March 2015 | the ESCAPE issue

Isle of Man Premier Magazine | no 40 | March 2015 | the [ESCAPE] issue

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Gallery is published eleven times a year as a fresh yet discerning guide to all that happens on the Island and beyond. Not too arty farty superior or too serious, written by you and enjoyed by people everywhere.

BY GA

DE IN THE ISLE S MA OF MA LEN N

Y ER LL

CONTRIBUTORS

WHO WE ARE PUBLISHER

EDITORIAL

Lisa Jones Anthony Brand Clare Bowie Hannah Goodby Michelle Tonnesen Linda Huxley Anne Berry Jennifer Parkes Jessica Ledger Grant Runyon Les Able Suzy Holland Rebecca Lawrence Rachel Green Theo Leworthy Anne Moorhouse Leon Flemming

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Disclaimer. All rights reserved. Any form of reproduction of Gallery Magazine, in part or whole is strictly prohibited without the written consent of the publisher. Any views expressed by advertisers or contributors may not be those of the publisher. Unsolicited artwork, manuscripts and copy are accepted by Gallery Magazine, but the publisher cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage. All material, copy and artwork supplied is assumed to be copyright free unless otherwise advised. Contributions for Gallery should be emailed to editorial@gallery.co.im. Names have been changed to protect the innocent and no penguins were harmed in the manufacture of this magazine, you can’t prove nuffing. Why are you still reading the small print? How about researching what really makes the best paper aeroplane? Test them with your friends or colleagues, add a picture to our Facebook and we’ll send you some doughnuts.

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#40 [ESCAPE]

Isle of Man | Home & Interiors | March 2015

The best place to find a new place in the Isle of Man

ON THE AGENDA

NO. 10

edito

MARCH 2015

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s we go to print I’m getting ready to go to Edinburgh for a few days. I’m a late booker, a last minute type of person in most cases so, despite having known the dates for a while, I only considered booking flights about a week ago. The seasoned, organised travellers amongst you will now be guffawing. I know, it’s smart to book and plan early. It’s just not me, unless I’m catalysed by someone else. It comes from being in a deadline business too long; living ‘Just in time’ like the Japanese.

ON THE AGENDA THIS EDITION: LAW - UNDUE INFLUENCE BANKING- THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS IOM - GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE THE GLASS CEILING - ARE WOMEN BLOCKED FROM GETTING TO THE TOP? PLUS - HUGGING, 4G MOBILE , BUSINESS NEWS, MOVERS & SHAKERS

COVER CREDIT Photography Sarah Jewell Photography Models Zoe Murray Make up Charlotte Easton Hair Utopia Stylist Will Holden

ARE YOU IN?

If you leave it late, getting a seat on a plane heading of the island on that day is therefore almost impossible. For non parents, suffice to say it’s annoyingly difficult and if you don’t find a place you’re probably going to end up paying airfares that resemble Greece’s national debt.

The beauty of living in the Isle of Man is that the opportunity to escape is all around us. There are cliff walks and sunsets to be cherished at numerous spots all over our perfect little rock. There are vessels and friends that can take us to special vantage points to look back at our homes and there is always the option to leave the house and enjoy the safety and security that our community provides, for that little bit of escapism.

Whichever way you choose to escape, I hope you enjoy some escapism with Gallery this month. Find a corner, huddle up and read away. I’m off to get a flight 48 hours earlier than I need to. Plus it had to be the red eye. Note to self; learn from experience.....

SR

You can also view paparazzi photos on our facebook page.

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Gallery, Agenda, Places, and Paparazzi are trading styles of 221 Media. Registered in the Isle of Man no. 125981C.

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UPFRONT

CONTENTS FEATURE

UPFRONT

FEATURE

CULTURE

WOMEN ON THE ROCK

CULTURE

WORDS | Clare Bowie

“Be mindful, don’t drink, go vegan, be a feminist, keep calm, don’t get Ebola”.... and so the list goes on. Society keeps telling us what to do, which month to do it and how to think, and frankly, it’s a bit knackering. It must be time to escape all the pressure, nonsense and expectations; time to live life on your own terms so it’s less about the FOMO and more about chilling out, being the real you and maintaining the FOOL (Fear of overdoing lots) which lives inside of you.

ESCAPE MAP THE WORLD BEYOND OUR PHYSICAL BORDERS

In cult 60s TV drama The Prisoner, a man is kidnapped and held captive by forces unknown in a deeply weird, yet apparently peaceful, community by the seaside. “The Village” is ruled by a puppet council who never seem to do anything, and any attempt at dissent is thwarted by mysterious entities who hold absolute power over the inhabitants. Sound like anywhere you know? If you’re too young to remember it, imagine a budget BBC version of “Lost,” or perhaps The League Of Gentlemen crossed with Mary Poppins (on drugs).

I may be paranoid, but I’d say the pervasive oddness of the show captures something very distinctive about living in a small community - life can be predictable and relaxing, but is just as capable of being strange and oppressive. Yes, you can spend our lives telling yourself that Strand Street is like any suburban high street, and that you’re always a short flight away from the mainland, but there can be something uniquely creepy about Island life, mark my words. Take a wrong turn in a foggy country lane and you could find yourself living out a scene from Deliverance.

sort of escape from the Island and the people you see every day.

For some of us that involves visiting other parts of the world, for others it might be achieved by interacting with new people without ever leaving your living room. However you manage to do it, you’re investing in your long-term sanity, so you should never let anyone tell you that you’re wasting your time. Book that holiday, buy that new webcam, dress up as a milkmaid on Tuesdays - do whatever it takes to feel there’s a part of you that lives in another world. You’re not a number, you’re a free (wo)man.

YES, THERE ARE WORSE PLACES TO BE TRAPPED

I appreciate that not everybody sees a man in dirty wellies and immediately thinks the worst. I should look on the bright side; at least I don’t live in Orkney. Nonetheless, live here long enough and the feeling of being trapped will inevitably creep into your subconscious no matter how much you refuse to acknowledge it.

There’s a powerful psychological barrier that comes from being surrounded by water on all sides, even if the place you live in is clean, beautiful and has tried to herd all its creepy toothless men into parishes you wouldn’t want to live in anyway.

This subconscious fear of being trapped forever explains why even those people who haven’t grown up dreaming of rowing across under cover of darkness still obsess over their holidays, or in fact anything that comes to symbolise the slightest departure from their everyday lives. The secret to successful Island living lies in subtly creating a part of your identity that involves some

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FASHION

It sounds obvious to say that travelling to new places is a way to escape the Island, until you consider how many people manage to travel without their mental frame of reference even leaving the Parish they live in. Anybody who has spent a week abroad silently ignoring their partner will tell you that an unsuccessful holiday is worse than no holiday at all, so it’s important to make sure your vacations really are a proper departure from the things you’d do any other weekend. If you’re the sort of person who’s still miserable after lazing around in Peel, it’s unlikely that you’re going to get much out of spending half a month’s wages doing the same in Sharm El Sheikh. The sensible option is go on on holiday without your kids and partner, and really relax. Maybe think about faking your own death and moving to Scotland. If you’re forced to take them, an alternative could involve planning a trip that isn’t solely designed to pander to your lazy side. Make yourselves learn a bit of the language, eat strange and occasionally unappetising food and get a bit lost or uncomfortable on occasion. You won’t get a lie in every day, but the contrast will make the running water and absence of lions in IoM that much more attractive. Just make sure you don’t ditch your travel agent for a man on the internet who only speaks Arabic and is offering you a great deal on a one way ticket to Syria.

ESCAPE KEY VIRTUAL WORLDS

Not everybody can afford holidays, and you might be contractually obliged to spend that fortnight on the beach fantasising about burying your family in the sand. Maybe your escape strategy will need to be acted out in the one space where nobody has to know you have 2.5 children, a mortgage and a chihuahua. That place is the internet. People who don’t trust the internet will say that the only people you’ll meet online will be creepy, basement-dwelling weirdos who would happily lure you to a hotel room and eat you, or at the least send you inappropriate pictures of their bottoms. That’s true, and great if you’re into either of those things, but the reductive stereotype focussing on basement- dwellers and cannibals ignores how great the internet actually is for meeting all the other types of weirdo there are. Some of them even live in attics. No matter what your passion is, you’ll find people online who share it, and will happily spend hours every day bonding with you over it. Rollerblading, hamsters, Jeremy Clarkson’s dress sense - if you love one or all of these things there are people out their ready to embrace you into their loving community. You can pretend to be an elf, a robot, or Jeremy Clarkson, and your spouse and children will never find out - unless you come a cropper in a horrible accident with a rodent and some high-waisted denim.

DON’T SWEAT ALL THE SMALL STUFF

There is a further alternative to world travelling or cyber surfing with cannibals, although it’s not really much of a middle way between the two. There is a small and noble breed of human who will cope with any safe and predictable environment by doing their very best to make it the exciting/dangerous/fatal place they really want to live. IoM is, strangely, a prime candidate for the adaptable adrenalin junkie, as despite being known for its sandy beaches and grinding traffic to many resourceful individuals the Island is truly a place defined by raging seas, climbable cliffs and the opportunity for commuting cyclists to feel like they’re contestants in some kind of Mercedessponsored death race. Even Douglas, which is generally only exciting when you’re being mugged for your 1AM chips by booze-addled seagulls, can be opened up by the urban acrobatic art of parkour into a challenging assault course of jumps, vaults and climbs. I myself have designed an extreme form of running, which takes place only on foggy nights, in the country parishes, with me wearing nothing but some skimpy lycra and a coat of baby oil. You’re welcome to join me, but believe me when I say the prize for last place is not something you’re going to be putting on your mantelpiece, unless you manage to grab hold of a welly whilst you’re making your escape.

It’s only natural to feel apoplectic when faced with a roll of cantankerous cling film or when people stand waaay too close to you in the supermarket queue. But, maybe it’s time to stop sulking about that imagined snub from a friend who didn’t “like” your latest FB post or the obvious stream of zero comments when you wore your new khaki jumpsuit last Friday night. Sack off the satanic thoughts and purge the people pleasing. Listen to your own life rules and expectations, whether that means facing your fears or fleeing from them. It’s your sweaty stuff and you can decide!

NEW NEW LOOK LOOK £7.99 £7.99

THE HEAD CHATTER!

DRESS LIKE KYLIE NOT MILEY

Is it time to take a step back and silence all the bullshit once and for all?

Not gold-hot-pants Kylie, but classy Kylie, elegant yet edgy. This is more about confidence than threads; it embodies the spirit of trusting yourself, now that you have stopped wondering and worrying what everybody else thinks of you. You don’t have to be boring but if you keep a Goldilocks perspective and make sure everything feels “just right” then you have found your style.

Not too young, not too old, not too tight, not too loose... blah, blah. Your bum may not be peachy and your thighs have never even heard of a gap but they’re part of your parcel so sort out your sartorials.

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FASHION

No more watching Dinner Date for the sole purpose of guessing the subject’s age and then smugly sniggering, “26? I think you mean 36, love!” Maybe try to control your censure when you encounter a Facebook PDA; “Happy birthday to my beautiful girlfriend, who rocks my world more and more each day”. Now, I’m guessing that you live with this wonderful creature, so would it not be an idea to just, I don’t know, say Happy Birthday to her or even go retro and buy her a birthday card? It’s not going to be easy but it may be worth tweaking the tolerance levels, freeing up the headspace.

Breathe.

IT’S OK TO BE A 5:2 MUM Mother is not synonymous with martyr.

Accept that you are a bit of a mardy mum and sometimes you would rather watch The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills than make loom band infinity bracelets with your daughters. Let them inhale a bag of sugar occasionally and run wild and unwashed around the house. Go with the laissez faire (i.e fair enough) attitude from time to time.

It worked for our mothers. There was no helicopter parenting back then, no family walks or kettling of small children in secure gardens, no bicycle helmets, sun cream or mini boxes of raisins and we turned out alright, give or take the odd head injury or malignant melanoma.

SAVVY SOCIALISING

Women on the Rock

This is the perfect time to break the old habits. Say no to those socially stagnant nights out when you end up drowning in mojitos to ease the pain. No more conversations that include any of the following words; Tesco cutlery vouchers, recycling bins, potty training, office politics (from their office) and only go out with people you really, really want to go out with. No more “girly catch-up” nights with your most charming gal pal, who spends the evening looking over your shoulder, tirelessly scoping out the talent. At this stage you know who your tribe is; they may be a misshapen bunch but they’re your misshapen bunch.

Highlighting the history of the

FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE WOMEN WHO MADE MANN INTRODUCING ‘HISTORY IN HEELS’ A SERIES OF POP-UP DISPLAYS AND EVENTS HOSTED AT SEVEN MANX NATIONAL HERITAGE VENUES FROM MARCH TO DECEMBER 2015.

From a Civil War Countess to the fastest woman round the TT, History in Heels takes a fresh and surprising approach to some of the remarkable Island women and their personal histories.

PHASE OUT THE FRIENDS WITH NO BENEFITS

History in Heels tells stories that are kaleidoscopic as the women themselves - cheeky, sad, serious, campaigning, loving, criminal, intelligent, beautiful and brave.

Now that you’ve established who the real ones are, you need to phase out the others.

Yes, there’s a history there, but, if any of the following applies, it’s time to let go:

The stories span women over the centuries, opening our eyes to their remarkable lives, experiences and achievements – often told in the very location that they happened or in the words of the women themselves.

You don’t really like them.

Fast woman Beryl Swain

You’re glad there’s no LOL-ing, because you know that your laughter lines would be surreptitiously examined and recorded.

The prison cells at Castle Rushen once harboured Victorian female pickpockets and prostitutes sentenced to hard labour. In the early 1800s some women even awaited transportation to Australia and Tasmania for their crimes.

There are the women who graft…

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MEN MEN

WOMEN WOMEN

NEW NEW LOOK LOOK £14 £14

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NEW NEW LOOK LOOK £7.99 £7.99

Summer’s fading, the nights are drawing in…what better time to indulge in one of Europe’s most talked about video mapping exhibits.

Guaranteed to make you view ancient buildings in a new light, Signal, a newcomer to the kooky, cultural scene has been dubbed a must-see international event. The festival, which takes place on October 16-19, sees the historical centre of Prague play host to over 20 illuminated art installations, projecting patterns on to the neo-gothic Kostel svaté Ludmily, the Michna and Kinsky Palaces.

With over 250,000 visitors flocking to the WHERE: Prague WHEN: October 16 – 19 streets of this popular European city, it’s well Signalfestival.com worth booking in advance!

THE ABBEY RESTAURANT I

t's hard to believe that in July this year it will be five years since The Abbey Restaurant, the hidden gem of the Isle of Man, opened in Ballasalla.

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In that time The Abbey has earned a very well deserved reputation for fine dining, superbly organised functions and weddings amid one of the most romantic and historic settings on the island. It is also a tranquil haven for morning coffee and delicious afternoon teas.

ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

The Abbey also added some extra sparkle this year during the annual holiday when the restaurant gets a refresh for the year ahead. It’s a wonderfully relaxing experience, the perfect venue for indulgence for lunch, afternoon tea or dinner service.

WHERE: Belgium WHEN: January 29 – February 1st Lichtfestivalgent.be

As the masked pre-Lenten cheerfulness of the Carnevale crowd rolls in, Venice is finally awoken from its winter slumber. The atmosphere is energetic and the ambience animated, as hoards of ghostly figures in dramatic costume wander through the streets of this otherworldly city.

The Abbey team is out to impress some more with the launch of its stunning Spring menu.

From tempting terrines and tatin, to wholesome stuffings and inventive sauces, the team are ready to tease your taste buds with the finest flavour wrapped meats, fish and vegetables. A superb six course taster menu as well as a nine course gastronomic indulgence also feature on the new menu.

So if you haven't yet ventured to The Abbey or you're a regular part of the dining family, then look forward to your next visit with gusto.

A warm welcome awaits.

With an array of dazzling displays, including cathedrals made up of over 55,000 LEDs, the Licht Festival is one Ghent’s biggest calendar events, attracting culture vultures in their masses from across Europe.

The festival, which takes place every three years, boasts an abundance of mustsee illuminated installations by various international light artists. The city’s nights become the backdrop to an astonishing spectacle, imaginative installations, remarkable performances and picturesque events. Prepare to discover Ghent’s historic sites from a different angle.

VENICE CARNIVAL

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Tel: 01624 822393

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Not for the cowardly, this three-day festivity includes a procession up the steps of the Batu caves near Kuala Lumpur, during which certain trance-like partakers impale themselves with hooks or arrows in the form of an apology for past sins. The event honours the Hindu god Subramaniam, the younger son of Shiva.

WHERE: Malaysia WHEN: February 7 mydestination.com

To welcome the spring in the hope of being blessed with a good harvest and fruitful land, this exuberant, ancient festival sees the streets of India come to life with outlandish colour. Everyday appearances are cast aside, as festivalgoers smear themselves (and each other) with brightly coloured paint. The event is famous in the state of Uttar Pradesh, predominantly in the town of Mathura – the birthplace of Krishna.

RIO CARNIVAL

Celestial toucan birds, neon green spacemen brandishing Brazilian flags and platoons of skimpily clad women and men dancing a breakneck samba – these are just a few of the sights you can expect to see at the infamous and extravagant Rio de Janeiro Carnival.

With parades that run until dawn at the Sambadrome, you’ll be forgiven for collapsing in a heap as the carnival comes to a close.

WHERE: Rio de Janeiro WHEN: February 13 - 17

WHERE: India WHEN: March 23 Holifestival.com

Rio-carnival.net

NAADAM FESTIVAL, ULAN BATOR

Mongolia’s annual Naadam festival surrounds demonstrations of three manly sports: horse racing, archery and wrestling. For three entire days, the streets of the capital are inundated with spectators relishing in the parades of skills, that have for centuries, sustained a fundamentally nomadic population. The opening ceremony showcases music and marches performed by athletes, soldiers and monks. Outside the competions, Mongolians play games using shagai – sheep anklebones.

WHERE: Mongolia WHEN: July 11 - 13 Visitmongolia.com

WHERE: Venice WHEN: February 4 Carnevale.venezia.it

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Glass Ceiling WORDS

SPORT

LES ABLE

Are women blocked from getting to the top?

All too often, according to surveys, women are locked out of jobs in the “business mainstream”, rarely become chief executives and are relegated to areas such as personnel, public relations and other roles that seldom lead to the most powerful topmanagement posts.

The ‘glass ceiling’ has been described as a barrier “so subtle that it is transparent, yet so strong that it prevents women from moving up the corporate hierarchy”. In effect, women can see the highlevel corporate positions but are kept from reaching them often, they claim, by all-male managements responsible for making the decisions. Women will often describe the ‘clubiness’ among the men that exists in too many board rooms.

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“In my experience, the so-called ‘glass ceiling’, which prevents a woman from achieving her desired level of salary, is a myth,” is the unequivocal response from Gillian Christian, senior advocate with Cains in the Isle of Man.

WORDS

M

ale hugging is with us here on the Isle of Man as more and more men are happy to embrace this new trend when greeting each other in something of a non-sexual grapple.

“There is no ‘glass ceiling’, it is the conjuring up of an image of a ‘glass ceiling’ that can stop women from getting to the top,” is the reaction of Debs, who this year is celebrating 30 years in business. “A ‘glass ceiling’ is only there if you believe it to be there and it maybe some women will perceive a ‘glass ceiling’ because they don’t have enough faith in their ability. A woman can rise as high as she wants to go.”

To hug or not to hug?

Male-on-male embracing is in fact becoming ever more fashionable and not just among young trendy dudes but as a more warm and informal greeting between middleaged men and even those who are older.

She learned quickly how to deal with male prejudice and recalls the infamous and late Robert Maxwell of Daily Mirror pension fund fame shouting, ‘I’m not doing a deal with a ‘f***ing office girl’. “But deal with me he did, Maxwell wanted the deal and I got what I wanted.”

She added: “Perhaps attaining a desired career level has been difficult for a woman in the past, but I think times are changing.

Official figures show that the average full-time pay gap between men and women is at its narrowest (9.4%) since data began to be collected in 1997. The increased use of flexible working hours and the employment of shared parental leave rights should reduce this gap even further.”

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THE AGENDA SUPPLEMENT

“I have no problem with hugging a bloke, but that may be something to do with my hippy upbringing,” says a laughing Steve Wicks, 49, design and marketing supremo at Home Strategic.

“After all, what’s wrong with a bloke giving another bloke a good hug on meeting or a congratulatory hug when the occasion arises? I’m all for it, but then I’m pretty tactile anyway.”

According to Mark Davison, 44, entrepreneur and co-founder of the award winning Segway experience on the island, everyone needs hugs and likes a hug, whether they admit it or not. “ Although it’s becoming more socially acceptable people still don’t hug each other nearly enough and, when they do, it’s more often than not a gesture of consolation rather than a greeting or an act of support. I think the world would be a much better place if we replaced the handshake with a hug.”

Mark goes on: “There are hundreds of different ways to hug another, and it doesn’t have to indicate intimacy, so come on guys, get hugging!”

Fitness guru David Bartlett, 36, managing director of Douglas-based Core Training is, however, a tad more circumspect. “I suppose I’m relatively hug neutral, happy to reciprocate but don’t necessarily look for hugs in every situation. If it’s a friend who I haven’t seen for a while then yes a hug and perhaps after a night out when you’ve had a few drinks a farewell hug is more appropriate but I don’t necessarily hug male friends every time I see them.”

She recalls being asked at an interview early in her career whether she and the man then in her life were planning a family.

“Today that is a taboo question as it’s contrary to employment legislation but nevertheless it remains the ‘elephant in the room’ when a woman of child bearing age is being interviewed. If there is an ‘old boy network’ then I will network within it and happily introduce myself.”

“I acknowledge that I am fortunate enough to have employers who are flexible with my working hours and parents who offer support and assistance with looking after my children; but I have found that, as long as I am able to do my work to a high standard within the hours I do work, I can progress my career and combine this with family life successfully.”

SPORT

LES ABLE

One of the Island’s best known business women is Debs Gwinnell, marketing director of Typhoon House, owned and run by Debs and her husband, managing director Geoff. Now aged 51, she was 22 when she landed the top marketing job with Disney UK, a role that saw her travelling the world.

Debs readily admits that having children was never on her agenda. “That was my choice early in my career, my decision and one I adhered to and I have no regrets. If I had had children I would not have wanted to have seen them looked after by nannies or family members but I don’t judge other women who do that. I respect their decision but I wanted a career and that was the way I felt was right for me.”

“A woman, like a man, can make her own choices respecting her career, salary level and work-life balance, depending on her qualifications, ability, drive and commitment. I am a married woman with two young children, and have never felt that being a woman has acted to prevent me from making those choices and achieving the salary level I set out to achieve. I took six months’ maternity leave in respect of both of my children, and I have chosen to work a four-day week.

These choices have not acted to hinder my career.

GADGETS

FEATURE

Debs Gwinnell, Marketing Director, Typhoon House

She went on: “Yes, there have sometimes been large obstacles put in my way but hammers are there to break them down and where necessary smash through them. I do, however, think women need more mentoring in business, something I benefited from in my early years with Disney. If a woman doesn’t want to reach the top there’s nothing wrong in that, the most important thing is to be happy, if you enjoy what you are doing you will almost certainly be good at it.”

Gillian Christian, Senior Advocate, Cains

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THAIPUSAM

20/02/2015 20/02/2015 13:43 13:43

The GLASS CEILING: “Inequality is not good for growth, inequality is not good for women”.

These are the comments of Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, and come against a background of headlines which suggest that women are prevented from getting the top jobs and smashing through the so-called ‘glass ceiling’.

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TRAVEL

SIGNAL FESTIVAL

The kitchen team bring a top quality level of experience to the Island in both rich and delicate tastes, refined presentation and an awe inspiring selection of international, artisan and local ingredients. Complementing the offering, The Abbey's very own dedicated pastry chef, whose finely crafted desserts, as well as delicious cakes and scones, are constantly tempting the willpower of any visitor!

RIVER RIVER ISLAND ISLAND £42 £42

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TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH (AND HOME AGAIN): THE HIDDEN HISTORY OF WOMEN’S GEOGRAPHICAL WORK - Manx Museum, Saturday 23 May

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LICHT FESTIVAL

AUTOGRAPH AUTOGRAPH @ @ MARKS MARKS & & SPENCER SPENCER £110 £110

EEVOLUTION.indd EEVOLUTION.indd 2-3 2-3

GHOSTLY WOMEN - Castle Rushen, Saturday 18 April VINTAGE HAIR: MISS ISLE OF MAN 1940-1960 - iMuseum, Thursday 30 April

DESTINATION: CULTURE

With an enthusiastic and dedicated team at The Abbey Restaurant the island has been able to offer a standard and variety of food that would have seemed unlikely in such a small landmass. The large 140 cover dining room has a daily changing menu of seasonal produce in the tradition of modern European cooking.

TIP Be Be sure sure to to invest invest in in a a sturdy sturdy pair pair of of indigo indigo jeans, jeans, which which look look great great with with solid solid chelsea chelsea boots boots and and a a smart smart mac. mac.

MISS MISS SELFRIDGE SELFRIDGE £39 £39

INTRODUCING HISTORY IN HEELS - Manx Museum, Friday 10 April

TRAVEL

Situated in a building that is steeped in history, this is a venue that offers the ideal location for casual, business or family dining and is only five minutes drive from the airport.

On hand to enjoy a stroll in the nearby Glen, and an extra special setting for a delicious meal out with family and friends.

TIP

RIVER RIVER ISLAND ISLAND £45 £45

‘Follow me’

#historyinheels UPCOMING EVENTS

HOLI

NEW NEW LOOK LOOK £8.99 £8.99

£39 £39

History in Heels also proudly celebrates the 65th anniversary of the formation of the Isle of Man Women’s Institute from its beginnings in Lezayre in 1949. Today on the Isle of Man there are 30 institutes with over 700 members. Truly remarkable for an Island our size.

TIP

BURTON BURTON £40 £40

Glamourise Glamourise distressed distressed boyfriend boyfriend jeans jeans with with an an elegant elegant 70’s-esque 70’s-esque platform platform sandal sandal -- a a look look that that works works day day or or night. night.

History in Heels invites audiences to bring their imagination to the tales of these remarkable women who made Mann.

The internees...

4,000 women aged 16 to 60 were interned for part of the Second World War in Port Erin and Port St Mary. The women worked together to create their own goods economy (‘the Service Exchange’) and ran their own educational classes – all behind barbed wire and sharing two-to-a-bed.

Check opening times and events at www.manxnationalheritage.im.

Standard admission charges apply.

Fast women…

The Island’s women were the first to successfully seek the right to vote. In spring 1881 Manxwomen were the first in the world to be given the parliamentary vote.

ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

If If you’re you’re more more of of a a laid laid back back kinda kinda guy, guy, you you can can work work the the trend trend in in navy navy pullstring pullstring joggers. joggers.

RIVER RIVER ISLAND ISLAND £30 £30

Want Want to to layer layer up up without without getting getting hot hot under under the the collar? collar?

This This denim denim ‘bib’ ‘bib’ is is the the perfect perfect solution. solution.

MISS MISS SELFRIDGE SELFRIDGE

When Duncan Gibb died, successive generations of Gibb women continued to run The Grove. Hear about the lesser known stories of these women’s lives, like the love letters of Miss Alice Gibb and Dolly, the woman who was born into a wealthy Cheshire family but who found herself working below stairs as a maid to the Gibbs.

This pop-up visual exhibition opening in late May at the Manx Museum will celebrate the women who compete in and support Manx motorsport. From the first female TT riders, trail blazing their way onto the circuit, to the behind the scenes female support that help keeps the famous road races running.

Countess of Derby, defended Castle Rushen and ruled the Isle of Man during the English Civil War whilst her husband James was off fighting in England.

Countess Charlotte

Follow the History in Heels story through pop-up displays at Castle Rushen opening on International Women’s Day – Sunday 8 March, and the Manx Museum, and House of Manannan from 9 March. Pop-ups at The Old House of Keys, Old Grammar School, Cregneash and The Grove open from 28 March.

FROM SAMBA DANCING TO ANDEAN MYSTICISMS, THIS MONTH WE TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE MOST UNIQUE AND FABULOUS CELEBRATIONS FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD

TIP MARKS MARKS & & SPENCER SPENCER £29.50 £29.50

A matriarchal household at The Grove…

BURTON BURTON £20 £20

Dare Dare to to wear wear denim denim on on denim? denim? Stiff Stiff denim denim trousers trousers and and tailored tailored denim denim jackets jackets are are the the way way to to go. go. But But not not to to worry worry if if that’s that’s too too adventurous, adventurous, the the cheat’s cheat’s guide guide allows allows for for mimicking mimicking shirts shirts and and jackets jackets in in shades shades of of blue blue to to pair pair with with your your favourite favourite jeans, jeans, just just don’t don’t hold hold back back on on bold bold blue blue accessories. accessories. Whatever Whatever your your style, style, a a quality quality pair pair of of denim denim jeans jeans are are a a solid solid foundation foundation to to build build upon upon this this season. season.

