September 2017 | the RELAX issue

Isle of Man Premier Magazine | no. 68 | September 2017 | the [RELAX] issue

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CONTRIBUTORS CONTRIBUTORS

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EDITO

UPFRONT

#68

[RELAX]

Isle of Man Premier Magazine | no. 68 | September 2017 | the [RELAX] issue

£ priceless

edito #68

the RELAX issue BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

WWW.GALLERY.CO.IM

agenda

n

ON THE AGENDA n NO 33 n SEPTEMBER 2017

INVESTMENT-

CAN MONEY MAKE YOU HAPPY

P

ublishing is a staccato business. Driven by deadlines, we find ourselves in the office for twelve or fourteen hours some days rushing to get things finished in time, chasing the following days of rest before the cycle starts again.

Post deadline days being the bittersweet lemon to the tequila, if you will. Thankfully we publish predominantly monthly titles, those in daily or weekly publishing must be sadists. Or drink a lot of tequila. Or both.

BUSINESS -

BANKING BACK TO THE 80’S

TECHNOLOGY -

CAN AN ELECTRIC SHOCK HELP CURB YOUR SPENDING?

Isle of Man | Home & Interiors | September 2017

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

Palm Winds, Ramsey £895,000

Smeale Beg, Coast Road, Andreas, £649,950

We should all take it slow for a while when we can but often life takes over and we’re sucked into the vortex by other tasks. Regardless of profession, our ability to constantly work and be worked seldom abates. If I’m waiting for a file to open, Photoshop to do something or a website to catch up with my demands I’ll open another browser window, open Facebook or turn to mobile to complement my laptop’s ability to fill the insatiable modern desire for constant information gratification. Maybe it’s just me, but I doubt it. I have to stop myself occasionally and think ‘relax’.

The ability to virtually inhabit a perpetual workspace is probably why we’ve seen an explosion in disciplines dedicated to our wellness and relaxation. Just look through the Wellbeing World publication - there are no shortage of people compelling us to go of grid and breathe deeply. I’ve been telling myself to join a yoga class since the beginning of the year. Who’s got the time. Jobs, dog, and connected devices leave little space for such things.

And time to relax, enjoy September, try to take it slow and easy.

ARE YOU IN?

SR

You can also view paparazzi photos on our facebook page.

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5

Dunwell Jewellers is a high-end jewellery store offering a luxurious range of jewellery, timepieces and gifts.

For a never-ending story of landmarks: Birthdays, anniversaries, or just for that special friend; make the occasion sparkle.

With over 80 years of experience, Dunwell Jewellers offers a breathtaking range of jewellery, timepieces, gifts and homeware; from that perfect bridal piece by Brown and Newirth, to exquisite diamonds by Messika of Paris, and crafted writing creations by Waldmann.

If it’s pearls you seek, dive into Yoko. Georg Jensen gives you a combination of innovation and tradition with his original Danish designs. You’ll see and hear timeless elegance in captivating historic clocks by Sinclair Harding, and high-end names for that superior timepiece in Bremont, Raymond Weil, Tissot, Oris, Rado, and Hamilton.

When jewellery isn’t for every milestone, and for when it is; Dunwell Jewellers – the best in knowledge, advice, and service.

DUNWELL JEWELLERS 76 STRAND STREET, DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN, IM1 2EW. T: 01624 665566 www.dunwell.im

UPFRONT

CONTENTS PICKS UPFRONT

“ IF I FEEL MYSELF FLAGGING AT ANY POINT I DON’T START MEDITATING, I THROW SOME MORE COAL INTO THE ENGINE BY POUNDING AN XL CAN OF MONSTER OR INHALING THE SPARE MSG FROM A PACKET OF MONSTER MUNCH.”

TRAVEL

The real Kellerman’s The film was set in the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York, but was predominantly shot at Mountain Lake Lodge in Virginia, a four-hour drive from Washington DC, and set in the middle of a 2,600-acre nature preserve, surrounded by the southern Appalachian Mountains.

WORDS Grant Runyon ILLUSTRATION Leila Andersone

After many years of hostility towards saturated fat, salt and alcohol the world’s experts on healthy lifestyles have decided (for the next five years at least) that stress is the real killer.

This has triggered an avalanche of thinkpieces in which the same people who told you not to get fat nag you not to get stressed out. Some push you to take up yoga, many tell you to stop eating gluten, a few expect you to chill out by throwing away most of your stuff. All imply they can extend and enrich your life, shedding bad habits and belly fat alike with changes that range from just one weird trick to a total rejection of everything that gives your existence pleasure - by which I mean coffee, booze, bacon, cakes and fags. There’s so much unsolicited wellbeing advice out there that you’d assume its critical mass would start having a similar effect to passive smoking, and gradually more and more of the people who accidentally come into contact with it online (whilst innocently browsing for nudes) would be smugly floating around like Gwyneth Paltrow after a piping hot broccoli enema.

Of course it doesn’t work like that - the world is objectively hellish, unfair and one tweet away from being obliterated in a nuclear catastrophe, so skim reading “twenty ways to zen your work cubicle” at the hairdresser is just a drop of sugar water in an ocean of dog vomit. I think about the old mushroom cloud most nights, so it’s an achievement if I get any sleep at all. If anything I’d say I’m in a stronger position to give relaxation advice than some airbrushed blogger, because my continued existence is a persuasive argument against the need for healthy living, exercise or the principles of basic sanitation.

I have some solid opinions about how best to chill out, and unlike other lifestyle gurus I’ll keep it under 1500 words - because I understand the golden rule that advice articles are only useful if you can finish them during a toilet break.

Tidy home, tidy mind A misguided aunt marked my birthday this year with a book that tells you to improve your life by getting rid of most of your possessions. I left it on top of a pile of videogames and continued to improve my life by spilling kebab grease and beer on it, then saved myself time by reading the first two pages and getting rid of precisely one possession: that book. Anybody who believes

tidying and unnecessary cleaning can improve their life simply lacks my advanced time management skills: even in the shower I’m not more than arm’s length away from some snack food, a cold beer or an ashtray, and never worry about accidentally losing or binning something important because I have an ingenious system of piles, shelves and boxes that contain everything of value to me. I also save hours of pointless walking each day by ensuring that every room in my house has the facility for me to watch TV, prepare caffeinated drinks or pass out in a pile of t-shirts - thanks to an ingenious lifehack I came up with where my dirty laundry is now also my bedding. Things that need to be washed, repaired or thrown out of the window either alert me by smelling bad or just find their way to the edges of the room through the natural power of centrifugal force. This leaves me with more time to relax by playing Tekken online with angry teenagers and arguing with illiterates in the comments section of YouTube.

Better living through advanced nutrition Relaxation advice is often underwritten by the false assumption that the only way to control your moods and other bodily functions is with things that are hard work, such as doing exercise or a vegetable diet.

This ignores the advances in science that gave us wonderful chemicals to speed us up, slow us down and can frequently replace fresh foods or a session on the treadmill.

Lifestyle gurus might tell you to spend an hour each morning meditating, jogging or doing yoga, but those would make me later than usual to work, so I prefer to make use of adrenalin - the body’s inbuilt accelerator pedal. I go from zero to 100 in ten minutes by starting the day with a large bowl of Coco Pops (essential sugars and vitamins) soaked in a protein-rich mixture of canned Nurishment drink and triple strength espresso. The coffee takes care of any digestive problems caused by my dislike of fibre, and gives me all the energy I need to walk that long 600 metres to the office. If I feel myself flagging at any point I don’t start meditating, I throw some more coal into the engine by pounding an XL can of Monster or inhaling the spare MSG from a packet

of Monster Munch. This behaviour keeps me efficiently shouty throughout the day, and all that’s required for rest is to slam the brakes on around 10pm with some drowsy cough medicine, then get ready to pass out.

The fact that I grind my teeth during all five hours of sleep is actually preparing me for a more streamlined diet - one that doesn’t even waste energy by needing to be chewed.

A sense of familiarity At 4,000 feet above sea level, we pull into the hotel’s drive, just like the Housemans do in the movie, and it’s a rather surreal feeling.The hotel’s stone facade, which dates back to the 1930s, is familiar, as is the sight of Baby’s cabin across the manicured front lawn, where Kellerman’s guests bunny hop at the beginning of the film.

Relaxation isn’t a team sport I’ve managed to cover a diet plan, the zen of your living space, and a simple exercise regime (i.e. don’t) in the time it takes to fry a packet of sausages. There’s no need to buy any books or read some idiot’s blog, so thanks to my advice you now have more time for horror movies and doing weewee in the shower. This leaves just one significant variable in trying to ensure maximum chilltime in your life, which is unfortunately the most complex variable of all: other people.

The easy answer is that existence will be a relaxing walk in the (abandoned) park if only you can avoid all contact with other humans. It’s just a shame that technology companies have wasted too much time on giving their employees lunchtime yoga classes and ignored the massive demand for erotic service robots and self-driving pizza delivery cars. Until that beautiful day when we leave the flesh behind you’re going to have to live amongst the man-herd, with its strange smells, stupid opinions and irrational desire to shield children from my persistent swearing. Luckily I’ve got you covered here too, as the further you go in emulating my lifestyle you’ll strangely find fewer and fewer occasions where you have to deal with other people and their needs.

The more time you spend yelling at people online and in real life, the quicker the invites to work gatherings, birthdays, weddings and funerals will dwindle and even the purchase of essential food and services will come to be conducted with just a few meaningful grunts. I’ve chosen to achieve relaxation through being shunned by society, and the only possible situation I could imagine that is more chill involves a self-induced coma, an IV of kebab sauce and a nurse I’ve bribed to leave me propped up in a pile of stinky pyjamas in front of Cartoon Network. A sponge bath every three days, a diet of tepid baby food and I’ll be living a lifestyle Gwyneth Paltrow can only dream of.

TO CELEBRATE DIRTY DANCING’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY, WE CHECK-IN TO THE REAL KELLERMAN’S RESORT Susan Griffin heads to Mountain Lake Lodge, Virginia where Dirty Dancing was shot, and discovers there’s more to this magical place than simply movie memorabilia.

By Susan Griffin

I

’m standing, arms crossed, while my other half uploads pictures of himself in front of our hotel to Instagram. Determined to share his location with the online world, he remains oblivious to the fact I’m impatient to take my turn posing.

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BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

PRIVATE WEALTH

In the distance, there’s the gazebo where Baby’s father finds solace after finding out his daughter’s spent the night with Johnny, but there’s no lake and its eerily quiet in an out-of-season early April.

Banter with the barman We make our way inside the main lodge where we’re greeted by super-chatty barman Michael, who offers us a local beer, a strawberry cobbler and the chance to watch the film on the small TV in the corner.

We accept all three as we take our seats in the rustic Stony Creek Tavern, with its huge stone fireplace.

Michael began his career at Mountain Lake Lodge shortly after the film was made, but he’s the oracle on all things Dirty Dancing and the man who takes charge of the tours during the movie-themed weekends, which happen throughout the warmer months.

In between reeling off quotes from the movie, he tells us how Swayze would ask to be called ‘Buddy’ and muck in with crew at the end of a day’s filming, while Grey would keep herself to herself.

For this isn’t any old hotel, it’s one of the movie world’s most famous landmarks, known to millions of Dirty Dancing fans as Kellerman’s Resort, the very place where Baby (Jennifer Grey) carried a water melon and fell in love with hot dance instructor Johnny (played by the late Patrick Swayze).

Beware of the uber-fans and foul play Michael also fills us in on the uber-fans he’s encountered over the years, the cheeky guests who’ve tried to make off with memorabilia and what he describes as the films ‘anomalies’, including Marjorie Houseman’s hair at the beginning of the film (it’s a different colour) and the fact Johnny is technically driving through the archway in the wrong direction.

The truth is, before we arrived, Baby’s cabin meant nothing to my boyfriend, but a day into our stay and he’s already acting like the film’s number one fan.

But then it’s hard not to be captivated by nostalgia in the hotel’s secluded and timeless location.

Talk then turns to the unnerving number of ghosts that supposedly haunt the lodge.

Not least the little girl ghoul, who’s said to run into room 232, the very same room Swayze called home during production.

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20 FEATURE: Relaxation lifehacks

You’ll struggle to do the lift in the lake After breakfast we meet Grace, a guide at Mountain Lake Lodge who takes us on a lake bed trail.

The lake is a natural phenomenon as it drains and refills itself in a cyclical process, thanks to a network of caverns that lie beneath. It’s been dry for nine years and no one knows for sure when the water will return. Guests might not be able to go boating, but the rare and threatened species that flourish here make it one of the most bio-diverse areas in the United States, and a fascinating place to explore.

Grace tells us about Civil War soldiers who walked the terrain, and points out the spot where the famous lake lift in Dirty Dancing happened. There’s still evidence of the underwater platform they erected for the scene.

continue...

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TRAVEL: Dirty Dancing 30th anniversary

HARDWARE

the basics, money was merely one measurement of their personal or business success. Others saw it as a means of obtaining social status, often comparing their material wealth (house, car, clothes) to that of their peers. Their personal motivation was very much about the outward appearance of success, even if they were not completely fulfilled and satisfied as a result.

Sometimes, people feel “trapped” by money, particularly when lifestyle costs have crept up over time and they are forced to do a job they don’t enjoy purely for the financial rewards.

A few years ago, City & Guilds did a jobs survey and found that the highest level of job satisfaction was experienced by florists and gardeners (87 per cent) and the lowest satisfaction was experienced by technology workers (48 per cent) and bankers (44 per cent). It seems that having a high degree of control over one’s working activity and seeing the results of those efforts have a big impact on happiness.

Another friend of mine is a business consultant. He and his wife decided to make a radical change to their life, after several years of making excuses. They sold most of their possessions, put the rest in storage and rented out their London home.

They now travel the world, including skiing for at least two months a year, and return to the UK every few months to see clients and run their business courses. They are happier than they have ever been and they now make more money, while working less.

I was able to “fire” my own job when, a few years ago, the opportunity arose for me to sell my stake in the wealth advice firm which I had founded. I was apprehensive about such a radical change, after 17 years at the helm, but I was determined to change my lifestyle.

I no longer have a tiring commute and I enjoy a lot of variety between my speaking, writing, consulting and angel investing activities. I see my family more, I do more exercise and have lots of holidays and trips.

