A double remembrance is in the offing in Laxey this Sunday.

The Laxey seafront kiosk will be open serving free hot drinks and motorcyclists are all welcome to go along with their bikes to join in.

Organiser Bill Snelling said it was a chance for people to remember their friends who had passed under the metaphorical chequered flag.

The minute’s noise will also be accompanied by a motorcycle auto-jumble, held on the green, courtesy of Garff commissioners.

Tables cost £10 each for anyone wanting a stall to sell their unwanted items.

Proceeds will help the Joey Dunlop Foundation charity build their extension. This is preceded at 11am by two minutes’ silence.

Conister Bank says the introduction ofa new Approved Partner Scheme emphasises the bank’s commitment to retail lending in the island.

The bank claims the scheme will make it easy for customers to find a business that can offer flexible payment plans that suit their needs and budget, with lending from Conister Bank.

Businesses that sign up to the Approved Partner Scheme can benefit from Conister Bank’s expertise to offer bespoke services to customers.

They will be able to offer a range of payment options to their customers, including a 0 per cent finance option, with no lending fees.

Approved partners will also have access to marketing materials which they can use for their business and given digital images to use on print advertising, social media and company websites.

Andy Bass, head of sales said: ‘We do everything we can to make life easier for our customers.

‘The Approved Partner Scheme is great news for businesses who want to offer their customers flexible and affordable repayment options, the introduction of the scheme emphasisies our continued commitment to retail lending on the Isle of Man’.

The Approved Partner Scheme will be rolled out to existing customers over the coming month.

Ian Drake, sales manager at Conister Bank, will be introducing the scheme across the Isle of Man. He said: ‘Andy and I have been working together to launch the Approved Partner Scheme. This is an exciting development.’

A teenager has been jailed for 16 weeks after admitting supplying cannabis to his friends.

Louis Alex Kemau Warren, of Beaumont Road, Ramsey, pleaded guilty to three drug-related charges and one of driving without due care or attention.

Prosecutor Hazel Carroon told the court how, on August 30 at 9.17am, police executed a search warrant at Warren’s address.

The 18-year-old was asked if he had any substances that he should not have but he said that he did not. However, a snap bag was located on Warren’s bedside table containing a small amount of cannabis.

Warren said to police: ‘It’s only a crumb, am I getting arrested for that?’

A plastic tub was also located in a wardrobe containing more cannabis and drug paraphernalia such as scales, a mobile phone and more snap bags. The total street value of the cannabis found was said to be £521.17.

Warren told police that he had bought the drugs and that he had one week to pay the supplier.

He admitted that he intended to pay by selling the drugs to friends but said that he made no profit.

Warren said that he made one or two deals a day for bags of cannabis worth between £20 and £40 each.

After an analysis of his mobile phone records Warren was interviewed a second time and admitted that he been involved in the supply of cannabis since early 2016.

In an earlier incident, on September 16 last year, Warren was reported driving a Vauxhall Corsa on the Mountain Road, travelling from Douglas to Ramsey, at around 6.20pm.

Witnesses said that he was swerving all over the road and performing dangerous overtaking manoeuvres.

Police waited to intercept him at Ramsey Hairpin, however as Warren approached he suddenly turned right towards the Crescent.

Police tried to follow him but he was too far ahead.

Warren was located half an hour later and when quizzed about his driving said that the witness was not telling the truth and that he never went above 50mph. He said that he had not seen the police at the Hairpin and that his friend had just suggested taking a different route.

Warren was sentenced to eight weeks’ jail for possession of cannabis with intent to supply and eight weeks’ for being unlawfully concerned in the supply of cannabis, to run consecutively.

He was also sentenced to one week for possession of cannabis, to run concurrently.

No separate penalty was made for the driving offence but Warren was disqualified from driving for six months.

A man had a tantrum with staff at Noble’s Hospital because he didn’t want to be discharged, a court has heard.

Dean Anthony Whitehead told one member of staff at the hospital’s casualty unit he was going to ‘smash his face in’, then when police arrived, his behaviour showed no improvement.

For the prosecution, Hazel Carroon said staff tried to discharge the 29-year-old from hospital, but he did not want to leave. The more they tried to persuade him to go, the more angry and aggressive with staff he became.

As matters escalated, she said he started slapping one hand into the other and screaming: ‘This is nothing to do with DAT (the drug and alcohol team).

