Onchan Flower Club will be holding a ‘Meet the Club’ event where people can learn how they create their flower arrangements.
They will give step by step demonstrations and the arrangements will be put up for raffle.
It will take place at Onchan Methodist Church on Tuesday at 7.30pm. Tickets are £3 on the door.
Damage to a dry stone wall in Port St Mary has cost £3,000 in repairs – and now the local authority is appealing for information about the perpetrator.
The wall, which runs by the golf course on Fistard Road, has suffered from a series of attacks in which its capstones have been pushed in.
Information can be given to commissioners’ clerk Alastair Hamilton, phone 832101 or the police, phone 822222.
A 24-year-old man who smashed four shop windows in Strand Street has been sentenced to 200 hours’ community service.
Ben David Moss, of Reginald Mews, admitted causing £4,410.44 worth of damage during the drunken rampage.
Prosecutor Hazel Carroon told the court how, on January 11, police received a report from the Spar shop in Strand Street that someone had damaged their front window.
When officers attended they received a number of other reports from Superdrug, Clinton’s Cards and the former site of Jessops, that their windows had been broken too.
CCTV footage was viewed by police which showed a man making his way down Strand Street at around 12.30am.
He was kicking doors and windows as he went, crossing from one side of the street to the other.
When he reached Spar shop he picked up an orange traffic cone and threw it at the window.
The footage then showed the man go to the Isle of Man Bank cash machine before getting into a taxi.
Moss was identified and police searched his home, finding a dark hooded top and grey trousers similar to ones worn by the man in the footage.
Bank transactions were also analysed and showed that it was Moss’s card that had been used to withdraw cash at 12.30am at the Strand Street machine.
Moss was shown the CCTV footage by police during an interview but said it was not him in the video and that he had no knowledge of the broken windows.
He was then told about the bank transaction information and asked for the interview to be stopped.
Moss pleaded guilty in court to four charges of destroying property.
Defending him in court advocate David Reynolds said: ‘On that date he had had difficulties with his partner and found that she was pregnant. They had decided to give each other space to think about the future. He went out to Quids Inn to try to forget about what was going on.
‘He was very boisterous, it was out of character. He was very shocked when he saw the CCTV. He wasn’t intent on causing damage but accepts he was reckless.
‘He wants to compensate the owners.’
Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said: ‘It wasn’t boisterous it was appalling. Your behaviour was shocking. It must have been shocking for the shopkeepers who came to work the next morning and had to clean up. It was drunken disorderly behaviour on a spectacular scale in terms of the Isle of Man.’
Moss caused £2,026.80 worth of damage to Clinton’s Cards, £409.19 to Superdrug, £1,800.45 to Spar and £174 to Jessops.
This was the scene after a car overturned following a collision on Central Promenade in Douglas.
It happened just before midnight last night (Saturday).
The promenade was partially blocked.
The two occupants of the car had managed to free themselves before emergency services arrived.
Police said there were no injuries ‘just a shaken pet rabbit’.
A fourth island recipient of the Queen’s Birthday Honours has been named.
Diane Margaret Haigh has been awarded the MBE for services to young people in the Isle of Man and West Yorkshire through Guiding.
She joins Rosemary Mazzone who receives the British Empire Medal, Chief Minister Allan Bell who receives the CBE and Tynwald President Clare Christian who is awarded the OBE.
Police are investigating a hit-and run incident involving a Manx registered camper van.
It happened last Monday at about 8.15am when a camper van hit a parked car on Primrose Terrace in Port St Mary, causing substantial damage to the passenger side of the car.
Witnesses saw the camper van leave the village along Bay View Road.
Police only released details of the incident at the weekend.
A spokesman said: ‘Police are pursuing several lines of enquiry surrounding the collision, in addition to these enquiries anyone who was in the area who has seen or heard anything are urged to come forward and assist in the investigation.