I’m even planning to project manage the building of our new family home later this year.

Research suggests that having a higher income does affect happiness, but only up to a point. Whatever that point is for you (one study put this at $75,000 a year) will depend on your own situation, but beyond it you won’t be significantly happier.

Maximum happiness comes from continual and meaningful rises in income throughout one’s life.

Comparing your financial situation to your peers is also not a good idea, because research shows people care about relative income. If you earn less than your peers you are more likely to feel aggrieved. There will always be someone with more money than you, so try to stop worrying about it.

There is also plenty of evidence that spending your money on life experiences, rather than material possessions, will make you happier. This is because we remember the experience much longer than the initial

Can money make you happy?

Be clear on your lifestyle and make work and spending decisions aligned with a vision

By Jason Butler (FT)

I

was having dinner with a very good friend of mine recently, and we got talking about money and happiness.

My friend explained that collecting and drinking fine wine made him very happy indeed; so much so that he estimated that his wine collection was worth more than his home.

Money is, for most people, an emotive, complicated subject. We all have different beliefs, motivations, emotions and preferences, which can make our relationship with it difficult. Money also influences how we view ourselves and can affect our feelings of self-esteem, control and security.

Over the 25 years that I was a financial adviser I interviewed hundreds of successful people. They each told me their life story and how they had achieved their success. But what I found most interesting was their relationship with money and how it influenced their approach to life.

For some people, other than funding

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TRAVEL

RELAXATION LIFEHACKS FOR LAZY LONERS

agenda

ON THE AGENDA

MOVERS & SHAKERS

VAUXHALL INSIGNIA GRAND SPORT

Despite the addition of Grand Sport to the name, the all-new Insignia still retains the basic ethos of a Vauxhall saloon car. What is newthough is fresh styling, giving the car a more premium appearance and moving the brand into its next generation of design.

Thanks to new architecture underneath too, the car is also lighter than the outgoing model, while having more cabin space.

Licence plate refresh time is upon us. Here are some suggestions for 67 plate cars...

Prices start from £16,230.

The halfway mark of 2017 has just passed us and that means we’ll soon see a refresh of licence plates - with the 17 plates being replaced by 67. Fancy having the shiny new numbers on a shiny new car? Here are some you should consider.

excitement of acquiring something. We are also less likely to compare ourselves to other people when we have experiences, compared to when we acquire possessions.

Your happiness is also likely to be higher if you spend your money on other people in a way that strengthens personal relationships, or you give money to causes which are aligned with your values.

Your self worth is not determined by your net worth, but by the quality of your personal relationships, your life experiences and the meaning you derive from your existence.

I think that true happiness comes from having a strong sense of purpose, being clear on your ideal lifestyle, and making work and spending decisions aligned with that vision. Life is far too short to waste time doing things you don’t enjoy.

Back to my friend and his wine collection. The last time we met for dinner he produced a bottle which he advised was worth about £350. I protested that I couldn’t possibly drink such an expensive wine at his expense, but he insisted.

“None of us is getting any younger and I need to start drinking my fine wines before it’s too late. I’d rather share the experience with a good friend, than letting the bottles continue to gather dust in my cellar. What’s the point in having it if I can’t enjoy it?”

So my friend has cleverly done two of the things that research says maximises happiness. He has turned a possession into a life experience and he has spent some of his wealth on me, his friend, in a way which strengthens our personal relationship.

I’ve made it clear to my friend that I am more than happy to help him enjoy his wine collection over the coming years.

After all, a friend in need is a friend indeed. agenda

HARDWARE

THE 67 PLATE IS COMING WHAT SHOULD YOU BUY?

Sometimes, people feel “trapped” by money, particularly when lifestyle costs have crept up over time and they are forced to do a job they don’t enjoy purely for the financial rewards.

BMW M4 CS

This is perhaps what the more hardcore M4 GTS ought to have been.

It’s still got four seats, is still easily accessible and it still looks relatively socially-acceptable. However, it can still well and truly hold its own around a circuit and fantastically holds the middle ground between an all-out track monster and a performance car.

FORD FIESTA

The outgoing Ford Fiesta was the UK’s best-selling car - in fact, it’s still the most-sold in 2017 - so the new model has some big boots to fill.

It’s certainly a case of if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, as the new car sports more evolutionary changes rather than revolutionary.

That doesn’t mean nothing has been greatly improved, though.

Also, unlike the GTS, it has no definite production limit, so you should be able to walk into your BMW dealer and order one right away. Prices start from £89,130.

There are a couple of new trim options - the high-riding Active and luxury Vignale - and, thanks to being slightly wider and longer than the outgoing model, more interior space too.

RANGE ROVER VELAR

If you wanted a Range Rover in the past, you had three choices. There was the Evoque, representing the more affordable end of the spectrum, the Sport, which sat in the middle, and the standard Range Rover at the very top.

Prices start from £12,715.

SEAT IBIZA

The Spanish manufacturer’s latest version of its supermini has been completely rebuilt from the ground up.

It’s the first car on VW Group’s new MQB A0 platform, complete with new, more aggressive styling. It’s a fantastically

capable car, with a chassis that feels like something well out of its price range and engines that can take almost anything you can throw their way.

Now there’s a new kid on the block the Velar. Designed to sit between the Evoque and Sport, it’s a mid-sized SUV for those who want a little more space and a little more luxury, but without the more premium cost of the full Range Rover.

It’s a little pricey, but comes with plenty of kit, such as a FullLink infotainment system.

Deliveries just started this month, so it may be time to take a trip to your local Seat dealer. Prices start from £13,183.

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60 AGENDA: Can money make you happy?

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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

Prices start from £44,475.

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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90 Hardware: The 67 plate is coming...

THE REST UPFRONT

Edito...........................................................................................................................5 What's On.............................................................................................................10 News In Numbers................................................................................................11 Edito...........................................................................................................................5 Why is your boss talking about Mindfulness...............................12 Me & My Pet.........................................................................................................14 Miss IoM 2017.......................................................................................................16 GIVE.........................................................................................................................18 Relax with a Steam Packet holiday...........................................................19 Relaxation Lifehacks.......................................................................................20 9 Times when people tell you to relax....................................................22 MISC........................................................................................................................24

EVENTS

The top 10 ways to stay productive - RL360.....................................56 Appointments....................................................................................................58 Can money make you happy?...................................................................60 Fortunes Swell....................................................................................................62 Banking back to the 80's.............................................................................64 Electric shocks curb your spending........................................................66

PLACES

Feature Properties..........................................................................69-76

APPETITE

Recipes...................................................................................................................78

FASHION & BEAUTY

Joint 40th Birthday Party - The Mannin Hotel, Douglas........32

FLANNELS store opening..................................................................82 Beauty Products................................................................................................84

CULTURE

ACTIVE

Culture Vulture.......................................................................................40 Culture News......................................................................................................41 Talk is Sheep!......................................................................................................42 Eileen Schaer's Painted Dreams................................................................44 UPLOAD................................................................................................................46

TRAVEL

Escape The Rock.............................................................................................50 Dirty Dancing 30th Anniversary................................................................50

Trec Qualifier............................................................................................86 Tough Mann........................................................................................................88

HARDWARE

Motoring News....................................................................................118 Phone Home ......................................................................................................92

PAPARAZZI Are you in?......................................................................................93-100

AGENDA In The News........................................................................................................54

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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

UPFRONT

COVER CREDIT

Photographer & Styling: Shan Fisher Makeup Artist: Yasmin Whitelaw from Lime Studio Hairstylist: Kayleigh Walker Model: Shynia Forrester McElevey Location: Shan Fisher Photography Studio

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COVER: the RELAX ISSUE

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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UPFRONT

SEPTEMBER

WHAT’S ON 16 – 17.09.2017

ISLE OF MAN FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL //VILLA MARINA GARDENS, DOUGLAS// The biggest annual showcase of Isle of Man food and drink, boasting a produce marquee, tasting opportunities, caterers, demonstrations, activities for children and the finals of the Isle of Man Chef of the Year competition. Featuring over 60 exhibitors, this year’s special guests are Ladies in Pigs and there is an opportunity to enter the Island’s first ‘Hot Dog Eating’ competition.

07 - 10.09.2017

ISLE OF MAN FILM FESTIVAL

//VARIOUS VENUES, DOUGLAS// Mark Kermode returns as host of this vibrant film festival, with a range of ages and tastes. The event kicks off with a movie quiz at Noa Bakehouse on Thursday 7 September, £10 per team (max 6 people), and also includes screenings of the Isle of Man International Short Film Festival entries, a special Isle of Man Arts Council award and, on Saturday 9 September, ‘Mark Kermode Presents ….’ at the Broadway Cinema when Mark will present and discuss one of his own favourite films. www.facebook.com/IOMFF www.isleofmanfilmfestival.com

//ISLAND WIDE// A mountain bike challenge from one end of the Island to the other, starting at the Point of Ayre and finishing in Port Erin, taking in a variety of terrains and requiring different skills to complete the event. 75km in total, riders require a certain level of fitness to complete the event and a high level of skill to compete for honours. The race is now one of the biggest in the mountain bike calendar and attracts over 800 competitors to the Isle of Man.

www.manxe2e.org

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www.villagaiety.com

27.10.2017

ISLE OF MAN CYCLING CHALLENGE

//THE PALACE HOTEL//

23.09 – 24.09.2016

//TT COURSE// Your chance to ride this historic tarmac and enjoy feed stations round the course and a massage on your return to the Grandstand.

On the Saturday you can choose to ride 1, 2 or 3 laps of the 37.7 mile (60.7 km) TT Mountain Course, starting and finishing in the pit lane as a solo rider or as part of a relay team. Or take part in the 24 hour Endurance Challenge. Full details of entry costs, prizes and how to take part on the website. www.isleofmancc.com

MANX LIT FEST

END TO END MOUNTAIN BIKE CHALLENGE

Since it began in 2005, the Fashion for Life catwalk shows have raised over £70,000 and if you’d like to help raise even more for these worthwhile charities come along and join in the fun on the night.

Tickets can be booked via www.villagaiety. com or purchased on the gate.

26.09 – 01.10.2016

10.09.16

and highly successful biennial fashion show which raises funds for Breast Cancer Now (IOM) and Isle of Man Breast Cancer Care. Once again compered by Dot Tilbury and Geoff Corkish, the event is a mix of music, comedy and of course catwalk fashion.

//ISLAND WIDE// The Manx Lit Fest is now in its 6th year, with events for adults and children across the Island including talks from visiting authors, a hub for local novelists and the usual array of fun opportunities to show off your book knowledge. Programmes available now, and full details on the Facebook pages and the website. www.facebook.com/manxlitfest www.manxlitfest.com

AN EVENING WITH ANDY McNAB

Prestige Artist Events are pleased to announce an Evening with Andy McNab (DCM, MM), ex 22 SAS, Best Selling Author.

As a member of 22 SAS Andy was at the center of covert operations for nine years – on five continents.

Andy will be sharing his extensive life experiences on overcoming the greatest of odds to survive. Including motivation, inspiration, endurance, through his own life experiences and surviving to tell his story. This includes recent expeditions to both poles. An evening truly not to be missed with an distinguished and accomplished individual.

Each ticket will include a copy of Andy’s Newest fiction book being released in Autumn 2017.

Part of the proceeds from this IoM event will be donated to Help for Heroes and Hospice Isle of Man.

27.10.2017

FASHION FOR LIFE

//VILLA MARINA, DOUGLAS// Tickets are now available for the popular

The evening will also have a Luxury Prize draw with exclusive items.

BOOK your tickets now: www.prestigeartistevents.com www.facebook.com/prestigeartistevents ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

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in NUMBERS NEWS

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Douglas Borough Council has retained its six Green Flags for the second successive year. Noble’s Park, the marine gardens, Douglas golf course, Douglas Head, Hutchinson Square and Douglas borough crematorium and cemetery were awarded Green Flags by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy in 2016 and, following the Council’s successful re-submission, have retained their status in 2017.

Granting of planning consent for the redevelopment of Port Soderick could pave the way for the reopening of Marine Drive. The scenic roadway has been closed to through traffic since 1977 due to regular cliff-falls and the high cost of maintenance.

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

I wondered if you’d be interested in new research that’s revealed that one in five people say that just 10% of social plans result in a face to face meetings.

The study found that despite the fact 60% of Brits would like to see their friends more often that during the course of a lifetime the average person spends 131 days arranging meet ups that never actually happen. The new research by truly social media app, Loose Ends, also found four in ten (40%) of us say that we find the process of arranging to meet friends difficult, and a third (33%) say that they find the actual arrangements stressful – a figure which rises to 44% when looking at 18-24 year olds.

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Fishing for whelks is to be controlled across the whole of the Island’s seas to assist the sustainability of the species.

While there are restrictions on catching whelks from the shore to three miles out to sea, little protection exists for the species in the rest of the Island’s seas, which extend 12 miles out. Licences will be issued to those who can demonstrate they fished for whelks between 3 and 12 miles out in 2016 or are permitted to fish for whelks further inshore. There will also be limits on the number of pots that can be used to catch whelks.

1977

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An investigation has been launched after a vintage tram became “out of control” down a mountain. The crew on a Snaefell Mountain Railway tram travelled about 180ft (54m) before switching from a modern braking system to an older one on Friday 4th August. A health and safety probe is under way.

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The main road linking the west and the south of the Isle of Man has reopen after nine months of roadworks. The A3 in Foxdale closed last October while new storm water pipes were fitted following a 2m (6.6ft) deep excavation and resurfacing was carried out.

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A draft bill which proposes changes to Manx abortion law has been put out to public consultation. The Abortion Reform Bill would allow women to request an abortion in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy and loosen restrictions on having one later.

Abortions on the Isle of Man can only be legally carried out if the pregnancy is the result of rape or because of concerns over a woman’s mental health. Fewer than 10 abortions happen on the island annually, according to Tynwald.

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WORDS Grant Runyon ILLUSTRATION Liam Nunn

MAY CONTAIN SATIRE

If you were permitted to look up from your desk for a few minutes this month you might have noticed an unusual phenomenon - groups of senior managers and their corporate lackeys heading solemnly towards the boardroom, except instead of laptops and coffee they’re more likely to be carrying comfy pillows and bottles of water.

