The Children’s Centre has announced it is to close its loss-making nurseries for children under two.

It said it had made the decision ‘extremely reluctantly’. Provision for under twos in the three nurseries will end on July 29.

All parents affected by the decision have been told and the charity says it will give what help it can to find alternative childcare for them.

The move follows a detailed assessment of the three nurseries which are currently losing a substantial sum of money every month.

It ‘simply cannot afford to lose income at this rate’, said the charity.

In a statement, the Children’s Centre said: ‘These substantial losses in the under-2 nurseries reduce the overall profitability of the nurseries and other commercial activities, meaning that the amount left available to cover key administration and central support costs, and to fund the organisation’s charitable activity, is reduced.

‘To continue on that basis is simply not tenable.’

One of the nurseries in Douglas – Park Road – will close completely, as it serves under-2s only.

A second one in Douglas, on Woodbourne Road, will remain open for over-2s, with just the under-2 provision coming to an end in July.

The third nursery, Bonwick House in Ramsey, will also remain open but for over-2s only.

A range of alternatives had been considered but none would have made up the losses currently being made.

The Children’s Centres said its focus now remains on the nurseries for older children, where the organisation said it can ‘continue to develop and deliver a first class and financially viable service’.

Cat Turner looks ahead to the first official work party at the site on Bank Holiday Monday and invites everyone to get involved with Isle of Man Friends of the Earth’s latest scheme

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Readers might know of the community food-growing project that Braddan Commissioners and EcoVannin initiated, which local residents are now making a reality.

This lovely secluded former-playground at Coronation Park near the Strang crossroads is perfectly placed and will soon boast planters, marked-out beds, compost, a gardening tool lockup and some small fruit trees.

Our first official work party (though there’s lots going on behind the scenes) takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 2 starting at 10am and will carrying on until the afternoon.

People can drop in and out as their day allows and, if the weather’s fair, we’ll have a picnic lunch - so bring something nice to eat and share.

On the same day, you can sign up as a ‘Member’ of the Community Garden Group.

There’s no cost, you just need to commit to following some sensible ground rules and if you can, make a little donation. By that we mean a pot, some seeds, or a tool - stuff to use in the garden, not cash please.

Why not come along and try any or all of the following:

Mark out the site with twine and pegs.

Agree what’ll go where.

Help sand and stain the picnic table.

Plant some potatoes, sloes, elderflowers and wild plums (and whatever else we can get our hands on).

Or just have a chat and a cuppa and dream as to what the future holds for this lovely project.

Please join us and bring a spade, fork, trowel if you have one - and anything else that you think might be useful.

Wellbeing workshop

Also in the coming week it’s the follow-on meeting for Douglas Wellbeing Workshop.

In late February, EcoVannin and the Network of Wellbeing ran a series of workshops, including in Douglas looking at what makes for a thriving community.

They were terrific, and we’re grateful to all who attended to share ideas.

We’ve now tabulated all the ideas (over the week, there were 520-odd).

We want to share them with you and make the most popular ones a reality.

You don’t have to have come to the first workshops to join this one - everyone’s welcome.

This time we’re meeting at the Henry Bloom Noble Library, 7pm til 8.30 - to pick a small handful of projects, and agree some next steps. Let’s keep the momentum going.

For more information on either event, email ecovannin@gmail.com or call Cat, 482077.

IT has been a while since I have been away on a foreign holiday.

Airports which would take me on one are a primary deterrent.

They are shopping arcades with bars and restaurants which occasionally coincide with aviation and they are a tiresome prelude to seeking a good time.

But I have to steel myself. It is time for me to add to my Manglish collection.

Mind you, friends and relatives who travel a lot are always helpful in this matter when they come back.

For instance some people who went yachting around the Greek islands went to the Delfina Restaurant on Lefkas where the menu offered ‘Braised real gulas’.

Others who went sailing around the Seychelles were given a guidebook which advised which islands were good for ‘circumcision’.

They rejected this and went for circumnavigation instead.

People who make it to the Far East also have samples of Manglish to cherish.

When the Archbishop of Canterbury visited Japan the order of service at one church said: ‘After the singing of the next hymn the Archbishop will give the congregation a brief massage.’

A temple in Bangkok warned: ‘It is forbidden to enter a woman even a foreigner dressed as a man.’

In Taiwan a bottle of shampoo was labelled: ‘Use repeatedly for severe damage.’

