Secondary school students, who don’t belong to a school team, community club or island squad, will have the opportunity to try out a variety of different sports at a brand new event.

The Community Games will give 11 to 18-year-olds the chance to take part in sport in a non-competitive environment, where the emphasis is on enjoyment.

Students can try out as many sports as they wish in 20-minute introductory taster sessions.

The games, which will take place on July 13 at the NSC, will feature badminton, basketball, cricket, girls’ football, golf, judo, netball, rugby, snooker, swimming, bowls and shooting.

Some of the sports will come with a twist including ‘Smash Up Badminton’, which is played to music, and ‘Glow Sports’, which promises to be a multi-sensory experience.

Gianni Epifani, senior sport development officer with Manx Sport and Recreation, who is organising the games, said: ‘As well as benefiting health, sport can bring about improved self-esteem and confidence and a wealth of other positive social skills.

‘It’s hoped encouraging young people into sport in an environment they are comfortable in will lead to involvement in regular exercise and, for some, competitive sport,’ he said.

‘Sports represented at the games will go on to offer special sessions after the event for young people until, hopefully, they are ready to dip their toe into community sport. The Community Games offers them a starting point for a lifetime of involvement with sport.’

In addition, bands from the Soundcheck, the Department of Education and Children’s music project, will play and there will also be a chill-out zone for participants.

The Community Games is being supported by Microgaming through the company’s PlayItForward initiative.

A 32-year-old Douglas man has been jailed for 13 months after admitting burglary and handling stolen goods.

Colm Christopher McLaughlin, of Fairfield Terrace, stole mobile phones and a games console to fund his drugs habit, the court heard.

Prosecutor Michael Jelski told the court how, on December 10, a delivery man had parked at Woodbourne Terrace to make a delivery to the Co-op.

When he returned to his van he said that his Nokia mobile phone, which he had left on the dashboard, was missing.

The man later used his computer to establish that the phone was in the Castle Street area of Douglas.

He went to Ali’s Repair Centre, who deal in second hand goods, and found that the phone had been sold in the shop.

The next day, the owner of Ali’s Repair Centre called the police to inform them that the same man was in the shop again selling phones.

McLaughlin was identified and arrested. He told police that he found the Nokia phone in a lane.

While in custody he was also found to have an iPhone 5c in his possession. This was identified as being stolen from Ballacloan School.

In another incident, on January 1, a man who lived in the same building as McLauglin said that he had returned from work to find a Playstation Vita games console, six games and a charging cable missing from his room. He said that he closed the door after leaving his room, which had a Yale style lock.

On January 2 McLaughlin knocked on the door of the man he had stolen from and said: ‘I want to be honest with you. I stole your Playstation and games and sold them to CeX. I’m having money problems.’

The court heard that McLaughlin had gone to CeX electronics store in Duke Street and sold the six games for £34. He had also left the games console with the shop for testing.

In another incident, on February 13, McLaughlin went to the Empress Hotel while a function was on.

He was asked to leave but CCTV footage later captured him entering the manager’s office and taking a Samsung mobile phone.

On February 19 yet another incident occurred when McLauglin and another man entered an address at Christian Road and told the owner that they had heard there was a party there. The pair left but the owner later found that two envelopes containing £75 and £85 were missing.

Defence advocate Steve Wood told the court: ‘I would submit that class ‘A’ drugs have placed him in the position he finds himself in. All the offences smack of desperation. They are low value items. He was battling addiction.’

You know how you sometimes get the feeling that something’s not quite right but you just can’t put your finger on what it is?

Well that’s how I’ve been feeling since ever since I climbed out of bed, ready and refreshed to face the challenges of the day.

I’ve done my 10 minutes on the cross trainer. Now 10 minutes doesn’t sound like such a long time, but if you ever get the opportunity, give it a try.

Now imagine that you are a 75-year-old with Parkinson’s disease and try it again.

Next job is a 15 minute stint on the treadmill and just to finish things off, a few stretching exercises.

This routine, by the way, is the minimum daily challenge, and the ultimate target is to double what I am doing now.

But back to this feeling of impending doom.

I’ve had my shower, finished breakfast and switched the computer on.

First check the email, delete, reply or ignore as appropriate, and then bring up the current work in progress.

And then ‘ping’, it suddenly came to me: I knew what it was that was bothering me.

