The new members of the Isle of Man’s Arts Council have been announced.

They are filmmaker/musician Dave Armstrong, architect Phil Chadwick, singer/dancer Susan Tummon, animator/artist Juan Moore and educationalist Jo Pretty, who are all starting a four-year term on October 1.

Michael Lees and Adrienne Burnett are retiring after completing the maximum two terms of office, eight years. John Quirk and Alan Jackson are retiring after one term.

The Arts Council provides funding, support and guidance to individuals and organisations. It seeks to inspire ‘participation, creativity and excellence’.

The value of the arts to the Island is being underlined by the chairman of the Isle of Man Arts Council.

Arts Council chairman Geoff Corkish MLC said: ‘The arts impact on so many areas of our lives.

‘In terms of attracting people to live, work and invest in the Isle of Man, demonstrating we have a vibrant community, with lots to get involved in, is important.

‘The wide variety of concerts, performances, exhibitions, festivals and the like means we have plenty to offer visitors, another sector we are growing.

‘The arts assist our wellbeing as a form of recreation and entertainment. It shapes the sense of community and heritage that is so special to the island.

‘For many, of course, the arts also provide an enriching career.’

Mr Corkish added: ‘The small number of volunteers who make up the Arts Council work tirelessly to boost the arts in the island, ensuring a thriving, diverse and busy schedule of events and activities are supported.’

Such was the calibre of applicants that the volunteer body has increased in size from eight to nine members.

Mr Corkish said: ‘Michael led Island of Culture 2014, which incorporated one-off and regular events and will leave a valuable legacy for the community.

‘Adrienne was instrumental in introducing and extending the live streaming of live theatre productions, operas etc to the Island, giving more people the chance to see these top quality performances without travelling away.

‘The respective talents of John and Alan have also been enormously appreciated.’

A Peel man has celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary with his wife in Canada where he now lives.

Syd Teare and his wife Beryl moved to Canada in 1966 after meeting in Manchester in the early 1950s when Syd was working there.

Syd was born and brought up and Peel and still has many family and friends living there.

The couple received congratulation certificates from Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, as well as the Mayor of Oakville, Governor General, and the Queen.

Brother John Teare, who still lives in Peel with wife Adrienne, said: ‘We had a small family party here with my sisters, Ivy Keown and Eileen Teare, along with our sons, daughters and grandchildren.

‘We joined in their party by contacting them on Skype and really enjoyed being part of their celebration in Canada.’

Syd and Beryl have two sons, David and Andrew, a daughter, Diane, and seven grandchildren.

A Douglas taxi driver has been fined £500 for carrying too many passengers.

Mario Roy Tarcardon, of Ballabrooie Grove, pleaded guilty in court and was also ordered to pay £50 prosecution costs.

Prosecutor Hazel Carroon told the court how, on July 16, Tarcardon was working as a taxi driver using a friend’s vehicle.

At around 2.40am he collected a group of people outside the Courthouse bar on Athol Street in Douglas.

It was said that his licence only allows for a maximum of four people in the cab but Tarcardon picked up five.

Information was received by police that Tarcardan was carrying more people than was safe and he was located on Peel Road.

Police followed the taxi to McDonald’s restaurant and when they approached, saw that there were five passengers.

One person was in the front passenger seat while four were in the back, one of which was sitting on the lap of another, hunched over to stop their head from hitting the cab roof.

Tarcardon was interviewed by police voluntarily and said that he had made a mistake and knew that he could only carry four passengers.

The taxi driver said that when he had arrived at the Courthouse bar a number of people had got into his car.

He said that he had not wanted to get into a confrontation so had allowed them to stay in the vehicle.

Tarcardon admitted that he should have told some of the people to get out but added that he had just thought it would be easier to take them rather than have words and an altercation with them.

The court heard that Tarcardan had been working for three years as a taxi driver.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes gave Tarcardon credit for going voluntarily for a police interview and said: ‘You admitted you had too many passengers and I have noted your explanation regarding a confrontation. But better a confrontation than you being brought before the court. It was dangerous to carry five people, particularly one on the lap of another.

‘Had you had a collision, or had to brake suddenly things could have been worse.’

A Douglas bookshop is celebrating its 80th anniversary tomorrow (Saturday).

The Lexicon Bookshop on Strand Street first opened in September 1936 as a fee paying library by a Mr Hodges from Jersey and was initially known as the Lexicon Library.

It used to get packed due to its central location and the fact that holidaymakers could borrow books for a small fee during their stay.

In 1938, the Library was enlarged. Business increased throughout the 1940s and 1950s and during that time the Lexicon also started to introduce books for sale.

