THERE was a good turnout to Port St Mary Lifeboat’s carol service.

The event was held at the lifeboathouse on Sunday afternoon, and as well as carol singing, there was mulled wine and mince pies.

After the service, 18 crew members were presented with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal, which was commissioned to mark the Queen’s 60-year reign.

The official medal has been awarded this year to those in the Armed Forces and emergency services (paid, retained and voluntary), as well as to prison service personnel.

Crew members who received the medal were: David Kneen, Johnny Williams, Richard Leigh, Robert Caren, Morgan Guy, Andy Green, Mark Jackson, Michael Keggen, Tom Keggen, Michael Kneale, Jenni Kneale, Brian Kelly, Mark Pendlebury, Antony Pitt, Paul Fell, Alex Blackford, Gareth Watt and David Richards.

Meanwhile, Russell Armstrong, chairman of the PSM lifeboat committee, has issued an urgent plea for a volunteer to help with the running of Lifeboat Day, being held in Port St Mary on Sunday, July 28, 2013.

‘To run Lifeboat Day we need the help of lots of people in Port St Mary. We need chairs, tables, marquees, catering equipment etc.

‘We have an established line of contact to obtain all these items but we need someone to liaise with the loan of the equipment beforehand, to arrange collection and ensure they are safely returned at the end of the day.

‘This person would assist with transport, arrange the equipment distribution on site and co-ordinate and assist with collection and return.’

He said that the work beforehand was purely administrative but the work on the day would be of a practical nature and ‘makes for a long day as the person would be first to arrive and last to leave’.

The committee is also looking for a volunteer to update the A4 posters for printing by RNLI, as well as organising, printing, distributing and collecting large posters for strategic locations.

Mr Armstrong said he would also be keen to hear from any volunteers to help the Ladies Guild and Fundraising Station Branch, or anyone interested in becoming a member of the crew.

We have so many worthy causes on our wonderful island and not unnaturally we all need more help to assist in the running of events to help with fundraising,’ he said.

‘I am sure everyone on Isle of Man is very familiar with the work of RNLI – this is well demonstrated by the generosity shown in the monies raised to support this worthy cause on the Isle of Man.’

To find out more about these roles, call Russell Armstrong on 832058/495625 or email {mailto:r.l.armstrong@manx.net|r.l.armstrong(at)manx.net}

TREASURY Minister Eddie Teare MHK believes the island is already reaping the rewards of its partnership with Pinewood Shepperton.

Treasury signed an agreement in October to transfer management of the £25 million film and television investment fund to Pinewood Film Advisors Ltd for an initial five years – and to buy 9.89 per cent shareholding in Pinewood Shepperton plc at a cost of £12,230,000, funded out of reserves.

The deal continues to prove controversial.

Mr Teare said there was a number of exciting projects in the pipeline for 2013 and beyond.

As well as hosting Hollywood blockbusters and UK independent films, Pinewood’s facilities are also in demand for a wide range of television and creative projects.

A long-term contract has recently been agreed to broadcast BBC1’s flagship Saturday night National Lottery show from purpose-built studios at Pinewood, starting on 1 January, 2013.

Mr Teare said: ‘Pinewood is set to play a part in several joint film productions in the New Year and is also attracting a lot of high-profile TV business, as demonstrated by the tie-up with Camelot and the BBC for the National Lottery programme.

‘It is clear that the company has a very healthy order book and plans for further expansion and growth.

‘Our partnership with Pinewood means the Isle of Man is well placed to benefit from this success, both as a shareholder and through investments made via the Media Development Fund.

‘Our link with Pinewood gives the Isle of Man exposure to the full spectrum of media and wider creative industries.

‘Films are obviously a key part of its core business, but the company is also focused on diversifying into other growth areas and is investing in the future with confidence.

‘This sits well with the Isle of Man Government’s strategy of developing niche sectors.’

RESURFACING and reconstruction plans will mean a number of New Year road closures for Ramsey.

The Department of Infrastructure has announced intentions to undertake resurfacing work at the Ramsey Hairpin, which it says will necessitate a road closure.

The proposed works will include stripping the top surface, re-laying the tarmac and leaving it at least overnight to allow the surface to cure – due to the geometry of the corner large vehicles could damage the road surface if allowed to use it before it has properly cured.

The Ramsey Chamber of Commerce has advised the commissioners that the preference would be for a mid-week closure as Saturdays are the busiest day for shops, and that a closure in February would have least adverse impact.

Meanwhile, Lezayre Road from Parliament Square to Bircham Avenue will be closed for construction for 18 weeks from January 7 to May 10.