It was the Monday of practice week and the weather was perfect.

Not only that, the weather had been perfect all weekend, and, wonder of wonders the forecast for the coming week is simply ‘more of the same’.

Now we all know if you’re planning to paint the outside of the house you don’t plan to do it in practice week.

Practice week is always rubbish. Guaranteed.

And what about the Ben-my-Chree? It always breaks down in practice week. Always.

This year? No chance, the engine is as sweet as a nut. Everything is just perfect.

This is not normal. I find that I’m waiting for some sort of bad news just to restore the status quo.

During the last couple of weeks I let my mind wander back to the TTs of 50 and 60 years ago. It’s nice to remember, but as they say ‘nostalgia’s a thing of the past’.

As far as TT Week is concerned there is no comparison between then and now.

Mass tourism has gone the way of using pit ponies in coal mines and sending little boys up chimneys to keep them clean.

Look at the sheer speed of today’s bikes. Sixty years ago, the only thing that could go faster than one of the modern superbikes was a Spitfire.

And can you imagine the reaction you’d get if you could show one of the past generation of black clad heroes, a present day set of multi-coloured leathers, complete with armour and padding?

Throughout the history of the TT, the raw material, the motor bike, has changed beyond all imagination.

The developments in computer controlled technology, tyre design, and stronger, lighter components are now in motorcycle showrooms world­wide.

The machines the man in the street can buy are showcased in road races such as the TT.

But what does the future hold for the TT? The future is not seven Steam Packet ships packed to the scuppers with foot passengers. The future is in lower volume, higher value selling.

The future is in packing as much action into the time available as is humanly possible. This is why everything is so dependent on nothing going wrong.

Either with the weather or the Ben my Chree.

The manufacturers need to sell their machines, the Isle of Man needs to sell itself, and the promoters need to attract their corporate customers. The TT is a local event with a potentially unlimited world­wide television market.

But answer these questions. How much longer can this type of event carry on? Just how fast can a motorbike be made to go?

In an age where kids are not allowed to play conkers or climb trees, just how long will insurers be prepared to carry the risk? Or is the light switched on at Signpost?

Island skateboarders will have the chance to show off their skills and tricks at a skatejam and competition at Braddan Skate Park.

‘Summer Slam 92 Jam’ will have skateboard competitions for all ages and abilities, DJ Deep Kush providing music throughout the day, a wrestler fancy dress competition, raffle and barbecue.

There will also be prizes for the winners of both the skateboard and fancy dress competitions.

Organised by ISBskateboarding, ‘Summer Slam 92 Jam’ will coincide with the opening of a brand new purpose built concrete bowl at the skate park in Cronk Grianagh Park.

Braddan Parish Commissioners announced in April that work had began on the new addition to the park.

Kristian Edwards, from ISBskateboarding which is run by Kristian, Christopher Buttery, and Neil and Simon Long, said: ‘The main aim of the event is to promote skateboarding on the Isle of Man and with forward thinking from Braddan Commissioners, who have created us this excellent skatepark with the new addition of a concrete bowl, we can really put the park to good use!’

He added: ‘Skaters of all abilities and ages are welcome to participate in the competition or even just come down ride and enjoy.

‘There is no pressure for riders to enter any events but style, tricks and slams are welcome. It will be a great day for anyone with an interest in skateboarding.’

‘Summer Slam 92 Jam’ will take place on Saturday, July 30 from 1pm and everyone is welcome to attend the event.

There is no cost to attend or enter any of the competitions on the day.

This is the second skatejam the organisation has held. The first, entitled ‘Have you seen the back of my neck?’, was held in September last year just two weeks after the creation of the group.

A short film showcasing all the goings-on at the first event can be viewed on YouTube be searching ‘Have You Seen The Back Of My Neck? - Skate Jam 2015’.

For more information ‘ISBskateboarding’ on Facebook.

A special candlelit vigil will take place tonight (Sunday) in memory of the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting.

It will take place at St German’s Cathedral in Peel at 8pm.

The names of those who lost their lives will be read out and there will be a book a condolence that will be sent to families of those involved.

A Cathedral spokesperson said: ‘We are encouraging everyone and especially the LGBTI community on the island to come and light a candle, to have some time for reflection and to pray for peace.’

The vigil has been organised by St German’s Cathedral and The Manx Rainbow Association.

