Ramsey Choral, under musical director Nigel Harrison, will give a concert on Sunday ( January 8) at 2.30pm in Trinity Church, Waterloo Road, Ramsey.
Grieg, Arvo Part, Gorecki and Rutter are among the composers whose choral music will be featured.
There will be guest performances by The Mill Ensemble and Christa McCartney, who will play Manx melodies on the harp.
Admission is free and there will be refreshments afterwards.
The overspent Department of Health and Social Care will seek Tynwald approval this month for extra funding of up to £11.1m for the current financial year.
It says it needs the extra funding to maintain the provision of health and social care services up March 31 this year.
In June last year, Tynwald agreed funding to shore up a £9.943m overspend in the DHSC.
Then then Health and Social Care Minister and now Chief Minister Howard Quayle told the court that the overspend was the result of £5m excess expenditure on agency and bank staff, and the increasing cost of treating patients in the UK for medical and mental health conditions.
The reasons for the overspend are much the same this year – the cost of locums and temporary staffing, rising prices of therapeutic drugs, tertiary care referrals to the UK and losses made by the government catering service.
New Health and Social Care Minister Kate Beecroft MHK, said: ‘Seeking approval from Tynwald for additional funding from the Treasury is not an action the department takes lightly. As Minister I take this matter seriously, especially as it is the second year in a row the department has sought approval for additional funding.
‘My highest priority will be to ensure that the department lives within the resources voted to it for 2017/18. The department must continue its drive to become more efficient; but if the books are to balance it is likely that hard and uncomfortable choices will need to be made. We are operating in an environment of rising demand for health and social care services in tandem with rising costs in providing these services.’
Mrs Beecroft will outline to Tynwald members the steps the department has taken to address the financial challenges it faces as well as future plans to seek sustainability.
The additional money represents a 5.5 per cent overspend against the department’s net budget for 2016/17 of £198.4m.
The financial challenge in providing health and social care services in the island mirrors that in England where NHS providers faced a £2.45bn deficit in 2015/16.
A 27-year-old Onchan woman has pleaded guilty to a nightclub assault.
Leonie Michaela Roberts, of Sandringham Drive, will be sentenced on February 24 after the preparation of a probation report.
An original charge of assault causing actual bodily harm (ABH) was withdrawn and replaced with one of common assault.
The court heard how, on August 21, Roberts was in the Courthouse bar in Athol Street in Douglas.
Roberts was said to have been verbally abusive to a woman in the bar, who was a former friend.
During an argument Roberts admitted pushing the woman, pulling her hair and dragging her across the room.
It was also alleged by the prosecution that Roberts had grabbed the woman by the throat, but this was denied by Roberts.
The woman was taken to Noble’s Hospital and treated for a five millimetre laceration to her left eyebrow.
Defending Roberts in court, her advocate Roger Kane handed in a basis of plea on behalf of his client.
The document accepted the prosecution’s version of events, except for the alleged grabbing of the victim’s throat, which was denied.
The prosecution refused to accept the basis of plea but Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said that the dispute over the version of events would not make any material difference to her sentencing.
The case was adjourned until February 14, to allow time for the preparation of a probation report before sentencing.
Bail was granted in the sum of £500.
Following the usual Christmas break, the second part of the winter programme for the Isle of Man Photographic Society has now started.
The programme through to the end of April when we break again for the summer months, is pretty intense - loaded with a full schedule of weekly meetings covering a range of competitions, some ‘activity evenings’, and a number of presentations.
Highlight events with external speakers include an evening with Dr Jeremy Paul - with images under the title ‘Travels of a Wildlife Artist’ - always a very popular speaker and always with a superb selection of photos to illustrate his work. Later in the season several members will also be showing their work, including Di McCudden, Chris Nicholls, Sue Blythe and Club President Tony Curtis – and certain to cover a wide range of subject matter to interest other members.
Two competition evenings worthy of particular mention are the Two Way Digital Battle with the Bristol Club, and the Three Way Battle with the Rochdale and Oldham Clubs.
