in town.
‘It’s a nice place, it looks over the river and railway line.’
Commissioner Alwyn Collister pointed out Canada Life had ‘outgrown itself, there was not adequate parking [for office staff].’
Mr Leather proposed they accept the plan and he was seconded by Mr Weir.
What is the government doing to help people in fuel poverty?
That is the question Onchan MHK Peter Karran will put to Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK in the House of Keys today (Tuesday).
We reported in the Isle of Man Examiner on March 15 how a government report had revealed that one in 10 island households were living in fuel poverty.
The Cabinet Office report found that there are between 3,100 and 3,500 homes where people struggle to afford fuel for heating.
And if it hadn’t been for falling oil prices, rates of fuel poverty would be even higher.
The report went on to say that residents spend around 40 per cent more on fuel than those in the UK.
Health and Social Care Minister Howard Quayle MHK will be quizzed on who can make a complaint against his department and who investigates it, from Mr Karran, who will also ask him about his department’s training.
Mr Quayle will also face a question on the average waiting time for accident and emergency patients at the hospital from Michael MHK Alf Cannan.
Mr Karran will also be asking Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK about berthing safeguards at the proposed Manx ferries landing stage in Liverpool.
Mr Gawne will face a question regarding how much has been spent on design fees and other costs relating to Douglas promenades.
He will also be asked about plans and cost regarding Douglas’s horse trams and how it will be funded, by Onchan MHK David Quirk, and when his department will start dredging Peel Harbour, by Mr Karran.
Treasury Minister Eddie Teare will be asked by Mr Cannan why he sacked Post Office chairman Graham Cregeen.
Mr Cannan will also question Mr Teare on state pensions changes, while the Treasury Minister will have to answer questions about the Euromanx liquidation from Mr Karran.
A man will appear in court today after police seized cocaine worth £6,000 at Isle of Man Airport on Saturday.
The 29-year-old man, who police describe as being from the west of the island, was stopped by officers and was allegedly found to have around three ounces of the drug held internally.
He was charged yesterday (Monday) with serious drug-related offences and is due to appear at Douglas Courthouse today.
This year’s Harbour to Harbour walk - between Castletown and Port Erin - will take place on Sunday, May 15.
The sponsored walk is now in its third year and last year it raised £3,600.
Organised by Southern Community Initiatives, the money supports a number of important local community projects, including Men in Sheds, Southern Befrienders and SPort Erin.
This year’s route will see walkers leave Castletown harbour at 10am, head along the coastal path to Glen Chass and on to The Howe before joining St Mary’s Road and finishing at the Cosy Nook in Port Erin.
Event co-ordinator Janet Bridle, said: ‘As we prepare for the third Harbour to Harbour walk, we’re really excited about what promises to be the biggest and best event yet. We’re hoping for more than 350 people to join the walk, and help raise funds for these important community projects.
‘This really is a fun event for the community, with a chance to enjoy a lovely morning walking through a beautiful part of the island, with stunning views of the sea and countryside, while raising money. It’s open to all, so we hope to see lots of people on the day, and we’ll be giving walking tips on our Facebook page to help them prepare.’
Based at Thie Rosien on Castletown Road in Port Erin, SCI is home to initiatives including community art and creative writing projects, crafts, bridge, board games, yoga, meditation, a social fitness group and the Men in Sheds project. The aim of the Hub is to tackle isolation and loneliness by bringing people together through community projects, as well as promoting volunteering, inclusive communities, and providing a place for socialising and encouraging community collaboration and activities.
Parish Walk winner Robbie Callister said: ‘The Harbour to Harbour walk is such a well organised, sociable and friendly walk that caters for all ages and abilities, while supporting a very worthy cause. I hope it all goes well on the day, with another big turn out and perfect weather.’
Rushen MHK Phil Gawne, the Infrastructure Minister and the SCI chairman, added: ‘I am pleased that this year’s walk will be better than ever and hope that more funds will be raised for the Southern Community Initiative’s work in helping isolated and vulnerable people in our community live better lives.