The association held a vigil in solidarity on Douglas Promenade on Monday.

Damage has been caused to an electricity box, which powers the famous Manx Electric Railway sign, in Douglas.

The door to the electricity box, situated behind the Manx Railway Depot, is thought to have been damaged between Wednesday, June 15 and Friday, June 17.

The Douglas Neighbourhood Policing Team are appealing for information following the incident.

A statement issued by Isle of Man Constabulary said: ‘Damage like this serves no purpose to the people causing it. It only puts those responsible in serious danger of harm from the electricity, as well as financial loss to local businesses, and in this instance harming an important part of Manx heritage.’

If you saw anything suspicious or have any information about the incident contact PC Beaumont at Police Headquarters on 631212.

North East-based aircraft management company, Naljets is celebrating after helping motorcycle legend Tony Jefferies demolish an Isle of Man TT lap record bringing the famous Jefferies name back into the record breaking books once more.

Naljets’ MD Craig McLeod, along with Tony and ex-Red Arrows pilot and Aerobility trustee Andy Robins completed the circuit at altitude in a £10 million Citation Excel business jet with an unofficial lap time of just seven minutes and thirty-seven seconds, giving them an average speed of 288 mph on the 6th June 2016.

For Seventies TT works rider Tony, who won the 350cc Junior TT race and then followed it up by winning the first TT Formula 1 race, the event brought back memories of when his son David smashed the record books. David Jefferies was the first to break the 125,126 and 127 mph TT lap records, as well as the first sub 18-minute lap, along with 9 TT wins. He was tragically killed in a high speed crash at the 2003 TT championships.

Tony Jefferies said: ‘I am a keen supporter of disabled aviation charity Aerobility, and through my role with West Yorkshire based motorbike dealership Allan Jefferies BMW I was asked if I could arrange an auction prize for Aerobility’s annual ball.

‘I had asked my contacts at the TT to offer up a prize. Paul Philips TT development manager, kindly obliged offering a rally experience around TT circuit in a Subaru, which was won by generous bidder Andy Robins, an ex-Red Arrow pilot and Aerobility trustee. Craig McLeod and Naljets then kindly offered to provide hospitality.

‘At the end of a full on day in the island it was time to go home. We boarded the plane and after a full blooded Red Arrows style take off, Craig surprised us all by asking air traffic if we could fly around the circuit. Next, we were following the circuit line with me shouting out the corner names and the jet at some severe angles at 250 knots.

‘It was a great experience and my son Dave would be laughing his head off at our antics.

‘It has been a record breaking week, with Dunlop and Hutchy on bikes, Higgins in the Subaru race car and Jefferies in the jet. Well done Craig, you are a star.’ Naljets’ Craig McLeod said: ‘I have always loved motorbikes and when the opportunity to fly Tony over to the TT races presented itself I thought we could make a proper day of it for all.’

He continued: ‘Team Naljets, on its mission to support Aerobility, included support from FBO Mulitflight and Manx based Private Jet Company IOM and I would like to thank them personally for their enthusiasm and contribution.

‘We couldn’t have done it without the help of everyone involved.’

Aerobility offers those with disabilities the opportunity to experience the aviation environment, in the air or on the ground through ground simulators or specially adapted aircraft. Everybody gets the chance to fly – including disabled children and wounded soldiers.

Andy Robins said: ‘The experience was utterly awesome… from our ‘‘rockstar arrival. . . it was truly a day to remember.’

Photographer Andrew Barton will stand for Garff in the forthcoming House of Keys election later this year.

Mr Barton, who has lived in the island for 26 years and been in business locally for more than 20 years, said he would bring ‘a strong business ethic’ to the next Manx government if elected on September 22.

He said: ‘To compete in today’s global market the Isle of Man has to be open to new ways of working and be swift to respond to challenge and change.

‘As someone in the photographic industry who has had to adapt to new economic realities, diversify and be more entrepreneurial and innovative, I believe I can bring that experience and insight to the House of Keys and contribute to the island’s future economic growth.

‘There’s no quick fix to the gravity of the challenges - economic and social - the Isle of Man is facing. In my opinion the present government is broken and lacks a clear joined-up strategy sensitive to the people it was put in power to serve.