But you don’t always have to go to foreign lands for Manglish. English people do it.

I am assured that there was a window cleaner in Suffolk who promised to tackle: ‘Residential windows, shop windows, office windows and conservatives.’

Finally I return to the Isle of Man where some tradesmen’s vans have messages which are deliberately delightful rather than Manglish. The other day I saw a chimney sweep’s van which announced: ‘Sooty and Sweep.’

THE Panama Papers tell of people who get up to all sorts of clever tricks to avoid the attentions of the taxman.

We always refer to the taxman rather than the taxwoman. But not in the Isle of Man.

The Assessor of Income Tax is Nicola Guffogg.

THIS week’s crossword clue has been sent in by Frank Bond with the following from the Telegraph Big Book of Crosswords: ‘Stare at island race at all times going from A to Z (9)’.

A nice old widow lady who lives alone with only her pet dog for company told me she had been thinking about the Census.

She told me: ‘There’s only me and my dog and I’m thinking about putting him down.’

She smiled happily, but the dog looked distinctly alarmed.

TWO readers, the learned Rosemary Penn and Frank Bond, have been on about honorificabilitudinitatibus .

They both agree that it was used by Costard in ‘Love’s Labour Lost.’ I can tell them both that costard is also a large ribbed variety of apple.

Something else to chew on I suppose.

CROSSWORD: Gazetteer.

I was walking out of Shoprite leaning on my walking stick when an elderly lady walking in cried: ‘Hi there hoppity.’

It was all right, she was also leaning on a walking stick.

We have to stick together you see.

FUNNIES File: The Manx Independent once reported: ‘Sketches, ceramics, sculptors and textiles which have been gathering dust at the Isle of Man College for 10 years will be sold at the event on December 10.’

WORLD Headline: ‘Red tape holds up new bridges.’

A Manx-designed shower that you can control from your smart phone has been nominated for a series of top awards.

The iCare shower, which was designed by DLP Limited in Union Mills, has been put foward for some of the most prestigious honours within the design and manufacturing sector.

The DLP shower has already won several accolades since its launch last year and has now been short-listed for the H&V News awards, which are regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the industry.

The shower’s innovative design is the world’s first Bluetooth-enabled electric shower and has its own iShower app for use with an iPhone.

This can control temperature, power and flow all from a simple push-button remote control.

The system also allows the user to set the length of time the shower will be used and can be set to switch off when a target cost of electricity is reached.

iCare showers are also BEAB approved, which means the user can guarantee a perfect thermostatically controlled stabilised shower every time - making it easy and safe for all the family, and being particularly suitable for anyone with a disability or limited physical abilities.

However, its inclusive design allows it to be used by anyone.

The design has been recognised for its innovation and originality, and won a top prize at the 2015 Construction & Engineering Awards for ‘Most Innovative Bathroom Product’ and also won its category in the Isle of Man Newspapers Awards for Excellence.

The shower unit, which is now available in the commercial marketplace, breaks new ground in the design and operation of shower units.

It was originally created by DLP’s design team specifically to make life easier for disabled people to live independently in their own homes alongside a series of other products produced by the company which specialises in the manufacture and design of disability and assisted-living products.

However, while designing the iCare shower, it became clear to DLP that the unique aspects of the product could revolutionise the manufacture of shower units on the open market.

Engineering manager Ian Felmeri said: ‘A huge amount of work was conducted on the iCare shower unit and we are delighted that it has now been recognised within the industry for its innovation and design.

‘It’s recognition of the work that goes on in the background here at DLP and everyone in the design team is to be congratulated for their contribution towards the iCare shower unit.

‘We also have some other new ideas in the pipeline, so it’s very much a case of ‘watch this space.’

A major £12.5m housing development for Ramsey has been announced.

The new project will comprise two separate developments, one at the Close Woirrey complex opposite the bus station and the other adjacent at Mayfield on Queen’s Pier Road, as well as related schemes at the former bus station site and refurbishment of Cooil ny Marrey which are subject to further discussion.

The inital scheme will see the existing Close Woirrey complex replaced by 12 one-bed flats for commissioners’ tenants aged 45 and over and the Mayfield site, which has been vacant for a number of years, will consist of 27 two-bed units and communal facilities to be used as a sheltered housing complex for the elderly.

It will comprise two blocks and is for the Ramsey and Northern Sheltered Housing Committee (R&NDHC).

