Bushy’s Brewery is set to lock horns with the Manx government over using the letters ‘TT’.

The Santon-based company has this afternoon issued a statement on its Facebook page to say it is ‘seeking legal advice’ after being told by the Department of Economic Development it has breached trademark legislation in relation to the world-famous Tourist Trophy road races held in the island each summer since 1907.

The statement reads: ‘In November 2014, the company registered trademark number UK00003082238 for “Bushy’s TT”, a brand we use on our popular annual T-shirts and stickers.

‘However, we’ve been informed by Isle of Man Government that they consider us to have breached their trademark on the letters “T.T.” – despite no objection being raised when we registered “Bushy’s TT”.

‘As a result, the department is now demanding we stop using the letters or else it will pursue us in court and seek to overturn our registered trademark.’

Managing director Martin Brunnschweiler said: ‘It does put us in an awkward situation being told five months before the festival that we can’t use its initials – our planning for the event starts very early.’

Plans have been submitted to redevelop Pennybridge Stables, at Glebe Farm, in Kirk Michael into a residential development.

Carolyn Stephenson has applied (16/01375/A) to government planners for approval in principle for the scheme, which includes the stables, farmhouse and equestrian building alongside the farm lane.

The proposal includes improving the access to the holiday cottages on the site.

A planning application for approval in principle for four detached homes on the site was submitted in August 2016 but later withdrawn.

Michael Commissioners had objected to the previous application. In a letter from commissioners clerk Krystina Malcolm-Hodgson, the local authority said it believed the proposed development was on land zoned for agricultural use and raising concerns about the access on to the Main Road.

Approval in principle for two detached homes on the site of the riding arena was granted in December 2015.

Leading dietitians will give a free talk on weight gain and what you can do about it on January 26.

Registered dietitian Dr Shem Allanson is describd as one of the island’s leading experts on human nutrition, having worked in the industry for over 35 years.

Dr Allanson shares some weight-watching insights when she discusses the factors that contribute to weight gain and how to fight it.

She provides some tips and tricks to keep your weight in check.

The talk takes place at Top Banana, in Ballaughton Lane, Saddlestone, from 6.30pm until 8.30pm.

Two charities have benefited from a breast cancer survivor’s head shave for them.

Hospice Isle of Man and Manx Breast Cancer Support Group were recipients of donations raised by Viv Cornelius who had her head shaved for them.

Viv is also an extra in the film directed by Amma Asante’s called ‘Where Hands Touch’ which is currently being filmed on the Isle of Man.

Extras were asked to have their head shaved for the roles with a payment of £200 with an additional £100 being donated by the Producers to the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group.

Viv, raised £1,000 to be divided between the two causes.

Pictured left to right are head of income generation, Mary Doyle and Anne Mills, chief executive for Hospice along with chairwoman Julie Stokes, vice chair Carole Male, committee members Chris Barr and Dr Rebecca Miller, all from the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group along with Viv and Larna Colquitt from hairdressers, Number 1, Farrant Street, Douglas.

Viv is pictured following her head shave.

Last week the Isle of Man Photographic Society held a critique session at Thie Ellyn, off Withington Road, Douglas.

This was a departure from the format of our normal Wednesday meetings, when there is usually a competition or a presentation.

This time members had been invited to bring in any wildlife photographs - or anything else - that they would like the members to comment on.

Many of the pictures brought in had previously been criticised by various judges, and the photographers wanted a second opinion from the membership.

Any member was allowed to comment on the pictures, but two informal judges (our thanks to Beryl and Jeremy) were appointed to lead the discussion, which they did very effectively.

The first half of the evening was devoted to a viewing of prints. Unsurprisingly the members disagreed among themselves on how each image could have been improved, but there were a few exceptional works that everybody admired.

A number of excellent macro photographs of insects were presented and for these shots pin sharp focusing had been a challenge.

This led on to a detailed discussion about macro photography and the technique for using a flash for a macro shot.

Most members had never tried this.

The most frequent comments from the audience were about cropping - they felt that most of the images presented could have been improved if part of the picture had been been cut off.

Some prints were criticised for being poorly mounted and others were criticised for being too dark, but under better lighting they might have appeared better.

The second part of the evening’s entertainment involved a slideshow of digital images.

As in the first part of the evening, most of the images had wildlife as their subject.

This time comments were often about how Photoshop could have been used to improve the image.

