With polling day for the general election now just a week away, there’s a last chance for voters to quiz the candidates.

There are requisition meetings taking place tonight (Thursday) in Sulby and Douglas - with more to come right up to the eve of the election.

The first of the hustings last week saw Port St Mary town hall and Castletown Civic Centre packed out with voters keen to put the would-be MHKs on the spot.

The following meetings have been called:

Ayre and Michael: Sulby Community Centre on Thursday, September 15, at 7.30pm

Douglas East: Promenade Methodist Church on Thursday, September 15 at 7.30pm

Garff: Working Men’s Institute, Laxey, on Friday September 16, at 7.30pm

Middle: Memorial Hall, Union Mills on Friday September 16 at 7.30pm

Douglas South: Scoill Vallajeelt on Monday September 19 at 7.30pm

Glenfaba and Peel: Corrin Hall, Peel, on Monday, September 19, starting at 7pm.

Ayre and Michael: Ballaugh Parish Hall on Tuesday, September 20, at 7pm

Onchan: Elim Family Centre, Second Avenue, Onchan, on Tuesday, September 20, at 7.30pm

Ayre and Michael: Michael School Sports Hall on Wednesday, September 21, at 7.30pm

Manx Energy Advice Centre promotes energy conservation and the use of renewables, and gives free independent advice and information for businesses and households, Cat Turner reports

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As regular readers will know, several environmental organisations share the resources of the Green Centre – the lively gathering space located opposite Shoprite on the ground floor of the Chester Street complex in Douglas.

One of these is the Manx Energy Advice Centre, or MEAC, while the others are Zero Waste Mann, EcoVannin and Isle of Man Friends of the Earth.

MEAC is an independent charity, which promotes energy conservation and the use of renewables, and gives free independent advice and information for businesses and households on these issues.

Its visitors include people who want to save money through energy efficiency, and cutting their electricity, oil and gas bills, and those who want to help the environment by cutting their carbon footprints.

The charity was founded in the early 2000s, and was originally based in the beautiful Silverdale Glen at the old water-powered corn mill – a perfect example of an alternative to electricity or fossil fuels to produce power.

The organisation has a number of members, but the two you’re most likely to find in the Green Centre on a Saturday, or out and about dispensing help at other times, are George Fincher and Chris Burton.

In addition to their information/advisory work, they also offer a comprehensive lending library of books on energy related issues – from heat-efficient building, straw bale building and passivehauses, to renewable generation, heat pumps, insulation and climate change.

This, coupled with internet facilities (thanks to the help of the good folks at Sure), and Chris and George’s consultation services, means that MEAC can provide a pretty comprehensive source of information.

Between them, the MEAC folks have considerable first-hand experience in installing and maintaining ‘indigenous renewable energy resources’ – essentially, microgeneration so people can generate their own power – using solar, wind and micro-hydro.

On top of this, they provide a first point of contact for teachers and pupils interested in finding out about environmental issues – or, indeed, in getting involved in practical ‘green power’ projects.

They’re also happy to help local schools develop new curriculum ideas, and environmental policies and practices.

The team participate in all the Green Centre’s appearances at local festivals.

Demonstrations at these include LED panels, solar ovens and kettles, insulation materials, human-powered alternatives to electrical appliances and more.

If you’d like to meet this amiable and knowledgeable team, call into the Green Centre most Saturdays between 10am and 5pm, email info@manxenergyadvicecentre.org or visit www.manxenergyadvicecentre.org

THERE has been an increase in the number of Blue Badges being stolen from their owners’ cars in the UK.

They are handy items to have when it comes to finding a parking place. All the thieves have to do is find a car which has been left unlocked.

I don’t know if this is happening in the Isle of Man. My Blue Badge is – or it was at time of writing – still in the windscreen of my car. But it is time for me and my colleagues to be on the alert and form ourselves into a protest group with an eye-catching name.

But my first choice, the Blue Badgers, had to be discarded immediately. It sounded as though we were a freak wildlife species resulting from our proximity to radioactive discharges from Sellafield.

The Blue Badge Boys is rather too frisky - we are none of us boys any more.

As for the Boys in Blue, that makes us sound like the policemen and I for one would not find it easy to walk the beat, if they still do that as much as they used to.

Meanwhile, I have another matter to bring up. A short time ago I parked briefly in Market Street, Douglas, on some double yellow lines. When I came back there was a traffic warden about to leave me a warning notice saying that I had committed an offence.

I told him I didn’t know it was an offence. He told me it is in the Isle of Man, but not across the water. In the circumstances I would like to say this to Blue Badge holders coming over here for a holiday: ‘Welcome to the Isle of Man. But just you keep off our double yellow lines if you know what’s good for you.’