They all look calm, happy even; some might have taken their shoes off. If like me your first assumption was “Bad Q2 results.

Somebody is about to get dropkicked into the pot plants and then smothered with a cushion” you’d be wrong, because what is happening is in fact the total opposite.

Your boss, plus the Head of Offshore, even the mean lady from HR who resembles an iguana in circus makeup, are all getting together a couple of times a week for relaxation. They’re meditating, like Steven Seagal or Dhalsim from Street Fighter, and soon they’re going to calmly suggest that you start joining them to do it too. It’s called “mindfulness” and it’s the latest trend in the corporate environment. You’d better learn quick or you won’t just be made to work Saturdays, you’ll be made to come in at dawn to contemplate the perfect harmony of a single lotus flower whilst Janice from payroll silently prunes a tiny bonsai tree.

The question, as the ancient master asked of his student, is why?

What is mindfulness and why has it replaced lunchtime aerobics?

Mindfulness (grossly simplified) is a therapeutic technique which works by calmly and carefully bringing your attention to experiences occurring in the present moment. In essence it’s a simple form of meditation derived from Buddhist practice, although it need not have any religious or spiritual dimension, and can be practiced by anybody, at any time, in a wide variety of situations. The most surprising thing about mindfulness is that a habit that involves little more than subtly emptying your mind of active thoughts has been proven to have great psychological benefits for many conditions, from chronic pain to depression. Mindfulness and meditation genuinely work to improve your life by making you more aware of immediate experience and less affected by the kind of background stress which is ever-present yet so harmful to our modern existence. Om! Obviously this is all great, and I endorse it 100%, but it’s the kind of thing you expect to learn from somebody who eats quinoa and says “namaste” a lot, not the people who made you walk to the office when it snowed and probably spent the 80s attending talc parties with caged midgets. If you asked most people to identify the largest sources of stress, chronic pain and depression in

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their lives, most of them would point the finger towards the midget cagers or the HR iguana, so why are these people suddenly trying to help you chill out? It’s no different to being pulled over at the Victoria Avenue speed trap and being offered a hip flask and a couple of horse tranquillisers by the man in the high vis jacket.

What are some great ways to improve employee productivity?

There are two main reasons why your employer might be interested in offering mindfulness sessions to their employees.

I’ll get number one out of the way first, as it doesn’t offer as many opportunities for me to snipe at the managerial class. It requires me to acknowledge the possibility that your bosses really are concerned with your stress levels and have taken pragmatic steps to

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cults like “kaizen” or “lean” - they can pretend it’s some wholesome fantasy about Japanese efficiency, when the bottom line is solely the attraction of a work culture that expects a deranged, fanatical loyalty to the corporate line from anybody senior enough to be permitted a toilet break. There’s a reason those salarymen flip out every now and then, and I’m not going to swap seeing my family on weeknights for half an hour of worksponsored calm in-between sales meetings.

Why can’t we relax hard as well as work hard?

The unsurprising conclusion is that corporate mindfulness is only as good or bad as your general working environment.

Beyond that there is an inescapable paradox about mindfulness in the corporate workplace, which is that the most beneficial outcome of focussed self-awareness will be the understanding that many of the things in life that cause us anxiety are pointless.

We may even come to realise that it is completely within our power to reduce or remove many of these factors by choosing to effect meaningful change in our lives.

In English, what this means is that if you meditate enough you’ll discover that you

“If like me your first assumption was “Bad Q2 results. Somebody is about to get dropkicked into the pot plants and then smothered with a cushion” you’d be wrong, because what is happening is in fact the total opposite” offer you some cost-effective help. I suppose this follows from the evidence that bad, stress-magnifying behaviour in the office is often mirrored in your supposed off time, and so good habits learned at work will extend to your private life. The net result of helping people be mindful appears to indicate lowered staff sickness rates, better performance at work and a marginally more pleasant working environment. If you’ve got a thoughtful boss, be thankful. Maybe think twice before keying their Bentley at the weekend.

With that out of the way, the second potential reason for throw cushions in the boardroom is that mindfulness is extremely cheap compared to other forms of psychological help, and if your HR stats appear to show that 65 hour weeks are working your client relationship managers to death then it’s cheaper to apply the sticking plaster of 35 minutes of pseudo-zen timeout than it is to make any meaningful reductions to their workload. It’s the same thing that attracts execs to other vaguely Eastern corporate

can permanently reduce your stress levels simply by refusing to work more than 35 hours a week. If that results in you needing to leave the corporate world and find an employer who doesn’t expect you to answer emails on a Sunday morning, then your new mindful self will probably be able to manage life without that second Audi, putting the kids through private school or another skiing trip. On reflection it does seem a bit suspicious that my boss is paying for me to roll my office chair slowly down a path of enlightenment, winding ever closer towards the fateful day I burn my suit and take up work as a wandering cowherd, but I’m sure it’s part of a devious longterm plan that will somehow result in me agreeing to do more work. Meanwhile I’m contemplating the realisation that existence is fleeting, aerobics was awful, and that I’m quite happy to go along with any corporate initiative that stops my co-workers from talking and reduces my chances of being smothered with a cushion.

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ME & MY PET

Human Questions: Tasha Breed: Human Age? 24 Likes? Horse riding, swimming, dog walking, mountain biking and generally keeping fit in all activities Dislikes? Spiders If animal what would you be? Cat Favourite food? Calzone Where do you live? Ramsey

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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

••••

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Where are you originally from? Kirk Michael Where do you work? National Sports Centre Do you have any more pets? Yes a springer spaniel called Sparkie and a rescue cat called Rambo Would you have any more pets? No I’d need an Ark

Give an animal a home

The best and worst thing about having a pet is?

Best- Best thing about owning a pet is the love, devotion and loyalty you get from them and they are also very good at understanding when you are feeling sad and offer the love and support you need Worst- When they are sick or you have to say goodbye Interesting fact: I’ve been told in my sleep that I make the same noises as my dog does

Pet Questions:

Gweneth We have been inundated with kittens this year, with many being adopted as soon as they have had their first vaccination - new owners bring the kittens back in to Ard Jerkyll for their second vaccination, and they are given a neutering voucher to use when the kittens are old enough at around five to six months of age.

However, some kittens are in very poor health when they arrive, and in need of a great deal of TLC and veterinary attention. Gweneth was found by some work men who thought she was dead. She was completely stuck in black tar and couldn’t move. She was also very undernourished and had maggot-infested wounds. But here she is several weeks later, still with a few bald patches and on medication, but with a good body weight. After all that’s happened to her and the, sometimes painful, treatment she has needed it’s all the more remarkable that she has the most affectionate and loving nature – she purrs as soon as she is stroked, and loves to be picked up and snuggled.

Harry and Spirit Breed? Harry’s breed is unknown and Spirit is a Cavachon Age? Harry is 8 and Spirit is 13 Likes? Harry’s and Spirits biggest likes are food but also lots of cuddles Dislikes? Harry doesn’t like being left alone without his pals and Spirit dislikes going to the vet If human what would you be? Spirit would work in health care as she’s such a caring and loyal little dog Harry would be an escape artist as he loves jumping from one paddock to another where, the grass is always greener Favourite food? Harry loves carrots and Spirit loves cheese If you had one wish what would you wish for? That our Mummy was home all day so we can go out and have lots of fun and enjoy her company Interesting fact: In Spirits younger days she enjoyed doing dog agility and was very fast against the clock, now she’s just a couch potato. Harry’s a little pony with a huge heart and always gives his best.

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Max Max, a six-year-old English Bull-terrier cross, isn’t quite a cute as Gweneth but he’s just as affectionate and likes his cuddles.

He came to us because his previous owner’s circumstances changed and he was left on his own for long periods of time. He’s a really intelligent dog and needs to be stimulated both with play activities and more formal training. He’s quick to learn and clearly enjoys his training, and he responds extremely well to all the basic commands. He would suit a new owner who wants an interactive and engaging dog, someone who would relish developing a very special, strong bond. He will need to be one-onone, with no other dogs in the household, and he will be the most loyal and devoted companion anyone could wish for.

ManxSPCA • Ard Jerkyll, East Foxdale • Tel: 851672

www.manxspca.com

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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

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MISS ISLE OF MAN 2017

After such a memorable occasion, it’s difficult to believe a handful of people in public life actually doubted the credentials of reviving Miss Isle of Man when it was re-launched back in March.

Little over four months on and the revamp of the popular event is complete: receiving wide acclaim, raising more than £155,000 for 12 Island charities and creating lifechanging experiences for all 12 finalists.

Expertly hosted by Gary Chatel and Suzie Kelly, the evening comprised a fond nod to the prestigious history of the event with a modern, slick shape.

leaderboard with an incredible £61,000 for Cruse Bereavement Care. However, there was no doubting the winner as 25 year-old accountant Trene Kinrade took the title in front of an euphoric crowd and admitted her success will take some time to sink in.

‘It all feels surreal right now and will probably be a while before I come off this cloud,’ she admitted immediately after being crowned.

‘I would certainly recommend this competition to any girl. It increases your confidence, makes you challenge yourself and takes you out of your comfort zone, while raising money and awareness of some wonderful causes. I think it will be a few days before I even take this crown off!’

Indeed, no sooner had she won, Trene’s first official duties in the role began on Sunday afternoon at Peel Carnival.

This was no easy task for the panel of judges who had to assess the finalists in a range of categories, including PR, conduct and presentation, on top of the already held public and fundraising votes.

Among the audience were many former winners of this much-loved part of Isle of Man history and so it was fitting when the Christine Wild Theatre School Dancers joined Danielle for a lively opening to the second half of another Bassey classic, history repeating.

One of the undoubted highlights of the evening was the performance of 15 yearold Alexandra Slater, the Sheffield Plate winner’s superb rendition of Katherine Jenkins’ version of Bring Me To Life receiving a rapturous applause, as the 12 finalists returned to the stage in evening wear.

As excitement grew it was time to crown Miss Isle of Man and Tabby Wright, a 23 year-old teacher from St John’s, took third place, being pipped into second spot – and the deputy Miss Isle of Man title by 18 year-old A-level student Shannon Greenwood, who topped the fundraising BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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OUR COMMUNITY

GIVE

THEATRE GROUP REPRESENTS ISLE OF MAN AT UK CONTEST WITH STEAM PACKET COMPANY SUPPORT A Manx theatre company represented the Isle of Man in the finals of a UK drama competition with support from the Steam Packet Company.

The Broadway Theatre Company was invited to compete in the All Winners Festival Final, run by the National Drama Festival Association (NDFA), following their success in the Island’s One Act Play Festival in February.

Amateur dramatic groups from around Britain attended the All Winner Festival in Barnsley for a week-long programme

of competitions showcasing plays and performers of all ages.

The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company supported the group by assisting with the cost of travel to and from the UK for 11 young performers and their production team.

CONOR CUMMINS RIDES TT COURSE WITH MANX MSA TRUST AUCTION WINNERS

Luke Turner & Lisa Horsfall, who won their bid for a ride around the TT course with Conor Cummins at the MSA Summer Ball, got their prize today, (24/7/17) when the TT Ace & and now famous Barista (www.coffeemann.com) took control of one of the IOM Trike Tours trikes and enjoyed a ride around the course on a beautiful summer’s day at a little more sedate pace than Connor would normally do.

The actors, aged between 14 and 18, performed R.I.P Mr Shakespeare by Keith Hill and Bev Clark, a play which is set at the deathbed of William Shakespeare as he is haunted by the characters he created.

POST OFFICE HELPS SEND PARCEL OF ISLE OF MAN FOOTBALL KITS TO CHILDREN IN TANZANIA

ISLE OF MAN ART SOCIETY DONATES A FURTHER £1,000 TO DIANA TRUST

RIGHT TREATMENT PRESCRIBED FOR HOSPITAL VOLUNTEERS THANKS TO CELTON MANX

The week-long exhibition, supported

by Moore Stephens, featured many different works from local artists, and is always a popular highlight in the Isle of Man’s art year.

Noble’s Hospital front-of-house manager Dawn Stanton said: ‘The trip was a great success and a brilliant way to say “thank you”. Around 40 volunteers came on what was a fantastic and very lively afternoon out, travelling on a scenic route from Douglas down to the south of the island.

Following their successful annual Easter Art Exhibition held at the Village Walk in Onchan, the Isle of Man Art Society has, for the second time in two years, donated £1,000 to the Isle of Man charity, the Diana Princess of Wales Care at Home Trust.

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A group of Noble’s Hospital volunteers exchanged wards for wide open spaces when they took a trip on the Touring Tea Bus, made possible thanks to a Celton Manx Recognition award.

A parcel of donated Isle of Man football kits have been distributed to children in Tanzania, Africa, with the assistance of Isle of Man Post Office’s Sponsorship Committee.

Island based, Mathew Aire, who required support in sending the 20kg parcel of items from the Isle of Man to Tanzania charity, Sports Charity Mwanza, contacted the Post Office for assistance, to which the committee was pleased to help.

Sports Charity Mwanza, Tanzania is responsible for building sports centres and initiating organised sports clubs in Mwanza, so that more people of all ages can participate in sports regularly. The charity’s goal is to create a sustainable sports infrastructure for people of all ages in Mwanza.

ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

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Relax. IT’S TIME FOR

YOUR NEXT GETAWAY

FALLING LEAVES, CRISP AIR, COSY JUMPERS AND CLEAR SKIES. AUTUMN IS ALMOST HERE SO BOOK YOUR NEXT GETAWAY AND MAKE THE MOST OF THE SEASON OF CHANGE.

When you travel with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company after 5th September prices for a car and two people start from £85 each way for a 5 Day Short Break. Booking is simple – head to www.steam-packet.com and start planning your perfect break.

Boarding is a breeze. Simply drive on, park up and choose your seat in the range of lounges and then relax.

To make life even easier reserved seating is available in the Niarbyl and Premium Lounge, so you can book before you set sail and take your seat when you’re ready.

If you’re travelling on Ben-my-Chree reserve a 4-berth en-suite cabin and feel right at home as you doze off. When you are ready, help yourself to the complementary tea and coffee making facilities and watch some telly.

As you sail take a relaxing stroll around the vessel and wander over to Ocean Avenue, the on-board shop, where you can pick up magazines, newspapers and books to enjoy during the sailing. You can also purchase a selection of cosmetics, handbags, and leading perfume brands with some great savings to take advantage of.

