I’ve recently attended a few of the FC Isle of Man football games at the Bowl stadium in Douglas.

There is a really good atmosphere and it’s nice to see the efforts being made to involve young people and families.

One of the projects I most enjoyed being involved in, with others including the Isle of Man Sports Council, was the development of our sporting infrastructure throughout our island over a number of years including the Bowl.

The facilities there are first-class and to see them being used in this way is exactly what we wanted to see.

Regular attendances at FC Isle of Man games of well over 1,500 bode well for the future.

Many of us have attended the top Isle of Man football finals and there must be opportunities for attracting visitors to football events, which would make even more use of the facilities and provide more tourism revenue.

In particular junior teams from across the water would provide good competition for our youngsters and help ensure we have the best skilled players for the future.

Also, if young people come and enjoy our island, they can become future visitors and ambassadors.

We used to have the Steam Packet Football Festival when league teams from the UK participated, so once again I would suggest when we have this sporting infrastructure in place.

Does anyone remember the excitement at the Palace Lido many years ago when the Isle of Man FA held the five-a-side tournament?

I think that, because it was held indoors and at a fast pace, it created a real atmosphere with the noise of the fans from each team and it’s another reason why we miss that venue.

Also for the top bands performing, ballroom and carnival dance competitions, exhibitions and so much more!

The Manx Youth Games, sponsored for many years by HSBC bank, has a new sponsor this year in Sporting Club Isle of Man from which FC Isle of Man was established.

The games were first held in 2002 and again it was great to be involved with the NSC staff, volunteers and trainers, Isle of Man Sports Council, Department of Tourism and Leisure and sponsors to promote this island-wide event, which has really captured the imagination in the years since.

The opening ceremony and a number of the activities have always been based around the National Sports Centre and the excitement of the young people getting involved over the years has led to a number of success stories at a senior level representing the island.

Of course there are the obvious health and lifestyle benefits of being involved in fun sporting activities from a young age.

This year’s Youth Games will take place on Saturday, May 7, with more than 1,000 participants in 15 different sports.

This is the largest multi-sport event for children and from January until the event it gives them the opportunity to try new sports and activities and encourages them to continue with sport throughout the year.

Given the enthusiasm that has been engendered by FC Isle of Man, I think the Sporting Club sponsorship for 2022 to 2024 will have a similar effect in engaging even more young people in sporting activities.

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Sometimes in retrospect decisions that are taken albeit with the best of intent turn out to not have been the right solution.

It was interesting to read recently that the Infrastructure Minister is going to review the manner in which some of the services are being delivered.

There used to be specific gangs allocated geographically but a long time ago the service was centralised. I always felt that with the local knowledge and experience a return to this method of service delivery worthy of reconsideration so I wish him well.

Another falls within the Department for Enterprise and the reorganisation of most of the island’s economically active sectors under one department.

This was an obvious decision to make but it appears to me that the department I was responsible for over a 10-year period, tourism, may have become something of a poor relation over time.

Clearly the ’high flying’ aspects of the economy require promotion and it sometimes appears as if they may have more voice compared to the more traditional sectors.

It was therefore encouraging to hear the minister speak of the importance of the tourism and leisure industries.

I think one of the advantages is that any investment into this area has the bonus of providing things for the resident population at the same time. It also makes the island more attractive to younger people to return or relocate.

I was responsible politically over quite a long time for the special events unit.

They provided support to organisers of principally but not exclusively sporting events.

The unit still exists but for a long time it has been less high profile and I hope the minister may consider investing into its area of activity.

Where we have such good sporting facilities, for example, it makes absolute sense to maximise them not only for the health of our nation but also for the great economic benefits such investment would provide to the exchequer.

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I received great feedback in relation to last week’s piece about Laxey then and now, thank you.

Mamie, whom I remembered from the Laxey clinic next to the police station, is a resident of Cooil Roi and her real name is Marion.

One reader remembers Mylroi House being a gents outfitters until Mr Mylroi retired and Skillicorns took over.

Edith Quaggin reminded me about the delicious Manx Ices that were sold at ’Wave Crest’ café on Laxey Promenade, which was operated by her parents Edith and Francis McCormack from the mid 1950s to the end of the 1970s.

The End café was owned by Mr Alexander and both businesses operated at the same time in this special location.

The pipe factory was previously the Erskine clothing factory.

The Mona Lisa restaurant was previously called the bottom Co as it was a Co-op shop, originally operated by Mary Arnold and her husband.

In the village the wholesalers was operated by Maxwell Kinrade on the left hand side heading towards Douglas.

Caine’s garage was just before the bridge down from Captain’s Hill on the left hand side and Edith thinks they also operated an electrical shop in the village as well.

I forgot to mention last week about the contribution over many years of residents of Laxey and Lonan in the TT races where traditionally they have marshalled the mountain section.

Also some great motorcycle racers have come from the area and at risk of overlooking any for which I apologise in advance Roger Luckman, Paul Rome, Gary Radcliffe, Buddy Yeardsley, Nigel Beattie, Billy Redmayne amongst many others.

There is much more information to be found in relation to the heritage of Laxey online at Laxey heritage trust, Garff Commissioners and Visit Isle of Man among others.

I will return for another visit to Laxey and area another time there is so much of interest. In the meantime where do you live and what do you remember about memories of our island in the past?

Feel free to contact me anytime at [email protected] or 12 Manor Drive, Farmhill IM2 2PA or 333974.