The Strand Shopping Centre in Douglas has been sold to UK retail giant Sports Direct.

The shopping centre has 40,000 square feet of retail space in Douglas town centre and houses well known brands including HMV, Mothercare, Peacocks, Card Factory and Millets.

But many units are empty.

The centre’s manager, Louise Whyman, said: ‘We are all delighted with this acquisition and look forward to the forthcoming investment to the Centre as well as the opening of an exciting new Sports Direct store.’

Sports Direct hit the news today for other reasons.

It has been criticised for the way it treats its staff.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/uk-news/sports-direct-founder-mike-ashley-accountable-for-appalling-work-conditions-1-8027885|Click here for more}

The Strand Centre was bought less than two years ago by an island-based millionaire.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/business/millionaire-buys-strand-centre-for-cash-1-6965343|Click here to read our story at the time}

Tesco was planning to set up shop in the Strand Shopping Centre. It first announced its intention almost two years ago.

A stumbling block had been the alcohol licence.

But that was resolved in January.

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/tesco-secures-licence-to-sell-alcohol-in-town-centre-shop-1-7662205|Click here to read more}

Whether the change in ownership of the centre has any bearing on its plans remains to be seen.

We are working on this story for fuller coverage in next week’s Isle of Man Examiner.

The island’s bishop has announced he plans to retire.

Reverend Robert Paterson has served the Diocese of Sodor and Man since 2008 and sits on the Legislative Council and Tynwald.

The 67-year-old told Manx Radio his decision to step down was motivated ‘purely by age’.

He will leave the post in November.

Pirate adventurers on the Family Library Summer Reading Scheme can test their treasure-seeking skills while using their Manx National Heritage Ace cards.

The cards are distributed to all primary age school children and grant them admission to MNH sites during the summer holidays.

This year, as part of the Family Library’s Summer Reading Scheme on the theme of We Be Pirates, young readers can look for five pirate phrases hidden in Manx National Heritage venues – and then fill them in on the papers they received when they signed up for the scheme.

The five venues where the pirate phrases are hidden are the Manx Museum in Douglas; Cregneash, Grove Museum near Ramsey; the House of Manannan in Peel and the Nautical Museum in Castletown.

There is still time to sign up for the Summer Reading Scheme, which runs until September 10, and there will be plenty more activities announced over the summer.

Next week, July 26-30, is a game launch double points week. From August 9-19, the library will be staging a Ship-Shape Challenge, also known as the Pirate Olympics.

Other events on the horizon include a pirate picnic, Jolly Music Sea Shanties, pirate joke day, pirate dress-up and much more. Details will be nearer to the events.

Librarian-in-charge Mary Cousins said: ‘We are delighted that our friends at Manx National Heritage have teamed up with us for the Summer Reading Scheme.

‘Of course, as well as the fun in searching for the pirate phrases, it’s another good reason to visit the many MNH sites during the summer holidays, making a perfect trip for the whole family.’

Family Library: 640650.

Beach Buddies go north this weekend and will be tackling the beaches in the area of the Point of Ayre.

The meeting point is on the track going out south towards Smeale, and past the lighthouse for a 10.30am start on Sunday.

This is a section of beach that always has lots of marine litter, but it’s easy to get to, and they will have the Beach Buddies’ truck and trailer to collect all bags, so there is no need to drag any bags at all.

Volunteers can expect to find lots of plastic and typical marine litter such as tin cans, fishing gear, ropes and a lot of polystyrene. They can also expect to find discarded commercial 25-litre barrels with used oil, as on most previous visits.

Beach Buddies provide all the necessary equipment, and disposes of the materials collected afterwards at the nearby Northern Civic Amenity Site where many of the items are recycled.

New volunteers have been a regular feature of the sessions this year, and in recent months Beach Buddies have see a large number of new faces, of all ages.

Organiser Bill Dale said: ‘If you have never been before, come along and join in. It’s informal, there’s no need to register - just turn up and wear suitable clothing for the weather and decent walking shoes or boots. You will be warmly welcomed.’