Denim Denim is is the the fashion fashion trend trend that that continues continues to to evolve evolve in in the the multitude multitude of of ways ways that that we we wear wear it. it. From From overalls overalls and and dresses, dresses, to to layering layering and and distressing, distressing, this this season season brings brings together together all all these these trends trends and and more. more. The The new new season’s season’s catwalk catwalk saw saw a a sea sea of of blues, blues, so so choose choose a a hue hue that’s that’s right right for for you you and and offset offset with with rich, rich, tan tan toned toned accessories accessories with with suede, suede, fringed fringed and and decorative decorative details. details.

The women brave for the fight…

Castle Rushen, the former home of the Kings and Lords of Mann, with a woman left in charge. Charlotte de La Trémoïlle,

Female prisoner

History in Heels tells stories that are kaleidoscopic as the women themselves cheeky, sad, serious, campaigning, loving, criminal, intelligent, beautiful and brave

Campaigning women…

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MARKS MARKS & & SPENCER SPENCER £25 £25

Layer Layer a a buttoned buttoned up up dark dark denim denim jacket jacket under under a a coat coat or or mac, mac, keeping keeping you you warm warm in in these these chillier chillier months. months.

The fish gutting girls in oilskin aprons and wellies who arrived at market with the herring or women crofters in breeches, carrying their heavy baskets of cut turf to market.

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You’re welcome!

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

MARKS MARKS & & SPENCER SPENCER £39.50 £39.50

TIP

NEW NEW LOOK LOOK £14.99 £14.99

There are the bad girls…

You suspect they don’t really like you either.

You can’t remember the last time you actually LOL-ed when you spent time together.

THE ABBEY TEAM IS OUT TO IMPRESS...

NEXT NEXT £35 £35

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THOU SHALT (PROBABLY) NOT JUDGE

If after all this sound advice you cannot maintain your inner FOOL, or crucially, if you still hear the voices then it might be time to try a different approach at the em, Doctors surgery.

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BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

WORDS WORDS & & LAYOUT LAYOUT || JORJA JORJA HELMOT HELMOT

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TIP

Brush Brush off off last last summer’s summer’s dungarees dungarees and and wear wear with with a a denim denim shirt shirt underneath. underneath. Top Top with with a a fringed fringed suede suede bag bag for for a a super super laid laid back back look. look.

Herring Girls

Women on the Rock

Here’s the plan for a calmer headspace: ESCAPE DEATH ADRENALIN SEEKERS

In politics and business male hugging it is certainly increasingly commonplace.

So-called manly, old fashioned British emotional restraint is becoming less and less evident. This is the 21st century when more and more men want to demonstrate they are in touch with their feelings and not embarrassed about it.

A ‘glass ceiling’ is only there if you believe it to be there and it maybe some women will perceive a ‘glass ceiling’ because they don’t have enough faith in their ability. A woman can rise as high as she wants to go

DO BUSINESS IN STYLE

UPFRONT Edito..............................................................................................................................................3 Wilkins Watch of The Month...................................................4 Listings....................................................................................................................................6 Escape Plan.................................................................................................8 Give...........................................................................................................................................12 The Great Escapes.......................................................................10 Thomas Miller Event...............................................................14 Criminal Escapes............................................................................10 Me & My Pet...........................................................................................18 News in Numbers.........................................................................12 Rant Escape.............................................................................................................20 News in Numbers..........................................................................22 Misc......................................................................................................................24 EVENTS Breast Cancer Support Group.......................................26 Pancake Races..................................................................................................................28 CULTURE Women on The Rock........................................................................30 Under 18 Photo Competition..........................................32 Culture Vulture..............................................................................................34 Culture News.....................................................................................................35 Embers..............................................................................................................................36 Monthly Upload............................................................................................38 Confessions From a New Girl.......................................40

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Do I shake or do I hug? This is the conundrum men of all ages are increasingly facing.. Making the right choice matters.

If one guy goes for the hug, but the other decides upon the handshake, they might just collide. Something of a dance will follow as the duo work feverishly to determine what to do with their hands, their arms, their bodies.

‘C’mon guys, get hugging!’

Men accustomed to the automatic hand clasp at dinners and reunions must now opt for split second calculations based on body language, length of friendship and other factors.

THE AGENDA SUPPLEMENT

DO BUSINESS IN STYLE

So here are a few tips on how to hug while demonstrating you are still firmly a man

THE HUNT MEET

The pat is the crucial part of a man hug, separating it from a traditional cuddle. With your left hand pat the other guy three or four times on the back. This demonstrates you are still men. If you feel this is too effeminate for you then give a light double punch instead of a pat.

If walking towards a male and unsure if they’ll want a hug or a handshake put one hand forward for a handshake and lift the other arm to give a hug (that’s if they lean in for one) or simply pat them on the upper arm or shoulder (if they remain distant).

WORDS | Julie Blackburn

Hug in the position where the only body contact is in the shoulders. Having the handshake between you provides a physical barrier that can help to prevent someone from feeling you’re being too affectionate. Looking down or turning towards another male may be interpreted as affectionate nuzzling.

Isle of Man Bloodhounds Drag Hunt meets once a fortnight, on a Saturday, from November through until March. We caught up with them in February, at the Shore Hotel in Gansey…

What could be better on a bright and sunny winter’s day than the thrill of the chase and the sheer joy of riding across some of the Island’s most stunning countryside?

Hugs, according to those who are experts in hugging etiquette, rarely last more than two seconds before one of the huggers or other men observing the hug begin to feel uncomfortable.

As everyone who rides with hounds will know, this is the reward for getting up at 5am with nothing but a large mug of tea to save your fingers from frostbite, while you plait your horse’s mane and roll on his protective leg bandages for the journey to the meet.

While giving the final pat, break. Lift your hands smartly away and don’t let them slide over the other male in a lingering manner. Be warned, this may confuse him and you. Alternatively you could finish by gripping your friend firmly on the upper arms and saying ‘Well done..’, ‘Congratulations..’ or even ‘Great to see you again’! This makes the reason for the hug abundantly clear.

Hunting has suddenly become more popular than ever on the Island, with the introduction last year of a new pack of bloodhounds.

This, and a Facebook page

Mission accomplished.

Happy hugging.

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with over 500 members, has helped the hunt to gather a whole new set of converts to the sport, some as young as nine years old.

‘They are just loving going across country like we did when we were kids,’ explains field master, Sammy Leahy. Her job is to keep all the riders in order, travelling at the correct

distance behind huntsman, Juan Mitchell, and the hounds.

Their quarry today is runner Brandon Ellis: as the riders are gathering, he is letting the hounds get a really good noseful of his scent before he sets off. Some hunts will follow a ‘drag’, or trail, of aniseed set by runners earlier but bloodhounds have such a highly developed sense of smell, they can follow Brandon on his scent alone.

Today’s meet is hosted by Mike and Julie Walker, owners of the Shore Hotel who have provided the stirrup cup, a little alcoholic ‘something’ necessary at all hunt meets for warming the riders and providing some Dutch courage - hunting is not for the faint of heart.

Their quarry today is runner Brandon Ellis: as the riders are gathering, he is letting the hounds get a really good noseful of his scent before he sets off.

When the drinking and the social niceties are over, they all set off. Hounds go first – Dalton, Dawlish, Damson, Dazzle, Daphnee and Mostin, all picking up the scent

What could be better on a bright and sunny winter’s day than the thrill of the chase and the sheer joy of riding across some of the Island’s most stunning countryside?

nicely. If they should stray off the line, Juan and whipper-in, Libby Cooke will set them straight again.

A few minutes later it’s time for the riders to gather up their reins and head out too, following Sammy’s lead. The land they are hunting over today belongs to farmer, Paul Costain, who is delighted to give people the chance to enjoy country pursuits.

The route they follow will take them over some of the most spectacular countryside on the island. From Gansey to Ballakillowey and up the fields that run alongside the Sloc, then a dizzying drop down towards Fleshwick before heading uphill again, over the top of Bradda where the day finishes.

At the end, tired riders hack back to the Shore, their horses’ breath steaming in the cold air as they share with the others the joys of hunting on a beautiful island. A hundred or so years ago, of course, this is what ‘sport’ meant – not lycra and treadmills, but the thrill of living life to the max and sharing it with your best friend in the whole world – your horse.

ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

FASHION & BEAUTY Fashion Trends.................................................................................41 Alexander McQueen..............................................................44 Beauty Fuzz..........................................................................................................46 Escape Beauty Blog..................................................................47 Beauty Products..........................................................................................48

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Isle of Man | Home & Interiors | March 2015

The best place to find a new place in the Isle of Man

APPETITE The Abbey Restaurant.................................................................50 Recipes..............................................................................................................................52 Wine Talk...................................................................................................................54

THE BEST PLACE TO FIND A NEW PLACE IN THE ISLE OF MAN

TRAVEL Bhutan..............................................................................................................................58 Destination Culture...........................................................................60

63 ON THE AGENDA

NO. 10

MARCH 2015

HARDWARE Gadgets...........................................................................................................................114 Phone Home.....................................................................................................116 PAPARAZZI The Courthouse 18th Birthday Party....................118 The Courthouse........................................................................................120 Sugar Sugar........................................................................................................122 Bordello Wine Bar & Nightclub.....................................123 Artisan............................................................................................................................124 Outback.......................................................................................................................125

BUSINESS NEWS, VIEWS AND COMMENTS

ON THE AGENDA THIS EDITION: LAW - UNDUE INFLUENCE BANKING- THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS IOM - GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE THE GLASS CEILING - ARE WOMEN BLOCKED FROM GETTING TO THE TOP? PLUS - HUGGING, 4G MOBILE , BUSINESS NEWS, MOVERS & SHAKERS

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At Your Service...............................................................................................126

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FEATURE

In cult 60s TV drama The Prisoner, a man is kidnapped and held captive by forces unknown in a deeply weird, yet apparently peaceful, community by the seaside. “The Village” is ruled by a puppet council who never seem to do anything, and any attempt at dissent is thwarted by mysterious entities who hold absolute power over the inhabitants. Sound like anywhere you know? If you’re too young to remember it, imagine a budget BBC version of “Lost,” or perhaps The League Of Gentlemen crossed with Mary Poppins (on drugs).

I may be paranoid, but I’d say the pervasive oddness of the show captures something very distinctive about living in a small community - life can be predictable and relaxing, but is just as capable of being strange and oppressive. Yes, you can spend our lives telling yourself that Strand Street is like any suburban high street, and that you’re always a short flight away from the mainland, but there can be something uniquely creepy about Island life, mark my words. Take a wrong turn in a foggy country lane and you could find yourself living out a scene from Deliverance.

sort of escape from the Island and the people you see every day.

For some of us that involves visiting other parts of the world, for others it might be achieved by interacting with new people without ever leaving your living room. However you manage to do it, you’re investing in your long-term sanity, so you should never let anyone tell you that you’re wasting your time. Book that holiday, buy that new webcam, dress up as a milkmaid on Tuesdays - do whatever it takes to feel there’s a part of you that lives in another world. You’re not a number, you’re a free (wo)man.

YES, THERE ARE WORSE PLACES TO BE TRAPPED

I appreciate that not everybody sees a man in dirty wellies and immediately thinks the worst. I should look on the bright side; at least I don’t live in Orkney. Nonetheless, live here long enough and the feeling of being trapped will inevitably creep into your subconscious no matter how much you refuse to acknowledge it.

There’s a powerful psychological barrier that comes from being surrounded by water on all sides, even if the place you live in is clean, beautiful and has tried to herd all its creepy toothless men into parishes you wouldn’t want to live in anyway.

This subconscious fear of being trapped forever explains why even those people who haven’t grown up dreaming of rowing across under cover of darkness still obsess over their holidays, or in fact anything that comes to symbolise the slightest departure from their everyday lives. The secret to successful Island living lies in subtly creating a part of your identity that involves some

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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

FEATURE

ESCAPE MAP THE WORLD BEYOND OUR PHYSICAL BORDERS

It sounds obvious to say that travelling to new places is a way to escape the Island, until you consider how many people manage to travel without their mental frame of reference even leaving the Parish they live in. Anybody who has spent a week abroad silently ignoring their partner will tell you that an unsuccessful holiday is worse than no holiday at all, so it’s important to make sure your vacations really are a proper departure from the things you’d do any other weekend. If you’re the sort of person who’s still miserable after lazing around in Peel, it’s unlikely that you’re going to get much out of spending half a month’s wages doing the same in Sharm El Sheikh. The sensible option is go on on holiday without your kids and partner, and really relax. Maybe think about faking your own death and moving to Scotland. If you’re forced to take them, an alternative could involve planning a trip that isn’t solely designed to pander to your lazy side. Make yourselves learn a bit of the language, eat strange and occasionally unappetising food and get a bit lost or uncomfortable on occasion. You won’t get a lie in every day, but the contrast will make the running water and absence of lions in IoM that much more attractive. Just make sure you don’t ditch your travel agent for a man on the internet who only speaks Arabic and is offering you a great deal on a one way ticket to Syria.

ESCAPE KEY VIRTUAL WORLDS

Not everybody can afford holidays, and you might be contractually obliged to spend that fortnight on the beach fantasising about burying your family in the sand. Maybe your escape strategy will need to be acted out in the one space where nobody has to know you have 2.5 children, a mortgage and a chihuahua. That place is the internet. People who don’t trust the internet will say that the only people you’ll meet online will be creepy, basement-dwelling weirdos who would happily lure you to a hotel room and eat you, or at the least send you inappropriate pictures of their bottoms. That’s true, and great if you’re into either of those things, but the reductive stereotype focussing on basement- dwellers and cannibals ignores how great the internet actually is for meeting all the other types of weirdo there are. Some of them even live in attics. No matter what your passion is, you’ll find people online who share it, and will happily spend hours every day bonding with you over it. Rollerblading, hamsters, Jeremy Clarkson’s dress sense - if you love one or all of these things there are people out their ready to embrace you into their loving community. You can pretend to be an elf, a robot, or Jeremy Clarkson, and your spouse and children will never find out - unless you come a cropper in a horrible accident with a rodent and some high-waisted denim.

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

ESCAPE DEATH ADRENALIN SEEKERS There is a further alternative to world travelling or cyber surfing with cannibals, although it’s not really much of a middle way between the two. There is a small and noble breed of human who will cope with any safe and predictable environment by doing their very best to make it the exciting/dangerous/fatal place they really want to live. IoM is, strangely, a prime candidate for the adaptable adrenalin junkie, as despite being known for its sandy beaches and grinding traffic to many resourceful individuals the Island is truly a place defined by raging seas, climbable cliffs and the opportunity for commuting cyclists to feel like they’re contestants in some kind of Mercedessponsored death race. Even Douglas, which is generally only exciting when you’re being mugged for your 1AM chips by booze-addled seagulls, can be opened up by the urban acrobatic art of parkour into a challenging assault course of jumps, vaults and climbs. I myself have designed an extreme form of running, which takes place only on foggy nights, in the country parishes, with me wearing nothing but some skimpy lycra and a coat of baby oil. You’re welcome to join me, but believe me when I say the prize for last place is not something you’re going to be putting on your mantelpiece, unless you manage to grab hold of a welly whilst you’re making your escape.

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UPFRONT

WHAT’S ON

WHAT’S ON LIVE SCREENING EVENTS

12.03.2015 BEHIND THE BEAUTIFUL FOREVERS* //STUDIO THEATRE, BALLAKERMEEN//

India is surging with global ambition.

But beyond the luxury hotels surrounding Mumbai airport lies a makeshift slum, full of people with plans of their own. It’s not just that rich people don’t know what they’ve got. They don’t even know what they throw away.

A tumultuous adaptation by David Hare from the award winning book by Katherine Boo.

MARCH 2015 17.03.2015 SWAN LAKE* //STUDIO THEATRE, BALLAKERMEEN//

Live streaming of The Royal Ballet’s signature work from The Royal Opera House.

22.03.2015 HAMLET* //STUDIO THEATRE, BALLAKERMEEN//

Live steaming (recorded in October 2014) of the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester’s much lauded modern dress production of Hamlet starring Maxine Peake. Concessions available.

Tickets for all live screening events at The Studio Theatre, Ballakermeen, are available online from www.villagaiety.com or by phoning the Box Office on 01624 600555.

OTHER EVENTS

05.03.2015 – 08.03.2015 30th ISLE OF MAN INTERNATIONAL DARTS FESTIVAL //VILLA MARINA, DOUGLAS//

For this 30th anniversary prize money now stands at £30,000 and defending champions Robie ‘Kong’ Green and Lorraine Winstanley will face stiff competition. For the first time this popular competition includes a new £1,000 event The World Disabled Dart Assocition competition for disabled competitors who rely on crutches or a wheelchair. Spectator entry is free, and you can even enter on the day! www.visitisleofman.com/whatson/ sports/dartsfest

11.03.2015 AUTHENTIC ARGENTINE TANGO //MANX LEGION CLUB, MARKET HILL DOUGLAS//

One off opportunity to see the internationally acclaimed Argentinian Tango professionals Trinidad and Claudio are visiting the Island as part of their 2015 European Tour. This time-honoured dance straight from the bars and dance houses of Buenos Aires. Bring dancing shoes and have a go yourself! Tickets £12 (£10 for Legion Members). t: (07624) 277907

20.03.2015 MANX WEARABLE ART CATWALK SHOW //KENSINGTON ARTS CENTRE, DOUGLAS// The Biennial catwalk show of garments which cross the boundaries between art, fashion, craft and theatre.

06.03.2015 BRUSH ON THE FRONT LINE * //SAYLE GALLERY, DOUGLAS// A talk by renowned war artist Arabella Dorman about her experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Tickets £8 (£5 to Sayle Gallery subscribers) from the Sayle Gallery 01624 674557.

Sponsored by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Co. Ltd.

Admission £6 (to benefit the Kensington Youth Arts Centre) – available from the Welcome Desk at the Sea Terminal.

24.03.2015 WEST SIDE STORY – WITH CAPTIONS //GAIETY THEATRE, DOUGLAS//

A showing of the Manx Operatic Society’s production of West Side Story, captioned specifically for the hard of hearing.

There are seats allocated to ensure optimum view of the captioning unit. t: (01624) 600555

t: (01624) 686766

* Supported by the IOM Arts Council

www.sayle.gallery

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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

Free Calls!

Get free calls to all Sure mobiles, and to local, UK and Ireland landlines, with NEW Sure Home Phone.

No monthly rental, and international calls from only 6p per minute. For more information, call into a Sure store in Douglas, Ramsey or Port Erin, or visit www.sure.com.

Terms and Conditions apply. See website for details.

UPFRONT

OUR COMMUNITY

GIVE SCHOOL HAILS SCOTTISH WIDOWS ‘GOOD SPORTS Scottish Widows has been hailed good sports after the company sponsored new kit for the Henry Bloom Noble Primary School.

The kit - tops, shorts and socks - was presented to the school’s acting deputy head teacher Alison Honeyman by Scottish Widows managing director Juan Clarke.

Mrs Honeyman said: ‘We are very grateful to Scottish Widows for sponsoring the new sports kit. Wearing it will not only help to promote teamwork but it’s also a great way for our students to be representing the Henry Bloom Noble School.’

BINGO BONANZA FOR CHILDREN’S CHARITY Disadvantaged children and families here on the Island received Christmas presents thanks to funds raised by a bingo night and raffle. Aaron Murphy, who works at Old Mutual International, and his mum Annette organised the bingo night and raffle before Christmas. That event raised £2,783.35 which the organisers used to buy presents for disadvantaged children. The gifts were then distributed by The Children’s Centre. Aaron’s employers then partially match-funded the total and donated £1,141.67 to The Children’s Centre, and this sum will be used by the charity to purchase presents for disadvantaged children this Christmas.

ABACUS DONATE OVER £1300 TO ANIMAL THERAPY CHARITY

DIANA PRINCESS OF WALES CARE AT HOME TRUST REACHES TARGET FOR 2014 The Diana Princess of Wales Care at Home Trust has presented a cheque for £40,000 to Hospice Isle of Man as its most recent contribution towards the cost of providing the hospice at home service – through a dedicated ‘Diana’ nurse provision.

A key element of this achievement is the first part of a generous three year annual donation from the Island-based Scheinberg family. www.hospiceathome.im

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Paws For Therapy, which was formed in 2007, arranges for registered and assessed animals to carry out therapeutic visits to hospices, nursing, residential and care homes, day care centres, special needs units and schools, mainstream schools and other establishments working with children.

They also assist in the psychological enhancement and improvement of people who have experienced some sort of trauma or who are suffering from anxiety and worry.

The funds were raised through the company’s ongoing Charity Staff Salary Deduction Scheme, in which staff can donate a set amount from their salary each month. The total at the end of each quarter is matched by the company and added to any money raised from additional ad hoc fundraising initiatives undertaken, before being donated to a local charity chosen by the firm’s staff.

BLANKET COVERAGE: SEFTON HOTEL ‘GETS INTO BED’ WITH LOCAL GOOD CAUSES Two local good causes are set to benefit after the Sefton Hotel refurbished a number of its guest rooms.

The Sefton Group’s marketing manager Nicola Wilkinson explained: ‘We recently gave some of the bedrooms a light refresh, replacing blankets with duvets and introducing some new decorative fittings.

‘All these items were still serviceable so, as a group committed to “Reduce. Reuse.

Recycle”, we decided to donate the blankets to the ManxSPCA to provide bedding for the animals in their care and the fittings to Crossroads Care to add to the stock in their charity shops.’

As well as helping the ManxSPCA the Sefton Group is behaving in a responsible fashion by taking this environmentally friendly approach and recycling the blankets to a charity in need of help rather than simply discarding them.

ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

ESCAPES

UPFRONT

The Great

Escapes Tegg’s Nose, Cheshire

WE ALL NEED TO ESCAPE FROM EVERYDAY LIFE EVERY NOW AND THEN, BUT YOU DON’T NEED TO ATTEMPT A DEATH-DEFYING JUMP OVER BARBED WIRE ON A MOTORBIKE TO GET THERE. With a 5 Day Short Break Offer from the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, for a car plus two people, all you need to do is drive on and off a ferry – and you can get to pretty much anywhere within the British Isles via one of four ports; Heysham, Liverpool, Belfast and Dublin.

If you want something a little more strenuous, why not pack your walking boots or bicycles in your car. The Kerry Way is the longest of Ireland’s waymarked walking trails, and while you might struggle to fit in the entire 134-mile route, you can sample some of the shorter sections through the stunning Irish countryside.

The Dark Hedges, County Antrim – location for The King’s Road in Game of Thrones

I

f you’re looking for a relaxing escape, you could try one of the many superb hotel and spa resorts. There is Chewton Glen in the New Forest, one of England’s finest country house hotels, which boasts Europe’s largest hydrotherapy pool and ‘treehouse’ suites.

Gleneagles in Perthshire, Scotland, offers walks, golf, horse riding and archery alongside its award-winning spa services.

Nearer to home, the majestic Rookery Hall Hotel & Spa in Cheshire has a range of Elemis and Comfort Zone treatments, a glass-roofed pool, and extensive gardens, terraces and parks to relax in.

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

For cyclists, the Kingfisher Trail in County Fermanagh is perfect for getting ‘off the beaten track’, following quiet country lanes for its 300-mile length. At the end of the day, whether on foot or bike, you’ll have earned yourself a cheeky Guinness in one of Ireland’s famous country pubs.

Of course, there is the option of sailing into Dublin and coming home via Belfast (or vice versa). In Northern Ireland, there is the spectacular Causeway Coastal Walk in County Antrim, which is also one of the locations used in the TV phenomenon that is Game of Thrones.

And if you’re a fan of the hit show, there are tours where you can see how the likes of Dragonstone, Winterfell and the Iron Islands are brought to life.

If you want to mix a little culture into your escape, why not try one of the countless festivals around the British Isles. The Edinburgh Festival, one of the largest celebrations of the arts and culture in the

St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall

world, takes place over three weeks in August.

Or if you’re looking for something a little quieter, perhaps head for the beautiful peninsula of Cornwall, home to countless picturesque villages and cosy coastal towns, where you can soak up the rich Celtic history and enjoy the vibrant art scene.

Prices for a 5 Day Short Break with the Steam Packet Company start at just £83 each way. What’s more, with no luggage fees, you can take everything you need for your great escape, whatever your destination.

Visit www.steam-packet.com for details on all the Company’s offers.

START PLANNING YOUR ESCAPE: www.chewtonglen.com www.gleneagles.com www.spabreaks.com www.irishtrails.ie www.cycleireland.ie www.discoverireland.ie www.discovernorthernireland.com www.eif.co.uk www.visitcornwall.com

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EVENTS

PHOTOGRAPHY | Pete Williamson Photography

BURNS SUPPER RAISES £11K FOR HOSPICE I M On the 22nd January 2015, Thomas Miller hosted a Burns Supper and Charity Auction in the Royal Hall at the Villa Marina in aid of Hospice Isle of Man. With The Ellan Vannin Pipes & Drums band out in full force welcoming guests as they arrived and the tables in the main hall decorated with 18 different tartans the scene was set for one of the largest Burns Suppers to be held on the Isle of Man in recent years.

Ian Jarrett, Chairman of Thomas Miller (Isle of Man) was delighted with the success of the evening...

‘I am truly grateful to those who supported the event and I never cease to be amazed by the generosity of the Manx business community who helped us to raise £11,000 for such a worthy cause.

We understand that this will cover over a month’s nursing and medical care that patients receive in the In-patient Unit day and night.”

Over 180 guests celebrated the life and work of ‘Rabbie Burns’ in an evening full of tradition and spectacular entertainment but there were also some not-so-traditional twists. Notably Chef David Mason’s “Haggis Bon Bon” – a delicious nouvelle cuisine version of haggis, neaps & tatties.

Some of the Directors of Thomas Miller and Thomas Miller Investment, along with local lass Kristene Sutcliffe, Speaker of the House of Keys The Hon Stephen Rodan and Sir Miles Walker participated in the proceedings but the highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Thomas Miller Investment’s CEO, Mike Balfour, who took to the stage and with great panache gave ‘The Address to the Haggis’. Mike’s theatrical and fluent eight verse presentation

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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

EVENTS

was a sight to behold and provided a great intro to the festivities, especially for those attending a Burns Supper for the first time.

The ‘Toast to the Lassies’ was superbly delivered by Guest Speaker Ian Robertson, the BBC rugby commentator and former Scottish International. Ian’s wit and wicked sense of humour along with his wealth of sporting anecdotes and one liners provided for an after dinner speech that was both enthralling and at times stomachachingly funny.

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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FEATURE

CRIMINAL ESCAPES WE OFTEN HEAR THE SAYING, “CRIME DOESN’T PAY”.

HOWEVER SOMETIMES IT DOES, AND THESE ARE A FEW OF THE EXAMPLES WHEN CRIME NOT ONLY PAID OFF BUT PAID OFF BIG.

THE PINK PANTHERS

A gang of Serbian jewel thieves that is thought to consist of over 200 members. The group is responsible for some of the most glamorous robberies of all time. The gang committed their first robbery in 1993 when they stole a £500,000 diamond from a jeweller in London.

The group hid the diamond in a jar of face cream, this earned them their nickname as the same act was committed in the film: “Return of the Pink Panther”. Since then the Pink Panthers have successfully robbed over twenty different stores in twenty different countries. The gang is known for their daring escapes and dramatic break-ins. In St Tropez, they robbed a store dressed in flowery shirts and escaped on a speed boat. However, these high profile heists meant that several gang members have been arrested including alleged leader, Dragan Mikic. In 2005 he then escaped from prison using a rope ladder while Pink Panthers fired machine guns at the prison wall. He has been on the run ever since. The gangs total haul is now believed to be in the billions of dollars and they have not officially been caught.

In St Tropez, they robbed a store dressed in flowery shirts and escaped on a speed boat. However, these high profile heists meant that several gang members have been arrested including alleged leader, Dragan Mikic.

ALBERT SPAGGIARI A french career criminal that committed the robbery of the Societe Generale in Niece.

Spaggiari had been arrested once before and served in the french military but at the time of the robbery he was living a regular life as a photographer. It seemed Spaggiari was growing tired of a normal crime free life. His plan was to dig through the sewage system and access the vault in the basement of the Societe Generale. A group of professional gangsters from Marseille were hired to help Spaggiari attempt the robbery. He would not let them drink coffee or alcohol and made them get 10 hours asleep a night to make sure they did not put the robbery in danger. The gang dug the tunnel for two months and broke into the bank during Bastille Day festival as the bank was closed

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for a long weekend. They opened over 400 safety deposit boxes and stole a total of over 60 million francs (about £7.2 million) worth of money and valuables. Spaggiari left a message on the vault wall that read “sans armes, ni maine, ni violence” in english that means “ without weapons, nor hatred, nor violence”. The police were baffled at first however they got a tip off from one members former girlfriend. The man then ratted out the rest of the group, including Spaggiari. During his trial, Spaggiari gave the judge a piece of encrypted evidence then jumped out of the window and escaped on a motorcycle that was left for him. Spaggiari was never caught and the money was never found.

ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

FEATURE

A LUCKY MUGGER

In 1990, an unknown man held up John Goddard with a knife, a 58 year old messenger working for Shepherds, the broker. The man took Goddard’s briefcase which contained a staggering £292 million in bearer bonds and England treasury bills. The man who stole the bonds got away with it and took 301 treasury bills valued at around £1million each. All the bonds were eventually recovered except for 2 which the mugger managed to keep. It’s amazing that one of the largest robberies of all time was committed by a man with a knife.

BERTIE SMALLS During the 1960s and 70s Bertie Smalls was and English armed robber. Smalls committed his first robbery at the age of 15 and was imprisoned as a result from this point forward he was committed to a life of crime. Before 1970 Smalls had a few high-profile robberies to his name and was well respected in the London underworld. On the 9th February, 1970, Smalls led a gang from the Wembley mob to rob a Barclays Bank branch in Ilford.

The gang escaped with £237,736 a record amount at the time.

The gang escaped to different places out of England, Smalls himself boarded a train to Paris. However Smalls returned to England and gave himself up in Northampton, where he spent the Christmas period in jail. On June 2nd, Smalls asked for immunity if he gave up all those associated in the crime. The chief inspector agreed to his deal and Smalls testified against every one of his co-conspirators. Their sentence totalled up to over 100 years in prison and Bertie Smalls remained immune for the rest of his life.

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

ISABELLA STEWART GARDNER MUSEUM ROBBERS A robbery in which two men stole $500,000,000 worth of artworks, including works by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Manet and Degas. On the night of March 18th, 1990 these two men entered the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum disguised as Boston Police officers. Once inside the robbers impersonated police men, responding to a call, and handcuffed the guards. They then raided the second floor of the museum. The museum still has empty frames hanging in place as a homage to the stolen pieces and to show their hope that they may one daybe returned to their rightful home. The robbers have never demanded a ransom and will never serve any time as the statute of limitations has run out. The museum has offered a $5 million reward for any information regarding the return of the stolen paintings.

Once inside the robbers impersonated police men, responding to a call, and handcuffed the guards.

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UPFRONT

ME & MY PET

Human Questions: Breed: Ballamillaghyn Bears Age: 126 Likes: Eating, drinking and sunny climes Dislikes: Rudeness and dishonesty.

If an animal what would you be: A Jaguar.

Why did you choose a rescue pet?

We didn’t – Bentley and Elsa chose us.

Where do you live on the Island?

On the outskirts of Douglas.

Where are you originally from?

The beautiful Isle of Man. What do you do for a living? Work to keep our pets enjoying their sweet life!

Do you have any more pets?

Yes, an older cat who is the boss.

Would you have any more pets? Yes but not at present The worst thing about having a pet is? The vets bills!

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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

UPFRONT

Happiness is a forever home...

Give an animal a home Why are black cats so difficult to rehome? Here’s a very special and friendly black cat who has been in Cattery much longer than any of us - including him - expected. Sanchez is a super cat, around five years old, who could be little stroppy when he first came in but has settled really well and loves being in the Social room with his girlfriend, Aniseed, who is also looking for a new life. He’s not too keen on being with other male cats but he has certainly relaxed and started to enjoy life and he would be a wonderful friend. He’s such a handsome boy, shiny, outgoing and just looking for the right person to take him home. He loves his food - any food – and will soon settle down in his new life forgetting his past as a stray which is probably why he was a little unsure of how to behave to start with. He’s a delight so please give our Latin lover a second chance of happiness.

z e h c n a S

Pet Questions: Bentley and Elsa Breed: Long haired and short-haired intelligent, domesticated felines.

Age: 22 months.

Likes: Being loved, lots of playtime, eating and generally ruling the roost.

Dislikes: Meals not being served on time and visits to the vet.

If human what would you be?

Elsa – Lady of the Manor.

Bentley – a long haired, cheeky ladies’ man.

Why do you love your human: Because they believed in us, had patience and saw our potential to become the loveable, funny felines that we now are.

If you had one wish what would you wish for: That other humans would be kind and stop animal cruelty and to live in our country playground for the rest of our lives with our loving Ballamillagyn Bears.

Aniseed is a sweet little girl, just two years old, who is still a little nervous in the busy Cattery but has settled down wonderfully in our social room where she can be with other cats, especially handsome Sanchez who has given her confidence. She’s a pretty little tortoiseshell girl who was a stray and this is why she is still wary as it can’t be easy being out on the streets, never knowing where your next meal is coming from and having to hide in case the humans passing by are not feline friendly and might chase a poor little cat away. She’s safe now and she’s is beginning to realise that people can be her friends so all she needs is a happy home with a loving family where she can become a happy, purring bundle of fun. Could you help Aniseed find a new life – she certainly hopes so.

Aniseed

ManxSPCA • Ard Jerkyll, East Foxdale • Tel: 851672

www.manxspca.com

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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THE HEAD CHATTER! Is it time to take a step back and silence all the bullshit once and for all?

UPFRONT

WORDS | Clare Bowie

“Be mindful, don’t drink, go vegan, be a feminist, keep calm, don’t get Ebola”.... and so the list goes on. Society keeps telling us what to do, which month to do it and how to think, and frankly, it’s a bit knackering. It must be time to escape all the pressure, nonsense and expectations; time to live life on your own terms so it’s less about the FOMO and more about chilling out, being the real you and maintaining the FOOL (Fear of overdoing lots) which lives inside of you.

Here’s the plan for a calmer head-space: DON’T SWEAT ALL THE SMALL STUFF It’s only natural to feel apoplectic when faced with a roll of cantankerous cling film or when people stand waaay too close to you in the supermarket queue. But, maybe it’s time to stop sulking about that imagined snub from a friend who didn’t “like” your latest FB post or the obvious stream of zero comments when you wore your new khaki jumpsuit last Friday night. Sack off the satanic thoughts and purge the people pleasing. Listen to your own life rules and expectations, whether that means facing your fears or fleeing from them. It’s your sweaty stuff and you can decide!

DRESS LIKE KYLIE NOT MILEY Not gold-hot-pants Kylie, but classy Kylie, elegant yet edgy. This is more about confidence than threads; it embodies the spirit of trusting yourself, now that you have stopped wondering and worrying what everybody else thinks of you. You don’t have to be boring but if you keep a Goldilocks perspective and make sure everything feels “just right” then you have found your style.

Not too young, not too old, not too tight, not too loose... blah, blah. Your bum may not be peachy and your thighs have never even heard of a gap but they’re part of your parcel so sort out your sartorials.

THOU SHALT (PROBABLY) NOT JUDGE No more watching Dinner Date for the sole purpose of guessing the subject’s age and then smugly sniggering, “26? I think you mean 36, love!” Maybe try to control your censure when you encounter a Facebook PDA; “Happy birthday to my beautiful girlfriend, who rocks my world more and more each day”. Now, I’m guessing that you live with this wonderful creature, so would it not be an idea to just, I don’t know, say Happy Birthday to her or even go retro and buy her a birthday card? It’s not going to be easy but it may be worth tweaking the tolerance levels, freeing up the headspace.

Breathe.

IT

T

52M M

Mother is not synonymous with martyr.

Accept that you are a bit of a mardy mum and sometimes you would rather watch The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills than make loom band infinity bracelets with your daughters. Let them inhale a bag of sugar occasionally and run wild and unwashed around the house. Go with the laissez faire (i.e fair enough) attitude from time to time.

It worked for our mothers. There was no helicopter parenting back then, no family walks or kettling of small children in secure gardens, no bicycle helmets, sun cream or mini boxes of raisins and we turned out alright, give or take the odd head injury or malignant melanoma.

SAVVY SOCIALISING This is the perfect time to break the old habits. Say no to those socially stagnant nights out when you end up drowning in mojitos to ease the pain. No more conversations that include any of the following words; Tesco cutlery vouchers, recycling bins, potty training, office politics (from their office) and only go out with people you really, really want to go out with. No more “girly catch-up” nights with your most charming gal pal, who spends the evening looking over your shoulder, tirelessly scoping out the talent. At this stage you know who your tribe is; they may be a misshapen bunch but they’re your misshapen bunch.

PHASE OUT THE FRIENDS WITH NO BENEFITS Now that you’ve established who the real ones are, you need to phase out the others.

Yes, there’s a history there, but, if any of the following applies, it’s time to let go: You don’t really like them.

You suspect they don’t really like you either.

You can’t remember the last time you actually LOL-ed when you spent time together.

You’re glad there’s no LOL-ing, because you know that your laughter lines would be surreptitiously examined and recorded.

If after all this sound advice you cannot maintain your inner FOOL, or crucially, if you still hear the voices then it might be time to try a fferent ro ch t the e octors s r er .

You’re welcome!

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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UPFRONT

NEWS IN NUMBERS

NEWS

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in

NUMBERS

£103

Beach Buddies now has 13 ‘Big Beach Bins’ at key positions around the Island.

Walkers and visitors to the beaches can take a bag from the dispenser and collect rubbish as they walk, leaving the areas immaculate. Sponsors are needed for more Big Beach Bins so if you’re interested, email beachbuddies@manx.net

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2015 is the Chinese Year of the Sheep. And if you are concerned about the provence of the meat you eat, butcher WH Teare in Ramsey is stocking local lamb - born in November - from Brydan Radcliffe Ballacain Farm, Ballaugh.

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The cost of a same day passport from the Isle of Man Passport Office, available until 19 March. Cheaper services are available, but the transfer of the printing of the Isle of Man variant British Passports to the UK means there may be some delays. See www. gov.im/categories/travel-traffic-and-motoring/ passports/ for up to date information.

Clocks go forward at 1am on Sunday 29 March, the beginning of British Summer Time.

Manx National Heritage 2015 season pass for IOM residents costs just £20. All MNH sites are open from 28 March – and Castle Rushen and Rushen Abbey are open the weekend before.

IOM Sports awards nominees in 11 Categories. The winners are to be announced on 26 March at a gala evening at the Villa Marina where the Guest-of-Honour will be European 10,000 metre champion and Commonwealth Games medallist, Jo Pavey.

26837 The number of pounds lost by WeightWatchers members in the Isle of Man last year. If you’re thinking about getting a ‘bikini body’ for the summer, there are 9 WeightWatchers meetings around the Island which might be able to help.

The Isle of Man will see a partial eclipse of the sun starting at 8.26am on 20 March with the maximum – 92.8% - eclipse at 9.32am, when just a small sliver of sun will be visible behind the moon. The moon will continue to move across the solar disc until 10.39am and even if it’s cloudy, there will be a noticeable drop in the light level.

0

The number of mounted police there are in the Isle of Man. This is unlikely to change in the near future.

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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

900,000 special offer seats in 2015

CAR + TWO

ADULTS FROM

£83

* EACH WAY

Taking your car gives you the freedom to explore the British Isles

Bring everything you need for a great escape no luggage fees!

Set sail for your great escape!

When you set sail with your car, you can escape to almost anywhere within the British Isles. The 5 Day Short Break Offer for a car and two people starts from just £83* each way and with no luggage fees, you can pack everything you need for your great escape.

For our ferry best fares, book now at

STEAM-PACKET.COM For the latest offers and news, follow us on

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E ST 1830 * Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability. Valid 01.03.15 until 26.05.15. Journeys must be completed within 5 days - day of outward sailing counts as day 1. Return sailing must commence on or before day 5. A combination of ports should be considered.

For payment by credit card, a fee of £3 applies per transaction, not per person.

UPFRONT

MISC

KING OF ESCAPING THE RANDOMNESS OF

MISC

We couldn’t do an escape issue without mentioning the man who is known for escaping. Here are a few facts you may not have know about Harry Houdini:

1 2

STEALTH MODE SQUIRREL

After a typhoon ruined the squirrel enclosure at the Inokashira Park Zoo in Tokyo, the staff there were left devastated (yes, that was sarcasm) after 30 of its fi nest squirrels escaped. A rescue mission was put into place and 38 squirrels were captured and taken back to the Zoo. We’re not sure what’s worse, the fact people go to a Zoo to see squirrels or that the rescue mission added an extra 8 squirrels to the collection. Surely you’d just stop once you’ve got what you need, right?

His name wasn’t really Harry Houdini - he was actually called Ehrich Weisz. We agree, it’s not as catchy.

His first performance was when he was aged 9. The act consisted of Houdini picking up pins with his eyelashes whilst hanging upside down.

3

His fascination with aviation propelled him (we laughed too) to learn to fly his own plane. From this he became the third person to fly over Australia in 1910.

4

In 1918, Houdini made an elephant, named Jenny, disappear in front of a live audience.

5

He was fascinated with death and even went on to purchase the first electric chair. He even performed to inmates on death row.

6

Houdini requested that an enormous bathtub was fitted at his house so that he could practice holding his breath underwater.

FRENCH FANCY

Is France really the most visited country in the world? Simple answer is yes.. we can’t work out why either.

Maybe it’s the array of baguettes or the fantastic display of mustaches on offer as you walk through the streets of St. Malo. Either way, France has secured itself the title of ‘The World’s most visited Country’ for the second year running.

Well done France, you’re doing something right.

SHAWSHANK HUSBAND HE’S BEHIND YOU!

Ever had a run in with the law? Don’t worry, we won’t judge you! This Police officer has had a slight ‘run’ in as well (excuse the pun).

A CCTV operator saw what he thought was a suspicious looking man wandering around Sussex. The operator called on a nearby plainclothes officer to track down the man and see what he was up to. The officer was hot on the heels of this mystery man for 20 minutes, but couldn’t figure out where he kept disappearing to.

Eventually the Police Officer figured out the he was in fact the suspicious man that the CCTV operator had reported and had been chasing himself the whole time!

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Sitting down to watch a film and feeling completely inspired by it once it’s finished is a very common occurrence. However, Irishman Patsy Kerr took this to a whole new level.

After watching the film one night in 1994, he thought of the perfect way to avoid his wife’s snoring. He found himself the perfect digging utensil, a spoon, and set about digging a tunnel from under his bed to the pub 800 feet across the road.

15 years later he popped his head out of the ground in the ladies toilets of the pub. After years of not being caught by his sleeping wife, Patsy was finally caught when he burst a sewage pipe and caused his tunnel to flood with the streets waste. Not such a sweet escape then.

ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

EVENTS

EVENTS

THE MANX BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

The Manx Breast Cancer Support Group held their "Valentine Looove Train" on Saturday 14th Feb. As with all our Train events the evening was a sell out. On Board on Saturday we were really pleased to have Our lovely Patron Mrs Sheila Dean from Equiom, and our President Mr David Gawne MBE. The Manx Breast Cancer Support Group have to date raised £1.2m of the £1.5m needed to complete the

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Location - IOM Railways Valentines Love Train

Dedicated Breast / Screening Unit. They have just reached the next phase of their Fundraising which is offering rooms within the Unit for Sponsorship by Company's or individuals. The Charity's next Train evening is their " Midsummer Train " on Saturday 20th June.

ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

EVENTS

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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EVENTS

PANCAKE RELAY RACE

Severn teams entered the ‘Pancake Relay Races’ on Shrove Tuesday at The British Hotel. Did you know the reason Shrove Tuesday changes every year is because it is always 47 days before Easter Sunday. It is traditionally a day Christians would confess all their sins before the commencement of Lent, the day after, on Ash Wednesday.

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Location - The British Hotel

All of the teams are still raising money for their chosen charities.

Team British have chosen the ‘Wish Upon a Dream’ charity and they still have collection boxes on the bar if you would like to donate. The winners were: 1st KUTA fitness (Roger, Dom and Joey) 2nd was TDL (Justin, Mark and Shannon) and 3rd was the Bridge (Reece, Clodagh, Sue and Ben).

ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

CULTURE

CULTURE

WOMEN ON THE ROCK

Herring Girls

Women on the Rock

Women on the Rock Highlighting the history of the

FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE WOMEN WHO MADE MANN INTRODUCING ‘HISTORY IN HEELS’ A SERIES OF POP-UP DISPLAYS AND EVENTS HOSTED AT SEVEN MANX NATIONAL HERITAGE VENUES FROM MARCH TO DECEMBER 2015.

From a Civil War Countess to the fastest woman round the TT, History in Heels takes a fresh and surprising approach to some of the remarkable Island women and their personal histories.

History in Heels tells stories that are kaleidoscopic as the women themselves - cheeky, sad, serious, campaigning, loving, criminal, intelligent, beautiful and brave.

The stories span women over the centuries, opening our eyes to their remarkable lives, experiences and achievements – often told in the very location that they happened or in the words of the women themselves.

Fast woman Beryl Swain

There are the bad girls…

The prison cells at Castle Rushen once harboured Victorian female pickpockets and prostitutes sentenced to hard labour. In the early 1800s some women even awaited transportation to Australia and Tasmania for their crimes.

There are the women who graft…

The fish gutting girls in oilskin aprons and wellies who arrived at market with the herring or women crofters in breeches, carrying their heavy baskets of cut turf to market.

The women brave for the fight…

Castle Rushen, the former home of the Kings and Lords of Mann, with a woman left in charge. Charlotte de La Trémoïlle,

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Countess of Derby, defended Castle Rushen and ruled the Isle of Man during the English Civil War whilst her husband James was off fighting in England.

Campaigning women…

The Island’s women were the first to successfully seek the right to vote. In spring 1881 Manxwomen were the first in the world to be given the parliamentary vote.

The internees...

4,000 women aged 16 to 60 were interned for part of the Second World War in Port Erin and Port St Mary. The women worked together to create their own goods economy (‘the Service Exchange’) and ran their own educational classes – all behind barbed wire and sharing two-to-a-bed.

ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

CULTURE

Female prisoner

History in Heels tells stories that are kaleidoscopic as the women themselves cheeky, sad, serious, campaigning, loving, criminal, intelligent, beautiful and brave.

A matriarchal household at The Grove…

When Duncan Gibb died, successive generations of Gibb women continued to run The Grove. Hear about the lesser known stories of these women’s lives, like the love letters of Miss Alice Gibb and Dolly, the woman who was born into a wealthy Cheshire family but who found herself working below stairs as a maid to the Gibbs.

Fast women…

Follow the History in Heels story through pop-up displays at Castle Rushen opening on International Women’s Day – Sunday 8 March, and the Manx Museum, and House of Manannan from 9 March. Pop-ups at The Old House of Keys, Old Grammar School, Cregneash and The Grove open from arch.

Check opening times and events at www.manxnationalheritage.im.

Standard admission charges apply.

This pop-up visual exhibition opening in late May at the Manx Museum will celebrate the women who compete in and support Manx motorsport. From the first female TT riders, trail blazing their way onto the circuit, to the behind the scenes female support that help keeps the famous road races running.

History in Heels invites audiences to bring their imagination to the tales of these remarkable women who made Mann.

History in Heels also proudly celebrates the 65th anniversary of the formation of the Isle of Man Women’s Institute from its beginnings in Lezayre in 1949. Today on the Isle of Man there are 30 institutes with over 700 members. Truly remarkable for an Island our size.

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

Countess Charlotte

‘Follow me’

#historyinheels UPCOMING EVENTS INTRODUCING HISTORY IN HEELS - Manx Museum, Friday 10 April GHOSTLY WOMEN - Castle Rushen, Saturday 18 April VINTAGE HAIR: MISS ISLE OF MAN 1940-1960 - iMuseum, Thursday 30 April TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH (AND HOME AGAIN): THE HIDDEN HISTORY OF WOMEN’S GEOGRAPHICAL WORK - Manx Museum, Saturday 23 May

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CULTURE

You could win up to £200

PHOTO COMPETITION

of photographic equipment every month in 2015

YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHERS WANTED FOR CHARITY CALENDAR WINNER

Serena Wood Age 10

FEBRUARY 2015 WINNER

Ryan Woodsworth Age 7 with family and members of the Society for the Preservation of the Manx Countryside and Environment receiving his £200 prize. Congratulations Ryan.

Sarah Bucknall Age 15

Ben Birdshall Age 17

How to enter

Open to anyone aged 18 or under.

Email your photographs by the 15th of each month to calendarcomp@gallery.co.im Photographs will be displayed monthly in Gallery Magazine during 2015.

Photographs must be HIGH RES, 300DPI AND AT LEAST 4MB IN SIZE.

For full details go to: www.gallery.co.im/young-photographers-wanted For more information about the Society for the Preservation of the Manx Countryside & Environment (Charity No. 391) and to join, email: manxfaragher@yahoo.com or phone: John on 07624 417119.

There is also a facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/iomspmce

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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

CULTURE

MARCH 2015 FINALIST

View all entries at www.gallery.co.im. Deadline for the April entries is the 20th March.

Jevan Sieling Age 12

Kathryn McNally Age 13

Calum Staley Age 16

Serena Wood Age 10

Ryan Woodworth Age 7

Jessica Hill Age 14

Aisling Walsh Age 16

John Peet Age 16

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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CULTURE

WHAT’S ON

CULTURE VULTURE ow 1 0 2015 IOM PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY EXHIBITION //HODGSON LOOM GALLERY, LAXEY// A variety of work from photographers around the Island.

Open Monday to Saturday, 9:00 – 5:00. www.iomps.com www.facebook.com/hodgsonloomgallery

07.03.2015 ALEX HULME * //JABBERWOCKY, DUKE STREET, DOUGLAS// Acoustic folk singer-songwriter makes welcome return to the Isle of Man. £12 from www.etickets.im/talismann or in person from the venue. www.thisisalexhulme.com

08.03.2015 – 29.03.2015 TEXTURE AND TOTEMS //THE ISLE GALLERY, ST JOHNS// A new collection of work from popular Island wood carver Gavin Carter. islegalleryiom@gmail.com www.facebook/theislegallery

08.03.2015 MARCUS BONFANTI //PEEL CENTENARY CENTRE// London-based award-winning blues guitarist is touring his new album Shake the Walls.

“This will knock you out” - Huey Morgan, Radio 2. Tickets £13 from Celtic Gold, Shakti Man, Thomson Travel and Peter Norris Music. www.centenarycentre.com

05.03.2015 – 29.03.2015 * EMBERS //SAYLE GALLERY, DOUGLAS// A joint exhibition from war artists Gary Bennett and Arabella Dorman. The work is not specific to the conflicts Gary and Arabella have witnessed but instead portrays the human face of conflict.

Sponsored by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Co. Ltd. www.facebook.com/saylegallery www.contemporarywarart.co.uk www.arabelladorman.com

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What’s on...

March 2014

20.03.2015 MANX WEARABLE ART CATWALK SHOW //KENSINGTON ARTS CENTRE, DOUGLAS// Biennial catwalk show of garments which cross the boundries between art, fashion, craft and theatre.

EVERY FRIDAY (NOT 6 MARCH) FRIDAY ART CINEMA //SAYLE GALLERY, DOUGLAS// A chance to see works by directors which changed the way films were made. Details of each film will be on the Sayle Gallery’s facebook page earlier in the week.

Free entry - doors open 7pm.

Admission £6 (to benefit the Kensington Youth Arts Centre) – available from the Welcome Desk at the Sea Terminal.

www.facebook.com/SayleGallery

t: (01624) 686766 21.03.2015 FAUSTUS //PEEL CENTENARY CENTRE// The Faustus triumvirate are three of the leading lights of their generation: Saul Rose (Waterson:Carthy, Whapweazel), Benji Kirkpatrick (Seth Lakeman Band, Bellowhead) and Paul Sartin (Bellowhead, Belshazzar’s Feast). Rooted deeply in the English tradition, this promised to be a virtuosic display of musicianship and testosterone.

Ticket £13 from www.centenarycentre.com www.faustusband.com

25.03.2015 – 11.04.2015 * THE BARROO //MARKET HALL, DOUGLAS and AIRPORT// Exhibition of large graphic works from Keith McIntyre, Head of Art at Northumbria University, inspired by the Barroo (‘drinking dragon’), an imposing geological landmark on the Calf of Man. www.iomcollege.ac.im

21.03.2015 – 18.04.2015 THE ROMANCE OF GARDENS //HODGSON LOOM GALLERY, LAXEY// Take a wander with textile artists Maureen Kennaugh and Pat Kelly through their ‘Romance of Gardens’ exhibition.

Open Monday to Saturday, 9:00 – 5:00. www.facebook.com/hodgsonloomgallery

TH SOUTHERN COMMUNITY ART PROJECT //THE HUB, THEI ROSIEN, CASTLETOWN ROAD, PORT ERIN// Art and creative writing sessions every Thursday 10am-12.30pm. All welcome, no experience necessary. £3.50 per session More details: 838180 or email admin@hubclubsci.im www.facebook.com/hubcreativity

* Supported by the Isle of Man Arts Council ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

NEWS

CULTURE

CULTURE NEWS

1st Place

JEWELL, WINS EQUINE IMAGE OF THE YEAR, AS NOMINATED BY THE GUILD OF PHOTOGRAPHERS AT ANNUAL AWARDS EVENT. It took less than a years membership with the established community; The Guild of Photographers, for Sarah Jewell to be recognised as the first ever Gold Award winner for imagery in the equine category. Working alongside her peers as Britain’s most prestigious photographers, horse loving Sarah wowed judges with her classical and timeless portraiture of beloved horses and their devoted owners.

It came as no surprise to most when Ms Jewell’s images were selected from 10,000 entries for Equine Image of the Year.

Despite her humble approach, judges were not phased and were quick to celebrate her achievements at the annual awards ceremony held in Cheshire this last month.

“My heart sank when they read my name for runner-up Equine Image of the Year. I really wanted the winners title! The

THE 2015 REIH BLEEANEY VANANNAN – MANANNAN’S CHOICE OF THE YEAR – AWARDED TO WILLIAM CAIN CBE TH Former Deemster William Cain has been awarded the Isle of Man’s top cultural honour, the Reih Bleeaney Vanannan (Manannan’s Choice of the Year) for his voluntary work for the conservation and protection of the wildlife and environment of the Isle of Man. William served as Chairman of the Manx Wildlife Trust for 36 years, having been a founder member of the Manx Nature Conservation Trust in 1973.

Now the Manx Wildlife Trust, it is one of 47 Wildlife Trusts in the British Isles.

He was a major force in establishing the Manx Wildlife Act in 1990.

In 2010 he was awarded The Wildlife Trusts’ Christopher Cadbury medal for the advancement of nature conservation in the British Islands.

2nd Place

disappointment of hearing mine called out made me realise how much I wanted it”, Sarah says about her feelings as she realised.

“I gingerly walked up to collect my certificate that was presented to me by Lesley Thirsk, co-founder of The Guild. I recall Steven, her partner, saying “Did you not hear the second part, look up...”.

My Portrait of Ivan & Rex had won! There it was for all to see on the giant screen in all its glory!”

Not only had Sarah won the runner-up award, but she had also won the overall successor in the equine category. Now titled ‘Sarah Jewell Photography; Equine Image of the Year’, Sarah insists she won’t let her feet leave the ground.

“I can’t tell you how happy this made me! There’s a full spectrum of emotions going on in my head right now, but I can assure you my riding boots will remain well and truly on the yard floor!

There’s a lot more I want to achieve, and only hard work and dedication will get me there. I need to hold my title don’t I”.

reserves covering most of the Island’s principal habitats. It operates two Visitor Centres and a wildlife gift shop and organises a regular programme of lectures and excursions. The Trust’s officers carry out research, consultancy and education work. The Trust has undertaken important research into the marine environment, in particular the ecology of cetaceans and basking sharks. The work of the Trust is only made possible by the dedication and hard work of extensive teams of volunteers.

In addition to his work for the Manx Wildlife Trust, William has served as President of the Isle of Man Natural History and Antiquarian Society and has carried out original research into the political and constitutional history of the Isle of Man, which he has published and shared through his teaching on the University of Liverpool’s MA in Manx Studies.

The Reih Bleeaney Vanannan is an annual award made by Culture Vannin to the person or group who, in the opinion of the panel of assessors, has made the most outstanding contribution to Manx culture. Inspired by Manxman Stephen Quayle, the trophy was designed by the late Eric Austwick and consists of the figure of the sea-god Manannan standing on a piece of Pooilvaaish marble.

Although the trophy is only held for a year, each recipient receives a medal designed by Jenny Kissack and executed in silver and enamel by Celtic Gold, Peel and the sum of £500, which William will donate to the IOM Natural History and Antiquarian Society.

For more about the work of Culture Vannin, see: www.culturevannin.im

The Manx Wildlife Trust now owns and manages twenty-two BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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EMBERS

WORDS | Suzy Holland

‘EMBERS’ AN EXHIBITION OF WAR ART BY GARY BENNETT AND ARABELLA DORMAN BRINGING TOGETHER WORK BY LOCAL ARTIST GARY BENNETT AND ACCLAIMED UK ARTIST ARABELLA DORMAN, THE LATEST EXHIBITION AT THE SAYLE GALLERY IN DOUGLAS OFFERS VISITORS THE OPPORTUNITY TO THINK ABOUT THE EFFECTS OF RECENT WARS ON NOT ONLY THOSE WHO FOUGHT, BUT ALSO THE COMMUNITIES AND LANDS FOUGHT OVER AND FOR. Although their experiences of war have been very different – Gary served in the British Army during the 1980s and Arabella was an official war artist during the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan – their work is not specific to the conflicts they have witnessed nor the theatres of war they have experienced.