‘If we are to balance our budgets and create a strong nation of which we can all be proud, one that has the respect of its people and the world at large and can compete at an international level, then there’s no place in government for personal agendas. Government must listen to the electorate and work as a team. I’m ready to listen and be part of that team.’

To find out more contact Andrew Barton, 480040.

A 50-year-old man from Liverpool is to appear in court tomorrow (Monday), after an estimated £250,000 of cannabis was found concealed within a vehicle on the ferry from Liverpool.

On Friday (June 17) officers from the Proactive Team, Dogs Unit and Customs and Excise stopped a number of vehicles disembarking the ferry from Liverpool.

A vehicle was stopped and searched, and cannabis with an estimated street value of £250,000 was found.

A man was detained and has been charged with two counts of production and two counts of possession with intent to supply cannabis resin and bush.

Detective Sergeant Vinny Lund, of the Proactive Team, said: ‘I appreciate the last thing many people want after a long journey is to be stopped and spoken to by Police and Customs, but it’s an important part of keeping the island safe and detecting crime. I would like to thank those who were inconvenienced, and for the patience shown.’

Peel’s hugely successful Soapbox Derby will take a different route this year – finishing at the foot of Stanley Road.

Last year the derby went straight down Peveril Road, finishing at the corner with Church Street, but this year’s will turn right and run down to the promenade.

This year’s event will take place on Sunday, August 21, with the closing date for entries being Monday, August 15.

There is an entry fee of £30 per kart and it is optional whether you carry a passenger.

The same kart may be entered by another driver but the £30 entry fee must be paid for the second driver also.

Each kart is eligible for three timed runs per driver.

The driver of the kart which achieves the fast combined time for their three runs will win the Pepsi Challenge Cup, £150 and 10 cases of Pepsi Cola.

The winners of the team entry, one driver with a passenger, will also win a cup, £150 and 10 cases of free Pepsi.

There will also be the Davison’s Ice Cream Cup and £100 for the best fancy dress award, the Peter Dawson Cup and £100 for the best novelty soapbox design.

Highest speed recorded will win £50 from Peel Fisheries and highest sponsorship achieved will win £50 from Peel Town Commissioners.

The aim of the event is to raise funds for local charities so the challenge for each kart is to secure as much sponsorship as possible.

Drivers can choose their own charity to raise money for.

Drivers must be 16 or over on August 21, and drivers under 18 must have written consent of a parent or guardian.

Practices will start at 2pm with the racing scheduled for 3pm.

Scrutineering of soapbox’s will take place on Wednesday, August 17, and Thursday, August 18, at the commissioners’ yard in Glenfaba Road in Peel from 7pm until 8pm.

You can enter the Soapbox Derby online at www.peelsoapboxderby.com or by sending a cheque payable to ‘Peel Town Commissioners’, to Ian Davison, 26 Derby Road, Peel, IM5 1HP.

Parents can now book safety lessons for their children to teach them how to stay safe in open water.

The free programme of outdoor swimming and water safety sessions will be returning to the Isle of Man from August 8 to 12.

The practical and interactive Swim Safe sessions, run by the Amateur Swimming Association and RNLI, will take place at Peel’s Fenella Beach and Peel Lifeboat Station.

Each class, whichs aim to be both fun and educational, includes a land-based safety lesson with a lifeguard followed by in-water tuition with a swimming teacher.

Wetsuits, swimming hats and a free goody bag with a t-shirt are all provided for youngsters.

Krystina Searle, swim safe co-ordinator for the programme in Peel, said: ‘There are all sorts of environmental factors to consider when you’re swimming outdoors, and it’s important that children know how to call for help if they get in trouble.

‘We’re really looking forward to bringing Swim Safe back to Peel this year. We’ve got enough spaces for 360 young people to come and learn some really important life skills and we would love to fill those spaces.’

The return of the sessions follow a successful pilot scheme last year which saw 180 island children learn how to stay safe in or near open water.

Swim safe lessons are also taking place in locations in England and Wales including Poole, Scarborough, Barry Island and Plymouth.

For further information and to book a place go to www.swimming.org/swimsafe. Parents and children can also turn up on the day to book a place.

A dedicated Ballasalla charity volunteer has been awarded the Fundraiser of the Year Award from the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

Jill Pugh, aged 53, picked up the Isle of Man area winner award during Volunteers’ Week, an annual celebration that recognises the hard work of volunteers from all over the UK.