‘You are not listening to me.’

When the situation became more heated, he informed one member of staff she was a ‘cow’ and offered his considered opinion that all the staff were ‘****heads’ - a view he later repeated for the benefit of the police after being arrested.

Miss Carroon asked the court for a contribution towards prosecution costs of £125.

Whitehead admitted a charge of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or threatening behaviour likely to cause alarm or distress on November 7.

An earlier charge was withdrawn by the prosecution in the light of his guilty plea.

Representing Whitehead, Peter Russell told the court his client was ‘deeply sorry’ for what had happened.

‘He admitted he used objectionable words,’ he said.

‘He accepts the people were only there to help him and he should not have used those words or phrases. He says he did not threaten to hurt anyone.’

Mr Russell said the incident followed in the wake of an admission to the hospital’s Accident and Emergency department.

‘He had taken some tablets and after he had slept them off he was woken and told he was to be discharged,’ Mr Russell said.

‘Maybe the effect had not completely worn off and he became agitated.’

He told the court Whitehead had been out of trouble for some time, with nothing on his record since 2015.

‘He’s making progress and this is a minor hitch,’ Mr Russell said.

‘This followed his admission and being asked to leave when the hospital felt there was nothing more they could do for him. He is articulate and deeply regrets what has happened. It is reasonably serious but not towards the high end of matters, though he accepts hospital staff were there to help him.’

He said Whitehead lived sometimes at Heather Crescent with his girlfriend, and sometimes at Lord Street, and survived on benefits.

Fining him £700 with £125 costs, Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes told him: ‘Had you been charged with an offence that carried custody, you would certainly have been going to prison. Your behaviour to staff trying to help you was appalling. You have five children. How would you feel if one of your children were being admitted to hospital and someone was there behaving like that? You would not have found it acceptable.’

His fine is to be paid off at £10 per week.

Finance company First Names Group has donated £350 to local charity Housing Matters.

Employees from the Group also contributed food, toiletries and kitchen supplies to help people and families on the island who are homeless.

Housing Matters was established in 2007 and was set up to provide advice, guidance and support to people in housing crisis.

Housing Matters was selected by employees at First Names Group as the charity of the month.

Arthur Torin, senior housing advisor at Housing Matters, said: ‘The complex situations that our clients experience are varied and can include but are not restricted to street homelessness, substandard accommodation, victims of domestic abuse. The donation and supplies First Names Group has contributed will really make a difference to the people House Matters supports through difficult times in their lives.’

Craig Brown, managing director of First Names (Isle of Man), said: ‘Housing Matters provides support to people on the island that need it the most. We are delighted to be able to help such a worthwhile cause and hopefully our donations make a difference. At First Names Group we are committed to our people, clients and the communities in which we operate and I could not think of a better cause to support.’

Pictured: Steve Buttery and Julie Marshall from Housing Matters, Celene Kennish from First Names Group, and Don Bailey and Arthur Torin from Housing Matters.

The UK government has said it will not recognise civil partnerships for heterosexuals who have ceremonies in the Isle of Man.

Civil partnerships were introduced across the UK in 2004 by Tony Blair’s government, as a way to grant rights to same-sex couples separate from marriage.

They were introduced in the Isle of Man for both gay and straight couples in 2011 and extended to opposite-sex couples this year, when gay marriage was introduced in law.

The Isle of Man is the only place in the British Isles to legalise civil partnerships for opposite-sex couples.

The civil partnership of made headlines around the UK when a couple from London travelled to the Isle of Man to have a civil partnership at Douglas register office.

Now a UK government minister ruled out any reform on the issue in the UK in a statement to Parliament k – also confirming that the government would not recognise the civil partnerships of opposite-sex couples who entered unions on the Isle of Man.

Equalities minister Caroline Dinenage confirmed: “The 2004 Civil Partnership Act created civil partnerships for same sex couples only.

‘The Act sets out how such relationships entered into outside the UK will be treated. It lists overseas relationships that will be treated as civil partnerships in the UK.

‘It also sets out the conditions that, if met, will result in a relationship entered into elsewhere – but not included in the list – being treated as a civil partnership here.

‘As opposite sex couples cannot lawfully register a civil partnership here, the Act provides that couples registering a relationship overseas are not to be treated as having formed a civil partnership if, at the time the relationship was formed, they were not of the same sex.

