Eleven-year-old swimmer Letisha Ellis was born profoundly deaf, but that hasn’t stopped her from reaching her goals and achieving sporting success.

At the age of three Letisha started taking ballet and tap lessons, at five-years-old she took up mixed martial arts and two years ago she started swimming.

In her short time swimming Letisha has achieved significant success having represented the Isle of Man in the British National Para Swimming Championships in November, bringing home two silver medals, and the British Deaf Swimming Championships in March, winning three silver medals and a bronze medal.

Letisha, who lives in Braddan, is a junior black belt in mixed martial arts, is working towards her grade three ballet and tap exams and on top of that has represented Cronk-y-Berry Primary School in a variety of sports including football, netball, badminton, athletics and cricket.

Her hard work has been recognised and she has been nominated by 18 people in the Sporting Achievement - Rising Star category in Isle of Man Newspapers’ Pride in Mann Awards.

Her mum Joanne Fayle was one of those who nominated her. She said: ‘Letisha was born profoundly deaf and I was devastated as I knew she would always struggle through her whole life. I worried about her education, if she would make friends, if she would ever be able to work, have a partner or even have children of her own.

‘Over the last 11 years, Letisha has never let her hearing loss get the better of her. Her positive attitude towards everything she does is inspiring and she refuses to let anything stop her doing what she wants to achieve.

‘Letisha has always given 100 per cent effort and is resilient in everything she does. I don’t know how she does it, she’s amazing!’

Joanne said Letisha was really pleased and was ‘made up’ to be nominated in the Sporting Achievement - Rising Star category.

• To nominate an outstanding individual or group in the Pride in Mann Awards turn to page 61 for a nomination form

A Long Eaton community arts centre has launched a fundraising campaign to give the building a facelift and its very own walk of fame.

The Chatsworth Arts Centre, which houses the Duchess Theatre on West Gate, has seen a decade of work on the site since its previous incarnation burned down in 2003.

After all the time and effort spent to recreate a space which is now in continuous use by community groups, the managing committee are looking to complete the transformation with new landscaping on the streetfront.

Committee member Simon Davey, 50, runs graphic design company Cherry Tree and is spearheading the project.

He said: “A lot of people don’t realise we have a theatre here, even though we are fully-booked for the next two years.

“It’s a great asset to the community. The landscaping would really make us stand out, and it would help to smarten up the area too.”

Having already won planning permission for the designs, the challenge now is to raise the estimated £75,000 it will cost to realise their vision, drawn up by local architect Ian Storm of Storm design.

The plans include the construction of a perimeter wall with stone capping, resin bonded walk ways, an outdoor performance area with power supply, steel gates to all entrances, high quality lighting, mature planting, signage and an enclosed bin store.

The first stage of the campaign is asking local people, businesses and organizations to make their mark by sponsoring a paving stone engraved with their names, creating Long Eaton’s answer to the Hollywood walk of fame.

Simon knows about the path to success that begins at the Chatsworth, he explained: “My two daughters were in Young Performers, a group which ran shows at the Duchess. Now one’s a professional actor and the other’s training as a writer and director.”

There are options for blocks at £60 or £100, with writing in black or gold, and smaller donations are welcomed too.

For details on the plans and how you can help, visit www.duchess-theatre.com, pick up a leaflet at the box office or visit the centre’s weekly coffee morning, every Saturday, 10am to 12noon.

The Mona’s Queen anchor memorial service – held in brilliant sunshine on Sunday, at Kallow Point in Port St Mary – was particularly poignant this year.

Terry Kelly, who was instrumental in bringing the anchor to the point, died in hospital while the service took place.

The annual service is held on the anniversary the Mona’s Queen was struck by a magnetic mine while evacuating troops at Dunkirk in 1940.

She sank with the loss of 24 lives, 17 from the island.

During the service Steam Packet vessel Manannan stopped, while en route to Belfast, and gave a long sound on her horn.

Attendees included Hamish Ross and Doreen Douglas, widow of Andrew, both of whom were the driving force behind getting the anchor lifted off the sea bed at Dunkirk, and John Quaye of Manx Independent Carriers, who brought the icon to the island in 2012.