During the closure the alternative route for all traffic will be via Bircham Avenue and Station Road.

The closure will impact upon day to day access to properties, and contingency plans for the weekly refuse collection service are being drawn up.

Meanwhile, works on the main Mooragh Park carriageway – suspended for Christmas since December 21 – will start again on January 7. Ramsey commissioners reported that work on the kerbing, sub base works and tarmac surfacing have progressed satisfactorily.

The contractor, Auldyn Construction Ltd is nearing the completion of the first phase of the works which commenced at the southern entrance to the park to a point north of the internal car park entrance, as the base coat of tarmac has been carried out and the top coat laid in mid-December.

The second phase of works will immediately follow the first phase, however access to the Lakeside Centre has been maintained. The commissioners reported communications between Auldyn and the Close Nursery and Lakeside Centre café have been continuing to ensure that any problems are resolved quickly. The contract is programmed to be completed in February 2013.

A TRIBUTE to the late astronomer and broadcaster Sir Patrick Moore will be combined with a talk by chairman of the Isle of Man Astronomical Society Howard Parkin at the Henry Bloom Noble Library, in Douglas, on Wednesday, January 16.

Acknowledged as fearlessly eccentric and an inspiration to astronomers the world over, Sir Patrick was patron of the Isle of Man Astronomical Society and had visited the island on a number of occasions.

Mr Parkin has called his talk The Manx Night Sky 2013 and will include reminiscences about the monocle-wearing presenter of the BBC’s The Sky At Night, a show Sir Patrick hosted for more than 50 years.

The talk will build on BBC 2’s ‘Stargazing Live’ programmes being broadcast on January 8, 9 and 10 in 2013 – three days of live stargazing.

The talk will start at 7.30pm followed by a question and answer session.

Tickets are free and to be collected in advance from the ground floor counter of the library of The Henry Bloom Noble Library, 10-12 Victoria Street, Douglas, phone 696461.

TWO men took to their bicycles to cover the 85 mile Parish Walk route raising funds for Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association.

Andrew Wright, of Glen Park, Douglas and Graham Mitchell, Glen Helen, have recently conquered the cycle along the Parish Walk route, which takes on the length and breadth of the island, at this time of year, is quite a feat.

Their fantastic achievement also managed to raise £567 for Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association.

Andy explained that in an attempt to help raise money for a dearly departed family member, Pat Parsonage, Graham and he decided it would be a good idea to cycle a route they had only joked about before.

‘We are all, at some point in our lives, touched by cancer; so to donate to this great cause is fantastic,’ he said.

‘While the world was sleeping and the sky was black, we turned up at the NSC at 7.30am. Six hours later, we made one final sprint along the prom, using the last of our reserves, to cross the end at the War Memorial [in Douglas].’

‘Everything that happened in between was equally great fun and agonisingly brutal, but our pain however would be worthless without the kindness and generosity of the people who sponsored us. And as a famous cyclist once said: “Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever”,’ added Andy.

The money raised for Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association will be used in a variety of ways – the charity is involved in various island-based initiatives, such the Staywell Cervical Screening Clinic, Psycho-Oncology Counselling Service, and various cancer awareness projects. They also raise money to fund research into cancer, its treatment and prevention.

For more information about Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association, visit {http://www.iomaca.org.im.iomaca.org.im} or phone 252725.

This week, Cat Turner, secretary of IoM Friends of the Earth, finds that creative recycling can give even old tyres a rebirth.

Used tyres: not the most inspiring candidate for recycling, you’d think – but with a little imagination, they can get used for all sorts of things. Farmers use them for weighting down tarpaulins, low carbon builders fill them with rammed earth to make beautiful and liveable homes known as ‘earthships’, and lots and lots of people use them as planters.

I can recall seeing Laxey school put small columns of them to great use as raised potato beds, easily dismantled when the children needed to harvest their produce.

All commendable stuff, but not really making big inroads into the huge numbers discarded every day of the year, the world over.

And there are billions of them, amassing in stockpiles all over the place.

To be sure, the situation’s improving. Back in 1990, only about 17 per cent of the tyres discarded each year were reprocessed into something else of use (including energy, when burned in power plants).

That number has improved massively – nowadays, around 80 per cent of the world’s discarded tyres end up being ‘chipped’ into rubber granules and chunks, for use in playgrounds (the nice squishy-but-firm surface your child lands on after plummeting from the climbing frame), combined into aspalt, made into low-grade rubber materials or burned as a low-cost fuel.

Now, however, the stuff’s finding its way into much higher-value products.

This is because after being flash-frozen and then pulverized into a fine powder, the rubber from old tyres can be a valuable (but cheap – really cheap – and clean) ingredient in just about everything you can think of, from plastics to automobile parts.