In the Two Way Battle, both clubs submit a range of images which are judged locally at both clubs under a points scoring system - and the marks are added together to reach a final overall winner.
Fortunately, I cannot remember an evening when the two judges reached a different result in terms of the winning club, though the scores awarded to individual images have sometimes differed significantly!
In the Three Way Battle, we are blessed with a particularly skilled videographer at the Oldham Club who videos the competition for us, and then sends us the recording – always a fascinating evening as (apart from our annual competition) it is one of the few opportunities for our work to be judged by an accredited L&CPU judge and to be measured against two equivalent clubs from the adjacent island.
While we have historically always come second to Oldham (who have some exceptional photographers in their membership), we hope to make them work hard for their success!!
Lastly, the major event of the competition programme is our annual - the biggest competition in the calendar and the one with lots of silverware at stake.... A highly qualified UK judge is invited to preside over the images presented over two evenings (one for prints, and one for digital images) and to comment on the winning images, and the evenings finish with the judge giving a presentation of his or her work – again an opportunity to understand just what is happening in the world of photography enthusiasts.
Our website at www.iomps.com includes our programme. Our meetings are held at Thie Ellyn (the Art Society) in Withington Road, Douglas, on Wednesdays.
Chris Blyth
Local food and drink producers seeking to export off the island sales have been invited to take part in free training in how to gain SALSA certification, which is recognised by leading retailers.
SALSA certification is granted to suppliers who show auditors that their products conform to the safety and legal requirements that many stores demand.
SALSA is a venture between the four main associations in the UK food chain: the National Farmers’ Union, the Food and Drink Federation, the British Hospitality Association and the British Retail Consortium.
It is operated by the Institute of Food Science and Technology, which audits SALSA applicants.
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture is hosting training for food and drink businesses in preparing for a SALSA audit.
Training takes place at the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture in St John’s on Monday, March 27 and Tuesday 28, and there are 12 places each day.
To apply for a place, businesses should email Andrew Lees, the DEFA’s food business development officer, via andrew.lees@gov.im with their choice of date and whether they can attend the alternative date if their first choice is full.
Businesses that attend the training can go on to be audited and, if successful, be SALSA certified, for which there is a scale of fees.
Andrew said: ‘SALSA reflects the legal requirements and expectations of leading food buyers.
‘Certification is only granted to suppliers who are able to demonstrate to an auditor that they produce safe and legal food and are committed to meeting the SALSA standard.
‘Certification can open up new markets to local food and drink producers as businesses feature in an online directory and receive ongoing support in best standards.’
For more information visit www.salsafood.co.uk
Were you lucky enough to receive a brand new camera for Christmas. Or, more likely, a new smartphone? If you did, then the organisers of a year long celebration of Manx buildings are asking for your pictures.
As part of the ‘Isle of Architecture’ project, the organisers launched a social media initiative, entitled ‘#ilovethisbuilding’, which gives a space for people to upload their own photographs or videos about a building, or piece of architecture along with a short sentence on why they like it so much, or what special significance it holds.
Contributors have already been sharing their own personal favourite buildings, and it shows that tastes are wide and varied.
St Thomas’ Church, in Douglas, was highlighted for its amazing display of murals, painted by John Miller Nicholson.
Collinson’s Cafe, on the Bay road, Port Erin, was chosen for its ‘imaginative and artistic design’, and the barn out at Eary Cushlin was described by one contributor as ‘a work of art’.
Other buildings which have been spotlighted aren’t necessarily what you would think of in terms of architectural beauty, but speak volumes about the times and the conditions they were created in. The toilet and changing block at the end of Laxey promenade, built during the 1960’s, and the ‘brutalist architecture’ of Chester Street carpark, built on the site of a residential area in the 1970’s, was also picked out.
The project has been backed by Culture Vannin, who want as many people as possible to take an interest in the buildings around them.