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

If you’re feeling peckish head to the Coast-to-Coast Café where there is a selection of hot food, sandwiches, snacks and drinks available.

Bring the car and take everything you need for a restful holiday with you.

There are no luggage fees when you travel by ferry so indulge in some retail therapy without having to think twice about how to get your new items home, simply pop them in the boot.

Why not try a relaxing trip to a picturesque luxury spa hotel like Askham Hall, where you can indulge in treatments and fine dining before ending the evening with a stroll through the peaceful gardens as the long nights draw in.

Or take it easy in Nottinghamshire and soak up the stunning sights and colours of Sherwood Forest in autumn. You can book a chalet for a tranquil escape away from the hustle and bustle, and then jump in the car to explore; enjoy a visit to a local village for a relaxing afternoon tea, stop at a Stilton cheese dairy for a taste of the local delicacy or experience one of Nottinghamshire’s October festivals, such as the Goose Fair or the Robin Hood Pageant.

Drive to the beautiful city of Lincoln where you can visit the cathedral famous for its grandeur and the Lincoln Imp. There’s also popular National Trust houses Chatsworth House and Keddleston Hall just a short drive

away. Unpack your cosy jumpers from the boot and enjoy a walk through the gardens.

However you choose to relax and recuperate on your break, the best way to get there is by ferry.

So put your feet up and start planning your next trip today by visiting www.steam-packet.com

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“ IF I FEEL MYSELF FLAGGING AT ANY POINT I DON’T START MEDITATING, I THROW SOME MORE COAL INTO THE ENGINE BY POUNDING AN XL CAN OF MONSTER OR INHALING THE SPARE MSG FROM A PACKET OF MONSTER MUNCH.”

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RELAXATION LIFEHACKS FOR LAZY LONERS WORDS Grant Runyon ILLUSTRATION Leila Andersone

After many years of hostility towards saturated fat, salt and alcohol the world’s experts on healthy lifestyles have decided (for the next five years at least) that stress is the real killer.

This has triggered an avalanche of thinkpieces in which the same people who told you not to get fat nag you not to get stressed out. Some push you to take up yoga, many tell you to stop eating gluten, a few expect you to chill out by throwing away most of your stuff. All imply they can extend and enrich your life, shedding bad habits and belly fat alike with changes that range from just one weird trick to a total rejection of everything that gives your existence pleasure - by which I mean coffee, booze, bacon, cakes and fags. There’s so much unsolicited wellbeing advice out there that you’d assume its critical mass would start having a similar effect to passive smoking, and gradually more and more of the people who accidentally come into contact with it online (whilst innocently browsing for nudes) would be smugly floating around like Gwyneth Paltrow after a piping hot broccoli enema.

Of course it doesn’t work like that - the world is objectively hellish, unfair and one tweet away from being obliterated in a nuclear catastrophe, so skim reading “twenty ways to zen your work cubicle” at the hairdresser is just a drop of sugar water in an ocean of dog vomit. I think about the old mushroom cloud most nights, so it’s an achievement if I get any sleep at all. If anything I’d say I’m in a stronger position to give relaxation advice than some airbrushed blogger, because my continued existence is a persuasive argument against the need for healthy living, exercise or the principles of basic sanitation.

I have some solid opinions about how best to chill out, and unlike other lifestyle gurus I’ll keep it under 1500 words - because I understand the golden rule that advice articles are only useful if you can finish them during a toilet break.

Tidy home, tidy mind A misguided aunt marked my birthday this year with a book that tells you to improve your life by getting rid of most of your possessions. I left it on top of a pile of videogames and continued to improve my life by spilling kebab grease and beer on it, then saved myself time by reading the first two pages and getting rid of precisely one possession: that book. Anybody who believes

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tidying and unnecessary cleaning can improve their life simply lacks my advanced time management skills: even in the shower I’m not more than arm’s length away from some snack food, a cold beer or an ashtray, and never worry about accidentally losing or binning something important because I have an ingenious system of piles, shelves and boxes that contain everything of value to me. I also save hours of pointless walking each day by ensuring that every room in my house has the facility for me to watch TV, prepare caffeinated drinks or pass out in a pile of t-shirts - thanks to an ingenious lifehack I came up with where my dirty laundry is now also my bedding. Things that need to be washed, repaired or thrown out of the window either alert me by smelling bad or just find their way to the edges of the room through the natural power of centrifugal force. This leaves me with more time to relax by playing Tekken online with angry teenagers and arguing with illiterates in the comments section of YouTube.

Better living through advanced nutrition Relaxation advice is often underwritten by the false assumption that the only way to control your moods and other bodily functions is with things that are hard work, such as doing exercise or a vegetable diet.

This ignores the advances in science that gave us wonderful chemicals to speed us up, slow us down and can frequently replace fresh foods or a session on the treadmill.

Lifestyle gurus might tell you to spend an hour each morning meditating, jogging or doing yoga, but those would make me later than usual to work, so I prefer to make use of adrenalin - the body’s inbuilt accelerator pedal. I go from zero to 100 in ten minutes by starting the day with a large bowl of Coco Pops (essential sugars and vitamins) soaked in a protein-rich mixture of canned Nurishment drink and triple strength espresso. The coffee takes care of any digestive problems caused by my dislike of fibre, and gives me all the energy I need to walk that long 600 metres to the office. If I feel myself flagging at any point I don’t start meditating, I throw some more coal into the engine by pounding an XL can of Monster or inhaling the spare MSG from a packet

of Monster Munch. This behaviour keeps me efficiently shouty throughout the day, and all that’s required for rest is to slam the brakes on around 10pm with some drowsy cough medicine, then get ready to pass out.

The fact that I grind my teeth during all five hours of sleep is actually preparing me for a more streamlined diet - one that doesn’t even waste energy by needing to be chewed.

Relaxation isn’t a team sport I’ve managed to cover a diet plan, the zen of your living space, and a simple exercise regime (i.e. don’t) in the time it takes to fry a packet of sausages. There’s no need to buy any books or read some idiot’s blog, so thanks to my advice you now have more time for horror movies and doing weewee in the shower. This leaves just one significant variable in trying to ensure maximum chilltime in your life, which is unfortunately the most complex variable of all: other people.

The easy answer is that existence will be a relaxing walk in the (abandoned) park if only you can avoid all contact with other humans. It’s just a shame that technology companies have wasted too much time on giving their employees lunchtime yoga classes and ignored the massive demand for erotic service robots and self-driving pizza delivery cars. Until that beautiful day when we leave the flesh behind you’re going to have to live amongst the man-herd, with its strange smells, stupid opinions and irrational desire to shield children from my persistent swearing. Luckily I’ve got you covered here too, as the further you go in emulating my lifestyle you’ll strangely find fewer and fewer occasions where you have to deal with other people and their needs.

The more time you spend yelling at people online and in real life, the quicker the invites to work gatherings, birthdays, weddings and funerals will dwindle and even the purchase of essential food and services will come to be conducted with just a few meaningful grunts. I’ve chosen to achieve relaxation through being shunned by society, and the only possible situation I could imagine that is more chill involves a self-induced coma, an IV of kebab sauce and a nurse I’ve bribed to leave me propped up in a pile of stinky pyjamas in front of Cartoon Network. A sponge bath every three days, a diet of tepid baby food and I’ll be living a lifestyle Gwyneth Paltrow can only dream of.

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9 TIMES WHEN PEOPLE TELL YOU TO RELAX AND YOU WANT TO KILL THEM You thought you were a balanced(ish) person with a healthy respect for other people until someone says; relax, calm down or chill. Don’t tell me how to feel or act, ok?

By: Clare Bowie

n When a bouncer, a member of airport security or a teacher tells you to relax and you know you can’t argue with them without looking that some kind of crazy lunatic with authority issues. Truth Time: they don’t really want you to calm down they just really enjoying winding you up. #redmist n When the beautician tells you to relax as she rips the hair from your ankles and hauls off a wax strip that looks like a baby chimpanzee. So. Not. Relaxing.

n When someone tells you to have a drink to relax and you only take one tiny sip but somehow accidentally miss your mouth and slobber it over yourself like a crazy drunk fool and everyone is like; “look at the state of her, God love her”. n At the hairdressers when they tell you to relax while your dye does its job. Just have a seat at the window so everyone can laugh at you in your polyester gown and dye-stained forehead as they walk past the shop. Still, at least you have a copy of “Hello”, circa 2012, to take your mind off the humiliation. n When people at work say “relax, you’ve got this” before a presentation and you really haven’t actually “got this.” What you do have is a trickle of sweat that has escaped and is running down the sleeve of your shirt.

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n When random strangers interpret your resting bitch face as a sign of an impending apocalypse and tell you to “relax” or “cheer up love” and you’ve never felt so uncheery in your entire life. Sinking your fist into their face would feel infinitely more relaxing but instead you invariably smile and deride yourself for your shameful sulky demeanour. n When your mum *whispers* an insult really loudly about the lady standing next to you in the queue and you freak out at her and then she tells you to “relax, nobody heard me” and you look like the ball busting bad guy giving your poor mother a hard time. #facepalm n When you have to go to the doctors/ dentist/optician and these people are waaayy too close to you and are putting their hands in places that you’re seriously not comfortable with and they tell you to relax. Don’t they know that you’d rather be actually dead than have to endure this shiz?

Not to over react or anything. n When you’re scared of dogs, heights, snakes, lifts, balloons, buttons etc. and you come into contact with them and people say “reeeelllaaaxx, you’ll be absolutely fine” in the most patronising tone of voice they can muster. Thanks so much for telling me how to act and feel in these situations you condescending, judgemental cretin.

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UPFRONT

Just random things to amuse you.

Facebook robots create own language.

Plug gets pulled for the sake of humanity.

Global panic nearly ensued recently when two robots designed by Facebook to negotiate like humans also decided to create their own language in which to communicate in before successfully closing their negotiations for a selection of fictional items.

However, most of the panic was unjustified as Bob and Alice (as the unassuming robots were named) hadn't in fact created Skynet or plotted to destroy the human race but had just had a bit of a chat about how many balls, bags and hats they were after. Sources say that there was only one hat which caused a bit of a wrangle but if I'm honest I can't see what the fuss is as hats probably aren't high up on the list of things a few billion strings of computer code might want for Christmas. Instead of buzzing sirens, networks on lockdown and theatrical throwing of levers pertaining to the flow of electricity, however, they just sort of clicked

on the red 'x' in the top corner. Less scared that humanity was at risk, researchers at Facebook simply deemed the test results part failure, part success. Success because they successfully learnt to negotiate between themselves but a failure because of the new language part as the idea was for them to be indistinguishable from humans in order to be put to work in industry. And let's face it, if you ask Bob about buying a hat and he replies 'I can i i everything else' before Alice chimes in and adds 'balls have zero to me to me to me…' you're going to catch on pretty quickly that Bob and Alice aren't real customer service agents after all.

Look, I'm from the future - just turn the robots back on and nobody gets hurt.

Quoted:

“I asked God for a bike, but I know it doesn't work that way. So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.”

Al Pacino

Stiff punishment...

And the $30,000 question is...

Officers in an unmarked vehicle spotted him using his phone whilst driving and proceeded to pull him (over), but he failed to stop immediately. When he did, it became apparent that he'd been holding his joystick tighter than his steering wheel. When Surrey Police were asked via Twitter if the driver was using his handsfree or if he'd rested the phone on his horn they replied that they had decided not to seize any evidence but had issued 'numerous tickets'. There was no mention of what happened to the tickets after they'd left the scene, however...

But the real winner in this story isn't whoever won't make it to Bowser's Castle to save Princess Peach because opening that packaging and actually playing the game would make it near worthless, but eBay. Just imagine the fees racked up on that auction! Then there's the 5% taken by PayPal...

Well, a £250 fine and six penalty points to be precise. That's what a white van man in Surrey got after being caught using his phone without a hands-free kit. Because let's face it, if you were browsing adult sites on your phone whilst driving as he was you probably wouldn't have both of your hands on the wheel!

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Why? Why would somebody fork out twenty-three thousand dollars for a copy of one of the most widely available computer games ever produced? Firstly, because the world has gone mad. Secondly, because it's still in the cellophane wrapper, and thirdly it's one of the first editions of the game, identifiable by the tab on the back that allows it to be hung on a peg. Those in the know claim that there are only around twelve copies of the game left in existence in this condition. I'm still reeling from how abysmal Dr. Mario was having spent all of my pocket money on it one Saturday.

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You’re invited to arrive on a rather special night…

Give yourself over to absolute pleasure…

Come up to the lab on Friday 27th October From 7.30pm, until we do the timewarp again!

T: 476076, to book your ticket.

Entertianment, disco, buffet, prises & raffle

EVENTS

1940’S THEMED CRUSE BEREAVEMENT CARE EVENT

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Location: The Claremont Hotel Photos: Dollsfactory.net

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EVENTS

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EVENTS

Photos: Dollsfactory.net & Mirror Man

HANSARD INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATES ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY The Nunnery estate in Douglas provided the stunning background for a party atmosphere to celebrate Hansard International’s thirty years in business, operating from its head office here on the Isle of Man. Around 200 guests attended the prestigious event including Chief Minister, Howard Quayle; Department of Economic Development Minister, Lawrence Skelly; Treasury Minister, Alf Cannan; representatives from companies who have helped and supported over the years, figures from the local community, along with international guests Mr Abdul Muttaleb M Al Jaedi; Managing Director & CEO of Union Insurance; Mr Kamal Deep Chhabra; President Union Insurance and Mr Deepak M Ahuja; Head of Wealth Bank Assurance RAKBANK from UAE. Group Chief Executive Officer Gordon Marr and his executive team hosted the evening of fine wine and fantastic Manx food. Local band ‘The Tides’ welcomed guests upon arrival whilst magician Matt Parro wowed guests with his award winning magic show. Following brief speeches, guests took to the dance floor and danced the night away to live music before heading outside for a fantastic fireworks display.

