THE local authority in Onchan has complained about plans to cut the area in two under proposals to redraw the House of Keys map.

Under the plans, most of the current Onchan Keys constituency would be part of a constituency provisionally called ‘Onchan Urban’.

But the area around the Birch Hill estate and much of the former parish – with a population of about 2,500 – would be joined with Laxey and Lonan to form an ‘East’ constituency.

Onchan Commissioners thought that the proposal would be detrimental to the community. The board suggested that the review had been performed as a mathematical exercise, with no consideration of culture or common sense.

A public meeting was held in the village on February 15.

Chairman of the commissioners Robin Turton said: ‘The meeting was well attended and the majority were residents of the Birch Hill area. It was obvious from their comments that there was genuine fear that there was going to be a big wedge taken out of the village, destroying some of the community spirit.’

After the public meeting the authority’s chief executive Malcolm Hulme, vice-chair of the commissioners June Kelly and commissioner Kathryn Williams met the Boundary Committee at Government Office.

Mrs Kelly said: ‘We made it quite clear that the people of Onchan were concerned about the proposals. I think we all appreciate that the remit given to the committee by Tynwald is somewhat inflexible but we were sure that other options could be explored.

‘Our suggestions were welcomed by the Boundary Committee and we were encouraged by their careful consideration of our views. It is, unfortunately, inevitable that some small part of Onchan will have to join the “Eastern” constituency in order to balance the numbers but I hope that the committee can now review their proposals to minimise the consequences for our district.’

THE amount of dog mess around Peel was raised directly with the commissioners at the end of their public board meeting.

Concerned Peel mother Sarah Faragher voiced concerns and revealed that when she had challenged dog walkers whom she had seen fail to clean up after their dogs, she had received abuse.

She explained how one morning while taking her children to school she had to negotiate four piles of dog mess and her daughter ended up with some on her shoe.

The commissioners had discussed during their meeting the possibility of Hospice holding a walk in April on the promenade, which Mrs Faragher said would be nice, but for the dog foul. She also lamented the dog mess that has been left around visitor attraction Peel Castle.

Commissioners’ chairman Eric Beale revealed that someone was taken to court for the offence of not cleaning up after their dog and was fined.

Commissioners’ clerk Peter Leadley further explained that when the warden spotted a dog foul, and the mess was left, he issued a fixed penalty to the owner.

The matter was disputed, but the owner was found guilty in court and the £50 fixed penalty was increased to £100. However, the commissioners ended up having to pay significant legal costs.

Commissioner Alan Jones said there was no short-term fix for the problem, but it came down to ‘education, enforcement and interaction with dog owners’.

He explained that a picture of an adult not cleaning up dog mess, taken in a public place, could be handed into police.

Mrs Faragher encouraged people to do this.

‘So many people feel strongly about this,’ she said. ‘Wander around and, if you see anyone, take pictures. There would be people willing to do that.’

She acknowledged that many dog owners do clean up after their pets and it was a ‘small minority of people letting everyone down’.

Commissioner Ian Davison said that people might find that the amount of dog mess around the town reduces as the nights get lighter.

Dog mess bags are available from Peel Town Hall in Derby Road for members of the public to take and use.

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A COUPLE from the remotest group of islands in the world have started special work placements in the island.

Martin and Iris Green are hoping to acquire new skills to put into practice when they return home to Tristan Da Cunha.

The four-month placements have been arranged as part of the Manx government’s commitment towards international development.

Funding is being provided by Tristan Da Cunha, a British Overseas Territory located 1,750 miles away from South Africa and 1,500 miles away from the nearest land mass of St Helena. The volcanic island is accessible only by a seven-day boat journey from Cape Town.

The Greens are part of a population of 260 Tristanians and play active roles in a local economy based around farming and fishing.

Martin, who has been employed within Tristan Da Cunha’s agriculture department for 23 years, is working with the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture. His programme includes placements on Manx farms and veterinary practices, and with the Isle of Man Creamery.