The overall cost of the Close Woirrey and Mayfield schemes is projected as being £6.8m.

Ramsey Commissioners and the R&NDHC submitted a petition to transfer land owned by the Commission to the R&NDHC for a nominal sum to build the sheltered housing complex.

It was submitted to the Department of Infrastructure for approval.

Announcing the project, Ramsey Commissioners’ housing and property manager Marlene Hendy said: ‘It has taken four years to get to this stage. It has been a long and tricky route, mainly to do with the heating source we will use.’

This was a reference to government’s insistence that new developments employ bio mass as a heating source, something the commissioners have fiercely resisted on economic grounds.

Ms Hendy added: ‘I think we have come up with a really good scheme with a pleasant design that meets the latest standards in terms of space and insulation’.

Lead member for housing Tony Harmer, who did not stand for re-election to the board, said: ‘It’s been a long hard slog and I wish our successors good luck in dealing with central government. Fighting bio-mass was like fighting an express train!

‘The commission’s social housing policy has always been long in vision. This latest move is a further demonstration of our commitment to respond to supply and demand.

‘The proposed Mayfield development will help to meet the needs of an ageing population by providing sheltered housing that offers tenants independent living combined with safety and security, while Close Woirrey demonstrates the commissioners’ recognition of the shortage of one-bedroom social housing in the town.

‘In each development low maintenance and energy efficiency were fundamental to the design brief.’

He also paid particular tribute to the dedicated efforts of staff member Peter Woodman, now retired, who researched the economic suitability or otherwise of using bio-mass.

Mr Harmer said the new Close Woirrey development would assist residents over the age of 45, but did not provide housing for younger people on the waiting list.

‘There is still a big waiting list and if I had the energy to stay on this board it is something I would be fighting for’.

He said the new housing developments will free up other commissioners’ properties to offer to others on the Ramsey housing waiting list.

On behalf of the board, Lawrie Hooper expressed thanks to Ms Hendy and the whole design team for the ‘incredible’ amount of work they had put in to the projects.

Finance for the scheme was allocated by government two years ago.

Further details, computer generated images and specifications of the new developments are available to view online at www.ramsey.gov.im. They can also be seen at the town clerk’s office at Ramsey town hall.

Also visit ‘Ramsey Town Commissioners’ on Facebook for more information.

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This story was updated at 4.55pm after Ramsey Town Commissioners got in touch this afternoon to clarify the cost of the project.

Same-sex couples will soon be able to marry in the Isle of Man.

The Legislative Council passed its Marriage and Civil Partnership (Amendment) Bill – with six votes in favour and three against.

The Bill amends marriage laws to allow same-sex couples to tie the knot, as they can in Scotland, England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.

Bishop Robert Paterson said it was with a ‘heavy heart’ that he would vote against the Bill as he was convinced it is a ‘well-intentioned mistake’.

He said there was much in the Bill which was good but that it was not about equality of status. Bishop Robert told MLCs: ‘The problem we are faced with as legislators is the human body and the nature of sexuality. Wouldn’t it be convenient if with Royal Assent we could abolish all difference and distinction in sexuality? But we can’t and to pretend otherwise cannot be honest. Talking about equality of status simply confuses things. It’s spin.

‘In this Bill we are being asked to judge whether a legally-binding heterosexual relationship has the same familiar characteristics as a legally-binding homosexual relationship. In other words: are both of them marriage?

‘The Bill is akin to a Cups of Tea Bill that would make it legal for cups of tea to be called cups of coffee for those who wish to call their tea coffee because they think being called a cup of tea is not equal to being called a cup of coffee. Calling one thing the same as something else does no honour or respect to either party.’

The Bill extends right to civil partnerships to opposite sex couples. The Bishop said this was the worst part of the Bill as we would have ‘two duplicate sets of relationships’. ‘I believe it will be train crash waiting to happen,’ he said.

Geoff Corkish and David Anderson both voted against but said they did not want to repeat the arguments they had previously put forward.

Beach Buddies will be heading to the coast at Sartfield, Jurby, on Sunday at 10.30am - its first session there this year.

Organiser Bill Dale said: ‘This beach is in major need of cleaning after accumulating mountains of rubbish during the winter and spring. It is the final beach on our “hit list” of the worst beaches to tackle.