Talking to both artists, the same words and phrases come up time after time (the world is a violent place, war is hell) but they have also seen resilience, loyalty and – perhaps surprisingly given what they have witnessed ho e for the f t re.

Island art lovers will know Gary’s work.

Although he started painting as a youngster in Northern Ireland, it wasn’t until he moved here in 1990 that he started to study art: GCSEs, A levels and ultimately a BA in Fine Art from Liverpool John Moores University in 2013. Throughout this time he exhibited paintings and sculptures resulting from his experiences in the army showing a clear understanding of how it feels to be a soldier serving in a harsh working environment.

In his earlier work Gary began to relate to the horrors experienced by young conscripts during the nuclear testing in

‘Blue Patrol Resting’ Gary Bennett

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‘I Am Strong’ Gary Bennett

‘Boldness by Mine’ Gary Bennett ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

CULTURE

the 1950s and 60s, and this work brought him to the attention of the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association which has made him its official artist. His participation in ‘Embers’, however, takes this one step further. The horror is still there, but Gary’s new work also shows a humanity, even a spiritual side, which was only hinted at before.

Showing alongside Gary is the work of noted portrait and war artist Arabella Dorman, whose exhibition ‘Before the Dawn’ at La Galleria Pall Mall in London last November drew rave reviews from critics in the UK and abroad. Arabella, who following art school gained an international reputation as a portrait artist, has been fascinated by war art since her GCSE days. When she was commissioned to paint General Sir Richard Shirreff (then NATO’s Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe) a series of coincidences took her to Iraq with the British Army in 2006, and then, more recently, to Afghanistan. Unlike traditional portrayals of war - with representations of victory, glory and fighting - her paintings are a powerful exploration of life on the frontline and the immediate effects of the strains and stresses when death and violence are an everyday occurrence. But, like Gary, Arabella paints the experience of the individual – and the scars of war which will always be with them.

It is perhaps a cliché to talk about the ‘1,000 mile stare’ soldiers acquire in conflict, but it’s a cliché for a reason: it’s true. Gary’s ‘Blue Patrol Resting’ shows soldiers tightly bound together for their own safety, but more specifically as a metaphor for their tight knit camaraderie, with each looking out for the other. But look carefully at the soldier staring out of the picture. He is resting but permanently on guard and we know that wariness will be with him for life. In Arabella’s portrait of Cpl Sean Reeve, ‘I Am Strong’, it is that same stare – strength, resilience, loyalty - which draws your attention. It is only when you look away from his eyes that you see the words taken from his pre-deployment letter to his parents. It all becomes much more poignant when you learn that he was killed on the last day of his tour in Afghanistan.

But what about the humanity, the hope? It is perhaps most obvious in Arbela’s paintings of Afghani civilians. In the triptych ‘Taqala Baraye Zenda Mandan (Struggle to Survive)’ a father cradles his child whilst older men hold their heads in their hands – this child is the future, the weeping old men are the past.

The girl in ‘Displaced’ stares out defiantly but somehow Arabella has managed to portray hope in her face – she might be scavenging for rags but she’s alive, and looking forward to the future.

The humanity in Gary’s work could perhaps more accurately be described as a spirituality. His ‘Boldness by Mine’ is, at first glance a nuclear wasteland - a red

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‘Taqala Baraye Zenda Mandan (Struggle to Survive)’ Arabella Dorman

sky, bent and crippled trees – but the lonely figure could be Christ in the wilderness: despite being tested by the devil, he remains strong. Similarly, Gary’s harrowing series of photographs ‘Judgement’ superimpose a Christ-like face on a sculpture which has suffered a punishment beating notoriously meted out during ‘The Troubles’ in Northern Ireland. But there is a strength to this tarred and feathered figure – the torturers will be judged, if not in this world, then the next.

‘EMBERS’ IS PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT EXHIBITION OF CONTEMPORARY ART SHOWN AT THE SAYLE GALLERY FOR SOME TIME. TO BE ABLE TO ATTRACT AN ARTIST OF ARABELLA DORMAN’S CALIBRE TO THE ISLE OF MAN IS A REAL COUP AND TO PAIR HER HERE WITH OUR OWN GARY BENNETT IS INSPIRING: TWO WAR ARTISTS WHO ARE, AT FIRST GLANCE, VERY DIFFERENT, BUT WHO BOTH PORTRAY STRENGTH AND HOPE: THE HUMAN FACE OF CONFLICT.

‘Displaced’ Arabella Dorman

‘Judgement’ Arabella Dorman

‘EMBERS’ TAKES PLACE AT THE SAYLE GALLERY, DOUGLAS FROM 6 – 29 MARCH 2015 AND IS SUPPORTED BY THE ISLE OF MAN ARTS COUNCIL.

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THE MONTHLY UPLOAD Want to win £50? All you have to do is email your entry with the subject ‘upload’ to: upload@gallery.co.im. Try to follow a time of the year theme, make the files nice and big though, about

2MB is a good size to aim for. We do try to print every photo following the guide but we can’t get them ALL on the page fullsize unfortunately - they just wouldn’t fit!

£50

Winner

Sean Corlett

Paul Ward

Nick Hunt Katrina Gibb

Beryl Quayle

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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

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Lynn Mather

Serena Wood Ralph Jackson

Amanda Dean

Nick Hunt

Serena Wood

Katrina Gibb

Pauline Guest

Steve Seiling

Janice Campbell Serena Wood

Pauline Guest

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Katrina Gibb

Nick Hunt

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WOTM

Confessions

from a New Girl…

Words by: Roberta Pidgeon

When my parents first told me we would be moving to the Isle of Man, my first instinct was to tell my closest friends and cry. After all, I had been an Essex girl my whole life, how could my parents expect me to divorce my beloved hometown and comfortably jump straight into a new one?

Moving across had been discussed for years, but it’s always a shock when something that has been prolonged finally happens. But the time had arrived, so I decided it was best not to sulk about it.

After the ferry ride was over, it was official, this was the start of something new (cliché I know).

When you’re 19 there is one thing that is essential to you… a social life. Mine was assumed gone. However, humans have an incredible ability to adapt to their surroundings, so that’s exactly what I did.

I’m not going to lie, the first few weeks were tough. I’d have an emotional breakdown every few days, in mourning for my social life, London and my favourite clothing store Zara which I dearly missed. I hated the fact that to do any decent shopping I’d have to get on a plane or a ferry, I disliked that all the restaurants I knew and loved in England weren’t here, but most of all I despised the fact that I had no friends on the island.

I soon discovered though that my previous reservations were nothing but unnecessary qualms.

I discovered Tynwald Mills had some great concession stores and the strand had 3 out of my top 4 shopping destinations, so my shopping concerns had been blown out of the Irish Sea. I also discovered some great restaurants, I soon loved the fact that there were no mainstream restaurants on the island. I noticed the quality of the food seemed to be better because a lot of restaurants sourced their food locally so it was fresher. Two of my concerns were covered but my third (lack of friends) was still as present as ever.

A couple of stressful months later, after moving into our house in Laxey, unpacking and familiarising myself with my new surroundings, my sister turned 18. That’s when we decided to claim back what was rightfully ours, our social life!

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After having a few random chats with youngish bank managers and anyone who may know anything about good nights out in Douglas, we decided to take ourselves to The Courthouse. A few cocktails later we were merry and mingling!

One of my favourite things about the island is how friendly everyone is. As soon as we mentioned we had just moved over and didn’t know anyone, we were welcomed into friendship groups with open arms.

Making new friends is easy, as long as you put yourself out there.

Another special thing about the Isle of Man is itself. It’s one of those rare places which makes you feel like you could be anywhere in the world depending on which part you visit. I remember a few years ago I was visiting the island with my family during the summer, we were having our lunch on the roof terrace of a restaurant in Port Erin, I felt like I was in Greece or Spain. It was one of those special moments when you fall in love. You fall in love with the Isle of Man, it happens to everyone at some point. Like I said before, it was hard leaving my whole life behind but I knew it would be worth it.

Like all old relationships, you get over it and find something better.

I realised the love affair was over.

The competition between Essex and the Isle of Man had ended suddenly and we did not have a tie!

The Isle of Man won hands down.

Yes there are complications which come with living on an island, but the pros completely outweigh the cons! When I first came over people were telling me that for the first six months I would hate it and want to come back, as it takes a lot of getting used to. Just three months in and I already love it. It takes everyone time to get used to a new place but some places takes less time than others.

CONTRIBUTING WRITER OF THE MONTH

Have you got something to say? A short story, a rant, a profile, a statement? We will dedicate a whole page to you, Mr. or Mrs. Amateur Writer. We want you to shoot from the hip with a 400 word article that you think our readers should take note of. Just Email your piece to: writerofmonth@gallery.co.im

ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

Georgia May Jagger

FASHION & BEAUTY

REL AX | RENEW | REVIVE

Thalgo | doTERRA | Mama Mio | OPI

Tel: 616262/498163 Email: beautyspot@manx.net www.beautyspotiom.com /the beauty spot 17-18 Port Jack | Onchan | Isle of Man

When purchasing an Open Your Heart Pendant (from £89) you will receive the matching necklace as a gift.

S P E C I A L I S T I N F I N E J E W E L L E RY

24 STRAND STREET • DOUGLAS • ISLE OF MAN • IM1 2EG Tel: 01624 621527 • www.charlesalexanderltd.co.uk

FASHION

WORDS & LAYOUT | JORJA HELMOT

NEXT £60

NEW LOOK £7.99

TIP

Brush off last summer’s dungarees and wear with a denim shirt underneath. Top with a fringed suede bag for a super laid back look.

NEW LOOK £14.99

NEXT £35

WOMEN Denim is the fashion trend that continues to evolve in the multitude of ways that we wear it. From overalls and dresses, to layering and distressing, this season brings together all these trends and more. The new season’s catwalk saw a sea of blues, so choose a hue that’s offset with rich, right for you and off tan toned accessories with suede, fringed and decorative details.

TIP Want to layer up without getting hot under the collar?

This denim ‘bib’ is the perfect solution.

MARKS & SPENCER £29.50

MISS SELFRIDGE £39

NEW LOOK £8.99

TIP Glamourise distressed boyfriend jeans with an elegant 70’s-esque platform sandal - a look that works day or night.

MISS SELFRIDGE £39

RIVER ISLAND £45

NEXT £35

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NEW LOOK £7.99 ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

ASOS £13 NORTH COAST @ MARKS & SPENCER £39

FASHION

MARKS & SPENCER £39.50

TIP

MARKS & SPENCER £25

Layer a buttoned up dark denim jacket under a coat or mac, keeping you warm in these chillier months.

BURTON £20

MEN Dare to wear denim on denim? Sti Stiff denim trousers and tailored denim jackets are the way to go. But not to worry if that’s too adventurous, the cheat’s guide allows for mimicking shirts and jackets in shades of blue to pair with your favourite jeans, just don’t hold back on bold blue accessories. Whatever your style, a quality pair of denim jeans are a solid foundation to build upon this season.

TIP NEW LOOK £14

If you’re more of a laid back kinda guy, you can work the trend in navy pullstring joggers.

RIVER ISLAND £30

BURTON £40

TIP

RIVER ISLAND £42

Be sure to invest in a sturdy pair of indigo jeans, which look great with solid chelsea boots and a smart mac.

AUTOGRAPH @ MARKS & SPENCER £110

NEXT £55 BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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FASHION

ALEXANDER McQUEEN

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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

FASHION

Words: Jennifer Parkes

W

henever fashion week rolls around, be it in London, Paris, New York or Milan, there are always those who look on in bemusement as designers unveil weird, warped and completely unwearable creations. Of course, there is always an abundance of beautifully crafted garments that gain their designers applause and acclaim, but it is unquestionably the avant-garde that are best remembered.

There are plenty who scoff ‘nobody would wear that in real life’ when faced with eerie cagelike headdresses, voluminous silhouettes and ludicrously high-heeled shoes but, what they fail to realise, is that this is entirely the point; fashion is not always about the everyday, but about escaping reality and offering a fleeting, otherworldly spectacle.

Nobody did this better than Alexander McQueen, fashion’s ‘L’Enfant Terrible’, whose extraordinary visionary work will this year be celebrated at the V&A museum’s Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibition (14th March – 2nd August 2015). The first and largest retrospective of the late designer’s work to be presented in Europe, the museum promises that ‘McQueen’s designs will be presented with the dramatic staging and sense of spectacle synonymous with his runway shows.’

While often underpinned by serious and, at times, controversial messages, McQueen’s work and shows were synonymous with fantasy, originality and a gothic imagination.

Kristin Knox, author of Alexander McQueen: Genius of a Generation, observes that ‘for McQueen, fashion was not necessarily a means for self-expression, but a force to facilitate the opposite, much more akin to the role of 19th- and 20th-century painting and sculpture: to compel the wearer or beholder to surrender to the fantastical world of which McQueen was the sole artificer.’

Of all his collections, it is McQueen’s Spring/ Summer 2010 ‘Plato’s Atlantis’ that is widely considered to be his greatest achievement.

As he explained, the collection ‘predicted a future in which the ice cap would melt, the

waters would rise and life on earth would have to evolve in order to live beneath the sea once more or perish. Humanity would go back to the place from whence it came.’ Extraterrestrial and insect-like inspirations, as well as ‘monster’ stilettos and ‘Armadillo’ boots manipulated the human silhouette to conjure up potent images of an alternate, alien (but perhaps uncomfortably plausible) reality.

While McQueen’s work offered an escape into an ingenious, albeit dark, fantasy world away from the everyday, there is always scope to add a little creativity and imagination into your daily wardrobe. McQueen occasionally collaborated with designers such as renowned milliner Philip Treacy, or jeweller Shaun Leane, to create extraordinary headpieces and jewellery; keep a look out for quirky hair accessories, brooches, necklaces and footwear to add a touch of fantasy to your everyday style without looking like you’ve wandered off a crazy couture catwalk show!

The V&A’s new exhibition demonstrates that ‘Alexander McQueen consistently promoted freedom of thought and expression and championed the authority of the imagination’’ and there is surely something to be taken from such a philosophy; whether or not you are a fan of fantastical fashion, there is always room for a little creativity and escapism, whether it’s in the way you spend your weekend, or in the contents of your wardrobe.

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty will run at the V&A Museum from 14th March – 2nd August 2015.

Tickets available at vam.ac.uk

ALEXANDER IN WONDERLAND M C Q U E E N ’ S F A N T A ST I C A L F A S H I O N E S C A P E

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BEAUTY

uty zz a e B Bu

Good, better, best…

The brilliant thing about the beauty business is that it never stands still. The women (and men) in white coats are constantly tinkering with formulations, improving ingredients and products continually evolve. Gallery investigates…

Words | Nichole Sweetsur

The first eyelash primers to launch were white and whilst they certainly thickened lashes there was plenty of room for improvement. Enter the new Estée Lauder Little Black Primer. This isn’t just a primer, although it does that job really well, it can be used alone to give lashes a little natural lift and a glossy finish or as a base coat underneath your regular mascara to lengthen and thicken lashes. But that’s not all, when applied over the top of mascara, the primer will also help to set it and give it a longer-lasting finish. £20.00. feelunique.com

First we had long-lasting formulas, then gel finishes and ‘instantoff’ removers, and now nail varnish junkies will love the new peel-off polishes. Try Little Ondine, it’s 100 per cent natural with resins, organic colourants and a water base. Paint on like a regular polish, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next. Then when you’re ready for a change you simply peel off the polish – simples! £7.80. cutecosmetics.co.uk

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‘Conditioner washing’ or ‘co-washing’ was originally championed by those with very curly or wiry hair with the idea that the sulphates or other cleansing ingredients in shampoo makes unruly hair, well just more unruly. Ojon Rare Blend Moisture-Rich Cleansing Conditioner is suitable for all hair types, making this method of cleansing worth a try for anyone who wants to shake up their routine. The sulphate-free formula will cleanse hair without the strip/replenish cycle that shampoo and conditioner normally has. My tester recommended that you alternate this with your regular routine and co-washing left her hair impossibly shiny and soft. £18.50. feelunique.com Yves Saint Laurent Volupté Tint-in-Oil has upped the ante with its lip oils that are similar to Clarins’ but available in eight spring-like shades and are made with a combination of five oils. Do test the colour on your lip before you buy, as the shade will look different on your lip than in the tube. £23.00. feelunique.com

If there was any product that has truly evolved it’s the humble toner. Once upon a time this was an alcohol-laden lotion that dried out skin and gave few, if any, benefits. Now the toner is firmly back in vogue thanks to its many new guises.

From the clever cleansing micellar waters to glycolic exfoliators that brighten up skin, the toner is back, big time. My new favourite is one that hydrates skin – just the thing many of us will need after the recent cold spell. La Biosthetique’s Hydro-Actif Tonique Hydratant is recommended for tired, dry and ‘exhausted’ skin. For the science buffs it contains long-chain hyaluronic acid that delivers and locks in a moisture boost. £20.50. feelunique.com

ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

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Want to look your best but say bon voyage to excess luggage fees or getting your excess items taken from you at security?

Local professional Makeup Artist, Charlotte Easton explains what you’ll need for your escape…

Get your eyebrows and eyelashes tinted beforehand “You’ll find you won’t need as much mascara or spend as much time filling in your brows.” Charlotte recommends Purite salon in Douglas or Bella Luna in Castletown

Blotting papers are a must to keep excess shine away. Apply before powder focusing on the T-Zone for a beautiful matt finish. Charlotte recommends the Body Shop’s Tea Tree Blotting Tissues

A high sun protection is crucial to protect your skin from sun damage.

Charlotte loves Estee Lauder’s Double Wear All Day Glow Moisture Makeup SPF 30 with moisturising benefits it still gives an all day

For gorgeous lips despite long flights and air conditioned hotel rooms, Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream is a trusted beauty essential for Charlotte and is the perfect travel companion

To add colour to your lips and cheeks multitask with Benefit’s Benetinit rose-tinted lip and cheek stain you only need a small amount and can blend outwards and upwards up to your cheekbones with your fingers

To amplify the glamour for evening’s out, Bobbi Brown’s Long-Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Violet Plum is on trend for Spring Summer 2015 and is foolproof for blending in a rush

For beautiful lashes use Shu Uemera’s iconic lash curler...

... and be sure to add two coats (let them dry in between to avoid clumping) of Lancome’s Waterproof Hypnose

Finally, don’t forget your makeup remover to keep your skin clear of impurities. Skin wipes can move dirt around rather than giving a full cleanse and can also dry out the skin. Try Bioderma’s Sensibio H20, a suitable cleanser for even the most sensitive skins before your toner and moisturiser twice a day

To keep all your goodies safe, use clear re-closable bags to separate you eye, base and lip products (any spills won’t get onto your makeup cases then and you can throw the plastic bags at the end of your holiday) before placing them in one of these gorgeous wash bags from Marks and Spencers

Wishing you safe and wonderful travels (don’t forget your toothbrush!)

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BEAUTY

BEAUTY PRODUCTS

BEAUTY PRODUCTS Check out this month’s top skincare saviours – guaranteed to regenerate, refine and smooth your aging woes away…

Smooth Operator

Helps to banish signs of ageing, whilst supporting cell renewal – leaving skin beautifully glowing with an even skin tone – all whilst steering clear of harsh abrasives.

Aromatherapy Associates Polishing Essential Enzyme Peel

Super Charged

Vigorously moistures, conditions, plumps and brightens the skin for a radiance that increases over time – it also comes in a glitzy tube bursting with Marine-Bright complex and Super-Duo Charged Water.

M.A.C Marine Bright Formula Essence Sérum –

Rose Tinted

Peppery basil and aromatic white thyme bring an unexpected twist to this indulgent bath oil, which promises to soothe away your stresses whilst hydrating and infusing your skin with a sweet scent.

Jo Malone Red Roses bath oil glass decanter –

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Sleeping Beauty

Using an active blend of skin-brightening agents, this indulgent moisteriser promises to restore skin’s luminosity, reduce the appearance of brown spots and diminish uneven skin tone – all while you sleep.

Dermalogica Pure Night

Pore Perfect

Visibly reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots and oversized pores… or any other aging woes for that matter – a concoction of skin-friendly ingredients that promise to tighten and firm the face.

Kiehl’s Precision lifting & pore tightening concentrate

Polish Perfection This Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush is a saviour to blemish-prone skin – dermatologist-developed and Swiss-engineered; the gentle sonic action polishes dull skin to perfection. For best results, partner with Anti-Blemish Solutions Cleansing Gel. Clinique Anti Blemish Cleansing Gel £12.50 for 15ml/£17.50 for 30ml and Anti Blemish head for the Sonic System Purifying Cleansing Brush £17.50

Love Your Lashes

Achieve your best wide-eyed look with this innovative mascara featuring a 12hour setting formula that hooks, lifts, and curls the lashes for an ultra-glam style.

Benefit Roller Lash Mascara

Super Serum

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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

APPETITE

APPETITE

THE ABBEY RESTAURANT I

t s hard to believe that in July this year it will be five years since The Abbey Restaurant, the hidden gem of the Isle of Man, opened in Ballasalla.

In that time The Abbey has earned a very well deserved reputation for fine dining, superbly organised functions and weddings amid one of the most romantic and historic settings on the island. It is also a tranquil haven for morning coffee and delicious afternoon teas.

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Situated in a building that is steeped in history, this is a en e th t offers the e location for casual, business or f n n n s on e minutes drive from the airport.

On hand to enjoy a stroll in the nearby Glen, and an extra special setting for a delicious meal out with family and friends.

With an enthusiastic and dedicated team at The Abbey Restaurant the island has been able to offer a standard and variety of food that would have seemed unlikely in such a small landmass. The large 140 cover dining room has a daily changing menu of seasonal produce in the tradition of modern European cooking.

The kitchen team bring a top quality level of experience to the Island in both rich and delicate tastes, refined presentation and an awe inspiring selection of international, artisan and local ingredients. Complementing the offering, The Abbey's very own dedicated pastry chef, whose finely crafted desserts, as well as delicious cakes and scones, are constantly tempting the willpower of any visitor!

The Abbey also added some extra sparkle this year during the annual holiday when the restaurant gets a refresh for the year ahead. It’s a wonderfully relaxing experience, the perfect venue for indulgence for lunch, afternoon tea or dinner service.

The Abbey team is out to impress some more with the launch of its stunning Spring menu.

From tempting terrines and tatin, to wholesome stuffing’s and inventive sauces, the team are ready to tease your taste buds with the finest flavour wrapped meats, fish and vegetables. A superb six course taster menu as well as a nine course gastronomic indulgence also feature on the new menu.

So if you haven't yet ventured to The Abbey or you're a regular part of the dining family, then look forward to your next visit with gusto.

A warm welcome awaits.

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

Tel: 01624 822393

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APPETITE

RECIPES

and fresh light WE ALL HAVE OUR GUILTY PLEASURES IN LIFE. THIS BOOK ISN’T ABOUT DENYING THEM. IT LETS YOU ENJOY THEM AND IS FOR THOSE TIMES WHEN YOU’RE SEEKING SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE VIRTUOUS. AND THAT’S REALLY THE BEST KIND OF INDULGENCE OF ALL – THE ONE WITH BALANCE. Designed to complement Donna’s existing repertoire, Fresh and Light is full of recipes that combine the freshest ingredients, pantry staples and a few personal tricks for a lighter approach. The recipes are loaded with power foods with a focus on vegetables, grains and protein. It’s all about flavour and eating well.

RED QUINOA, KALE AND HALLOUMI SALAD

(Serves 4) 150g kale, trimmed 600g red quinoa 1,000ml chicken or vegetable stock 65g flat-leaf parsley leaves 500g halloumi, thinly sliced

Olive oil, for brushing FOR THE SMOKY LEMON DRESSING: 2tbsp lemon juice 1tsp sweet smoked paprika 1tbsp olive oil

Rinse the quinoa and then place it and the stock in a saucepan over a medium-high heat and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook for 12-14 minutes or until the stock has been absorbed and the quinoa is tender. Remove from the heat and stand for five minutes. Stir with a fork to separate the grains. (If you have any cooked quinoa left over, try using it to bulk out other salads during the week. You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.)

Cut the kale into large pieces and place in a heatproof bowl. Pour over boiling water and allow to stand for five minutes. Drain and pat dry on absorbent paper. Toss the kale with the quinoa and parsley.

To make the smoky lemon dressing, combine the lemon juice, paprika and oil. Pour over the salad and toss to combine.

Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Brush the halloumi with a little oil and cook for one to two minutes each side or until golden. Divide the salad between serving plates and top with the halloumi to serve.

LEMON & PISTACHIO CAKE

(Serves 8) 125g shelled pistachios 150g softened butter 150g unrefined golden caster sugar 150g self-raising flour 50g ground almonds

2 large eggs Juice of 2 lemons 150g lemon curd (half a jar) 75g icing sugar, sifted

Preheat the oven to 160C fan/180C/gas mark 4 and line the base of a 20cm springform cake tin with baking paper.

In a food processor, grind 100g of the pistachios (keep the rest for the top) to crumbs. Add the butter, sugar, flour and almonds and whizz to combine.

Then pop in the eggs and whizz again. Finally, add the juice of one lemon and whizz to bring it all together.

Scrape half the mixture into the base of your tin and smooth it out. Then roughly spread the lemon curd over the top but not quite to the edge.

With the remainder of the mixture, drop dollops over the lemon curd layer to cover and gently smooth with the back of a spoon.

Roughly chop the rest of the pistachios by hand and scatter over the top.

Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely in the tin.

For the icing, just mix together the icing sugar and one-and-a-half tablespoons of lemon juice, stirring into a paste. Criss-cross the top of your cake and leave for a couple of minutes to set.

(ABOVE) FAY MAKES IT EASY BY FAY RIPLEY IS PUBLISHED BY HARPERCOLLINS, PRICED £20 DE-STRESS TIP: This keeps really well covered for two to three days. If you don’t have a food processor, you can use a coffee grinder for the pistachios and an electric whisk for the rest.

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APPETITE

get light just right MOROCCAN ZA’ALOUK FISH SUPPER WITH COUSCOUS

(Serves 4) 6 medium aubergines 4tbsp olive oil 4 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed 2tsp smoked paprika 1tsp ground cumin 400g tin chopped tomatoes 1tsp harissa paste 4 x 150-175g skinless, boneless white fish fillets (cod or

haddock will do) 2tbsp chopped fresh mint leaves Salt and pepper FOR THE COUSCOUS: 250g couscous Juice of 1 lemon 2tbsp olive oil Salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 200C fan/220C/gas mark 7.

Cut four of the aubergines in half lengthways. Put them on an oven tray and rub the cut sides with two tablespoons of olive oil and some seasoning.

Cut the other two aubergines into big, bite-sized pieces, toss in a tablespoon of olive oil and spread out on a separate oven tray.

Pop both trays in the oven for 30-35 minutes, until the flesh of the aubergine halves are soft and the smaller pieces are crisping up. Set aside to cool slightly.

In a tablespoon of olive oil in a large, non-stick frying pan, cook the garlic, paprika and cumin for a minute, then add the tinned tomatoes and harissa paste. Stir over the heat for another minute.

Now scrape the flesh out of the halved aubergines into the tomato sauce, season and stir to completely combine. Keep the aubergine pieces to one side.

Put the fish fillets in a large, ovenproof dish and cover with the sauce. Pop back in the oven for 30 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling and the fish cooked through.

For the couscous, in a large bowl, pour 350ml boiling water over the couscous. Cover and leave for five minutes. Fluff with a fork, season and dress with the lemon juice and olive oil.

Serve the fish on top of the couscous, then scatter over the chopped mint and the aubergine pieces.

DE-STRESS TIP: Make the sauce well in advance, then just assemble and pop it in the oven. If you want to impress, add a handful of pomegranate seeds.

FENNEL AND ORANGE CHICKEN SKEWERS WITH CARROT SALAD

(Serves 4) 60ml orange juice 1tbsp honey 1tsp fennel seeds, toasted 1tbsp vegetable oil 1tbsp lemon juice

1 clove garlic, crushed 750g chicken thigh fillets, trimmed and sliced 12 baby rainbow carrots, thinly sliced with a vegetable peeler

Place the orange juice, honey, fennel, oil, lemon juice and garlic in a bowl. Place the chicken in a separate bowl, pour over half the orange juice mixture and allow to marinate in the fridge for 20 minutes.

Thread the chicken onto 12 skewers. Place the chicken on a baking tray lined with non-stick baking paper and cook under a hot, preheated grill and for two minutes each side, basting with the marinade, or until the chicken is cooked through.

Toss the carrot with the remaining orange mixture, divide between serving plates and top with the chicken to serve.

FRESH AND LIGHT BY DONNA HAY IS PUBLISHED IN PAPERBACK BY HARDIE GRANT BOOKS, PRICED ÂŁ18.99.