It’s great news – in part because it lowers the cost of stuff, but mostly because it saves having to get more oil out of the ground to make those products, and so helps make a significant dent in the world’s carbon footprint.

And that’s crucial, as the effects of climate change begin to really hurt the world’s economies and ecologies.

It’s a double-win for the environment too, being an example of what’s known as ‘closed-loop’ industrial system thinking.

This sounds complicated, but it’s just the term used for any production system in which the waste or byproduct of one process/product gets used to make something else.

Industrial ecosystems thinking is a way of comparing commercial production systems to what’s going on in the biosphere, and trying to learn from it and work in sympathy with it, and closed loop production is an elegant example of it at its best – just as in the natural environment, plant material gets eaten by animals, and the resulting animal waste ends up fertilizing the soil that in return nourishes the plants.

Tyres might look dull and utilitarian – but tyre rubber is actually a pretty sophisticated blend of natural and synthetic rubbers, plus something like a dozen other chemicals.

If you see it as a low-grade, low-tech commodity, then its worthwhile uses are quite limited and low value (ie, the planters and playground surfaces we spoke about before).

But once you take a closer look at what tyres are actually made of (ie, they’re a brilliant cheap source of complex polymers), they become much more interesting. Using the methods I mentioned above, it’s possible to convert them into amazingly fine powders – as small as 50 microns, which is narrower than a human hair – for making everything from plastics to automobile parts, significantly more cheaply than is the case where those things are derived from natural or synthetic rubber.

And eventually, of course, the goal is to ‘close the loop’ on old tyres.

One company involved in this process is Lehigh Technologies.

Lehigh has created a micronized rubber powder out of old tyres, by first freezing them with liquid nitrogen and then running them through what amounts to a ‘turbo jet engine with teeth,’ as the company’s CEO, Alan Barton describes it.

Lehigh is using this ‘cryogenic turbo mill’ to make what it thinks are the finest powders yet from old tyres, to create valuable new material at low cost and with minimal environmental impacts.

The recycled material goes into new products which would otherwise require new oil to make them – thus significantly cutting the greenhouse gas emissions which are involved in their manufacture. Good result!

So far, Lehigh says it has put some 150 million new tyres back on the road (composed of 10 per cent old tyres), and it’s aiming to get into providing materials for roads, construction materials, shoes and plastics.

As the cost of many resources spirals, and the environmental impact of sourcing them gets ever more damaging, we may find that mining waste for new materials becomes our most abundant option.

Let’s hope 2013 is the year of closed loop innovation!

FOUR people from the Isle of Man have been recognised in the New Year’s Honours.

They are retiring chief constable, Mike Langdon, who gets an OBE; Olympic gold medal cyclist Peter Kennaugh, who is given an MBE; motorcycle racing welfare worker Wyn Evans, who also gets and MBE; and Hector Duff, a Second World War veteran and former police officer, who has tirelessly worked to give schoolchildren an insight into the history of the war, receives the British Empire Medal.

Monday’s Isle of Man Examiner will have more details about all the recipients.

BY the end of Christmas Day, a total of eight people had been arrested and charged with drink driving.

Two other people had samples taken for further analysis and one person suspected of drink-driving provided a sample which was under the limit.

By Christmas police had carried out more than 340 road side checks.

Inspector Derek Flint said the figures were similar to previous years and it was disappointing to see some people persisted in offending.

‘We are disappointed with the actions of some people who are putting the well-being of others at risk,’ he said.

‘There is still some time to go before the end of the campaign, which finishes on January 2.

‘These figures for those arrested and charged should stand as a stark warning to others who have any notion of drinking and driving.

‘They should consider not just the cost to themselves but also the wider consequences of going out and injuring or killing someone.’

The campaign this year follows the same format as last, using pub and restaurant style specials boards which list the penalties that can be imposed for drink driving as well as the alternatives to driving, such as taking the bus or a taxi.

The campaign was launched jointly by the Isle of Man police and the government’s Department of Infrastructure in early December at the Sea Terminal.

The campaign advises drivers of the consequences of a drink-drive conviction and the ways to avoid it by catching a bus, taxi or getting a designated driver, who hasn’t been drinking to drive.

This year’s campaign, like last year’s, advertises special offers, with this year’s drinking and driving specials on offer being a 12-month driving ban, a fine of up to £5,000 and a free criminal record.

Last year there were 13 arrests and nine people were charged with drink driving.

During the previous year’s festive drink-drive campaign there were 20 arrests and 10 people were charged with the offence.