‘Volunteers should note that May 1 marks the start of the bird nesting season, so all volunteers are asked to be aware of this and not disturb any birds and to clear rubbish only up to the high tide mark.

‘If anyone is bringing small children please keep them under supervision at all times.

‘We will give a wildlife safety talk before the session begins.’

It’s a bank holiday weekend and no doubt the bars and pubs of the island will be packed out with people on the lookout for some live music.

Here’s a round up of a few things happening over the next couple of nights.

Penthouse Dive is no stranger to the venues of the island and this weekend is no exception.

You can see the classic rock covers band in Douglas at Jaks Bar tomorrow night (Friday) and then at The Queen’s Pub on Saturday night.

The band specialises in covers from the likes of ZZ Top, Foo Fighters, The Police, Thin Lizzy and the like. This band is certainly very popular on the covers circuit so are well worth checking out if this sounds like your cup of tea.

Elsewhere this weekend, you’ll also find the unrelenting live schedule of indie, 80s and classic rock covers band Switch continue its journey around the island.

This Saturday it’s a return to The Creek in Peel for the band.

The group is made up of Neil Curphey on vocals, Colin Davidson and Matt Quine on guitars, Mal Atkinson on bass and Jonny Peacock on drums.

They play a set that swings from the likes of The Killers, Doves, The Stone Roses, Ash, Feeder, The Kaiser Chiefs, Pulp and Blur at one end via Blondie and The Buzzcocks to INXS, Duran Duran, The Jam and The Sex Pistols at the other, quite a mix.

Jaks Bar play host to Konstruktion also on Saturday night.

The two-piece band made up by Joy White on vocals and Nige B on keys and vocals have their roots in live versions of dance anthems from the modern chart to ‘old skool’ classics.

If a little bit of Calvin Harris, David Guetta, Rihanna and Lady GaGa at one end through to Diana Ross and Tina Turner at the other end of the spectrum takes your fancy then this will be well worth a look at.

Staying with a dance/club theme now and something a little different for Amber in Douglas this Saturday night.

Revolution Nights is a club night hosted by local DJ, Pete Copley.

Playing the best in House, Trance and Old School, Pete is joined on the decks by fellow DJ’s Derek Liney Jnr and Chris Quirk of Energy FM/Tempa Knights. The doors for this free event open at 8pm and it runs until midnight.

Heading north and on Friday you can catch rock, metal and punk covers band, Fugue State on stage at Bar Logo.

Their line-up features Phillip Cleary on bass, Brian Duffy on drums, Kriss Lane on guitar and Paul Nicholson on vocals and guitar and they specialise in songs from the likes of Iron Maiden, Thin Lizzy and The Buzzcocks.

The dedication of the new Arbory Centenary Monument last week gave the chance to reflect on the personal sacrifices of those affected by war.

The memorial is by the parish hall and it is to all ‘who suffered’ during the world wars and other conflicts.

Commissioner Brian Rae, who is trustee of the Clague Cooil Briscoe Trust which funded the project (with the John Donald Collister Legacy held by Manx National Heritage) said: ‘As we live through the centenary years after the First World War here in Arbory, we felt this was a suitable time to remember and to reinforce our gratitude for the lives we are able to lead, because others from this parish endured sacrifice and suffering. We felt it needed to be done in a prominent, tangible and permanent way.’

He explained the background to the trust, Henry Stuart Cooil, a private in the Public Schools Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, was drafted to France in November 1915 and dangerously wounded in August 1916. He spent a year recovering in hospital. In August 1918 he returned to fight at the front, but was killed in early September, just two months before the armistice was signed. His body lies in the war cemetery near Cambrai in France.

Stuart’s father, Robert, (he owned Parville), left £3,000 in ‘trust for the erection of a suitable monument or monuments to his sons, Henry Stuart Cooil and Anthony Cooil’, resulting in the parish hall, the two houses next door and the land on which the monument is erected. Fifty years ago, the trust was combined with those of John Clague and Miss Briscoe.

He added: ‘We very much hope that Mr Robert Cooil would have approved and we hope that it might still be here in another one hundred years and beyond, reminding those who pass by of the sacrifices, grief and hardship mentioned on the stone.’

A two-year-old toddler from Onchan and her friends have raised £1,800 to help buy a new portable oxygen device for Noble’s Hospital.

Lola Johnson, who has a rare lung condition which means she needs 15 hours of oxygen therapy per day, walked 1km along Douglas Promenade, from the War Memorial to the Sea Terminal, to raise funds for Breathe Easy Isle of Man to buy a second travel concentrator for the hospital.