‘SCI has been expanding its work over the past year and now provides activities and companionship to hundreds of people in the south. Please get involved either as sponsors or participants and make this important fund raising event a great success.’
This year the event is being sponsored by property development company Dandara.
Dandara managing director Seamus Nugent said: ‘SCI offers an amazing range of community projects at Thie Rosien in Port Erin. Most importantly, SCI is working to tackle isolation and loneliness by bringing people together through thoughtful and well-researched community projects.’
To enter or find out more about the event, email H2Hreg@hubclubsci.im, call Janet on 838180 or visit www.hubclubsci.im
Kate’s Cottage, (Keppel Gate Cottage) situated at the 34th Milestone on the Isle of Man TT course, is for sale with Isle of Man estate agents Manxmove.
This iconic cottage (circa 1850) is on a popular corner of the mountain course used since 1911 for the Isle of Man TT and from 1923 for the Manx Grand Prix races.
The typical 19th century stone wall cottage was originally occupied by the mountain shepherd Cecil Tate and his wife Gladys Tate and was known as Tate’s Cottage.
It has often been alluded to that a BBC commentator mistakenly referred to Tate’s Cottage as Kate’s Cottage.
The name may also have originated as a printer’s typesetting error.
One of the most easily recognised landmarks on the TT course the cottage looks down towards the Creg-Ny-Baa a popular viewing area for TT fans.
It has panoramic views of the easterly coastline including the port of Douglas.
The property requires updating but offers two double bedrooms, two reception rooms, a bathroom, garaging for one car, an outside W.C. and woodstore.
Gardens to the side and rear plus parking for six to eight cars or ‘numerous motorbikes’.
Manxmove say they are ‘delighted to be able to offer this very individual property for sale’ and full details can be viewed at www.manxmove.im
Alternatively contact Ian Lloyd for further information on 418367 or 619966.
Port Erin’s Mantons Cards has been selected as a finalist in The Greats gift retailer awards, for an incredible fifth time!
Mantons is one of only six companies from across the British Isles to make the final. Other finalists include Oliver Bonas who have 53 stores in many major shopping areas.
The Greats Awards, now in its 14th year, were launched to recognise and reward the UK’s very best gift retailers across the retail spectrum.
Greats finalists are chosen by a panel of gift trade experts and based on the quality of products stocked, customer service, product displays, and marketing.
‘These dedicated awards for gift retailers have immeasurable status and are universally acknowledged as being a true accolade of excellence,’ said Sue Marks, editor of Progressive Gifts & Home.
‘Being selected as a finalist is a fantastic achievement. There were a huge number of entries this year, with some from outstanding, first class businesses.’
Owner Chris Beards said: ‘After winning a Retas award as the UK’s best greeting card shop, everyone at Mantons is delighted to again be named as a Greats Finalist, especially as we are the only Manx company to ever achieve this honour.
‘This is well deserved recognition for all our team’s hard work and commitment to help our customers, which is something all of the us at Mantons takes pride in.
‘Having previously won separate awards for our customer service, product selection, marketing and window displays, it is fantastic to be recognised by the UK’s only gift awards that consider every aspect of our shop.’
Since 2010 Mantons has won 15 national awards including the British Independent Retailers Association’s ‘Independent Retailer of the Year’, plus being named as one of the top 100 small businesses in the UK in 2015 alone.
The winners of this year’s prestigious gift retailing awards will be revealed at an awards lunch at the glamorous Grosvenor Hotel, Park Lane in London on Thursday, May 5, so everyone at Mantons will be hoping its sixteenth time lucky.
The Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce Visitor Economy Committee is to host a second Manx Hospitality Day on the theme of ‘Excellence in Customer Service 365.’
The event, which is free to attend, is open to all those involved in the hospitality industry, or who welcome visitors to the Isle of Man, and is designed to encourage an ‘excellence as standard’ approach within the island’s tourist trade.
Attendees will also be able to update their knowledge of key information to help visitors enjoy their stay, develop their skills and passion for the industry and network with other key partners in the visitor sector.