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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APPETITE

WORDS | Anne Berry | The Wine Cellar

Escape to Patagonia!

THE ‘NEW WORLD’ OF WINE KEEPS GROWING AS PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN, EXCITING REGIONS OPEN UP. PIONEERING WINEMAKERS LOOK FOR LOCATIONS WHERE THE MICROCLIMATE AND SOIL TYPE ARE PERFECT FOR WINEMAKING, IN ORDER TO OFFER NEW AND INTERESTING CHARACTERFUL WINES THAT EXPRESS THE CLIMATIC CONDITIONS AND SOILS IN WHICH THEY ARE PRODUCED.

O

ne of the newest regions is in Argentina – Patagonia, known generally for its glaciers and dramatic scenery.

Mendoza is the well known region for prod cin f ll a o red rich reds from Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tannat grapes.

Patagonia is in the far south and is Argentina’s coolest and most beautiful wine region.

The vineyards are located in the north of Patagonia, notably the Rio Negro Valley, where the terrain is flat and wind swept.

Standing at an altitude of 1,200 feet, it has a markedly dry, continental climate, with an annual rainfall of less than 7.5 inches and very low relative humidity. Winds blowing constantly from the southern Andes dry the air and allow for vines to grow healthily with little disease, thus reducing the need to spray.

In the past, the Rio Negro Valley was best known for growing grain, apples and pears, crops that could withstand strong breezes and a cool climate.

Patagonia does have over 100 years of winemaking history, but it is only in the last

20 years that irrigation has improved and new investment has allowed modern, high tech, quality wineries to be established.

The cooler climate means that red wines from Patagonia tend to be crisper in feel and focused on red-fruit aromas and flavours. They are less bold and opulent than those from the much warmer and well known region of Mendoza. In addition to the cool climate, which allows lighter, more elegant styles of wine to be produced, one of the benefits of Río Negro is very low humidity. Another is the quality of the clean, mountain fresh water, giving the fruit a purity, which shows through in the wines.

Bodega Del Río Elorza is a one of the newest wineries in Rio Negro and is the realisation of a combined dream of the ‘Del Rio’ and the ‘Elorza’ families, with their first wines being produced in 2007.

The operation is led by internationally renowned wine maker Alberto Antonini and local wine maker Mariano Vignoni, whose experience and understanding of this unique Patagonian terroir impart great personality in the wines. The vines are still young, only 10 years old and the wines improve with every vintage.

Del Rio Elorza produce a range of wines called Verum, which are a new arrival to the Wine Cellar and to the Isle of Man! The Chardonnay is a fresh and crisp style, refreshingly lively with some tropical fruit and citrus character. Partially aged in French and American oak, with the majority in stainless steel, the oak adds texture and complexity rather than vanilla flavour. It makes an excellent accompaniment to chicken or fish dishes with a sauce. (£11.95) Pinot Noir – only 1000 cases were made of this stylish, light yet flavoursome red. It has aromas and flavours of cherries, strawberries, a subtle savoury earthiness and some floral notes. Try it with cheese, with roasted vegetables or with duck. (£12.95) The Cabernet Franc (£16.45) is new and has soft plum and cherry aromas with a touch of wild herbs and jasmine.

On the palate the texture is creamy with fine tannins. Overall it is an elegant and complex, wonderfully structured wine in an almost European style, making it just perfect with food. Give it a go with steak or with a plate of mature cheeses.

• • IM2 3QW TELEPHONE: 01624 611793 • EMAIL: anne@thewinecellar.im

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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

APPETITE

THE WINE CELLAR SPRING TASTING DATES

The Empress Hotel on Douglas Promenade is the ideal venue for all your family ompany celebrations offering the service of a team that has care as its goal.

The hotel has two Restaurants, The Brasserie overlooking Douglas Bay which serves an ‘a la carte’ menu from Monday – Saturday. Also, the Popular Manx Gourmet Burger on the lower ground floor serving Home Made Burgers with plenty of choice using locally sourced produce where possible. Our great tasting buns are supplied by Noa’s bakery in Douglas.

We provide all types of catering from Dinner Dances, Weddings, outside catering or that small private dinner party. Call us and lets explore what we can do for you.

Words: Anne Berry

Events in March & April, book early to avoid disappointment:

I’m very pleased to be able to tell you about two tastings/dinners to be held in March.

MOTHERS DAY CARVERY LUNCH Sunday 15th March - BOOK NOW

Firstly on Wednesday March 11th in The Wine Cellar, we have a tasting of the wines from Codorniu's Argentine winery, Septima. Septima means Seventh, and it is the seventh winery that the company have opened. Jake Crimmin from Codorniu is coming over to introduce the wines. He has recently visited Argentina and is full of knowledge and enthusiasm for the country, its culture and its wines.

DOLLY PARTON TRIBUTE CARVERY CABARET & DISCO Saturday 21st March

The wines are new to us, and you will be the first to taste a number of them!

It will begin at 7.30pm when the shop closes and the cost is £10 per person, which will be refunded in full if you buy a case of wine (i.e. 12 bottles mixed) on the night. The tasting sheet is attached. Numbers are strictly limited so please book asap if you wish to attend.

Then on Wednesday March 18th, we have a dinner at Haworth's restaurant, which is opening soon. Some of you will, no doubt, remember Carl Haworth when he had Haworth's restaurant in Ballasalla. He has cooked in various restaurants since then, and most recently for the Lt Governor, but is now about to open his own restaurant again at the Admiral House Hotel.

The wines will all be from the Bouchard Finlayson Estate, an estate established in 1989 near Hermanus in the Walker Bay area at the southern tip of South Africa. We are delighted to have Lia Poveda coming over to present the wines. Lia is an enthusiastic young French lady, passionate about both food and wine, a former Sommelier in both France and the UK and very good at presenting. She has spent a great deal of time in Burgundy and has a superb palate. Her family have been involved in hospitality and the off trade in France for many years.

Lia joined the Bouchard Finlayson team as Global Ambassador.

In this newly created, London-based role Lia is at the hub of Bouchard Finlayson's European operations. She represents Bouchard Finlayson at wine fairs in Europe, talks at dinners such as this one and is closely involved in restaurant/hotel staff training.

The cost is £47.50 per person, which includes five glasses of wine (equivalent a bottle per person) and the four courses plus coffee.

It is a 7 for 7.30pm start and I would expect it to finish at around 11pm for anyone wishing to book a taxi.

Tel:611793 | Email: anne@thewinecellar.im BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

EASTER SUNDAY CARVERY Sunday 5th April - BOOK NOW THE MANX AMATEUR DRAMA FEDERATION GREEN ROOM from 4th - 10th April At the Empress we pride ourselves on offering attention to detail. We look forward to welcoming you soon.

Tel: 661155 • Email :info@theempresshotel.net W: www.theempresshotel.net

THE

EMPRESS HOTEL

Mothers Day

Carvery Lunch with music

Sunday 15th March 2015 • 12.30pm - 2.00pm Adults £25.95 • Children(3-12) £12.50 Fresh Vegetable Soup with Roll & Butter V Seafood Selection with Marie Rose Sauce Assorted Continental Meats Chilled Melon Selection V ~~~ Assorted Salads with Various Dressings Roast Sirloin of Manx Beef with Yorkshire Pudding Mustard Glazed Gammon Crown of Roasted Turkey with Trimmings & Cranberry Sauce Baked Local Cod with a Bean Salsa Mediterranean Vegetable Tartlet Topped with Parmesan on Fresh Rocket V ~~~ Peach & Cherry Crumble with Custard Sauce Assorted Sweets with Fresh Cream Selection of Manx & Continental Cheeses, Grapes & Savoury Biscuits ~~~ Coffee & Mints

For bookings please call 661155

Email reservations@theempresshotel.net Treat Your Mother to a day of relaxation and enjoyment ‘Come and spoil her’

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WHEN IT COMES TO DISTRIBUTION...

WE MAKE A STAND

WE HAVE NEW STANDS ARRIVING IN MARCH BEING PLACED IN NEW LOCATIONS AROUND THE ISLAND. www.gallery.co.im/distribution

TRAVEL

TRAVEL TRAVEL

WORDS Viv Pallot PHOTOS Moz Scott & Beverley Pasqua

Druk Yul – as the Bhutanese name their kingdom – means “Land of the Thunder Dragon” and with its mist-shrouded peaks, sacred temples and dense forests it’s easy to see why. No larger than Switzerland, this predominantly Buddhist nation has been hailed as the ultimate Shangri-La. Bhutan is, after all, the land above the clouds where folk still fear the Yeti …

Very few tourists have been to this tiny, isolated kingdom cradled high in the Himalaya, and most people have never even heard of it. Hardly surprising when this remote realm had purposely cut itself off from the rest of the world until recently. Even now, tourism to Bhutan is limited, but it is well worth the effort and expense according to those who’ve been.

The Bhutanese landscape is spectacular with peaks piercing the clouds before giving way to fertile valleys far below. Mysterious temples and ancient forts dot the countryside, with virgin forest covering three quarters of the land. The Himalayan air is so fresh that lichens grow unchecked and one species hangs down like a delicate fringe from the trees.

Bordered by Tibet on the north and India on the other three sides, Bhutan is accessible by air from a handful of Asian hubs into Paro International Airport. It’s a notorious descent at the best of times, snaking along a valley between two mountains before landing at Paro’s airstrip, 7000 feet above sea level and frequently beset by bad weather.

Colourful prayer flags flutter like bunting in the breeze and wooden prayer wheels come in all sizes but are always turned clockwise.

“It’s a bit like mass producing prayers!” quips writer Moz Scott, who recently returned from a five-day trek in Bhutan with her friend, Beverley Pasqua.

You can also arrive by road, but there are only two permitted entry/ exit points for foreigners, both from India – one on the southwest side bordering West Bengal and the other to the southeast, bordering Assam.

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Here you won’t find the swarms of trekkers that trample neighbouring Nepal though, nor any budget backpackers. Why not?

Because only organised tours are allowed in Bhutan and there’s a hefty tourist tax of $250 per day, which helps subsidise the country’s shiny new infrastructure.

ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE JERSEY’S STYLE MAGAZINE

TRAVEL

Since the fourth generation king took over in 1972, there’s free education for all so literacy rates are high and poverty levels have improved dramatically.

And the economy is now thriving with hydroelectricity as the main industry.

Before the 1960s, however, there was no electricity at all - nor any roads, transport, postal services or telephones. More surprisingly, there wasn’t even any TV in the country before 1999! But now that westernisation is slowly creeping in, ancient traditions are graudally being eroded.

Today, educated youngsters prefer whitecollar careers over the traditional roles of their ancestors. With English as a second language, kids are now mimicking the latest songs from their pop idols in the USA, which no amount of television censorship can prevent.

Some traditions still remain, however.

Friendly Buddhist monks draped in their bright sunset-coloured robes often mingle with the public and are hotshots at darts and the national sport of archery – achieving impressive accuracy over long distances.

Homemade handicrafts are sold at craft markets and three generations often share a simple wooden home on the hillside.

Vegetables are all farmed organically.

The Bhutanese traditional dress is still worn by many, with men in knee-length kimonolike robes plus shoes (and long socks in winter) and women wearing sarongs under brocade jackets – similar to smoking jackets.

“BEFORE THE 1960S, HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO ELECTRICITY AT ALL - NOR ANY ROADS, TRANSPORT, POSTAL SERVICES OR TELEPHONES. MORE SURPRISINGLY, THERE WASN’T EVEN ANY TV IN THE COUNTRY BEFORE 1999! BUT NOW THAT WESTERNISATION IS SLOWLY CREEPING IN, ANCIENT TRADITIONS ARE GRAUDALLY BEING ERODED.” But no trip to Bhutan is complete without a visit to the famous Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery which clings to a cliff face high above a valley and is only accessible on foot. It’s a strenuous four-hour round trip pilgrimage to this sacred site. The monastery was built in 1692 on the site of a cave where an 8th century Guru Rinpoche ensconced himself and proceeded to meditate for three years, three months and three days, following a flight from Tibet on the back of a tigress to subdue a local demon.

Various hiking opportunities are a major attraction for tourists, from one-day treks into the remote valley of Bumthang, to high-altitude treks including the one from Paro to the capital city of Thimpu (pronounced Tim-poo) as undertaken

by Moz and Beverley, and there are even longer ones if you wish.

There is also one of the most challenging treks in the world: the month-long Snowman Trek. It is led by experienced Alpine guides and follows the Bhutan-Tibet border over some very remote mountain passes before ending up in central Bhutan.

Along the way, you might be lucky enough to spot a snow leopard, some rare blue sheep … or maybe even a Yeti.

Everyone loves to dress up and revel in the many festivals for which Bhutan is renowned. Some of these festivals date back to the Middle Ages and attract locals from far and wide. It’s a great opportunity for socialising. Among them are the popular Tshechu festivals (pronounced “ter-shu“) which are joyous celebrations over several days, with colourful costumes and music and dancing – and tourists still very much in the minority.

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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TRAVEL

DESTINATION: CULTURE FROM SAMBA DANCING TO ANDEAN MYSTICISMS, THIS MONTH WE TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE MOST UNIQUE AND FABULOUS CELEBRATIONS FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD

LICHT FESTIVAL

SIGNAL FESTIVAL

Summer’s fading, the nights are drawing in…what better time to indulge in one of Europe’s most talked about video mapping exhibits.

Guaranteed to make you view ancient buildings in a new light, Signal, a newcomer to the kooky, cultural scene has been dubbed a must-see international event. The festival, which takes place on October 16-19, sees the historical centre of Prague play host to over 20 illuminated art installations, projecting patterns on to the neo-gothic Kostel svaté Ludmily, the Michna and Kinsky Palaces.

With over 250,000 visitors flocking to the WHERE: Prague WHEN: October 16 – 19 streets of this popular European city, it’s well Signalfestival.com worth booking in advance!

With an array of dazzling displays, including cathedrals made up of over 55,000 LEDs, the Licht Festival is one Ghent’s biggest calendar events, attracting culture vultures in their masses from across Europe.

The festival, which takes place every three years, boasts an abundance of mustsee illuminated installations by various international light artists. The city’s nights become the backdrop to an astonishing spectacle, imaginative installations, remarkable performances and picturesque events. Prepare to discover Ghent’s historic sites from a different angle.

WHERE: Belgium WHEN: January 29 – February 1st Lichtfestivalgent.be

VENICE CARNIVAL

As the masked pre-Lenten cheerfulness of the Carnevale crowd rolls in, Venice is finally awoken from its winter slumber. The atmosphere is energetic and the ambience animated, as hoards of ghostly figures in dramatic costume wander through the streets of this otherworldly city.

WHERE: Venice WHEN: February 4 Carnevale.venezia.it

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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

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THAIPUSAM

Not for the cowardly, this three-day festivity includes a procession up the steps of the Batu caves near Kuala Lumpur, during which certain trance-like partakers impale themselves with hooks or arrows in the form of an apology for past sins. The event honours the Hindu god Subramaniam, the younger son of Shiva.

WHERE: Malaysia WHEN: February 7 mydestination.com

HOLI

To welcome the spring in the hope of being blessed with a good harvest and fruitful land, this exuberant, ancient festival sees the streets of India come to life with outlandish colour. Everyday appearances are cast aside, as festivalgoers smear themselves (and each other) with brightly coloured paint. The event is famous in the state of Uttar Pradesh, predominantly in the town of Mathura – the birthplace of Krishna.

RIO CARNIVAL

Celestial toucan birds, neon green spacemen brandishing Brazilian flags and platoons of skimpily clad women and men dancing a breakneck samba – these are just a few of the sights you can expect to see at the infamous and extravagant Rio de Janeiro Carnival.

With parades that run until dawn at the Sambadrome, you’ll be forgiven for collapsing in a heap as the carnival comes to a close.

WHERE: Rio de Janeiro WHEN: February 13 - 17

WHERE: India WHEN: March 23 Holifestival.com

Rio-carnival.net

NAADAM FESTIVAL, ULAN BATOR

Mongolia’s annual Naadam festival surrounds demonstrations of three manly sports: horse racing, archery and wrestling. For three entire days, the streets of the capital are inundated with spectators relishing in the parades of skills, that have for centuries, sustained a fundamentally nomadic population. The opening ceremony showcases music and marches performed by athletes, soldiers and monks. Outside the competions, Mongolians play games using shagai – sheep anklebones.

WHERE: Mongolia WHEN: July 11 - 13 Visitmongolia.com

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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TRAVEL

NEBUTA FESTIVAL

Each and every year, the northern port of Aomori plays host to this life-affirming festival, which has to date been running for three centuries. Deemed the most colourful event in the Japanese calendar, the town streets become awash with processions of flute players, dancing figures and cosmic floats portraying papier-mâché figures of snakes, dragons, gods and samurai warriors. By belief the Nebuta was held to ward off evil spirits for the coming year; it concludes with a procession of illuminated floats on boats around the harbour during which the singing and the thump of taiko drums rise to great haste.

WHERE: Japan WHEN: August 2 - 7 Seejapan.co.uk

LA TOMATINA Each and every year, thousands upon thousands of participants from all over the globe make their way to the small town of Bunol in Spain, where a mass food fight commences – involving more than one hundred metric tons of over-ripe tomatoes.

The week long festival features dancing, parades, music and fireworks and on the evening before the tomato fight, participants are encouraged to compete in a paella-cooking contest.

WHERE: Bunol WHEN: Last Wednesday of August latomatinatours.com

LA DIABLADA

Crowned the “dance of the devils”, this fabulous festival is a mish mash of embellished Andean mysticisms, San Miguel and Incan characters – all intent on reliving numerous stories, including that of the timeless battle between good and evil. The festivities run until Shrove Tuesday when alcohol is scattered over belongings in order to beseech a blessing.

IL PALIO

In the summer months, a ferociously competitive bareback horse race embarks around the boundary of Siena’s celebrated Piazza del Campo. This highly ambitious event involves jockeys from the 17 neighbourhoods of the city, and is ultimately a risky dash for glory as the streets of the city reverberate to the sound of thunderous hooves.

WHERE: Oruro, Bolivia WHEN: January 17 Carnifest.com

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WHERE: Siena, Italy WHEN: July 2 & August 16 Italia.it

ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

Isle of Man | Home & Interiors | March 2015

The best place to find a new place in the Isle of Man

HOME

FEATURE PROPERTY

£460,000 Stunning 5 bedroom Victorian townhouse in quiet North Ramsey, with sea and mountain views.

Coburg Court, Coburg Road, Ramsey is an attractive Victorian townhouse with large, light and airy rooms and a wealth of original features...

Accommodation is spread over four floors, with five large double bedrooms, two interlinked reception rooms, a large kitchen/breakfast room, 3 bathrooms (2 ensuite) and two additional cloakrooms. The lower ground floor – which has private access from outside as well as via internal stairs - provides a large space suitable for a cinema or games room, teenagers or even granny or an au-pair (subject to planning permission). The townhouse walled garden is private, and attractively laid out with paving and easily maintained flowerbeds.

Mooragh Park and the beach are a couple of minutes walk away and can be seen from the house - and it is an easy walk to the local primary school and Ramsey Grammar School. The local doctors’ practice and the Cottage Hospital are also easily accessible on foot.

Recently the subject of extensive regeneration, attracting a number of attractive independent shops, coffee houses and restaurants, Ramsey town is also within walking distance, and as an added bonus, Coburg Road is outside the TT course so there is no danger of being cut off during racing.

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01624 812823

ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

HOME

Coburg Court, Coburg Road, Ramsey is an attractive Victorian townhouse with large, light and airy rooms and a wealth of original features...

Internal viewings are a must to appreciate this home – contact Cowley Groves, 01624 812823.

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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Te l + 4 4 ( 1 6 2 4 ) 6 1 7 7 8 8 . Tr o m o d e E s t a t e , D o u g l a s , I s l e o f M a n . c u b b i n a n d b r e g a z z i . c o m

HOME

FEATURED PROPERTY

31 ROYAL PARK, RAMSEY 2

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£595,000

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• Immaculately presented and decorated modern detached family house • Well designed, tastefully decorated, high quality fixtures and fittings with solid oak doors throughout • Reception Hall, Cloakroom, Lounge with bay windows, Dining Room, family Dining Kitchen • Conservatory, Utility, luxury Master Bedroom Suite with En Suite Bathroom and Dressing Room • 4 further double Bedrooms one with En Suite Bathroom and spacious Family Bathroom • Rear lawned garden with patio, Greenhouse, Shed and raised vegetable/herb beds • Double Garage, Viewing highly recommended

BLACK CRACE COWLEY 51 VICTORIA STREET, DOUGLAS T: 645555 WWW.BLACKGRACECOWLEY.COM

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With the right combination of accessories, creating a new look can be as easy as 1,2,3…

Nature Photo Frame 4 x 6 £8 Odds & Ends Trinket Box £8

Brown Square Mantle Clock £15 Love Decor Sign £15

Rustic Letter Rack £10 Blue Global Glass Vase £7 Metal House Storage £25

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Wooden House Photo Frame £ 12 Concrete House Doorstop £4 House Tealight Holder £8

PRODUCTS AVAILABLE FROM SHOPRITE LIVING, CHESTER STREET, DOUGLAS AND MARINA LANE, PORT ERIN BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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MAJESTIC DRIVE, ONCHAN Rural and sea views • • • • • • • • • •

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CASTLE STREET, PEEL OFFERS IN EXCESS OF £700,000 Beautiful walled court yard • • • • • • •

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HARMONY HOMES RAMSEY T: 818222 WWW.HARMONYHOMES.CO.IM

ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

The German Kitchen Centre Probably the Best Kitchens in the World ...

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November 2014

30 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN DESIGN - INSTALLATION - PROJECT MANAGEMENT

5ifth Dimension Ltd, Marina Lane, Port Erin Tel: 830069 www.5DL.im

Directions: Take the 2nd right after the Falcons Nest Hotel - Opening Hours: Tues-Fri 10:00 - 17:00 / Saturday 10:00 - 15:00

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GarforthGray have quickly become the Islands most talked about Estate Agents.

Very distinctive branding high quality presentation and the eye catching pink boards are grabbing the attention of people looking at buying and selling their properties.

WHY CHOOSE GARFORTHGRAY? Experience - All of our agents are experienced valuers with superb local knowledge. Receiving the right advice before marketing can make a huge difference. We always provide honest advice and recommendations to assist your sale.

Sunday viewings - We are free when you are. This means working 7 days a week. We appreciate people work 9-5 so we are flexible to ensure your property receives the maximum amount of viewings. Viewings on Saturday & Sunday!

Presentation - Visit our website to see the difference - www. garforthgray.im We take pride in our work ensuring all of our clients properties are marketed in their best light. This ensures your property gets the attention it deserves.

Save money - We believe our fees are tough to beat. From our research we have found that most agents charge a minimum of 1.0% and anywhere upto a staggering 1.75%. In most cases we provide an option that is 25% cheaper.

FEE OPTIONS Option 1.

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PRICE - £399,000

Olivia Berry - “Our expectations were exceeded using GarforthGray to sell our home.

Pat Berridge- GarforthGray’s marketing and commision strategies were an instant “breath of fresh air”.

Details and professional photographs were uploaded onto their easy to navigate and friendly website within hours. The apartment had been for sale for 6 months with another agent, with very little interest, but GarforthGray sold it within 5 days!

Buying or selling a house can be a stressful experience however the Garforth Gray team minimise your anxiety with their professional, friendly and supportive manner. They certainly have a comprehensive knowledge of the current Isle of Man property market and work tirelessly to achieve results. For an honest, prompt and informative service GarforthGray are in a class of their own

Thank you GarforthGray for your excellent and professional service”

2 Nursery Ave Onchan

PRICE - £209,000 Emma Barlow - “Putting our house on the market was an emotional decision but Jonathan and Ciaran are so friendly and approachable that it hasn’t felt like hard work at all.

We have a busy life and sometimes don’t sit down until late at night and it’s so refreshing to still be able to contact your Agent at that time. We’ve had lots of compliments about how great our house listing looks and have every confidence in GarforthGray”

01624 667788 / www.garforthgray.im Aigney Mie Gansey

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Recently constructed magnificent detached coastal residence, situated in a sought after location taking full advantage of the stunning sea and countryside views. The property offers spacious luxury accommodation with high quality fixtures and fittings.

Features High Quality build with complementing fixtures & fittings Grand Reception Hall with a stone Chesney fire surround & hearth Energy efficient MVHR heat recovery & ventilation system Large Lawned Gardens & Paddock Front & Rear terraces

Ballaseyre Barn Andreas

£525,000

3 Bed / 3 Bath / 2 Rec

Unique barn conversion providing spacious accommodation full of charm and character. This property is well worthy of an internal inspection to appreciate the high quality fixtures and fittings along with the lovely homely feel. Spacious flat lawned garden and a large Garage finishes of this beautiful house.

Features Rural location with beautiful surrounding views Converted in 2005 to a high standard 30 Ft Dining Kitchen Exposed timbers to ceilings Idyllic & cosy country dwelling Spacious Gardens with 4 Car detached garage

King Edward Close, Onchan 3 Bed / 2 Bath / 2 Rec

£499,950

Immaculate detached true bungalow situated in a private cul-de-sac location. The well laid out spacious accommodation has been finished with high quality fixtures and fittings throughout. There are some fantastic features both inside and out with a large wrap around conservatory and summer house complete with hot tub.

Features Located in a quite & private Cul de Sac Mature South facing landscaped gardens Integral garage Luxury En suite Bathroom Perfect for someone looking to downsize Immaculate condition throughout.

Selbourne Drive Douglas 4 Bed / 2 Bath / 3 Rec

£499,950

This traditional semi-detached house is located in a sought after location. The spacious well laid out family accommodation is presented in first class decorative order throughout. An internal inspection is highly recommended in order to appreciate the many original pleasing features.

Features Original features married with contemporary living Beautiful Entrance Hallway Bespoke High Quality Kitchen Spacious Dining room great for entertaining.

Open fire in the sitting room with decorative timber surround Large En suite bathroom

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PROPERTY NEWS

RENTALS ON THE RISE

By Tim Groves of Black Grace Cowley The Island’s rental market is growing.

Demand is starting to increase for a number of simple reasons: more people are renting houses and apartments than before, better quality rental property is available and rents are becoming more competitive. These all make renting property more attractive.

Over the past 10 years, the market on the Island has been consistent. There has been, and will always be a housing need. Rents have grown over the period, generally in line with inflation. In the early part of 2004 through to 2007/8, however, stronger rental growth in mainstream housing across the Island was seen as the Island’s economy grew in better economic times.

Whilst the Island’s economy is still growing, our housing market is facing a number of challenges; it’s difficult to sell property, price expectation is, often, beyond where the market value may be. This has created short term uncertainty which has a positive effect on the rental market. When sales are made, renting becomes a viable alternative to a back to back sale/purchase.

The new industries generating jobs on our island bring in highly skilled workers on good salaries – singles, couples and families; all of which have a housing need. The majority of these workers will, initially, rent property.

Lastly, the poor returns traditional lending institutions provide on savings lead investors to seek alternative places to invest their money. Buy to let property is seen as a better place to invest, provides higher returns, and constitute tangible ‘bricks and mortar’ assets that, hopefully, will appreciate over the medium to long term.

OPEN DAYS TO ASSIST FIRST TIME BUYERS Those who are interested in purchasing a property through Government’s Shared Equity Purchase Assistance Schemes are being invited along to an open day.

Staff from the Department of Health and Social Care’s Housing Team will be on hand to provide information and guidance between 12noon and 7pm on Wednesday 18 March 2015 at Corrin Hall in Peel.

Two shared equity schemes were introduced in July 2014 – First Home Fixed and First Home Choice – replacing the former House Purchase Assistance Scheme. Providing that an applicant meets the relevant eligibility criteria, the Department can offer assistance up to a maximum of 30% of the value of the property.

A number of first time buyer properties are currently being developed in Castletown, Colby, Port Erin, Peel, Ramsey and Douglas which have a price cap of £160,000. These will be available as ‘approved’ properties under the First Home Fixed Scheme to those on the Register of First Time Buyers.

Alternatively, First Home Choice caters for those looking to purchase a property for up to £190,000 on the open market.

Anyone who is interested in the Shared Equity Purchase Assistance Schemes and has any queries should contact the Department of Health and Social Care’s Housing Team on 685955 or visit www.gov.im/firsttimebuyers.

IS BRITAIN BECOMING A NATION OF ‘HOMILLIONAIRES’?

A survey claims that there are 400,000 households in the UK living in homes worth more that £1m. And, inevitably, it is London that is leading the trend.

Name: Homillionaires.

Age: All sorts.

Appearance: Rather pleased with themselves.

How come? Are these people who became rich by delivering homilies? In almost every case, no. They are rich, however.

Why? Because they own homes worth £1m or more.

House prices! A subject too often ignored by British newspapers. Um, yes, maybe. Anyway, some skivvy at the Sunday Times has done a lot of Googling and found out that there are about 400,000 “homillionaire households” in the UK. Does that mean they are counting a £1m house owned jointly by one couple as one “homillionaire household”? I think it does mean that, yes.