Many images were criticised for distractions which the photographer might not have noticed – either in the background or foreground – or elements at the edges which caught the eye.

The slideshow ended with a couple of spectacular photographs of fireworks at this year’s TT.

True, the images were not perfect, but they made a tremendous impact on the audience.

Our president Tony Curtis brought the critique session to a close and summed up the evening.

Although the number attending was less than usual, it was felt that the evening had been a great success, as everyone had felt able to make a contribution.

Chris Blyth

How do you get out and about with nature in the Isle of Man?

That’s the question the Manx Wildlife Trust is asking residents in an online survey, the results of which will be used to plan the future of the island’s natural spaces.

It comes after a 2015 report by the Wildlife Trusts found that children have become more separated from nature over the last 40 years in the UK.

Manx Wildlife Trust biodiversity education officer Dawn Dickens said the results of the UK report made for ‘disturbing reading’.

In 1915, UK children’s roaming range was six miles compared with just 300 yards now. Under 10 per cent of children in the UK play in natural areas compared to 40 per cent when their parents were children.

And in 20 years, the percentage of children walking to school fell from 80 per cent to 10 per cent from 1971.

Dawn said: ‘It is all very saddening when the advantages of outdoor play are widely known to increase self esteem, make you happier and healthier, increase creative skills. ‘But these statistics are UK based ones. Is the same trend happening here? After all we are a more rural community aren’t we?’

The survey is available at on a link through the MWT website.

The trust has a very active programme for engaging children with nature, supporting learning in schools, taking field trips and giving talks and advice.

Its children’s club, WATCH, meets on the third Saturday of the month.

Summer activities include den building, lizard watching and rock pooling while winter events have included creating wormeries and meeting ferrets.

The trust is also continuing its work at Claghbane plantation in Ramsey to create the island’s largest eco-playground, designed to get families out and about.

Plans have been submitted for a housing complex for elderly people in Braddan.

JoJay Limited has applied for approval in principle (16/01402/A) for bungalows, convenience shop with a flat for a full-time warden above and community transport.

The site is the former building contractors yard and offices at BCS, in Peel Road and would be accessed through security gates.

In the planning application it states: ‘Early discussions with Braddan Commissioners concluded that there was much need for senior social housing in the Braddan parish and the principle of community lifestyle accommodation along with the eco/passive principles of the development were much welcomed.

‘From these discussions with Braddan Commissioners a formal offer has been made to them in relation to a turn key purchase of the completed development for senior living public sector housing.

‘This offer would be discussed in further detail subject to a successful planning outcome.’

Up to 25 two-bedroom bungalows are proposed, incorporating the principles of eco/passive construction, built with ‘low carbon footprint materials’ and high levels of insulation.

Solar panels in the covered parking area would generate electricity for the homes.

The homes would be surrounded by communal gardens and landscaped areas, which would be watered using collected surface water.

A community minibus would be provided for residents for pre-arranged trips at the discretion of the warden.

The convenience shop would have separate parking.

It is hoped the scheme will become a blueprint for future developments in the island.

The site is currently zoned for industrial use. JoJay applied for approval for 19 industrial units on the site in 2011. In the planning statement, it says: ‘During the two-year period that it took to obtain planning due to the objections of adjoining residents the construction industry went into serious recession and the demand for the units disappeared.’

It says the change in use of the site would make best use of the land and would enhance the landscape.

Tynwald Mills management say that customers will have more choice after the shops is sold to a Channel Islands retailer.

The St John’s company is being sold for an undisclosed sum to Sandpiper CI.

The announcement was made earlier this week.

Customers and staff have been assured that ‘on the ground, nothing will change, same faces but more brands’ and no redundancies are expected as a result of the announcement.

Stephen Bradley, who has been managing director of Tynwald Mills for 25 years, said: ‘We are delighted to have come to an agreement with Sandpiper CI.

‘Our collective brand reach will undoubtedly improve customer choice on the Isle of Man.’

In a letter to customers, Mr Bradley said the move ‘wasn’t an easy decision’, adding: ‘Sandpiper will provide the scale and expertise to move Tynwald Mills and retail on the Isle of Man to the next level, providing long term security for the business and wider customer choice.

‘On the ground, nothing will change, same faces but more brands.