The event takes place on Thursday (April 14) from 1.30pm to 5pm at the Palace Hotel and Casino, Douglas.
Jamie Blair of Roots Beverage Company will talk about how he has been inspired by local producers and Carl Haworth of Haworths at the Regency Hotel will discuss the value of experience versus qualification.
Inspirational speaker Sue Gee of TLC Business Solutions will make a presentation on self-motivation and how businesses can make a positive difference to the visitor experience. A trade exhibition which includes a number of local activity providers will run in tandem with the event.
Sara Richards, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Economy Committee, said: ‘Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, which drew more than 180 attendees and 19 local exhibitors, it was clear the Manx Hospitality Day is a great opportunity for those involved in the island’s visitor economy to come together and share their experiences on how the Isle of Man can best attract, retain and expand increase the number of visitors to our shores.
‘Excellent customer service enhances the visitor experience which helps the industry grow. Its success is dependent on the dedicated staff employed in the industry to deliver that service and a further objective of the Manx Hospitality Day is to raise the profile of hospitality as a chosen career path. We hope local businesses will bring along as many of their team as they can.’
Mark Wilson, managing director of Sleepwell Hotels which includes The Claremont, will speak at the event.
He said: ‘The message we need to get across is that the Isle of Man is a great place to come and have a wonderful time doing activities.’
Anyone wishing to attend the Manx Hospitality Day should email julie.stephens@iomchamber.org.im
Nominations are open for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Pride in Mann Awards 2016.
We are inviting readers’ nominations in the following eight categories: Charity & Volunteers, Community Champion, Emergency & Health Care, Local Hero, Culture & Arts Champion, Service With a Smile, Spirit of Youth/Schools, Sporting Achievement – Rising Star.
Nominations will close on Friday, July 1, after which the winners in each category will be decided by a public vote.
To make a nomination click here to download and print, ensuring you include contact details for both yourself and the person or group that you are nominating.
Send your completed nomination form to Pride in Mann Awards, Isle of Man Newspapers, European House, Peel Road, Douglas, IM1 5ED.
Isle of Man businessman Trevor Hemmings is undaunted after his star horse Many Clouds failed to emulate Red Rum’s back-to-back Grand National victories at Aintree.
The popular gelding won the 4 miles 2 furlong race last year but on Saturday was last of the 16 horses to complete the trip.
Mr Hemmings told iomtoday he was ‘not disappointed’ and was ‘very optimistic for the future.’
He said Many Clouds would shortly be spending several months in the island at Ballaseyr stud, Andreas, with fellow equine superstars, National winners Ballabriggs and Hedgehunter.
His horse, heavily backed by Manx punters, was carrying top weight of 11 stone 10 pounds and found it a real ‘toughie’ after the ‘heavens opened,’ said Mr Hemmings.
For much of the race it actually looked as if the Irish-bred nine-year-old was vying for victory and all was going according to plan.
He was jumping brilliantly but at the 26th fence he made an uncharacteristic mistake and this seemed to halt the momentum and he weakened in the muddy ground.
Mr Hemmings praised jockey Leighton Aspell who realised the horse was ‘running out of fuel with very little left in the tank’. When he realised his chance had gone Aspell then gently looked after the horse as he walked him over the finishing line.
Mr Hemmings said the downpour made all the difference.
He said: ‘The weather turned against all the quality horses. The fact that he was carrying all that weight and was still still at the front at the 25th fence in those conditions was remarkable.’
Mr Hemmings added that he ‘regretted’ the change in conditions, leading to the softest ground seen in the National for years, and this meant it was no longer a ‘level playing field’.
He said: ‘It was like climbing Everest with a pair of roller skates.’
Many Clouds lost his right front shoe during the race and his trainer Oliver Sherwood subsequently reported that the gelding had a breathing problem that would be looked at before its next run.
Mr Hemmings said that in due course they would sit down and plan which route they would go down but the ‘ultimate aim’ is to run in next year’s Grand National.