‘The car has suffered substantial damage as can be seen in the photograph, which will cost the owner a significant amount of money to repair, not to mention the distress and inconvenience it has caused the owner.’
Anyone with information should contact Castletown police station on 822222.
A thought-provoking and visually stimulating display of students’ art, craft, design and photography was unveiled at Ramsey Grammar School last week.
The exhibition comprises the artwork of the school’s GCSE, AS and A level students and is on display until the moderation process has been completed.
Head of arts Gerry Quinn praised the high standard of the work, saying ‘a number of pieces stood out and would not be out of place in some of our more prestigious galleries on the island or in London’.
He said: ‘What is evident in this exhibition is the level of academic and intellectual standing of the work, it is thought-provoking, challenging and visually stimulating to the viewer.
‘The work is comprised of a variety of mediums exploring a range of topics and themes from still life, cultural art, African and Asian masks, outline, from above to landmarks,’ he added.
‘There is on display an exciting range of technical, academic and creative skills, highlighting links to a range of artists and various cultures.
‘Clearly visible through the work was reference to artists such as Bridget Riley, Van Gogh, Patrick Heron, Michael Craig Martin, Juan Gris as well as The Boyle Family, to name but a few.
‘Pupils employed a variety of mediums, demonstrating technical abilities and competence beyond expectations, working to their strengths.
‘It was clear to see from the outcomes they were motivated and confident in their approach to creating imaginative and personal responses and encouraging to see pupils with a real purpose and passion for art.’
Philippa Li was awarded the prize for best year 13 art student. She created work with links to Antonio Gaudi and the designs of William Morris, exploring subject matter with reference to organic forms, creating a sense of fluidity and movement, influenced by nature.
Peter Enwright was awarded the prize for best year 13 photography student.
Head of photography Stuart Curran said Peter developed his skills over two years and in year 13 ‘truly began to find his own style’, creating large photographs, layering images of landscapes and people and adding mixed media to create a ‘canvas of vibrant colour and effect’.
The prizes are sponsored by Ramsey Rotary Club.
The Young Vic’s production of A View From The Bridge will be screened at King William’s College’s Kings Court Theatre.
The screening takes place on Monday, June 20 at 7.15pm.
The stunning production of Arthur Miller’s tragic masterpiece confronting the American dream won a trio of 2014 Olivier Awards including best revival, best actor (Mark Strong) and best director (Ivo van Hove).
It’s returning to screens now due to demand. Tickets cost £14, £11 for concessions and £4 for students under 18.
Mozart’s dramatic masterpiece Don Giovanni demands a grand setting.
So it’s only fitting that the Narropera trio will be staging the final part of their three-venue island festival at the Gaiety Theatre.
Acclaimed soprano Dorothee Jansen, her husband pianist and manager Haydn Rawstron, and talented violinist Hanns-Heinz Odenthal have already captivated island audiences at the Erin Arts Centre and Peel’s Centenary Centre with their production of Marriage of Figaro.
They will be performing at the Gaiety Theatre on Saturday, July 9.
The concept they have developed sees beautiful singing of arias from several of the opera’s characters, clear story telling and insight into the historical and social background.
And it has proved a hit in several countries, including New Zealand and Germany.
Haydn told Island Life that he was hopeful that residents – from opera lovers to those with much to learn – would turn out in support.
‘It’s been highly successful in the two venues that we used for Marriage of Figaro,’ he said.
‘We had 18 people sat on the stage with us in Port Erin and while we didn’t sell out in Peel, we did have more than any show in its history.
‘Bearing in mind we have the most popular of all Mozart’s operas, the time of the year, the love of the place and, quite simply, the quality of Dorothee as a singer, it will be disappointing it we don’t sell out.
‘All of these things have to be in our favour.’
Dorothee is considered among German singers to possess one of the most beautiful voices of her generation, and Haydn said the Gaiety audience would be in for a treat.