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HANSARD INTERNATIONAL 30TH ANNIVERSARY

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EVENTS

Photos: Dollsfactory.net & Mirror Man

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EVENTS

HANSARD INTERNATIONAL 30TH ANNIVERSARY

Cake by: Taylor Made Cakes

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Photos: Dollsfactory.net & Mirror Man

Photo: Mirror Man

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VAGABONDS RUGBY CLUB LADIES DAY - CELEBRATING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LADIES TEAM

Photos: Brian Mitchell

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SIOBHAN WICKLOW AND STEPHEN COWAN’S WEDDING DAY

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Location:St Mary’s Church Reception: The Sefton Hotel Photographer: Shan Fisher

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MISS ISLE OF MAN 2017 POP QUIZ

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Location:Â Bar George Photos: sueblythephotography.com

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Charity Quiz Night

Bar George 19th October @ 19.00 Hello my name is Jane Thompson. It has always been an ambition of mine to run the London Marathon and I am lucky enough to be running next April. I have decided on a charity close to my heart and will be running for Guide Dogs UK.

To help raise money towards this event, I have chosen to do a Quiz Night. Damian Hawley has very kindly let us use Bar George for the evening.

If you are up for a challenge please come and join us!

Food and drink can be purchased during the evening and a raffle will also take place after the quiz. Anyone who would like to donate a raffle prize please email me. It will be a tremendous support.

TO RESERVE OR DONATE Tables of 6 at £20 per table. Please contact me via email or phone.

Email address: janethomspon@manx.net Phone Number: 07624 201811

Thank you so much to everyone that contributed so far to this worthy cause.

LOOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT NIGHT.

CULTURE

CULTURE VULTURE What’s on 09.09.2017 LAUNCH OF 2017 POETRY TRAIL //ST GEORGE’S CHURCH, DOUGLAS//

An evening to launch the 2017 Poetry Trail, which will take place around Douglas between 13 September and 15th October.

Come and celebrate the poetry, poets and learn about the trail venues. All welcome to this free event (tea and cakes will be served).

Just turn up or contact Bethany at poetry@ manxcat.org.uk for more information.

now – 10.09.2017 THIS IS SUMMER //HOUSE OF MANANNAN, PEEL//

An exhibition featuring highlights from the Manx Press Pictures archive held at Manx National Heritage, from the 1950s, 60’s and 70’s, giving a ‘snap shot’ of events which took place from May to September, months often referred to on the Isle of Man as ‘the season’.

To see all 1,000 images, visit This Is Summer online at www.imuseum.im/ search/thisissummer/

now – 30.09.2017 DRAWN STEEL THROUGH THE SEASONS //MILNTOWN ESTATE AND GARDENS, RAMSEY// A year long perspective of Robert Jones’ sculptures observing the change of nature and light in the stunning Milntown gardens.

The sculptures are abstract, with many reflecting shapes and forms often found in nature. Others lean to a more industrial form, such as ‘Punk’ which has been placed near the Milntown’s water wheel. Entry to the gardens is £3.50 adults, £1 children and £3.00 for OAPs. Open every day except Tuesdays. www.milntown.org

SEPTEMBER Now – 24.09.2017 AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD //THE ISLE GALLERY, TYNWALD MILLS// An exhibition of recent work by Manx artist, Julie Collins includes Landscape, Seascape and Bird paintings both on paper and canvas.

Julie paints plein air for research for her finished work, and then paintings are made in a series in her studio. Julie is represented by several Galleries in the UK & has received numerous awards for her beautiful paintings.

Her ambitious watercolour entitled, “Alice (in wonderland)” was selected for The Sunday Times Watercolour exhibition, in London by Sir Peter Blake RA.

www.theislegallery.com

now – end of 2017 ART WORKSHOPS // ISLE GALLERY, ST JOHNS//

ArtReach courses at the Isle Gallery include beginners’ classes in acrylics, watercolours and oil painting, ceramics, printing and much much more. There are separate workshops for teenagers and children and you can book now for intensive school holiday courses in the summer. The classes are supported by the Isle of Man Arts Council and sponsored by Typhoon House. www.theislegallery.com

09.09 - 08.10.2017 ISLE OF MAN SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTS //SAYLE GALLERY, DOUGLAS//

A wide-reaching exhibition of work of the Island’s architects, including some workshops and some of the work which has been done by children during Isle of Architecture – a year-long celebration of the built environment which came to an end recently. There will also be an exhibition of the shortlisted and winning photographs from the #ilovethisbuilding competiton.

For more information call 01624 674557 or email the Society of Architects on sofa_ chair@manx.net www.facebook.com/SayleGallery

09.09 – 30.09.2017 VIEWS, VISTAS AND STUDIES //HODGSON LOOM GALLERY, LAXEY// A group show of landscapes, portraits and studies in oil, acrylic and watercolour from local artists John Caley, Ronnie Doyle and Max Aitken. www.facebook.com/hodgsonloom

14.09.2017 SHORT STORIES AND LUDICROUS TALES //THE EATERY, DOUGLAS//

Local writers read original (and other) stories in front of a live audience (warning, there may be some adult themes). Free entry, food and drink available to purchase. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. www.facebook.com/ shortstoriesandludicrous

21.09.2017 ISLE OF MAN DRAWING CLUB //THE BRITISH, NORTH QUAY DOUGLAS// The Isle of Man Drawing Club is a thriving new social group for friendly artists. They meet every month for after-work drinks and a couple hours of drawing just for the fun of it. For more details, including the month’s theme, check out www.facebook.com/ isleofmandrawingclub

29.09 – 01.10.2016 ISLE OF MAN HERITAGE OPEN DAYS //ISLAND WIDE//

An opportunity to explore some of the unusual or less publicly accessible historic properties, lands and buildings that celebrate the Isle of Man’s rich heritage and culture over two long weekends (also 6-8 October).

Heritage organisations and private owners Island-wide join together to open their doors and share their knowledge of historic treasures.

Some events require booking in advance. www.manxnationalheritage.im

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CULTURE NEWS ISLE OF MAN POST OFFICE COMMEMORATES HM QUEEN AND HRH PRINCE PHILIP’S PLATINUM WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Isle of Man Post Office has issued a heartwarming set of six commemorative stamps on the 70th anniversary of the engagement of HM Queen to HRH Prince Philip.

The set charts landmark wedding anniversaries and is accompanied by Dickie Arbiter’s warm and moving story of the couples long life of service and devotion to one another. Each stamp includes metallic print and a white orchid which was included in the Queen’s bouquet on the couple’s wedding day, and a quote

from their wedding vows. The initial 1st class stamp in the set features a black and white image of the Royal Wedding in 1947, which is then followed by a further five high definition colour stamp images of the couple, each marking a subsequent landmark anniversary up until the present one, their Platinum Wedding Anniversary in 2017.

MANX GAELIC VERSION OF CASINO ROYALE

Culture Vannin is pleased to announce the publication of a Manx version of the classic Ian Fleming book, Casino Royale. This was the first of the series of books that announced to the world the character of James Bond and was originally published in 1953. The book was an instant success and Fleming went on to write a further twelve Bond books; to many, Casino Royale remains one of the great spy thrillers that reveals a cold and dark aspect to the Bond character.

This translation has been produced by Bob Carswell one of the most well-known translators, writers and broadcasters in the language, and is published by Culture Vannin.

For more information about the book and the language please contact Adrian Cain on: 694753 / 451098 adrian@ culturevannin.im

MANX LIT FEST

Acclaimed author Alexander McCall Smith is the headline name for Manx Litfest 2017, which runs September 26 through to October 1.

The bestselling Scottish writer is best known for The No1 Ladies’ Detective Agency novels, alongside other popular series including 44 Scotland Street and the Isabel Dalhousie mysteries. An Evening with Alexander McCall Smith is at King’s Court Theatre, King William’s College at 8pm on Sunday, October 1.

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The festival, now in its sixth year, has events for all ages, including a Mr Men Family Day, school visits, Writers’ Day, the Poetry Slam, Short Story Slam, and the return of former Island resident and renowned crime author Chris Ewan. It will also feature a hub for Isle of Man-based novelists at the Old Grammar School in Castletown.

For full event listings and ticket details, visit manxlitfest.com or www.facebook. com/manxlitfest

MOVEIT DANCE’S JASMINE CELEBRATES BBO GRADUATION

MoveIt Dance has added yet another accreditation to its name with dance teacher Jasmine Marsh graduating from the British Ballet Organisation (BBO).

At the ceremony in London, Jasmine was congratulated by world-class dancer, director, choreographer and actor Wayne Sleep OBE, who presented her certificate for Level 4 and 5 Dance Teacher accreditation.

Alongside teaching, Jasmine has studied with the BBO for two years and has completed written and practical exams for 10 modules. Although the course was based in London, which meant that Jasmine had to make several trips across each year, invigilators also visited her at MoveIt Dance’s studio to assess her progress.

The teaching accreditation covers a wide range of dance disciplines, with Jasmine selecting Ballet, Tap and Jazz as her core subjects.

Jasmine said: ‘I’m so grateful to MoveIt Dance for supporting me throughout my qualification and it’s been a huge benefit to both myself and the students in my classes to be able to apply those skills as I’ve gone along. I chose MoveIt Dance because of this supportive attitude which applies to the students as well as the teachers.

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CULTURE

TALK IS SHEEP – 7TH NORTH ATLANTIC SHEEP & WOOL CONFERENCE HERE IN OCTOBER By: Suzy Holland Images: Karin Flatøy Svarstad and Rawdon Haynes (Loaghton Sheep)

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If you think lamb is just something you have for Sunday lunch, you might not be aware that the 7th North Atlantic Sheep and Wool Conference is taking place in the Isle of Man in October. But it is - and for anyone interested in sheep and their fleeces it shouldn’t be missed.

This peripatetic conference is all about celebrating the native breeds of shorttailed sheep of the North Atlantic, and this year conference attendees can expect a varied series of lectures, farm visits, craft workshops and fairs and even a fashion show – with a particular emphasis on our own Manx Loaghtan sheep.

The conference was founded in 2010 by Norwegian artist Karin Flatly Svarstad who has been working with wool for more than 30 years, 23 of them with the Norwegian native sheep the Villsau. She is - and for once it’s fair to use the word - passionate about the unusual rare breed sheep that occur around the North Atlantic which include our own Loaghtans. But it’s not just as artist: she is also heavily involved in initiatives for the development of rural small scale industry in Norway, the Faroe Islands and in Scotland.

Nicky Pattinson, one of the Isle of Man organisers, said that rare breed wool is more than just a fashion statement: “Karin started this conference knowing that the old Viking breeds of sheep were becoming endangered and that some of their fleeces were routinely burnt as valueless. The aim then, and now, is to promote these breeds and develop new uses for their fleeces, revive old ones and encourage cross fertilisation of ideas. As you’d expect, this year we are concentrating on the Loaghtans, but the visiting lecturers include farmers, academics, weavers and wool buyers – all of whom have experience in the wool industries of their own countries and islands.”

The four day conference begins on 12 October, and the varied list of events on their website www.viking-sheep.org is astonishing. “Visitors to the conference come from all over the globe, from Iceland to New Zealand, South Africa to California,” says Nicky, “and most have extended their stay on the Island to a week or more. More than a hundred off-Island visitors have booked the full conference package which covers every lecture and visit, and we’ve

“Visitors to the conference come from all over the globe, from Iceland to New Zealand, South Africa to California, and most have extended their stay on the Island to a week or more.”

Nicky Pattinson

Karin Flatly Svarstad

just released day tickets which are being snapped up by local residents wanting to extend their own knowledge about rare breeds, like the Loaghtan, which are becoming more well-known and more valuable thanks to global interest.”

There isn’t enough room here to list all the lectures and workshops, but some familiar Isle of Man names are involved: Loaghtan farmers Dougie Boulton, Jenny Shepherd and Jim Middleton will talk about their own flocks and how they use and market both meat and fleece, and weaver John Wood will talk about Laxey Woollen Mills and his vision for its future. A number of practical workshops will concentrate on how to use the local wool for a variety of purposes, whether it be spinning, weaving, felting or knitting.

It’s tempting to write this off as a very niche event, but Nicky knows from organising other tours with Karin that visitors, who travel a long way to indulge their passion, are also tourists. The ‘legacy’ value of any event is important and the organisers are keen to develop this:

“It’s really about more than just sheep and wool,” Nicky says. “Many attendees are first time visitors to the Isle of Man and the programme we’ve put together takes them out of the lecture theatre and into our beautiful countryside, and we know they will go home and share their experiences.

Their main interest might be the Loaghtan sheep and the unique properties of its fleece, but they’ll see much much more during their visit, and as organisers we hope that the 7th North Atlantic Sheep & Wool Conference will prove to be a boost for both the Island’s rare breed farming industry and for tourism. A legacy to be very proud of indeed.”

The 7th North Atlantic Sheep & Wool Conference runs from 12-15 October.

For more details and to book tickets go to www.viking-sheep.org

The organisers would like to thank Manx National Heritage for use of the Museum lecture theatre and other venues, and Isle of Man Steam Packet Co. Ltd. for its help with travel arrangements.

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THE MYSTERIOUS DRAMAS OF EILEEN SCHAER’S ‘PAINTED DREAMS’ By: Suzy Holland Images: Eileen Schaer (portrait of Eileen by Deb Turk)

You may be a long-time Schaer enthusiast, or new to her deceptively childlike, almost primitive paintings, but ‘Painted Dreams’, an exhibition of brand new works – her first since 2014’s ‘Out of the Ordinary’ at the Sayle Gallery – is perhaps this year’s most highly anticipated contemporary art exhibition.

And she’s moved to a new venue for her, the House of Manannan. “I’m very excited to exhibit in Peel,” Eileen says. “It’s long been a hotbed of creativity, and the House of Manannan’s ground floor exhibition space, with the quayside, buzzing pubs and restaurants just across the road, means visitors can pop in and out to see my paintings at their leisure.”

Eileen has been painting for over four decades, and although she met any number of artists amongst the musicians and poets in 1960’s Liverpool - including her late husband, David Fletcher – it wasn’t until they moved to London in 1970 when David was at the Royal College of Art, that she first picked up charcoal and paint. “It was a bit of husband/wife challenge,” Eileen says now. “David was working on his art, so looking at his work, and visiting galleries and exhibitions all over London I decided to have a go too.” Completely self-taught, her paintings began to attract attention, and she has, over the years, exhibited at the Serpentine and Mall galleries amongst others, at the Royal Academy Summer

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Shows, and of course in the Isle of Man, where she and David moved in 1975.