‘It was good turnout,’ said Jack Rona, a former SP captain, who with Terry, whose father Paul died on the ship at Dunkirk, fought to have the memorial at Port St Mary.

He said the memorial is ‘fulfilling all we expected that it would do, people come from away to see it because of their connection.

‘I remembered Dunkirk happening and people on board the ship, some were lost, so many of them lived within sight of that anchor’.

Guests included Marie Adams, 84, the daughter of Jimmy Beckerleg, who was chief engineer on SP vessel the Manxman at Dunkirk during the evacuation.

Marie travelled from Foxfield, near Barrow.

Jimmy experienced the sinking of the City of Mysore during the First World War. And after Dunkirk, the Manxman did more dangerous evacuations from St Malo and Cherbourg. The Manxman was the last ship to leave Cherburg as the Germans advanced, headed by Rommel, who referred to her in his papers as the ‘cheeky two-funnel steamer’.

Jack didn’t realise it at the time, but during the service Terry passed away in hospital.

‘He died at the very time. There is something mysterious about that anchor.’

A by-election for Douglas’s Murrays ward is to be held to elect one member to Douglas Council.

The by-election will take place on Thursday, June 16.

There are three candidates nominated and they are: Falk Horning, of Woodville Terrace, Douglas; Kieran Lavery, of Springfield Avenue, Douglas, who is a semi-retired taxi driver; and Keith Teare, of Malvern Road, Douglas, who is a taxi driver.

Polling stations will be open on the day from 8am to 8pm.

There will be three polling stations and these are situated: at the Masonic Hall on Woodbourne Road, for the Albany polling district; MacFadyen Hall on Tromode Rooad, for the Garden City polling district; and at St Ninian’s High School for voters resident in the Somerset polling district.

The vacancy was created when Councillor Claire Wells transferred from Murrays ward to Hills ward in the last local authority elections in April.

A 32-year-old Ramsey man has been fined £1,000 after admitting crashing his car on the Mountain Road while almost twice the drink-drive limit.

David Lee Cleator, of Brookhill Road, pleaded guilty to a drink-driving charge and was also banned from driving for two years and ordered to pay £125 court costs.

Prosecutor Hazel Carroon told the court how, on May 20 at 2.10am, police were called to the Gooseneck on the Mountain Road after a report of an accident.

When they arrived they found Cleator sat in his Ford Transit Connect van with his head on the steering wheel.

The van was against a small wall with the engine still running and smashed glass on the passenger seat, where one of the windows had shattered.

The court heard Cleator smelt of alcohol, had glazed eyes and was slurring his words.

When an ambulance arrived, Cleator said: ‘But I haven’t crashed. I’m OK.’

A breath test at police headquarters recorded 69 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres - the legal limit is 35.

During a police interview Cleator gave a ‘no comment’ response to all questions.

Defending Cleator in court, advocate John Wright said that the facts were accepted as presented by the prosecution.

Mr Wright handed in two letters of reference on behalf of Cleator, and said: ‘Given the level of reading my client is expecting a substantial disqualification and understands he will have to retake his test.

‘He is well-respected and we would ask the court to look on this as a blip.

‘He went out and had accommodation arranged with friends. He has no idea why he didn’t stay, and got in his vehicle to drive home.

‘It is a matter of profound regret on his part and he has asked me to apologise on his behalf.’

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said: ‘Fortunately no injury was caused to yourself or anyone else.’

A display of 10 classic motorbikes – including a side car – is taking place in Port St Mary Town Hall’s west room until June 9 (open from 10.30am to 4.30pm except at the weekend, when it is closed).

Commissioners’ clerk Alastair Hamilton said it is hoped the display will attract visitors to the village, who will then support local businesses.

The display was opened by local resident Juan Clague, who is a vintage motorcycle enthusiast.

His two motorcycles – a BSA and an Ariel Square Four – are included and he believes the Ariel has never left Port St Mary throughout its 86 year life.