‘Sandpiper CI already works with a number of our partner brands and more beside. If anybody has any queries or questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. ‘

Sandpiper’s portfolio in the Channel Islands consists of 11 food halls, eight convenience stores, five petrol forecourts, 16 Wine Warehouses, a bakery store and four Pound Pow£r stores in Jersey and Guernsey.

It also holds franchises for Costa Coffee outlets in Spain and Gibraltar and a Hotel Chocolat shop in Gibraltar.

Sandpiper’s chief executive, Tony O’Neill, said: ‘We have been looking at expanding into the Isle of Man for some time.

‘Many of our existing franchise partners are keen to work with us in territories outside of the Channel Islands and the Tynwald Mills department store provides the perfect platform to move our strategy forward in this location. The business is well established, has strong management and works with many brands that we already have relationships with.

‘The acquisition provides the synergy and benefits to form a solid base upon which we can further develop our retail estate.’

Originally, a fully integrated woollen mill producing cloth for stores such as Marks and Spencer, the mill then underwent a change of ownership and direction in the mid-1970s.

The 50,000 sq ft retail business was established more than 30 years ago.

Tynwald Mills employs more than 110 people, including part-time staff.

Businessman Jim Mellon has compared the island’s weather with the ‘story of the markets’ last year.

Mr Mellon, who is in the Sunday Times Rich List writes in an article for Master Investor Magazine: ‘My family gathered on the Isle of Man for the holiday period, and a jolly time we have had.

‘The one unpredictable and notorious feature of this beautiful island is the “four seasons in one day” phenomenon, which means we go from lashing rain to bright clear skies in literally a matter of minutes. And isn’t that the story of the markets in 2016? Convulsive gyrations, mostly downwards when reality of the outcome ran against the conventional wisdom (Brexit, Trump, Italian referendum); then recovery – and a resumption of the developed world bull markets that have become very long in the tooth, particularly in the United States.’

The author and island resident was a vocal backer of Brexit during 2016. Mr Mellon says there are ‘two very big fault lines in the world economy for 2017; the perennial one is of course my bete noir, Europe, and the second is China. Both demand we as investors remain heavily exposed to gold. Don’t worry if it falls a little from here; it’s just another opportunity to buy more. I really would be big in gold and silver for 2017.’

With sales starting and Christmas over for another year we went to Strand Street to talk to people about the festive period.

We asked them about their Christmas spending, the sales, parking and what Douglas has to offer.

Karen Knight, aged 65, from Onchan, who has two children and seven grandchildren. ‘I did my Christmas shopping in Douglas. I spent about £1,000. I start my Christmas shopping in January. What’s on offer in Douglas is good enough for me.’

Arlene Clark, aged 51, who lives in Douglas but is originally from Scotland and has two children.

‘I bought a couple of things locally but unfortunately, for the kids, they want sportswear so there isn’t the choice here, so everything has to come online.

‘I suppose the shops are quite poor here but even if I go back to Scotland, I sometimes think that about there too.’

Charlotte Mackie, aged 34, from Saddlestone, who was with her daughter Addi, aged four.

‘It was a mixture really for my Christmas shopping, some in Douglas and some online. We don’t spend that much, we probably spend about £200.

‘We did have a little shopping trip across. I do go to other places around the island like Tynwald Mills but that’s quite an expensive shopping trip.

Scott Morgan, aged 39, from Onchan said: ‘I did my Christmas shopping on the island. I looked online first then ended up coming into town and getting it at places like Boots.

‘I was surprised at how quiet it was.

‘I think they’ve done the right thing having the parking, it does encourage people to come in but then I haven’t had a problem parking which probably isn’t a good sign because it means it’s not that busy.

Richard Morris, aged 65, and Sarah Morris, aged 56, from Douglas.

Sarah: ‘We did most of our shopping online, and in Marks and Spencer. We used the free parking on the promenade that was good.

‘I think they should always do that.

Richard: ‘Over Christmas I’d say we spend probably about £300.

‘There are too many cafes in the high street in Douglas. With the shops here there are instances where you say you want something, and they haven’t got it, and they’ll say “we can’t get it”.

‘Yet you can go online and get it the following day. It’s ridiculous.

Leander Sime, aged 43, Izzy Sime, aged 14, and Freddie Sime, aged nine, from Port Erin

‘I’d say I spend about £800. I do sometimes go to Tynwald Mills, I’m going there tomorrow.We’ve spent around the same as last year.