Mr Hemmings revealed he was the first person to congratulate and hug Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary, the owner of the winning horse Rule The World.
He said: ‘He had been standing in my lucky spot where I always watch the National so I was closest to him.’
Mr Hemmings reiterated a point he has made before that punters should always be careful in a race where there are up to 40 runners.
Sid Cunningham of Joe Jennings bookmakers said it had been a successful Grand National for the company as Rule The World was a 33/1 shot. But he said that after the ground became heavier some punters latched on to horses known to travel well in those conditions. The fifth horse, Goonyella, was well backed, and Jennings paid out on five places at its island shops.
Revised plans to redevelop Douglas promenade including the creation of a ‘cultural quarter’ by the Gaiety Theatre have been submitted – and as expected they include no provision for the horse trams.
The application (16/00379) is for the reconstruction of the highway and footpaths and creation of a low speed streetscape along Loch and Harris Promenades, and the creation of an area to provide seating, sculpture, lighting, display screens, bike storage areas, bus shelter and landscaping within Harris Promenade.
This latest application by the Department of Infrastructure follows the rejection of its earlier scheme (15/00594) that would have seen the horse trams relocated onto the promenade walkways.
The planning inspector ruled that out on safety grounds and his recommendation was upheld by the Council of Ministers.
The new application states: ‘The proposal does not includ any provision for tram lines. Should the long-term future of the horse trams be secured the intention is for the service to terminate opposite the Villa Marina Colonnade with a separate planning application being submitted to create this tram corridor.’
CoMin previously approved to two applications to improve the promenades. Phase one was completed. Phase two was never undertaken and was to have formed part of the broader works outlined in the now-rejected planning application.
The DoI says the scheme will ‘essentially provide much-needed improvement to a major section of the existing highway along the promenade’.
In the notes on drawings submitted as part of the application it said: ‘The Douglas Promenade improvement works have been developed on the basis of restoring both the prominence and prestige to the promenade as a place as opposed to solely a highway. This approach will achieve and promote the concept of interaction, courtesy and civility between both vehicles and pedestrians and once again give Douglas a promenade worthy of its status.’
In its latest planning statement it points out the independent inspector had considered the highways part of the scheme to be acceptable and should be welcomed.
It says it will seek approval for a further planning application for a second phase of highway reconstruction from the Villa Marina Colonnade to the Summer Hill junction.
The proposals for a cultural quarter aim to improve links across Church Street to Castle Street, enhance the public realm and landscaping in front of the Gaiety and Sefton Hotel, create shelter for pedestrians and celebrate the island’s unique selling points such as its history and the TT.
This would include stone-carved motorcycles and sidecars which the designers will says will be perfect for photo opportunities.
The plans have already received one objection on the basis that removing horse trams would be contrary to the conservation area policy.
The RL360 Group has unveiled the newly branded RL360 Services, following the Group’s acquisition of CMI Insurance Company Limited (CMI) late last year.
CMI has been renamed RL360 Life Insurance Company Limited and will operate under the brand name RL360° Services.
RL360’s acquisition of CMI from former owner Lloyds Banking Group plc completed on December 1, 2015, creating a combined group with $10bn in assets under management, circa 60,000 policies and 300 staff.
A new website has been built for policyholders and their advisers at www.rl360services.com. In addition it has rebranded all of the literature required to service the RL360° Services book of business.
RL360 chief executive David Kneeshaw said: ‘We are proud to bring CMI under the RL360 brand and equally proud to be retaining the history of CMI, which was one of the first international operations to be established by a UK life company back in 1987.
‘As a combined group with a wealth of history and experience between us, we are stronger.
‘While the rebrand has been a period of change for the business, I would like to make it clear that for RL360 Services policyholders there will be no changes to the terms and conditions of their policy as a result of the rebrand.
‘Hopefully, apart from a new name and contact details, the only changes they will notice will be enhancements to the service they receive from us.’
The organisers of Sunday’s Manx International Cycling Grand Prix over the TT Course have praised the public and volunteers for supporting what proved to be an excellent event.