The device will allow other people living with lung conditions in the island to travel freely and Lola has used the machine for holidays and to attend UK appointments. Currently there is only one device in the Isle of Man.

Mum Bernie Johnson said: ‘The walk went really smoothly, it was lovely to see so many supporters cheering Lola and her friends on.

‘She did struggle part of the way and stopped for a rest and a cuddle with her best friend Tegan but she had a little spring in her step when she saw daddy at the finish line.’

Twenty of Lola’s friends and family joined in with the sponsored walk and the group hope to raise £2,400, which is the cost of the portable oxygen machine. To donate visit www.gofundme.com/maxg62pw

The Big Wheel Blues Festival returns to its original home at Laxey Pavilion this weekend.

The festival runs from tomorrow (Friday) to Sunday with ticketed evening concerts featuring international artists on the Friday and Saturday nights.

There will also be free daytime stages on the Saturday and Sunday with acoustic acts in a marquee in the Glen Gardens and electric bands in the Working Men’s Institute.

Headlining on Friday is Sari Schorr, who was recently inducted into the New York Blues Hall of Fame.

Saturday’s headliner is Grainne Duffy Band, who sets the standard for modern blues and country female vocals.

Tickets cost £22.50 per night and are available at etickets.im and from Peter Norris Music, in Douglas.

An organisation which represents ‘the quiet men and women of the boardroom’ is organising an important conference in the island next month.

A line up of top speakers will be among those considering the recent and forthcoming changes in the regulatory environment.

Among them will be Simon Osborne, chief executive of the ICSA who will be discussing how after 125 years of existence ICSA continues to lead the way on promoting and developing best practice in governance.

He was in the island last October when he exclusively revealed to Business News that the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators was planning a ‘punchy’ name change.

Since then it has become known as ICSA: The Governance Institute.

This year’s annual conference for governance, risk and compliance professionals takes place at the Sefton Hotel, Douglas, on May 11.

The conference will also focus on the risks posed to business by the people they employ and how human behaviour influences business success.

Dan Elliot, security integration and transition consultant will be looking at the Isle of Man’s strategy to diversify the economy through investment in more e-commerce and digital currencies.

He will highlight some of the governance implications and cyber security risks to be aware of when investing in new IT infrastructures, as well as providing an overview of some recent developments in regulation.

John Hurrell, chief executive, AIRMIC will explore how critical people issues can lead to major behavioural shortcomings which can expose organisations to significant risks.

Dennis Tourish, professor of leadership and organisation studies, Royal Holloway, University of London will consider the causes of dysfunctional leadership in organisations, what can be done to prevent it and how to produce more effective relationships between leaders and followers.

Other speakers include:

l Roxanne Oldham, Isle of Man Financial Services Authority, who will speak about regulatory changes to include crowdfunding and the Alternative Banking Regime. Roxanne will also consider the recent merger of the Financial Supervision Commission and the Insurance and Pensions Authority

l Peter Swabey, research and policy director, ICSA who will consider the potential implications for businesses in the Isle of Man of the new Small Business Enterprise and Employment Act 2015.

l Karen Ramsey, Isle of Man Government Cabinet Office who will take a look at the Isle of Man’s most recent MONEYVAL assessment, including areas of special interest and the chosen industries identified by the assessors for further evaluation in terms of their anti-money laundering measures

Christine Clucas, ICSA island branch chairman said: ‘As well as providing practical advice on governance issues such as board effectiveness and risk management, the conference is the perfect place to hear about updates on the latest changes in regulation relevant to those working in governance roles in the Isle of Man.’

The now traditional Laxey TT bike show will mark its 10th anniversary this year - in Peel.

Fears over access following the collapse of the ancient stone bridge in Laxey before Christmas have prompted the move to the island’s west coast.

Organised by the Moddy Dhoo Motorcycle Club, the show, which has previously taken place on Laxey seafront, has grown in popularity.

The club’s Andy Scullard, who is also one of the show’s arganisers said they were not confident the bridge would be reinstated by TT so a decision had to be made.

The new venue is the Marine Parade in Peel.

Mr Scullard said: ‘The final decision was made last week so we are really grateful for all the support from the commissioners and others to help us change the venue so quickly.’

No decision on where next year’s show will be held has been made as yet.