THERE are no crossword clues from readers so I will draw attention to something I found in a codewords puzzle in the Daily Telegraph.

It was ‘Cringle.’ As a matter of information, a cringle is an eyelet or rope worked into or attached to the edge of a sail to which to secure a rope.

At least we Cringles sound like we are some use to somebody.

THE sign above was photographed for me by my Manx Radio broadcasting colleague James Davis when he was on a visit to Glasgow with his brother Nick and father Richard.

They snapped it up, so to speak.

John Kerruish in Peel tells us he heard the following on the BBC Radio 4 news last week: ‘The Bishop of Grantham has admitted to being gay after being exposed by the local newspaper.’

In the next bulletin the word ‘exposed’ was replaced by ‘confirmed.’

As John says, that is more ecclesiastically appropriate.

GEOFF Cowle has been on to me about the programmes listed in ‘The TV Magazine’, wondering why there are listings for the month of ‘Septmeber.’

We may found out in Octmeber or even Novmember Geoff.

ONE Malapropism from our anonymous source: ‘She’s on eternity leave.’

THE newsreaders on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme don’t often get it wrong so it is worth knowing about it when one of them does.

It was a woman but I didn’t catch her name and she was reporting on a public inquiry in Britain into ‘childhood abusity.’

FUNNIES File: The Weston and World News reported: ‘The couple were taken to Weston Hospital and were later released without injury.’

SIGNS: In a restaurant window: ‘Don’t just stand there and be hungry. Come on in and get fed up.’

Rosemary Jane Corlett, of 31 Queens Drive, Peel, bought 2 Mourne View, Peel, for £530,000.

It was bought from Geoffrey Wall, by trustee, Michael Kuhlmann Wall, of Solihull, West Midlands, as trustee, and Christine Kuhlmann Sharp, of Derbyshire, as trustee.

Other recent transactions lodged at the General Registry in Douglas are as follows:

David Andrew Mackay and Kerry-Lynne Mackey sold 5 Pinehurst Glen, Douglas, for £465,000, to Peter Ian Downing and Sarah Louise Creer, both of 6 Bluebell Close, Saddlestone.

Timothy Allan Mann sold The Priory, Abbots Way, Ballasalla, for £420,000, to David Ian Souter and Angela Jean Souter, of Dubai, UAE.

Pamela Katherine Hall sold Pentwyn, Mill Road, Surby, Rushen, for £364,000, to S & S Motors Limited, whose registered office is situated at Alexander Road, Castletown.

George William Tiney, Chelmsford, Essex, sold Monks Bridge Cottage, Abbey Road Lane, Ballasalla, for £349,950, to Jane Marie Birchall, 31 Edremony Estate, Port Erin.

James David Mullineaux, of Hillcroft, Somerset Road, Douglas, sold Cleveland Lodge, 1 Albany Road, Douglas, for £335,000, to John William Blackshaw, of Woodvale, Glen Wyllin, Michael.

William Walter Adams and Anthea Mary Adams, sold Ballacraig Croft, Ballaugh Curraghs, Ballaugh, for £325,000, to Jason Mark Carter and Frank Russell Carter, of Regaby Mooar, Regaby West Road, Andreas.

Phyllis Waugh, of Apartment 6, Empress Apartments, Central Promenade, Douglas, sold 1 Harcroft Road, Braddan, for £309,100, to Samuel Andrew Williams and Sarah Jane Williams, both of 38 Ballabrooie Way, Douglas.

Stephen Gordon Berry and Janet Berry sold 12 Erin Lane, Port Erin, for £299,500, to Aidan William Mallinson, of 42 Erin Crescent, Port Erin, and Amanda Mallinson.

Darren Robinson and Lynn Catherine Robinson, sold Mount View, Four Roads, Port St Mary, for £293,000, to Paul Skelly and Louise Skelly, both of 35 Maghergarran, Port Erin.

Alexandra Joan Kennedy sold 26 Alberta Drive, Onchan, for £250,000, to Julia Susan Davies, 17 Royal Buildings, Main Road, Onchan.

Margaret Jean Nowak, as trustee, and Dorothy Hazel Sim, by trustee, sold Ailsa Craig, 13 Cooil Breryk, Grove Mount, Ramsey, for £235,500, to Carolyn Carey and Hugues Marie Paul Auclerc, both of Balmoral, Queens Promenade, Ramsey.