Iris heads the post office and philatelic bureau in Tristan and a major part of her role focuses on the production of commemorative coins and stamps. She also works alongside the tourism and handicraft industries.

During her time in the Isle of Man, Iris will work with the Isle of Man Post Office, the Department of Economic Development’s Tourism Division and Manx National Heritage.

Martin said: ‘We have enjoyed a very warm welcome in the Isle of Man and are looking forward to experiencing life in another island community.’

Iris added: ‘This is a fantastic opportunity to work alongside the people of the Isle of Man to see how things are done here and to develop our knowledge and skills.’

THE long-awaited select committee report on the MEA loans scandal was finally laid before Tynwald and accepted by a majority vote.

Castletown MHK Richard Ronan, who described the affair as ‘an absolute scandal for the Isle of Man’, was one of only two other members to vote against the motion.

‘Who’s gone to gaol? No one. Who is paying the millions of pounds? The public. We are left with the prospect of sky high energy fees and paying for this for decades to come.’

Introducing the report to members, committee chairman Steve Rodan said it had been five years in the making and whilst they had been thorough there was sufficient material to occupy a further five years’ consideration had Tynwald not called for the report to be completed.

The third report was the last of a trilogy which started when the committee was set up in July 2005, he said, and dealt with how and why expenditure on the power station rose to such an extent additional loans were taken out.

Original construction costs for the power station were to be £80m and while the final cost was hard to calculate precisely, he said independent experts Power Pro estimated it was almost £129m. The same experts also assessed what an equivalent facility to the new power station should have cost and arrived at a figure of £106m, he said.

Treasury Minister Eddie Teare said he was pleased to endorse the report and said lessons had been learnt and measures already put in place.

Sounding a positive note, Dudley Butt MLC pointed out the island now has a state of the art power station with a large amount of reserve capacity for the future.

‘It was supposed to cost £80m and it actually cost £129m - but what it could have been built for 12 years ago is irrelevant now,’ he said.

‘The then Trade and Industry Minister was persuaded that the lights were going to go out and people panicked but in fact the undersea cable had 30 per cent more capacity left at that time.

‘So within six weeks of that, the motion was put before Tynwald to spend £185m. There was no realistic business plan. Tynwald voted for it. Projected costs with interest payments did not even stack up in 2001.’

Chief Minister Allan Bell described the report as ‘a horror story in many respects’ but gave members an assurance the recommendations contained in it would be looked at and acted upon.

‘This will not just be left on the shelf. I want to make sure major lessons are learned for the future.’

Never short of an aphorism, MLC Eddie Lowey said his approach to the affair was ‘look back but don’t stare’.

‘It is important to realise the climate in which this operated,’ he said.

‘This man (Mr Proffitt) was regarded as the Messiah of the media. No-where has anybody from the old regime ever issued a word of regret but there will be generations of Manx families paying for their mistakes.’

The motion was passed with a majority of 28. The two dissenting votes were Peter Karran (Onchan, LibVan)and Mr Ronan.

Among the various recommendations accepted in the motion was a call for tighter rules for statutory boards to control expenses claims and spending on corporate credit cards.

It was also recommended for the Financial Services Commission to examine the report’s conclusions and the evidence, and consider if they should investigate any of those people named in the report.

Recommendations were also accepted to achieve greater transparency by requiring formal approval of accounts at least every three months.

What do you think? Write to us at Isle of Man Examiner, Publishing House, Douglas, IM15PZ or email {mailto:opinions@newsiom.co.im|opinions(at)newsiom.co.im}

BOAL and Co has promoted Karen Kelly to the Board of Boal & Co (Pensions) Ltd, its regulated pension administration and trustee subsidiary.

Karen first joined the Boal & Co team in 2010 as a senior consultant in the pensions team.

Karen said: ‘I’m delighted and honoured to have been asked to join the Board of Boal & Co (Pensions) Ltd. Our international pensions business has grown hugely over the last three years and the pace of growth is poised to continue, with new initiatives in the pipeline.