Commissioners’ chairman Bernadette Williams said: ‘Supporting our traders is key to having a successful village and in developing the town hall we have a suite of exhibition spaces that will attract visitors to the village. We are extremely fortunate to have the support of our local vintage motorcycle enthusiasts who have supplied the bikes that we have on display.

We are also delighted to be able to continue to support the Southern Befrienders by offering the opportunity to operate a limited catering facility at the event. This has truly been a community effort.’

The authority would welcome any motorbike-related memorabilia such as photographs or leathers to display with the bikes.

Exhibits include: a Honda CR93 successfully raced by Gary Dickinson – ‘the Mighty Atom’ – in the 1960s; a 1923 Rex Acme with a fascinating racing history; a 1919 Indian Power Plus; a 1927 Sunbeam Model 8; and 1970 Hewitt BSA Racing Outfit raced at the Pre-TT Classic on the Southern 100 course.

To contact the commissioners’ office, call 832101 or email a.hamilton@portstmary.gov.im

Last month has been the warmest May since the record-breaking May 2008, Ronaldsway Met Office has announced.

The temperature exceeded 20 degrees on five days, with both May 9 and May 12 seeing a maximum of 22 degrees.

Clear skies meant some chilly nights with a ground frost on four occasions, the lowest temperature on the grass being minus 1.2 degrees on May 15.

The Met Office statement went on to say it was a dry month with only 30.9mm of rain, around 40 per cent below normal.

There were 241 hours of bright sunshine recorded, compared to the long-term mean of 225 hours.

The last two days of the month were the sunniest with 15.3 hours each.

The mean wind speed measured 13.4 miles per hour, slightly above the May mean of 12.1 miles per hour.

The highest gusts of 40 miles per hour were recorded on May 1 and May 2.

There were three days with fog, a small hail shower on May 2 but no thunderstorms were observed.

A camaera was stolen from a car parked at Fenella beach in Peel on Tuesday.

The Canon EOS 5D MK 111 had an EF 20-300 lens attached when it was taken.

Anyone who has information about this incident should contact police headquarters on 631212.

A reward may be payable as a result of information received.

The rate of inflation remained unchanged last month.

As measured by the Consumer Prices Index, it stayed at minus 0.2 per cent and it was static at 3.8 per cent as measured by the Retail Prices Index. The biggest increases in prices were children’s clothes, air travel, maintenance charges and tea and potatoes. The biggest decreases were oil and other fuels.

This week’s Isle of Man Courier is available to read as an emagazine.

The papers are being delivered to almost 40,000 homes and businesses around the island today (Friday).

But we know many of our readers want to get access to the latest news and sport plus jobs, property and motors adverts as soon as possible.

Click this link and follow the simple instructions to turn pages and zoom in and out: Isle of Man Courier, June 3, 2016

To advertise in the Isle of Man Courier, or any Isle of Man Newspapers publication, call 670000 during office hours or email ads@newsiom.co.im

To get in touch with the newsdesk, call 695697 or email newsdesk@newsiom.co.im

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

Did you know you can now have a digital edition of the Isle of Man Examiner delivered to your email inbox? Subscribe or buy a single edition - it’s up to you. Find out more here: Isle of Man Examiner digital edition

The island’s new Lieutenant Governor, Sir Richard Gozney, and his wife Lady Diana cut the ribbon on a new sensory garden at Corrin Memorial Home, in Peel, on Saturday.

The garden opening coincided with afternoon tea and a fun day – to celebrate the Home’s 60th anniversary.

Sir Richard and Lady Diana took the time to chat with both staff and residents at the opening, including its oldest resident, 102-year-old Jimmy Clague.

The fun day saw children enjoying a bouncy castle and face painting.

A corporate golf day in aid of Cruse Bereavement Care Isle of Man has raised £8,500.

Held at Peel Golf Club, the event was sponsored for the fifth year in succession by Celton Manx and renamed The Mike Henthorn Cruse Memorial Golf Day in recognition of the late Mike Henthorn, a well respected and leading figure in the local business community, and a long-standing supporter and former vice-chairman of the charity.