Claire Taylor sold 54 Farmhill Meadows, Douglas, for £225,000, to Timothy James Martin, and Zoe Lynne Henderson, both of 67 Nursery Avenue, Onchan.

Michael Dominic Ventre and Nicola Higgins, sold 17 Lancaster Rod, Douglas, for £221,000, to Jamie Lewis and Charlotte Jane Vale, of Flat 4, 25 Demesne Road, Douglas.

Carole McLear sold 32 Derby Road, Peel, for £218,000, to Kee Song Chang and Li Quen Chang, both of 2 Atholl Place, Peel.

Ronald Richard Kaighin, by trustee, and Steven Michael Boles, of 49 Willaston Crescent, Douglas, as trustee, sold 10 Auckland Grove, Douglas, for £217,500, to Christopher Edward Corrin Taggart and Janet Elizabeth Bell, of 4 Laureston Terrace, Douglas.

Elizabeth Campbell Sayle by trustee, Irene Jeanetta Cassidy, of 10 Close Cowley, Douglas, as trustee, sold 23 Ashbourne Avenue, Douglas, for £204,000, to Emma Lauren Betteridge, of 7 Manor View, Douglas.

A transaction was published in last week’s Isle of Man Examiner, relating to the sale of Ballawhite and Newlands House, Baldrine, by Robert Michael White and Anne Jeanette White to Lisa Nicola White, of Ballawhite, Baldrine, for £212,500. We have been asked to point out that no such transaction has taken place, and are happy to set the record straight.

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We publish details of all house sales unless we receive a written request from the police or probation services.

Television viewers without a licence could face an ominous knock on their door in the next few weeks as a new TV licence campaign gets under way.

The campaign aims to publicise the rules relating to television licences in the Isle of Man, in the wake of a change to the law at the start of September.

Since then, all viewers need a licence to download or watch BBC television programmes on demand. The change also applies to catch-up and BBC iPlayer, and closes a loop hole which previously meant no licence was necessary for television programmes which were not viewed at the time of broadcast, on iPlayer, for example. This meant it was entirely legal to view programmes even just a few minutes after broadcast.

Television licensing spokesman Jason Hill said cyclist Mark Cavendish’s silver medal success at the Olympic Games was a highlight of the BBC’s digital summer of sport and had seen numerous viewers tuning in to BBC iPlayer to catch up on the Olympic action.

In the light of this, he said they were anxious to make sure everyone was aware of the change in the law.

‘During the campaign the focus will be on making contact with unlicensed addresses on the island to find out whether they need a licence. We would always prefer people to pay rather than risk a fine of up to £1,000, so we are letting residents know in advance there is still time to buy a licence or get in touch with us for advice,’ he said.

As was previously the case, a licence is still required to watch or record any live television on any channel, no matter what device is used.

To give plenty of advance notice of the visits, Television Licensing is contacting a variety of community groups and public service organisations in the island to provide information and highlight the various different ways of paying, as well as the different resources available in different languages.

The cost of a colour television licence is £145.50 and it can be bought over the counter at post offices, or online at www.tvlicensing.co.uk or over the phone.

There are also easy payment options for anyone who would struggle to find the full cost in one go. In that case, the cost can be paid weekly, fortnightly or monthly, either on a cash payment plan or by direct debit, which can be set up quickly and easily on line.

More information about paying by instalmentsis available by calling 0300 790 6127, or by logging on to www.tvlicensing.co.ij/payinfo. To make weekly or monthly cash payments, call 0300 555 0300.

In March, the Daily Telegraph reported plans by UK Culture Secretary John Whittingdale to close the iPlayer loophole.

However, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport also told the Telegraph, viewers of other catch up services such as 4oD and ITV Player would still not require a licence if they did not view or record their programmes live.

Members of Ramsey Rugby Club flexed their muscles in support of charity at the weekend by pulling a 10-ton lorry along the north promenade.

Around 22 members of the club took part in the event which saw them drag the lorry, supplied by shipping line Mezeron, who also gave a donation, 2.2 miles along the sea front.

Former club player and ex-armed services member James Kellett organised the event which raised £602 for the Combat Stress charity which supports service personnel who have suffered post-traumatic stress [PTSD] and other mental disorders.

‘It was just a great community event with everyone joining in and supporting it,’ he said.

‘We really want to educate people about PTSD and other mental illnesses and part of our objective is to try to take away some of the stigma that can be associated with it. An event like this helps to expose it to the wider community and make more people aware of it,’ he added.

Manx Telecom’s landlines and website were disrupted yesterday.

Among other issues, 999 calls couldn’t get through.

The company says that all services are now back to normal.