‘To be able to contribute directly to this and to the development of our business as a director of the company is an extremely enticing prospect and a challenge that I will thoroughly enjoy.

‘Since joining the team at Boal & Co, managing director Gary Boal, director Mark Kiernan and our team of consultants have provided huge support and encouragement in my role, enabling me to broaden my pensions experience and knowledge to encompass the wide range of clients and over $1 billion of pension funds that we oversee and administer on their behalf.

‘The last three years have presented some major challenges in respect of changing legislation and client requirements and together we have proactively responded to this and continued to grow an already successful pensions business.’

Gary Boal said: ‘Pensions is a dynamic business, bringing with it constant changes in regulatory requirements, client requirements and new markets.

‘Our international pension clients include some of the world’s largest and best known companies, who expect the best possible service.

‘Karen is a very experienced pensions professional, and has proven herself in this demanding environment.’

Karen added: ‘My brief is to work with Gary and Mark to ensure that Boal & Co remains at the forefront of the international pensions industry and to reinforce our core proposition of Trustee and Administration services to corporate and personal clients, wherever in the world they may be.

‘We have some interesting and exciting developments in the pipeline which I’m sure will keep me very busy in my new role.’

BUSY ROLE: Karen Kelly says there are some interesting and exciting developments in the pipeline for Boal and Co

THE death of a man found collapsed in the toilets at Shaw’s Brow car park in Douglas is not being treated as suspicious.

Police were called to the gents’ toilets at the multi-storey facility at 4.22pm on Sunday.

A man was found in the toilets unconscious and subsequently pronounced dead at the scene.

No formal identification has yet been made.

An investigation is currently under way and at present it is not being treated as suspicious.

Detective Sergeant Paul Holland is asking people who would have been in the area between 4.30pm on Saturday (February 23) and 8.30am on Sunday to contact the police if they have any information that may assist with inquiries. Officers believe this is the time the man may have entered the building.

Witnesses can contact police headquarters on 631212, or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A PREVIOUSLY stable meat market has seen sales for local shops galloping ahead as consumers become more selective in the wake of the UK horsemeat scandal.

A number of butchers around the island have reported increased sales of items like burgers, sausages and pies to shoppers who no longer want to risk cheap mass-produced, pre-packed products.

Tommy Campbell, who has been a butcher in the island for the past 50 years, currently from his shop in Willaston said the change had been noticeable.

‘We make our own pies, sausages and beef burgers and sales have definitely gone up,’ he said.

‘What we have been seeing lately is the equivalent of the summer trade for beef burgers. Our sausages are a 100 per cent Manx meat product as well. We had the inspectors round recently and I could tell him they were guaranteed 110 per cent horsemeat-free.’

He explained how it was much easier for a small butcher to keep track of its meat sources.

‘Most of our meat is Manx from the meat plant and it is very good,’ said Tommy. ‘The only exception is the steak which is sourced in Ireland. Customers seem to like it. I’m in no way knocking Manx meat, it’s just the Irish steak that is more consistent.’

Lee Mayers of Traditional Butchers and Bacon Curers in Kirk Michael said he too had seen some upsurge in sales of beef burgers and sausages.

‘I stick to doing what I know and it’s nice to see new faces coming in,’ he said. ‘This shop had a good trade before I took it over and so we tend to keep the same suppliers.’

He too said the meat was principally sourced in the Isle of Man with the exception of steak which came from Cumbria.

It was a similar story for Radcliffe’s butchers on Malew Street in Castletown, which has also seen processed product sales boosted.

Co-owner Zoe Thompson said they used Manx pork and beef and all their burgers, sausages and pies were produced on the premises and sales of those and mince as well were doing well.

‘They have all been increasing lately,’ said Zoe. ‘We sell a lot anyway but it has gone up, partly because people are choosing to make their own dishes like lasagne rather than buying ready made.’