During this period it also became one of the British Isles’ first chain stores with branches opened in Oswestry, Llandudno, Wrexham, Burnley, Ashton-under-Lyme, Jersey and Guernsey.

By 1962 Mr Hodges was wanting to retire and the bookshop was bought by Sally Murray, who had taken over as manager in 1959. It remained under her control until 1965 when it was sold to Olive Ranscombe with Ken Rose brought in as manager. Under Olive’s tenure, book sales increased dramatically.

In April 1973, the thriving Lexicon Bookshop was sold to Mike Castle with Ken Rose staying on as manager. It was ahead of its time with the introduction of a computer-based ordering system.

Current owners David and Moira Ashworth purchased the business in 1992. They have faced a David and Goliath battle against internet shopping but won through by placing a huge emphasis on customer service and new product lines that reflect the Lexicon being a local business serving the Manx community.

It specialises in local interest books and gifts.

Mina Patel turned 60 last Saturday and so began a year of fundraising with the lofty target of amassing £60,000 by this time next year.

The pharmacist, who owns and works at Castle Pharmacy, Malew Street in Castletown, intends to raise the funds through various initiatives such as cooking demonstrations.

She has done these in the past to raise funds for charity and she said she enjoys cooking.

‘I want to help others,’ she said of her motivation in creating more work in an already busy life.

‘Initially I thought I could raise £60, then £6,000, then why not £60,000?’

Mina, who has lived in the island for 30 years, said she enjoys living here and wants to ‘help’ however she can.

She added if people give 6p or £60 it will all add up.

The beneficiaries will be several island and off-island charities including Cancer Research, Manx Cancer Help, Wish Upon a Dream, Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation, the Hyperbaric Chamber and the British Heart Foundation.

To contact Mina, email 60k4charity@gmail.com or phone 823512.

With nights drawing in, police are urging motorists to check their lights.

On Friday night, officers from the roads policing unit stopped more than a dozen vehicles for lighting offences ranging from headlights out, badly aligned headlights and fog lights on inappropriately.

In each case the driver stated they were unaware and couldn’t recall the last time they had checked their vehicles.

There have also been several instances recently where vehicles have been seen where neither brake light is working.

While having a single bulb out will generally result in words of advice from an officer, having no brake lights is likely to see the driver being summoned to court as it is extremely dangerous and shows negligence on the part of the driver.

Police say young vandals have been causing problems at a multi-storey car park in Douglas.

Damage is being caused and fire hoses set off in the car park situated off Westmoreland and Circular roads.

Officers will be on patrol in the area and any offenders reported.

Parents are being urged to ensure their children are not involved.

Isla Callister hopes to be a Manx ambassador as she moves to Glasgow to study

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The Manx language has always been a part of my environment and my life.

As a baby, my dad would use the few words of Manx that he had around the house, some of which were passed down from my grandad.

I attended Mooinjey Veggey pre-school and my parents took the unique opportunity to send me to Bunscoill Ghaelgagh, where I was educated entirely through the medium of Manx until the age of 11.

I was never aware of learning Manx as a child – it was just there, and my love of the language developed organically as I grew up immersed in Manx at Bunscoill Ghaelgagh.

Despite UNESCO in 2009 declaring the Manx language ‘extinct’, to us, Manx was the living language through which we learnt about the world around us, from history to hop-tu-naa and after we challenged UNESCO’s decision, it was re-classified.

In April, I was chosen as one of the recipients of the Kaneen Bursary scheme.

This is a new scheme awarded by Culture Vannin to young fluent Manx speakers, which gives them the opportunity to attend a summer school in Irish language and culture run by Oideas Gael.

With thanks to Culture Vannin, I was lucky enough to spend a week during July in beautiful Gleann Cholm Cille, Co. Donegal, learning Irish, playing music and meeting people from all over the world.

I spent my mornings learning Irish and my afternoons in an Irish singing workshop, and towards the end of the week I was asked to teach the class a song in Manx.

I taught them a traditional Manx song called Padjer Collumb Killey, meaning ‘Collumb Killey’s prayer’, the saint that Gleann Cholm Cille was named after.

Not only did this song highlight the similarities between Manx and Irish, but also our shared culture, history and heritage.

I got such a buzz from being able to communicate in a mixture of Irish and Manx with people who had a real enthusiasm and passion for Gaelic.

I left Donegal feeling enriched and inspired to carry on speaking and sharing the Manx language, whilst improving my knowledge of other Gaelic languages and culture.

During my first few years at Queen Elizabeth II High School I found it difficult to be vocal about speaking Manx and I found myself taking a step back when some people would ask: ‘What’s the point?’.