Jill said she has been fundraising to help raise money for the charity’s lifesaving research since 2014, and began fundraising after she was diagnosed with a rare heart condition at the age of 50.

She found out that her heart had been ‘plumbed’ the wrong way round and could possibly need a heart transplant.

Since her diagnosis she has been fitted with a pacemaker and her condition has got better, meaning she hasn’t needed a heart transplant.

Jill said about winning the award: ‘I am delighted to have been given such a special award as there are so many worthy volunteers who give their time to BHF.

‘I have met some amazing people and have some lovely memories fundraising for the charity.

‘The BHF are so supportive and there are so many different ways you can get involved. To find a cure of this cruel disease, which strikes anyone at any age, anytime, is my passion.

‘It is testimony to the people on the Isle of Man and their kind generosity as to how easy my volunteering role has been.’

Barbara Dunn, BHF fundraising manager for the Isle of Man, said: ‘I am delighted that Jill has won this award in the Isle of Man.

‘She has amazing drive and energy to raise money and awareness of the work of the charity to help those who are suffering from heart disease and to prevent people suffering in the future.

‘I would love for other people in the Isle of Man to join our fight for every heartbeat. Every pound raised, minute of your time and donation to our shops will help make a difference to people’s lives.’

Coronary heart disease is the UK’s single biggest killer and BHF is currently funding over 1,000 research projects. Visit www.bhf.org.uk for more information about the charity.

There will be plenty of fun activities and performances to celebrate Manx heritage at this year’s Tynwald Day on Tuesday, July 5.

Making a welcome return to the national celebration are the Vikings in Cooil y Ree, who will offer an insight in to the ancient way of life that has shaped the island’s history.

Also returning is the One World Centre’s Global Village in the arboretum, which will showcase a mix of cultural influences from around the world, the island’s international links and the work of Manx charities helping to transform the lives of others in the developing world.

Bunscoill Gaelgagh will, once again, be promoting Manx heritage and encouraging all generations to release their artistic talents by offering free ‘Take Part in Art’ sessions. A mosaic will be created where children taking part can enter a prize draw to win the finished artwork for their school, and there’ll be block-printing and crochet workshops.

Alongside all this there will be Manx music and dance, street theatre, butter-making demonstrations, an opportunity to discover more about Biosphere Isle of Man in the Manx Tent, which celebrates the island’s UNESCO status as a world biosphere region.

The Sunset Ceremony will be performed by the Royal Artillery Band before the programme concludes with the Ellan Vannin Pipes and Drums performing on Tynwald Hill.

A new face at St John’s will be that of parliamentary mascot Tynwald Ted, who will be celebrating his birthday, mingling with the crowds and inviting people to take selfies with him. Tag @TynwaldTed on Instagram or send images to photos@tynwald.org.im to be in with the chance of winning a gift token.

President of Tynwald Clare Christian said: ‘This is the most special day in the life of the island, combining tradition, pageantry and fun.

‘Why don’t you come and watch the Tynwald ceremony, wander around the fair field stalls, picnic in the arboretum, enjoy the day’s entertainment programme and try all the activities?

‘You can plan to spend the whole day at St John’s, there is so much to do, and if you haven’t been for a while.’

To find out more about the events taking place visit www.tynwald.org.im or go to ‘Tynwald Day, Isle of Man’ on Facebook.

The ceremony will also be streamed live on the Tynwald website.

Grandstand seat tickets are priced at £4 and include a programme. They are on sale at the Tynwald Library, Legislative Buildings, Finch Road, Douglas, or can be reserved by calling 685500.

Blue Badge holders can apply to the Tynwald Administration Office for a parking pass entitling them to a reserved space at St John’s Primary School. Call 685500 for details.

The Chief Minister says it is ‘absolutely disgraceful’ that the owners of the Castle Mona Hotel have allowed the historic building to deteriorate.

Allan Bell made the comment in the House of Keys when he was asked if he has plans for a national art gallery and whether he would approach the Gubay Trust to secure the Castle Mona as a suitable venue.

Mr Bell said there had been no such proposal. He told MHKs: ‘The Castle Mona is a privately-owned building. I think it is absolutely disgraceful the way the building has been allowed to deteriorate, and I hope the company listens to public opinion and the concerns which are being expressed about the continuing deterioration of what is a major national asset and part of our heritage.’