Sessions last no more than 90 minutes and Sunday’s event will conclude not later than noon. But volunteers can stay for a little or as long as they wish.

A Douglas woman has appeared in court this morning after police allegedly seized cannabis worth than £11,000 at her home yesterday (Thursday).

Melanie Anne Freeland, aged 36, of Hillside Avenue, has been charged with two counts of possession of the drug, one of possession with intent to supply, and money laundering.

A bail application made by Ms Freeland’s advocate Roger Kane on her behalf was refused by Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes.

She will appear in summary court again on Tuesday.

A dog owner whose pets escaped on three occasions and worried sheep has been fined and must pay the farmer more than £6,000 in compensation.

Fields where the dogs had rampaged on the loose were a scene of carnage with dead and injured ewes and lambs strewn around, a court in Douglas heard.

Neil Christopher Cheetham, of Main Road, Greeba, was the owner of a Newfoundland cross called Scooby-Doo and a Weimeraner called Caesar-Sam.

The 55-year-old admitted two offences of being the keeper of the two dogs involved in an attack on April 12.

He asked the court to take into consideration four previous offences on March 28 and January 4, each involving two of his dogs attacking livestock at neighbouring Ballavitchel Farm in Crosby.

On the first occasion, in January, the livestock owner had a call telling him dogs were attacking his animals. Using a quad bike he rushed to the site and found Cheetham’s two dogs in the field along with a number of injured sheep, one of them in a ditch. On that occasion, he captured the dogs and shut them in a barn. They were subsequently taken by the dog warden to the MSPCA centre.

Three sheep had to be destroyed as a result of that attack.

For the prosecution, James Robinson told the court the farmer had visited Cheetham who had agreed to pay around £1,000 in compensation but no money had been forthcoming.

A further alert came in March that Cheetham’s dogs were again attacking sheep at Ballavitchel Farm. Five sheep had been attacked and two had to be destroyed.

This time police visited the MSPCA and the two dogs were identified. They also visited Cheetham, who said the dogs had made off into a nearby forest then he had later been contacted by the MSPCA.

The final recurrence was soon after 8am on April 12. Police were called and found a scene of devastation with multiple dead ewes and lambs in the field that bordered Cheetham’s land. On this occasion the two dogs responsible had been caught and shot.

The scene was examined by the government vet. There wre 13 dead ewes and 52 dead lambs.

Mr Robinson said the dogs were shot at the scene and £6,760 in compensation was being requested.

Representing Cheetham, advocate Paul Rodgers said his client accepted his dogs had been out of control and asked for a conditional discharge as his client was facing a substantial bill in compensation.

He said Cheetham was not aware the dogs were anything other than well behaved as they were familiar with horses and had shown no inclination to harm livestock before.

‘The dogs were allowed to roam on his land. He spoke to police when he was aware they were missing,’ he said.

‘He had installed additional fencing to try to address the problem and it is hard to appreciate the emotional impact of this on him.’

Passing sentence, Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said: ‘There were incidents in January and March and yet these dogs were still allowed to escape and worry and kill sheep.

‘You should have taken better control and particularly after the March incident you should have known that there was a very real problem. You seem to have done nothing to stop your dogs straying off your land.

‘The offences are too serious to be dealt with by a conditional discharge.’

He was fined £1,000 with £50 costs and must pay compensation of £6,760.

The defendant is currently on income support and the money is to be paid at £20 per week after a downpayment of £1,000.

A man who rode his motorbike at 120mph in a 60mph zone has been fined £450 and banned from driving for three months.

Keith Gear, of York Road in Douglas, pleaded guilty in court to speeding and was also ordered to pay £50 court costs.

The 60mph speed limit was a temporary one set up on the A3 Glen Helen to Kirk Michael road during this year’s TT.

The court heard how, at 12.10pm on May 28, 50-year-old Gear was riding his Honda motorcycle along the road towards Kirk Michael.

An unmarked police motorcycle patrol with onboard camera equipment was travelling behind Gear.