‘This rule applies in the same way wherever a couple registers their relationship, and treats UK nationals and couples from elsewhere in the same way.

‘It means that an opposite sex civil partnership registered in the Isle of Man is not treated as a civil partnership as a matter of UK law.’

After marriage was opened up to same-sex couples in 2014, a legal challenge was filed to open up civil partnerships to opposite-sex couples too. The issue is currently before the courts.

Adeline Cosson, and Kieran Hodgson were the first couple from the Isle of Man to have a civil partnership.

Hospice Isle of Man and Athol Garage are teaming up to offer the chance to win a new Nissan Note 1.2 Acenta.

All funds raised from the prize draw will go to the charity.

The car is worth £14,000, and tickets cost £20, with a limited draw of 1,000 tickets.

Sales director and co-owner of Athol Garage, David Quayle, said: ‘We will continue to work with Hospice because we know the difference this charity makes to our community, so if we can help, we are proud to do so.’

The prize draw is said to be a result of a continuing joint working relationship between the Athol Garage and Hospice Isle of Man.

Head of income generation for Hospice, Mary Doyle, said: ‘David Quayle and all the team at Athol continue to work with us to help us raise funds. We are very grateful to them and wish everyone that buys a ticket for this draw the best of luck.’

Chief executive for Hospice Margaret Simpson thanked Mr Quayle and all the team at Athol Garage for their support.

For tickets, call 647435, or go to The Brown Bobby petrol station in Douglas, as well as Hospice shops in Ramsey and Port Erin, and Strand Boutique in Douglas.

The result of the draw will be announced on December 23.

The Southern Vintage Engine and Tractor Club held its annual ploughing match last Saturday at Colby.

The Southern Vintage Engine and Tractor Club held its annual ploughing match on Saturday at Colby.

A total of 17 tractors and one pair of horses took part in the event, which was held in fine, dry conditions.

The club was pleased to welcome one competitor from North Wales, another from the Welsh Borders and another from Essex, all of whom were able to use local tractors and ploughs.

The organisers thanked the judges for their time and patience in judging through out the day. They were Jack Clague, Phil Gawne, Ray Gawne, Willie Gelling and Dennis Quirk.

The day finished in the Tynwald Hill Inn at St John’s for the presentation of the trophies and shield in the evening.

Club chairman Orry Mitchell said: ‘Thanks are due to Paul Costain for providing the two fields for the match to take place, and his co-operation leading up to the match, which is greatly appreciated.’

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RESULTS:

World Class: Gordon Clague

Cecil J Mitchell Shield – Vintage Trailer Diesel: Tony Collister

Darnill’s World Shield – Vintage Mounted TVO: Jimmy Corlett

Rose & David Corkish Shield – Vintage Mounted Diesel: Leslie Watterson

Roy Hutchinson Memorial Shield Classic Tractor Class: David Hankey

Ferguson T-20 System Class: Chris Clegg

Robert & Helen Cleator Shield - Horses: David Rawnsley

Jack Collinson Trophy – Best Horse Ploughing Clash: David Rawnsley

J Quilliam Trophy – Youngest Competitor: Harry Kelly

Bob Corkish Cup Best Tractor Clash: Tony Collister

Mrs E M Cubbon Shield – Tractor of the Match: Jeffrey Kelly – Massey Ferguson 165

John and Brenda Costain Cup – The Best Ploughing on the field for Tractors: David Hankey

Ballaconnell Cup – The Best ploughing on the field for Horses: David Rawnsley

Drop into dancing with Perree Bane traditional Manx folk dance group.

Anyone interested in Manx dancing is welcome to go along to the group’s session any Sunday this month.

It takes place at Ballasalla village hall, on the Main Road, on Sundays from 7pm to 8pm.

Perree Bane, founded in 1982, is described as performing ‘traditional Manx folk dance with a vibrant twist’.

Members range from three to 70 years old. They attend festivals, events and private functions. For more details, call Caroline on 833208.

Work is now under way in Laxey glen to rebuild a large section of the river bank that was washed away during torrential rain and flooding last winter.

The glen is still accessible for walkers but detours are marked leading people around an area fenced off in the glen’s lower car park behind Glenside old people’s home and the Laxey flour mill.

Diggers and other machinery is on site along with building materials and soil has been excavated from the side of the river to allow the bank to be rebuilt. This is now being done using blocks of textured concrete to replace the section that collapsed last December.