The Chief Minister said there has been no proposal whatsoever, as far as he knew, to establish a national gallery in the Castle Mona.

He pointed out that the Gubay Foundation is also in private hands and it is entirely up to the trustees of the charity as to where they invest their money in the future.

The issue was raised in the Keys by Douglas East MHK Jon Joughin who said: ‘I do think a dedicated national art gallery is the way forward.’

He suggested that the Manx Museum probably had more art and artefacts in storage than they had on show.

Mr Bell agreed with Mr Joughin’s comments about the lack of display of a large number of Manx paintings and other artefacts which he said are ‘buried away’ in the basement of the museum and which could be put on display, not only in Douglas, but all round the island.

David Quirk (Onchan) suggested that the political representative on Manx National Heritage could encourage the lending out of more of the artwork. ‘Our own building itself could be enhanced even more with some artwork,’ he said.

Mr Bell agreed - and not just for government buildings, but for wider public access. ‘All around the island, there are many buildings that are suitable or could be suitably adapted to ensure that the island gets a fair spread of this national heritage,’ he said.

The Sefton Group bought the Castle Mona in 2007. It’s original plan had been to refurbish the listed building as a four-star hotel but it has remained mothballed and fenced off ever since. A plan for the landmark to be leased to the Manx Education Foundation for its proposed university ICT centre fell through when the Nunnery was selected instead. Sefton Group say its aim continues to be to sell the listed landmark into sustainable use.

Last November Environment Minister Richard Ronan told Tynwald that there had been no ‘discernible deterioration’ since previous visits by conservation officers.

Douglas and Ramsey lifeboats joined forces yesterday (Sunday) to rescue a yacht with one person on board.

The RNLI all-weather lifeboat Sir William Hillary was launched from Douglas at 11.40am to meet Ramsey lifeboat which had towed the yacht into the shelter of Maughold Head in Ramsey bay.

The rendezvous was made at 12.40pm and Douglas volunteer crewman Tony Radcliffe was put aboard the casualty vessel to support the lone yachtsman for the return to the Douglas.

Arriving in Douglas harbour three hours later, after making the yacht secure on a berth at the visitors’ pontoon on the Battery Pier, the lifeboat returned to station where it was re-housed and ready again for service at 3.30pm.

A schoolgirl from Douglas has earned her school £200 worth of sports equipment by designing the Manx Youth Games’ first ever mascot.

Grace Cooper, aged eight, who goes to St Mary’s RC School in Douglas, was the winner of the Manx Sport and Recreation competition to design the mascot.

Grace’s mascot, ‘Odin the Raven’, was selected from hundreds of primary pupils’ designs by Geoff Corkish MBE MLC, a member of the Department of Education and Children, and Kevin Cartledge, senior manager of HSBC, which supports the games.

Odin made its debut at the Manx Youth Games’ opening ceremony at the National Sports Centre last month.

Mr Corkish and Odin visited St Mary’s School to present Grace and her fellow pupils with their prize.

Mr Corkish said: ‘Grace’s clever design has been brought to life and will appear at the Games for years to come and I am thrilled her school will benefit from equipment.’

Abortion campaigners were due to mount a protest outside the Tynwald building tomorrow morning (Tuesday).

The Campaign for Abortion Law Modernisation (CALM) says it wants to raise awareness of the injustices in the current law, and show that people in the Isle of Man are ‘not prepared to tolerate this inequality and discrimination any longer’.

CALM, which was set up earlier this year, says it is outrageous that the 1995 Termination of Pregnancy (Medical Defences) Act leaves woman with only three options – break the law, finance a termination at a clinic in another country at her own expense - a ‘choice’ that could cost over £2,000 – or continue with an unwanted pregnancy.

Spokeswoman Samantha Morris said: ‘We want to change the law so that women in the Isle of Man have a genuine choice.

‘The current legislation means that women who have money can arrange their own abortion, either by going across for a termination, or by breaking the law and buying safe but illegal abortion pills off the internet.

‘But if you can’t afford this, then there is no choice at all. This is outrageous in the 21st century, and particularly in an island which is finally introducing an Equality Act which is, in some instance, even more forward-thinking than in other jurisdictions.’

CALM is inviting everyone to show their support by joining the demonstration at the Finch Road entrance to Tynwald from 9.30am today (Tuesday).