‘Buildings are such an important part of our everyday lives, but sometimes we forget to look up and take an interest in our surroundings,’ said Dr Breesha Maddrell, director of Culture Vannin. ‘This project aims to encourage us all to think about the buildings which we see every day with fresh eyes, to think about how much we value them, for whatever reason.’
Photographs and videos can be uploaded to the Isle of Architecture Facebook page, or emailed to isleofarchitecture@gmail.com along with the hashtag ‘#ilovethisbuilding’.
Parents of children turning five in the academic year 2017/18 must register with a school well in advance.
The Department of Education and Children this week issued a reminder about they issue.
Pupils are admitted to schools’ reception classes at the beginning of the academic year in which they reach their fifth birthday.
The DEC says that it needs the information in order to help schools allocate staff and plan resources so parents are required to register their child with a school as soon as possible.
Catchment areas exist for schools.
They can be searched by visiting www.gov.im, clicking on the green ‘maps’ button, inputting a postcode and scrolling down to the precise address, then clicking on local information and searching under schools. Alternatively, contact the Department of Education and Children on 685820 or email admin@doe.gov.im
Andrew Shipley, manager of legal and administrative services, said: ‘Parents of children who are five on or after September 1 2017 should contact the relevant school as soon as possible to register their child for the start of the academic year 2017/18, which begins on Wednesday, September 6.’
The island’s first qualified search and rescue dog and a loyal companion, collie Lola was truly man’s best friend.
Matt Creer has paid a heartfelt tribute to his hero dog after she died at the age of 13 following a short illness.
Lola had three life-saving finds during her career and the pair’s achievement was recognised with an award from the Chief Constable.
Matt, who set up the Search and Rescue Dog Association in the island in 2005 and is also a well-known musician, explained: ‘She was an amazing little dog, highly intelligent and sensitive, she loved people and always wanted to please.
‘As a family pet she was gentle and loving and fantastic with kids. She was my loyal friend and we had some amazing adventures together.
‘We went pretty much everywhere together and she even came on tour with me a couple of times in later life.’
Lola was one of three puppies abandoned in a box at the door of a rescue centre in the Lake District. She was taken in by a handler from the Lakes, who Matt had been in contact with for help with training.
Matt said: ‘I took Lola on as a puppy and she came to live with me in Laxey. For two years I trained her, travelling to North Wales and the Lakes once a month to work with SARDA in the UK and training alone the rest of the time.
‘I was told it would be impossible to train a dog in this way. I’m not very good at being told things are “impossible” and in March 2007 Lola and I attended a three-day SARDA assessment in Snowdonia National Park, where we successfully passed and Lola was graded a full search dog.’
Her first life-saving find was in November 2006, when Lola was working at novice grade and attending searches.
‘We were called out by the constabulary to an area in the north where a female had left a suicide note and had not been seen for some time,’ Matt said.
‘After a short hill search in dark and difficult conditions, Lola located the woman hidden in a disused barn having taken a massive overdose.
‘She was unconscious but I was able to administer emergency first aid and we then removed the woman from the hill and to a waiting ambulance. The lady made a full recovery and given the assistance she needed with her problems was eventually able to return home.’
Lola’s next rescue was a male in Santon gorge who had been missing for several hours in ‘horrific’ weather.
Her final find was an elderly visitor who became dehydrated and disorientated walking the Millennium Way.
With the light fading, Lola found the man sheltering behind a wall north of Snaefell.
A 39-year-old Castletown man who set fire to a road has been put on probation.
Christopher Sydney Kelly, of James Road, was sentenced to 18 months’ probation by Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes as a direct alternative to 16 weeks’ custody.
Kelly had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of intentionally depositing to the road a dangerous article.
He admitted that, on November 14, after drinking eight litres of cider and some wine with a friend, he poured petrol onto James Road and set it alight.
Flames burned seven-foot-high, just two metres away from parked cars, but only lasted around 20 seconds.