No-one was available to comment on the work or indicate how long it is likely to take.

A smaller section of the river bank in the lower glen, bordering Glen Road, was also washed away, causing a section of the riverside footpath to be diverted but work to repair that is yet to begin.

Meanwhile, the final touches are being put to the new single track bridge in Old Laxey. The bridge replaces the old two lane bridge that collapsed in December, depositing a double decker bus in the river and contributing to flooding that hit numerous homes in the area.

A flat design rather than an arch was selected for the new bridge, in theory allowing a greater volume of water through. The new road surface across the bridge still requires a final asphalt surface to be laid.

To allow the work to go ahead, a road closure order has been granted for the end of this month. Although the road closure is officially for two weeks, the actual duration of the resurfacing work is likely to be no more than two or three days. A spokesman said the extra time was because the work needed to be done in dry conditions and it should allow contractors to pick a time when it was not raining.

The bridge was opened temporarily over the TT period to ease the extra traffic flow through the village but shut again after to allow the work to be completed. Work has also been completed to rebuild a section of the riverbank’s retaining wall below Glen Road adjacent to the bridge itself. Official opening for the new bridge is expected to take place in December.

A temporary footbridge erected soon after the old bridge collapsed remains in place.

Drainage improvement work has also been carried out on the Baldhoon Road to divert water from draining off fields down into the village, which was flooded twice in December then again in January this year.

Heavy rain overnight caused flooding on many roads around the island.

The main Douglas to Peel Road between Ballacraine and Crosby crossroads was closed for some four hours until about 6.30am due to flooding in the area.

Other roads remained open and passable with care including the bottom of Richmond Hill, Noble’s Hospital roundabout, Cross Four Ways, Ballasalla, the Douglas to Laxey Coast Road in the area of the Fun Barn, Slieau Whallian Road in Lower Foxdale and the Archallagan Road.

Standing water remained in some areas this morning and police advised motorists to drive with care.

Australian High Commissioner to the UK, Alexander Downer, returned home yesterday after a flying visit to the Isle of Man.

Mr Downer, who is usually based on the Strand in London, arrived at Ronaldsway airport on Monday where he was met by new Chief Minister Howard Quayle.

Mr Downer’s role as High Commissioner, representing Australia not just in the UK but also in the associated Crown Dependencies.

‘In that role, I have been trying to visit as many of the Crown Dependencies as possible,’ he said.

Explaining the average Australian’s perception of the Isle of Man, he said: ‘Really, in Australia, the Isle of Man is famous for two things: the TT races, and for Tynwald, as the oldest continuous parliament in the world.

‘But there are also quite a lot of Manx men and women in Australia, who have emigrated there over the years, so there are links at that level in terms of population.’

In addition he said he was interested to see the relationship between the Isle of Man and the UK.

‘It is an interesting model,’ he said.

‘Independent of the UK with no inheritance tax, capital gains tax or corporation tax.

‘So I am also interested to see what impact that has on people’s lives and the societal impact of such a regime.’

He said he was impressed to hear the Manx economy was growing by between five and six per cent per year and that unemployment was low, in stark contrast to continental Europe.

‘The unemployment rate in Australia is around six per cent. That’s not high, but it’s a lot higher than here,’ he said.

Post Brexit, he said a trade agreement with the UK was a possibility and something that, by extension, the Isle of Man could also benefit from.

After arriving on Monday, he met a number of the new government ministers, including Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan and Economic Development Laurence Skelly,

‘We chatted about the economic challenges faced by the Isle of Man and the island’s investment strategies,’ he said.

‘In a short period of time I’ve been filled with a lot of information.’

Another item on the agenda was a meeting with representatives from the Financial Services Authority.

‘I am interested to see how financial services are organised here and the regulatory regimes that are in place. The issue of transparency is clearly an important one,’ he said.

‘I’ve been very impressed with the regulatory systems that are in place here.

‘Basically we don’t want Australians making use of any loop-holes in the system to avoid their oblicagios to pay tax to th Australian government. But there is no evidence that they are doing so in the Isle of Man.’

On Monday evening he attended a meal along with the island’s Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney, as well as various representatives from the island’s business community.

