STEAM railway services across the island will be up and running almost three weeks earlier this year starting tomorrow (Friday).

Regular travellers will be able to take advantage of a number of deals on offer from the railway to cut the cost of their travel.

A residents’ rail card for this year’s season allows the holder to travel on all three railways for half price as well as allowing them a discount on the entry cost to special events such as the forthcoming Harry Potter themed Wizard’s Express which would cost a railcard holder £11 for an adult and half that for a child.

Alternatively a residents’ season ticket gives unlimited travel on all scheduled steam, electric and mountain railway services throughout the 2012 season for a one-off charge of £55 for an adult and £27.50 for a child.

Both rail cards and season tickets can be bought from the Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal. Each will need a passport sized photograph.

Helping to launch the Isle of Man Railways 2012 season is their new station master cat mascot. He will attend family events such at the Teddy Bears’ Picnic and the Family Fun Weekend to amuse younger railway enthusiasts.

A competition to choose a name for him closed on Thursday and the winner will receive either two residents’ tickets or two seven-day explorer tickets. The winner was to be contacted on Friday.

Departures from Douglas to Port Erin are at: 9.50am, 11.50am, 1.50pm and 3.50pm, arriving at the end of the line at 10.50am, 12.50pm, 2.50pm and 4.50pm.

Tickets are available on the day from Douglas, Ballasalla, Castletown, Port St Mary and Port Erin stations.

The earlier start to this year’s season is designed to take advantage of the Friday of the schools’ half term holiday and the railway will operate on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday throughout March. It will run for seven days for the first couple of weeks in April to coincide with Easter.

The Manx Electric Railway begins again on March 17. The Snaefell Mountain Railway starts on April 4.

IRISH Nationwide (IOM) Limited has been rebranded as Permanent Bank International Ltd.

The new bank, based in the heart of the island’s financial sector on Athol Street, Douglas, was formed following the acquisition last year of Irish Nationwide by Irish Life and Permanent - which trades as Permanent TSB in Ireland.

Carlton Freegard, managing director of Permanent Bank International Ltd, said: ‘We are proud to announce the establishment of the Permanent Bank International brand in the Isle of Man.

‘The change of name not only reflects our new ownership, but represents a new and exciting development for the bank, its customers, and the island.

‘We will draw upon our heritage and combine the best values of the mutual with those of the private bank.’

Permanent Bank International Ltd is based on the second floor of Britannia House, Athol Street, and employs 11 staff, many of whom have been with the bank for more than a decade.

David Fulton, business development manager at Permanent Bank International, said: ‘The bank may be a new name and a new brand, but our staff have a wealth of experience in banking in the island. We have an excellent team of client focused staff, each with their own clients.

‘My colleagues in the client relations team look after the majority of our personal depositors, whereas my main responsibility is to develop relationships with the local professional adviser community along with corporate and trustee depositors.’

Permanent Bank International Ltd is a specialist international savings and deposit bank offering competitive sterling and euro accounts for up to five years. The Irish State is the major shareholder of the Irish Life and Permanent Group. Recent International Monetary Fund publications continue to recognise the significant progress which Ireland has made over the past two years and has praised Ireland’s ‘strong programme implementation’.

]]> 1.4266570 Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0000 http://www.iomtoday.co.im/supporting_rights_of_the_disabled_1_4273780

THE Disability Awareness Act and disabled provision at Liverpool Airport were among the topics discussed over the past year by an island group which looks after the interests of the disabled.

During the course of its monthly meetings during 2011 the Tynwald Advisory Council for Disabilities expressed disappointment at the lack of progress in implementing the 2006 Disability Discrimination Act and decided it was going to lobby more forcefully in its favour in the future.

Although the act was passed in October 2006, it cannot be brought fully into effect until detailed rules and regulations have been drafted.

An impact assessment of the act, commissioned from Sight and Sound Technology Ltd by the Department of Social Care, was also considered. The assessment analyses the effect of implementing the act on the business sector, government departments and voluntary organisations. The results of the survey are to be presented to Tynwald in the first quarter of this year.

The Advisory Council wrote to both Ronaldsway and Liverpool airports about lack of seating available for passengers. It also asked various disability groups in the island to couch opinions from their members about their travel experiences, both individually or as part of the Noble’s Hospital patient transfer service. Results from this survey were collated in January and the Advisory Council is to draft a list of recommendations based on these.

Among the other items discussed were free-standing display boards outside shops. The boards now have to be licensed by the local authority, which also now has authority for enforcing the regulations governing their use. The Advisory Council favoured restrictions to reduce obstacles in shopping areas for the blind, partially sighted or disabled.

Members of the Advisory Council, along with some MHKs and others, took part in a walk along Strand Street in Douglas arranged by the Manx Foundation for the Physically Disabled in November. The objective was to publicise difficulties faced by the disabled as part of Disability Awareness Week.