Eileen’s dreamlike paintings are inspired by her everyday life, her love of nature and, as is particularly evident in ‘Painted Dreams’, her recent trips to India.

“I’m a 60’s hippy at heart,” Eileen told me recently, “so travelling to India, and particularly to Udaipur and the ‘Golden Triangle’, was a long held dream. I wasn’t disappointed, and the colours and shapes fixed themselves in my mind and have since been reinterpreted in my paintings.”

‘Dreaming of an Elephant’ (pictured here) is a good example of this. “I was enthralled by the intricacies of the elephant seats and blankets,” Eileen continued, “and when I started to paint this, I found they were not only echoed in the dress, but also in the background to the painting. That red is one of the colours which brings India back to me, but like many of my works this is a multi-media piece and I’ve used collage on the dress and in the elephant’s blanket.”

With people, birds, animals, trees and buildings often wound together, even melting into each other, Eileen is often asked what her paintings mean, a question she finds impossible to answer but perhaps explains why so many people like and buy them:

“They are my dreams and, like all dreams, can be interpreted in any way you want. It’s all about feelings, not meanings.

Whatever feeling my paintings bring out in the viewer, that’s the answer, the meaning for them.”

In a recent interview for online music magazine, Perfect Sounds Forever, Eileen likened her paintings to music: “When I start a painting I’m never sure what will come out on to the canvas. I don’t have any explanation of what they mean. They mean something different to everyone who sees them. It’s like music, not every lyric needs (an) explanation to be enjoyed.”

If you want the opportunity to look into Eileen’s dreams, draw your own meanings and maybe buy one of her works for your own wall – all the paintings in the exhibition are for sale - ‘Painted Dreams’ opens at the House of Manannan, Peel on 24 September and continues until 19 November.

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UPLOAD

THE MONTHLY UPLOAD

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YOUR PHOTOS £50

Win ner

1 Krysia Boruch 2 Lydia quayle 3 Alexandra Bashir 4 Jen Adams 5 Karen Galliver

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6 David Skillicorn 7 Cath Denton 8 Alan Denton 9 Margaret Woolnough 10 Natalie Wray 11 Gill Entress

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12 Janette Phair 13 Nick Phair 14 William Galbraith 15 Phillip Payne 16 Pauline Guest

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Want to win £50? All you have to do is email your entry with the subject ‘upload’ to: upload@gallery.co.im. Make the files nice and big though, 4MB 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 pages full-size unfortunately - they just wouldn’t fit!

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TRAVEL

The real Kellerman’s The film was set in the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York, but was predominantly shot at Mountain Lake Lodge in Virginia, a four-hour drive from Washington DC, and set in the middle of a 2,600-acre nature preserve, surrounded by the southern Appalachian Mountains.

A sense of familiarity At 4,000 feet above sea level, we pull into the hotel’s drive, just like the Housemans do in the movie, and it’s a rather surreal feeling.The hotel’s stone facade, which dates back to the 1930s, is familiar, as is the sight of Baby’s cabin across the manicured front lawn, where Kellerman’s guests bunny hop at the beginning of the film.

TO CELEBRATE DIRTY DANCING’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY, WE CHECK-IN TO THE REAL KELLERMAN’S RESORT Susan Griffin heads to Mountain Lake Lodge, Virginia where Dirty Dancing was shot, and discovers there’s more to this magical place than simply movie memorabilia.

By Susan Griffin

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’m standing, arms crossed, while my other half uploads pictures of himself in front of our hotel to Instagram. Determined to share his location with the online world, he remains oblivious to the fact I’m impatient to take my turn posing.

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In the distance, there’s the gazebo where Baby’s father finds solace after finding out his daughter’s spent the night with Johnny, but there’s no lake and its eerily quiet in an out-of-season early April.

Banter with the barman We make our way inside the main lodge where we’re greeted by super-chatty barman Michael, who offers us a local beer, a strawberry cobbler and the chance to watch the film on the small TV in the corner.

We accept all three as we take our seats in the rustic Stony Creek Tavern, with its huge stone fireplace.

Michael began his career at Mountain Lake Lodge shortly after the film was made, but he’s the oracle on all things Dirty Dancing and the man who takes charge of the tours during the movie-themed weekends, which happen throughout the warmer months.

In between reeling off quotes from the movie, he tells us how Swayze would ask to be called ‘Buddy’ and muck in with crew at the end of a day’s filming, while Grey would keep herself to herself.

For this isn’t any old hotel, it’s one of the movie world’s most famous landmarks, known to millions of Dirty Dancing fans as Kellerman’s Resort, the very place where Baby (Jennifer Grey) carried a water melon and fell in love with hot dance instructor Johnny (played by the late Patrick Swayze).

Beware of the uber-fans and foul play Michael also fills us in on the uber-fans he’s encountered over the years, the cheeky guests who’ve tried to make off with memorabilia and what he describes as the films ‘anomalies’, including Marjorie Houseman’s hair at the beginning of the film (it’s a different colour) and the fact Johnny is technically driving through the archway in the wrong direction.

The truth is, before we arrived, Baby’s cabin meant nothing to my boyfriend, but a day into our stay and he’s already acting like the film’s number one fan.

But then it’s hard not to be captivated by nostalgia in the hotel’s secluded and timeless location.

Talk then turns to the unnerving number of ghosts that supposedly haunt the lodge.

Not least the little girl ghoul, who’s said to run into room 232, the very same room Swayze called home during production.

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You’ll struggle to do the lift in the lake After breakfast we meet Grace, a guide at Mountain Lake Lodge who takes us on a lake bed trail.

The lake is a natural phenomenon as it drains and refills itself in a cyclical process, thanks to a network of caverns that lie beneath. It’s been dry for nine years and no one knows for sure when the water will return. Guests might not be able to go boating, but the rare and threatened species that flourish here make it one of the most bio-diverse areas in the United States, and a fascinating place to explore.

Grace tells us about Civil War soldiers who walked the terrain, and points out the spot where the famous lake lift in Dirty Dancing happened. There’s still evidence of the underwater platform they erected for the scene.

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Stay in a cabin in the woods We aren’t staying in the lodge itself, but in one of the wooden cabins in the grounds, which is just a stone’s throw from Virginia Cottage, aka Baby’s cabin, which you can also stay in.

We wake the next morning to a milky sun and sip warming cups of coffee on our porch’s rocking chairs, while listening to the sound of rustling trees and birdsong.

Breakfast is served in Hunter Restaurant, which has barely changed since Baby first spied Johnny and poured water over an unrepentant Robbie.

You can learn the merengue In the afternoon, we make our way back down the mountain and head to the Sapphire Ballroom, in the small town of Christiansburg. We meet Debbie, who’s been tasked with teaching myself - and a rather resigned-looking boyfriend - some simple steps (private lessons cost from £44).

We begin with the foxtrot. It’s a disaster - and our merengue is even worse, despite the other half’s concentration as Debbie puts him through his paces.

After an hour, exhausted and with muscles aching, we drive to the nearby student town of Blacksburg, and tuck into a feast of Cajun shrimp dip and a calzone at the popular Cellar restaurant (meals approx. £6-£10). If you like things cheesy and fried, you’ll be in your element here in southwest Virginia.

Mountain Lake Lodge might be a Dirty Dancing fan’s dream, but the hotel and surrounding area is rich in history and nature. When we end the trip as we began, back in Stony Creek Tavern, we’re lamenting the fact we can’t stay longer.

It’s a foodie haven Palisades, a delightful restaurant in Eggleston, is another great spot. The atmosphere is buzzing as we heartily chow down on a feast of quesadilla, bison and potato hash, and chicken with local stoneground grits and smoked gouda (meals approx. £11-£22). Be warned - it might be in the middle of nowhere, but it’s definitely worth booking ahead.

It’s worth exploring Virginia’s valleys On our last day, we set out with Grace to explore the surrounding villages scattered across the verdant valley, stopping off at the Walker Valley Market, a store run by the local Amish community, and the ironically-named Dismal Falls, a picture-perfect spot that calls out for a dip on sun-drenched days.

Mountain Lake Lodge might be a Dirty Dancing fan’s dream, but the hotel and surrounding area is rich in history and nature. When we end the trip as we began, back in Stony Creek Tavern, we’re lamenting the fact we can’t stay longer.

How to get there Weekend Packages at Mountain Lake Lodge cost £267 per person (two sharing), including all meals, two dance parties, Dirty Dancing film tour, group dance lessons and two nights accommodation. Visit mtnlakelodge.com.

Virgin Atlantic flies daily from London Heathrow to Washington DC from £624 in Economy including tax.

Visit: virginatlantic.com

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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

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INVESTMENT-

CAN MONEY MAKE YOU HAPPY

BUSINESS -

BANKING BACK TO THE 80’S

TECHNOLOGY -

CAN AN ELECTRIC SHOCK HELP CURB YOUR SPENDING?

business news

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eading business communications provider plan.com, has organised to take all staff on a four-day, all-expenses paid trip to Reykjavik, Iceland in January 2018 for its company Christmas party.

Employees from its three offices will experience not one but two Wonders of the modern World – the turquoise pools of Iceland’s Blue Lagoon, and the stunning natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights.

All of this comes after an energetic start to 2017 for the company; the recent launch of its v4 partner portal, achieving an unprecedented integration of a whole new Isle of Man sales team, and, even managing to move an entire headquarters … over a weekend!

The team recently enjoyed their summer party at Chester Races followed by a big party in the evening in Liverpool, so in aid of keeping spirits high, the Christmas party plans were teased to all employees with ‘Winter is Coming’ adverts displayed across wall-mounted TV screens. It was later revealed that the surprise is the trip of a life-time to Iceland in early 2018.

PLAN.COM SURPRISES STAFF WITH TRIP TO ICELAND FOLLOWING A YEAR OF ACCELERATED GROWTH

VIP Helicopter Company Luviair Supports New Marketing Apprenticeship

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uxury aircraft management firm Luviair has become the first aviation business to support a new marketing apprenticeship scheme launched by the Department of Economic Development and The Marketing Partnership.

The marketing apprenticeship provides an opportunity for candidates with a passion for marketing to study towards a Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) qualification whilst gaining practical,

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real-world experience in the workplace.

The scheme is open to all school leavers, university graduates and young people looking for a career change.

Following a recent recruitment campaign, Luviair has offered their first marketing apprenticeship to Liam Finch who graduated from King William’s College and the University of Nottingham. Liam will begin his placement in September, working four days a week at Luviair’s

office in Ronaldsway, whilst studying one day a week towards his CIM Foundation Certificate in Marketing. The successful candidate will also attend the Monaco Yacht Show in September as part of his initial induction.

Nigel Watson, CEO of Luviair comments: “We believe in giving the next generation on the island a real chance; getting a career break is often difficult for many young people. We are thrilled to join the apprenticeship scheme to give someone the opportunity to step onto the career ladder, study for a recognised qualification and learn about the VIP helicopter industry”.

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Council wins Biggest Saving in public sector category at Energy Awards 2017

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ouglas Borough Council has won the Biggest Saving in the public sector category in the Department of Economic Development’s 2017 energy awards for its scheme to convert the borough’s street lighting to LED lanterns, a project set to achieve projected energy savings of around £2.7million over the lanterns’15-year warranty period.

The £1.5 million capital investment scheme, which began in February 2017, will see some 2,500 units fitted by the end of the 2017-2018 financial year. By the end of the project, a total of 4,400 LED lanterns will have been fitted.

The Biggest Saving award marks the second year in succession when the council’s commitment to reducing energy consumption has been recognised.

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FOCUS, THE ALL IN ONE ACCOUNT The complete solution from the best international banking service provider*.

To find out more, visit www.nedbankprivatewealth.com. *International Fund & Product Awards Winner 2015

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The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the original amount invested. Exchange rate changes may affect the value of investments. Nedbank Private Wealth is a registered trade name of Nedbank Private Wealth Limited. The parent of Nedbank Private Wealth Limited is Nedbank Group Limited, which is incorporated in South Africa and is regulated by the South African Reserve Bank. The ultimate parent of Nedbank Private Wealth Limited is Old Mutual plc, which is incorporated in England and Wales. The latest audited report and accounts, and details of the credit rating are available at www.nedbankprivatewealth.com. Nedbank Private Wealth Limited is licensed by the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority and is a participant in the Isle of Man Depositors’ Compensation Scheme as set out in the Compensation of Depositors Regulations 2010. For full details, please see www.iomfsa.im. Registered office: St Mary’s Court 20 Hill Street Douglas Isle of Man. The Jersey branch is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission and is a participant in the Jersey Banking Depositor Compensation Scheme. See www.gov.je/dcs for full details of the Scheme and banking groups covered. The London branch is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Registration No: 313189. Your eligible deposits with Nedbank Private Wealth Limited, London branch, are protected up to a total of £75,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, the UK’s deposit guarantee scheme. Any deposits you hold above the £75,000 limit are unlikely to be covered. Please ask for further information or visit www.fscs.org.uk. The UAE representative office in Dubai is licensed by the Central Bank of UAE. Licence No: 13/191/2013. Representation in South Africa is through Nedbank Limited. Registered in South Africa with Registration No 1951/000009/06, an authorised financial services and registered credit provider (NCRCP16).

business voice

THE TOP 10 WAYS SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PEOPLE STAY PRODUCTIVE Gordon Gekko’s proclamation in Wall Street that “Lunch is for Wimps” was designed to convince movie-goers that successful businesspeople were a breed apart. You know, those people who say they get up, run 10 miles, down a kale and avocado shake and deal with 1,800 emails before the rest of us have even hit snooze for the first time.

But, a good few decades later, it turns out we’ve learned business success doesn’t have to be extreme or dramatic at all. To stay productive, you just need some good time and people management skills.

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We asked our RL360° Executive Team for some tips on maintaining productivity and distilled them down to a top 10: 1.

Regular meetings with key co-workers.

Have a regular weekly meeting with your key staff which lasts for no more than 1 hour and covers all the items you have a common work interest in. Businesses are people so ensure you make time for them and that you listen. Always be approachable and accept that mistakes are how we learn (but let’s not repeat them).

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2.

Linked closely to point 1 is delegation.

3.

Exercise. You don’t need to

4.

Get an airport lounge card. If you travel once a

This is essential. You must allow your direct reports to demonstrate their capability by giving them relevant and challenging tasks, as well as the basic day to day stuff.