Summing up some of the benefits of his visit to the Isle of Man, he said: ‘I hope the Isle of Man has learned something about Australia and it certainly illustrates that we have some linked interests. For example, there are 142 Australians living in the Isle of Man. And there are also many people from the Isle of Man who, over the past few hundred years, have emigrated to Australia. So there are Manx connections. ‘

He said he was also considering if there were investment opportunities in the island that would interest Australians based in the UK and the Isle of Man. He said if they were consulted for advice it meant they could talk about the system in the UK and the Crown Dependencies such as the Isle of Man.

Before leaving on Tuesday night, at the end of his whistle stop tour, he fitted in a short sight-seeing session in the form of a visit to the world’s largest working water wheel, the Lady Isabella in Laxey.

‘I’ve found the Isle of Man to be a delightful place with friendly and engaging people,’ he said.

The Australian High Commission offers services including travel, passport and legal advice for Australians who are travelling in the UK. It is the Commonwealth equivalent of an embassy.

Isle of Man Newspapers reporter Jackie Turley has raised £1,000 for charity after cycling the length of Britain.

Jackie, aged 32, cycled the 960-plus miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats over 13 days in September.

She raised money for the Isle of Man branch of the Samaritans, in memory of her brother Richard.

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>> Read Jackie’s blog from her Lejog adventure

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The charity hosted a tea party at their base in Victoria Place, Douglas, on Saturday to thank Jackie for her efforts.

Jackie said: ‘The bike ride was a fantastic adventure with the route taking in many parts of the UK that I had never been to before. From cycling over a mist-shrouded Bodmin Moor while caked in mud to climbing through the heart of the Scottish Highlands, the journey proved to be a tough physical and mental challenge.’

Jackie was joined on the end to end challenge by close friends Liz Jones and Chris Harris, from Wokingham, who were raising money for a charity close to their hearts, Parkinson’s UK.

Most days they had about 65 miles to cover but there were two particularly long days where they had to cycle more than 90 miles.

Family members, including Jackie’s mum Jean Taylor, took it in turns to drive the back-up support car.

Jackie said: ‘The bike ride was a huge team effort and we couldn’t have done it without our ever-cheerful support drivers, along with family and friends who met us along the way and hosted us overnight.

‘Finally reaching John O’Groats after 13 long days in the saddle was a huge buzz and an achievement that I’ll always be proud of. To be able to help such an important charity at the same time makes it all the more worthwhile.’

Castletown-based fiduciary and pension firm Optimus Fiduciaries Limited has donated money to three charities.

Through a mixture of dress down day collections, cake days and general office fundraising, the firm raised £1,500 ,which has been split between Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association, Cruse Bereavement Care and Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

‘We are delighted to raise money for these three local charities,; said Kerry Beattie, senior manager at Optimus.

‘The charities have a personal touch as they have been chosen internally by staff who have a connection with them.’

Pictured: Brent Thomas (director, Optimus), Kerry Beattie (senior manager, Optimus), Amanda Cafearo (Cruse Bereavement Care), Jane Shutt (Guide Dogs for Blind Association) and Sandy Denning (Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association)

Wednesday, November 2, was the first of the season’s themed competitions – with the theme being ‘Old and New’.

The judge for the evening was former member Ray Davies, a keen judge who very kindly explained his judging process to us before he commenced with his comments.

This was very valuable and helps members to understand what to look for when taking and selecting their competition images. Ray explained several of the aspects he focuses on including impact, technical quality, manipulation (if any), storytelling, subject matter, lasting interest and the images title and presentation.

In the prints section there were no standard entries, but in the intermediate section mono first place went to Beryl Quayle for her image of old townscapes contrasting with a modern coach of tourists in Stockholm.

In the colour section the winner was Barry Murphy with his clever image ‘The Old & New Testaments’ which depicted a well lit image of a Kindle alongside prayer books in a church pew.

In the advanced section the mono prize went to Bob Servante for his image ‘Cunningham’s Camp Entrance 1934/2016’ which cleverly interspersed an old photo within a current image of the camp entrance. In the advanced colour Chris Blyth took first place for his image ‘As it was then and As it is Now’.

In the digital section first place for the standard group went to Tim Norton for his image ‘Mother and Chick’. In the intermediate the winner was Hazel Walsh with ‘The New Blue Dress’ and in the advanced section first place went to Sue Blythe for ‘Dale Grimshaw’s Street Art (2016) at Brick Lane (1800s).