The officer riding the bike reported that the weather was fine and the road was busy with traffic travelling in both directions as they went through Glen Helen.

It was said that Gear was travelling at excessive speed and the officer followed him as they went through Hanley’s Corner between the 11th and 12th milestone.

After the bend Gear accelerated to 120mph in an area which still had a speed limit of 60mph.

As he came into Kirk Michael he slowed and stopped at Michael Car Centre.

When spoken to by the officer Gear, who has no previous convictions, said: ‘I do understand where you’re coming from but I wasn’t being careless. I do understand what they charge you for.’

Defending Gear in court, his advocate Pamela Pringle handed in letters of reference on behalf of her client.

The references told how Gear had passed advanced driving tests for both a bike and a car.

Ms Pringle said: ‘My client is very safety conscious. At one time he was even teaching the advanced test on a voluntary basis.

‘He got caught out by a temporary speed limit put there for the TT. He missed the speed limit sign due to being followed closely by another bike, which turned out to be the police.

‘He thought the rider was going to overtake him so he slowed down then stopped. Speeding goes totally against his values. He apologises to the court and wishes to convey to the court that he will be much more vigilant in future. He simply got caught out by the temporary speed limit and got caught up with the TT.

‘Had he been aware of the limit he certainly wouldn’t have been speeding. I would ask that he is dealt with leniently and you do not disqualify him.’

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said: ‘You are an extremely experienced rider. References speak very highly of you saying you are a safe driver. However, you were twice the legal speed limit whether temporary or not. Speed limits are put on the roads for a reason during TT, to keep everyone safe.

‘There are plenty of places on the island you can travel at 120mph and do so safely. It wasn’t safe at that point in the road.’

The island’s Chief Minister has been in talks today with other leaders from around the British Isles to discuss the implications of Brexit.

The extraordinary summit of the {https://www.britishirishcouncil.org/|British-Irish Council (BIC)} was held in Cardiff to consider issues in the wake of the referendum vote, including the economy and trade, common travel area and future relations with the EU.

A statement from the Manx government reads: ‘Leaders also reiterated their commitment to the BIC as a way of maintaining strong relationships between the sovereign governments, devolved administrations and crown dependencies during this period of uncertainty.’

It adds that as well as contributing to the summit’s main agenda, Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK joined his counterparts from Jersey and Guernsey for talks with UK Government representatives about the implications of Brexit for the crown dependencies.

Mr Bell said: ‘It is vital for the Isle of Man to stay as close as possible to developments following the vote for the UK to leave the EU.

‘We are in uncharted waters and the island must draw on the strength of its external relationships to protect its position as the implications of Brexit become clearer.

‘Events have been rapidly unfolding over the past month and we have witnessed dramatic changes to Britain’s political and economic landscape. The extraordinary BIC summit provided an opportunity for member administrations to take stock and to discuss our common priorities.’

He added: ‘The Isle of Man Government remains very active in terms of promoting our position. We are continuing to work closely with Jersey and Guernsey to ensure the interests of the crown dependencies are taken into account during the UK Government’s negotiations.

‘While we are all on a journey into the unknown, the Isle of Man is a resourceful, resilience and outward-looking nation with a strong track record of successfully adjusting to a changing world.’

The Isle of Man has never been a member of the EU.

When the UK joined its relationship with the organisation was governed by {https://www.gov.im/media/624101/protocol3relationshipwiththeeu.pdf|Protocol 3} of the treaty the UK then signed.

It allows for free movement of goods but not services.

Mr Bell took his place at the Summit alongside delegations headed by First Minister Carwyn Jones (Wales), Taoiseach Enda Kenny (Ireland), Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns, and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire (UK), First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness (Northern Ireland), First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (Scotland), Chief Minister Ian Gorst (Jersey) and Chief Minister Gavin St Pier (Guernsey).

The BIC, established under the terms of the Good Friday peace agreement, is the only international forum comprising the governments of the UK, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey. It plays an important role in developing positive links between member countries and provides a platform for consultation and co-operation.