Brilliant as you may be, time is precious and you need to be ready to react to events. Focus on the big stuff and then dive into the detail only when needed as others should be running with the detail. Design and build a strong team of people you trust.

Preparation is king. Don’t

9.

Balance. It’s easier said than

switch off for the day until you have planned for tomorrow. Any manual for success will say high fliers prepare the following day’s clothes and meals and coordinate their tasks (both domestic and work-related) the night before. When it comes to work, always plan and note key points for the next day before you leave the office. done but life isn’t supposed to be one long trial – try to enjoy what you do. Go with the flow as far as is practical and be confident that you can tackle anything that comes your way. Change is a constant, so embrace it. Take everything just seriously enough but ensure you remember the value of your life outside of work.

run 10 miles before breakfast (unless you really want to) but exercise is a proven method of clearing, and therefore concentrating, the mind. Try to get 30 minutes of exercise 2 or 3 days per week, preferably in the middle of the day.

This burns off any excess adrenaline and clears your thought pattern. fortnight or more this will pay for itself and you will wonder how you ever coped without one. Don’t underestimate the need to eliminate unnecessary stress from your day.

5.

8.

Clear desk policy. It’s

not just about security and confidentiality, it’s about de-cluttering your workspace so you can concentrate on the task at hand. Get a decent shredder and dispose of any unneeded papers.

Ask yourself, do you need it anymore?

Do you have an electronic copy somewhere for future reference? Mess means stress.

10. This is the big one. Most

busy people get a lot of emails every day. Organising your email account into a relevant folder structure helps to store the ones you want to keep in a way which makes them easier to find later. Make sure you read every email you receive, however briefly, and then take one of the following actions: a. b. c. d. e.

Delete it Delegate it to another member of my team Store it in the relevant folder if it requires no action Move it to specific folder called Action Action it there and then

Having no emails in your basic inbox is the intention.

Read fast. Learn to read quickly and spot the important parts of the documents you are presented with. If working on a document collaboratively then revision mark it so that you only need to focus on the changes. Save reading documents for long haul flights.

6.

7.

Lists are key. Whether you’re using pen and paper or

a task management app, prioritise your work on a regular basis. Maintain a to do list and keep it with you whilst at work at least. Never underestimate the value of having your tasks set out in front of you as a constant reminder and the satisfaction you will feel as you cross them off as you go.

Send your productivity tips to us at top10@rl360.com

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Movers & Shakers

PwC Isle of Man Promotes Alison Cregeen to Director in it’s Advisory services practice

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lison joined PwC in 2009 and has 20 years’ experience working in Big 4 accountancy practices, both in London and the Isle of Man. Alison is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales. Prior to moving to the Isle of Man she specialised in forensic accounting, with experience in both commercial disputes and financial investigations. More recently she has qualified as a Data Protection Practitioner and in addition to her ongoing forensic work leads the growing data privacy practice in the Isle of Man. ‘Since I started work at PwC more than eight years ago, I have seen the Advisory department grow from just a couple of staff to a dedicated team of more than 10, with a range of general and specialised skills,’ said Alison. ‘It has been very rewarding to be a part of that, and I believe that we will continue to see the practice go from strength to strength in the future.

Advisory leader Steve Billinghurst endorsed the promotion. He said: ‘What’s exceptionally pleasing to see, is Alison’s foresight and awareness of business issues being rewarded. Nearly two years ago she came to me and pointed out the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) landscape and the impact it would have on businesses and, whilst completing her qualification, she has engaged with many companies locally and is helping them to be “GDPR ready”. I look forward to continuing to develop the practice with Alison to deliver solutions for the future needs of our clients.’

International Institute of Space Commerce announces new Executive Director

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he International Institute of Space Commerce (IISC), the world’s leading open source think tank on the economics and commerce of space, has announced the selection of its new Executive Director, Mr Robert Alexander.

“I am very honored and excited to be given this responsibility,” he said. “The IISC has a unique position in the global space industry, where it serves companies, customers, governments, individuals and investors who daily work beyond our atmosphere. We are at a crucial time in human history, where people can make a living beyond the Earth; it is my intent to make the commerce of space more enticing.”

Mr Alexander plans to begin his term with a global outreach effort to recruit both people and corporations in joining the IISC. “The bigger our global ‘footprint’, the more doors the IISC will be able to open for our members,” he explained. “My dream is to help as many people achieve space flight as possible, and to have a good portion of them make money doing so.”

Joining the IISC as an Open Member is free, though paid Supporting and Corporate memberships provide more benefits. Joining is possible through the website: www.iisc.im

Estera Director shortlisted for UK Director of the Year Awards

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stera Director Gary O’Connor has been shortlisted in the UK Finals of the Institute of Directors (IoD) ‘Director of the Year’ Awards 2017.

It follows his recognition as Director of the Year by the IoD Isle of Man in May, which qualified him for the national awards against winners from across the IoD network.

Gary, who joined Estera in 2013, has been nominated in the Young Director of the Year category.

The awards celebrate individuals who display professional expertise and strong corporate leadership alongside promoting social and economic development.

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Gary said: ‘It is a great honour to represent the Isle of Man and its thriving business sector at the national awards.

The other nominees are highly respected professionals and I am delighted to be included alongside them.’

Sean Dowling, Managing Director of Estera Isle of Man, added: ‘This year Estera has experienced rapid expansion through acquisitions and organic growth which has required strong leadership throughout all sectors of the business, and I am delighted that Gary has been recognised for his role.

The results will be announced on 22 September at a ceremony held at The Royal Lancaster London Hotel.

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PRIVATE WEALTH

Can money make you happy?

Be clear on your lifestyle and make work and spending decisions aligned with a vision

By Jason Butler (FT)

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was having dinner with a very good friend of mine recently, and we got talking about money and happiness.

My friend explained that collecting and drinking fine wine made him very happy indeed; so much so that he estimated that his wine collection was worth more than his home.

Money is, for most people, an emotive, complicated subject. We all have different beliefs, motivations, emotions and preferences, which can make our relationship with it difficult. Money also influences how we view ourselves and can affect our feelings of self-esteem, control and security.

Over the 25 years that I was a financial adviser I interviewed hundreds of successful people. They each told me their life story and how they had achieved their success. But what I found most interesting was their relationship with money and how it influenced their approach to life.

For some people, other than funding

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the basics, money was merely one measurement of their personal or business success. Others saw it as a means of obtaining social status, often comparing their material wealth (house, car, clothes) to that of their peers. Their personal motivation was very much about the outward appearance of success, even if they were not completely fulfilled and satisfied as a result.

Sometimes, people feel “trapped” by money, particularly when lifestyle costs have crept up over time and they are forced to do a job they don’t enjoy purely for the financial rewards.

A few years ago, City & Guilds did a jobs survey and found that the highest level of job satisfaction was experienced by florists and gardeners (87 per cent) and the lowest satisfaction was experienced by technology workers (48 per cent) and bankers (44 per cent). It seems that having a high degree of control over one’s working activity and seeing the results of those efforts have a big impact on happiness.

Another friend of mine is a business consultant. He and his wife decided to make a radical change to their life, after several years of making excuses. They sold most of their possessions, put the rest in storage and rented out their London home.

They now travel the world, including skiing for at least two months a year, and return to the UK every few months to see clients and run their business courses. They are happier than they have ever been and they now make more money, while working less.

I was able to “fire” my own job when, a few years ago, the opportunity arose for me to sell my stake in the wealth advice firm which I had founded. I was apprehensive about such a radical change, after 17 years at the helm, but I was determined to change my lifestyle.

I no longer have a tiring commute and I enjoy a lot of variety between my speaking, writing, consulting and angel investing activities. I see my family more, I do more exercise and have lots of holidays and trips.

I’m even planning to project manage the building of our new family home later this year.

Research suggests that having a higher income does affect happiness, but only up to a point. Whatever that point is for you (one study put this at $75,000 a year) will depend on your own situation, but beyond it you won’t be significantly happier.

Maximum happiness comes from continual and meaningful rises in income throughout one’s life.

Comparing your financial situation to your peers is also not a good idea, because research shows people care about relative income. If you earn less than your peers you are more likely to feel aggrieved. There will always be someone with more money than you, so try to stop worrying about it.

There is also plenty of evidence that spending your money on life experiences, rather than material possessions, will make you happier. This is because we remember the experience much longer than the initial WEALTH & INVESTMENTS

Sometimes, people feel “trapped” by money, particularly when lifestyle costs have crept up over time and they are forced to do a job they don’t enjoy purely for the financial rewards.

excitement of acquiring something. We are also less likely to compare ourselves to other people when we have experiences, compared to when we acquire possessions.

Your happiness is also likely to be higher if you spend your money on other people in a way that strengthens personal relationships, or you give money to causes which are aligned with your values.

Your self worth is not determined by your net worth, but by the quality of your personal relationships, your life experiences and the meaning you derive from your existence.

I think that true happiness comes from having a strong sense of purpose, being clear on your ideal lifestyle, and making work and spending decisions aligned with that vision. Life is far too short to waste time doing things you don’t enjoy.

Back to my friend and his wine collection. The last time we met for dinner he produced a bottle which he advised was worth about £350. I protested that I couldn’t possibly drink such an expensive wine at his expense, but he insisted.

“None of us is getting any younger and I need to start drinking my fine wines before it’s too late. I’d rather share the experience with a good friend, than letting the bottles continue to gather dust in my cellar. What’s the point in having it if I can’t enjoy it?”

So my friend has cleverly done two of the things that research says maximises happiness. He has turned a possession into a life experience and he has spent some of his wealth on me, his friend, in a way which strengthens our personal relationship.

I’ve made it clear to my friend that I am more than happy to help him enjoy his wine collection over the coming years.

After all, a friend in need is a friend indeed. agenda

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private wealth

Fortune for Britain’s richest people

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acuum cleaner salesmen, pop stars and high street tycoons: London’s status as the centre of global wealth creation remains undiminished despite fears over Brexit with 14 new billionaires joining the ranks of the UK’s richest over the past 12 months.

According to the annual Sunday Times Rich List, the country now plays host to 134 billionaires with the combined worth of the UK’s 1,000 wealthiest families estimated to be £658bn - up by 14 per cent on 2016.

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Sri and Gopi Hinduja top this year’s ranking, with an estimated £16.2bn, a rise of £3.2bn from 2016 as stock markets boosted their holdings in industry and finance.

Lakshmi Mittal, the chairman and chief executive of ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steelmaking company, and his family saw their fortune swell by more than £6bn in the last year, rising to just over £13bn, and propelling them from 11th to fourth on the list.

Yet among the industrialists and tycoons, the UK’s entrepreneurs also stood out. Sir James Dyson, inventor of vacuum cleaners, fans and hairdryers, saw his net worth expand by almost £3bn to £7.8bn.

“The secret of my success?” he told the Sunday Times. “Six emails a day.”

Millennials also started to make their mark, despite the entry level to the list having increased to £110m. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the 26-year-old Duke of Westminster, who inherited his father’s property empire nine months ago, was ranked first, worth an estimated £9.52bn.

Having inherited the 250-year-old title, Hugh Grosvenor succeeded the 64-year-old sixth duke who died of a heart attack last year.

Including the Duke of Westminster, ON THE AGENDA

es swell “I’m British, and we don’t have that . . . thing of having to earn more money all the time. I don’t come from money; it’s not that important a part of my life.” Adele

there are just two millennial billionaires in the UK, with 26-year-old Lady Charlotte Wellesley jointly listed with her husband, Alejandro Santo Domingo, the 40-yearold heir to the £3.2bn Colombian Bavaria brewery fortune.

Names from the entertainment world are also recognised, with the singer Adele Adkins - better known simply as Adele increasing her net worth by £40m over the course of the year to an estimated £125m.

Not that this would phase her.

“I don’t care about money,” she told Vanity Fair last year. “I’m British, and we don’t have that . . . thing of having to earn more money all the time. I don’t come from money; it’s not that important a part of my life.”

Her peer, Ed Sheeran, saw his wealth increase by £7m to an estimated £52m PRIVATE WEALTH

over the year - a figure likely to grow exponentially following his domination of the singles and album charts on both sides of the Atlantic in recent weeks.

It has also been a strong year for philanthropy, with the UK’s richest giving hundreds of millions of pounds to charity.

Ranked by proportion of wealth given, Jamie Cooper, who founded the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation with her ex-husband Sir Chris Hohn, tops the list, having given almost £205m to causes ranging from health and nutrition to climate change.

“You’ve got to think very seriously about what you want to spend the money on,” said Richard Ross, philanthropist and chairman of the Rosetrees Trust, which funds medical research. “Even if you spent all your time spending your money, you

probably couldn’t spend it. You have to think: ‘I’m now well off, and how can I get a balance off looking after myself and my family and helping society?’”

But while rising stock markets have swelled the fortunes of some of the UK’s long-established wealthy, others have not been so fortunate. Sir Philip Green and Mike Ashley, two homegrown billionaires who have been rarely out of the news this year, saw their respective fortunes slip by a combined £700m.

Topshop tycoon Sir Philip - branded the “billionaire spiv” by a Labour MP - saw his fortune drop by £433m to £2.8bn, while Mr Ashley was hurt by a lower share price at Sports Direct, losing an estimated £270m of his £2.16bn fortune. agenda

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banking

Banking

back to the 80s

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an Island facing exciting business growth, the ABR bridges the gap between old finance and new industry by providing a safe and effective banking structure without stepping on the toes of the monoliths of the banking world. The success of the ABR is now building with some 4 Class 1 (2) Banking Licences in flow with the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority. Once the first of these is successful it will be the first new bank on the Isle of Man for 25 years.

By Simon Pickering Head of Financial Services at the Department of Economic Development Email: simon.pickering@gov.im Call: 01624 686063 Visit: www.whereyoucan.com/banking

T

his year I faced the stark realisation that I was approaching 30 years in the complex and exciting industry that is Finance. Since the 1980s I have been engaged in the Island’s Banking, Insurance and Financial advisory sectors, gaining a vast amount of experience and working with some brilliant colleagues along the way. Fast forward to 2017 and the world of finance and banking is unrecognisable. Gone are the old days of laser fiche, manual cheque checking and never-ending paper trails, instead we are surrounded by touch activated banking apps, blockchain protection and alternative funding structures, a futuristic world compared to my younger days when Athol Street was two-way with no parking restrictions!