The combined races attracted a strong field of riders from across the British Isles and beyond for what was the return of top-class national road racing to the island for the first time since 2003.
Steve Shimmin, who organised the event from scratch in 17 weeks with co-event director Richard Fletcher, applauded the efforts of more than 250 volunteers for their help.
He thanked the general public for their patience and understanding with road closures, purposely kept to a minimum, and any local businesses affected by the same road restrictions.
‘Everybody has been fantastic,’ said Steve. ‘I can’t thank them enough.
‘We also had tremendous assistance from members of the TT and Festival of Motorcycling race control tower team with communications. In total, including several government departments, more than 20 organisations were involved.
‘Thanks also to main sponsors, Zurich Life International, Crowe Morgan chartered accountants, I-CAP Group Ltd, Athol Garage and Manx Automobile Assistance.’
The Manx public had the chance to take a tour of the newly completed and fully operational Breast Unit at Noble’s Hospital.
More than 80 residents attended the open day, held on Thursday evening, at the new Manx Breast Unit in the west wing of the hospital.
The unit provides an area for the island’s breast screening service and the outpatient breast clinic and is under the leadership of consultant surgeon Ms Millie Bello and consultant radiologist Dr Rebecca Miller.
Julie Stokes, chair of the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group (MBCSG), said the group are ‘thrilled’ that the unit is open and that so many people attended the open day.‘It’s absolutely fantastic, we are so pleased! It was really busy, [the public] were shown around the unit and got to see all the equipment and everything there.
‘The open day was to give the opportunity for all the generous Manx public who have helped us over the years to see the unit.
‘Everyone in the group is so pleased to see the unit up and running. Although we’ve led the charge, none of this would have been possible without the phenomenal kindness and generosity of the great Manx public and several charitable trusts and foundations.’
The MBCSG, which is run entirely by volunteers, has raised £1.7m to build and equip the unit and is continuing its fundraising efforts to ensure the breast care service can operate to the very highest standard.
The group wants to fund an upgrade of the breast screening machine to provide 3D images which can improve cancer detection rates. It also wants to fund new equipment to make use of a new form of radiotherapy to treat cancer during surgery.
David Gawne MBE, president of the MBCSG, thanked the public for their generosity and support.
A dog owner who had two unlicensed rottweilers has been landed with a significant fine after police spotted him waiting with one of the dogs outside a school.
Police spoke to Robert William James Houghton outside Andreas primary school about an unrelated matter but, noting he had one rottweiler dog with him, made further inquiries.
For the prosecution, Hazel Carroon said 37-year-old Houghton, of College Street in Ramsey, told police he also had a second dog.
Representing Houghton, Ian Kermode said his client had two rottweilers, Monty and Laxey Mist, one of which was kept in a compound off Smeale Road. He said both dogs were microchipped and his client had a number of other dogs too which were all licensed.
Houghton admitted keeping two unlicensed dogs on January 18.
Fining him £150 with £50 costs, magistrates’ chairman Gill Eaton told him: ‘You are well aware of the need to license your dogs.’
Well-wishers can now donate to one of the island’s leading charities by text.
They text a message and Hospice Isle of Man will receive £5, while the person who’s donated will be charged on their mobile phone bill.
All funds raised will be spent on a nurse’s salary for one year and the charity is hoping to raise £30,000 with the campaign over one year.
The system is set up so it will automatically donate another £5 every month. But there is an option to stop this funding at any time.
Head of income generation Mary Doyle said: ‘We are always looking to make donating quicker and easier for our much valued supporters so text giving seems an easy fit.
‘We were delighted that a local businessman who has supported the charity for many years enabled the charity to pilot this for one year. Local text giving is something new to the island and is currently only available to Manx Telecom customers.
‘Hospice is hoping that Sure will get involved at a later stage.’
‘Previously a donor could donate to off island causes but it has never been done on the island so we are delighted to be a forerunner for this initiative.’