According to Neil Ryder of Harrison and Garrett on Prospect Terrace burger sales are booming for them too.

‘People like to know what they are getting,’ he said.

‘The produce is born, reared and slaughtered locally and it’s made on our premises.’

PLANNED controlled burning of gorse at Ballakillowey, in Rushen, ‘spread rapidly and unexpectedly out of control’ today (Tuesday).

Fire station officer Carl Kinvig said it resulted in fire crews from Port Erin and Douglas attending at just before 10am to bring the fire under control.

Fire crews using beaters and hose reels brought the fire – covering an area 100m by 60m – under control quickly.

They then contained the fire by dampening down the surrounding gorse which was unaffected at this point.

Although the underlying ground conditions were soft and the water content of the land high, the dry weather over the last week allowed the gorse to dry out to the extent that it burnt freely.

Crews were in attendance for a further two hours to dampen down the area affected.

Mr Kinvig said: ‘Crews worked quickly to bring the fire under control, and avoided the fire spreading to adjoining land.

‘I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the crew from DEFA who attended in their pinzgauer and assisted crews in bringing the blaze under control.’

COLIN Kniveton, the top civil servant who went to the Channel Islands on secondment, is to return to a new role in the Isle of Man.

Mr Kniveton is the chief executive officer of the Department of Economic Development.

But he has spent the last four months in Sark, where he helped to set up a modern and democratic system of government.

The island had been accused of having a feudal system.

But when he returns to the Isle of Man next week, Mr Kniveton will not return to the DED.

Instead, he will review the range of services the government provides.

The review is part of the Council of Ministers’ response to the 2012 Scope of Government report, which recommended that what a press statement describes as a ‘central promotion of alternative means of service delivery’ should be headed by a minister and supported by a civil servant of chief officer rank.

In his new position in the chief secretary’s office, Mr Kniveton will be reporting, through the chief secretary, to the business change steering group, a Council of Ministers sub-committee chaired by Treasury Minister Eddie Teare MHK, which is overseeing the review of service delivery by all departments, statutory boards and offices.

Mr Kniveton worked in financial services before joining the civil service in 1998 as director of finance with the Water Authority. He moved to the Treasury in 2001 and in 2006 was appointed chief officer of the then Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

In April 2010 he was selected to become chief officer of the newly formed Department of Economic Development, from which role he was seconded to work in Sark.

Department of Social Care chief executive Chris Corlett will continue his secondment to the DED.

Yvette Mellor will continue as acting CEO of the DSC.

PROPERTY Wise have decided to branch out and open a second office.

The office in Parliament Street, Ramsey, is due to open on Saturday, March 2.

Managing director Lorna Gallagher said that almost a year ago she and colleague Tony Weston took on David Latta a qualified estate agent with a wealth of knowledge and experience.

She said: ‘David has established himself well in the business and can assist Tony in the East and South of the island giving me the opportunity to cover the North and West.

‘As I currently live in Ramsey it makes sense that I base myself for the majority of the time in the Ramsey office, so we now have a fantastic team of experienced staff.

‘We have all seen a welcome change in the property market here in the island with November and December being fantastic months for sales at the back end of last year.

‘This year has also started on a positive note with lots of offers being accepted and lots of interest in new listings.’

Lorna added: ‘When we launched our new company Property Wise two years ago, we said that we would ‘‘listen to the public’’ and what they wanted, and that we would adapt wherever possible to meet the needs and wants in order to create a modern successful business.

‘This is exactly what we have done, although the majority of our work will still be done online, as is the way of the world.

‘We feel that in some areas we need a street presence, this is both wanted by the public and necessary in Ramsey, therefore an office with good window space for advertising is what the public want.

‘Clients quite rightly want to see that their property gets the exposure it deserves when advertising it for sale.’

‘Our 3D floorplans are a fantastic way for future buyers to see the property layout without having to rely on photographs alone, before arranging a viewing.