‘Dorothee’s voice has been trained for that sort of space rather than the slightly smaller places we have been performing to so far,’ he said.
‘It’s not to say her voice doesn’t suit the Erin Arts Centre or Centenary Centre, it does. But really the size of the Gaiety invites one to use the voice to its full potential.’
Haydn described Don Giovanni as a ‘beautiful piece and a great story’. Don Giovanni makes a move on any woman and jilts his lovers.
‘He’s not someone you would want your daughter to introduce – or your wife!’.
Haydn said the character was both a hero and an anti-hero: ‘In a world that was so constricted by moral laws and moral expectations and all sorts of constrictions left, right and centre, he’s really the supreme figure of freedom and liberty.’
Haydn said each of the operas they have presented as narropera have presented challenges, and Don Giovanni was no exception.
‘It takes many months to develop them, and I have known them inside out for many years,’ he said.
‘Don Giovanni was my set work at Oxford as an undergraduate and I have worked with Don Giovanni throughout my life.
Tickets cost £19.50 for adults, £12.50 for under 16s.
To book, call 600555, visit the Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal or go to www.villagaiety.com
Year 10 students from St Ninian’s High School are the first school to benefit from a scheme supported by HSBC.
It’s All About Money is a half-day programme run by Manx charity Junior Achievement, the aim of which is to teach young people how to become financially capable adults.
A team of 14 business volunteers worked with seven classes to cover important topics such as how to manage a bank account, protection against identity theft, how not to fall victim to a scam, the pitfalls of payday loans and the importance of budgeting and saving.
Junior Achievement chief executive Sue Cook said: ‘3,000 students are set to benefit from this programme over the next three years.
‘It’s important that we introduce young people to the essentials of personal finance and equip them with the skills to navigate the complex area of financial products and services.
‘At Junior Achievement we aim to prepare young people not only for the world of work but also to teach them the skills that will help them to realise their potential so they’re able to benefit from as wide a choice of career opportunities as possible.
‘It’s All About Money is a core component of our work and thanks to a three-year partnership agreement with HSBC we can deliver this essential programme free of charge to every Year 10 student in the island.’
Year 10 students are aged 14 and 15.
HSBC Isle of Man senior manager Kevin Cartledge said: ‘HSBC is delighted to support Junior Achievement with this It’s all About Money project.
‘Our commitment to education is all about investing in the future of young people and through Junior Achievement we can help young people to build their confidence and understand the importance of money management.
‘An added benefit is our employees giving their time, sharing their enthusiasm and skills to encourage young people in the Isle of Man prepare for the world of work.
‘Our employees have shown so much enthusiasm for supporting such educational programmes and some will voluntarily help facilitate the sessions.’
Junior Achievement is a member of Junior Achievement Europe which works with 31,380 schools, with the help of 116,687 teachers and 164,363 business volunteers to empower 3,454,750 million students across 39 countries.
To find out more about Junior Achievement programmes and how you can become a volunteer contact Sue Cook, 666266 or visit www.jaiom.im
The annual Flower Festival puts the Isle of Man on the map.
That’s according to Culture Vannin vice-chairman Geoff Corkish, who was speaking at the launch of the event at Onchan Elim Church.
The festival runs from Sunday, July 3, to Saturday, July 9 – Manx National Week – and 19 venues are taking part this year, on the theme of Supporting Achievement.
Mr Corkish said his involvement with the Isle of Man Flower Festival, which is supported by Culture Vannin and Connect2Charity, was one of his favourite tasks.
‘MHKs and MLCs get all kinds of jobs and this is one of the nice ones,’ he said.
‘The whole initiative of the Flower Festival is tremendous because it is a community event.
‘There will be people all over the adjacent Isle and probably further afield who are now preparing themselves to come to the Isle of Man because of the Flower Festival.’
He added: ‘It is a great community effort and also great profiling for the Isle of Man. It puts the Isle of Man on the map.’