Inspector Flint said statistics were currently roughly on a par with last year but the aim was to see the numbers reduce.

Statistics from the past three years have shown that police arrested more drivers aged between 18 and 25 for drink-driving compared with any other age bracket.

The Department of Infrastructure’s road safety manager, Gordon Edwards, said: ‘You may have only had one or two drinks but even a small amount of alcohol can affect a person’s ability to drive safely.

‘If you drink and drive you are taking a massive risk and face prosecution from the police – or even worse, endangering your own life and the lives of innocent people.’

Anyone arrested and charged with drink-driving will be fast-tracked through the courts system.

ROAD repairs boss Richard Pearson has defended his department’s record on potholes.

While the problem vexes many motorists, the highways director says his colleagues are doing a good job.

‘We hit very high repair targets,’ he said.

‘An average of 90 per cent of “category one” potholes are patched within 24 hours and our record being just seven minutes.’

To put this into perspective, he says recently an authority in the Lake District has proudly announced a 30-day average.

Mr Pearson goes on to describe the winter of 2010/11 as one that presented a real challenge.

‘We had 500 “priority one” potholes in a single month, which unfortunately brought down the average to just 60 per cent within 24 hours.’

To cope with the demand of that bitterly cold winter a second repair machine was leased.

By comparison this 2011/12 has been quieter. Patches are down to 1,009 from 1,272 the previous year.

Mr Pearson ascribes the still significant problem this year to higher than normal rainfall literally ‘welling up like springs’ from under the island’s highways.

Potholes come in five categories, ranging from the ‘category one’ (repaired within 24 hours), to ‘category five’ which will be dealt with ‘within the financial year’.

And within categories there are differing type with names such as ‘alligator cracking’ where the surface resembles lizard like armoured scales indicating the structure underneath has failed..

‘Bouncing bombs’ are an aligned sequence of potholes being caused by suspension compression and rebound after the initial pothole is struck.

The latest machines to repair the potholes, Jetpatchers, have significantly improved efficiency.

The traditional method of repair involves a gang of up to five people kitted out with shovels, buckets and wheelbarrows, and a lorry-load of asphalt.

They clear and fill the holes, then use a roller or whacker to smooth the surface.

The Jetpatcher does all this in one smooth operation, with a driver and an operative then moves on to the next pothole as traffic resumes its path over the newly-repaired road.

However, despite efficiencies, the process is still not popular with the public as with any disruption to free flow of traffic.

Mr Pearson is also keen to impress that trying to maintain such high standards is a real challenge especially in light of a £6 million annual budgetary shortfall for the department.

‘And looking at the entire road network there’s a £100 million of work needed.’

And that’s quite a hole to stare down into and not one that a Jetpatcher can fill.

FUNDS from the 10-mile Julie Brew Memorial Walk have been donated to two Manx charities.

A total of £2,640 was raised at this year’s event, in October.

The proceeds have been split between Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation and Motor Neurone Disease Association Isle of Man.

Cheques were presented to the charity by Julie’s sons Owen and Lewis, aged nine and 12, at a presentation held at the Crosby Hotel.

Some 130 walkers took part in the memorial walk, which this year was held in bright sunshine.

The event was the fifth charity 10-mile walk in memory of the popular Peel hairdresser.

Julie ran the Headstart Hair Salon in the town in partnership with Claire Van Renen. She died suddenly in 2008 from a previously undetected heart condition.

Julie’s mother June Quirk said she was delighted with the turnout to the event and described the walk as a ‘great success’.

She thanked everyone who gave their sponsorship to the two charities.

She also thanked Western Athletic Club, and Peel Football Club for the use of the clubhouse.

Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation raises money to enable the heart screening of men and women aged from 14 to 35.

The Motor Neurone Disease Association funds and promotes global research into the disease and provides support for people affected by it.

AFTER 10 days in a critical condition with severe head injuries, Peel man Darryl McGeown finally woke up on Christmas Day to take his first independent breaths and utter his first words.

The 33-year-old remains at Walton Neurological Hospital in Liverpool, where his wife Sharon said his condition is ‘one million percent better.’

In the early hours of December 15 the father of three was flown to the intensive care unit at Walton for treatment following an incident outside a Douglas nightclub.

His condition then was life-threatening, but on Christmas morning medics took the decision to stop his sedative medicine to see if he would regain consciousness and if he could breathe on his own. He responded within 30 minutes, waking up and reportedly muttering ‘get me out of here’.

‘It’s been an emotional roller coaster, there has been a few scary moments,’ said wife Sharon, who flew out with her husband and has stayed at the hospital since.