Kelly’s friend, named only as Brian in court, told police that Kelly was a member of the Foxdale Freedom Fighters and that the act had been a protest.
But on Tuesday, prosecutor Barry Swain told the court: ‘It was initially reported as a political act, but Mr Kelly has denied that and said that comment was a joke by his friend.’
Defending Kelly in court advocate Steve Wood said: ‘Mr Kelly wants to apologise to the people of Foxdale who have enough on their plate with the current roadworks there. He apologises to the lady who witnessed the incident for causing concern. His remorse is genuine.
‘He has no association with any group calling themselves the Foxdale Freedom Fighters and is not even sure if such a group exists.
‘He has faced a local backlash and has publicly apologised on Manx Forums for what has occurred.
‘The offence is unlikely to have been committed had Mr Kelly not been drinking to excess. It was a spontaneous offence, the petrol can was there at the property, not purchased or filled by him. The incident was brief and no damage was caused. There was no inconvenience to road users, no-one was on the road at the time, though it is accepted cars were at the side of the road at the time.
‘Mr Kelly perhaps had too much time on his hands and he is trying to address that issue. He accepts he requires help to address some problems.’
Mr Wood went on to say that Kelly had been addressing issues regarding his drinking and that he had formed a new relationship with a woman who did not drink.
Deputy High Bailiff Mrs Hughes gave Kelly credit for his immediate guilty plea and said: ‘There was no pre-planning, no political implications, simply a drunken incident which was foolish in the extreme. The flames were alight for no more than 20 seconds. But the flames were 7ft high, two metres away from vehicles.
‘You made a comment to probation saying “all you do is drink”. Probation will give you motivation to address your issues with alcohol.’
There will be a test of the all island public warning sirens at 11am this morning.
The sirens at the 31 sites around the island will sound a steady note for 30 seconds.
A vehicle occupant was injured in an road accident yesterday.
The fire and rescue service was called to a collision on the St Mark’s Road, Braaid, at about 10.15am.
The road was blocked by the vehicle and associated debris.
The casualty had received minor injuries but was complaining of lower back pain and unable to get out of the vehicle without assistance.
Paramedics worked in conjunction with fire service to help the injured person.
The vehicle was made safe so that it could be recovered and the road reopened.
Fire crews remained in attendance for one hour.
The new look Port Erin railway station is taking shape.
The flat roofed annex which was once a shop unit has been demolished, a belfry topped by a weather vane has been reinstated, and the awning has been removed and replaced with a new canopy that wraps around the building.
The work also involves refurbishing the toilet facilities.
The village bus station will relocate from Bridson Street to a layby outside the station.
Once passengers are dropped off and picked up outside the station, buses will return via the Promenade and Bay View Road.
Station Road itself will be reconstructed, and there will be new paving and street furniture together with a new public open space created by the railway museum.
Planning approval was secured in 2013 following the recommendation of a planning inspector who said the scheme would ‘substantially enhance’ the character and appearance of the station.
But David Booth of the Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters’ Association, has said he believed the project to be ‘flawed’ and the money could be better spent elsewhere in Port Erin.
If you have ever had a fancy to taking up painting, possibly as a new year’s resolution, the Isle Gallery have unveiled their new calendar of art classes.
The Gallery, based at Tynwald Mills, St John’s, holds a series of classes throughout the year aimed at participants of all ages, and which offer a wide variety of disciplines.
First up is the ‘Teen Masterclass’ programme. This is a four week course, and is aimed at providing teenagers with an interest in trying out new artistic techniques, or improving the ones they already have. The four-week course takes place on a Monday evening and offers the chance to try out printing, painting and ceramics. If this whets the appetite of the budding artist, then more intensive blocks of training will be available afterwards.
Also there will be a painting for beginners course, aimed at adults. ‘Absolute Beginners In Acrylics’ will offer a chance for those who have either never painted before or those who have painted in the past, but feel they need to brush up on their skills, so to speak.
This six-week course begins on Thursday, January 12.