Access for disabled young people to tertiary education was also discussed with the Department of Education and Children.

Advisory Council members completed visits to the prosthetics and orthotics clinic and independent living centre at the community health centre in Westmoreland Road, Douglas, the Isle of Man Prison at Jurby and the various sites of the learning disability services. Talks from a range of invited speakers covered topics as diverse as kidney dialysis, supported housing and the Disability Discrimination Act, to list a few.

The Tynwald Advisory Council for Disabilities meets 12 times in the year. It has five members consisting of two politicians, Phil Braidwood MLC, chairman, and Geoff Corkish, vice chairman, plus three lay members from organisations representing disabled people. Its role is to give advice to government departments, statutory boards and the Isle of Man Medicines Commission on matters affecting the sick or disabled. It advises on any changes to the law and raises questions on behalf of the sick and disabled.

A NEW campaign inviting people to ‘Give up plastic bags for Lent’ was launched at the weekend.

Zero Waste Mann held the launch outside the Green Centre on Market Street.

The event followed a challenge the the Manx Independent made to its readers on February 3. The paper listed reasons why throwaway plastic bags were unnecessary.

Related article: {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/stop_using_plastic_bags_join_our_campaign_1_4206824|Stop using plastic bags - join our campaign}.

On a cold blustery day many people gathered around the area, attracted by the lively music of the local SambaMann group and by a colourful hand-stitched banner made by children of St Thomas’ school.

Zero Waste Mann is not calling for a ban or a tax on plastic bags, but it points out that avoiding plastic bags when you go shopping is an easy way to prevent waste and prevention is the top priority of the waste hierarchy coming before reduction, reuse and recycling.

Chairman Muriel Garland said: ‘You don’t need a law to tell you to take a bag when you go shopping. It’s just common sense.’

Many local shops now ask customers if they need a bag and all supermarkets sell reusable bags.

‘An increasing number of people prefer to buy an attractive bag or basket to put their purchases in rather than carry yet another plastic bag. Even if they are just going to and from work the chances are they will need to buy something on the way,’ added Muriel.

At the launch of its campaign, Zero Waste Mann gave out free cloth bags made by the prisoners at Isle of Man Prison in Jurby. These ‘morsbags’ are made from old curtains and duvet covers.

The bags are given away free at the Green Centre every Saturday.

The Green Centre – run by volunteers from Zero Waste Mann, Isle of Man Friends of the Earth and Manx Energy Advice Centre – is open on Saturdays from 10am.

To join the campaign, sign on at the Green Centre, email greencen tre@manx.net or call 664796.

For more information visit {http://www.zerowastemann.org|www.zerowastemann.org} and {http://www.morsbags.com.morsbags.com}.

THE Isle of Man Steam Packet Company’s fleet, frequency of service and destinations are just some of the areas up for discussion with Infrastructure chiefs, if the Council of Ministers approves the holding of planned talks.

Infrastructure Minister David Cretney MHK said the planned talks came in the wake of a meeting last month about whether the existing User Agreement ‘remained in the best interest of our island in its current form or whether any changes were needed’.

CoMin is due to decide ‘imminently’ whether it approves of the agenda of the meetings, the Minister said.

‘Clearly the Isle of Man needs a regular service,’ he said.

‘We believe the Steam Packet with the User Agreement has provided that and it continues to meet its obligations.

‘But we are aware there are some things they are doing which are economically unviable for them.’

Mr Cretney said future investment in Douglas Harbour and the Steam Packet’s fleet, destination ports in the UK and Ireland, and frequency and quality of service provided by the Steam Packet could be discussed.

He said of immediate interest would be the resilience of the Steam Packet’s services and its contingency plan to overcome foreseeable risks such as breakdowns.

Any changes to the User Agreement would be subject to Tynwald approval.

The User Agreement requires the company to operate a designated level of service, both for passengers and freight, in return for exclusive use of the linkspan in Douglas.

Earlier this month, Isle of Man Steam Packet Company chief executive Mark Woodward signalled that the company was considering pulling out of running to Heysham harbour and concentrating its services on Liverpool instead.

In a radio interview, he said that Liverpool was a ‘clear favourite’ of the majority of passengers and freight customers.

He said the creation of a bespoke, in-river berth at Liverpool would be a ‘serious option’ for the Steam Packet looking to the long-term.

The Steam Packet declined to comment on the planned meetings on the User Agreement.

A BID to defer for 12 months the closure of Department of Education and Children pre-schools has failed.

Speaker of the House of Keys Steve Rodan MHK moved an urgent motion calling for the department to defer the implementation of proposed changes to pre-school education scheduled for September 2012 for 12 months to allow further consideration and consultation to take place.