He praised the ‘tremendous artistic talents’ of those who create the displays.
Committee member Jean Clifton thanked sponsors, including Shoprite and Friends Provident International and many businesses that support the displays at a particular venue.
And she thanked the committee members for their efforts, especially chairman Judy Matthews.
Manx National Heritage is involved in this year’s event, with both the Grove Museum near Ramsey and the Old Grammar School in Castletown among the festival venues.
In fact, following repairs and conservation work, the Old Grammar School is opening up especially for the Flower Festival.
Its displays will include a celebration of head teacher J. T. Whiksey, who supported achievement, encouraging many of his pupils from the Grammar School to take the King William’s College entrance exam to gain a scholarship.
Douglas councillor Raina Chatel has been elected as president of the Isle of Man Municipal Association.
Douglas Council hosted the annual general meeting at the Meadows Pavilion Restaurant.
Vivien Quane was re-elected as chairman with Rob Callister taking over as vice-chairman from David Talbot.
Peter Hill was re-elected as treasurer and Ian Lowey as auditor.
Graham Connor was appointed as secretary.
Flowers were presented to long-serving secretary Barbara Dunworth who formally retired that evening and will be greatly missed by the membership. Flowers were also presented to Vivien in appreciation of her commitment over the past two years.
Guest speaker Archdeacon the Venerable Andrew Brown gave an amusing speech on his passion for football, his time living in Manchester and 55 minutes of his life that he will never get back thanks to a debate by Douglas Council on handrails.
The association thanked the over 50 guests for bringing raffle prizes and making it a ‘fantastic evening’.
The association was formed over 100 years ago to provide a forum of local authorities.
The government is seeking a private sector partner to provide long-term management for the disposal of problem waste.
Expressions of interest are currently being invited from companies with the ability to manage incinerator bottom ash, potentially-contaminated harbour silt and certain non-combustible materials.
The Department of Infrastructure is exploring options to ensure there is adequate capacity to meet demand over the next 10 to 15 years.
Companies will need to demonstrate they have the experience, resources and technical competence to provide the required services.
This is likely to include the provision of an engineered landfill site licensed to accept problem waste, although the department says it is willing to consider any solutions that are cost-effective and environmentally sound.
Wrights Pit North landfill site in Bride, which is scheduled to close in 2019, currently handles the disposal of problem waste, including material such as asbestos and plasterboard that cannot be accepted at the Energy from Waste Plant.
Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne said: ‘We are seeking to identify companies that have, or will have, facilities that could contribute to our long-term waste management plans.’
A Prior Information Notice has been published to start the process to look at potential options. Organisations are invited to register initial interest by July 1.
A campaign has been launched to revive a ferry link between the Isle of Man and Fleetwood.
Fleetwood Weekly News has reported that a petition has been set up by Manx businessman Steve England which has gathered 1,630 signatures.
A Facebook campaign group has also been set up to support the move and has attracted 9,237 members.
There are currently questions over the future of passenger ferry sailings between the island and Liverpool with plans to move the Steam Packet’s landing stage from Albert Dock to Waterloo Dock, half a mile away.
Port bosses the Peel Group are in discussions with the Isle of Man government over the £15m plans, which could see work start on the Waterloo Dock site in around 12 months time.
Mr England, who runs a maritime security business, plans to present the petition to the Manx government once 2,500 signatures has been reached and he told Fleetwood Weekly News: ‘If the Manx berth at Liverpool is having to be moved and the Isle of Man asked to pay, I think it is time to look for a viable north west port elsewhere and Fleetwood could be the answer.
‘It is in the perfect location to offer a fast service between the island and the north west of England and there is a historical link between the two.
‘Obviously what needs to be looked at is the cost of upgrading Fleetwood, the cost of dredging and question of the dredging licence, and how these can be paid and by whom.
‘The Steam Packet currently has a monopoly of sailings from the island and has £170 million to invest in two new vessels and services.