Staying with the beginner theme, for those who want to try painting Mandalas, a one-day workshop will take place on Sunday, January 29, between 10am and 4pm. Participants will be able to learn techniques involved with ‘Intuitive Art’, with the emphasis here being about connecting with your own creative aesthetic and intuition and creating meaningful pieces of art, rather than relying on a technique and skills-based approach.
For those wanting to find out more about other painting techniques, Absolute Beginners in Oil Painting starts on Monday, February 6 and Absolute beginners in Watercolour takes place from Friday, April 28.
Finally, for the very young, there are term time classes beginning next Saturday, January 7, either 11am to 12.30pm for those five and over and 2 to 4pm for children over the age of Nine. During these classes, children will get the chance to experiment with, amongst other things, ceramics, traditional photography inspired by the likes of Cartier-Bresson and the creation of recycled wearable art. This also comes with the chance to be some of your creations featured in the Wearable art fashion show, held later in April.
More information can be found by visiting www.islegallery.com
A 26-year-old Douglas man has been fined £250 for being drunk and disorderly.
Joshua James Gardner, of Spectrum Apartments, pleaded guilty to the charge and was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs.
The court heard how, on October 17 at 1.45am, police were on patrol outside the Courthouse bar in Athol Street in Douglas.
Gardner was seen outside the bar arguing with security staff. Police approached and said that he was being aggressive towards the staff.
Police moved Gardner away but he continued being abusive to the door staff before turning his attention to the police.
Officers reported that Gardner was smelling of alcohol and slurring his words.
He was subsequently arrested and taken to police headquarters where his ranting continued. He told one policewoman ‘I’d like to punch you in the face’.
Defending Gardner in court, his advocate John Wright said: ‘The facts are accepted. You may recall sentencing Mr Gardner for a motoring offence recently. He seems to have a troubled past then turned things around.
‘This was a work outing, everything was fine. There was a bit of horsing around that security staff took exception to.
‘Mr Gardner described the security staff as three times the size of him. He wanted to get back inside to get his coat.
‘Police suggested he move on but he didn’t. Yes, he used unfortunate language to the police and yes he made a stupid remark to the policewoman.
‘But he was handcuffed and just angered at how a decent night out had descended into chaos with terrible consequences.
‘It was very much a one-off caused because some light-hearted larking about seemed to cause offence to staff who removed him.
‘They are entitled to do that. Fortunately, as part of turning his life around, he has found himself employment. It is six years since his last behaviour type offence and he should be given credit for that.’
Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said: ‘I will sentence you on the basis that no violence was offered.
‘Nonetheless the language used was extremely offensive, particularly to the policewoman. You were ejected by security after what might have appeared banter to you and your friends. It’s never a good idea to argue with security staff when intoxicated. You should have just walked away.’
On Tuesday, January 10, the ‘Friends of the Isle of Man Wurlitzer’ are offering people the opportunity to see the instrument up close, have its history and workings explained to them and hear some Wurlitzer music.
If you can play a keyboard instrument you might even be able to have a go yourself.
Spokesman for the ‘Friends’, Peter Jordan, said: ’ A small group of us have been meeting regularly once a month with the organ, but this fact hasn’t generally been publicised.
‘The meetings have usually been on a Tuesday afternoon for a couple of hours, when some local folk get together to play. But when we have staged major concerts we know that members of the audience are very interested in the instrument – but, as you can imagine, circumstances at such a time are not really conducive to our being able to spend much time explaining its history and workings.
‘We’re aiming to address that situation by starting some of our Tuesday sessions much earlier, and the first will be on January 10 when the organ will be accessible from 10 am. Some of our members will be there to talk to folk, and we hope that some who come along may be interested enough to stay for the afternoon playing session.
‘We’d be particularly pleased to see any younger keyboard players who might be interested in learning the instrument – most of our regular players are ‘seniors’ and we really need some ‘new blood’ to get involved. So we look forward very much to welcoming folk on January 10.’