The Isle of Man has had a rave write-up in London’s biggest local paper.

The Evening Standard describes the island as ‘a real gem of the British Isles’.

{http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/travel/under-the-radar-why-the-isle-of-man-should-be-on-your-british-bucket-list-a3301011.html|Click here to read the article in full}

Tynwald has approved the first step in a radical reform of the Manx state pension.

But backbenchers said there is confusion of who exactly the winners and losers will be.

Under the plans, a new single tier state pension of £170 a week will be introduced from April 6, 2019.

Island residents will require 35 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions or credits for the full amount, instead of the current 30, and you will need a minimum of 10 years to get any payment.

The Manx pension supplement for new claimants will be phased out over 20 years starting in 2019, reducing by 5 per cent each year. The state second pension will also end.

These changes, which do not affect existing pensions, follow the historic break-away of the Manx state pension from the UK system in April this year.

They aim to make the pension more sustainable, preventing the National Insurance Fund from running out in the late 2050s.

Treasury member Bill Henderson MLC said the reforms formed the centrepiece of a complete overhaul of the island’s welfare system. He said: ‘This is being done for the best interests of the island.’

But Michael MHK Alfred Cannan said there needed to be more clarity about who is going to be impacted by the changes.

LibVan leader Kate Beecroft (Douglas South) said she found it unbelievable that Treasury could not say how many people would be disadvantaged and by how much.

But Treasury Minister Eddie Teare insisted any delay would put the 2019 implementation date in jeopardy.

Mr Henderson accused Mr Cannan of leading ‘Project Fear’. But he accepted the reforms provide a capping mechanism.

‘We’ve made no secret of that,’ he said.

Mr Cannan’s call to have the matter referred to a select committee was defeated.

The reforms were approved, with a small amendment by Peel MHK Ray Harmer, by 15 votes to seven in the Keys and five votes to two in LegCo.

3FM has moved from its Victoria Street,Douglas, location to a brand new facility located in Skanco Court on Cooil Road, Braddan next to B &Q.

The station launched in October 2004 and has occupied a high street location since then, but the lease on the building has expired and as managing director Ron Berry explained it has given the opportunity to upgrade the station’s broadcast equipment and improve the workspace.

Ron said: ‘We are all very excited to have moved to new premises and in particular to share a building with a very established IT company like Skanco, it seems to be a perfect fit. The new studios have been fitted with state of the art AOIP (audio over internet protocol) broadcast equipment which enables greater flexibility for the future development of our business.

‘High Street Douglas has been good to us over the last 12 years and the station has gone through a number of changes over the years but importantly has gone from strength to strength.

‘This month has seen our highest RAJAR research quarter yet and we are so grateful to all our advertisers and listeners both on island and around the world for making us their station of choice.

‘As a privately owned station our listeners and clients are at the heart of everything that we do.’

David Butterworth of Skanco is thrilled to welcome 3fm to their office. He said: ‘Having known Ron for many years now through jointly founding the Manx Education Foundation as a friend and a business associate, it gives me great pleasure to welcome him and the staff at 3fm to our offices in Braddan’.

3 FM was awarded a further 10 year licence by the Isle of Man Communications Commission in 2014 which secures the future of the station and provided the confidence to make a substantial investment in building new studios and fitting out the latest broadcast technology.,

Programme director George Ferguson said: ‘Ron and I took over the running of the station at the end of 2011 and continually review our news and music output.

‘We have also developed our online business and internet presence in particular our social media platforms.

‘I have been involved in broadcasting since the 60’s and have seen radio totally change over the years but coming to work every day at 3FM and working with such a dedicated team still excites me. I am so grateful to our listeners and advertisers for their support and I can promise that 3 FM will continue to offer a great mix of music and information with some real surprises to come before the end of this year.’

More than £134,000 of public funds has been spent on international travel for Tynwald members over the past five years.