In both the print and digital competitions the award for best image went to the intermediate members with Barry Murphy winning best print and Hazel Walsh winning best digital image.

It was a busy week for the society as Thursdaywas the annual three-way battle that takes place between Isle of Man, Western and Southern photographic societies.

The judge for the event, held at Peel Football Club, was David Kneale who provided comprehensive feedback on the 90 images entered.

Western took the trophy once again this year scoring a total of 493 points with the Isleof Man society scoring 477 and Southern 465.

The prize for the best image in the competition also went to Western for ‘Marsh Rider’ by Dorothy Flint.

The society’s next meeting will be on Wednesday, November 16, and will feature an Open Print competition.

Meetings start at 7.30pm at Thie Ellyn in Douglas and all are welcome.

Hazel Walsh

The island’s prison and probation offers have been trained in how to cope with a riot.

The government says the training course was held to help officers’ ‘ability to resolve challenging and potentially violent incidents’.

Petrol bombs, rocks and verbal abuse were hurled at prison officers to simulate the conditions that could arise in the event of a riot by prisoners.

The scenario formed part of the annual training and refresher course to equip front-line staff with the skills to manage a range of difficult situations.

restraint

A total of 25 prison officers took part in exercises focused on control and restraint techniques, achieving timely and effective interventions, removing barricades, restoring order to the prison wings and responding to a riot.

Training was carried out while the officers came under physical and verbal attack from colleagues taking on the role of rioting prisoners. Petrol bombs were used to put skills, equipment and teamwork to the test.

Police dog handlers and their dogs took part in a number of the exercises to enhance partnership working with the Prison and Probation Service and to assist their own training needs.

Bob McColm, head of the Isle of Man Prison and Probation Service, said: ‘Maintaining good order and discipline is essential to the safe and effective operation of Isle of Man Prison. As a service, we need to be prepared to deal with all eventualities. These training scenarios instil in our officers a sense of trust and confidence in their kit, their colleagues and in the management of the prison.’

He added: ‘The relationship between officers and prisoners has been highlighted during independent inspections as one of our biggest strengths.

‘Fortunately instances of violent disorder are extremely rare at Isle of Man Prison and some of the techniques learned by staff would be used only as a last resort when other attempts to bring about a peaceful resolution have been exhausted.’

The Department of Home Affairs said that having well-trained prison officers was part of its overall commitment to keeping people safe.

Michael Coleman MLC, department member with responsibility for the prison and probation service, added: ‘The Isle of Man’s geographical position makes it particularly important for our staff to be equipped with a range of specialist knowledge and skills.

‘In order to be more self-sufficient in terms of our response capability, the island’s prison officers must be trained to a very high standard and those skills maintained by way of regular refresher courses.’

Humbolt penguin couples at the Curraghs Wildlife Park now have a choice of new family homes to explore.

The breed is an an endangered species, with only 12,000 in the wild, and it is hoped that the new development of nest boxes will encourage breeding for the first time since 2010.

The charity Friends of the Curraghs Wildlife Park receive sponsorship from developer Dandara.

Wildlife Park general manager Kathleen Graham said: ‘We hope to have success in hatching and rearing Humboldt penguin chicks as the last one was raised six years ago. The new design of the nest area will help facilitate this.

‘The Curraghs Wildlife Park regularly participates in international animal exchange programmes to improve animal health and breeding, and an enhanced penguin breeding programme could contribute to the conservation and protection of these birds through exchanges with other recognised zoos and wildlife parks.

‘In addition, the new nest boxes provide a more attractive backdrop to the enclosure as the old nest box area was looking a little tired after 16 years in place.’

Kim Etherton, chairperson of Friends of the Curraghs Wildlife Park, added: ‘The penguins are very popular with visitors and the prospect of fluffy chicks in the future is very exciting!

‘Our charity was established to support the work of the park and has part-funded several improvements, including the new enclosures for the recently arrived Silvery Gibbons and European Lynx and the purchase of animal skulls for educational purposes.

‘We would welcome further offers of help including £250 to sponsor a penguin nest box. Yours could be the one to celebrate the arrival of a precious new baby.’

Representatives of Dandara recently visited the Curraghs Wildlife Park to see the new nest boxes and to meet the penguins.

Dandara marketing director Joanna Orton said: ‘For almost 30 years, we have been providing high quality homes to meet the needs of a diverse range of customers, but this is the first time we’ve supported housing for penguins!