‘We have recently launched our 3D Spaceplanner so that potential buyers can see how furnishings will look in a property before they move in.’

Telephone: 662820

www.propertywise.co.im

DAVID Mapp has taken up the baton of musical director at Onchan Silver Band.

He replaces conductor Paul Dunderdale who retired from the role in 2012. Principal baritone Rebecca Halliday was acting band master while the group looked for a permanent replacement.

David’s background is in modern music composition and performance so for him, a brass band is a real novelty.

He said he was ‘delighted’ to take up the position, saying: ‘They’re a wonderful group of players, and they’re so happy to try new ideas and share their talent.

‘We’ve got a load of exciting plans, like incorporating some unfamiliar music into our repertoire, performing in unexpected locations and venues and searching out exciting collaborations with other musicians, composers, dance groups and artists.

‘I feel OSB will really be a brass band with a difference, with a really strong identity and a lot to offer the island’s culture circuit. I can’t wait.’

The band believes it has led the way in areas of brass banding in the island, from setting the record high mark of 97 with an ensemble at the 2011 Manx Music Festival, to updating its look to incorporate modern Manx tartan waistcoats.

ANYONE interested in volunteering for the Department of Health or other of the island’s voluntary/charitable organisations is being invited to come along to the Sefton Hotel in Douglas on Saturday.

They’ll have the opportunity to ‘speed date’ up to 30 organisations eager to recruit those with some time to spare.

The event will be one of the island’s biggest-ever volunteer recruitment initiatives, providing those who want to find out more about volunteering but who are unsure where to start, with the chance to find out more information about roles on offer and maybe even find their ‘perfect match’.

The event is being organised by the Noble’s Hospital volunteer service and will take place in the hotel’s Garden Room between 10am and 2pm.

The aim is to give prospective volunteers an opportunity to chat to potential voluntary organisations and find out whether they ‘match’, with the hope of forming many great and lasting partnerships.

Alison Lester, Noble’s Hospital volunteer service manager, said: ‘We have had an enormous amount of interest from organisations across the voluntary sector, ranging from health-related services to the ManxSPCA.

‘This will be a fantastic opportunity for organisations to showcase their services and actively recruit volunteers, as well as for potential volunteers to find out more. It will be great fun and I would encourage anyone who is interested in volunteering to attend – the event simply can’t work without them. This is, hopefully, something we would like to be able to facilitate annually.

‘The Sefton Group has kindly sponsored the event this year, which will be taking place in the Garden Room. It is a very exciting venture to be spearheading, and within days of announcing it the places filled up and now we have, potentially, 30 organisations who will be present on the day – which will make this day unforgettable for both, organisations and the public.’

THE formation of a single housing authority for the south should be explored, agreed Castletown commissioners.

Commissioners’ chairman Kevin Weir, who, with commissioner Andrew Thomas, represents the authority at the meeting of Southern Local Authorities Group (SLAG), said that all the representatives on the the SLAG committee ‘are going back to their own boards [of commissioners] to see if they are in favour of one southern authority for housing’.

Mr Weir said: ‘If that is the case, we will go back to the next southern local authority housing meeting and if there is agreement, we will write to Mr Robertshaw, [Department of Social Care minister] and tell him we would like to have all the housing for the south.’

Affordable housing is presently allocated by each individual local authority.

For continuity, Mr Weir said that the boards’ current representatives should remain on this newly-formed SLAG housing committee. He asked that the board of Castletown Commissioners, last Monday, if it supported himself and Mr Thomas remaining as its representatives.

‘We are hoping to get things moving,’ he said. ‘They are beginning to move. In my opinion, we are making big strides.’

Commissioner Colin Leather said: ‘I’m against it – having one [housing authority] for the south.

‘Until I know the full details about how it will affect Castletown, I will not say yes or no.’

Mr Weir replied: ‘You are entitled to your opinion, but that makes Castletown very insular.

‘I have worked for the last nine months to get Castletown involved in everything that is going on, you can undo the last nine months’ work.’