For me, speaking Manx is an important part of my identity that makes me feel more in tune with the island and it connects me to a wider Celtic community.

The benefits of being bilingual are endless and I believe accessing another language gives you a different perspective of the world, and in my experience, being a Manx speaker has only increased my opportunities.

I hope with my move to Glasgow to study traditional music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, I can strengthen the links between our nations and be an ambassador for Manx music and language.

I am excited to see the Manx language grow, spread and evolve and I hope to be a part of its future.

Psycholic and Tender Rage will perform at a concert to raise funds to help Finley Hesketh, who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and his family.

The charity concert, organised by Lenny Conroy, takes place at Port St Mary town hall on Saturday, October 8, from 7pm.

Ultimate Promotions will provide a professional sound and light show. And sponsors Sure, Pokerstars, Technaut, Bushys, Quine & Cubbon, ELS/Ultimate Promotions have bought kegs of beer so all money donated for beer will go to the charity. The same applies to the popcorn supplied by PopcornMann.

Tickets ( £10) can only be bought online from www.tickettailor.com/checkout/view-event/id/63576/chk/f769. See the For Finley Facebook page or www.triskelpromo.com

Mine clearance in the Gulf War is the subject of a lecture ‘Dangerous Waters’ which is this autumn’s Quilliam Lecture.

Royal Navy Commander Bernard D. Thompson, the chief of staff at naval regional headquarters in Liverpool will address how the RN dealt with the Gulf mine threat.

Commander Thompson’s background is one of diving, and he was in the elite group of divers responsible for the disposal of underwater ordnance and other hazards.

Quilliam Group member Phil Smith said: ‘Commander Thompson’s lecture will give us some insights into this most dangerous of occupations, and as if that was not fraught enough, having to do so in the context of the first Gulf War. His insights into that action, and the Royal Navy’s role in it, will be an eye-opener to us all.

‘Those of us with roots in Arbory and attachments to its famous son John Quilliam, feel sure he will be casting a proud and approving eye down on our activities this year. In part this will be because we have rescheduled our lecture this year from Trafalgar Day, to September 29 to commemorate his birthday – one which he shared with his Admiral Lord Nelson.’

The group will still celebrate Trafalgar Day on October 21 and – with Friends of Manx National Heritage – will host an informal Trafalgar dinner in Arbory Village Hall. There will be food, drink and entertainment, to raise funds for local good causes. Tickets, at £20, will be available nearer the time.

Tickets for the talk are available at: the Bay Hotel and Bridge Bookshop in Port Erin, and from Mike Berry, 824550, Phil Smith 832146/495146 or email dchandscombe@outlook.com

Admission is by ticket, which is free, though there will be a retiring collection to fund further projects.

The lecture starts at 7.45pm.

The Cummal Mooar resource centre in Queen’s Promenade, Ramsey, is holding a mhelliah to raise money for its amenity fund.

The event will take place at 7pm on Friday next week (September 30) at The Swan in Ramsey.

There is no cost for admission and there is no need to book as everyone is welcome.

Donations of fruit, vegetables, cakes, jams, marmalades, promises, vouchers, fish and fowl would be greatly appreciated.

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty ran at London’s V&A for 21 weeks and was seen by more than half a million people.

It was the Victoria and Albert museum’s most ambitious and successful fashion exhibition to date.

Kate Bethune was the senior research assistant for the exhibition. And now MakeMarket is delighted to welcome her to the island as a part of the Creative Industries Takeover to give a talk about the exhibition.

Kate will discuss the inspirations behind the work and her role in delivering the exhibition in a talk at the Manx Museum lecture theatre on Thursday next week (September 29) from 6pm.

Alexander McQueen always shocked with spectacular catwalk shows that involved elaborate storytelling, compelling theatre and raw emotion.

The exhibition was the largest McQueen retrospective ever to be presented.

Meanwhile, a free workshop exploring the dialogue between artist and poet or writer, and how they can work together, takes place on Wednesday next week (September 28).

Image and Text will be led by artist Helen Fox and poet Usha Kishore.

Participants will be able to either study a text then illustrate it or study an image and write a text to coincide with it.

Helen said: ‘The relationship between text, the spoken word and an image is so interesting – what comes first, which influences what, and how.’

She added: ‘We hope that both artists and writers will bring pieces with them to act as catalysts for new pieces of work. But if workshop participants shy away from bringing in their own work, we will have images and texts there to inspire them.’

MakeMarket’s exhibition ‘Creative Spaces’ at Douglas Market Hall continues until September 30.