And in addition he called for the mobile and family library services to be retained.

But the motion – moved by the speaker at this afternoon’s Tynwald sitting – failed.

LAXEY Wheel and Mines Heritage Centre alongside the Old Corn Mill Tearoom in Mines Road, Laxey, has closed and the premises is available to let.

The centre, which displayed a photographic history of the Laxey Wheel and the mining area, along with exhibits from other areas of the communities of Laxey and Lonan, was opened in August 2011 by sponsors Stewart and Barbara Clague.

Mr Clague, who owns the old corn mill complex, explained: ‘It was only intended as an interim heritage exhibition as we were in talks with Manx National Heritage for them, with their expertise, to form a permanent attraction.

‘It was envisaged that the centre would house working models along with interactive exhibits and photographs of the island’s most iconic landmark and would have significantly added to the experience of visitors and schoolchildren alike.

‘Unfortunately, due to cutbacks, Manx National Heritage [MNH] is unable to proceed with the venture.’

Attraction

Mr Clague said he was sorry that plans with MNH were not now going to happen, adding: ‘It would have been a wonderful asset to the area and a great tourist attraction for the whole island.

‘However, we fully understand the cutbacks faced by government departments and why MNH are unable to proceed.’

He added: ‘We hope that in the future they may be able to review their plans.’

Meanwhile, the tearooms have attracted good business throughout the winter months, and the restaurant upstairs is also open, with a guest chef on certain evenings.

It is all in marked contrast to the building’s recent history. For 60 years it was the headquarters of Manx Engineers Ltd.

When the company moved to Ramsey in 2009 there was a lot of local interest in the future of the premises. Some felt it should be acquired by Manx National Heritage to create an interpretation centre for Laxey Wheel and the village’s mining history. As time went on and the premises lay empty, the Clague family decided to act and bought the property.

‘It wasn’t required by our business, but it was bought in order to keep it available for local use if possible,’ explained Stewart Clague, whose family farmed at Ballacregga, Agneash, for generations.

‘I could see there was the Laxey Wheel there with nothing else there for visitors.

‘The old café that used to be there burnt down years ago. I could see the old mill as a heritage centre and tearooms.’

STUDENTS ranging from primary school stage to A-level age gained hands-on experience when a sports science education group visited the island last week.

The travelling roadshow that is UK-based By Design visited schools before setting up shop at the Manx Museum with their range of hi-tech equipment and informative demonstrations.

Manx National Heritage’s Anthea Young explained that the company were invited to the island as part of the museum’s ongoing Our Sporting Life exhibition.

Anthea said: ‘We wanted to offer something to school groups and families coming into half-term to tie in with the exhibition.

‘The By Design staff are incredible and have worked really hard, and the response from the schools has been wonderful.’

When the Examiner visited, it was the turn of year five pupils from Arbory and St John’s primary schools to experience the three-part session. First students were given a crash course on rowing machines, and a subsequent team race harnessed the natural competitiveness of the kids. The emphasis was on teamwork, as they had to help each other on and off the machines while the relay race unfolded on a digital projection.

Next pupils tackled formula one driver Jenson Button’s record on the BATAK reaction board, and sprinter Usain Bolt’s acceleration between two electronic timers,

The third element of the visit was an entertaining hour-long lecture, during which the students were introduced to scientific concepts with simple examples and demonstrations, like how a sumo wrestler widens their base and lowers their centre of gravity to become more stable, or in contact sports how padding absorbs and spreads the force of an impact to provide protection.

Even Isaac Newton’s law that every action as an equal and opposite reaction was given an airing with the year fives, who saw how the momentum of a swinging cricket bat challenges the friction of a person’s feet on the floor.

This was By Design’s first visit to the island, and after a busy week instructor Charlotte Burke was happy with how their presentations had been received. She said: ‘Sport isn’t just about running or throwing a ball, it’s about overcoming challenges. Both the younger and older kids have reacted well.

‘It’s nice to come somewhere different. The people here have been very welcoming and friendly and it’s amazing to know there are so many top sportsmen from one small area. The kids are all proud to be from the Isle of Man, they have mentioned last year’s Commonwealth Youth Games quite a lot!’

INVESTMENT company Creechurch Capital has grown its assets under management to more than £100 million in its first year of trading.

In line with its ambitious three-year growth strategy, a high proportion of this expansion was achieved off-island, where Creechurch has been competing against more well-established household names.

This year will see the business extend its reach in the UK market through organic growth and consideration of complementary acquisition targets, which will in turn provide a real boost for business in the Isle of Man.

Creechurch, headquartered at the historical Knox House on Finch Road, Douglas, will also introduce two new brands − Creechurch Private Wealth and Creechurch Advisory Services − to define growth areas within the business.