Cruse Bereavement’s Sam Skelton said: ‘It’s testament to the affection in which Mike was held that the event this year attracted a record 22 teams.

‘He was a larger-than-life character and the instigator of the golf day. His memory lives on, though, with his son Mark working part-time for Cruse and his widow, Janet, presenting the prizes on the day.

‘The success of the golf day and the fantastic sum raised are also down to the generous support of Celton Manx. We’re extremely grateful for their sponsorship over the years, which has done so much to raise our profile.’

The charity’s patron, Geoff Karran, also thanked Celton Manx for their support and said he used to play golf with Mike Henthorn at Castletown. He spoke fondly of his late golfing partner’s ‘vast library of jokes and limericks’ and said: ‘Mike was the perfect “front man” for Cruse Bereavement Care. He was, quite simply, a legend in his lifetime.’

Ahead of joining Janet Henthorn to present the prizes Celton Manx executive director Bill Mummery said: ‘Mike Henthorn was a towering figure in business, a wonderful raconteur and a driving force at Cruse Bereavement Care Isle of Man. He will be greatly missed.

‘I am delighted that this charity, which is making great strides in changing attitudes towards bereavement and offering practical and emotional support to people at a time of loss, is benefiting from Celton Manx sponsorship.

‘Never before have smaller charities been so vital in helping to transform people’s lives and safeguarding the vulnerable. Government is struggling to balance its budgets, which are severely under pressure, so the third sector’s contribution to the wellbeing of the community is crucial. Charities like Cruse are closer to the people they serve, understand them more and can do things smarter, better and cheaper.

‘Usually it’s the practice of Celton Manx to offer a charity support for a maximum of five years.

‘We are, however, making an exception in this case and I am pleased to confirm our sponsorship of the Mike Henthorn Cruse Memorial Golf Day for 2017.’

Social housing tenants in Douglas are being reminded that under the terms of their tenancy agreement they are required to obtain the council’s written consent if they wish to provide visitor accommodation under the Homestay scheme.

The requirement also applies to tenants wishing to take in lodgers.

The term ‘lodger’ is defined as ‘any person other than a spouse/partner or dependent child/children who take up residency at the address over and above any reasonable temporary visit, for example, over four weeks in duration.’

Housing committee chairman David Ashford said: ‘Under most circumstances, permission will be granted, subject to the size of the property, the tenant registering with the Homestay operator and remaining in residence for the duration of the Homestay period.

‘The council is pleased to support the Homestay scheme; we view it as an effective way of encouraging more people to the Island and helping to boost the Manx visitor economy.’

The island’s passenger watchdog says there needs to be full public scrutiny of Steam Packet proposals before any decision is made on the future of ferry services.

Last week, the Steam Packet Company unveiled its offer to government which includes the pledge to invest £170m in new ships, port facilities and fare reductions.

John Pennington was TravelWatch’s representative on the strategic sea services working group, which spent several months looking at the Steam Packet’s original offer.

He said: ‘The offer has attractive features. But we are pressing for the full text of the offer to be made public. The devil is in the detail. This would be a long-term contract and there can be no room left for doubt or ambiguity in the terms.

‘The offer does not say how the level of special offer fares might be limited. What is to stop them being increased to just less than the quite expensive standard fares? We need clarification of the proposed revenue share scheme.

‘Also, we will be pressing for full details of the proposed Liverpool berth to be made public, as it would appear essential to agree the future of the Liverpool berth before any sensible agreement can be reached regarding the offer. There needs to be public scrutiny and informed debate before any decisions are made.’

Steam Packet chief executive Mark Woodward insists the company’s offer to government is a ‘compelling’ one.

It includes a commitment to invest in new vessels, increase year-round passenger capacity and introduce more special offers and a new frequent traveller scheme, if Tynwald gives its support. There would also be a revenue sharing deal with government.

And its offer talks of a strategic partnership to safeguard the future of the possible Liverpool route. It says this could include taking on a long-term lease over a new ferry terminal or part-funding the project.