‘We have come into town for the sales and for the kids to spend their Christmas money. It was definitely a good idea to make the parking free on the promenade.’

A woman from Castletown ended up spending Christmas behind bars after breaching her bail conditions for a second time.

Sonia Nicola Beck, of Rheast Barrule, had been bailed by an earlier court after denying three charges and is due to reappear on January 31 for a pre-trial review.

The court heard it had been a spur-of-the-moment lapse after bumping into an old friend unexpectedly just before Christmas.

The pair had chatted, she had become upset and ended up having a drink,

For the prosecution, James Robinson said he had reviewed the case and although it was Back’s second bail breach he did not object to bail being granted again.

‘She would have spent the Christmas period on remand and would have had some time for reflection,’ he said at the court, which sat on Thursday.

‘We are heading towards New Year and temptation is going to be put before her again so perhaps a stern judicial warning from the bench about what would happen if she breached the bail conditions again would be appropriate.’

Beck’s advocate David Clegg said his client would not object to an additional bail condition prohibiting her from drinking in public.

‘I have discussed with her the fact that it is the New Year weekend,’ he said.

‘And she does already have plans that do not involve going out.’

He told the court Beck’s partner was currently living off-island.

‘They are going to spend New Year’s Eve “together” via Skype, that’s her plan for that evening. This has been a salutory warning for her,’ he said.

‘On the day in question she was collecting her benefits when she bumped into an old friend and broke down in tears. That person invited her to come and have a drink and tell her what was wrong. It was a stupid mistake but it was a shoulder to cry on. By the time the police arrived, she was not on licensed premises but in the coffee shop.’

Mr Clegg said given Beck’s admissions and the five days she had spent in custody over Christmas, the court could rest assured there would be no repeat performance were she to be granted bail again.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes noted the 38-year-old had now breached bail conditions twice and in addition proceedings had been delayed after she failed to instruct an advocate in time.

‘Your advocate says matters are becoming serious but matters have always been serious,’ she told her.

However, she said it was appropriate to grant bail. Beck will reappear on January 31. She was advised to speak to an advocate in advance. In the meantime, she is subject to a £500 recognisance, must live at her home address, must not enter licensed premises, buy alcohol or drink in public. She must not contact certain named people or leave the Isle of Man without the court’s permission.

The Onchan Live at Home Scheme is looking for volunteers.

They help the elderly to take them to appointments, for example.

Contact Anni Pearsall, manager for the Onchan Live at Home Scheme, on 625157 or 459226.

A talk on the life of Manx inventor William Kennish will be held at the Sailor’s Shelter on East Quay in Peel on January 15.

Organised by the William Kennish Memorial Trust it will be an illustrated talk on the life of Manxman Kennish from his humble beginnings in Maughold, his naval career, life in the Isle of Man and his explorations of South America.

There will also be details of his later family connections to the Statue of Liberty and the characters in PG Wodehouse’s stories.

The talk will be presented by author and chairman of the Isle of Man Victorian Society, Bob Stimpson, with family descendant of William Kennish, Roy Moore.

Admission is free, but donations are sought, as the talk is being given as a fundraising event for a memorial, which the trust plans to install at William’s final resting place in New York in March.

Two charities have each been boosted by a donation of more than £1,500 following the annual Isle of Man ‘PwC Question of Sport’ dinner.

The black-tie corporate event at the Palace Hotel and Casino is organised by the Isle of Man Sporting and Dining Club and has been sponsored since its inception in 2012 by PwC Isle of Man.

Each year Question of Sport supports two charities, and the worthy causes to benefit from funds raised at this year’s event were the Isle of Man branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK. Each charity received a cheque for £1523.15.

The team celebrating at the end of the night was SMP Partners, who took home the first prize of the Silver Claret Jug and champagne.

Ian Clague, senior partner at PwC Isle of Man, said: ‘On behalf of everyone at the firm, I’d like to thank John Wannenburgh and the Isle of Man Sporting and Dining Club for organising another superb night’s entertainment, and of course everyone who took part. Our congratulations to the winning team at SMP Partners, who played a blinder to be named this year’s champions.’

The Isle of Man branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society is made up entirely of volunteers, all of whom have some family connection to MS. The charity raises funds for the local branch, and provides contributions towards equipment for patients, including mobility scooters, wet rooms and access ramps.

The Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK was set up by Stephanie Moore MBE in 1993 following the death of her husband, footballer Bobby Moore OBE, from bowel cancer. The charity raises awareness of the symptoms of bowel cancer and funds world-class lifesaving research.

Crowe Morgan Valkyrs Hockey Club annual mhelliah has raised £425 towards a Christmas party for the residents of Westlands Sheltered Housing Complex

The mhelliah is held each year and the club choose a charity or good cause in the west of the island to donate the money to.

Dave Hall from Valkyrs said: ‘We thought it would be nice to give something back to a generation that have done so much for the community that we represent.’

Members of the Valkyrs committee attended the Westlands Christmas Party which was held for approximately 50 residents and presented a cheque to the head of the Peel and Western District Housing Committee, Alan Jones.

Pictured from left, Imogen Manning, Alan Jones, David Hall and Greg Miller photo by Chris Caldwell

An appeal has been launched against planners’ refusal for 36 homes in Crosby.

Planners turned down the application (15/01156/A) last month for approval in principle for the development submitted by the estate of Amy Kissack per James Cowell.

The site is on land at Close Jairg Beg and fields off Old Church Road.

Planners said that the proposal represented ‘unwarranted development’ on land not zoned for any purpose.

And they ruled that the scale of the proposal was ‘inappropriate to maintain the existing settlement character of Crosby’.

In the decision notice, it stated that the layout would result in the loss of, and future pressure to remove, important and attractive trees that provide a highly valued landscape feature for the site and wider area.

And it said insufficient evidence was submitted to demonstrate the development would not adversely impact species or habitats of international, national or local importance.

The proposal was for six homes in the garden ground of Close Jairg Beg and 30 homes on the land off Old Church Road.

The homes have three- or four-bedroom, all two storey and either semi-detached or detached.

In accordance with the Isle of Man Strategic Plan, nine of the homes would be affordable housing.

The site would be accessed from Old Church Road.

Meanwhile, a decision is pending on a housing estate and retail space on land at Ballaglonney Farm, in Crosby.

Approval in principle for a development comprising 28 three and four bedroom homes on land at Ballaglonney Farm, in Crosby was upheld at a planning appeal in June last year.

Glen Vine-based developer JM Project Management Limited submitted a reserved matters application for 21 four bedroom homes on the site, which borders the bowling green on Old Church Road in December.

The proposal (16/01314/REM) features a retail unit and a car parking area for 34 vehicles.

IT’S my birthday today. I am 86 years old.

Mind you this week’s column was written last Friday to meet my deadline so it is my birthday and I am 86 as long as malign fate has not intervened without my knowledge in the meantime.

Now that I have made this clear I would like to ask when, if ever, I am going to get back my free over 75s television licence.

After all I have been getting one for the last 10 years and have always been properly grateful. I haven’t taken it for granted.

This is why I was surprised when last month I got a letter from a body across the water called TV Licensing demanding that I apply as soon as possible for a TV licence which I had to pay for in the sizable sum £145.50. It is now sitting in front me on my desk.

I couldn’t argue. It had been told my TV would be switched off if I didn’t obey orders.

It’s all very mysterious. I also had a letter sent to me last month by the Manx Treasury announcing what was called a new scheme to help the over 75s in the Isle of Man to pay for their TV licences and this would come into effect on December 1 2016. To me this means the Treasury – or should I say Treasury Minister Alf Cannan – owes me £145.50.

Come on Alf. Pay up like an officer and a gentleman.

GRAHAM Hooton has sent me a cutting from the sports pages of the Manx Independent saying: ‘The main solo classes of the 2017 TT were dominated by two men.’ It went on to name them.

Time to get a bet on I think.

THIS week’s crossword clues, two of them, have been sent in by Sara Goodwins. They were in the Examiner as follows: ‘Fletcher for example ( 9, 4)’ and ‘I defame a Manxman (8).’

MEMBERS of Tynwald have been exercising their minds on the future operation of the horse trams and people have been asking in debate and discussion on Manx Radio if the Court might be going to do a u-turn on the trams.

I’d like to see them try.

I BOUGHT a box of paper clips and found that on it the name of these handy items was translated into a number of languages other than English and one of these was ‘trombones’ which I think was French. I showed this to Nicola, the receptionist at Manx Radio where I have my workplace. She told me that to her paper clips tended to look like little trombones..