Figures released in a written reply to a Tynwald question from Graham Cregeen (Malew and Santon) show that Health Minister Howard Quayle’s travel costs were the highest in the last financial year at £6,684, of which £6,293 was spent on his fact-finding trip to New Zealand to study the integrated healthcare model pioneered in Christchurch.

Second highest was Chief Minister Allan Bell at £6,136, of which £4,565 went on last year’s trip to Shanghai and Beijing, when he led a delegation to promote business links with China.

In 2014-15, Ramsey MHK Leonard Singer’s clocked up the highest sum in international travel at £7,050, with trips to Israel and Strasbourg as representative of the Department of Economic Development.

Second highest, at £5,797, was Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson who visited Montenegro, Cameroon, Dublin, Gibraltar and South Africa.

Mr Watterson said the trip to Cameroon was with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association but he believed the trip to South Africa for the Commonwealth Youth Parliament had later been reimbursed by the CPA in London. The visit to Montenegro was organised by the Communication Commission to meet European regulators while his trip to Gibraltar came when he accepted an invitation to attend the jurisdiction’s National Day.

The biggest sum of public funds in a year over the past five years has gone on foreign travel by Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne, who is chairman of the overseas aid committee. At total of £8,666 was spent in 2013-14, the bulk of which on trips to two trips to Sierra Leone and one to Nairobi.

This followed the donation in September 2012 of a fisheries patrol vessel to the people of Sierra Leone.

Second highest figure over the five years was the £7,998 travel costs of former MLC Alex Downie in 2011-12 for visits to the States, the British Virgin Island and the Monaco Boat Show.

The real thing has been out of service, awaiting repairs, for more than a year - and it’s never really worked properly.

But now train buffs can have the chance to drive the diesel loco, with the launch of a simulator at Port Erin railway museum.

Presumably, to be really lifelike, the simulator will conk out somewhere on the virtual railway line!

The new Drive the Diesel simulator experience will be launched this weekend.

It was developed for Isle of Man Railways by specialist rail simulator company Ian Rowe Associates of Milton Keynes.

Public transport bosses said the cost of developing the simulator is ‘commercially sensitive’ information and is not being made public in accordance with an agreement reached with Mr Rowe’s company.

The project has taken around 12 months to complete and involved hundreds of photographs being taken of every section of the Port Erin line to ensure an accurate representation of the sections used in the driver training.

Bookings can be made direct to the museum shop by phoning 836855. The simulator is available from 10am to 4pm on days the steam railway operates.

Driver training level 1 is a 15-minute session and costs £5 per person. The experience includes moving carriages from Port St Mary and Port Erin plus shunting carriages at Douglas Station.

Level 2 is aimed more at the enthusiast and includes all level 1 tasks plus driving a train from Douglas to Port Soderick and back. It lasts around 30 minutes.

Drivers must observe all speed limits and the rules of the railway to obtain a good mark and are given one of 10 ranks ranging from learner to perfectionist.

Kate Beecroft MHK, political member responsible for public transport, believes the Drive the Diesel simulator experience will be a good addition to Isle of Man Railways’ activities.

She said: ‘The simulator is suitable for all ages and promises to be a great attraction to draw people into the Railway Museum and gift shop at Port Erin. It is likely to help drive up income from secondary spend and we are grateful to Ian Rowe Associates for undertaking this project.’

Mr Rowe, company director, said: ‘Developing the Isle of Man Railways’ simulator was a bit of a departure from our normal application, which is to train drivers on rail vehicle driving. This was a labour of love for us using the same technology. We are very happy with the end result.’

The real diesel loco no. 21 has only pulled 34 passenger trains since it was delivered the end of 2013. Shortly after arrival it was consigned to the sheds with engine problems. It is currently out of service awaiting repairs for a loose tyre problem. This has resulted in some cancellations to services this summer.

Repairs have been delayed while engineering and management time focused on essential repairs to the Snaefell and Steam Railway tracks following last winter’s floods, which caused significant damage. It is hoped No. 21 will return to service this winter.

The British Army is holding a recruitment drive across the Isle of Man next week.