‘We were delighted to be asked to get involved and wish the new owners every success in their chosen nest box.’

Students at Gale Force Theatre School undertook two exciting new challenges by taking examinations in ‘Musical Theatre Performances’ and ‘Reading for Performance’.

They were graded by Penny Lambert who had flown in especially for the day by arrangement with the examining board ‘New Era Academy’ based in the South of England.

The students ranged in age from seven to 23 and were accompanied by Wendy MacDowell for the musical theatre presentations and prepared for both exams by tutor Barbara Gale.

Mrs Gale said: ‘New Era presented the students with new challenges, poems to read, sonnets to perform and biographies to read from and discuss, with such diverse subjects as Roald Dahl, Rannulph Fiennes and Stalin.

‘The students were also asked to sight-read from Alan Bennett, Ernest Hemingway, WB Yeats and Carol Ann Duffy, a real eclectic mix – no one was sure of what was coming!’

Mrs Gale added: ‘As they, and others, now prepare for the Manx Music Festival and further exams in June 2017, combined with GCSEs, ‘A’ level exams and many concert commitments over the Festive period, life as a Gale Force student is never dull!’

RESULTS

Musical theatre

Preliminary grade: Aidan Vogelzang, merit; Scarlett McKenna, merit; Jayne Cleator, merit; Fern Corlett, merit; Katie Colgan, merit; Richard Corlett, distinction.

Reading for performance

Preliminary Grade: Aidan Vogelzang, merit; Scarlett McKenna, merit; Jayne Cleator, merit; Fern Corlett, merit.

Grade Three: Erica Elvezia, merit; Valentina Elvezia, merit; Rosie Hinds, distinction; John Keig, distinction.

Spoken English: Giles Beaumont, merit. Grade 8 and gold medal awards: Timmy Chan; Mike Bonham, merit; Beth Colgan, distinction; Richard Corlett, distinction.

Illustrator Alice Quayle has a new exhibition of her work on show in the window of the Sayle Gallery, in Douglas.

They include the ‘Yessir I can Boogie’ and ‘Ciao Bella, Ciao Fella’ prints.

The illustrated maps include one of Dark Skies sites , one called ‘Manx as the Hills’, and two showing Norse and Viking connections.

The pictures are available as prints and postcards from the gallery. They will be on display until November 20.

See other examples of her work on the Facebook page ‘Alice’s Illustrations’.

Businessman Craig Mitchell, completed his adventure of a lifetime having climbed to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of The Isle of Man Children’s Centre.

The intrepid director at Browne Craine & Co raised more than £5,500 for the charity.

Craig said: ‘It was a truly incredible experience with the odd hairraising moment along the way.

‘To have reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro after 12 months of training is incredible, don’t get me wrong, it was extremely difficult at times, but we had camaraderie within the group which saw every one of us reach the summit.

‘Summit night itself was probably the toughest personal challenge I have ever faced and I reached a fatigue low I genuinely didn’t think existed, but perversely it was one of the most enjoyable things I’ve ever done.

‘I’m really pleased that I’ve been able to raise so much money for The Children’s Centre – thank you to everyone who sponsored me.’

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, with its summit being 5,895 metres above sea level.

The challenge, which took place in October, took Craig and his 25 fellow trekkers, along the beautiful Machame route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the south, allowing gradual acclimatisation to the altitude and an excellent chance of reaching the summit.

The charity trek took them through dense tropical rainforest, moorland and scree until they reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point.

This is one of the most challenging charity treks at altitude, climbing one of the most impressive mountains in the world for simply breathtaking views.

He added:‘The Children’s Centre is an extraordinary charity and they do a lot of great work here in the island.

‘They provide vital services to more than 1,000 children, young people and families each and every week and I’m delighted that my efforts, and those of my fellow trekkers, will have helped the charity to raise much needed funding’.

The trip also proved to be a very humbling experience for Craig who commented on their hosts: ‘Our Tanzanian guides and porters live a difficult life in testing conditions, but you wouldn’t have known it when meeting them.

‘Each and every one of them was wonderfully friendly and welcoming; their constant cries of “Jambo Jambo” were an inspiration.

‘Other than reaching the summit itself, I think one of my lasting memories will be the evening we partied with our guides singing and dancing as a group’.

If you would like to find out more about Craig and his trek, please go to his Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/Craig-Mitchell15.