I have been looking long and hard at my paper clips and Nicola is right. They do look like little trombones. Well blow me down.

MANXLISH. Last week I referred to how an offence committed by a player in a Manx football match can result in the referee awarding a “pelanty” to the other team which could result in the match being lost.

This might result in the losing team’s supporters going to the pub after the match and getting ‘palatic’.

NEW definitions, Caterpallor – the colour you turn after you find half a worm in the fruit you are eating

Crossword answers: Christian name and islander.

Henry Bloom Noble Primary School will be officially today.

The ceremony takes place in the school’s hall, where proceedings will get under way with a rendition of the national anthem, accompanied by the pupils.

Head teacher Ian Walmsley will welcome the invited guests before the dedication is carried out by the Venerable Andie Brown, Archdeacon of Man.

A commemorative plaque will be unveiled by Education and Children Minister Graham Cregeen.

Guests will then be invited to take a tour of the new facilities, led by pupils.

The school has been built on the old Noble’s Hospital site in Westmoreland Road and has provided premises for what were previously Ballacloan School and Fairfield School before they were amalgamated.

Tynwald approval for £9.5 million to replace the ageing sites with a purpose-built school was secured in 2014.

It features 14 classrooms, a special educational needs unit, library and assembly/ dining hall.

The teaching spaces can be either opened up to each other or kept closed, dependent upon need, and they have a clear link to the more practical / activity area.

The sports facilities, including a multi-purpose sports hall and artificial and grass pitches, are available for both school and community use.

Since opening its doors to pupils for the first time in September, sporting and community clubs have been making use of the facilities.

And they are now in use seven days a week, at evenings and weekends.

Ballacloan School had originally opened as Demesne Road Boys School in 1908 while Fairfield School first opened as Tynwald Street School in 1874.

The schools merged in 2014.

Victoria Edwards, of Thackeray House, Andreas Road, Ramsey, bought 2 Derby Square, Douglas, for £1,900,000.

It was bought from Hartford Homes, whose registered office is situate at 2 Middle River, Douglas.

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

Trevor McCullough and Helen Julie Simpson, both of Old Ballacorris, Mullinaragher, Santon, sold Field House, Sir George’s Bridge, Onchan, for £900,000, to Martin Voster, care of MMDGPHC, The Promenade, Laxey.

Paul Vernon Cain and Judith Cain, sold Croit e Crye,Ballaugh, The Curraghs, for £625,000 to Stephen Roger Alden Baggs and Rosemary Baggs, both of Cronk Breck Cottage, Station Road, Ballaugh.

Peter Thomas Whipp, of Cumbria, sold 7 Athol Street, Douglas, for £530,000, to Devonhirst Athol Street Limited, whose registered office is situate at Bridge House, Bridge Street, Castletown.

John Francis Astin sold 13 Highfield Crescent, Onchan, for £351,000, to Apostolos Arkoudogiannis and Galateia Maria Manthou, of 10 Sandringham Drive, Onchan.

Gerald Peter Hughes, of Ballnahowe, Carrick Park, Sulby, and Janet Elizabeth Hughes sold 1 and 2 Parsonage Road, Ramsey, for £330,000, to Robert Antony Eugeuisz Jelski, of Masonic Buildings, Water Street, Ramsey, as trustee, John Richmond, of Orrysville, Coburg Road, Ramsey, as trustee, Anthony Gordon Kennish, of Latimers, Grove Mount, Ramsey, as trustee, and Jane Quayle, by trustees.

Michael Anthony Ashley Osborne and Hazel Elizabeth Osborne, both of Silverburn Farm, Ballamodha Straight, Ballasalla, sold The Warehouse, The Parade, Castletown, for £310,000, to Irena Willems, of Ingleside, Hawarden Avenue, Douglas.

Jennifer Margaret Cutillo, of 81 Port-e-Chee Avenue, Douglas, sold 12 Copse Hill, Saddlestone Valley, Douglas, for £280,000, to Thomas Martyn Edward Riley, and Emma Louanne Snell.

PJohn Michael Skelding, of 4 Lucerne Court, Victoria Road, Douglas, sold 2 Poplar Close, Birch Hill Park, Onchan, for £272,600, to Andrew Harvey Graham.