As well as live music there will be the bike show which people can enter with their bikes on the day. Stands will include owners’ clubs, auto-jumble, charities, motorsport medical services, the road safety team and others.

It’s on Thursday, June 9, from 11am to 5pm. More details on 426444.

A Ramsey man has been ordered to perform 210 hours of community service after pleading guilty in court to a grievous bodily harm (GBH) charge.

Kieran David Coney, of Cronk Elfin, who was 21 at the time of the incident but is now 22, was handed the sentence as a direct alternative to 12 months’ custody.

Prosecutor Linda Watts told the court how, on October 16, Coney had been on a night out in Ramsey.

It was said that he was sitting with a woman in Bar Logo when a man came over to the couple and began swearing at Coney, calling him miserable and telling him to ‘cheer up’.

The man and his friends were eventually asked to leave Bar Logo by security staff.

Coney said that he had stayed in the bar for a while afterwards hoping to put distance between the man and himself.

He and the woman then left Bar Logo and eventually went to Nightlife.

As the evening continued, Coney was said to have gone outside for a cigarette and got into a verbal altercation with the man from earlier, which resulted in him punching him.

The man was knocked unconscious and hit his head on the ground when falling.

Coney left the area but as he walked onto Parliament Street he saw a police van and flagged it down, telling police: ‘Take me in, I’ve done something wrong.’

Police said that Coney did not appear intoxicated.

Witness accounts differed, with one saying they saw Coney ‘bounding’ out of the club and ‘whack’ a man in the face.

A policeman outside Nightlife said he saw the man falling backwards and a crowd gather so he called for an ambulance.

Coney told police that the man had been aggressive in Bar Logo, then outside Nightlife had put out his hand telling Coney to shake it.
When Coney refused he said the man began shouting at him.

‘I just snapped. I was full of anger and adrenalin so I walked off,’ Coney told police.

A medical examination revealed that the victim suffered a fractured jaw on both sides which had required metal plates and pins inserted but no ongoing treatment was required.

The court heard that the man had since withdrawn his statement of complaint.

Coney’s advocate Roger Kane entered a basis of plea on his client’s behalf which was accepted by the court.

In it Coney, who has no previous convictions, said that he had been out for ‘quiet night’ and was not drunk. He said that he had seen the man involved in some pushing and shoving at the bar in Bar Logo and that he had been ‘parading around’ with his shirt unbuttoned.

Coney said that the man had approached him trying to get him to sing in the karaoke and when he refused had ‘very quickly turned nasty.’

He said that the man had asked him to go outside for a fight before he was asked to leave by security staff.

Describing the incident outside Nightlife Coney said in his plea: ‘I felt he was going to punch or butt me. I considered it a pre-emptive strike, but I accept I should have considered other options such as getting security or walking away. I had real concerns he was going to assault me and I didn’t think he was going to leave me alone.’

While passing sentence, Deemster Alastair Montgomerie said: ‘You are a young man who deserves the opportunity to show that his was a one-off incident.’

Government is in talks over the possible purchase of a site in Liverpool for a new ferry landing stage, MHKs were told.

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne MHK has previously confirmed that the taxpayers could pick up the bill for the new Isle of Man ferry terminal on the Mersey at Waterloo dock. He said a reported £15m price tag was ‘ridiculously optimistic’.

But in the House of Keys this week, he was quizzed over whether the government will purchase the site to secure the link – and whether there would be safeguards to ensure traditional multi-purpose ferries could berth.

Mr Gawne replied: ‘Negotiations are currently ongoing regarding the site for a new landing stage at Liverpool. The department is aware of the need to ensure the future facility is capable of taking the current type of vessels operated by the Steam Packet Company.

‘Regarding the question of purchase, this is dependent on the negotiations. Tynwald approval is required should government wish to purchase.’

Peter Karran (Lib Van, Onchan) asked what the timeline was – and whether there would be enough marshalling area for freight.

Mr Gawne said: ‘All I can say is I am working as hard as I possibly can, together with a range of others, to try and come forward with solutions that work for the people of the Isle of Man. My hope is we would get to Tynwald with the principle of any deal before the end of this House of Keys.’

David Quirk (Onchan) asked about the criteria for government owning land in another jurisdiction. The Minister said all these questions would be answered when his department was in a position to make an announcement. ‘We are still in the midst of discussions both internally and with the Steam Packet Company and with Peel Ports and with Liverpool City Council and things change during the course of discussions,’ he said.