Tickets for Kate Bethune’s talk cost £6 and are available from www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/curating-alexander-mcqueen-savage-beauty-tickets-27775177303?aff=ehomecard

To reserve a place for the Image and Text workshop go to www.facebook.com/events/1112483472169351/

Police are investigating an alleged assault at the Broadway entrance to the Villa-Gaiety complex in Douglas.

The incident took place at about 12.50pm on Saturday and it involved two males who were standing by the entrance to the gate. A male has subsequently been arrested.

Officers from the Central Neighbourhood Policing team would like to trace witnesses.

Anyone with information should contact Constable John Hills on 631212 or alternatively ring the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.

This week’s Isle of Man Courier is available to read as an emagazine.

The papers are delivered to almost 40,000 homes and businesses around the island.

But we know many of our readers want to get access to the latest news and sport plus jobs, property and motors adverts online.

Click this link and follow the simple instructions to turn pages and zoom in and out: Isle of Man Courier, September 23, 2016

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A 22-year-old university graduate has received a suspended sentence after admitting being drunk and capable and resisting arrest.

Rory O’Shea, who previously lived at Belmont Terrace in Douglas but has now moved to Suffolk, also pleaded guilty to two counts of assault with intent to resist arrest.

He was sentenced to four months custody, suspended for one year.

O’Shea was arrested on Peel Road in Douglas on July 24 at 12.15am when police saw him falling off the pavement as he was walking.

During the arrest he got angry and had to be handcuffed. O’Shea was said to have used his legs to push against the door of a police van as officers tried to put him in it.

He kicked out during the struggle catching two officers with his legs. At police headquarters his aggression continued as he swore at police.

When interviewed, O’Shea said that he could not remember anything after he left a house party, but accepted responsibility and apologised.

Defending O’Shea in court, advocate Paul Glover said: ‘My client is a young man who has recently graduated from university with a degree. This was completely out of character. He has recently relocated to London to work.

‘He hopes to apply for a teaching course, however, community service or a suspended sentence will jeopardise his eligibility for that.

‘He has learnt a harsh and valuable lesson. He has very little recollection of events. It was essentially lashing out at officers, there was no intentional punching or intent to cause harm.’

Mr Glover said that his client was taking medication for depression at the time of the incident.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said: ‘You were unco-operative and incoherent and kicked out at two police officers who had to call for assistance. It is fortunate neither officer suffered injury. Probation describe the amount of alcohol consumed as ‘exceptional’. You described your behaviour as ‘appalling’ and I don’t think anyone in court would disagree with that.’

Emergency services have been dealing with two serious accidents - one in the north of the island and one in the south.

Just before 12.30pm earlier today (Monday), fire crews from Ramsey and Kirk Michael were despatched to a serious three vehicle accident on the Lezayre road in Ramsey.

Three people had to be rescued from two vehicles and treated by paramedics at the scene.

Around the same time another serious accident occurred in the south of the island, on the Gansey Shore Road in Castletown.

Two vehicles were involved and fire crews from Castletown and Port Erin attended the scene.

Cutting equipment and stabilisation equipment were used at both scenes.

Both roads were closed while emergency services dealt with the incidents.

Investigations continue into both incidents.

A householder confronted two men in his or her house on Sunday.

Police are investigating a burglary at a house on Annacur Lane in Douglas.

The home owner attended the house at about midday on Sunday and saw a blue Renault Clio on the drive way with two men in it.

The driver is described as having brown sandy hair and in his 30s.

Upon entering the property the homeowner was met by two further men.

The first man had ginger facial hair and facial acne scars, he was around 5ft 7ins tall wearing a grey woolly hat and a grey hoodie. The second man was taller and was wearing dark coloured clothing.

These men are believed to be in their 20s.

Detective Constable Lana Gardner said: ‘The house itself is unoccupied and has the appearance of being derelict but this is not the case and items some of which were of sentimental value had been gathered together before they were disturbed by the owner of the property. I’m appealing for anyone who was in the area at midday on Sunday and who may have seen the blue Renault Clio or the men described to get in touch.

The police have not said whehter the householder was male or female.

Three candidates have confirmed that they will seeking election as Chief Minister.

Nominations have to be submitted by 5pm tomorrow (Tuesday). The election will take place on Tuesday next week.

The three who have put their names in the ring so far are Howard Quayle (Middle), Alfred Cannan (Ayre and Michael) and LibVan leader Kate Beecroft (Douglas South).

Health and Social Care Minister Mr Quayle confirmed: ‘I’m delighted to have been nominated by my colleagues. The next five years will be tough but if we work as a team for the benefit of the Isle of Man I’m sure we can deliver a good future.’