Trade-based money laundering will be the subject of the Association of Corporate Service Providers’ seminar on Thursday, June 21.

Sponsored by DQ Advocates, the session will be with the Customs and Excise Division’s Ray Todd who will explain how trade-based money laundering disguises the origins and proceeds of crime and integrates illicit funds into the formal economy. Mr Todd will highlight the associated risks those engaged in legitimate international trade movements might encounter, offer advice on where to seek further information and assistance, and indicate whom to contact should incidences of trade-based money laundering be suspected.

The seminar will be at the Upper Hall, Loch Promenade Church, Douglas with registration at midday for a prompt 12.30pm start. Subject to the number of questions and contributions from the audience it is anticipated the event will finish around 1.30pm.

The seminar is free to staff of member firms and associate members of the ACSP.

For bookings contact Antonia King, aking@acsp.co.im

l DQAdvocates will be keeping a close eye on TT fortnight as the firm is continuing its ‘electric’ partnership with Belgian superbike brand Saroléa.

Following the success of the bike at the Isle of Man TT in 2015, where Saroléa, with rider Robert Wilson, became the first European constructor to break the magic ‘tonne’ in the TT Zero race, this formidable team has been working non-stop, building towards TT 2016 and the evolution of their electric superbike brand.

See more at: http://www.dq.im/about-us/team-sarolea

Isle of Man Post Office announced details of changes to its delivery and collection services for residential and commercial customers over TT week.

From tomorrow (Saturday) to Friday, June 10, on race days, deliveries to addresses on the course or where access is only possible via the course, will be significantly affected.

For areas that are inaccessible because of road closures, deliveries may take place on the day after the scheduled races.

If for any reason races are delayed the Post Office will attempt to deliver to these addresses prior to the roads closing on the succeeding day.

The Post Office will also endeavour to maintain normal collection times where possible however it is asking the public to be mindful of the potential for some disruption.

High traffic volumes, especially on race days, may cause some delays. On non-race days there will be a complete delivery of mail but there is a possibility of some delay as deliveries will include mail which was not able to be delivered the previous day.

Addresses within the TT course that are affected by the road closures were recently issued a letter from the Post Office explaining the specific arrangements and offering them the option to collect their mail from their local delivery office or make alternative arrangements.

For anyone not yet in receipt of this contact customer services on 664664.

With TT comes an increase in vehicle volumes and speed throughout the island and therefore, all postal staff will wear high visibility jackets and their vehicles will be equipped with rotating amber lights whilst carrying deliveries during TT week to ensure that motorists can clearly see them on the road. All post offices will be open as usual during TT week however, on Senior Race Day the following post offices will be closed:

l Ballasalla

l Crosby Terrace

l Governors Hill

l Jurby

l Kirk Michael

l Kirk Onchan

l Laxey

l Peel

l Port Erin

l Port St Mary

l Pulrose

l St Johns

l Sulby

l Windsor Road

l Union Mills

All other post offices will be open as normal with the exception of Kirk Andreas which will be open from 9am - 12.30pm.

A 33-year-old pregnant woman who concealed £8,590 worth of heroin internally has been jailed for four years and six months.

Louise Ann Creer, of Edremony, Port Erin, was arrested at the Sea Terminal on February 10 after arriving from Heysham.

She told police she had not known she was pregnant.

Creer said she had received a letter threatening her and her family if she did not go to McDonald’s in Liverpool and collect the drugs.

Police retrieved three packages weighing 19.84 grams, 32.71 grams and 33.35 grams, totalling 85.9 grams.

For the full story read Tuesday’s Examiner.

Hollywood actor Eric Bana has returned to the TT to support two-time TT winner and friend Cameron Donald as he takes on the world-famous course.

The Australian actor, 47, who starred as Bruce Banner in the 2003 film Hulk, is taking time out from his work schedule to watch the races in the island.

iomtoday caught up with him at the Grandstand yesterday afternoon (Thursday).

Eric said: ‘I was in London for work things so I just ducked over for a look, it’s good being here early in the week,’

This is the second time he has visited the island for TT and said it was a ’happy accident’ that he could find time to come to the races.