‘We still don’t know long term how he is going to be. He is still groggy. I told him on Boxing Day he is in Liverpool, it was so strange for him to have lost all of that time.’

He is now eating and drinking, and has been moved from intensive care to the high dependency unit.

Darryl has been receiving physiotherapy, though mobility remains limited.

‘He’s determined, but he has been in bed for 12 days and there are things he can’t physically do yet,’ said Sharon, adding there was no way of knowing yet how long it would be until they could return home.

‘We just have to wait and see how much help he is going to need. Right now he’s in the best place for him.’

One nurse told Sharon that in her six-year career she had never seen such a quick recovery from the kind of injuries Darryl had suffered.

‘It’s nice to hear as it gives you hope. There’s another family in ITU in the same situation, they arrived a week before us, and it gives them hope too.’

The family have been touched by the support of the Manx community, spear-headed by Darryl’s Western Vikings Rugby Club team mate Mike Sheeley. Thousands of pounds have been raised to support the family.

‘It is bonkers. I didn’t expect it to snowball and to get this amount of money,’ said Mike. ‘It will help with the family’s travel to and from the island and accommodation, and maybe it can help with Darryl’s recovery too.

‘It has been ridiculous how many people have come forward, people who don’t even know him. We’re planning to set up a charity for assault victims who have to travel off island.’

Sharon fully supported the idea to establish a charity.

‘Words can’t express the level of support we’ve had. We’re hoping we won’t need it all, and that we can put it into the charity. Other families might not be as lucky as us with the support we’ve had.

‘I want to thank everyone, not just for the fundraising, but for the hope, good wishes, and for people showing that they care. Even the kids might benefit in the future, from seeing the community pull together and being shown such good will.

‘It could have turned out so much worse. It was life-threatening, he could be dead and three kids left without a dad. Kids need to be educated on the consequences of violence, and how serious something like this can be.’

• Liam Priestnal, aged 17, of Lheannagh Park, Douglas, has been charged and bailed with inflicting grievous bodily harm. The case was adjourned until February 12 for committal to the Court of General Gaol Delivery.

POLICE are asking for witnesses to come forward after an incident in which a police officer was almost hit by a car.

At about 11.45pm on Friday, December 21, a dark Peugeot saloon failed to stop for a police officer who signalled for it to do so on Peel Road, Douglas, near Pulrose Bridge.

The vehicle narrowly missed striking the officer and continued on, before being followed into Pulrose, where it was found abandoned.

It is believed that two other cars, one of which was a fast food delivery car, were present on Peel Road at the time of the incident.

Police would like to speak with the occupants of these vehicles who may be able to assist with police inquiries.

If you have any information in relation to this matter please contact the PC David Schumacher of the roads policing unit at police headquarters on 631212.

POLICE want to thank two men who helped an officer making an arrest.

At about 1pm on Boxing Day a lone police officcer tried to detain a man in Duke Street, Douglas.

The police officer recognised him and tried to arrest him. But the man became violent and tried to flee the area.

This occurred at a busy time when there were lots of people and families in that area of town.

Two men had seen the officer struggling with the offender and ran to assist.

As a result of their actions, the two members of the public and the officer were able to control the offender and he was placed in handcuffs.

But the two helpful members of the public had disappeared upon arrival of other officers and before police could thank them for their assistance and support.

Inspector Shimmin would like to ascertain the identities of the males and offer them formal thanks for their efforts.

Sergeant Michelle McKillop said: ‘We would very much like to speak with the men who assisted Constable Woods to detain an offender who violently resisted him. It is refreshing and reassuring to officers to know that there are people out there who would support the police and assist officers when incidents like this occur. I would like to thank those men for caring about the officer in that situation and for assisting him.’

Police are appealing for those men to make contact with them and if PS McKillop or Inspector Shimmin are unavailable to leave contact details.

TONIGHT’S 7.45pm Steam Packet sailing from Douglas to Heysham has been cancelled.

The forecast stormy weather is being blamed for the decision.

The Ben-my-Chree is currently sailing from Heysham and is due to dock at 6.21pm tonight.

The return sailing from Heysham, due to leave at 2.15am tomorrow, has also obviously been cancelled.

Anyone with any queries should ring the Steam Packet on 661661.

School pupils across the island have a chance to win a prize in a competition to come up with a new slogan for the island’s Commonwealth Games team.

The games represent the highest level sporting event at which Manx athletes can compete for their country.

The Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association (IoM CGA), which is a registered charity responsible for organising the island’s team at the Commonwealth Games, is organising the competition which begins tomorrow (New Year’s Day) with the closing date for entries being February 8.