Kevin Paige, Manx Telecom’s chief information and technology officer, said: ‘Firstly, I would like to apologise to all our customers that were affected by service issues yesterday afternoon.

‘Following routine maintenance, an unexpected issue occurred which impacted our landline services, including 999 calls.

‘Our customers may have also experienced difficulties accessing our website during this period.

‘We took immediate action to resolve these issues, with the 999 service being our top priority.

‘All services were restored by late afternoon yesterday and I can reassure all customers that the issues are now resolved. If customers have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to call our support team on 624 624.’

In a fusion between ancient and modern, ‘new’ centuries-old pilgrimage trails will be guided using a smartphone app.

The Pilgrimage Isle of Man trails were launched on Saturday in Peel Castle with a mini-pilgrimage around the ‘stations’ within the St Patrick’s Isle fortress.

A puppet of St German led people to St German’s Cathedral where there was a concert led by the Ruth Keggin Band attended by 160 people.

Dr Avril Maddrell from the University of the West of England and the Churches Faith Tourism Group have teamed up with Manx National Heritage, government tourism officials and others to develop pilgrimage routes across the island.

All routes use existing public rights of way and some follow existing long-distance routes, such as the coastal Raad ny Foillan.

A new route – called the Triskelion Way – uses existing public footpaths and links three important Christian centres: Rushen Abbey in Ballasalla (associated with the mission of the European Latin Church), the cathedrals in Peel (the ancient one associated with the Viking Mission) and Maughold (associated with Celtic Mission).

The trails are guided using an app developed by Rushen Heritage Trust, which has licensed its use in the walks.

The project is funded by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council.

Dean of St German’s Nigel Godfrey said: ‘Pilgrimage was once very much a part of our culture, but came to an abrupt halt at the Reformation. The popularity of such routes is growing again as witnessed by the new routes being developed in our neighbouring isles, such as St Cuthbert’s Way (in Britain) and St Patrick’s Way (in Ireland), while most famous of all is the route in Northern Spain to Santiago de Compostella.’

The Triskelion Way will be travelled by foot or car with the start at Rushen Abbey at 1pm on Sunday, September 25.

See www.pilgrimageisleofman.im

McDonald’s in the Isle of Man is bucking the global trend.

The fast food giant shut 700 restaurants worldwide last year as demand dropped.

But it’s expanding its Douglas branch.

The fast food outlet will be shut for about one month as it undergoes refurbishment.

The restaurant, on Peel Road, closed on Sunday and will reopen on October 11.

When the store reopens, customers will be able to place their orders at new kiosks and there will be interactive tablets for customers to play games on and browse the web.

Planning consent was granted in May for extensions and reconfiguration works to the site including parking layout and kerb lines.

We must do our bit to help Syrian refugees – including welcoming a number in proportion to the size of the island’s population.

That’s the message at the centre of an event set to take place in Douglas on Saturday.

‘Refugees Welcome to the Isle of Man’ is being organised by three organisations: Amnesty Internaional IoM the One World Centre and the Refugees in the Isle of Man group.

It is being timed to coincide with marches and rallies in London, Belfast and Edinburgh asking the UK Government to do more to help with the humanitarian crisis of refugees in Europe ahead of a United Nations summit on Monday.

Philip Matthews, from Amnesty International IoM, said: ‘The three organisations behind this event are not asking the Isle of Man government to do more, but to actually do something!

‘Yes, we have given £544,417 over the last five years to two charities that have worked with the Syrian refugee camps but we have not offered to take our fair share of the 20,000 refugees that the UK is committed to resettling by 2020.

‘Proportional to our population, this would mean we could offer to welcome approximately 25 refugees by 2020.’

The demonstration will take place on Loch Promenade between midday and 3pm. A group photograph will be staged at 1pm when organisers want as many people as possible to wear life jackets or buoyancy aids to hammer the message home.

There will be a petition to sign on the day, which will also be available online. The group will be approaching the new Manx government with the petition following next week’s general election.

Mr Matthews added: ‘One year ago, both the Cabinet Office and the Council of Ministers expressed a willingness to help with the resettlement scheme and promised to seek clarification as to how the island could take a small number of Syrian refugees.

‘But in June this year, in response to a question in Tynwald from the Bishop, the Chief Minister replied that it would be problematic, at this stage, to take any refugees.

‘But, in conclusion, he did say that “if there is an opportunity for the Isle of Man to review the situation through the UK’s own immigration and refugee processing systems then certainly we will look at them”.

‘On August 4, the UK Home Affairs Select committee said that it would welcome the Crown Dependencies involvement in the Syrian Vulnerable Persons’ Resettlement Scheme and that the necessary support and assistance would be available from the UK Government.