Members of the Isle of Man Army Reserve will be in Castletown, Port Erin, Ramsey, Peel, Onchan and Douglas on Tuesday and Wednesday to talk to the public about the opportunities available in the Army Reserve.

The Army hasn’t said exactly where in each town or village. iomtoday.co.im asked and a press officer hopes to have that information with us by Monday. The story will be updated when we get the information.

A drill night will be held on Wednesday from 7.30pm to 9pm at the Army Reserve Centre in Lord Street, Douglas, where people interested in finding out more can go along and speak to local soldiers.

The recruitment drive will conclude with a display by the {http://www.reddevilsonline.com/|Red Devils parachute display team on Sunday, July 31, at 7pm at the war memorial in Douglas.

Seven different Army Reserve units/corps will be involved, including the 4th Battalion Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, 4th Battalion the Parachute Regiment, 103 Regiment Royal Artillery, 146 Royal Logistics Corps, 6 Military Intelligence Battalion, 3 Medical Regiment and 75 Engineer Regiment.

Major General John Crackett, director reserves, said: ‘Too many young people aren’t considering the Army Reserve because of false preconceptions: from thinking they don’t have enough time to be a reservist to believing that they will have to join for a long time and it’s difficult to leave when the reverse is true.

‘The Army Reserve should be a top choice for all those wanting to make the most of their spare time. This event will help encourage young people to have open and honest conversations with current Reservists about their experiences, discuss any reservations and consider all that The Army Reserve has to offer.’

Staff Sergeant Ian Openshaw, 156 Regiment the Royal Logistic Corps, from Douglas, will be taking part in the week-long recruitment drive.

He said: ‘I have been in the Army Reserves for 20 years now and I have loved every minute of it. The Reserves has allowed me to travel the world, on both training exercises and operations, where I have made friends for life. The Reserves offers something for everyone, it is an amazing experience.’

The recruitment surge is being held to support the British Army’s new Reserve recruitment campaign - A Better You - after it was identified that over two thirds of 18- to 35-year-olds felt that the amount of personal sacrifice, of which time is a major factor, was too high.

But the Army says the time commitment is a minimum of 19 days a year, much of which is made up of short training evenings during the week.

There are more than 200 different roles on offer in the Army Reserve such as musicians, carpenters, chaplains, teachers, HR specialists, engineers, vets and dog handlers

Army Reserve soldiers:

Have opportunities to travel overseas on exercises, sport and peacekeeping, from training in Kenya to supporting the UN in Cyprus.

Take up adventurous training from mountaineering in the Himalayas, to sky-diving in Florida

Earn an annual tax free bonus of up to £1,725 and could be eligible for a joining bonus of up to £2,300

Get paid for all the time that they spend training and daily pay goes up every year and with each promotion

Will be entitled to a non-contributory pension

Get one day of paid holiday for every 10 days in training

Need to commit to 19 days per year for national units and 27 days for regional units

Can now gain an apprenticeship as an Army Reserve and the Army might even pay for you to get your LGV driving licence, or to gain qualifications such as, City & Guilds qualifications

Peel Viking longboat races will take place in the bay tomorrow (Saturday), starting at midday.

The popular annual event includes classes for men’s, ladies’ and mixed teams.

Winning and placed teams in each event will receive a sum of money to donate to a local charity.

Visit the Peel Viking Longboats Facebook page for more information.

Manx charity Sailing for the Disabled will be saying ‘All aboard’ when it holds an open day this weekend.

The event will take place on Saturday between midday and 5pm in Douglas marina, when people will have the chance to look around the charity’s yacht Pride of Mann III, talk to its skippers and crew, and meet sponsors.

Sailing for the Disabled is based on the yacht which sails most days, taking people on trips ranging from short sailings to trips to Scotland, Wales or Ireland.

It was started in 1984 and offers children and adults with conditions that affect their every day life, whether physical, mental or emotional, the opportunity to sail.

In 2006 the charity received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

It only costs £10 a year to join the charity which entitles people to go on any of the sailings.

Events co-ordinator Neil Johnson is also one of the skippers on the boat.