So, really, they are two semihomillionaires? I suppose they are. Although a £2m house owned jointly would also be one “homillionaire household” but might contain two homillionaires.

I see. And the number of property sales worth more than £1m that go through each year has tripled to 18,000 in the past decade.

Although some of the people buying those will already have been homillionaires and thus won’t have added to the country’s total? Yes. In fact, the paper thinks that most homillionaires have earned the status simply by staying in a house that has gained value. Hackney in east London, for instance, has gone completely homillionoopla, with the number of properties in the borough that sell each year for more than £1m rising more than eight-fold since 2006-7.

So gritty Hackney is now a homillionairea? You could say that. But don’t. And, in fact, those kinds of prices are not uncommon now. Apparently there are 10,613 streets where properties have an average value of more than a £1m. Although, obviously, there are more homillionaire households in London than in the rest of the UK combined.

What about mortgages? How many homillionaires haven’t paid for their houses yet? I don’t know. Probably a lot of them. Although some will be millionaires anyway, if you take into account their other assets. After all, London is home to more dollar millionaires (not including property wealth) than any other city in the world.

So how many homillionaires are there in Britain?

I don’t know.

Do say: “Statistics are complicated, aren’t they?”

Don’t say: “Only when they’re accurate.”

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The Elms, Ramsey 1 Lower Cronk Orry, Minorca Hill, Laxey Oakland, Glen Vine Barroose Farm, Baldrine

oc

ro ert es t o r n ert s www.blackgracecowley.com 1 Lower Cronk Orry, Minorca Hill, Laxey

The Elms, Ramsey

£127,500 - £240,000

• • • • • • •

£419,950

Excellently located, purpose built self-contained apartments Open plan Lounge/Kitchen/Diner, modern fitted Kitchen Secure gated entrance into the grounds Communal gardens and allocated parking All local amenities nearby Gas fired central heating uPVC double glazing

• Secluded position on elevated, highly landscaped site above Laxey harbour • Extremely well presented spacious modern detached home • Lounge, Dining Room, WC, Kitchen, Utility • 4 Bedrooms, 2 En-Suites and Family Bathroom • Detached single Garage with attractive Manx stone detailing • Off-street block paved car park apron for up to 4 cars • Extensive corner plot providing huge potential for attractive landscaped Gardens

Barroose Farm, Baldrine

Oakland, Glen Vine

• • • • • • • •

£799,500

£1,250,000

Superior, modern, executive detached family home High quality fixtures and fittings throughout Offering spacious well laid out accommodation 29 ft Lounge, Dining Room, Family Room & Cloakroom Master Bedroom with luxury En Suite & Dressing Room 5 further Bedrooms, 2 luxury En Suites and Bathroom Newly fitted Firebird oil boiler & uPVC double glazing Internal inspection highly recommended

• • • • • • • •

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Impressive detached bungalow in elevated position 360 degree view of the countryside and coast Set in approx. 4.5 acres of landscaped gardens and land Hall, 25 ft Lounge/Cinema Room, 28 ft Dining Kitchen Utility, Study/Bedroom 5, Master Bedroom Suite 2 further Double Bedrooms, En-Suite, Family Bathroom, Shower Room and Dressing Room Triple Garage, 40 ft Workshop and extensive parking 9 Athol Street, Peel, Isle of Man, IM5 1HE

01624 845696

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FEATURED PROPERTY

THE OAK, SPRINGFIELD RISE, FOXDALE STUNNING NEW 4 BED DETACHED HOME

from £454,950

Designed, constructed and finished to award-winning standards, this stunning 4 bedroom detached former show-home is available fully-furnished and ready to move straight into.

Traditionally built with the highest levels of energy efficiency available today, this superbly appointed home benefits from the latest modern building techniques and materials to provide spacious living accommodation and an exceptional level of specification including:

• Stunning German kitchen with stone worktops and full range of integral appliances including: double oven, microwave, ceramic hob, stainless steel extractor, dishwasher, fridge freezer, washing machine and tumble dryer • Luxurious family bathroom and two en-suites, with quality floor and wall tiles Stylish fitted wardrobes • ALL floor coverings, curtains and blinds • ALL furniture • Superb fully landscaped front and rear gardens • Integral garage Occupying a prime position within a delightful semi-rural development on the outskirts of Foxdale, the property is situated close to the heart of the village and is within a short walk of the village school, just 10 minutes’ drive from the nearby city of Peel, and only a 15 minute drive from the island’s capital, Douglas.

VIEWING HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Price fully furnished £479,950, or £454,950 without furniture.

To arrange a viewing call: 615000, or email: iomsales@dandara.com VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT Heritage Homes, Douglas Tel: 01624 615000 www.dandara.com

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GLEN MAYE PARK, GLEN MAYE £460,000 Double Garage • • • • • • • •

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HARMONY HOMES PEEL T: 01624 845252 WWW.HARMONYHOMES.CO.IM

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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

ON THE AGENDA

NO. 10

MARCH 2015

ON THE AGENDA THIS EDITION: LAW - UNDUE INFLUENCE BANKING- THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS IOM - GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE THE GLASS CEILING - ARE WOMEN BLOCKED FROM GETTING TO THE TOP? PLUS - HUGGING, 4G MOBILE , BUSINESS NEWS, MOVERS & SHAKERS

PICKS WORDS WORDS

‘Undue Influence’:

CHARLES COLEMAN

Rory McIlroy outside court

T

he case, had it not been settled out-of-court, was scheduled to last for eight weeks in Dublin’s igh ourt. A oint statement, however, announced that the legal dispute had been settled to the “satisfaction of both parties”. cIlroy is reported to have agreed to pay a settlement figure in the region of m- 0m.

The claim was that cIlroy had entered into an onerous contract with Horizon which, it was alleged, was the result of ‘undue influence’ exerted by ori on on the golfer at a hristmas party in order to persuade him to sign the contract. T herefore, cIlroy had asked the ourt for a udgment releasing him from his obligations under that contract.

Although that case was being brought before the courts in Ireland, the courts of the Isle of an, ngland and most other commonwealth urisdictions recognise the doctrine of ‘undue influence’ in some form.

In essence, the doctrine is used to reflect the situation where there may be an inequality of bargaining power between parties to a contract, often where one party to the contract is in a position of trust over the other party and is alleged to have abused that trust by gaining unduly favourable contract terms.

Although there is no definitive list of the circumstances in which ‘undue influence’ can exist, we most typically see cases brought under this doctrine in Will and state cases. This might be when a person often elderly is nearing the end of his or her life and e xecutes a Will favouring a party close to them who, in other circumstances, they might not have favoured.

96

It is worth noting that in circumstances like this, the doctrine of ‘undue influence’ is separate to the issue of whether or not the individual executing the Will is of sound mind and sufficient competence to execute the legal document t he essence of ‘undue influence’ is that even though someone may be found competent, they can nonetheless be influenced in an unfair manner.

McIlroy’s former agent, Conor Ridge, outside court

THE AGENDA SUPPLEMENT

ases of ‘undue influence’ in relation to Will and state disputes are very common.

They often involve allegations that a trusted

DO BUSINESS IN STYLE

LES ABLE

The GLASS CEILING:

When Is A Contract Not A Contract?

Are women blocked from getting to the top?

“Inequality is not good for growth, inequality is not good for women”.

These are the comments of Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, and come against a background of headlines which suggest that women are prevented from getting the top jobs and smashing through the so-called ‘glass ceiling’.

Those of you who follow the news (and indeed golf) are likely to have seen reports of a multimillion pound legal case between the world’s No1 golfer Rory McIlroy MBE and his former management company Horizon Sports.

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FEATURE

Glass Ceiling

Undue influence

advisor, for instance a lawyer or financial advisor who is subsequently named in the Will, or occasionally a friend or family member, again subsequently named in the Will, may have been unduly and improperly influencing the nature of the bequest.

The doctrine of ‘undue influence’ is effectively the same in each of those cases. owever, it is usually easier to prove that a paid advisor such as a lawyer or independent financial advisor I A has unduly influenced the bequest of the deceased than to prove that such influence was exerted by a family member or friend.

All too often, according to surveys, women are locked out of jobs in the “business mainstream”, rarely become chief executives and are relegated to areas such as personnel, public relations and other roles that seldom lead to the most powerful topmanagement posts.

The ‘glass ceiling’ has been described as a barrier “so subtle that it is transparent, yet so strong that it prevents women from moving up the corporate hierarchy”. In effect, women can see the highlevel corporate positions but are kept from reaching them often, they claim, by all-male managements responsible for making the decisions. Women will often describe the ‘clubiness’ among the men that exists in too many board rooms.

“In my experience, the so-called ‘glass ceiling’, which prevents a woman from achieving her desired level of salary, is a myth,” is the unequivocal response from Gillian Christian, senior advocate with Cains in the Isle of Man.

She learned quickly how to deal with male prejudice and recalls the infamous and late Robert Maxwell of Daily Mirror pension fund fame shouting, ‘I’m not doing a deal with a ‘f***ing office girl’. “But deal with me he did, Maxwell wanted the deal and I got what I wanted.”

She added: “Perhaps attaining a desired career level has been difficult for a woman in the past, but I think times are changing.

Official figures show that the average full-time pay gap between men and women is at its narrowest (9.4%) since data began to be collected in 1997. The increased use of flexible working hours and the employment of shared parental leave rights should reduce this gap even further.”

Charles Coleman is a leading Isle of Man trial lawyer and a founding director of Gough Law, specialist litigation advocates.

Join Charles on

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M

ale hugging is with us here on the Isle of Man as more and more men are happy to embrace this new trend when greeting each other in something of a non-sexual grapple.

“There is no ‘glass ceiling’, it is the conjuring up of an image of a ‘glass ceiling’ that can stop women from getting to the top,” is the reaction of Debs, who this year is celebrating 30 years in business. “A ‘glass ceiling’ is only there if you believe it to be there and it maybe some women will perceive a ‘glass ceiling’ because they don’t have enough faith in their ability. A woman can rise as high as she wants to go.”

Male-on-male embracing is in fact becoming ever more fashionable and not just among young trendy dudes but as a more warm and informal greeting between middleaged men and even those who are older.

To hug or not to hug?

THE AGENDA SUPPLEMENT

“I have no problem with hugging a bloke, but that may be something to do with my hippy upbringing,” says a laughing Steve Wicks, 49, design and marketing supremo at Home Strategic.

“After all, what’s wrong with a bloke giving another bloke a good hug on meeting or a congratulatory hug when the occasion arises? I’m all for it, but then I’m pretty tactile anyway.”

According to Mark Davison, 44, entrepreneur and co-founder of the award winning Segway experience on the island, everyone needs hugs and likes a hug, whether they admit it or not. “ Although it’s becoming more socially acceptable people still don’t hug each other nearly enough and, when they do, it’s more often than not a gesture of consolation rather than a greeting or an act of support. I think the world would be a much better place if we replaced the handshake with a hug.”

Mark goes on: “There are hundreds of different ways to hug another, and it doesn’t have to indicate intimacy, so come on guys, get hugging!”

Fitness guru David Bartlett, 36, managing director of Douglas-based Core Training is, however, a tad more circumspect. “I suppose I’m relatively hug neutral, happy to reciprocate but don’t necessarily look for hugs in every situation. If it’s a friend who I haven’t seen for a while then yes a hug and perhaps after a night out when you’ve had a few drinks a farewell hug is more appropriate but I don’t necessarily hug male friends every time I see them.”

In politics and business male hugging it is certainly increasingly commonplace.

So-called manly, old fashioned British emotional restraint is becoming less and less evident. This is the 1st century when more and more men want to demonstrate they are in touch with their feelings and not embarrassed about it.

She recalls being asked at an interview early in her career whether she and the man then in her life were planning a family.

“Today that is a taboo question as it’s contrary to employment legislation but nevertheless it remains the ‘elephant in the room’ when a woman of child bearing age is being interviewed. If there is an ‘old boy network’ then I will network within it and happily introduce myself.”

“I acknowledge that I am fortunate enough to have employers who are flexible with my working hours and parents who offer support and assistance with looking after my children; but I have found that, as long as I am able to do my work to a high standard within the hours I do work, I can progress my career and combine this with family life successfully.”

ory cIlroy’s case against his agent was perhaps unusual, in that it was brought between two sophisticated and well advised individuals, but it shows the doctrine of ‘undue influence’ applies not only to the elderly and vulnerable but to everyone, even the world’s No1 golfer. ad it gone to court it would most certainly have been a rare case.

LES ABLE

Debs readily admits that having children was never on her agenda. “That was my choice early in my career, my decision and one I adhered to and I have no regrets. If I had had children I would not have wanted to have seen them looked after by nannies or family members but I don’t judge other women who do that. I respect their decision but I wanted a career and that was the way I felt was right for me.”

“A woman, like a man, can make her own choices respecting her career, salary level and work-life balance, depending on her qualifications, ability, drive and commitment. I am a married woman with two young children, and have never felt that being a woman has acted to prevent me from making those choices and achieving the salary level I set out to achieve. I took six months’ maternity leave in respect of both of my children, and I have chosen to work a four-day week.

These choices have not acted to hinder my career.

‘ ndue influence’ has also been held to be present where banks and other firms of financial advisors have used an inequality of bargaining power against their clients in effect, to force them into purchasing financial products offered by the banks or financial advisors which they might not otherwise have purchased.

This commonly happens when the bank’s role is unclear and it acts as an “advisor” when selling its own products.

WORDS

One of the Island’s best known business women is Debs Gwinnell, marketing director of Typhoon House, owned and run by Debs and her husband, managing director Geoff. Now aged 51, she was 22 when she landed the top marketing job with Disney UK, a role that saw her travelling the world.

She went on: “Yes, there have sometimes been large obstacles put in my way but hammers are there to break them down and where necessary smash through them. I do, however, think women need more mentoring in business, something I benefited from in my early years with Disney. If a woman doesn’t want to reach the top there’s nothing wrong in that, the most important thing is to be happy, if you enjoy what you are doing you will almost certainly be good at it.”

Gillian Christian, Senior Advocate, Cains

A doctrine of great utility, there are numerous situations in which ‘undue influence’ can be applied. There have been occasions where people who transfer all their possessions into the ownership of a religious sect or church have been held to be unduly influenced. In any such case where undue influence is proved, the court has the power to reverse the transaction and or to seek damages to effect ustice between the parties. In effect, the court is entitled to set aside the contract and return the parties to their previous position.

Debs Gwinnell, Marketing Director, Typhoon House

A ‘glass ceiling’ is only there if you believe it to be there and it maybe some women will perceive a ‘glass ceiling’ because they don’t have enough faith in their ability. A woman can rise as high as she wants to go

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DO BUSINESS IN STYLE

102

Do I shake or do I hug This is the conundrum men of all ages are increasingly facing.. aking the right choice matters.

If one guy goes for the hug, but the other decides upon the handshake, they might ust collide. Something of a dance will follow as the duo work feverishly to determine what to do with their hands, their arms, their bodies.

‘C’mon guys, get hugging!’

Men accustomed to the automatic hand clasp at dinners and reunions must now opt for split second calculations based on body language, length of friendship and other factors.

THE AGENDA SUPPLEMENT

So here are a few tips on how to hug while demonstrating you are still firmly a man The pat is the crucial part of a man hug, separating it from a traditional cuddle. With your left hand pat the other guy three or four times on the back. This demonstrates you are still men. If you feel this is too effeminate for you then give a light double punch instead of a pat.

If walking towards a male and unsure if they’ll want a hug or a handshake put one hand forward for a handshake and lift the other arm to give a hug (that’s if they lean in for one) or simply pat them on the upper arm or shoulder (if they remain distant).

Hug in the position where the only body contact is in the shoulders. Having the handshake between you provides a physical barrier that can help to prevent someone from feeling you’re being too affectionate. Looking down or turning towards another male may be interpreted as affectionate nuzzling.

Hugs, according to those who are experts in hugging etiquette, rarely last more than two seconds before one of the huggers or other men observing the hug begin to feel uncomfortable.

While giving the final pat, break. Lift your hands smartly away and don’t let them slide over the other male in a lingering manner. Be warned, this may confuse him and you. Alternatively you could finish by gripping your friend firmly on the upper arms and saying ‘Well done..’, ‘Congratulations..’ or even ‘Great to see you again’! This makes the reason for the hug abundantly clear.

Mission accomplished.

Happy hugging.

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DO BUSINESS IN STYLE

CONTENTS Business News........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................84 There’s No Such Thing As A Free Lunch..................................................................................................................................................................................88 4 G Hits to Competition for 6............................................................................................................................................................................................................92 Institute of Directors Isle Of Man....................................................................................................................................................................................................94 Undue Influence....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................96 The Glass Ceiling.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................98 Hugging...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................102 Movers & Shakers..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................104

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Business News

BUSINESSNEWS for its vision to deliver a personalised, agile model to meet the needs of its clients.

Now in their fourth year, the Citywealth International Financial Centre Awards highlight the excellence of the advisors and managers in the private wealth sector in the major international financial centres.

John Greenwood, CEO of Creechurch Capital, said: “To be recognised at the Citywealth International Financial Centre Awardsis a phenomenal achievement for the team and something we can be truly proud of. To compete with such successful companies and win silver demonstrates our credibility for such a young company.”

Creechurch Capital scoops silver at the prestigious Citywealth International Financial Centre Awards 2015 Creechurch Capital has gained global recognition after being awarded silver in the Investment Management Company of the Year (Isle of Man) category in the prestigious Citywealth International Financial Centre Awards 2015.

Creechurch achieved its shortlisting for the second year, beating off competition from a number of large, well-established companies. The company was commended for its absolute commitment to service and

“Where the business stands apart from its competitors is the absolute commitment to service and access to senior-level counsel regardless of the size of portfolio the client holds with the business.

“Our ambition to be a truly boutique and personalised investment manager with a difference is working to underpin excellent performance for our clients. ixing a bespoke and individual service, with unparalleled reach from our network of partners across the globe ensures we make a real difference to our clients’ lives by enhancing and protecting wealth.”

Successful conference sets out Island’s clean energy plans The Department of Economic Development hosted a successful breakfast seminar at the recent ushlight Show, a leading event for the clean tech energy industry.

Over 170 people registered to attend the Isle of an business breakfast event in London. Dr Ken Milne, Director of Energy at the Department of Economic Development, hosted the event and outlined the many benefits that the Isle of

an can offer to clean tech businesses.

ther speakers included the recently chosen preferred developers of the wind and tidal projects within the Isle of Man’s territorial seas, including representatives from DONG Energy, Manx Tidal Energy Ltd and Tocardo Tidal Energy Ltd.

Equiom Group continues its expansion through the acquisition of AFP Group Hong Kong The Equiom Group has successfully completed the acquisition of AFP Group – an independent Hong Kong based fiduciary and tax services provider employing over staff. A Group CEO, Roddy Sage, AFP Group Managing Director, Debby Davidson and their experienced team have all joined the Equiom Group as part of the deal.

Equiom Group Managing Director, Sheila Dean, commenting on this latest acquisition said arket entry into the Far East has been core to our growth strategy for some time. The team at AFP Group have an established and diverse client portfolio and work closely with corporates, private individuals and their advisors offering a range of fiduciary, tax and specialist services. It is a natural fit for the quiom Group. oddy, ebby and their team have worked closely with us to finalise the deal which will in turn allow A Group to offer their clients a range of enhanced services fully supported by our international team of specialists currently based in Jersey, Isle of Man and Malta.”

AFP Group CEO, Roddy Sage added; “The acquisition of AFP Group by Equiom is great news for all concerned. In particular our clients and large base of intermediaries will now benefit from the knowledge and experience of quiom’s team of professionals. Additionally our staff will benefit from working for an international organisation and the personal opportunities for growth and development the deal brings. Sheila and her team can look forward to building on the relationship we have developed through this process and build on their success to ensure that the Group’s expansion into the Far East continues – they have my whole hearted support”.

or a full guide to the seminar and presentations from the speakers, please visit: www.whereyoucan.com/ibweb/res/pdf/presentations/Rushlight%20 presentation%202015.pdf

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Rendezvous Sky Launches it's latest addition to Fleet endezvous ky, the Islands remier Air Charter company has ust taken delivery of a Beech ing air, which is permanently based on the Isle of Man. The aircraft which is furnished to the very highest standard with luxurious plush reclining leather seats, and in ight catering facilities is guaranteed to get you to your chosen destination in style and comfort and feeling refreshed and de stressed.

Complimenting the new aircraft they have now launched a secure online reservation system, endezvous ky Log, where valued clients can register to view availability and enquire straight to the Sales team headed by Sales Manager David Williams, who will personally oversee that all possible means are ensured to meet any of your requirements. Bigger or smaller aircraft are also available. endezvous ky understand that hanging around for scheduled services can sometimes be a hindrance to your day, and they can have you in the air within an hour from a phone call from apron at the Aviation Museum.

General anager for endezvous ky, Chris Byrne has over years in the Corporate Travel industry and has the knowledge and experience to Taylor your trip to the finest detail.

Brett Turner, CEO for the Rendezvous Group says, " We are very excited about our new addition to endezvous ky. It is perfect for the busy Business person who needs to get somewhere ASAP, or someone who enjoys travelling in luxury and style, to the person who has an important connection to make in the or Ireland when the weather conditions are such that Planes can take off but not land or they are simply cancelled . We are here, the lane is here, and we will endeavour to make sure we

get you to your destination on time."

As with all companies within the Rendezvous Group, for example the xecutive Lounge or peedy ark, we guarantee we will do our up most to surpass your expectations. endezvous ky log can be accessed on http rendezvoussky. com skylog or alternatively if you require urgent assistance contact u directly on 0844 248 2014.

Our clients said: “The service is like years ago when banks knew both you and your father before you”* WE VALUE OUR REPUTATION AS OUR CLIENTS’ TRUSTED WEALTH MANAGER

Our holistic approach and our range of banking, investment and fiduciary solutions are tailored to client needs. We always put our clients first, which is why we have held, for the past five years, the highest ever score for client satisfaction for our speed of response* - and it’s why our clients say we have the personal touch. To find out how we can meet your wealth management needs, visit our website at www.nedbankprivatewealth.com or call us on 01624 645000. * Client satisfaction survey undertaken in 2013 by The Leadership Factor, the UK’s leading customer survey specialist.

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Nedbank Private Wealth is a registered trade name of Nedbank Private Wealth Limited.

Nedbank Private Wealth Limited is licensed by the Isle of Man Financial Supervision Commission. Registered office: St Mary’s Court 20 Hill Street Douglas Isle of Man. Nedgroup Trust (Jersey) Limited is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission.

Business News

Pwc survey finds 88% of Asset Management CEOS are confident of revenue growth In 2015

Batelco’ Annual results confirm Sure’s continued subscriber growth

Asset management C s are confident about revenue growth, reveals a wC report. The firm’s th Annual Global urvey of more than 1,300 CEOs, which includes responses from 155 asset management CEOs in 46 countries, found a high 88% to be either ‘very’ or ‘somewhat’ confident about their revenue growth as they look forward to , rising to over three years. China and the US are viewed as the most important countries for growth prospects.

Sure Isle of Man continues to increase both its mobile and broadband subscriptions, helping to contribute to parent company, Batelco’s, positive year end results.

The findings echo the conclusions of wC’s ‘Asset anagement 2020’ white paper. It predicts global assets under management will exceed trillion by , up from . trillion in , with much of the growth from emerging markets in Asia and Latin America. It also predicts the emergence of new fee models and opportunities in products that could disrupt traditional banking, as well as the rise of passive fund and exchange traded funds (ETFs).

However, with fees under pressure from the rise of ETFs and passive funds, asset management CEOs remain vigilant on costs, with almost half (46%) aiming to cost cut in 2015 and 28% looking to outsource. wC’s survey shows a fifth of asset management C s plan to grow through cross-border merger in 2015 and more than a quarter through domestic mergers – a far higher percentage than for the rest of financial services.

More than a quarter reported entering a new industry over the past three years. A further say they have looked into doing so. Indeed, wC has seen asset managers disrupt banking by, for example, acquiring portfolios of real estate loans and lending to corporates. Alternative asset managers have broadened their product ranges to include private lending arrangements, primary securitisations and off balance sheet financing.

Asset Management CEO’s see their future competitors as coming from technology, financial services or business services. Already ‘robo adviser’ business models are appearing to threaten to disrupt wealth management through automating asset allocation.

From a business perspective, 68% of asset management CEOs are concerned about availability of key skills whilst fear mounting cyber threats, such as data security, which have become an ongoing business risk. What is more, even seven years on from the financial crisis, lack of thrust in business remains a concern according to 61%.

Nichola Christison, PwC Isle of Man’s asset management director, commented: “By 2020, technology will have become mission-critical to drive customer engagement, data-mining for information on clients and potential clients, operational e ciency and regulatory and tax reporting. At the same time, cyber risk will have become one of the key risks for the industry, ranking alongside operational, market and performance risk.

During the course of the year, the number of Sure mobile customers grew by three percent to reach nearly , subscribers across the CIIM division, which includes the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

At the same time, Sure’s broadband services are also proving extremely popular with islanders who enjoy the lower prices and innovative services that ure offers. uring , the number of broadband customers increased by 15% to reach over 28,000 customers across the islands. was marked by growing customer numbers across the Group,” said Batelco Group Chairman, haikh Hamad Bin Abdulla Al halifa. ur overseas operations, which become increasingly more central to our strategy, continue to deliver in line with our expectations.”

In Batelco’s announcement of its 24% year-onyear increase in operating profits, the company acknowledged ure’s rollout of G mobile broadband services in the islands and confirmed that ure Jersey’s recently acquired Foreshore data centre business has now been successfully integrated into the company: “Following on from our acquisition by Batelco in 2013, 2014 has proven to be an excellent year for Sure in the Isle of Man and Channel Islands” said Eddie Saints, Chief Executive of Sure CIIM. “We are delighted that the quality of our services continues to attract hundreds of new customers and that Batelco continues to deliver on its promise of investment in the islands, as we can see with the acquisition of Foreshore and the roll out of our 4G mobile broadband network alongside new G and G networks.

We will continue to work hard for our customers who can expect to see further investment in the islands, which will ensure that Sure carries on delivering the highest quality services at very competitive prices.”

While other sectors have tended to make greater use of technology, asset management CEOs are turning to it to deal with cost pressures with 88% reporting their main use for digital technology as improving operational e ciency.

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Manx Telecom generates new business at ICE Totally Gaming expo Manx Telecom returned from the ICE Totally Gaming expo in London with some new clients and strong business leads. The Island’s leading telecoms company has been selected as a hosting partner for two new eGaming businesses setting up in the Isle of Man, and one gaming operator currently based in Europe which is relocating to the Island. This latest news adds to Manx Telecom’s already impressive portfolio of eGaming clients which includes okerstars, ull Tilt oker and addy Power.

Manx Telecom was represented at ICE by Account anagers an Walker and ohn Corrigan who were on the Department of Economic Development’s eGaming team stand. an Walker commented “As always, ICE proved to be a fantastic opportunity not only to promote the rapidly expanding portfolio of solutions we offer the gaming industry, but also the many advantages offered by the Isle of an. There was a great deal of interest in our hosting solutions, plus the fact we’re the only Isle of Man hosting provider with two Tier 3 data centres. We also received a good deal of enquiries about our Intelligent Analytics and DDoS Protection solutions.”

Intelligent Analytics targets the rapidly growing big data analytics market and allows eGaming businesses to extract commercially useful information from the huge volumes of data generated from billions of dollars of transactions every year. Businesses using Manx Telecom’s Intelligent Analytics solution can improve their identification of high value players

and the accuracy of targeted marketing for cross up selling.

Manx Telecom’s DDoS Protection solution is a world class and cost effective cyber security solution. The o ( istributed Denial of Service) platform is powered by Radware, a global leader of application delivery and application security with customers such as large online commerce and social networking sites. anx Telecom believes it is currently the only Isle of an provider who can offer this level of cyber security protection to its corporate connectivity and hosting customers as a fully managed service.

ICE Totally Gaming was held at London’s ExCel and is the world’s biggest eGaming expo attracting well over 20,000 visitors, including gaming professionals from over 100 jurisdictions.

PwC Report

There’s no such thing as a free lunch: why fees are the future for current accounts Current account customers may not want to pay for their accounts, but the free banking model is unsustainable and may increase the likelihood of mis-selling in the future, according to PwC’s latest report, There’s no such thing as a free lunch: Why fees are the future for current accounts, published in February.

The report, based on analysis of a UK survey of over 2,000 people, reveals that while a clear majority (66%) are aware of hidden current account charges, one in two customers would be likely to change bank if an upfront fee is introduced instead.

Additionally, nearly two thirds (62%) of customers say they are not prepared to pay anything upfront for their current accounts and 27% would not pay more than £10 a month.