‘There are many residents who have offered accommodation and others who are willing to provide support services and resources free of charge.’

More than 280 people attended the seventh annual KPMG eGaming summit in the island.

Reflecting on a hugely successful day, Micky Swindale of KPMG Isle of Man said: ‘One of our many visitors said on his way out of the Villa Marina that he thought it was our best yet, so that will do for me.

‘There was a real diversity of views and topics over the course of the day; from technology, to regulation, to mergers and acquisitions, but it was great to see that the Isle of Man’s eGaming proposition is thriving.

‘As Paul Richardson, group director of corporate strategy and development for Rank PLC, said: ‘‘Keep doing what you’re doing’’ ’

Isle of Man proposition

Of particular note was the panel session ‘The Isle of Man Proposition for eGaming Post-Brexit’ which featured local experts Mark Robson, head of eGaming for the Isle of Man Government, Steve Brennan of the Gambling Supervision Commission, and Philip Vermeulen of the new ICT University, as well as entrepreneur Ashley Sandyford-Sykes, whose company AdoptIt Publishing recently established in the Isle of Man.

The panel reflected that although Brexit will be significant globally, its effect on the Isle of Man might be less of an impact, indeed, in many ways, it could be positive for eGaming.

For example, operators looking to hold multiple licenses are more likely to consider the Isle of Man over other UK territories as a base to set up their business now, itwas argued.

And a message came across that the island’s own connections to the EU remain undiminished in the wake of Brexit.

Mr Sandyford-Sykes noted: ‘As a relative newcomer to the Isle of Man, it’s clear to me that there is a tangible benefit to being here: the government is very receptive to new business, the infrastructure is pretty agile, and the business community is still small… I get the feeling we can really work together and grow.’

Steve Brennan of the Gambling Supervision Commission pointed out that 17 licensees had left over the year but seven new licences had been approved.

And he later confirmed a further seven licence applications were in the process of being looked at.

Mr Brennan later told Business News the majority of licencees that had left were ‘what we considered to be at the smaller end of the scale in terms of operations, player base, funding.’

He added that the additional cost of licensing, compliance and tax in the UK coupled with running an IoM operation was too much for some smaller operators with a UK focus.

For some small operators funding and investment was an issue.

He pointed out difficult trading conditions in a very competitive sector meant some didn’t get the foothold in the market they anticipated. Additional investment was needed, but often not repeated leaving the fledgling operator no choice but to withdraw from the sector.

positivity

There was however a distinct atmosphere of positivity in the Villa Marina, Douglas, during the day-long event last Thursday.

A wide range of topics were covered, including regulation, innovation, M&A activity and the UK implemention of NOSES (National Online Self-Exclusion System) and eMoney (in particular Bitcoin).

This year there was a break with tradition as KPMG ran four workshops and two pitches, held in the Broadway Cinema, alongside the main talks and panel sessions held in the Royal Hall.

A hugely informative market view was provided by Simon French of Cenkos Securities, as well as two pitches by industry innovators Dion Croom of 3D Creative Web and Sam Huber of Kout.

As per last year, the IMGL provided three stimulating masterclasses, this time focusing on data protection & AML, Continuing Consolidation (M&A Activity and Trends) and the Top 10 Risks for Gaming Operators.

Fiona Palmer of Sky Betting & Gaming provided an account of the NOSES scheme, and the event was closed by the Minister for Economic Development Laurence Skelly.

The Featurespace sponsored workshop sessions kicked off with a highly interactive session presented by Errol Larson, Mike Guelpa and Geoff Walton from Derivco.

Games such as Pokémon have catapulted augmented reality games into the mainstream and the team discussed how we will see this further impact on the market over the next few years.

The Derivco team had virtual reality headpieces for the audience to try out and actually immerse themselves in a poker game, illustrating how virtual reality games will impact the online gaming arena and indeed other industry sectors.

The workshop sessions also included Dr Daniel Gonzalez-Ordonez and James MacDonald Turner from Featurespace discussing the dynamics and analysis of real-time player behaviour alongside responsible gambling and how to understand when to intervene to protect players.

The annual event has many sponsors and in particular KPMG wanted to thank the following for their generous support: the Isle of Man Government, Continent 8, Manx Telecom, Featurespace, NedBank Private Wealth, Derivco Isle of Man, IMGL and the Palace Casino.

Time is running out to view the RNLI’s ‘Hope in the Great War’ exhibit at the House of Manannan.