‘This could be an opportunity to even have Fleetwood replace Heysham’s freight service with the island as well, and use one port instead of two.
‘I am asking as many people as possible to sign the petition, even those who have doubts it can happen. We have nothing to lose and potentially a lot to gain.’
The petition claims that benefits would include, new jobs created, a fast efficient service (94 minutes as opposed to two hours 45 minutes to Liverpool), easier access to motorways such as the M6, M60, M180 and M1, quicker access to tourist and business hubs such as Manchester, Leeds, Scotland, Liverpool and the Midlands, quicker access to the north east coast if travelling to Europe, faster delivery of goods and services potentially boosting the Manx economy and, increased footfall with faster services.
We asked the Isle of Man Steam Packet to respond but were told no one was available to comment on the issue.
The petition can be found and signed online at www.change.org by searching under ‘Manx ferry’.
The Mountain Road will be closed from 9.30am until 4.30pm today (Monday).
The closure will allow work to take place as the route is set to return to two-way traffic from this evening.
The Mountain Road has been one-way from Ramsey Hairpin to Creg-ny-Baa for the past fortnight during the TT festival, which ended on Saturday.
A consultation is being held to seek the views of the public on proposals to develop social care services for older people over the next five years.
A document outlining the Department of Health and Social Care’s commissioning intentions has been published as part of the consultation exercise.
It sets out how the Department intends to provide, purchase and influence services to meet the needs and aspirations of older people from this year to 2021. It also identifies gaps in the current provision and the Department’s intentions to address these.
In 2012 the Department began implementing plans to develop services for older people by focusing on creating more community based care options.
Cath Hayhow, director of Adult Social Care, said they want to develop these services, which include the Reablement Service and the Dementia Care Team.
Minister for Health and Social Care, Howard Quayle MHK, said: ‘With increasing life expectancies, the island boasts an ageing population, something we can be proud of as a key measure of a community’s quality of life.
‘This does, however, pose challenges for our community in how we care for more people for longer. We must ensure that we have the right care, at the right time, in the right place. Our plans for the future of social care services for older people are important and so the wider community’s feedback is both welcome and valued.’
To view the consultation documents visit www.gov.im/dhsc/consultations.gov
Comments must be submitted by Monday, July 18 to Adult Social Care Older People’s Services - A Plan for the Future of Services, Department of Health and Social Care, 3rd Floor, Markwell House, Market Street, Douglas, IM1 2RZ or via email to rebalancing@gov.im
Alanna Cowley may only have joined York-based electro band Grinny Grandad in March.
But the 24-year-old is delighted that she will be performing with the band at Glastonbury playing alongside the likes of Muse, Adele and Coldplay.
The three-piece will be appearing on the Shangri Hell stage at a date and time to be confirmed.
‘It’s unbelievable,’ she said.
‘This time last year I was playing open mic nights in Peel and Douglas, and now the band is warming up to perform at the largest greenfield festival in the world!
‘Mo [Chris Morton], the founder of Grinny Grandad, performed at Glastonbury 2008 in a former Grinny Grandad line up, but neither me nor drummer Jonny [Smith] have ever been.’
She added: ‘We are lucky to be managed by Finger Lickin’ Management, who had contacts that liked the sound of our music. We still can’t believe it!’
Growing up, Alanna was a regular competitor in the Guild and performed in some shows on the island.
She started performing more when her dad, Dave McLean, encouraged her to start singing jazz and blues when she was about 18.
‘We often performed as both a duo and in a band of talented local musicians,’ she said.
‘Alongside this I also performed with friend and pianist Llinos Ellis, doing pop and jazz covers and originals, and in a songwriting duo with guitarist Iain Taylor.’
Alanna admits things have moved ‘pretty quickly’ since moving to York in October.
She is looking forward to playing at Beat-Herder festival in July, where Grinny Grandad has an annual slot and have some support gigs lined up for up and coming artist Kymberley Kennedy.