Juliet Holt, president of the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association, said: ‘We are in the process of creating a new logo and new slogan for Team Isle of Man to be used at the next Games in Glasgow in 2014, and during the build-up to the Games.

‘As Team Isle of Man has a role to play in inspiring young people to take up sport – and perhaps themselves one day representing the island at the Commonwealth Games – we thought it would be a great idea to involve school pupils across the island to help us come up with a new slogan.

‘We’re looking forward to seeing some inspiring ideas from pupils of all ages and hope that it gives scope to teachers for it to be included in English classes, or in a business studies class using it as an example of marketing or advertising.’

There is a £100 prize which will be in the form of gift vouchers – £50 will go to the pupil whose slogan is chosen as the winner and £50 to their school.

The slogan must be no more than 30 characters long and must reflect the pride that the island has for our Commonwealth Games team. In recent years Team Isle of Man has used the slogan ‘One Island, One Team, One Goal’.

The competition will be judged by a panel representing the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association, marketing and communications company MM&C, which is working to promote the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association and Team Isle of Man, a Team Isle of Man ‘ambassador’, and a representative from the Department of Education and Children.

Juliet added: ‘The competition is part of our strategy to encourage more young people to engage with Team Isle of Man and the Commonwealth Games in the build-up to Glasgow 2014. The London 2012 Olympic Games have shown the power of sport to inspire a generation of young people.

‘Nothing could match the huge impact of London 2012, but on a smaller scale we could reap significant benefits from Glasgow 2014 with Team Isle of Man.’

According to figures from Global Television and Sunset+Vine, host broadcasters for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, more than one billion TV viewers are expected to watch the event.

The Isle of Man will be one of 70 nations competing in Glasgow between July 23 and August 3, 2014.

The 11 days of competition covers 17 sports; 10 of which are core sports played at every Games and seven selected by the host city. Details of the slogan competition can be found at {http://www.gov.im/education/competitions/cwg.xml|http://www.gov.im/education/competitions/cwg.xml}

Each year around this time the Isle of Man Office of Fair Trading (OFT) sees an influx of new clients for its debt counselling service.

It’s easy to understand why – many of us get carried away with Christmas spending.

But so often the excitement of Christmas gives way to the desperation of debt.

The OFT has a range of advice to help people cope with post-Christmas debt.

Firstly, don’t ignore it

If you are facing financial difficulty then the vital thing is to talk to someone. The worst thing you can do is let it run on and ignore the problem; the longer you leave the problem the bigger and more daunting it will become, the more interest and other charges you will incur and the more likely it is that you could face legal action.

As hard as it may seem, the first thing you must do is talk to the people you owe money to – don’t just stop payments without explaining why. They can sometimes be more understanding than you’d expect.

Prioritise

The next thing to do is to work out which debts are your priorities – mortgage, rent, tax, child maintenance, utilities – and pay them first.

Don’t fall into the trap of paying whoever shouts loudest first. Work out a budget that covers all your income and essential out goings. Only offer to pay off debts at a rate you can keep up – it is easy to be panicked into offering more than you can afford.

Beware of a quick fix

A classic response to debt problems is to borrow more money to pay off the debt. This is rarely the best option.

If you are having financial problems, you should at least investigate ways to deal with your difficulties without borrowing more. Be particularly wary of companies that offer to lend you money to ‘solve’ your debt problems, especially if they want you to take out a second mortgage or a high interest loan.

Get advice

The OFT has a free debt counselling service with fully trained staff who will discuss your problems with you, totally confidentially, guide you in sorting them out and liaise with your creditors to organise your debt repayments.

What happens if I am threatened with legal action?

First of all, don’t panic. The courts try hard to distinguish between those people who can’t pay and those who won’t pay.

If you are facing genuine difficulty then you will normally be allowed to repay your debts at a rate that you can afford. Call the OFT on 686510 or contact your MHK for advice.

The debts will still have to be repaid but the important thing is that you tell the court about your situation.

But what about next year?

The key to preventing the same thing happening next year is budgeting and maybe starting to save a little each month towards next Christmas. Work out where you spent money over Christmas and decide if there are any economies you can make for the next one.

Decide what your budget for 2012 should be (add on 10 per cent for things you’ve forgotten), divide that by the number of months left before December and start saving that amount each month. That way you should have the money when you need it.

Any other tips?

If your difficulties are caused by a reduction in income, check whether you are entitled to any help through social security benefits.

Many people miss out on additional income just because they don’t check their entitlement when their circumstances change.

Then, make a list of all of your spending and look critically through it to see where you can make savings. The OFT’s website {http://www.gov.im/oft/money/debt_counselling.xml|http://www.gov.im/oft/money/debt_counselling.xml} has a self-help booklet that gives you more information and a budget sheet to work with as well as a series of interactive tools which you can use to help you manage your debts.