Mr Cannan, who topped the poll in the new combined seat of Ayre and Michael, said: ‘I am pleased to confirm that I will accept an invitation to be nominated for the role of Chief Minister. I will fully outline my plans for the island over the next few days.

Mrs Beecroft, who triumphed in Douglas South and saw her party secure two new members in the House on election night, announced on Facebook over the weekend that she would put her name forward.

She posted: ‘I am sure that party members and followers will be pleased to know that I have decided to join in the contest for Chief Minister.’

Mrs Beecroft said it had been a hard decision to make. She said: ‘My leadership style will be very different. I don’t tend to fit the mould. I know in my heart what I will want to achieve.’

Economic Development Minister Laurence Skelly said he was still undecided about whether to put his name forward.

The late, great, HG Wells once said “moral indignation is jealousy with a halo”.

It was a rather prescient comment as he breathed his last long before internet commentators got their chance to get their teeth into, well, everybody.

Mainly because they are jealous.

Well, we all get a bit green about the gills sometimes but nothing and nobody is safe these days.

The perceived anonymity of saying what you like online is practically a disease.

If you publish, expect to be damned, no matter how factual, well intentioned or reasoned your point or charitable your outlook.

Somebody will see the dark side somewhere and be personally and ideologically insulted.

People want to be outraged – so now even publishers are becoming morally outspoken for the sake of the clicks.

This week the announcement of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s divorce was in, immediately sending gossip columnists wild with – what must Jennifer Aniston think?

Illogical as it was to focus on a woman who divorced the man 11 years ago, is happily married herself and presumably couldn’t care less, this was the focus of coverage.

Until 24 hours later when the same outlets proclaimed... Leave Jennifer out of it!

Cue cloud of thin moralistic rage focusing on er.. Jennifer. Presumably they were jealous of her hair.

Meanwhile, London Fashion Week has been underway and the high horses have been mounted with vigour.

Maybe it’s that we are all a bit peeved at the fact that these young boys and girls can swan around on catwalks, looking good in anything, even if it resembles – or actually is – a sack.

Definitely it is because social media is steaming with envy at the glamorous lives of those frequenting the front rows of every show. Don’t they have jobs to go to?

Subsequently, the scandalised clickbait has been at an all-time high.

Are they too thin? Too rich? On drugs? Their family lives must be miserable.

Jealousy takes all forms.

Of course, that’s not to say that some commentary ISN’T valid.

The channels for indignation have focused a gender lens on inequality and normalised human difference. So not all bad.

Just outrageous.

Fed up with being fobbed off?

Want to get compensation for a delayed flight, been given the run-around by a car hire firm or do you dispute an alleged speeding offence?

Former island resident Scott Dixon, aka The Grumpy Git, has produced what he believes is the consumer and motorist’s bible which aims to teach you how to complain effectively and get fast results and good compensation with the minimum of effort and fuss.

His e-book How To Effectively Resolve Consumer Complaints and Motoring Disputes spans seven consumer laws, the Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act, Small Claims, the role of the ombudsman and various aspects of the Road Traffic Act over three jurisdictions – namely the Isle of Man, Scotland and England and Wales.

The final section of this book looks at various motoring offences including how to submit pothole claims, contest parking tickets and dispute alleged speeding offences including a real life case where he successfully contested an alleged speeding offence by interpreting the Road Traffic Act and quoting the law back to the police trying to enforce the law.

Scott, who relocated to Edinburgh in November 2013 after living in the Isle of Man for 16 and a half years, said: ‘I have looked at the legality of fixed speed cameras, temporary speed cameras, hand held speed guns, temporary road works, parking on private land, road signs, pothole claims and much more with templates to question everything to tip the odds in your favour in the majority of cases.’

Consumer matters include flight delays, car hire disputes and hire purchase agreements.

‘Nobody has ever looked at consumer and motoring legislation and Data Protection and FOI in the Isle of Man on this scale.

‘For the price of a pint, you will be tapping a mine of information with advice you simply won’t find anywhere else,’ he said.

‘It assists consumers and motorists to fight back and “beat the system” easily with templates and advice that works.’

Scott has referred to real life cases to give readers the tools to win disputes with templates and guidance on legislation to seal their case from the outset and secure a quick resolution in your favour.

Test cases include a holiday of a lifetime to Australia that was ruined when flights were disrupted by the ash cloud from an Icelandic volcano, the rejection of an accident insurance claim, late delivery of a sofa bed, the purchase of an unroadworthy second hand car and a rejected warranty claim for a scooter.

He wrote his book over three months last winter, and spent countless hours scrutinising and interpreting the legislation. His book is available to buy in the Kindle store at £3.99.