John Greenwood, chief executive officer at Creechurch Capital, said: ‘Our first year of business has seen us exceed our own targets and build on our already solid client base. The growth we’ve achieved is testament to the vision, expertise and hard work of the entire team.

‘We also credit our success to the unparalleled support offered by our growing group of businesses and the Isle of Man Government. The Creechurch team was brought together following a significant and high-profile investment which pulled together individuals with an excellent track record in business and investment. This was a huge vote of confidence within the island’s business community.’

Glen Cochrane, investment director and head of investment strategy at Creechurch, said: ‘Given the continued growth of the business, we feel it’s crucial to retain clarity through separate branding for the services we offer.

‘Our priority is our clients and offering a robust and specialist investment process which remains unchanged and addresses the challenges of today’s financial markets. We’re proactive in ensuring risk is minimised, but confident to take a contrarian approach when we have conviction, which our clients welcome.’

SPACE, the final frontier... and apparently it is also a useful theme in the classroom, so the audience of teachers heard in a presentation at the Isle of Man Business School.

Guest speakers Elliot Holokauahi Pulham and Iain Probert are, respectively, the chief executive and vice president for education of the Space Foundation, a US-based non-profit group that promotes all sectors of the space industry through awareness activities and educational programmes.

Elliot explained the theory that the nature of the boundry-pushing industry can be harnessed in education. He said: ‘It’s a fun industry, and exploration at its heart is a very creative endeavour. The people involved in space do amazing things. There’s an optimistic attitude, undaunted by challenges. We work with teachers to bring technology into the classroom, and provide training through our university links.’

He added: ‘It’s about getting kids excited and engaged. From geology and exploration to subjects like civics and governance. You say to the kids: “Imagine establishing a town on the Moon” – the issues are the same but students get into the fun concept very readily, an we can provide resources, like our huge library of online lesson plans, at no cost.’

The visitors hoped that the trip would lead to further links between the island and the Space Foundation, through initiatives like running educational summer camps.

Elliot had been looking for an excuse to visit the island since it came onto the radar as a base for corporate services to space-related companies.

He said: ‘What the Isle of Man is doing is very clever. The space industry now is very global and very commercial, moving away from state-run projects, it’s as much about commercial services as it is about space ships and launch sites. The Isle of Man is potentially on the cutting edge of significant commercial opportunities’

However, he pointed out that the island is ‘still a little hard to access’ as one detail that counts against it – as exemplified by his own lengthy journey from his home in Denver, USA, via London.

Elliot’s exotic middle name comes from a maternal Hawaiian heritage, a connection from which he draws parallels to some of the issues facing the Isle of Man. He said: ‘In island life opportunities are often limited, like access to further education for instance.

‘Diversifying the economy is great, but the challenge is creating jobs that excite your youth and inspire them to come home, rather than having to import qualified workers.’

THE charming lady who had stopped me in the car park at Manx Radio to say how much she liked my Examiner column added: ‘Amusing things must happen to you every day.’

I thanked her and moved on, looking back over what had been happening during the week.

I had to go to Lloyds Bank to see if they would let me have some of my money. Because of the Department of Infrastructure’s digger-pokery up and all round Prospect Hill, I could only find a place to park right at the far end of Athol Street.

It might have been easier to drop into the railway station and catch a train to Castletown and go to the Lloyds branch there. My only comfort was the realisation that my bank’s premises on Prospect Hill, along with my money, were completely secure against any gang of bank robbers.

They could never find anywhere handy to leave the getaway car.

Walking back along Athol Street I came up with a man with one of those brushes on a long bendy stick cleaning the upper windows of offices. As I passed him some of the water came showering down on me from above. I told him sourly: ‘Haven’t we had enough rain without you making it worse?’

He grinned appreciatively. ‘Nice one, Tel,’ he said.

This was just a single day.

Nearly every morning when driving to work I have been looking intently at the two electronic displays outside the Sea Terminal which tell us the time, the date, and the temperature. I have found the latter to be consistently higher than they should have been and sometimes different from each other.

One day the temperature on one display was 12°C and on the other 9°C. The temperature display in my car was saying 7.5°C, as forecast by the Met Office at Ronaldsway.

I was pondering gloomily on the way modern technology likes to make fools of us all when I braked just in time to avoid running over and killing a terrified mother and her two small children walking over the pedestrian crossing outside the offices of the Steam Packet Company.

One evening I went to see the stunning and deeply moving production of Miss Saigon at the Gaiety. Halfway through the first act I remembered that I had not switched off my mobile phone, which was wrapped safely in my overcoat tucked under my seat.

People around me stirred and muttered as I bent down quickly to rummage noisily for it. They were caught up in the compelling intensity of the music. They didn’t want to hear my ringtone.

It was not the time or place for George Formby singing ‘Riding in the TT Races’.