Commissioners’ clerk Eddie Convery said: ‘This is not a done deal. This is to explore the possibility. If we do it, what format should it take?’

‘I do not mind us exploring it,’ said Mr Leather. ‘The message I was getting was it’s a done deal … we have got to protect our tenants and the people of Castletown to look after their interests.’

Mr Thomas asked: ‘Protect them from what? Can I have protection from everything for ever?’

Commissioner Alwyn Collister said one housing authority for the whole of the south is ‘a step too far’.

Mr Thomas proposed the group explores the formation of a single authority for the south and he was seconded by commissioner David Parnell.

The proposal was supported by the entire board except Mr Leather, who said: ‘I do not want someone from Castletown waiting for housing [in the town] and someone from Port Erin gets it.’

They all voted for Mr Weir and Mr Thomas to continue to represent the board at the SLAG.

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FIFTEEN young people have gained an insight into setting up and operating sound and lighting equipment for live events.

They attended a week long course run by the Department of Education and Children’s Youth Service and accredited by Open Awards.

Tutor Martin Macfarlane said: ‘During the course participants gained an understanding of different types of sound and lighting equipment, connectors and importance of venue safety.

‘The highlight of the week was taking the young people to see behind the scenes at the Erin Arts Centre, Villa Marina and Gaiety Theatre which was a real eye opener for them and I must thank all involved at the venues for hosting us.’

He added: ‘It was a pleasure to work with young people who were so keen to learn new skills and wish to become active in doing something positive for their community.’

Participants built a portfolio to be verified by the Open Awards Qualification and Credit Framework. Successful participants will gain a level one Open Awards Sound and Lighting Technician certification.

DEC principal youth officer Ken Callister said: ‘We had an overwhelming response from young people wanting to take this opportunity and I’m delighted that our young people strive to learn new skills and do something positive during their school holidays.

They will have the opportunity to use their new-found skill as part of the Youth Service’s technical team, which operates sound and lighting equipment for live events.

Previous graduates have helped with community events across the island. Some have taken on paid casual work as part of the Villa Marina’s technical crew and are heading to university to study and work in the industry. Others are helping with school productions and local theatre groups.

ON behalf of the Isle of Man’s Old Age Pensioners, I would like to thank the Treasury Minister for jacking up our jack by 2.5 per cent in the Budget.

There was nothing else for us that I could see. It looks as though we must fend for ourselves in making our lives easier.

For myself, I’m going to apply for a Blue Badge. You know, the right to use parking spaces for the disabled.

(No, I don’t mean disabled parking spaces. They would be no more use than disabled toilets).

What I needed first was an application form. You get them from an outpost of the Department of Social Care at No. 3/5 Hill Street, Douglas.

I drove there last week. Unfortunately I forgot to take the walking stick I sometimes feel a need to use. If you’re going to get anywhere in disability, a walking stick is a primary weapon.

There was room to park right outside the office. It was not particularly easy to negotiate. I wondered if this was always left empty with a CCTV camera focussed on it during office hours, taping the efforts of people like me to get in and out of it.

I backed into it with a subtle display of severe difficulty and limped in to No 3/5.

It’s not actually a limp. I have what’s known as a drop foot, the right one. It’s more of a trip foot as I have demonstrated in public thoroughfares more than once.

Inside the building I found there were several staircases to be negotiated in getting to the disability office. Fortunately a passing young lady offered to go up and get me a form. I hope some note was taken of that.

Now for filling it in. You have to send passport-style photographs of yourself with it. These will inevitably show somebody apparently in advanced physical and mental decline.

This should help a lot.

There is also the question: ‘Which best describes the way you walk?’ One of the optional answers is: ‘Normal (without difficulty).’ Nobody is going to admit to that, surely.

But is a trip foot enough for a Blue Badge?

My only other qualification is irreversible osteo-arthritis consequent upon old age. Parking is a pain in the ass, as well as other things.