Neil said: ‘Sailing for the Disabled is a Manx charity. It has no paid staff and is entirely run by enthusiastic volunteers. All money donated stays on the island and is used for the benefit of members and groups with disabilities whom we help.

‘We have around 50 volunteers and 200 members. We sail most days, depending on the weather. The object of the open day is to show people what we do and attract more members.

‘We do trips of various lengths, some short lasting four hours, day sails, weekend sails and cruises lasting up to seven days.

The charity is run from donations by organisations such as Peel Charity Shop, the Lowe Trust and the Gough Ritchie Foundation.

Among its sponsors are Nedbank Private Wealth (IoM) Limited, Patricia Wild Opticians, Pokerstars Helping Hands, Dohle (IoM) Limited, Bernard Schulte Ship Management IOM and Burroughs Stewart Associates.

Training and practice sessions are regularly held for volunteer skippers mates and crew/carers.

A full list of sailings can be found on the Sailing for the Disabled website www.sftd-iom.com and on their Facebook page.

Pride of Mann III is based in Douglas inner harbour. Walk past Douglas Yacht Club and along the jetty to the end.

Young adults with additional needs who enjoy the outdoors are invited to get a taste of the Community Farm’s inclusion programme this summer.

The programme, now entering its fourth year, is designed to help people develop skills, confidence, communication and resilience, through social, educational, physical and fun experiences based at the farm and around the island.

There are currently 15 people enrolled in the programme, which is joint funded by Manx Mencap, Autism In Man and the Skills for Independent Living Scheme.

There is room for more people, so The Community Farm is hosting four free taster sessions for families to come and try it all out.

One is being held on Tuesday (July 26) with further sessions on Tuesday, August 2, Tuesday, August 16, and Tuesday, August 23.

Each one is 2pm till 4pm at The Community Farm, five minutes outside Douglas on the Old Castletown Road, Braddan. Minibus pick up and drop off is available from Lord Street bus station if needed.

The Community Farm, set up by The Children’s Centre in 2011, runs a variety of Inclusion sessions five days a week; each one with a different focus depending on the needs of the group. Some sessions focus on fun and socialising, while others push people a little further to help work towards awards and even work placements and further education.

Sessions include horticulture, caring for animals, nature and wildlife, cooking and arts and crafts, regularly teaming up with the likes of Beach Buddies and the Manx Wildlife Trust.

Inclusion officer Llinos Ellis said: ‘We are looking for enthusiastic young adults with a disability or additional need who are eager to try new things and who enjoy the outdoors.

‘It is hands-on, practical, holistic learning. We concentrate on person-centred learning, pushing people out of their comfort zone but in a safe, nurturing environment.

Kyle Davies, aged 20, has been coming to inclusion sessions for two years. He said: ‘I was nervous at first, but then I made new friends. The farm is peaceful; we learn new skills and meet people.’

To book a place on a taster session or find out more about the Inclusion programme contact Llinos on 355361 or llinosellis@thechildrenscentre.org.im

A survey costing £12,900 is to be conducted to assess damp in local authority housing in Douglas.

The survey is to consider a total of 24 houses randomly selected from the council’s housing stock.

Housing committee chairman David Ashford said the objective was to get as wide a cross section of types styles and ages of properties as possible to find the root of the problem and consider solutions.

‘We owe it to our tenants to take it seriously and try to find the remedy,’ he said.

However, the survey will not include any of the houses on the Willaston estate as all properties are part of a refurbishment programme. This has already proved effective in addressing damp problems, generally attributed to the cavity wall insulation, Councillor Ashford said.

‘It’s to be a one-off survey. We’ve had complaints for years so it’s come about as a result of a motion by council leader David Christian and seconded by myself. It is being done by an independent contractor and it will assess if there really is a damp problem or if it’s lifestyle,’ he said.

Speaking at a full meeting of Douglas council, Councillor Christian asked what criteria would be used to select the houses, given their age variation from the 1940s onwards. Some of the newly built properties in Lower Pulrose had, he said, been ‘damp from day one’.