Ian Clague, banking leader at wC Isle of Man, commented: ‘Compared to other countries, the UK and the Isle of Man are anomalies with the free banking model that they’ve adopted for personal current accounts. In other countries, customers expect to pay directly for current accounts in some way, such as ATM charges and monthly fees. As many of us know, Isle of an current accounts are not free at all and are paid for through overdraft charges, penalty fees and uncompetitive or zero rates of interest.

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‘The irony is that most customers understand the unspoken bargain operating here and prefer it to paying an upfront fee. However, the free current account results in some customers being served at a loss to the bank. A more sustainable approach is that customers are asked to pay a fair price in return for reasonable services, which would reduce the risk of banks seeking to recover these costs by selling other products and services that the customer may not want or need.

We can trace the history of this problem through the various mis-selling scandals in the industry over the last decade. ‘The free banking model sti es innovation and competition in the current account market.

It requires new challenger banks to achieve scale very quickly if they are to survive and it fails to reward banks that come up with new ideas as costs cannot be recovered.’

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Table 1 reveals that there is demand for many of the features which are or could be offered as part of a fee paying or packaged current account.

Table 1: What services customers want from a paid-for current account

If you had a current account you had to pay for, which services would you most want included?

Cash back on household bill payments

Free overdraft facilities

A interest for the life of the account

Travel insurance

Commission free cash withdrawals overseas

Mobile insurance

None of these or don’t know

Preferential discount rates on retail or entertainment spending

Motor breakdown cover

However, Table 2 reveals problems with the idea that packaged accounts might offer the industry a way to move away from the free banking model - the amount people are willing to pay is less than the cost of packaged accounts.

Table 2: What customers will pay for banking

How much would you be willing to pay up front for your current account?

Nothing at all Less than £5 a month Between £5 and £10 a month Between £10 and £20 a month Between £20 and £40 a month More than £40 a month Don’t know

Is there a solution?

Ian Clague, banking leader at PwC Isle of Man, concluded: ‘This issue goes to the heart of the matter of trust. Banks and their customers should be expected to enter into a fair bargain for these services. We should expect banks to get a reasonable, but not excessive, return for offering a good and essential service in a consistent manner. The banking industry

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needs to move towards a more transparent way of charging.

‘In the short term, it is difficult to see how an individual bank would remove its free banking product – the risk of being left on its own would expose them to the high risk of losing customers and business.

‘Better transparency between service, costs and fees can only help to address the trust challenge, and the most likely outcome is

the gradual decline of the free-if-in-credit bank account model. Packaged accounts may gain some ground, but there will also be a move towards tiered pricing and the retention of a very basic free product. We are also likely to see innovative new digital models that challenge the current account approach which may come from technology companies, mobile providers, payments companies or a combination of these.’

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Budget Comment

Department of Economic Development’s response to the Isle of Man Budget 2015

Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce – 2015 budget statement

Following the Treasury Minister’s Budget speech the Minister for Economic Development Laurence Skelly MHK commented:

The fine detail of the budget still needs to be studied and the implications measured, but the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce broadly welcomes the Treasury Minister’s budget. It has struck a fair balance between three of the four principles the Minister laid out in opening his speech.

‘I am confident that this Budget will help us drive further economic growth and job creation.

‘Protecting and creating jobs is our priority – and we are seeing growth in the number of jobs in both our export sectors (such as Financial Services and E-Business) and our domestic sectors (such as retail and construction). As a result, our outlook is good.

‘E-Business is our fastest-growing sector, creating 100 additional jobs in 2014, half of them with direct support from my Department. We are forecasting similar growth in 2015.

‘The Visitor Economy continues to grow – the number of Leisure Visitors increased by over 10% during 2014 alone – with good prospects for new hotels and potential for the TT Series.

‘The 6% rise in Government’s Capital Programme will provide a welcome boost for our local construction sector and represents a significant investment in our infrastructure.

‘It is therefore vital we give our people the skills needed to pursue the diverse job opportunities we are creating.

Government is working closely with the private sector on a range of initiatives which can make a real difference, from more apprentice programmes to the exciting developments at the Nunnery.

‘Given this positive outlook we expect real wages to rise this year, which will be a welcome boost for many households. This is supported by a range of factors including falling unemployment, low inflation and the above-inflation rise in the minimum wage last October.

‘This increase in household incomes should lead to increased consumer spending which will also boost our domestic economy.

‘In closing, I think we have good reason to be confident in our economy and our people.’

We concur with the Treasury Minister that the zero ten regime for taxation of companies is the corner stone of our economy and we are extremely pleased to hear his reassurance that the zero rate for companies is here to stay. This will give confidence to businesses here and to those who are looking to invest in the Island. We hope this message is very clear to all on the Island but perhaps more importantly, to those considering investment here.

The Island competes for business with other zero rated international business centres and we do indeed ‘tinker with it at our peril’.

We commend removing over 10,000 from paying income tax by increasing the personal allowance from 2016 and the resulting simplification of the income tax system and the delicate changes to the social security and welfare benefits, particularly the Carer’s Allowance to ensure the most vulnerable are protected and those who can afford to pay do so.

We are, however, disappointed with the changes to the very successful National Insurance Holiday scheme.

This was something Chamber had specifically asked to be retained. 1,685 jobs being created since the scheme was introduced is an economic driver that has delivered significant beneficial results for the relatively small cost of £1,300 per job created.

We also have concerns that the ‘rebalancing’ is apparently still relying on using reserves to support Government spending which must be kept in line with income. We must all appreciate that does mean spending less money and not plugging gaps by adding in small tax charges.

There are many initiatives such as Government’s proposed Digital Strategy which Chamber fully supports: online filings with company registry, work permits, as examples, which would be welcomed by business and would reduce costs for Government. There are ways of reducing costs by efficiencies without the need to damage front line services. We urge Government to swiftly proceed with the work of the Cabinet Office, started by Mr Robertshaw and to be continued by Mr Shimmin.

Finally, the key to a sustainable future is a combination of ensuring the scope and size of Government is affordable and efficient whilst making sure the Island is always in the right place to enable us to continue our enviable record of economic growth.

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LIFE & STYLE 4G Mobile

Mark Cavendish MBE, Manx Telecom’s 4G Ambassador, during a visit to the company’s Strand Street store.

MT 4G hits the competition for 6!

The success of Manx Telecom’s 4G mobile network has been recognised in the world’s leading mobile industry awards, alongside global brands including Vodafone and Nokia.

Manx Telecom’s roll-out of 4G across the Island began with the network’s launch in July last year. As the network marks its six month anniversary, superfast mobile broadband speeds are now available to Manx Telecom’s pay monthly and pay as you go customers with 99% population coverage. These achievements have been recognised with Manx Telecom’s deployment of Huawei’s 4G technology being shortlisted in the GSMA Global Mobile Awards 2015 for the ‘Best Solution for Growing Smaller or Independent Networks Award’ in the ‘Best Mobile Technology’ category.

The winners of this year’s GSMA Global Mobile Awards will be announced at a ceremony in Barcelona on March 3 compered by comedian, actor and writer John Cleese. The awards are judged by more than

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300 independent experts, analysts, journalists, academics, and in some cases, mobile operator representatives.

David Smith, Manx Telecom Marketing Director, commented: “Bringing 4G for all has been our promise ever since a licence was awarded to us in October 2013. We made 4G available to all of our pay monthly mobile customers as soon as we possibly could just nine months later in July 2014 – and to all of our mobile customers from January this year. Equally important, is that it’s great value for all of our mobile customers and the feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive. To have the success of our 4G network endorsed by an independent organisation respected by the whole mobile industry is a great honour. Winning the award would be the icing on the cake for us and our 4G network, but just being shortlisted is a significant achievement given the calibre of businesses also in the running.”

Mr Smith says the fact that Sure is yet to launch 4G across the Island nearly 16 months after licences were granted shows just how successful Manx Telecom’s roll-out of the new technology has been.

The Apple iPhone 6 – one of Manx Telecom’s most popular 4G ready handsets.

Four 4G facts Here are just a four reasons why MT4G has caught on so fast: • Speeds up to 10 times faster compared to 3G mobile broadband.

D videos can buffer in under a minute instead of 3 to 5 minutes with 3G. • Much faster downloading of music, movies, games, and email attachments.

• You can download a 20MB game in less than half a minute – it takes around 3 minutes on 3G.

Are you 4G ready?

If not, it’s easy to switch. To check whether your handset and SIM card are 4G compatible just go to www.manxtelecom. com/4g and enter your mobile number.

The website will then tell you the next steps you may need to take to get 4G. Tech Bench experts at Manx Telecom’s Strand Street store are there to help anyone who needs additional advice on how to get the Island’s fastest mobile broadband.

Superstar cyclist Mark Cavendish MBE M T GA and the fastest man on two wheels uses the company’s 4G network when he’s on the Island.

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IoD - IoM

Clive Parrish

Good Corporate Governance Promoting “good corporate governance” and its value to business is high on the agenda of Clive Parrish in his second year as chairman of the Institute of Directors Isle of Man. “It is important that it’s not merely seen as a simple bureaucratic exercise which is done ust for the sake of it but as something that adds value to a business,” says Clive, whose career background was in the banking industry, both in the Isle of Man and UK. The Io ’s head o ce is in central London and the branch celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. Over the last four years membership has seen a significant increase, is more diverse and currently stands at 280 members. The aim in 2015 is to increase the membership to 300.

“A strategic aim of the Isle of Man Committee over the last few years has been to increase the relevance of the IoD and to build our membership so that it is more representative of the business community on the island,” declares Clive.

The finance sector remains the sector that dominates our membership but we have been encouraged about the number of directors joining from other sectors.

Almost 22 per cent of our members are female.”

He emphasises that becoming a member offers an opportunity to learn more about the difference between directing a company as opposed to managing a business along with all the responsibilities

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and liabilities of being a director.

“A member of the Institute is made aware of everything possible that can be done to mitigate risks, both to the business and personally. There are many people who set up a limited company because they like the idea of being a director but don’t always understand what their responsibililtes are as a director and the risks involved. The Io recognises that businesses are all different and face different risks. I am a firm believer in members understanding as much much as possible what those risks are.

He goes on ersonally, I would like to see the IoD playing a constructive role in the Isle of Man economy. It’s relatively easy to criticise government and the action taken but I would like to see business people provide more support and ideas for improvement rather than just criticise.

“It remains important that the economy continues to diversify and that inward investment is encouraged to support businesses operating solely in the Isle of an economy. Increased confidence amongst local consumers about the future of the island and more ‘certainty’ about their jobs and prospects will undoubtedly help encourage expenditure in the local economy.”

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The Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited. Registered Office: P.O. Box 64, Royal Bank House, 71 Bath Street, St. Helier, Jersey, JE4 8PJ. Business address: 23-25 Broad Street, St. Helier, Jersey, JE4 8ND. Regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission.

Isle of Man business address: Royal Bank House, 2 Victoria Street, Douglas, Isle of Man IM99 1DU. Licensed by the Financial Supervision Commission of the Isle of Man and registered with the Insurance and Pensions Authority in respect of general business.

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Undue Influence

‘Undue Influence’:

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WORDS

CHARLES COLEMAN

When Is A Contract Not A Contract?

Those of you who follow the news (and indeed golf) are likely to have seen reports of a multimillion pound legal case between the world’s No1 golfer Rory McIlroy MBE and his former management company Horizon Sports.

Rory McIlroy outside court

T

he case, had it not been settled out-of-court, was scheduled to last for eight weeks in Dublin’s igh ourt. A oint statement, however, announced that the legal dispute had been settled to the “satisfaction of both parties”. cIlroy is reported to have agreed to pay a settlement figure in the region of m- 0m.

The claim was that McIlroy had entered into an onerous contract with Horizon which, it was alleged, was the result of ‘undue influence’ exerted by ori on on the golfer at a Christmas party in order to persuade him to sign the contract. T herefore, cIlroy had asked the Court for a judgment releasing him from his obligations under that contract.

Although that case was being brought before the courts in Ireland, the courts of the Isle of Man, England and most other commonwealth jurisdictions recognise the doctrine of ‘undue influence’ in some form.

In essence, the doctrine is used to reflect the situation where there may be an inequality of bargaining power between parties to a contract, often where one party to the contract is in a position of trust over the other party and is alleged to have abused that trust by gaining unduly favourable contract terms.

Although there is no definitive list of the circumstances in which ‘undue influence’ can exist, we most typically see cases brought under this doctrine in Will and state cases. This might be when a person (often elderly) is nearing the end of his or her life and e xecutes a Will favouring a party close to them who, in other circumstances, they might not have favoured.

It is worth noting that in circumstances like this, the doctrine of ‘undue influence’ is separate to the issue of whether or not the individual executing the Will is of sound mind and sufficient competence to execute the legal document t he essence of ‘undue influence’ is that even though someone may be found competent, they can nonetheless be influenced in an unfair manner.

McIlroy’s former agent, Conor Ridge, outside court

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ases of ‘undue influence’ in relation to Will and state disputes are very common.

They often involve allegations that a trusted

advisor, for instance a lawyer or financial advisor who is subsequently named in the Will, or occasionally a friend or family member, again subsequently named in the Will, may have been unduly and improperly influencing the nature of the bequest.

The doctrine of ‘undue influence’ is effectively the same in each of those cases. However, it is usually easier to prove that a paid advisor such as a lawyer or independent financial advisor I A has unduly influenced the bequest of the deceased than to prove that such influence was exerted by a family member or friend.

A doctrine of great utility, there are numerous situations in which ‘undue influence’ can be applied. There have been occasions where people who transfer all their possessions into the ownership of a religious sect or church have been held to be unduly influenced. In any such case where undue influence is proved, the court has the power to reverse the transaction and or to seek damages to effect ustice between the parties. In effect, the court is entitled to set aside the contract and return the parties to their previous position. ‘ ndue influence’ has also been held to be present where banks and other firms of financial advisors have used an inequality of bargaining power against their clients in effect, to force them into purchasing financial products offered by the banks or financial advisors which they might not otherwise have purchased.

This commonly happens when the bank’s role is unclear and it acts as an “advisor” when selling its own products.

Rory McIlroy’s case against his agent was perhaps unusual, in that it was brought between two sophisticated and well advised individuals, but it shows the doctrine of ‘undue influence’ applies not only to the elderly and vulnerable but to everyone, even the world’s No1 golfer. ad it gone to court it would most certainly have been a rare case.

Charles Coleman is a leading Isle of Man trial lawyer and a founding director of Gough Law, specialist litigation advocates.

Join Charles on

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Glass Ceiling WORDS

LES ABLE

The GLASS CEILING:

Are women blocked from getting to the top?

“Inequality is not good for growth, inequality is not good for women”.

These are the comments of Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, and come against a background of headlines which suggest that women are prevented from getting the top jobs and smashing through the so-called ‘glass ceiling’.

All too often, according to surveys, women are locked out of jobs and are relegated to areas such as personnel, public relations and other roles that seldom lead to the most powerful topmanagement posts.

The ‘glass ceiling’ has been described as a barrier “so subtle that it is transparent, yet so strong that it prevents women from moving up the corporate hierarchy”. In effect, women can see the highlevel corporate positions but are kept from reaching them often, they claim, by all-male managements responsible for making the decisions. Women will often describe the ‘clubiness’ among the men that exists in too many board rooms.

Gillian Christian, Senior Advocate, Cains “In my experience, the so-called ‘glass ceiling’, which prevents a woman from achieving her desired level of salary, is a myth,” is the unequivocal response from Gillian Christian, senior advocate with Cains in the Isle of Man. “A woman, like a man, can make her own choices respecting her career, salary level and work-life balance, depending on her qualifications, ability, drive and commitment. I am a married woman with two young children, and have never felt that being a woman has acted to prevent me from making those choices and achieving the salary level I set out to achieve. I took six months’ maternity leave in respect of both of my children, and I have chosen to work a four-day week.

These choices have not acted to hinder my career.

“I acknowledge that I am fortunate enough to have employers who are flexible with my working hours and parents who offer support and assistance with looking after my children; but I have found that, as long as I am able to do my work to a high standard within the hours I do work, I can progress my career and combine this with family life successfully.”

She added: “Perhaps attaining a desired career level has been difficult for a woman in the past, but I think times are changing.

Official figures show that the average full-time pay gap between men and women is at its narrowest (9.4%) since data began to be collected in 1997. The increased use of flexible working hours and the employment of shared parental leave rights should reduce this gap even further.”

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THE AGENDA SUPPLEMENT

Debs Gwinnell, Marketing Director, Typhoon House One of the Island’s best known business women is Debs Gwinnell, marketing director of Typhoon House, owned and run by Debs and her husband, managing director Geoff. Now aged 51, she was 22 when she landed the top marketing job with Disney UK, a role that saw her travelling the world.

“There is no ‘glass ceiling’, it is the conjuring up of an image of a ‘glass ceiling’ that can stop women from getting to the top,” is the reaction of Debs, who this year is celebrating 30 years in business. “A ‘glass ceiling’ is only there if you believe it to be there and it maybe some women will perceive a ‘glass ceiling’ because they don’t have enough faith in their ability. A woman can rise as high as she wants to go.”

She went on: “Yes, there have sometimes been large obstacles put in my way but hammers are there to break them down and where necessary smash through them. I do, however, think women need more mentoring in business, something I benefited from in my early years with Disney. If a woman doesn’t want to reach the top there’s nothing wrong in that, the most important thing is to be happy, if you enjoy what you are doing you will almost certainly be good at it.”

Debs readily admits that having children was never on her agenda. “That was my choice early in my career, my decision and one I adhered to and I have no regrets. If I had had children I would not have wanted to have seen them looked after by nannies or family members but I don’t judge other women who do that. I respect their decision but I wanted a career and that was the way I felt was right for me.”

She recalls being asked at an interview early in her career whether she and the man then in her life were planning a family.

“Today that is a taboo question as it’s contrary to employment legislation but nevertheless it remains the ‘elephant in the room’ when a woman of child bearing age is being interviewed. If there is an ‘old boy network’ then I will network within it and happily introduce myself.”

She learned quickly how to deal with male prejudice and recalls the infamous and late Robert Maxwell of Daily Mirror pension fund fame shouting, ‘I’m not doing a deal with a ‘f***ing office girl’. “But deal with me he did, Maxwell wanted the deal and I got what I wanted.”

DO BUSINESS IN STYLE

A ‘glass ceiling’ is only there if you believe it to be there and it maybe some women will perceive a ‘glass ceiling’ because they don’t have enough faith in their ability. A woman can rise as high as she wants to go.

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Beth Espey, Broadcast Journalist Broadcast journalist Beth Espey, who has three children aged seven, five and two, is one of the three women presenters on anx adio’s recently launched daily programme ‘Women Today’. She points out that the ‘glass ceiling’ question is not one a man would necessarily be quizzed about.

“I think there are limitations for women, not so much a ‘glass ceiling’ but perhaps limitations posed by the choices they have to make when they have a family. They are questions a man will not be asked as it is still assumed by all too many employers that it is the woman, the mother and not the father, who will be more expected to uggle the demands of work and her career with the demands of home and children. So yes, it is the woman who is faced with making certain choices when it comes to her career.”

Beth adds: “I’m incredibly lucky with the support I get from family, friends and employer but I do think there is a real distance between men and women when it comes to climbing the career ladder. It is a woman’s life that changes more dramatically when children arrive.

There is the expectation that she will be the primary care giver. or a woman it is all a matter of sometimes making a choice between family and career and it does become more of a struggle for women when juggling the two, there is sometimes a sense of guilt on her part.

Employers will perhaps wonder if a woman with a family is fully committed. These are factors which don’t apply so much to a man but for a woman there is always a Catch 22 situation.”

Sarah Jarvis, Marketing Manager, Sure The choices which women have to face when juggling both a career and family is echoed by Sarah Jarvis, marketing manager with telecommunications group SURE. “I’m not sure I have experienced a ‘glass ceiling’,” declares Sarah, who took 10 years out to have three children, now aged 0, 1 and 17.

“I think women have been sold a bit of a dud when saying you can have it all, they make sacrifices and choices.

My job is demanding, I’m required to do a huge amount of work but I cannot imagine doing that with small children. If anything has held me back it is the limit of my ambitions and juggling between the people that matter most to me, which is my family, and what they need from me and the demands of my job.

“I’m not sure men are asked to do that and I think the difference between how men work and women work transcends the ‘glass ceiling’. Do I feel I could have accomplished more in my career and become a director at board level? I made the choice to take 10 years out and bring up my kids and have no regrets.

“We aren’t all City fund managers like Sarah Horlick who claimed she could really have it all, earn millions, bring up six children and never miss any of her children’s prize days.”

THE AGENDA SUPPLEMENT

The GLASS CEILING:

Are women blocked from getting to the top?

Jo Haigh, Non-exec Chair, ICM

“I never felt disadvantaged by being a woman and I think sometimes a woman can herself create any challenges there might be,” was

the response of Jo Haigh, the charismatic non-executive chair of Isle of Man-based ICM Group of companies, when asked in a recent interview if being a woman had in any way held her back.

A serial entrepreneur, she has notched up more than 25 years in buying and selling businesses and raising finance for owner managed companies and has held more than 40 non-executive roles in companies across the . She is the force behind fds orporate inance, a boutique corporate finance house with offices in Wakefield, ondon and Birmingham.

Jane Dellar, Chief Executive, Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce “The average chief executive is a 50 something man which does certainly suggest there is a ‘glass ceiling’ as far as women are concerned,” says ane Dellar, an international high flyer in the finance industry before returning to the Isle of an as chief executive of Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce in 2011.

Her comments come in the wake of research which shows that there are ust five women bosses in the TS 100 index. ooking at the Isle of Man there is not a woman chief executive within the Government hierarchy.

The percentage of women joining boards generally has also declined. For women hankering after smashing the glass ceiling, starting out as an accountant might be the only way forward as more than half of the current CEOs have an accountancy or financial management background.

“My career has not been hampered by a ‘glass ceiling’ of any kind but evidentially statistics demonstrate there is one,” said ane.

“Women who are successful do not see a ‘glass ceiling’ because of the fact they are successful and personally I have not blamed it for my achievements or non-achievements.”

DO BUSINESS IN STYLE

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Hugging

WORDS

LES ABLE

To hug or not to hug?

‘C’mon guys, get hugging!’

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THE AGENDA SUPPLEMENT

M

ale hugging is with us here on the Isle of Man as more and more men are happy to embrace this new trend when greeting each other in

Male-on-male embracing is in fact becoming ever more fashionable and not just among young trendy dudes but as a more warm and informal greeting between middleaged men and even those who are older.

“I have no problem with hugging a bloke, but that may be something to do with my hippy upbringing,” says a laughing Steve Wicks, 49, design and marketing supremo at Home Strategic.

“After all, what’s wrong with a bloke giving another bloke a good hug on meeting or a congratulatory hug when the occasion arises? I’m all for it, but then I’m pretty tactile anyway.”

According to Mark Davison, 44, entrepreneur and co-founder of the award winning Segway experience on the island, everyone needs hugs and likes a hug, whether they admit it or not. “ Although it’s becoming more socially acceptable people still don’t hug each other nearly enough and, when they do, it’s more often than not a gesture of consolation rather than a greeting or an act of support. I think the world would be a much better place if we replaced the handshake with a hug.”

Mark goes on: “There are hundreds of different ways to hug another, and it doesn’t have to indicate intimacy, so come on guys, get hugging!” itness guru David Bartlett, 3 , managing director of Douglas-based Core Training is, however, a tad more circumspect. “I suppose I’m relatively hug neutral, happy to reciprocate but don’t necessarily look for hugs in every situation. If it’s a friend who I haven’t seen for a while then yes a hug and perhaps after a night out when you’ve had a few drinks a farewell hug is more appropriate but I don’t necessarily hug male friends every time I see them.”

In politics and business male hugging it is certainly increasingly commonplace.

So-called manly, old fashioned British emotional restraint is becoming less and less evident. This is the 1st century when more and more men want to demonstrate they are in touch with their feelings and not embarrassed about it.

Do I shake or do I hug This is the conundrum men of all ages are increasingly facing.. aking the right choice matters.

If one guy goes for the hug, but the other decides upon the handshake, they might ust collide. Something of a dance will follow as the duo work feverishly to determine what to do with their hands, their arms, their bodies.

Men accustomed to the automatic hand clasp at dinners and reunions must now opt for split second calculations based on body language, length of friendship and other factors.

DO BUSINESS IN STYLE

So here are a few tips on how to hug while demonstrating you are still firmly a man The pat is the crucial part of a man hug, separating it from a traditional cuddle. With your left hand pat the other guy three or four times on the back. This demonstrates you are still men. If you feel this is too effeminate for you then give a light double punch instead of a pat.

If walking towards a male and unsure if they’ll want a hug or a handshake put one hand forward for a handshake and lift the other arm to give a hug (that’s if they lean in for one) or simply pat them on the upper arm or shoulder (if they remain distant).

Hug in the position where the only body contact is in the shoulders. Having the handshake between you provides a physical barrier that can help to prevent someone from feeling you’re being too affectionate. Looking down or turning towards another male may be interpreted as affectionate nuzzling.

Hugs, according to those who are experts in hugging etiquette, rarely last more than two seconds before one of the huggers or other men observing the hug begin to feel uncomfortable.

While giving the final pat, break. Lift your hands smartly away and don’t let them slide over the other male in a lingering manner. Be warned, this may confuse him and you. Alternatively you could finish by gripping your friend firmly on the upper arms and saying ‘Well done..’, ‘Congratulations..’ or even ‘Great to see you again’! This makes the reason for the hug abundantly clear.

Mission accomplished.

Happy hugging.

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Movers & Shakers

KPMG APPOINTS NEW HEAD OF INDIRECT TAX FOR THE ISLANDS GROUP andra kuszka, Head of AT ervices at KPMG Isle of Man, has recently been appointed as Head of Indirect Tax for KPMG Islands Group, providing leadership to the indirect tax specialists in KPMG’s member firms within this group.

G Islands Group is a regional network of G member firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services with more than , outstanding professionals working together to deliver value in Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Jersey, Malta, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, and the Turks Caicos Islands.

Sandra trained with Isle of Man Customs and Excise before joining KPMG in the Isle of an in , and took up her current role as Head of AT ervices in 2011.

Sandra has recently assisted KPMG Bahamas with the provision of services to the government and clients in respect of the introduction of VAT in the Bahamas. There, she was responsible for advising the government on the implications of VAT legislation prior to implementation and assisting them with the formation of a comprehensive VAT policy. Sandra was also instrumental in writing the government’s comprehensive guidance notices for specific industries.

As more Islands are introducing or considering introducing indirect taxes such as VAT or Goods and Services Tax, KPMG has recognised the advantages of providing a co-ordinated approach and a pooling of expertise.

It is Sandra’s global experience, in particular, that has led to this recent appointment. he regularly works on client pro ects involving multiple jurisdictions.

Commenting on the appointment, David McGarry, Managing Director at G Isle of an stated G is a global firm which offers a wide spectrum of services and employs the greatest talents in order to do so. It is our role as a firm not ust to keep on top of the latest developments in financial services policy, but to proactively engage with and seek to shape those policies in the best interests of governments and jurisdictions, and the companies that operate within them. Sandra’s experience across multiple jurisdictions, coupled with her considerable expertise locally, mean she could not be better suited to the role and its responsibilities. I and the team here at KPMG would like to congratulate andra on her appointment and I have every faith in her ability to excel in this crucial position.”

Also commenting on her appointment, Sandra said: “The Isle of Man has a wide diverse economy with established businesses in many different industries operating in multiple urisdictions. At G we find that there is an increasing need for the provision of indirect tax services encompassing not only local taxes but, taxes in other jurisdictions. KPMG have recognised the need for a co-ordinated approach to providing these services and I am very pleased to play such an important part in this process. I look forward to developing our indirect tax advisory network and would like to thank G for this exciting opportunity.”

G’s local AT offering, for which andra is responsible, provides advisory and compliance services to a wide range of industry sectors which include eGaming, real estate, financial and insurance services, yachts and aircraft, and manufacturing.

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EQUIOM APPOINTS EDWARD LEIGH AS SENIOR MANAGER - YACHTING AND AVIATION

Leading international trust and corporate services provider, Equiom Group, has announced the appointment of Edward Leigh as Senior Manager of its Yachting and Aviation business lines.

Based at quiom’s Isle of an o ce, dward will take responsibility for developing the Group’s yachting and aviation business by providing and promoting a first class personal service to existing and prospective clients and working closely with the wider management team to ensure business growth and that the regulatory and internal administration needs of the business are met.

Prior to joining Equiom, Edward held the position of Managing Director of the Marine, Aviation and Intermediary Divisions of a large international trust and corporate services provider, where he had responsibility for strategy and business development. This included the establishment of group o ces in Malta and in the UAE. He also launched an offshore crew employment business and played a lead role in the implementation of a payroll and asset management platform.

Equiom Group Client Services Director, Aidan Davin, commented on Edward’s appointment: “Edward has a wealth of experience in the offshore financial services sector. He will play a key role in defining the strategic direction for the Yachting and Aviation business lines as well as identifying opportunities to develop this area of the business in terms of product offering and urisdictional reach .