If you would like to donate to Hospice Isle of Man text HOSPICE to 70555 – every penny of your donation is sent to the charity.
Hospice says that 85p of every pound raised is spent directly on patient care. For any queries regarding this fundraising initiative contact Mary on 647431 or email fundraising@hospice.org.im
A well-known motorcycle and business journalist is to stand for election to Peel commissioners.
Roger Willis is 64 years old and married with three children and two grandchildren.
He was a journalist for more than 40 years, starting out in the motorcycle press. He wrote for Motor Cycle Weekly and Which Bike? (both now defunct) and Dirt Bike Rider, and subsequently became editor of Bike, then the UK’s largest-circulation monthly motorcycle magazine, from 1985 to 1988.
Roger was a regular vistor to the TT as a working hack from 1980 onwards.
He moved to the island and Peel in 1995 and set up his own contract publishing company.
He continued as a consultant, news provider and columnist, also doing other freelance and some smaller publishing projects (the Manx Grand Prix programme for three years and TT history books), but now describes himself as semi-retired.
Asked what his priorities would be if elected Roger said: ‘Apart from efficient management for the ratepayers, my main priority as a commissioner would be encouraging employment growth within the town, as the key way to regenerate its local economy beyond status as a dormitory for Douglas.
‘Ideas in that direction include facilitating small business start-ups outside the retail sector and pushing for larger commercial office developments in the town rather than just more housing.’
The local authority election will take place on Thursday, April 28, when 12 candidates will vie for seven seats. Current members Ian Davison, Alan Jones, David Lace and Christine Moughtin will be contesting the election alongside Mr Willis, former Peel MHK Hazel Hannan, Terence Bennion, Derek Cannon, Edward Convery, Kenneth Diack, Benjamin Heath and Leonard Spencer.
Peel Commissioners have hit out at the government over what they feel is a refusal to answer questions.
The row began when it was discovered last year that 13 local authority members did not have their name on the electoral register.
In Douglas, Ramsey and Port St Mary commissioners vacated their seats after their boards took legal advice and by-elections were held.
Some 12,252 names were removed from the electoral register when new rules came in.
It is understood that information about the rule changes was sent to every local authority clerk.
Peel commissioners Eric Beale and Jackie O’Halloran were among those commissioners not on the electoral register.
The commissioners decided that Mr Beale and Ms O’Halloran would remain on the board and both voluntarily elected not to vote on issues.
The two remained on the board until they were able to register in October 2015 and begin voting again.
Since the fiasco Peel Commissioners have written to the Cabinet Office querying the legality of the removal of the names.
In a letter dated December 11, among the questions the commissioners asked are: ‘Can you please advise which legislative powers in the Act provides the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) with the authority to remove a person from the electoral role ?’, ‘Can you please advise where in the Register of Electors Act 2006 there is a requirement for the public to re-register annually?’ and ‘The Registration of Electors Act 2006 deals with a failure to provide information requested by the ERO through a summary conviction and fine. Can you advise why you are not using your legislative power under this section of the Act?’
The commissioners have been dismayed with what they feel is a lack of response from the Cabinet Office.
In their latest letter, dated March 30, the Cabinet Office said: ‘Those questions all relate to the application and interpretation of the Registration of Electors Act 2006 by the Electoral Register Officer. We do not feel that entering into further detailed and protracted dialogue on those questions, on a point by point basis, over how the relevant legislation has been interpreted would be helpful.’
At the latest commissioners’ board meeting Peel commissioner Alan Jones said: ‘They are refusing to say but you are removing someone’s right to vote. They should say what lawful basis it has been done on. The government can’t just act outside the law. They need to justify the legality of their own actions.’
Fellow commissioner Kate Felton added: ‘All they have said in their letter is that they were not answering our questions.’
The board agreed that it would again write to the Cabinet Office, copying in Chief Minister Allan Bell, requesting answers.
Isle of Man dog owners could face a £500 fine if they take their dog to the UK and it has not been microchipped.
A new law came into force last week in England, Scotland and Wales requiring all dogs to be microchipped by the time they are eight weeks old.