But he gave a commitment that the heads of terms will come to Tynwald hopefully before summer and then the following Tynwald will get to vote on the detail.

The reprieved horse trams are estimated to run at a loss of just under £100,000 this year, MHKs were told.

Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne told the House of Keys that his department had secured half the required funding from heritage organisations and support in kind from Douglas Council, the previous operator.

He was quizzed by Onchan MHK David Quirk over the costs of running the horse trams, which were given a reprieve this year by government, after Douglas Corporation pulled the plug on the historic service saying that it was placing an ‘unacceptable burden on the ratepayer’.

Mr Gawne said a working group, which includes officers from his department and Treasury, estimated that the deficit will be just under £100,000 this year.

Douglas Council had said the tramway was losing £263.000 a year which would have risen to £422.000 if a £2.9m plan to amalgamate the Tramway Terrace stables site with the terminus at Strathallan had gone ahead.

Mr Gawne said to fill that £100,000 funding gap approaches had been made to heritage organisations and together with support in kind from the previous operator this had resulted in the department securing half the required funding.

He added: ‘Keeping in mind the improvements in their financial performance of the heritage railways in recent times, we hope to generate additional revenues and reduce costs to cover the difference.’

The Minister said the latest planning application for the revamp of Douglas promenade includes provision to protect a corridor to allow for the trams to be reinstated.

He said this summer trams will run from April 30 to the end of October but not on every day outside the TT and summer school holidays. A full timetable will be announced shortly.

Mr Gawne said: ‘I am pleased we have been able to secure a temporary reprieve for the horse trams especially as 2016 marks the 140th anniversary of the service.’ He said the short-term solution would allow bookings to be honoured and provide more time to consider workable options to retain the service.

Bill Malarkey (Douglas South) asked if Tynwald would get the chance to debate the future of the horse trams. ‘A decision had to be made sooner rather than later,’ he said.

Mr Gawne said an agreement had just been reached with Douglas Council over using their trams but that agreement only ran to the end of this season. ‘With no agreement there would be nothing to stop Douglas Council selling its assets,’ he said.

The stage is set for the Guild’s top award, the Cleveland Medal.

Competing for the prize tonight (Friday) at the Villa Marina’s Royal Hall will be soprano Olivia Black, mezzo-soprano Deborah Gooding, contralto Judith Barker, tenor Alastair Qualtrough, baritone John Qualtrough and bass Paul Costain.

The festival ends tomorrow evening with Festival’s Finest 2016,a concert showcasing some of the most emjoyable performances from the week.

Wednesday

Royal Hall

String Class – Violin and Viola (Up to Year 6): 1, Abbigail Radcliffe, Mannin Music, 85; 2, Sophie Hindson, Ballacottier School, 83.

String Class – Cello and Double Bass (Up to Year 6): 1, Grace Templer, Ballasalla, 88.

String Class – Plucked Strings (Up to Year 6): 1, Amber Pullen, Dhoon School, 87; joint 2, Ruby Grant, Dhoon School and Charlotte Brooks, Bunscoill Rhumsaa, 85.

String Class – Violin and Viola (Years 7 and 8): 1, 
Anna Glynn, King William’s College, 89; 2, Polly Glynn, KWC. 88.

String Class – Cello and Double Bass (Years 7 and 8): 1, Samuel Hills-Field, Ramsey Grammar School, 87; 2, Aalish Watts, Castletown, 82.

String Class – Plucked Strings (Years 7 and 8): 1, Lucy Gilmore, Ramsey, 86; 2, Arabella Ayen, Ramsey, 85.

String Class – Cello and Double Bass (Years 11 and over): 1, Rosie Shirtliff, Douglas, 87.

Electronic Keyboard (Adult): 1, Eric Kelly, Peel, 88.

Special Baritone Solo: 1, John Qualtrough, Cheltenham, 88; joint 2, John Snelling and Neil Taverner, East Baldwin, 87.

Special Soprano Solo: 1, Olivia Black, Douglas, 90; 2, Jane Corkill, Glen Vine, 89.

Special Mezzo-soprano Solo: 1, Deborah Gooding, 87; 2, Elizabeth Townsend, Douglas, 86.

Vocal Ensemble (Year 9 and over): 1, Glenfaba Ladies Ensemble, St John’s, 92; 2, Coraaghyn Vannin, 91.