Finally last week, after a night of howling wind blasting down from Snaefell, I found, lying outside the kitchen window at the back of the bijou residence, two sets of goal posts and netting which had been blown over the hedge from the football pitch used by Douglas High School Old Boys in Blackberry Lane.

I stared at them, wondering why, at this stage in my life, God had decided to move the goal posts.

• A LADY to be known only as Ali of Glen Maye reports a reader’s letter in the Examiner saying that the Green Power Manx Group are ‘resolutely anti-onshore wine farms’.

Offshore wine farms then? You wouldn’t get a really dry Chardonnay from one of those.

• RON Shimmin reports a roofer’s van announcing ‘All Ireland Covered’. Ron and his wife Jean wonder if, in the present state of the Irish economy, the country can afford it.

The slogan, of course, should be ‘All Island Covered’.

Fine, considering the rain we’ve had. But come the summer could they instal a sliding roof like the one on the Centre Court at Wimbledon?

PARENTS of children in the Isle of Man are being urged to ensure their children are vaccinated against measles.

It follows an outbreak of measles in Liverpool.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has declared an outbreak of measles in Merseyside following 13 confirmed and 16 suspected cases.

Six people had already required hospital treatment by Friday.

The advice to the general public, said a health service spokesman, is: ‘Please ensure your child is vaccinated with MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella).

‘Do not be tempted to give single vaccines; they are not licensed or approved by regulatory authorities in the UK and may not offer protection.’

Measles is not a trivial childhood infection, say health chiefs.

‘Six people in Merseyside required hospital treatment,’ said the spokesman.

‘Complications of measles can have long term consequences.’

The spokesman added: ‘If you are visiting Merseyside during half term holidays and your child has not had the full course of MMR, appreciate the risk for your child.

‘Measles is one of the most contagious diseases.

‘If on return your child develops symptoms of measles (fever, skin rash), please seek medical advice.’

]]> 1.4269911 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:58:00 +0000 http://www.iomtoday.co.im/sylvia_harrison_surprise_for_badminton_coach_1_4270065

MORE than 1,000 children have benefited from Sylvia Harrison’s badminton coaching.

Her dedication to St Ninian’s Junior Badminton Club, which she has stepped down from running after more than 20 years, has seen her being nominated in Isle of Man Newspapers’ Pride in Mann Awards.

Sylvia, aged 70, of Willowbrook Gardens, in Douglas, was nominated in the Volunteer of the Year category of the Flybe-sponsored awards by her daughter Susanne Domingo.

Susanne, of Ashberry Avenue, in Douglas, has taken over the running of the club although her mum is still on the reserve list of coaches.

There is a heavy family involvement in the club on Sunday afternoons in St Ninian’s High School’s sports hall.

Two of its founding members in 1931 were her parents. One of her grandchildren plays with the junior club, and the other three play for the senior club.

In addition, all of her three children have played for the county team.

When Sylvia took over the running of the club in the 1980s she changed its location from the former St Ninian’s Church hall, and changed the day it met.

‘It went from strength to strength from there,’ she said. ‘It built up to 70 members.’

The six- to 15 year-olds are now split into two different sessions.

She said the club’s ‘star pupil’ over the years was Josh Green, who plays for England.

‘He started out at one of our “Come and try it” sessions and it went from there,’ she said. As well as the social side of the club, she said badminton helped develop children’s hand-eye co-ordination, was a good form of exercise and teaches players sportsmanship.

Sylvia said: ‘I see a lot of happy faces and see them progress. I have always really enjoyed the sport and I played for a long time.’ But she said she moved on to the coaching side of the game because she didn’t think she was very talented.

Sylvia described being nominated as a ‘big surprise’, saying: ‘I’m very honoured.’

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Pride in Mann is an awards scheme from Isle of Man Newspapers and Flybe which aims to recognise unsung heroes in the Manx community.

The competition sees the public invited to nominate people they feel are worthy recipients of an award across 10 categories. Each person nominated will be recognised in one of our newspapers and later there will be a public vote to find the categories’ winners.

The categories for this year’s Pride in Mann awards are: Promotion of Manx Culture, Performer of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Sporting Acheivement, Young Person of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Linking with Schools, Customer Service and Family Business.

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Who will you nominate?

You can find a downloadable nomination form by clicking {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/pride_in_mann_1_4040786|this link.}

Tuesday, February 21

Aries (March 21 - April 20)

Someone from a different sphere comes into your life this week and your attraction to them is almost instant. This does not mean, however, that the feeling will last. It is likely that cultural differences will cause problems later. In the workplace there is a feeling that someone is not pulling their weight. Are they slacking or do they need help and reassurance? Check it out before commenting.