Robert Antony Eugeuisz Jelski, of Masonic Buildings, Water Street, Ramsey, as executor, and Mary Teresa Cecilia Farr by executor, sold 11 Thornhill Park, Ramsey, for £265,000, to Gerald Peter Hughes, of Balnahowe, Carrick Park, Sulby, and Janet Elizabeth Hughes.

Edwin James Clarke and Juile Elizabeth Clarke, sold 30 Buttermere Drive, Onchan, for £245,000, to Ciaran Anthony McNulty, of 7 Woodbourne Square, Douglas, and Michelle Suzanne Carey, of 7 Edremony Estate, Port Erin.

Bruce Jonathan McGregor and Deborah Ruth McGregor sold Glengyle, Bradda West Road, Port Erin, for £245,000, to George Douglas Quilliam and Anna-Maria Louise Quilliam, both of 15 Rhenwyllin Close Port St Mary.

Allan Norman Singleton and Alexandra Singleton sold 5 Ballakermeen Avenue, Douglas, for £227,500, to Raymond Philip Myles and Christina Helene Kemp, of both of 36 Upper Dukes Road.

Colin Dennis Mackie and Victoria Mackie sold 60 Cooil Drive, Braddan, for £225,000, to George Liam Crowe and Jasmine Louise Qualtrough, both of Riverside Cottage, Glen Roy, Laxey.

Stephen Jackson and Nicola Patricia Jackson sold 26 Ashbourne Avenue, Douglas, for £210,000, to Andrew Robert James Barclay and Kelly Anne Creamer, of 13 Annacur Lane, Douglas.

Doreen Bateman by trustees, Elizabeth Ann Parkes, of Myrtle Chambers, 8-9 Myrtle Street, Douglas, as trustee, Geoffrey Bateman, of 5 Queens Terrace, Douglas, as trustee, sold 14 Inner Circle, Douglas, for £202,000, to Daniel Eric Wilson and Jody Lee April Wilson, both of 27 Berrywoods Avenue, Governors Hill, Douglas.

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

Former police officer Ged Power has joined forces with established company Regency Travel to launch a new drive aimed at bringing more tourism to the island.

And the plan is to tee up for busy times ahead in 2017 by attracting golfing tours to the island and its eight courses.

Keen golfer Ged says research has indicated golfers are big spenders.

Duke Street, Douglas based Regency Travel’s managing director Tony Lawrence and Ged, unveiled their new initiative called Isle of Man Golf Holidays by donning specially branded tops and practising their swing in the shop.

Both men say they are determined to help boost the island’s economy during the year ahead.

Ged told Business News he had been previously involved in golf tourism for more than four years having been involved in the award-winning Isle of Man Golf Tours .

‘Now to have the opportunity to work with Regency is absolutely fabulous because not only do we have the team here but there is more power to your elbow.

‘The team here are fully aware of golf packages and how they work and it is great to have that administration back up.

‘But also we have a team that has been found to be successful with in-bound tourism during TT.’

The team are also going live with a ‘great new website’ at isleofmangolfholidays.com

Ged said: ‘The website will give us much more range and options for selling packages for visitors from across the British Isles and further afield.’

Ged added the new initiative has a ‘much broader reach’ to attract teams of golfers over to the island.

An active member of Castletown Golf Club, Ged, who lives in Port Erin, said: ‘In my four year experience where over 2,000 golfers have been brought to the island I can state that I know how to manage them when they are here and, there is no doubt about it, the Isle of Man is a great venue for a golfing holiday, with the eight island courses and also the apres golf scene as well.

‘I don’t just mean going out for a beer, there is the fact we have the iconic TT course which is something the golfers like to see and experience.

‘But also the culture and the heritage and history of the island all within 25 minutes of the island’s capital.’

‘This formula has been successful but now I think we can take this up to a new level with having Regency behind it. If you look at the tourism campaigns for Wales and Northern Ireland, golf is a growing feature for bringing people to their shores.’

Ged will also use his social media and internet skills to help push the message home.

And he is also developing his tech-savvy talents to develop a filming side so that TV-style ‘programmes’ can be produced with interviews and topical news for visiting golfers. The new drive also includes a collaboration with islander Dean Greenland who runs a company called Dangerous Golf selling golfing apparel.

Tony Lawrence said he was delighted Ged had come on board with the project. He said bookings from groups were already coming in and boosting the island’s economy was very much at the forefront.

Ged said: ‘It’s a known fact golfers are a different breed.’