Unfortunately, one fact undermines my case. I have never been good at parking in the first place, in nearly 70 years of driving. I am obliged to admit this to the Department of Social Care. I put it down to spending far too much time in contact with my feminine side.

• IN a spirit of despair, Jeff Kirby draws attention to a court story in the Isle of Man Courier in which the Deputy High Bailiff was quoted as saying ‘the accident could of been a lot worse’.

Jeff finds Jane Hughes not guilty of saying such a thing.

• THE Isle of Man film industry is thriving and we have a stake in Pinewood Studios. Is this a good time for making films with suitably Manx titles?

Fortunately I have some sent in by Frank Kershaw, of Summerhill Road, Onchan, as follows:

‘Gawne With the Wind’

‘Citizen Caine’

‘Marown the World in 80 Days’

‘To Kill a Moughtin Bird’

Any more?

• KARL Campbell’s Manx crossword clue today is: Dicaprio in Isle of Man? (9) – isLE Of Man. (Christine’s Cryptic X-Word Collection).

• TODAY’S media collective noun: ‘A Chapter of Authors.’

A FURTHER bus drivers’ strike will take place next week, the Unite union has confirmed.

Two two-hour stoppages will take place on Wednesday, March 6, from 7.30am to 9.30am and from 3pm to 5pm.

Drivers at a mass meeting held on Monday evening voted unanimously in favour of escalating their industrial action in a long-running dispute over changes to their terms and conditions, including the loss of paid lunch breaks, which they say will result in their losing up to £3,000 from their pay packets.

First of the strikes took place in the run-up to Christmas with a three-day stoppage. This was followed by a half-day strike in January and last weekend a 10-minute stoppage took place in the early hours of Saturday, the latter called simply to ensure industrial action could continue without the need for a new ballot.

THE island has been enjoying drying out following wet spells that led to flooding across the island.

In fact, so much so the Fire and Rescue Service have said it enabled gorse to dry out to the extent that it burnt freely, when a planned fire got out of control at Ballakillowey, Rushen.

As this story went online, there had been 13 rain-free days at Ronaldsway.

A Met Office spokesman said: ‘Over the weekend there were a few snow flurries in one or two places, but there’s been no measurable rain since February 13.’

He said the long dry spell wasn’t unusual: ‘It’s just we have had eight dreadful months and we now we are realising how wonderful it is to have a dry spell.’ It is due to last until the middle of next week.

THE police are investigating a number of instances of criminal damage.

Overnight on Friday/Saturday, a front window panel of the Shoprite store in Onchan shopping precinct was damaged. Anyone with any information should contact police headquarters on 631212.

Vote on this issue using the web poll panel at right of this story

The force is also investigating damage caused to a number of vehicles which in the area of Broadway and Hutchinson Square, Douglas. This is believed to have been be caused in the early hours of Sunday.

Several vehicles had their wing mirrors broken off and one vehicle had a side window smashed.

Anyone who has information or may know who is responsible should contact Constable Woods at Lord Street police station or any police officer.

In a separate incident, two cars were attacked as they were parked on School Road, Onchan..

They were a red Mitsubishi and a blue MG motor car.

Both sustained horizontal scratches running the length of the car.

In another incident, which took place overnight on Saturday, two properties had their windows smashed in Douglas town centre, although the police do not think the crimes were necessarily related.

One window was in Hill Street, the other in Duke Street.

Constable David Baker, based at Lord Street police station, is investigating.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have been in the area at the time and may have seen any part of what occurred or anything suspicious to contact them on 631212.

If you know something about any of the incidents, you can contact the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111 and give information anonymously if you’d prefer.

THE weekend provided a sunny introduction to the Mountain Course for the first batch of this year’s Manx Grand Prix newcomers.

About 25 prospective riders in this year’s event, which takes place in the latter two weeks of August, had a tour of the TT course followed by a question and answer session with officials from organisers the Manx Motor Cycle Club.