The organ can be found on the upper level at the back of the Villa Marina Arcade next to the Gaiety Theatre, Douglas.
Admission to the event is free and light refreshments will be available.
Theatre, opera, music and dance featuring some of the world’s leading directors and most famous performers will be screened live to local audiences this winter.
The Studio Theatre – part of Ballakermeen High School in Douglas – has announced the latest programme of performances it will show on a giant screen as they are simultaneously performed before live audiences in London.
Headteacher Adrienne Burnett said: ‘Live screenings offer local audiences the chance to see some of the biggest, boldest and most innovative professional productions currently being staged – without leaving the island.
‘Thanks to well positioned cameras and the latest technology, the screenings offer all the tension and drama of being at the performances.
‘They are a great way to enjoy live culture without going to the expense of traveling away, purchasing tickets and staying in hotels.’
Wednesday, January 11: ‘The Tempest’ from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford upon Avon, starring Simon Russell Beale as Prospero and directed by Royal Shakespeare Company artistic director Gregory Doran.
Tuesday, January 31: ‘Il Trovatore’ from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
Thursday, February 2: ‘Amadeus’ from the National Theatre, starring Lucian Msamati (Luther, Game of Thrones) as Salieri.
Wednesday, February 8: ‘Woolf Works’ by the Royal Ballet from the Royal Opera House.
Thursday, February 16: ‘Saint Joan’ from the Donmar Warehouse starring Gemma Arterton.
All screenings start at 7pm.
For more information on live screenings, including running times, and to book tickets, visit www.thestudiotheatre.im/ or ring 600555.
Live screenings are supported by the Isle of Man Arts Council.
Mastey’n thooilley dy opraghyn sheeabin, draamaghyn shenn earish, sitcomyn as claareyn ‘feerid’ mychione daunsin as fuinney ta lhieeney harrish ny scaaghyn çhellveeish ain ayns yn Chegeesh Ommijagh, as shin prowal dy ghooney magh naightyn jeh caggey, tranlaase as grayn er feai ny cruinney, v’eh mie mleeaney dy akin un chlaare ta foast lheanaghey yn tushtey ain jeh’n theihll lurg kiare feed blein, Lhaihaghtyn Nollick yn Undinys Reeoil. V’ad shoh currit er bun liorish yn er chroo yn motor lectragh, Michael Faraday, ayns 1825, as v’ad er nyn soilshaghey er yn y çhellveeish liorish yn BBC son y chied cheayrt ayns 1936.
She ennym ny lhaihaghtyn mleeaney ‘Supercharged: Fuelling the future’, liorish Saiful Islam, ard-olloo kemmig stooghyn ayns Ollooscoill Bath. V’eh loayrt mychione saaseyn dy yiennaghtyn bree son ymmyd sheelnaue ’sy traa ry heet. Ry-hoi yn kione-bleeaney y chowraghey, va sleih v’er n’yannoo lhaihaghtyn Nollick ’sy traa t’er n’gholl shaghey er nyn guirrey dy aa-yannoo prowalyn va jeant oc ayns bleeantyn elley, as va paart jeh ny prowalyn ren Faraday hene er nyn aa-chroo neesht, lheid as foaddey cainle reesht lurg jee goll ass fegooish bentyn da’n vite, ta soilshaghey dy nee yn chere ayns yn aer ta lostey as cha nee yn bite.
Hooar ad Richard Dawkins stiagh dy aa-yannoo prowal ta soilshaghey freayll bree, ta shen dy ghra, nagh vod bree ve crooit ny currit mow. T’eh soilshaghey neesht dy vod shiu nyn marrant y chur er firrinyssyn sheanse dagh keayrt, eer tra ta nyn mioys, ny nyn gione ansherbee, ec sthaak. Ayns yn lhaihaght echey hene, ren Dawkins shassoo rish boalley as bluckan-cannon er tead jeeragh roish yn troin echey. Lhig eh yn raad da’n vluckan, as fys echey nagh voddagh eh çheet back ny sodjey na’n boayl ghow eh toshiaght. Mleeaney ren ad yn un red, agh va birragyn er yn vluckan. Cha ren eh sprettal, as son shickyrys cha dooar eh skielley erbee.