For more advice, or help writing a letter or filling in a court form call the OFT on 686510 to make an appointment.

A NEW telephone line to support the elderly took 35 calls at Christmas – some of them dealt with in person by its founder television presenter Esther Rantzen.

The Silver Line is currently being piloted in the Isle of Man and in Manchester. The plan is to extend the service in the new year after the pilot ends in the spring.

The service which offers advice and information as well as a befriending service, was launched at the start of December an allows people to make free, anonymous calls for information or friendship.

The Silver Line’s chief executive Sophie Andrews said: ‘We took 35 calls on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, many through the night and most lasting at least 30 minutes.

‘We’ve also proactively called 60 people who receive the friendship service on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

‘Most had been on their own for two full days and will continue to be alone until after the new year.

‘People were extremely grateful to hear from Esther or myself and most said they hadn’t spoken to anyone.

‘We’ve had lots of positive feedback about the value of our service and loneliness seems to be the overwhelming problem.’

Some of the Manchester-based callers agreed for their case histories to be used to promote the service in the Isle of Man.

One caller was a widower of 33 years with no family still alive.

He hopes to move closer to friends in the new year.

In the meantime the Silver Line has provided him with details of any social activities he might be able to get involved in.

Another caller suffered depression after splitting from his wife and attempted suicide.

He is in contact with his local mental health team and has had support from the Samaritans but Silver Line is investigating details of any support groups which could offer him further help.

Speaking at the launch of Silver Line, Ms Rantzen, who founded the charity Childline, told supporters she herself had experienced loneliness after the death of her husband television producer Desmond Wilcox.

She said loneliness was a taboo subject particularly among older people who could be reticent about asking for help.

The idea is not to duplicate the existing excellent volunteer groups, she said but to put people in touch with the relevant organisations that can offer help and to offer a befriending service.

The service is completely free and the number to call is 0800 328 8888.

To ensure confidentiality calls are answered off-island so callers’ anonymity is guaranteed.

SHOPPERS have been hitting the shops to take advantage of the bargains on offer.

It comes after shops across the island have reported that it’s tough-going in the current economic climate.

Peter Luis, in Duke Street, Douglas, started its sale on Thursday.

One of the directors, Diane Edington, told iomtoday on Friday: ‘The sale is going very well.

‘We started yesterday and had a good first day. It is unheard of to have the second day better, but today was even better.’

She said Douglas was busier last week than it had been ‘for a long time’.But she said that Christmas shoppers had left it very late this year, meaning the store having a good fortnight prior to December 25.

Wallis, also in Duke Street, was ahead of most Douglas retailers by starting its sale before Christmas.

A store spokesman said she thought the number of shoppers in town in the sales was on a par with last year, which she said was a positive sign, considering the island’s financial position.

And, in fact, she said she had been ‘surprised’ by the number of shoppers in the capital, saying: ‘I was thinking where is all the money coming from, they would have spent it over Christmas, but people are still spending.’

John Shakespeare, of The Strand Shopping Centre, in Douglas, said there had been big queues outside HMV, which started its sale last Monday.

He said footfall had been ‘slightly weather dependent’: ‘When it’s okay outside, the crowds are out.’

And he said that with many people off work until Wednesday, there was time for shoppers to make the most of the sales.

Chris Blatcher, sales and merchandise director at Ramsey Warehouse, said that he was satisfied with how the store’s sale was going, adding: ‘Everyone’s quite happy with being level at the moment’.

‘Times are tough,’ he said. ‘It’s very hard to get sales and it’s very promotion-led.’

Mr Blatcher, who is also chairman of Ramsey Chamber of Commerce, added: ‘It’s certainly not easy. We have got to bear with it for a couple of years before we will see it recover and hopefully we will get the benefit from it then.’

He said that shoppers had started very late in Ramsey, partly due to the weather.

B&B Furniture, in Snugborough Trading Estate, Union Mills, started its winter sale on Boxing Day and is also holding an online only ‘red bow sale’.

A company spokesman described their sale as going ‘really well’.

DOCTORS have joined in the argument about student tuition fees.

In a letter to the Isle of Man Examiner, they say that introducing them could affect the medical profession – and ultimately patients.

The Examiner, which is in the shops now, has the full story and the letter on the letters page.

Our main picture on the front page is of Hector Duff, the decorated war hero who’s been awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours list.

Inside, we highlight fears about Douglas promenades. If sea levels rise, is there any point in refurbishing the road?