The trips, organised by the Hailwood Foundation, allow would-be entrants a chance to lap the course by bus with commentary and explanation from experienced riders.

Welcoming them to the Isle of Man, MMCC chairman Harvey Garton said: ‘Please tell all your friends about the races because the event can only survive if we have more people coming over and sitting in the hedges to spectate. The more we can get, the more we can rely on a secure future for the event.’

Riders came from England, Ireland and Scotland and included a team of four riders from the British army. Tom Daisley, 33, from Winchester is one of them and intends to ride his ZX6R in the event.

‘I was just blown away by it. It was amazing and I can’t wait to get out there - even if the mountain does look a bit of a handful,’ he said.

The others are Rob Chisholm, 36, from Hampshire, Neil Watson, 28, from South Yorkshire and Jason Markham, 29, from Lincolnshire.

INTEREST shown in an exhibition and sale of one man’s Archibald Knox collection left him staggered.

‘It was unbelievable,’ said seller Chris Hobdell of the event held at Braddan Church hall on Friday and Saturday.

‘Two hundred and fifty people came through the door in 50 minutes,’ said Mr Hobdell, who decided he was ready to part with his collection, built up over several years, as he will be spending more time in India after his retirement.

Visitors enjoyed the chance to handle many of the exhibits, which including stunning silverware, pewter and ceramics.

In less than two hours on Friday, everything bar a spoon and brooch was sold. By 7.45pm that evening the spoon was sold too and by 11am the following morning the brooch went. The sale made about £35,000, and charging an admission fee raised £1,276 for Braddan Church.

Friday, February 22, marked the 80th anniversary of the death of internationally acclaimed Manx artist/designer Archibald Knox, who was born in 1864 at Cronkbourne, and whose name is synonymous with art nouveau designs in silver, pewter and enamels.

‘I was completely blown away. The people of the Isle of Man love Archibald Knox and his things,’ said Mr Hobdell, who moved to the island 25 years ago.

Related article: {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/archibald-knox-sale-of-works-1-5425631|Archibald Knox sale of works}

He was delighted that the 25 items sold went to either people in the Isle of Man or Manx people living in England and he has heard from at least a couple of buyers that they have given the artwork pride of place in their homes.

The only exception he made was in the case of the sale of his rare planter (jardiniere) in glazed brown, which was sold to the much admired authoritative on Knox, Dr Stephen A. Martin in America. ‘It is a very, very rare piece and in perfect condition,’ said Hobdell.

He is in complete agreement with Liam O’Neill, chairman of the Archibald Knox Society, that there should be a gallery or permanent exhibition dedicated to Knox – and he suggested that a signpost to where Knox’s was born or lived could be erected.

‘People would flock from all over the world to come and see,’ he said.

Mr O’Neill organised for a group to visit Knox’s grave on Friday at New Braddan Graveyard in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the artist’s death. Among those gathered at the graveside was 101-year-old Hazel Dean, a pupil of Knox’s at the Douglas Art School.

She also attended the exhibition and sale and produced a framed photo of herself with Knox outside the Douglas Art School in Kensington Road, and her name illuminated by Knox on a page from her autograph book.

Mr O’Neill was pleased that a number of students from the Isle of Man College in Douglas also attended the grave. Knox encouraged imagination and individuality ‘and that’s what they do at the Isle of Man College; it’s visible in the end of year exhibitions’.

Mr O’Neill said of the commemoration of Knox’s death: ‘It brought home to the Manx public in a much stronger way the importance of Knox and how he’s appreciated here on the island and how many people want to have a piece of Knox in the sense of owning his art.’

Next year marks the 150th anniversary of Knox’s birth and Mr O’Neill is looking to organise a similar sale of Knox artwork to mark the occasion.

He would be interested to hear from anyone who would have Knox artworks for sale, phone 665459.

For the latest information on all things Knox visit: {http://www.facebook.com/ArchibaldKnoxSociety|www.facebook.com/ArchibaldKnoxSociety}