Hug Islam shin ayns cooinaghtyn jeh prinsabylyn bunneydagh sheanse, lheid as y chaghlaa eddyr bree as pooar: she pooar yn vieauid lesh ta obbyr jeant, ny’n vooadys dy vree ta ceaut ayns traa ennagh. Hooar shin magh neesht dy jinnagh eh goaill ny smoo na feed thousane kishtey-pooar AA dy phooaraghey ooilley ny soilshaghyn, ny shamraigyn as yn glenney aer ayns shamyr-lhaihaght yn Undinys Reeoil. T’eh traa liauyr neayr’s va mish smooinaghtyn er goll stiagh ayns seihll sheanse as mee my phaitçhey, agh t’eh foast spoyrt mie dy yeeaghyn er reddyn goll er lostey as er sheidey seose!
Amid the flood of soaps, period dramas, sitcoms and ‘reality’ shows about dancing and baking which fill our television screens in the ‘Foolish Fortnight’, as we seek to shut out the news of war, tyranny and hate from around the world, it was good this year to see one programme which still broadens our knowledge of the world after 80 years, the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures.
These were established by the creator of the electric motor, Michael Faraday, in 1825, and were first broadcast by the BBC in 1936.
The title of the lectures this year was ‘Supercharged: Fuelling the future’, by Saiful Islam, a profesor of materials chemistry at the University of Bath.
He was talking about ways to generation energy in the future.
To mark the anniversary, previous lecturers were invited back to recreate demonstrations from their own lectures, and some of Faraday’s own experiments were recreated too, such as relighting an extinguished candle without touching the wick, which shows that it is the wax vapour which burns and not the wick.
They got Richard Dawkins in to recreate a demonstration which illustrates the conservation of energy, i.e. that energy can’t be created or destroyed.
It shows also that one can trust in the proven principles of science, even when one’s life, or head at least, is at stake.
In his own lecture, Dawkins had stood against a wall holding a cannonball on a string just in front of his nose.
He released the ball, knowing that it couldn’t come back further than the point where it started.
This year they did the same thing, but with spikes on the ball.
He didn’t flinch, and of course he left unscathed.
Islam reminded us of some of the basic principles of science, such as the difference between energy and power: power is the rate at which work is done, or the amount of energy expended in a certain time.
It was interesting also to discover that it would take more than twenty thousand AA batteries to power all the lights, cameras and air conditioning in the Royal Institution lecture theatre.
It is a long time since I considered going into the world of science when I was a child, but it is still good fun to watch things getting burned and blown up!
We all want 2017 to be a happy and healthy one, and the health benefits of owning a companion animal are scientifically proven.
Academic studies demonstrate that dog owners over the age of 65 have, on average, the activity levels of those 10 years younger and display lower levels of anxiety or depression.
Cats and rabbits have also been proven to enhance the lives of their owners, particularly those who might otherwise have limited interaction with their community.
Rehoming a rescue animal is beneficial for you and for the animal concerned, and it is also a great way to support the ManxSPCA – you pay a small adoption fee which helps with our finances, and you make space for us to rescue more animals in need.
There are many other ways in which you can help us.
By donating a small sum every month you will assist us with the cost of running Ard Jerkyll.
You can set up a standing order or a regular PayPal payment via our website, or call us on 851672 for a standing order mandate to be posted to you.
Why not hold an event to raise funds for the ManxSPCA, one that you know your friends and family will support?
How about a coffee morning or a cheese and wine evening, a sponsored slim or a ‘clothes swish’, or maybe bake some Valentine’s biscuits and cakes to sell next month?
If you need help with your event please email juana@manxspca.com.
Please also email Juana if you would like information about volunteering, which is another great way to help the Society.