Currently, terminations are only allowed up to 24 weeks where it is necessary to preserve the woman’s life, the foetus is unlikely to survive or is seriously handicapped or within 12 weeks of conception if the pregnancy is caused by rape, incest or indecent assault.

Only a single figure number of terminations are carried out in the island each year under the 1995 Act. Women may find they have little choice but to pay up to £2,000 to have an abortion at a clinic in the UK.

The UK’s 1967 Abortion Act allows a pregnancy of up to 24 weeks to be terminated free of charge on the NHS if two medical practitioners agree there is a risk to the physical or mental health of the woman, or a substantial risk the child would be seriously handicapped.

But the island’s legislation requires that should a woman seek a termination on the grounds of the effect on her mental health, one of the two medical practitioners must be a psychiatric consultant – for which it is understood there is a waiting list of some weeks

Provisions relating to termination due to rape, incest or sexual assault require the woman to produce an affidavit or other evidence taken under oath and for her to have made a complaint to the police.

The Isle of Man Constabulary has warned thieves who steal charity boxes that they will be prosecuted in court.

In the past year the police have received 11 reports of thefts of charity boxes.

Sergeant Gary Heaton said: ‘Let me be clear, should offenders be caught stealing charity boxes the police will find it in the public interest to prosecute and allow the full facts of the matter to be represented at court.

‘In the “world of policing” we deal with all sorts of incidents and crimes, sometimes it’s just a job, but more often than not you can’t help but feel sorrow for the victim.

‘What really touches a nerve with cops and the public, though, is when it’s a theft from a charity, no matter how small the amount is,’ he said.

Charities, shops and other premises are reminded to keep charity boxes secured on counters or in other places with chains.

They should also be secured in an area in full view of staff.

A man who was detected by sniffer dogs at the Sea Terminal with an estimaged £250,000 worth of cannabis on him has appeared before the Deputy High Bailiff.

Alex Charles Conner, aged 50, of Winborne Road, Huyton, faces offences of bringing cannabis bush and resin to the island and of possessing it with intent to supply. He next appears in the Court of General Gaol Delivery on July 8.

A former Isle of Man Prison volunteer has been recognised for her ‘outstanding contribution’ to the work carried out by the education team.

Steph Gardner, who lives in Kirk Michael, volunteered with the education team for around two years, helping out with essential administration and supporting the team.

She has been nominated by prison education manager Fiona Robinson in the Charity and Volunteers category in Isle of Man Newspapers’ Pride in Mann Awards.

Fiona said: ‘She has made an outstanding contribution to the very valuable work undertaken by the education team in providing a wide ranging programme of education with the aim of reducing rates of reoffending and equipping prisoners with the skills and qualifications necessary to reform their lives.

‘She has provided considerable administrative support to the teaching staff and prisoners in a sometimes challenging environment.

‘Her cheerful and willing disposition has made her an irreplaceable member of the education team, in assisting with administrative tasks, using her initiative to seek ways of improving systems and procedures, and in providing a listening ear and moral support to all when required.

‘The prison is not a place where many would seek to volunteer to help out, but Steph saw it not only as a challenge, but as an environment where she could bring her considerable skills and experience to really make a difference.’

Fiona said Steph has contributed to the smooth running and efficiency of the education department, adding: ‘She is a key team player, taking dramas calmly in her stride. Her contribution is not only valued by staff but also by prisoners.

‘They are appreciative that she has chosen to volunteer to help in the prison and accordingly treat her with gratitude and respect, many taking the opportunity to personally thank her for some tasks she has undertaken on their behalf.

‘Her voluntary involvement to prison education cannot be overstated. It has earned the thanks and appreciation of prison staff, teaching staff and prisoners alike, and she has made a real impact on the work of the education department and lives of prisoners.’

Steph worked with the team until last month and said she ‘very much enjoyed’ volunteering at the Isle of Man Prison.

The Kirk Michael resident said she decided to take on the volunteer work to ‘give something back’ and to also give structure to her day.

‘Education development is very important for the prison and it helps with resettlement and rehabilitation,’ she said.

‘It gives prisoners education that, perhaps, they weren’t interested in previously and helps them for when they do get out of prison and helps them get back on their feet.’

• To nominate an individual or organisation in the Pride in Mann Awards use the form below.