‘It’s always nice getting here ahead of race day so I’ll get a chance to really get out and have a look around, I didn’t get to do that last time.

‘I enjoy the spirit of the event, the history, the inherent danger and the fact it’s still going on - just everything about it!’

The famous actor, who recently starred alongside Ricky Gervais in ‘Special Correspondents’ which came out in April, first attended the TT four years ago.

Talking about this year’s races he said: ‘I’m looking forward to getting out and experiencing the island. I like the atmosphere of the TT, looking around all the workshops, talking to the mechanics, checking out the bikes up close and seeing the machinery here, and I’m hoping Cam does well.’

Fellow Australian Cameron is racing with Wilson Craig this year

‘I think if you’re a fan of the TT you respect all the riders,’ Eric said. ‘Everyone takes huge risks and I think everyone that appreciates motorsport appreciates the show they put on.’

Cameron Donald has won two TT races. He is originally from Victoria in Australia while Eric hails from Melbourne.

On his Twitter account Eric, who has more than 50,000 followers, profiles himself in this way: ‘All things 2 wheeled, 4 wheeled & occasionally 1 wheeled. Part time actor.’

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

TT fans can expect a feast of action on the telly over the coming week.

ITV 4 is the place to go to to watch the action unfold.

Already this week there have been warm-up documentaries on Ian Hutchinson and sidecar superstars.

Most programmes are due to air at 9pm.

Around 40 crew members from Royal Navy ship HMS Ramsey will visit the island tomorrow (Saturday) to marshal the TT Superbike race.

The Royal Navy sailors will help marshal on the Mountain Course from the TT Grandstand to the bottom of Bray Hill, and also in other areas of the course on Monday and Tuesday.

The mine hunter ship will berth in Victoria Pier, Douglas, and crew members will spend a week in the island with the Ramsey Royal Navy Association.

On Sunday the Isle of Man Combined Cadet Force from King William’s College, along with members from the local Scout troop, will visit the ship and on Monday crew members will have the chance to be driven around the TT course in a convoy of supercars featuring Ferraris, McLarens and Porches.

The drivers will then be welcomed on board HMS Ramsey for a official reception and capability demonstration, which will coincide with the Red Arrows display.

In addition, a Captain’s lunch with VIP guests will take place on the day as well as a visit from the Isle of Man Sea Cadets unit, TS Manxman.

Lieutenant Commander Jim Blythe, commanding officer of the ship, said: ‘As I near the end of my time in command, I am immensely proud to be bringing HMS Ramsey alongside her spiritual home for such a superb occasion.

‘It promises to be an exciting and rewarding week for all members of my ship’s company and the perfect opportunity to cement our links with the island.’

Well-known former assistant head teacher, senior education adviser and local commissioner Paul Craine has announced he will stand as a candidate for Middle in September’s general election.

Mr Craine first entered local politics as a commissioner for Marown in 2007 and served the parish for nine years, five of those years as chairman or vice-Chairman.

He stood for the House of Keys in Middle in the 2011 general election and received well over 500 votes.

He recently published the ‘Isle of Man Population Atlas’.

At the all-island level, Mr Craine sees the economy and population as the issues that really should dominate the election.

He said: ‘The Isle of Man has been through an extraordinarily difficult time. After five years of spending cuts and new forms of taxation we still have an annual deficit of £75m and evidence of population decline. These key issues underlie everything else.

‘We need level-headed people who understand the issues and care about the outcomes. There are going to be some tough decisions to be made.’

He added: ‘I believe that we need MHKs who prioritise good, caring constituency work but, in the island’s current situation, we need MHKs who can offer much more than that. I have a good understanding of both local and national government, and I know that no-one will work harder to represent the people of Middle.’

At the last election, he identified planning as the number one issue for Middle. He said he will make it one of his top priorities to ensure that the Eastern Area Plan meets local needs in Middle.

Mr Craine is married to Ann and they have lived in Middle since 1984 - 16 years in Union Mills and 16 years in Glen Vine. They have two married daughters.