We are grateful for extra help with dog walking, cat socialising, and cleaning and maintaining Ard Jerkyll, and our charity shops in Douglas and Ramsey always welcome new team members.
The rescue animals that necessitate all these activities had a peaceful and settled festive period, made all the better by the numerous donations of treats and toys.
We thought Skylar had found a new home before Christmas but things did not work out and so she stayed with us, along with our other rescue dogs including two Border Collies, two Springer Spaniels and two Staffies.
Skylar is a stunning Akita cross Husky, just nine months old, and she is full of energy as you would expect from a young dog.
She will need further training and socialising and for this reason we are recommending that she is not rehomed with young children.
She gets on with most other dogs and so she does not need to be the only dog in a household, but she chases cats and so can’t live with them.
We have two handsome young black and white cats that were brought to us as feral kittens from a nearby farm six months ago, and the cattery team and volunteers have been working hard to socialise them during this time and get them used to human contact.
They are still shy, though, and so will need a patient new owner who may wish to change their names – the cattery team had either run out of ideas or were being super creative when they chose names for this pair who are called Burger and Fries!
Although we think all of our rescue animals are special, these two are definitely unusual in that they are polydactyl and they have what look like thumbs on their front and back paws.
This makes their feet seem enormous, not least because they are quite small cats, and they look as though they are wearing furry slippers.
Even if you are not looking to adopt an animal please come and visit us here at Ard Jerkyll, or pop into our charity shops, as often as you can during 2017.
Our tearooms are open six days a week (Tuesday to Sunday) from 10am to 4pm, and animal viewing is from 1pm to 4pm every day except for Thursdays; Bucks Road charity shop is open Monday to Saturday and our Parliament Street shop is open Tuesday to Saturday. Both shops will be holding New Year sales when they re-open tomorrow (Saturday, January 7), and the shop staff will be delighted to take in your unwanted clothes and small household items (except electrical ones) which you can drop off either at the shops or at Ard Jerkyll.
Queen Elizabeth II High School in Peel will be holding its first ever ‘open night’ on Thursday starting at 6.30pm.
Visitors will have a chance to tour the school, see students at work and participate in activities.
The evening will end at 8pm with a short talk by the headteacher, Sue Moore.
The event aims to give older primary school pupils the chance to see the high school.
University College Isle of Man student Melanie Ridgway is the winner of the 2017 Ella Olesen Scholarship.
Melanie will follow a long line of local students in spending nine months at the University of Idaho in the USA.
The scholarship is named after a former registrar of the university who died in 1985.
Ella Olesen’s Manx ancestry – her mother Margaret Teare was born in Ballaugh and emigrated to America in 1890 – led her to establish the scholarship in 1971.
It is awarded annually to a female degree student who has been supported through her studies by the Department of Education and Children.
Forming the interview panel for this year’s scholarship were Graham Cregeen MHK, Minister for Education and Children, and Yvette Mellor, director of strategy and corporate services.
They interviewed seven applicants, selecting Melanie to travel to Idaho next August.
Former Ballakermeen High School student Melanie, aged 22, is studying for a BA honours degree in business studies at UCM and graduates next summer.
In her spare time, she works at her family’s gas services business, enjoys exploring the island and travelling further afield, including to music festivals, and is learning to ride a motorbike.
Melanie said: ‘This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to further my studies, meet new people from different backgrounds, overcome challenges and gain opportunities.’
Mr Cregeen said: ‘The scholarship is a superb opportunity for a local graduate to live and work in another country and experience its life and culture while continuing to study. While in Idaho, our scholars promote the Isle of Man to others from all over the world at events and gatherings and prove great ambassadors for the island.
‘Past and present scholars have a strong supportive network and, although living and working all over the world, meet up when they are home to exchange stories.
‘I wish Melanie well as our latest “Ella Olesen girl”.’
The current Ella Olesen scholar is Hollie Jaques, of Ramsey, who is studying in Idaho until May.