Music Composition: 1, Timothy Price, Maughold, 89; 2, Madeline Kelly, Peel, 88.

Popular Song 1980 to present (Adult): 1, Peter Cringle, Kirk Michael, 90; 2, Harry Galbraith, Peel, 88.

Victorian or Edwardian Ballad Solo (Adult): 1, Terence Qualtrough, Castletown, 92; 2, Allan Wilcocks, Douglas, 91.

Music Hall and Comic Song (Adult): 1, Simon Fletcher, Douglas, 91; 2, Olivia Black, Douglas, 90.

Promenade Suite

The Spoken Word (Year 2): 1, Jeremy Miranda, Broadway TC, 88; 2, Onnee Ayres, St John’s School, 87.

Reading from the Bible (Years 3 to 6): 1, Reece Lally, Stage One, 87; 2, Jason Miranda, Broadway TC, 86.

The Spoken Word (Year 6): 1, Rosalind-June Szetu, Foxdale School, 89; 2, Max Smollen, Broadway TC, 88.

Duologue (Up to Year 6): 1, Emily Bridson, Broadway TC, 87; 2, Madeline Harrison, Broadway TC, 86.

Public Speaking (Up to Year 6): 1, Danielle Wilkinson, Stage One, 89; 2, Jason Miranda, Broadway TC, 88.

Duologue (Years 7 and 8: 1, Meisie Germishuys, Douglas, 89; 2, Ellie Jackson, Broadway TC, 88.

Public Speaking (Years 7 and 8): 1, Sian Hooson-Owen, Stage One, 89; 2, Scarlett Clague, Stage One, 88.

A sheep and its lamb stranded at the bottom of a cliff were recovered by Port Erin lifeboat in an audacious rescue.

The incoming tide posed a threat to the animals and the lifeboat launched to go to their aid and made it part of an exercise that they normally do on Sundays.

Because the area was rocky, the lifeboat got as close to the coast as possible.

Then two crew members – David Thomas and Andrew Buchan – swam ashore.

Following a short chase they managed to catch the animals.

Crew member David then swam each animal separately back to the lifeboat.

They were then taken to Port Erin where a grateful farmer retrieved the missing members of his flock.

The whole adventure was not too distressing for the sheep and her lamb, said crew members, who found the most important thing was to keep the pair together.

AXA has agreed to sell its Isle of Man-based operation for an undisclosed sum.

Specialist merger and acquisitions firm Life Company Consolidation Group (LCCG) has entered into an agreement to acquire the operation based in Walpole Avenue, Douglas.

Completion of the transaction is understood to be subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

LCCG released the following statement: ‘On April 27, LCCG entered into a definitive agreement to acquire AXA’s Isle of Man operations (AXA IoM).

‘The acquisition, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to close in 2016.

‘AXA IoM is a leading offshore bond business with over £9bn of assets.

‘It is a major provider of offshore bonds into the UK from the Isle of Man and one of the largest UK providers across the Isle of Man and Dublin.

‘LCCG will seek to enhance and complement the new business growth of AXA IoM through acquisition led growth.’

A celebration of Manx May Day (Laa Boaldyn) will take place at Cregneash on Monday, May 2.

The event will include a variety of activities for visitors throughout the afternoon, including the opportunity to learn about the folklore and traditions of the Manx May Day through music, dance and storytelling.

Helen Ashcroft, Site Manager for Cregneash said: ‘Manx May Day celebrations represent a time between the death of winter and the rebirth of summer, which was thought to be a particularly dangerous time in Manx folklore. Midnight on May Day Eve was a time when witches and fairies were considered to be at their most threatening and a series of traditions arose to allay fears and protect the Manx people and their livestock from danger.

‘The principal form of protection against mischievous fairies was the crosh cuirn, made from a rowan or mountain ash and placed above the door of the house, the cow shed and even tied to the cows’ tails. That certainly must have been an unusual sight.’

Visitors will have the opportunity to make crosh cuirns and learn about traditional Manx rural living including the practical reasons which made life difficult and threatening at this time of year when the salt fish from the winter was running out and crops were not yet growing.

The event will begin at 1pm until 5pm. The Village Tearooms will be offering traditional Manx fare including freshly-made bonnag.

Perree Bane will be performing in the village at 1.30pm and 2.30pm.

Find out more at manxnationalheritage.im.