Taurus (April 21 - May 21)

A meeting with friends could throw up an old flame of yours. A rush of sentimentality should not be mistaken for anything else. Chatting over old times reminds you of why you are not still together. At home you are wanting to make changes. If cash is tight then a pot of paint and moving the furniture around can make a difference temporarily. There is good news at the weekend regarding a child.

Gemini (May 22 - June 21)

Long-term love is highlighted. Someone you helped in the past comes up with a good suggestion. A social evening may see someone new coming into your sphere who is different and perhaps exciting. Without mistaking infatuation for love, you are able to enjoy their company. The weekend, however, brings you down to earth when a practical matter takes your attention.

Cancer (June 22 - July 23)

There is a need to be settled and involved that is at odds with your love of freedom. This is especially true when it comes to work matters. What you had hoped would bring a quick payback is delayed or even cancelled. If there is no plan B then find one. Get some friends together and throw it open to discussion. The best ideas sometimes come late at night.

Leo (July 24 - August 23)

Having a social outlook and a keen intelligence, you want to cast your social net wide. Some cultural differences may get in the way, however. If you avoid discussing religion and politics you can smooth troubled waters. Indeed, your mission this week seems to be helping others to understand. Have you been given the chance to shine? Use your talents to the full and enjoy it.

Virgo (August 24 - September 23)

Suddenly experiencing a situation you have yearned for is a shock. Knowing how to deal with it requires a period of adjustment but maybe you only have minutes to react. Stay calm and ask a simple question to put the ball in someone else’s court. Choose your companions carefully at the weekend, as disagreements are likely and should be avoided.

Libra (September 24 - October 23)

Just when you thought that a relationship was fizzling out, there is a change. You may be pleased about this. Even so, look behind the smiling face of someone who could have an ulterior motive. Be with friends and family at the weekend that you can trust and relax with. Asking their opinion on a new friend makes things clearer in your own mind, which is good.

Scorpio (October 24 - November 22)

Naturally cautious, you may suspect the motives of someone who makes an offer. Of course it is essential to question financial matters. Having worked for your cash, you want to be sure of where it goes. A lighter side to the week comes with a flirtation that makes you smile. Surely anything that makes you feel younger and energetic is good? Possibly.

Sagittarius (November 23 - December 21)

Your love of freedom and a light-hearted approach is at odds with deeper feelings of need. Maybe it is time for a bit of give and take with a partner. Realising that if you do not give more then you cannot make progress is hard. Is it, though, so very bad? The more flexible you are, the quicker a situation is resolved. Pride should not be allowed to trip you up.

Capricorn (December 22 - January 20)

Someone finds the fact that you try to hold something back charming. That is because they feel in control already. Is it time to make a stand for what you want or believe? You should choose your own direction in life if you really want satisfaction. It seems that a romantic meeting of last week has not been acted upon. Don’t be afraid to call or email. Trust your instincts.

Aquarius (January 21 - February 19)

We all feel a bit disgruntled when we don’t get our own way. It does not make you foolish or selfish. It is what you do next that shows your true character. May I guide you by saying that you should pay attention to your initial instinct? Listen to what others think you should do and then do what you need to do. They are unlikely to be the same thing.

Pisces (February 20 - March 20)

Your sheer confidence impresses this week. Schedule any important meetings and arrange any important liaisons. If your luck seems too good to be true, use it while you can! There is a hidden depth of passion in someone you are very familiar with. Do you want to bring it out? Does a lion tamer want to play with lions? Being honest and direct gets you brownie points.

Treasury Minister Eddie Teare has delivered his first Budget.

The main points are:

Income tax standard rate for individuals remains at 10 per cent.

Higher rate income tax remains at 20 per cent.

Income tax personal allowances are also unchanged - at £9,300 for single people and £18,600 for jointly assessed couples.

Additional personal allowances for over 65s remains at £2,020.

Threshold at which the higher rate for individuals becomes payable stays at £10,500.

Personal Allowance Credit reduced by £200 per person.

A National Insurance rebate scheme is being introduced to defray the employment costs of firms taking on additional employees.

Restriction on tax relief on mortgage interest and loan interest etc to lower tax rate of 10 per cent.

Removal of tax relief on maintenance payments and maintenance received is no longer classed as taxable income.

Increase in National Insurance employees primary threshold by £3 per week and upper earnings limit by £20 per week.

Government has continued to make savings while adopting a new four-year rebalancing plan.

In 2012/13 further savings of £12 million have been achieved to add to the £51 million saved since 2010/11.

Spending is £35 million below last year’s Budget.

Comparative staff costs are £1.5 million below last year’s Budget. Staffing was reduced by 170 posts last year. The overall reductions over three years is 345 posts.

Gross spending on benefits is £249 million, £11.5 million higher (5 per cent) higher than last year, including £151 million on the state pension and pension supplement.