Chief Minister Allan Bell tells us that any increase in wages will mean fewer jobs in government.

We also preview the Illiam Dhone commemoration, which is due to take place on Wednesday.

The centre pages detail a few of the defining moments of the year and we also look back on the weather (wet, wet, wet) of 2012.

The great sports coverage includes reports from the top football games and a report on Christian Varley’s victory.

Your New Year Examiner is in the shops now.

Monday, December 31

Aries

(March 21 - April 20)

With the festive season having boosted your confidence, it is full steam ahead for 2013! Life is still buzzing, which is just how you like it. New challenges at work mean the chance to learn and reap the benefits. Being determined to get to grips with a better diet and more exercise, you can easily shake off any restlessness. Romance is on the cards at the beginning of the year, although you must get out and make opportunities.

Taurus

(April 21 - May 21)

An opportunity that was not previously available to you suddenly appears as the new year begins. This means a boost both to your confidence and your finances. Aim higher in your life and include your nearest and dearest in discussions on the future. Romance comes more from existing links rather than new ones and you are able to build on these. Aim to be more adventurous and imaginative in the new year.

Gemini

(May 22 - June 21)

A boost to your ambitions and opportunities starts off this new year. Allow yourself to be optimistic and confident. A change at work brings more knowledge and the chance to really get involved. If you are looking for like-minded companions, be sure that you are seeking them in the right place. When seeking the best in anything, be prepared to be fussy. Your choices are important.

Cancer

(June 22 - July 23)

Showing your enthusiasm for life inspires others and brings them to your side. Finding out about how others deal with their lives shows you the way forward yourself. Shared experiences are what make this time of the year so fulfilling. In looking for a lover, going for looks alone can prove disappointing. Seek out those who make more of an effort to be interesting and caring.

Leo

(July 24 - August 23)

After a dynamic and fun festive season, keep up your enthusiasm. Do this by continuing to seek out positive and supportive people. Why would you bother with negative comments? Go into new ventures with an open mind but only accept those that have a real interest for you. With so much going on, you need to stop now and again to be sure that you are on the right path. Do not accept second best.

Virgo

(August 24 - September 23)

Opportunities may be slow to show themselves. However, that does not mean you cannot make the most of what you already have. Make a promise to yourself to stick to a healthy life. Exercise and fresh food form the basis of this. Avoid shortcuts in any direction. Be prepared to go the best route to get to the best destination. Romance may be fleeting but there again, make the most of it!

Libra

(September 24 - October 23)

Are you already planning a getaway? You know where the best opportunities lie, so seek them out. Although you automatically put others first, is that what is left for you? Of course not. Start this week by being more adventurous and really looking after your own interests. That does not make you selfish, just practical. Listen and learn.

Scorpio

(October 24 - November 22) Showing yourself and others that you are serious about those New Year’s resolutions is the key to success. You love cheering people along with a bit of cheeky banter, but there is a time and place for also being serious. Channel any strong emotions that cannot be expressed yet. Helping others see their way ahead brings you clear thinking and even a breakthrough.

Sagittarius

(November 23 - December 21) Be sure to embrace life and new friends as this new year begins. Why let the social momentum of the festive season slow down? Use enthusiasm and charm to bring forward important plans. Others are more likely to come along for the ride if you seem to be in complete control. Avoid playing fast and loose with either work or money, however.

Capricorn

(December 22 - January 20)

Closer and happier relationships come along with the new year. There are delights this week that are as surprising as they are encouraging. Be resolved to show the face to the world that is real. Look how you feel and do as you need. Honesty can bring you deeper understanding of those who lie. Show them that there is no need to fear a life in the open.

Aquarius

(January 21 - February 19)

Has romance been a little thin on the ground? Now is the time to sow the seeds of more emotional closeness. Getting others to open up is not easy but the more that you share with them, the more they respond. At work you will need to be discreet about a bit of information. If you have ideas on how to improve something, speak to the right person.

Pisces

(February 20 - March 20)

This is a great time for new beginnings. That goes for most areas of your life. Asking questions shows that you are not only interested, but interesting. At work, a show of knowledge can impress someone in a senior position. Home life continues to be changeable but important. Bring any new knowledge to this area that can improve life for everyone.

Tuesday’s Birthday Luck: Happy Birthday! Making the most of your relationships also means making the most of your opportunities. You are willing to work hard toward your goals. Let us hope that you receive more encouragement this year.

Wednesday’s Birthday Luck: Happy Birthday! Classed as reliable you may be, Capricorn, but do not forget your own needs and health. Opportunities may be slow to emerge but are well worth waiting for. Take care with finances and be determined not to be a ‘soft touch’.