‘We need to be talking to the tenants and finding out when these problems date back to. Was it when the fire places were taken out or when new windows were put in? Is it because we are sealing properties up and making them draft-free? ‘Or is it down to lifestyle and the way some people live?’ he said.

The £12,900 cost could be taken from general revenue reserves to conserve the council’s already over-stretched housing maintenance budget.

A highly atmospheric and amusing book about everyday life on a Manx farm between 1943 and 1944 has been launched at an event at Port St Mary Town Hall.

‘A Year on Ballachurry Farm’ is by farmer Stanley Clucas, who in 1937 was born at the farm where he still lives.

He is a member of Rushen Heritage Trust and his involvement in that prompted him to note down some memories of rural life.

He joined forces with brother Alan and sister Margaret Oates and their collected memories form the book. The year was selected by the trust as it was still war time.

Although the book charts the agricultural year – from November 12 to harvest time – the war makes its impact through rationing and help with farm work from internees, who soon become friends.

There are also anecdotes capturing a rural community and way of life now greatly diminished.

Some passages are poetic, such as a quiet moment for the farmer, ‘the boss’, and his wife, ‘the missus’: ‘They are both quiet for a moment as they gaze across the stubble in the gathering dusk. In the distance the barn owl is quartering the field, hovering now and again as a field mouse darts for shelter. Overhead, with their high-pitched squeaks that give them guidance in the dark, bats hunt the endless supply of insects that rise above the farmyard.’

So, did Stan, who is captain of Rushen parish, realise he had a book in him? He said he is just ‘embarrassed by the fuss, to be honest’, adding: ‘I did not ever think of myself as a writer. I started off and got some photographs and bits of text and as I went along I started to enjoy it. The whole thing came out of the blue.’

An exhibition based on the book is currently being staged at Port St Mary Town Hall, until Tuesday, daily from 10am to 4pm.

A young woman who stole small sums of money from work colleagues did it because she was short of cash to buy food and pay bills, had no friends and no family support, a court has been told.

Jennifer Ruth Boyle, of Empire Terrace in Douglas, rifled through bags and pockets of her colleagues taking modest amounts of cash – between £10 and £50 during November and December last year.

But the court heard the 20-year-old was full of remorse and acted out of desperation.

She admitted five offences of theft at an earlier hearing, which was then adjourned for pre-sentence reports.

Boyle’s advocate, Winston Taylor, said the defendant had been left to fend for herself from the age of 17. She had sought help, he said, and had been badly let down.

‘She was ill-equipped for life as an adult and has struggled to cope. She had nowhere to turn and no one to talk to; her best friend was her cat,’ he said.

Though she had found a job, he said her basic living expenses far exeeded her income.

‘She found herself in spiralling debt exacerbated by a pay-day loan, and this left her with no money for food, clothing or heating. To steal was not an easy choice,’ he said.

Boyle had written a letter of apology which, he said, showed the whole experience had had a profound effect on her.

‘This was elucidated last time in the summary. She gave a full account to police on her arrest and entered guilty pleas so full credit is merited for that,’ he said.

Though the defendant had previous cautions, he emphasised the thefts were not for ‘frivolous enrichment’ but to ‘prevent starvation’.

‘A seismic event happened in her life at 17 and from that point on she was left to fend for herself. She has deep regret and significant victim empathy,’ he said.

Mr Taylor told the court the defendant was working and support measures were now in place for her. He asked the court to consider a discharge, or community service, but said the custody threshold was not passed.

However, Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes did not agree.

‘I’m not necessarily with you so you will need to persuade me,’ she said.

‘This was a breach of trust and a serious offence in which she stole repeatedly from colleagues. It’s never necessary to steal from one’s colleagues.’

Mrs Hughes noted probation and community service had both been ruled out as a sentence, but that Boyle was receiving support with budgeting and day-to-day living skills. For each offence she received eight weeks’ custody, suspended for two years. She pays £110 compensation for the stolen cash and £125 costs.