A microchip is a small electronic chip, about the size of a grain of rice, which is implanted under the dog’s skin and contains a unique number that can be read by a scanner. It allows dogs to be reunited with their owners if they get lost or are stolen.
Juana Warburton, general manager of the ManxSPCA, said there is limited information at the moment about how holiday-makers who take their dogs to the UK will be treated, but said island owners who don’t have their dogs microchipped will face penalties.
‘Even if you and your dog are from the Isle of Man, you will still be breaking a UK law if your dog is not microchipped. Local authorities now have the right to seize any dog in the UK, microchip it to its owner and recover the cost, and so this would apply to the dogs of holiday-makers or visitors.
‘A local authority, or their agent, may also make a case for a prosecution, depending upon the circumstances. The maximum fine specifically relating to a dog not being microchipped is £500.’
Microchips help owners trace lost or stolen dogs and could also help with welfare cases when dogs have been abused or neglected and lack of care needs to be proven.
Last month, a Tynwald select committee on animal welfare recommended that microchipping be made compulsory in the island. Juana said the MSPCA is ‘pro microchipping’ and ‘fully supports’ the select committee’s microchipping recommendations
She advised island dog owners to get their dogs microchipped, which can be done for around £20 at any veterinary practice.
‘If your dog is already microchipped and you have moved house, double check that your details are correct on the microchip database before you travel.
‘For a small, one-off cost, microchips last the lifetime of the animal and they have so many benefits.’
These are busy times for Isle of Man based eGaming pioneer Vincent Caldwell.
The Belfast-born entrepreneur, 55, has exclusively told Business News of his hopes to launch a new game ‘based around racing’ later this year in the United States.
Mr Caldwell who has a wide range of business contacts and experience in the States, said the game would offer ‘substantial’ prizes and could be played in casinos and on machines.
Father-of-four Mr Caldwell, who lives in Onchan, also told how he helped to bring some Manx luck for Cheltenham Gold Cup winning trainer Gordon Elliott.
Vincent, his work colleague and best friend Tracy Keig and friend Doug Barrowman were taken to dinner in a Thai restaurant in Cheltenham the night before the big race with Gordon Elliott.
The next day Elliott’s horse Don Cossack romped home in the famous race.
Don Cossack is owned by Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary who also won the Grand National at the weekend with Rule The World. Both horses raced in the Gigginstown House Stud colours.
Vincent told Business News: ‘Gordon said he is superstitious and will have to bring us out every time he has a Gold Cup runner.
‘The Gold Cup was the biggest race of his training career and he said the Manxies made all the difference and brought him the luck he needed.’
Vincent owns a horse called Field of Light which is in training with Gordon Elliott at his yard in County Meath.
‘I’m sharing the ownership with my mother Kathleen, 95, who still lives in Northern Ireland. She must be one of the oldest horse race owners in Ireland.’
Field of Light was bought from British trainer Ed Dunlop’s yard recently and has already had a string of second and thirds on racecourses.
Vincent said he and his mum were looking forward to seeing the bay gelding run in the near future.
And he revealed he is putting a partnership together to buy up to 10 horses which he hopes could strengthen the Gordon Elliott battalions.
Mr Caldwell was one of the early pioneers of online betting, starting Betinternet.com in the Isle of Man in 1998 and took it to a stock market listing on AIM in 2000 as chairman and chief executive officer.
He told Business News he had to overcome scepticism in some quarters at the time over the viability of eGaming which has since proved to be a success story for the Isle of Man.
Talking about the new business development he said there has been some Manx investment in the project.
‘It’s a project that I envisage will take five years to come to fruition, a couple of years to set up in America and two to three years more to globalise it.’
Vincent has founded a company called TotesAmerica LLC based in Delaware, to help create the new gaming opportunity which he describes as ‘exciting’ and a ‘big story’ for the gaming industry.
He said the game is ‘under development.’
He stressed the project will have to be approved by licensing authorities but he is happy to take the gamble.