The touring exhibition celebrates courage during the First World War and tells the story of six heroic RNLI rescues with interactive displays. Find out about the effects of war on Manx RNLI crews and how the people of the Isle of Man managed to crew and maintain six RNLI lifeboat stations in the midst of the war zone that was the Irish Sea.

The exhibition runs until Sunday (September 18). The House of Manannan is open daily from 10am to 5pm.

A rare chance to abseil down the iconic TT tower at the Grandstand is on offer next month.

The Isle of Man branch of the MS Society is organising the event to raise funds and mark the branch’s 40th anniversary.

They were inspired by previous abseils of the tower, said branch chairman Derek Patience. ‘We had a fantastic response to the abseils in 2013 and 2014 and it seemed fitting that we would do another abseil to help celebrate the branch’s 40th anniversary.

‘For 40 years the branch has been assisting those with MS in the island, as well as their families and carers. and it’s only through generous donations and fundraising events like this, that we’re able to continue to provide support.

‘A number of people who did the previous abseils, like myself, have MS and it’s great that we’re able to participate in something like this. Getting up to the top of the Tower is much more challenging than abseiling down!

The event on Saturday, October 1, is open to all. Registration is £40. Email derekpatience@hotmail.com or phone or text 480755. Sponsors can send a cheque to Derek Patience, 3 Cronk Drean, Douglas, IM2 6AY or donate via the abseil’s Just Giving page justgiving.com/fundraising/Derek-Patience

A good samaritan who tried to help out some TT visitors has ended up with a driving conviction after taking a wrong turning on to the Mountain Road one-way system.

A court heard Philip Bollen, of Selborne Drive had offered to give a lift to some New Zealand visitors who wanted to watch the practices from the Bungalow.

But as he approached the Mountain Road from the Creg-ny-Baa Back Road, he failed to spot the one-way system signs and turned the wrong way, heading up the hill towards Kate’s Cottage.

For the prosecution, Michael Jelski said, after about 25 yards, Bollen felt uneasy about the manoeuvre, did a three-point turn and headed back down towards the Creg. The incident happend about 8.50pm after practices on June 4.

He said although he had seen signs and cones he had not appreciated their significance, particularly as there was no sign indicating ‘No right turn’ where the Back Road joined the main Mountain Road.

He said he thought the road was one-way from Ramsey Hairpin to the Bungalow but two-ways from there to the Creg-ny-Baa, and that he was trying to reach the Bungalow to pick some people up and give them a lift.

Bollen, who is 70, admitted careless driving.

Representing Bollen, Stephen Wood said his client was not a TT fan or even a TT follower, and therefore was not familiar with road closures and practice schedules. He did not keep track of media bulletins or social media.

As an act of pure goodwill, he said Bollen had offered a lift to some visitors. Earlier in the evening he had dropped them off in Laxey so they could catch the tram up Snaefell and at the end of practices, he was trying to collect them again from the Bungalow to take them home. Approaching from the side road, he pointed out Bollen would not have had such a good long-range perspective of the road signs and bollards as someone approaching up the hill from Douglas.

‘There is not a “No right turn” sign for people approaching from the Back Road. Had he seen one, he would not have turned right,’ he said. ‘Out of the goodness of his heart he gave a lift to these people and was going to collect them.’

Mr Wood said Bollen had a totally unblemished driving record, and that it had simply been an error of judgement.

Sentencing him, Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said: ‘This was a serious transgression. During TT people have to take extra care not just for motor cycles but for road closures.’

He was fined £350 for careless driving with £50 costs. He was banned from driving for one month in the light of what Mrs Hughes said was ‘substantial mitigation’.

Police have advised a couple they could face prosection for harassment if they continue to post comments on social media about election candidate John Houghton.

Mr Houghton, who is seeking to retain his Douglas North seat in next week’s general election, reported former Third Clerk of Tynwald Marie Lambden and her husband Murray to police, accusing them of harassing him on Facebook.

He claims the posted comments and a video clip shot without his consent were causing him ‘personal alarm and distress’.

Mr Lambden had said he posted on Facebook to ‘draw attention to the shame that Mr Houghton has brought to Tynwald and the Isle of Man’ and insisted he would not withdraw the comment, photos and video.

But police went to see the couple last week with a prepared notice advising them not to post any further comments on Facebook – or face potential prosecution under the Harassment Act.

Inspector Cathryn Bradley told the Manx Independent: ‘Mr Houghton made a complaint and we have investigated.

‘Mr and Mrs Lambden have been advised not to make any more postings, after we sought advice from the Attorney General’s chambers.’