Net spending on health is up by £3.6 million (3 per cent).

A capital programme of £83 million for government departments and statutory boards. This comprises £55 million of construction schemes including £18.1 million to be spent on the local authority housing programme.

A PETITION against the closure of the Department of Education and Children’s nurseries with some 3,600 signatures was presented to Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK outside Tynwald today (Tuesday).

It was presented by mum of four Amy Burns, watched by a handful of mothers along with their children, waving placards and even a copy of this week’s Isle of Man Examiner, with the headline Save Our Nurseries.

The petition, calling for the government to reverse its decision, was launched on Friday.

Amy told Mr Bell: ‘We are actually applauding the education department by doing this, we are not knocking it back.

‘We are saying cut back somewhere else, not on the kids.’

Mr Bell said: ‘There will be pre-school education facilities in September. We are just not sure what shape they will be in at the moment.’

Education and Children Minister Peter Karran MHK has previously said the government hopes to lease out the 11 sites for private and voluntary agencies to run.

TREASURY Minister Eddie Teare MHK has this morning delivered his first Budget.

He told Tynwald: ‘There will be many changes ahead, but at each stage the challenge for us, as politicians is to ensure that the changes we propose promote fairness and equity in our community, and ensure that we target our limited resources where they will do the most benefit. This is the theme running through this budget and has been at the forefront of my deliberations.’

He said government has continued to make savings while adopting a new four-year rebalancing plan.

In 2012/13 further savings of £12 million have been achieved to add to the £51 million saved since 2010/11.

Spending is £35 million below last year’s Budget.

{http://www2.iomtoday.co.uk/pdfs/Budget12speechfinal.pdf|Click here to read the speech in full}

(link requires a PDF reader.)

HOMES in Ramsey were left without electricity this morning (Tuesday) after high voltage switch gear failed.

MEA group operations manager Anthony Kinrade said the precise number of people affected was not yet known but he estimated it was considerably fewer than 100.

The first reports of the fault were received at about 7am. Engineers have now restored power to the homes from alternative connections and when repairs are complete the service will be switched back with no interruption in supply.

The electricity sub-station affected was in Walpole Drive near to the electric railway and cut off supplies to homes in the immediate surrounding area.

EDDIE Teare was due this morning to deliver his first Budget as Treasury Minister.

This year’s Budget is being billed as the toughest one for a generation - and some cuts seem certain.

The government is looking to rebalance its finances over four years in the wake of the renegotiation of our VAT deal, the UK’s raid on revenues resulting in government income being cut by a third from next year.

Many government departments are likely to see their budgets reduced. And already education chiefs have announced the closure of 11 state-run pre-schools, the Family Library, the Mobile Library and Bride School.

Mr Teare’s Budget statement will be published in full on iomtoday when he completes his speech this morning.

IT’s billed on the website as ‘the salon just for kids where the haircuts are cool and fun rules’.

In fact you could say there’s never a dull moment at Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids, at St James House, Market Street, Douglas.

The place is geared firmly with children in mind.

Girls are made to feel like little princesses while lads are kings for the day.

Sharkey’s is already a big name in the United States.

Lee Astin, 29, and partner Roxanne Mottram, 27, took on the franchise - the island shop was the first in Europe - in 2010.

The couple, who live in Onchan, have two children, Wayne, eight, and Naomi, four.

Lee, an accountant, said: ‘Roxanne and I form a good partnership in the business as she deals with the salon, customers, and hair cuts, and I work on the business matters such as suppliers, invoices, VAT, accounts, reports and administrative matters.

‘This allows Roxanne to really focus on the customers and delivering the best quality customer service possible.’

The couple are celebrating after scooping £3,000 worth of free advertising with Isle of Man Newspapers after winning the Business Accelerators contest which was judged by members of the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce.

Two other new businesses - Checkout 14 Limited and Hazel Walsh Photography - also tasted victory in the same contest and have been profiled in recent editions of Business News.

Everything in Sharkey’s is geared to youngsters - and adults even feel young at heart.

There are offers galore including ‘mums and kids’ and ‘dads and lads’ deals.

Roxanne, who completed her hairdressing and barbering course at Isle of Man College in 2004, said customers have ranged in age from seven months to a nanna in her late 70s.

She said: ‘We have really enjoyed our first year in business since it started in November 2010. There is never a dull moment when cutting a child’s hair.’

And it really is a little paradise for children.

The little ones can choose between three special fun chairs that have been specially imported from the United States. There is Lightning McQueen (from the Disney film Cars), a Barbie jeep and a blue Mini Cooper. And as their hair is being cut they can watch from a large selection of DVDs including Peppa Pig, Thomas the Tank Engine and Sponge Bob Square Pants.