Edward is a fellow of The Institute of Chartered ecretaries Administrators, having qualified in 2004 and he became a Trust and Estate Practitioner in 2006. He is also a member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments. e ecting on his appointment, dward commented: “I am delighted to be joining quiom. It is a market leader in aviation and yachting services and I look forward to further developing and expanding its eet of aircraft and super yachts.”

THE AGENDA SUPPLEMENT

www.pwc.com/im

A clear and insightful tax strategy How will global tax developments impact your business? Where will you find objective advice when developing and implementing a tax strategy? Do you have a dedicated advisor who values long-term relationships?

PwC’s tax professionals have the insight and experience to help you develop tax strategies responsive to the challenges you face in today’s global economy.

To find out how we can help you, visit our website www.pwc.com/im.

© 2015 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC. All rights reserved. ‘PwC ‘ refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC (a limited liability company in the Isle of Man), and may sometimes refer to the PwC network. Each member firm is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details.

Movers & Shakers

TRACEY LEAHY APPOINTED FIRST PATRON OF ISLE OF MAN LIVE AT HOME SCHEMES CHARITY

NEDGROUP TRUST APPOINTS NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR

Bernard (Bernie) Quant has been appointed Managing Director of Nedgroup Trust, the Channel Islands-based trust and corporate services business.

Tracey Leahy, Managing Director of MannVend Ltd, has been appointed as the first ever patron of Isle of an Live At Home Schemes. The charity helps older people to continue to live independently and provides a range of services, including organising social groups, drop-in sessions, befriending, help with transport, and advice on accessing other support services.

There are five active Live At Home Schemes on the Island – Western, Northern, Onchan, Douglas and Laxey, and Lonan – which in total provide support for around 500 older adults.

The schemes are all part of the UKbased MHA charity.

Commenting on her appointment, Tracey said: I am delighted to become the first patron of the Isle of Man Live at Home Schemes.

It is well documented that our ageing population is increasing, and currently 22% of the Island’s population is over retirement age. The Live at Home chemes offer friendship and relieve loneliness whilst also forging strong bonds between members and volunteers. It is a real honour for me to be part of this team.”

For more information about the Live At Home schemes, go to www.mha.org.uk and search for ‘Isle of Man’.

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Bernie has over 35 years’ experience in the trust and estate business, including roles at director and managing director level, and is a member of STEP. He was a Director of Barclays rivate Bank Trust, and prior to that anaging irector of Bank of ova Scotia Trust in Jersey until its merger with Barclays in 2004. Since 2011, Bernie has worked for a number of niche independent trust companies at director level where he was responsible for business development covering the iddle ast, India, akistan, London and Africa.

Commenting on the appointment, Greg Horton, executive head of edbank rivate Wealth International, said: “I am delighted to welcome Bernie to our executive team.

It is a very exciting time for the business as we continue to develop and grow our wealth management offering.

We have recently restructured our trust entities, bringing the o ces in ersey and Guernsey together under one brand and integrated the businesses with a single strategy, management team, system and operations. Bernie has now come on board to drive the new shared strategic vision and provide common leadership to our trust operations across the Channel Islands.

In welcoming Bernie, I would also like to express my appreciation to the management and staff at edgroup Trust, who have worked tirelessly with me throughout the period of restructure and rebranding.”

Bernie Quant added: “I’m very pleased to have joined Nedgroup Trust and become part of the edbank rivate Wealth’s international team. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to build on the success already achieved and play a key role in this award winning organisation. I look forward to leading this excellent team in a shared vision and strategy to further grow and develop the business.”

Through its ownership, edgroup Trust can trace its heritage back to one of the oldest trust companies in the world and it now represents the trust division of edbank rivate Wealth Limited, a leading and multi award winning, international wealth provider.

CAINS NEW TRAINEE ADVOCATE

Mary-Louise Buxton has joined the corporate department of Cains as a trainee advocate.

Prior to joining Cains she was a senior account manager with marketing solutions and print management group APS in Manchester with clients throughout the UK. “When at school my ambition was always to go into law and I also wanted to return home to the Isle of Man so I feel very fortunate to have been given this opportunity as a trainee advocate with Cains,” said Mary-Louise, whose role will see her assist in aviation, shipping and a wide range of general corporate partners. .

Tristan Head, director said: “We are delighted to welcome Mary-Louise to Cains and hope she will enjoy her training with us. Cains is committed to the training and development of its trainee advocates and, with her previous experience in commerce and industry and her international academic achievements, Mary-Louise is a great addition to our ever expanding team of junior lawyers.”

THE AGENDA SUPPLEMENT

UPFRONT

ACTIVE

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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

ACTIVE

THE MEET

THE HUNT MEET

WORDS | Julie Blackburn

s e of n oo ho n s r nt eets once fortnight, on a Saturday, from November through until March. We caught up with them in February, at the Shore Hotel in Gansey…

What could be better on a bright and sunny winter’s day than the thrill of the chase and the sheer joy of riding across some of the Island’s most stunning countryside?

As everyone who rides with hounds will know, this is the reward for getting up at 5am with nothing but a large mug of tea to save your fingers from frostbite, while you plait your horse’s mane and roll on his protective leg bandages for the journey to the meet.

Hunting has suddenly become more popular than ever on the Island, with the introduction last year of a new pack of bloodhounds.

This, and a Facebook page

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with over 500 members, has helped the hunt to gather a whole new set of converts to the sport, some as young as nine years old.

‘They are just loving going across country like we did when we were kids,’ explains field master, Sammy Leahy. Her job is to keep all the riders in order, travelling at the correct

distance behind huntsman, Juan Mitchell, and the hounds.

Their quarry today is runner Brandon Ellis: as the riders are gathering, he is letting the hounds get a really good noseful of his scent before he sets off. Some hunts will follow a ‘drag’, or trail, of aniseed set by runners earlier but bloodhounds have such a highly developed sense of smell, they can follow Brandon on his scent alone.

Today’s meet is hosted by Mike and Julie Walker, owners of the Shore Hotel who have provided the stirrup cup, a little alcoholic ‘something’ necessary at all hunt meets for warming the riders and providing some Dutch courage - hunting is not runner for the faint of heart.

Their quarry today is Brandon Ellis: as the riders are gathering, he is letting the hounds get a really good noseful of his scent before he sets off.

When the drinking and the social niceties are over, they all set off. Hounds go first – Dalton, Dawlish, Damson, Dazzle, Daphnee and Mostin, all picking up the scent

ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

ACTIVE

What could be better on a bright and sunny winter’s day than the thrill of the chase and the sheer joy of riding across some of the Island’s most stunning countryside?

nicely. If they should stray off the line, Juan and whipper-in, Libby Cooke will set them straight again.

A few minutes later it’s time for the riders to gather up their reins and head out too, following Sammy’s lead. The land they are hunting over today belongs to farmer, Paul Costain, who is delighted to give people the chance to enjoy country pursuits.

The route they follow will take them over some of the most spectacular countryside on the island. From Gansey to Ballakillowey and up the fields that run alongside the Sloc, then a dizzying drop down towards Fleshwick before heading uphill again, over the top of Bradda where the day finishes.

At the end, tired riders hack back to the Shore, their horses’ breath steaming in the cold air as they share with the others the joys of hunting on a beautiful island. A hundred or so years ago, of course, this is what ‘sport’ meant – not lycra and treadmills, but the thrill of living life to the max and sharing it with your best friend in the whole world – your horse.

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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ACTIVE

EQUESTRIAN

ALL THINGS EQUESTRIAN

WE AREN’T LONG INTO 2015, BUT IF YOU ARE LIKE ME, YOU’VE PROBABLY STARTED TO THINK ABOUT WHERE AND WHEN YOU’LL BE TAKING THIS YEARS’ HOLIDAY OR SHORT BREAKS. 3. AUDI INTERNATIONAL POLO FEATURING CORONATION CUP

Windsor Great Park – 25th June 2015

WHAT IS IT? Audi International Polo showcases the very best of this fast-paced sport. The highlight is a world-class match between Argentina and England for the impressive Coronation Cup. There is superb hospitality in the International Pavilion, a fabulous retail village plus an epic after party where you can mingle with the rich and famous.

TICKETS: No 2015 details as yet. 2014 tickets were only available by calling Guards Polo Club’s Ticket Office on 01784 437797.

TRAVEL: The website provides a range of details for visitors regarding local taxis, places to eat and a list of nearby hotels.

WORDS | Hannah Goodby

INSPIRED BY THIS MONTHS ‘ESCAPES’ EDITION. I THOUGHT I’D SHARE MY TOP 10 EQUESTRIAN GET-A-WAYS. THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE IN THIS SELECTION, WHETHER YOU TAKE A KEEN INTEREST OR BEING TAKEN ALONG FOR THE RIDE. 1. THE GRAND NATIONAL

2. BADMINTON HORSE TRIALS

WHAT IS IT? The most famous steeple chase in the world, 40 horses gallop round over 4 miles and 30 fences. Watched by 600 million people live on television, the horses and jockeys will line up to face the famous fences including Becher’s Brook, Canal Turn, Valentine’s and The Chair.

WHAT IS IT? Made up of 3 testing disciplines (dressage, cross country, show jumping), international eventers such as Zara Phillips compete. Badminton is popular with spectators with something for everyone and great shopping.

TICKETS: Available now but tickets are selling out quickly.

TRAVEL: Check out the Steam Packet website for special day fares.

TRAVEL: Badminton is 15 miles from Bristol and Bath and the website covers all available accommodation offerings from hotels to caravans.

IF YOU CAN’T GO: Coverage on the BBC.

IF YOU CAN’T GO: Coverage on the BBC.

www.thecrabbiesgrandnational.co.uk

www.badminton-horse.co.uk

Aintree Liverpool - 11th April 2015

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Gloucestershire - 6-10th May 2015

TICKETS: Available now.

IF YOU CAN’T GO: Guards TV via YouTube www.guardspoloclub.com/ticketedevents 4. THE HICKSTEAD DERBY

Hickstead, West Sussex - 25th to 28th June 2015

WHAT IS IT? The Hickstead Derby is one of the most famous show jumping classes in the world. An iconic event, the course is as famous as the horses and riders that compete in it. The main draw being the ‘derby bank’ a huge 10ft, 6 mound that riders and horses have to descend down.

TICKETS: Available now.

TRAVEL: The website provides a range of different hotel options with preferential rates on some.

IF YOU CAN’T GO: Coverage is on Sky Sports. www.hickstead.co.uk/horse-shows

ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

ACTIVE

5. ROYAL ASCOT

Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire - 16th to 20th June 2015

WHAT IS IT? A day at Royal Ascot is about so much more than the exhilarating racing action. Featuring high fashion, sumptuous cuisine and pageantry.

It was Queen Anne who first saw the potential for a racecourse at Ascot whilst out riding in 1711. The first ever race meeting took place that year, with the first four-day meeting in 1768.

TICKETS: Available now.

TRAVEL: A preferred list of hotels is published on the website, quote the code provided for the best deal.

IF YOU CAN’T GO: Coverage usually on BBC and Channel 4

6. THE GREAT YORKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SHOW

7. THE ROYAL INTERNATIONAL

WHAT IS IT? Steeped in history and tradition like our Manx Agricultural shows the Great Yorkshire Show offers the very best of country life, trade stands, culinary and crafts. Animals compete for ‘Best in Show’ along with show jumping and showing classes.

WHAT IS IT? As one of the biggest outdoor shows in the country, the Longines Royal International Horse Show sees the elite of many equestrian disciplines compete side by side: it has everything from the thrills and spills of international show jumping to the elegance and glamour of champion showing horses and ponies, to the exhilarating buzz of the country’s best scurry ponies.

14th to 16th July 2015

TICKETS: Available from 2nd March 2015.

TRAVEL: The website provides a variety of accommodation options.

IF YOU CAN’T GO: You can catch up online on Great Yorkshire Show TV. www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk

www.ascot.co.uk

Hickstead, West Sussex - 28thJuly to 2ndAugust 2015

TICKETS: Available now.

TRAVEL: The website provides a range of different hotel options with preferential rates on some.

IF YOU CAN’T GO: Coverage is on Sky Sports. www.hickstead.co.uk/horse-shows

8. BURGHLEY HORSE TRIALS

9. HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW

10. OLYMPIA HORSE SHOW

WHAT IS IT? The first event attracted just 12,000 visitors who viewed 19 competitors. Today, average attendance over the four days is 160,000 with an average of 80 competitors. Burghley Horse Trials is one of only six CCI 4* events in the world, the star rating donating the highest standard of event (technically and administratively) and is considered to be the most challenging of

WHAT IS IT? Elite riders qualify to compete at the prestigious event in many different disciplines. The puissance being a famous class and watched by millions.

I feel very proud to have competed here 3 times in show jumping as a child. I returned in 2013 as a spectator to soak up the atmosphere and take advantage of the retail village!

WHAT IS IT? The Olympia Horse Show has a packed programme of events all with a wonderful Christmas feel. The timetable for 2015 will be confirmed in May but there’s dressage, driving, a Christmas puissance and the Olympia show jumping grand prix.

Pippa Funnell won the Rolex Grandslam in 2003, an achievement never since repeated. The publicity around the Grandslam win drew worldwide media attention.

DEALS: There are four hotels on site at the NEC so you can stay close to the action, and it’s only a short drive to the airport too.

Burghley Estate nr Stamford - 3rd to 6th September 2015

TICKETS: Go on sale from 1st May. TRAVEL: If you are driving you’ll need to pop PE9 3JY into your Sat-Nav for Burghley House and then follow the temporary signs.

IF YOU CAN’T GO: There is online coverage via Burghley TV and it is usually covered by the BBC. www.burghley-horse.co.uk

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

Birmingham NEC- 7th to 11th October 2015

TICKETS: Available now.

IF YOU CAN’T GO: There is coverage on Sky Sports.

Olympia Exhibition Halls, London 15th to 21stDecember 2015

TICKETS: Go on sale in May. TRAVEL: Superbreak are the show’s travel and hotel partner, so keep an eye out nearer the time for special deals and packages.

IF YOU CAN’T GO: There is BBC and Eurosport coverage, plus live streaming. www.olympiahorseshow.com

www.hoys.co.uk So that’s my round up of some of the best equestrian get-a-ways. There is plenty more information about each on their websites, as I fear I’ve pushed the word limit again; when it comes to horses I can’t stop!

If you only have the chance to go to one event this year, I thoroughly recommend Olympia. It’s a fantastic venue and you are in London for the run up to Christmas, so there is just a great atmosphere all round.

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Huge crowds see Island’s first polo matches More than 600 spectators witnessed the Isle of Man’s first fully competitive polo matches at the weekend [Feb 14th and 15th] with two games held on Ballaugh beach. The Triskelion Polo Club, which is based in Grenaby and organised the events, played the British Army Reserves with the result based on an aggregate score from both matches. Triskelion, resplendent in their jerseys sponsored by Miracles Recruitment, won 3-2 on Saturday in front of a crowd of around 150 spectators. More than 500 turned out on Sunday to see the home side seal an 8-7 aggregate win.

Triskelion Polo Club is run by General Manager Frazer Houston and his brother Cameron who are both experienced polo players and allround horsemen. Frazer said: “We must say a big thank you to everyone who contributed to a great weekend, and especially the British Army Reserves team for visiting the Island for the first time. The support we received on both days was fantastic and shows the massive potential which polo has on the Island. Both games were played in a competitive but friendly spirit, and the Army Reserves are keen to return for a rematch! We are already looking at organising more matches against British armed forces teams in the coming months.”

Apart from Cameron, who is a professional polo player and a Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) Accredited Coach, all the other Triskelion players who took part in the Ballaugh matches are novices who have only recently taken up the sport. Frazer says this shows that it’s

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possible to pick-up polo very quickly, no matter what age, and even without any previous riding experience. He added: “Many of the Triskelion team have only taken up polo in the last few months – and one of the team, Graham Dimelow, only began horse riding towards the end of last year. All of the team have made tremendous progress in a short time which shows how accessible polo is as a sport. You don’t have to have years of riding experience if you are given the correct coaching.”

And a final massive thank you to whoever is in charge of the weather we had this weekend. The Isle of Man was at it's finest.

If anybody knows the gentleman who opened the gate to his field to allow spectators to park there for the match please let us know as we have a present for his generosity.

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COMPACT GADGETS

This month I’ve had to be realistic. When I read that the subject for this edition of Gallery was “Escape”, I was immediately inspired by images of Bondesque missions and being captured by evil tyrants that, for some reason, despite being able to create laser death machines, still use rope as their method of binding the hero. However, whilst these images flicked through my mind, I had a very sobering, disappointing realization. Not all men are James Bond. Quite the contrary in fact.

The majority of men, women and children will never experience the rush of being chased down a picturesque mountainside somewhere in the unexplored Alps by machine gun-clad helicopters. Rather, the overwhelming majority of people will simply grow up, get a job and settle into the reality that is the working world. Needless to say, the inspiration I had taken from the images of Bond, Bourne and Bacon (Kevin’s an action hero at heart) was quickly ruined, and I began to wonder what gadgets there could be out there for escape, when you can’t escape from real life.

But how naïve I was. If movies like Sucker Punch and Inception have taught us anything, it’s that you certainly can escape from real life, quite easily in fact. It may not be an incredibly intricate and eerily-real dream, but welcome in the world of “virtual reality”. When the doldrums of a stagnant life start to get you down, Virtual Reality gadgets are the perfect way to escape from the redundant daily repetitions and (digitally) put yourself in that tux, hold that gun and shoot your way out of the evil dictator’s private chamber. Ironic, really.

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SAMSUNG GEAR VR (OCULUS)

For anyone that has read this feature in the past, you may be aware that I harbor a certain disdain for the new Samsung Galaxy Gear. It is simply a collection of grotesque watches that serve about as much purpose as a convertible submarine, or so I thought. With the help of Oculus, there is a new addition to the Galaxy Gear family that may just save the company from the wrath of scathing online reviews.

This new addition is the Samsung Gear VR, Innovator Edition. This headset, although blinding you to the outside world and making you look like a rejected extra from AI: Alien Intelligence, is essentially witchcraft to those who don’t understand the science of virtual reality, and let’s be honest who does? Boasting one of the widest ranges of features in the market, the Samsung Gear VR is not only

a gaming device when linked to a range of Samsung smart phones, but also acts as your own personal 2 and 3D cinema, with a store of movies to buy or to watch off your phone.

The Innovator Edition is only the prototype essentially, and thus, as the company admits, there are still things to work out with this device, the features on it only being beta versions. However, in the future, I have absolutely no doubt these things will be the new Nintendo Wii, minus the shocking failures that came after the original. Unfortunately, after a back-breaking, eye-aching 5 minute search online, I found out these things will only be available within the next few weeks, and I can’t even find a place to pre-order them. Just keep looking out online, because realistically this thing won’t be making its way to the island any time soon.

GOOGLE GLASS

Although the Google Glass may not appear to fit in this list of “escape” gadgets, I believe that this represents a new form of virtual reality, one in which the attention is drawn away completely from the real world itself and put onto the glasses’ view of it.

Google may try and claim that the person is still connected to the real world when wearing the Google Glass, however I have to question whether or not seeing a computer display in front of you really constitutes a real world view? This is not taking away from the fact that the glasses are damn impressive, and all their features are still mindblowing. With Google Glass, we’ve really taken a massive stride technologically, giving you constant access to all sorts of features that we could normally only find on our computers at home, and yet I can’t help feel that this no longer constitutes “escape” from the real, working world, instead offering a replacement. A terrifying concept, especially when considered that the “escape” we look for now may in fact in the

5DT DATA GLOVE 5 ULTRA

Despite having a name that evokes the sense that this glove was created by a European in the early stages of learning English, the 5DT Data Glove 5 Ultra is in fact an incredible piece of kit. For anyone that has ever wondered about the ways in which CGI fight scenes are created, this is an important gadget to have, or at least to understand. The Data Glove, when connected by USB to a computer, tracks the movement of the wearer and creates (with a bit of help from you) an animation featuring yourself. Freaky? Yes. Wondrous?

Yes. Devil’s work? Perhaps, but that doesn’t stop it being incredibly cool, giving you the ability to literally (not at all literally)

future be a return to mundane, technologyfree life. Good old science.

I realize that nothing in that was actually about the function of the Google Glass itself, so here are some facts on the product: It can analyse your golf swing, navigate you, give you a perfectly designed workout plan in the gym and even send messages. Like I say, impressive, and let’s see Samsung do that with a watch (I really hate the Galaxy Gear). Unfortunately, and I’m becoming used to starting these final sentences with that, the Google Glass is not cheap. Just for the frames, it’s $1,500, and once again I am certain that this will be an “order online” job. However, who can put a price on a heads-up display of how to improve your drive? live out your fantasies through animation.

Dreams, however, come at a considerable price (if your dreams involve home animation). The non-wireless version of this product, limiting your movement and space, starts at $895.00, roughly £556, and the wireless version, whilst freeing your movement, will not free you from crippling debt, costing £925. Needless to say, this product comes from a website on which there are more grammatical mistakes than there are hanging from the walls of Year 1 classrooms, but hey, the fun of virtual reality is virtually priceless (IT’S TOO EASY).

Head to http://bit.ly/1zhAnik

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Smart, Fast and Powerful!

There’s no escaping it – smart, fast and powerful – really are the only words you can use to describe the Sony Xperia M2.

Well, you could add “great value” to that description because at just £185 for payas-you-go users, this is a smartphone that punches well above its 148 grams in weight, giving you the feel and performance of a handset that could cost twice as much.

Sony has designed the M2 with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 1.2 GHz quad core processor that enables you to push the M2 as hard as you want it to go. Streaming video is lag-free and displays perfectly on the colour-crisp 4.8 inch TFT screen.

The screen is perfect for showing off photos and videos made with the 8MP camera and Sony’s exciting range of camera apps that give you the power to bring the brave new world of Augmented Reality to your shots.

Alongside the processing power and super-sharp visuals, the M2 comes equipped with one-Touch connectivity that lets you instantly connect to all your electronic devices. Send music wirelessly to your living room speakers or mirror your phone on you smart TV. Add to this the fact that the Sony Xperia M2 is 4G ready and you’ll understand that it really is Smart, Fast, Powerful…and Great value too!

The Sony Xperia M2 is available for free from the Sure Store when you choose the Smart125 plan (£26/month) or higher.

COME AND VISIT US IN ONE OF THE ISLAND’S SURE STORES TODAY. 15 STRAND ST, DOUGLAS 4 ORCHARD WALK, PORT ERIN 10 PARLIMENT ST, RAMSEY

Stay Smart, Keep Warm this Winter!

Sure is giving away a pair of these amazing Kit Universal Bluetooth Gloves worth £20 when you sign up for a smartplan this winter.

One thing the smartphone makers haven’t got to grips with is the need to use your phone when wearing gloves - an essential during the Isle of Man cold winter months. So to make sure you can keep your hands warm and still take calls, these gloves enable you to operate the handset and also answer calls using the microphone and speaker neatly hidden in the thumb and forefinger.

So go on, keep warm and stay smart, this winter!

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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GADGETS

Apple iPad Air 2 (64GB WiFi/4G) Thinner and even more powerful than its predecessor, Apple’s new iPad Air 2 incorporates incredible power and graphics into a device you’ll want to bring everywhere with you.

Enhanced Retina display The iPad Air 2 features a newly crafted Retina display that is not only thinner but also better than ever before, reducing internal reflectance, resulting in richer colours, greater contrast and sharper, more vivid images. A new anti-reflective coating further reduces possible glare, making it easier to view and interact with content whether you’re inside or outside in the daytime or at night. Screen sensitivity has also been improved to ensure faster, more accurate tracking of your gestures on the gentlest of prompts.

Massive performance As the fastest, most powerful version of iPad to date, the iPad Air 2 excels in delivering speed and graphics that are comparable to personal computers.

It’s up to 40% faster than the previous iPad Air, meaning that everything from launching apps to playing games and editing videos is more seamless and responsive. Graphical performance is on point where console-like graphics are possible in games while design, editing and 3D modelling apps come to life with unbelievable responsiveness.

• • • • • • • •

Key Features 9.7 inch Retina display 8 megapixel iSight camera + 1.2 megapixel FaceTime camera Apple iOS 8 and iCloud Available in silver, gold or space grey Touch ID 4G Ready Available from Manx Telecom for FREE @ £50 per month on the 24 months SmartData 50GB (gigabytes) contract, utilising up to 50GB of data on the Island’s No.1 4G network.

Touch ID With an improved focus on user experience, the iPad Air 2 incorporates Apple’s famous Touch ID, working by securely storing your fingerprint as a password enabling you to swiftly unlock the device with a simple touch. You can also use the sensor to authorise payment for items purchased through the App Store, iBooks or iTunes, and now that iOS 8 has opened the system up to third parties, you can also use it with other apps, meaning less bother remembering your password each time! As your fingerprint stays on your iPad, it’s not shared with anyone, even Apple, providing assurance to you that your personal information remains private.

The iPad Air 2 incorporates superior speed and improved hardware processes where an intense focus and commitment required to build it is really shown in the end result. If you’re in the market for a tablet or an upgrade on an older tablet, this is one of the best available today.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO: WWW.MANXTELECOM.COM/SHOP CALL: 624 624. OR POP INTO THE STORE IN STRAND ST.

Keep Yourself in the Frame!

Simply download the free app from the App Store and it will automatically sync to your Selfie Remote. When you are ready to take an image, just press the button on the remote control to activate your shutter. The shutter will even activate from a distance of up to 3 metres!

The remote comes with a removable phone stand to prop up your phone during the photo shoot while the reverse click button will change the phone from front to rear camera.

Take self portraits and family shots with ease or perfect your macro photography skills by triggering the shutter without touching the screen.

The Selfie Remote costs £14.99 from Firebox.com

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DIRECTORY

AT YOUR SERVICE FULL COLOUR ANNUAL ADVERTISING FROM £49.00 PER MONTH CALL GALLERY ON 415096/249249

Langness No 19

No. 19 Langness is a cafe, bar, and grill offering breakfasts, fresh coffee, handmade cakes, lunches, and afternoon tea. Our menu changes daily and all food is prepared from scratch using the finest local Manx ingredients.

Opening times: 8:30am - 5:30pm Monday to Friday and on Sundays.

T: 07624 498006 E: no19@castletowngolflinks.com

The Greenhouse Company Ltd

• We have available the island’s largest selection of greenhouses in a choice of 10 colours with a manufacturers 10 year frame guarantee.

• We provide a complete service of supply and installation of Elite Greenhouses with free quotations and friendly advice.

• View our display greenhouses and pick up a free catalogue at Greeba Plant Centre.

T: 201333/877951 thegreenhousecompanyiom@gmail.com

The Greenhouse Company •

Warehouse Fitness

Little Diamonds Nursery

Warehouse Fitness Diamond House, Westmoreland Road, Douglas

Little Diamonds Nursery Diamond House Demesne Road Douglas

T: 679419 E: info@warehousefitness.co.uk

T: 625835 E: info@littlediamonds-iom.net

The Lady Chauffeurs

The Wine Cellar

Warehouse Fitness offers top of the range cardio equipment; a wide range of strength training equipment including weights machines, dumbbells and barbells; a spin studio; up to 40 classes per week and a relaxing spa area ALL included in your membership and ALL in a unique LADIES ONLY setting.

Luxury Long Wheel Base S-Class Mercedes | Executive Travel | Corporate Accounts | School Run | Accompanied Shopping | Wedding & Christenings | Heated Seats | Wi-Fi & TV | Police & Medical Checked | Discreet Intelligent Female Drivers

Little Diamonds is a small nursery based right in the heart of Douglas. Children are cared for by a highly motivated team in a stimulating learning environment in which they are encouraged to explore, investigate and learn.

The Wine Cellar is a well established local business, set up 23 years ago in the same location as we are today. We are all passionate about wine and our aim is to have a wide range of good quality wines that offer good value at every price point.

07624 235577

THE RED CARPET TREATMENT EVERY TIME

www.theladychauffeurs.com

The Wine Cellar Tennis Road, Douglas IM2 3QW T: 611793 E: sales@thewinecellar.im

Get your business included in 2015 From just £49.00 per month We’re a big believer in effective ‘reminder’ advertising at Gallery. For a small business, a whole year of communication means that customers have your details at all times.

corporate presentation or to present individual brands stocked by your business. We’ll be trying to gather places that sell the nicest bits, bobs, stuff and desirable items for the home and office.

AT YOUR SERVICE is designed to allow advertisers a low cost, long term communication solution. It can be used to show an individual

So we thought we’d give select businesses the ability to tell our readers all about their services in our monthly Gallery AT YOUR SERVICE page.

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be the fastest... choose the Island’s No.1 4G network

first to bring you

4G

*4G is available at no extra cost for customers on pay monthly smartphone tariffs and pay as you go.

A 4G handset and SIM is required.

Mark Cavendish MBE - manx telecom official ambassador

Photo courtesy of @TDWsport.com

call 624 624 see in store visit manxtelecom.com/4g