Mr Houghton was suspended from Tynwald in May after he refused to apologise when a standards and members’ interests committee concluded he had ‘lied, bullied and inappropriately interfered in a staffing matter’.

He was referred to the standards committee after being accused of bullying the clerk and deputy clerk of Tynwald and Tony Wild MLC, his conduct precipitating the resignation of the Third Clerk.

In a statement, Mr and Mrs Lambden told the Manx Independent: ‘We have not published anything about Mr Houghton since September 5 as there has been no new information about him on which to comment.

‘Mr Houghton was instructed by the Speaker of the House of Keys on November 5 2014 not to remain involved in a staffing matter at the Clerk of Tynwald’s office.

‘On refusing to accept this ruling, and the authority of Tynwald Management Committee, he complained formally about the conduct of the Clerk of Tynwald and his deputy who were investigated by an independent professional and they were cleared of improper conduct.

‘Mr Houghton was found by Tynwald Court, based on the very detailed report of its standards and members’ interests committee, to have breached a number of standards and to have lied, bullied and interfered in a staffing matter.

‘It is past time for Mr Houghton to admit that he made a mistake on November 5 2014 and many more since including pursuing his claim that he has done nothing wrong. His claims have been dismissed by the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man and the UK Ministry of Justice.

‘Our posts have been based on information in the public domain, requiring many hours of research, and comments have been carefully considered to highlight the behaviour of a senior public figure.’

Two weeks ago we reported that Mr Houghton thought he was being bullied on page 1.

*The other candidates in Douglas North are Karen Angela, David Ashford, Ralph Peake and Lynn Sirdefield.

Head to Jaks in Douglas this Saturday night and you’ll catch three-piece outfit Powercut.

Formed back in 2009 and comprising members John Percival on bass, Simon Watson on drums and Ian Bradley on guitar, they play a set that ranges from The Kinks and The Who at one end of the spectrum through to the more modern day offerings from the likes of The Kaiser Chiefs, Razorlight, The Kings of Leon and Green Day at the other.

For more details visit www.facebook.com/Powercut-33638987057

Symbollix make their way to the Queen’s Pub on Queen’s Promenade in Douglas this Saturday. The band roots itself in mostly 70s classic rock.

The setlist combines the likes of ZZ Top, The Who, Wings, Bad Company, Whitesnake, Cream and The Rolling Stones and the band features John Ruscoe, George Hughes, John Ryan, Martin McEvely and Stewart Steptoe in the line-up.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/groups/379000418888939/

The annual Amber Battle of the Bands line-up has now been confirmed.

Due to run throughout November at the Douglas-based venue, the heats are shaping up nicely. Commencing on November 5, rock and pop singer/songwriter Ian Thompson will go up against indie/etherial rock boys, The Clown Calls For War. These two bands will in turn battle it out against post hardcore outfit, Ignite The Sky.

November 12 sees last year’s entrants Han FX and Matt Kelly do battle with last year’s winners, The Fletcher Christian Mutiny. In turn they are joined by In The Blood in their first visit to the competition.

The final heat on November 19 sees acoustic troubadour Eóin Ó Maol Mhuaidh up against folk/reggae influenced songstress Tiger T, who in turn will fight it out against a new metal behemoth on the block, Aeons.

Each heat winner will take home £175, will go through to a three band showdown on November 24 and will be in with a chance of winning £750.

I’ll be giving a full round down of each artist and round up of the events as they happen.

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Steve Leach brings the latest rumblings, murmurings, news and views on forthcoming events in and around the island’s music scene. Help support the scene by emailing leachsteve@hotmail.com

A woman from Onchan has been fined £300 and had her driving licence endorsed with four points for using a mobile phone while driving.

Katie McIntyre Druggan, of Whitebridge Road, was also ordered to pay £50 prosecution costs.

Druggan, aged 32, did not attend court but sent a postal admission for the offence.

Prosecutor Barry Swain told the court how, at 6.12pm on July 20, an off-duty policeman spotted Druggan driving up Michael Street in Peel.

He noted that she was looking down to the footwell of the car and was holding a mobile phone in her right hand with her thumb on the screen.

He said that he got close enough to see that Druggan had a ‘Pokemon Go’ application on the phone screen.

The officer said that the area was busy with traffic and pedestrians at the time.

He spoke to Druggan the next day and when quizzed about the incident she said: ‘I had no wifi but I did have my phone in my hand.’

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said in court: ‘It was clearly not being used for an urgent call or text message.’

A 25-year-old care worker from Port Soderick has been fined £1,000 and banned from driving for two years after admitting drink-driving.

Aaron Bellis, of Old Castletown Road, failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 61 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres - the legal limit is 35.