There’s a couple of chairs where youngsters can play computer games and an upstairs room is geared towards older girls as they listen to the latest pop tunes.

All first-time visitors receive a special certificate and a pouch containing a lock of their hair.

Lee said: ‘We are finding an increasing number are regular customers returning time and time again because they love it here so much.’

Among the regulars is three-year-old Harriet, daughter of Berni Kneale from Onchan.

Harriet headed straight for the Barbie jeep and plumped for a viewing of Fireman Sam as she was prepared for a wash, cut and dry. Her visit was rounded off with her nails being painted and collecting a balloon and a lollipop.

Berni said it was a real treat for Harriet. ‘We usually come here every six weeks and they do a very good job. My older daughter McKenzie, eight, also has her hair cut here. The youngsters have a lovely time.’

The business also offers themed parties in the room upstairs. There’s the Glamour Party, Cookie the Clown events and Dolittle’s. The parties are proving very popular .

Lee and Roxanne say they were delighted at winning the prize. ‘The advertising will be a great help in putting our message across about the business,’ said Lee.

There’s all sorts of fun ideas and products on sale such as chocolate shampoo!

People can read all about Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids on a colourful website and the Douglas shop has a thriving Facebook page with nearly 3,000 followers and growing all the time.

Tel: 666501

www.sharkeyscutsforkids.com

TODAY it’s Budget Day.

It’s also Shrove Tuesday.

What are you going to be giving up for Lent? Already a number of parents know what they’ll be giving up.

The bad news is everyone else may find out what they’re giving up has been chosen for them by the Council of Ministers.

But are we downhearted?

Well, yes, actually.

We need to find a way to make today’s Budget enjoyable.

So here we have Budget Bingo.

The way it works is you can draw up your own list of services provided by the government and then listen in to Eddie Teare’s speech and tick off each one as he announces it is being cut.

The first to get to 10 can shout ‘House of Keys’ and then weep softly in a corner.

You can vary the level of difficulty for yourself by deciding whether to compile a list of services that, perhaps, we can probably do without and see how many of those are identified, or if you want to, make it a bit tougher and instead identify some of the vanity projects our politicians have made us pay for over the years and see if they have the guts to drop those.

Obviously you can’t cheat.

We know what’s going from education.

It’s a pity, because who would have predicted that either the family library or the mobile library was seen as less important than a Manx language primary school? (To be fair they’re all more important than some of the things they’ll no doubt keep.)

Or who could have predicted that the entire nursery provision would be axed? Particularly when you look in last year’s Pink Book of Budget revenue estimates and see that the nursery service (£900,000 to £1m per year, apparently) costs less to run than some of the chief officers’ departments in other areas of government.

Here are a few suggestions of Budget Bingo cuts to be called out at the higher end of the difficulty scale.

• Get rid of a government department:

Yes, just a year after the much-vaunted revamp of government structure, in which we don’t appear to have seen too many savings, will the possibility of reducing the number of government departments actually be announced today? Would members vote for fewer people from their number on a higher wage?

• Halving of the number of local authorities:

Okay, it isn’t going to reduce the amount owed from public sector housing loans, but we suspect there’s rather a lot that could be saved in administration costs if we reduced the number of local authorities from the 24 serving our small island. Politicians have talked about this for the past 25 years. Never have they shown the nerve to push it through when there’s an election round the corner.

• No more roundabouts:

Ballakillowey cost us £250,000.

That’s just one example of a scheme that no one appeared to ask for. Find four per year, we can keep our nurseries.

• Slash members’ expenses:

No, not just incorporate the lump sum expense account into their wages (and we can leave the argument about the whether that’s a pay rise to another time) but reduce the £2.1m figure included in last year’s Budget for ‘members’ ‘fees and expenses’.

Get rid of it entirely, you could double the number of state-run nurseries to 22.

• Manx Museum and National Trust:

Would this source of pride see a reduction from the near £4m in net expenditure from last year? It’s an educational resource, the trust would argue, but so is the mobile and family library service.

• Reduce funding of the film industry:

Difficult to imagine what impact this could have as we’re not really supposed to have any idea what, if anything, it is costing us.

• Close a care home:

Oh, they’re already doing that. Nice one Government of National Unity, you can tick off the young and the elderly.

• Spend less time and money on attracting ‘directors’ wives’ to come to the island and more on the people who are already living here:

This is on the supposition in some areas of government that the mythical directors’ wife syndrome will concentrate on things like the quality of restaurants ahead of judging a society by how it educates its children and looks after its elderly.

Are these spouses really so vapid?

Anyway, there are just a few ideas for you to play Budget Bingo.

I had thought of doing a Budget Lottery instead, but it appears our government is doing that by the way it is choosing where to make savings.

So, what do you get if you win in Budget Bingo?

Nothing. We’re all going to be losers this year.

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