They are currently planning a tour in October to promote the release of their new singles and album that will be out later this year.
And that’s not all – the band have just signed a world-wide record deal to electro-swing enthusiasts Freshly Squeezed.
‘They’re a brilliant record label/publisher with some great artists on board, not to mention the hosts of some fantastic events,’ she said. ‘We are all very excited to see where Freshly Squeezed takes us.’
Grinny Grandad has been performing for 10 years. Their music incorporates various styles from swing to funk to dubstep and everything in between.
The Manx Rainbow Association is staging a vigil this evening at 6pm following the weekend’s terrorist shootings in Orlando, Florida.
It will be held in the sunken gardens on Douglas promenade, near to the RNIL memorial, and attendees are asked to wear bright/rainbow-themed clothing.
All welcome.
For further information, contact organiser Lee Vorster at lee@manxrainbow.com
If your unable to attend but want to help, a Go Fund page has been set up to assist with medical fees and financial assistance for the victims of this terrible events. Visit: https://www.gofundme.com/PulseVictimsFund
Former councillor Stan Cain has died.
Mr Cain, who stepped down as councillor for Athol ward recently, was mayor of Douglas in the year 2014 to 2015 and was a council employee from 1989 to 2008.
He died on Sunday June 12 as a result of injuries sustained in a fall while visiting family in the UK. A council statement said the announcement was made ‘with deep sadness’.
Council leader David Christian said: ‘We are all shocked to learn of Stan’s death. Stan was a devoted family man and much loved by his wife Sheila and family.
‘As a councillor, he was a committed representative of the people of Athol ward to whom he gave a voice and visibility in council. As mayor, with the support of Sheila as mayoress, Stan was enormously proud to serve as the first citizen of Douglas, a role he took on with boundless enthusiasm and one I know he cherished long after he handed over his chain of office to his successor.
‘Stan will be greatly missed by all of us and our thoughts are with Sheila, his two sons, two daughters, two stepsons, 16 grandchildren, four great grandchildren and his family and many friends at this sad time.’
A collection of nearly 50 plays written in Manx dialect is being released online.
The plays, identified in the archive of Michael Players, are by some of the most important writers of the 20th century, including Kathleen Faragher, Mona Douglas, Christopher Shimmin, J. J. Kneen, Juan Noa, P. W. Caine and W. B. Meyrick.
Most are in their original manuscript form as written by the playwright, often with handwritten notes and corrections. They include some that were previously unheard of and others that were thought lost.
Funded by Culture Vannin, the plays are being transcribed and released for free online on the ManxLiterature website. The first batch is available online now: six short comic plays by J. J. Kneen.
The titles of the plays are A Lil Smook, Ann, Cooking his Goose, Johnny Jem Beg Puts up for the Keys, Magpies and Puttin’ up the Banns.
A quote from Ann includes Mrs Kermode saying: ‘Houl thee tongue, Jem, an’ don’t have so much to say. I didn’t think thou’d understand, Minister. Men haven’t got as much intelligence as woman, but the craythurs can’t help it, I suppose.’
Culture Vannin director Breesha Maddrell described the collection as an ‘incredibly important resource for Manx culture’.
Michael Players has been in continuous existence since the 1950s and are well-known for their annual Oie’ll Verree concerts at Kirk Michael’s Ebeneezer Hall. Their collection of plays was built up over the past 50 years.
The group’s director, Roy Kennaugh, said: ‘For us the focus has always been on performance, so it is wonderful to be able to share these scripts with other groups of actors.
‘It is also wonderful to know that we’ve also had a part in preserving the plays themselves and the work of some great Manx writers.’
James Franklin of ManxLiterature.com said: ‘It is difficult to imagine a more important find. In terms of Manx literature, it would be hard to estimate the importance of the collection.’
See the collection of plays at http://manxliterature.com/the-michael-players-collection/