Bellis pleaded guilty to drink-driving and was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs.

A second charge of burglary was withdrawn.

The court heard how, on August 29 at around 2am, Bellis went into Pizza King on Queens Promenade in Douglas.

The owner said that she had known him for almost 20 years and that he had, at times in the past, worked there.

It was said that Bellis was clearly intoxicated and that he vomited in the staff toilets.

The woman took Bellis’ car keys off him and ordered him a taxi before going upstairs.

It was said that Bellis then went upstairs and told her that his taxi had arrived, so he was given back his car keys.

However, later that night two witnesses said that they found Bellis sat in his car at Marine Drive.

The witnesses said that they took Bellis’ car keys from him and he got out of the car and became aggressive.

Police were called and Bellis was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

During a police interview Bellis admitted that he had been driving.

Defending Bellis in court, advocate Deborah Myerscough handed in two letters of reference on behalf of her client.

Ms Myerscough told the court that Bellis only had one caution previously and asked that he be given credit for his guilty plea and co-operation with the police.

She said: ‘It was out of character. My client had been experiencing some difficult personal circumstances but he accepts that is no excuse and he is sorry for his behaviour. He understands he is facing a ban today. He works shifts as a care worker seven days a week all over the island.

‘So the loss of his licence is going to have a very significant effect indeed. His remorse is genuine and he wants to apologise to the court and police officers involved.

‘He accepts this is nothing but his own fault but he does only have one previous caution.’

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said: ‘While you were abusive to the two men at the scene you were co-operative with the police when they arrived and at police headquarters. You have lost your good character through this. It is made more serious by the fact that you tricked a friend who took the keys away from you and betrayed the trust she put in you.’

Walter the homing pigeon never made it back.

He was found in the Farmhill garden of Sue and Tony McMaster this week.

They traced his owner through the ring on Walter’s leg. He set off from southern Ireland on Saturday of last week but was the only one who didn’t make it home to just outside Belfast. He had sustained some minor injuries during his journey.

The owner has asked if Walter can get a lift from anyone booked on the ferry to Ireland. They can release him when they get there - and hopefully he will find his way home. Ring Sue on 671829 if you can help.

Fencing along the Isle of Man Steam Railway line was not maintained to a good enough condition to stop a cow straying into the path of a train, a Deemster has ruled.

But lawyers for the Department of Infrastructure say the department will appeal against the decision.

Moorhouse Farms took the DoI to the small claims court seeking damages after a heifer broke through a fence near the Ballagawne crossing in Colby in August 2013 and died after it was struck by a steam locomotive.

The farming company argued the department should pay compensation as it had a responsibility to maintain the fences, and some of the railway posts dated back to when the line first opened in the 1870s.

Moorhouse Farms director Kirrie Jenkins researched the deeds which showed as part of the compulsory purchase of land to build the line, the railway company was obliged to erect and maintain ‘proper and sufficient’ fencing. This responsibility passed to the government when the railway was nationalised in 1978.

Former Tynwald president Noel Cringle, who also farms on land adjoining the line, gave evidence for the claimant and said the maintenance of the fencing had always been the responsibility of those in charge of the railway.

But director of public transport Ian Longworth wrote to the claimants the month after the accident, telling them it was not the responsibility of the railway for the fencing to be stock proof and it was ‘merely an indication of our boundary’.

The court heard there had been a ‘somewhat veiled threat’ to claim for damage to the locomotive, although the evidence of the guard was that there was no damage to the train. No counter claim was issued.

Lawyers for the DoI argued in court that farmers had an obligation to prevent their animals trespassing onto the line. They claimed that the department had a responsibility only to maintain the existing fencing and not to upgrade it.

They said the fencing was regularly inspected and when last checked just seven days before the accident, no defects were found. It went without saying that the DoI could not be expected to review all the fencing alongside the 15 and a quarter mile line 100 per cent of the time, they added.

The fencing at Ballagawne has since been repaired, with the posts replaced, although it had taken a year to do so.

But Deemster Sharon Roberts giving her judgment in court this week, found that the defendant had not maintained the fencing in good condition.

She said: ‘I have little problem in reaching the conclusion that the fencing was insufficient so as to comply with the statutory requirement to maintain in good condition stock proof fencing.’

Dr Roberts said it was possible that a defect had been overlooked at the time of the inspection.

She awarded damages of £952.10 for loss of the animal and costs but rejected the claim for damages for stress and costs of legal research.

But the lawyers for the DoI told the court the department will be seeking to appeal and Dr Roberts granted them leave to do so. The case will now go to the appeal court.