The New World Following the banking crisis of 2008, a number of institutions have struggled in the new world of low risk, high compliance banking. The conservative, old-world banks have retreated to gather strength while new and exciting industries have ploughed on ahead. The old guard have been involuntarily disrupted, leaving themselves open to fintech innovation and technological advancements that have outstripped the traditional measure and balance of our old banking institutions.

Leaders such as Clearbank and Vocalink are pushing the boundaries of clearing money and financial payments, recognising a new world of business demands a new world of banking.

Alternative Banking The Isle of Man has played its role in the shake-up of traditional banking, introducing an innovative ‘Alternative Banking Regime’ (ABR) in 2016. Created to fulfil the needs of BANKING

Local Success However, in spite of the waves of alternative finance and the ongoing disruption of the payments sector - the world will always need banks. People and businesses will always need money and a safe intermediary in the forever changing world of financial services. On the Isle of Man we are seeing encouraging growth across a number of banks with around 100 vacancies now being created to fill the expanding operations here on the Island.

Local bank Santander International is no stranger to success, and having recently created local permanent job positions, Managing Director John Pearson is feeling the positive effects of growth. He recently told me, “It’s a really exciting time for us at Santander International, we’ve seen lots of change in the last few years and we’re now recruiting 22 new members of staff at various levels to join our team in Douglas. At our recent recruitment event we welcomed more than 90 people who are interested in a career with Santander International.

It was great to see this level of interest but most importantly for us the calibre of the candidates is high which reflects the level of talent we have on the Island.”

Future Innovation Of course there are still throwbacks from the old days of banking that we need to challenge. While technology has progressed, so has the need for enhanced security in the form of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Countering Financing of Terrorism (CFT) regulations. While necessary to ensure the integrity of our financial institutions, the increase in compliance has created onerous black holes of administration for our innovative new bank operations and disruptive entrepreneurs. Customer due diligence procedures and processes for compliance just haven’t moved on as quickly as the rest of the industry with digital technology. As a Government we will be working closely with our banking partners to understand the effects this has on businesses and the proposed measures to alleviate so that we can continue to create an environment where our financial services industry can flourish.

So while I’m not advocating a nostalgic throw back to the old suits, long lunches and paper heavy days of the 1980s, I do believe that we must learn from the old ways of finance to carry growth and innovation forward to a new world of banking excellence. agenda

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technology

Can an electric shock help curb your spending?

By Aime Williams Illustration by Christopher de Lorenzo

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ech companies believe that knowledge is power, and the digital banks vying for the world’s savers are no exception. By offering colourful apps that promise users control over their finances, companies such as Atom, Monzo and Tandem think that giving people more information will help them make smarter decisions.

But a dark question stalks these ambitions: what if people have no self-control? What if, when told they spend a third of their monthly salary on takeaway coffee, they continue overspending? When it comes to money, sometimes people just don’t want to know.

Enter a new breed of sneaky financial apps, which also collect information about your spending habits. They don’t, however, bother telling you about them but quietly take action on your behalf. I’m thinking of apps such as Plum and Chip, which monitor your spending and move cash from your current account into your savings when you spend less than usual.

Continue...

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technology

Continue The problem is that they still don’t actually stop you spending. While the digital banks try to horrify you by illustrating your monthly caffeine spend with a neatly drawn pie chart, the sneaky apps just accept that you’re an idiot and get on with the job of saving you from yourself where they can.

For many, this undercover assistance will be helpful. But for anyone really serious about stopping their coffee habit, there’s a new way. Pavlok - its name inspired by Russian psychologist Ivan Pavlov - is a bracelet that gives you a mild electric shock if you do something you don’t want to do. This method has no interest in your comfort and dignity, only in “allowing you to achieve 100 per cent of your goals 100 per cent of the time” (in the words of its creator).

Pavlok agrees with Chip and Plum’s conclusion that you can’t be trusted to make good decisions. More data cannot help you resist Pret coffees but what if someone electrocuted you every time you bought one? Might it work?

Maneesh Sethi, Pavlok’s inventor, admits that people have been slow to catch on to the idea of negative stimuli instead of rewards - although he has sold about 50,000 Pavloks so far. Sethi invented this bracelet because he had what he described as “a severe addiction to Facebook”. In a neat circle, technology is rounding on itself, getting your attention to stop you squandering your attention. “The thing is, there are lots of positive stimuli in the world, and people get addicted to checking their phones,” says Sethi. “With this, your hand reaches in for your phone and it zaps you.”

Intelligent Environments, another tech company, which develops software for large banks, has linked the Pavlok bracelet directly to users’ bank accounts. Tom Stinton, head of product at the company, says technologies such as contactless debit cards or Amazon buttons are helping people spend their money more swiftly.

But our growing aversion to physical cash means people now find it harder to monitor their spending. For Intelligent Environments, the answer is not a digital bank but an “internet of things bank”.

The “internet of things” is the name given to the fast-growing array of dayto-day objects that can connect to the internet. The commonly used example is a fridge that orders its own milk when you’re running low. The Pavlok fits right into this concept but instead of buying you milk, it electrocutes you.

Unfortunately, Intelligent Environment’s clients (ie, large banks) have yet to be persuaded that electrocuting their customers is a good idea. Fear not, though, because Pavlok has found another way to tame your manic profligacy. Its new version can, somewhat worryingly, track your movements and electrocute you if you go anywhere you’re not supposed to (like

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agenda

“The thing is, there are lots of positive stimuli in the world, and people get addicted to checking their phones,” says Sethi. “With this, your hand reaches in for your phone and it zaps you.”

the coffee shop).

None of this is particularly sophisticated, of course. But perhaps it’s the logical conclusion of the never-ending clamour for our attention and cash. Maybe our willpower is weaker than before, just as our attention spans are shorter, and the Pavlok is both the result of a tech-powered information overload and an antidote to it.

There is only one more problem but Sethi seems to have considered it already.

What if I just decide to take off the bracelet? “We’re developing a lock,” he replies.

ON THE AGENDA

Isle of Man | Home & Interiors | September 2017

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

Palm Winds, Ramsey £895,000

Smeale Beg, Coast Road, Andreas, £649,950

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PROPERTY FEATURE

Palm Winds, Ramsey £895,000 – No onward change – Part Exchange considered

NO 4 PALM WINDS IS AN EXCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF 5 LUXURY PROPERTIES SITUATED ON A HEADLAND OVERLOOKING RAMSEY BAY.

THE PROPERTIES HAVE BEEN DESIGNED TO TAKE FULL BENEFIT OF THEIR STUNNING LOCATION WITH LARGE EXPANSES OF PICTURE GLAZING OVER LOOKING GARDEN, COUNTRYSIDE AND COASTAL VIEWS BEYOND. The Property is a Contemporary design which makes full use of modern construction techniques to provide an unrivalled living environment. The use of highly insulated construction results in the property having a low environmental impact.

The location has a rural feel but is close to all the amenities in Ramsey.

THE ACCOMMODATION COMPRISES:

Master Suite with Dressing Room, Second and Third Bedroom with En-suite and Dressing Room, One Further Double Bedroom and Family Bathroom.

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Large Entrance Hall, Study, Cloakroom.

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Lounge/Dining Room with Two Sets of Sliding Doors Leading to Patio and Rear Garden.

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Gated Entrance with Driveway for Several Vehicles leading to Double Garage.

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Spacious Kitchen/Family Room again with Sliding Doors Leading to Rear, and Utility Room.

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Gas Fired Central Heating. With Under Floor Heating Downstairs.

Tel: 01624 662820 62

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THIS PROPERTY IS BEAUTIFULLY PRESENTED, VIEWING IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO APPRECIATE THE LUXURY AND STUNNING LOCATION

1ST FLOOR: APPROXIMATELY 1817 SQ.FT.

GROUND FLOOR: APPROXIMATELY 1814 SQ.FT

Tel: 01624 662820 BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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HOME

FEATURE PROPERTY

SMEALE BEG, Coast Road, Andreas £649,950

This extended detached property in a beautiful rural location has been renovated and finished to a Very High Specification and sits in approx half acre of land.

The accommodation comprises: n Very Large Kitchen Dining Room n Family Room/Lounge Ground Floor n Guest Bedroom and Shower Room n Master Bedroom with En-suite Bathroom n Further Two Double Bedrooms Both En-suite n Data Cabling Throughout, High Spec Insulation n Under Floor Heating n Detached Double Garage with Room Above Ideal for Office n Lawned Gardens with Mature Trees to Boundary n Large Patio ideal for BBQ and Entertaining

Branches Island Wide

Tel: 01624 882820 72

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OUR NEW HOMES CAN SAVE TIME & MONEY

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A massive 70%* of purchasers of second hand homes have to spend time and money redecorating after purchase.

Invest in a new Dandara home and award-winning build quality and specification are included as standard, saving you time and money.

With a wide range of 2, 3, 4, & 5 bedroom homes to choose from, isn’t it time you discovered Dandara?

To find out more please contact our Sales Team:

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SAT AND SUN 11AM - 4PM, OR BY APPOINTMENT

Specification may vary subject to house type and build stage. Full details available on request. *Home Builders Federation ‘Avoid the money pit - the cost of upgrading old to new’ - 2017

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FEATURE PROPERTY

FAR END BARN,, Glen Auldyn £499,950

Situated in the Popular Location of Glen Auldyn this superbly converted and extended barn is a blank canvas both inside and out for an interior Design Enthusiast. Nestled at the ‘far end’ of the Glen in approximately 1/3 Acre of land.

The accommodation comprises: n 22’ Lounge/Family Room with Wood Burning Stove n Sliding Doors to Patio n Kitchen/Diner leading to Large Utility Room n Study/Guest Bedroom with En-suite Shower n Three Double Bedrooms, Master En-suite n Family Bathroom n Oil Fired Central Heating/Under floor Heating on Ground Floor n UPVC Double Glazed

Branches Island Wide

Tel: 01624 882820 74

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The product speaks for itself ... Our high quality serivce is what everybody talks about Directions: Take the 2nd right after the Falcons Nest Hotel

5ifth Dimension Ltd, Marina Lane, Port Erin - Tel: 830069 OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN DESIGN - INSTALLATION - PROJECT MANAGEMENT

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Ask in store for details or visit www.sure.com *Terms and conditions apply. Prices include VAT. See www.sure.com for details.

TRIAL*

APPETITE

Recipes HOW TO MAKE CANDICE BROWN’S CHUNKY SHEPHERD’S PIE

THE FORMER BAKE OFF STAR SAYS YOU’LL BE GOING BACK FOR SECONDS WITH THIS HEARTY DISH...

Wonder where Candice Brown gets her recipe ideas from? All sorts of places - but this one, her chunky shepherd’s pie - she came up with to keep her boyfriend Liam happy.

“He likes mince and he likes potatoes - just not cooked together in the same pot! So I tried it with lamb stewing steak, and voila! The chunky shepherd’s pie is

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now a permanent menu option at home,” says Candice, who, since winning last year’s Great British Bake Off, has now released her debut cookbook, Comfort.

“This is a really rich and decadent dinner, smoky, a little pokey and full of lovely ingredients. The topping is almost a meal in itself, but we always have seconds!” she adds.

ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

APPETITE

Here’s how to make it...

Ingredients: (Serves 4) Olive oil n 1tbsp (heaped) plain flour n 800g lamb stewing steak (eg. neck), cut into 50p-sized pieces n 1 large red onion, diced n 1 red pepper, seeded and diced n 3 small carrots, peeled and diced n 2 celery sticks, diced n 150g chestnut mushrooms, diced n 100g chorizo, skinned and sliced n Leaves from 1 small bunch fresh rosemary, thyme and sage, finely chopped n 1 dried bay leaf n 2tsp finely chopped garlic (jarred or fresh) n 1 small fresh red chilli, finely chopped (remove the seeds if you don’t like too much heat) n 1tsp hot smoked paprika n 1/2tsp paprika n 1/2tsp cayenne pepper n 1tsp dried thyme n 2tsp mushroom/porcini powder (available from Whole Foods or online) n 1tbsp (heaped) tomato puree n 200ml red wine n 300ml beef stock (fresh or from stock cube) n 1tbsp Worcestershire sauce n Salt and freshly ground black pepper For the topping: n 4 sweet potatoes n 4 large baking potatoes n Milk n Butter n 3 leeks, trimmed and sliced n 100g grated cheese n Salt and freshly ground black pepper BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

:: Comfort: Delicious Bakes And Family Treats

by Candice Brown priced £20.

Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 160C fan (180C/350F/Gas Mark 4).

2. Heat up a glug of olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium/high heat.

Season the flour with salt and pepper, then toss the lamb in the flour to coat lightly all over. Fry in batches until browned on all sides. As each batch of lamb is browned, transfer to a large casserole using a slotted spoon.

3. Add another glug of olive oil to the frying pan, followed by the diced vegetables and sliced chorizo, the fresh herbs, bay leaf, garlic and chilli. Fry for four to five minutes until the vegetables soften, stirring frequently.

4. Stir in the paprika (both types), cayenne, dried thyme and mushroom powder. Turn the heat to medium. Add the tomato puree and stir in, then pour in the red wine. Allow this to bubble away for a couple of minutes before stirring in the beef stock and Worcestershire sauce. Make sure you get all of the lovely bits off the bottom of the pan.

5. Tip the whole lot over the meat in the casserole and give it a good mix round.

The liquid should just be visible through the top layer of meat. Place the lid on the casserole and transfer to the oven to cook for two to two and a half hours - until the meat is tender. Stir occasionally.

6. With about one-and-a-half hours of cooking time to go, prick the sweet and baking potatoes with a knife, then set them on a baking tray and place in the oven with the casserole to bake for the remaining time.

7. Melt a knob of butter in a frying pan over a low/medium heat, add the leeks and cook for five to six minutes until soft. Set aside to cool.

8. When the meat filling is cooked, remove the casserole from the oven - the sauce should be rich and thick. Taste for seasoning, add more if needed and stir through. Cover the casserole and set aside.

Increase the oven temperature to 180C fan (200C/400F/Gas Mark 6).

9. Using a sharp knife (holding the potato with a tea towel), cut each sweet and baking potato in half lengthways and scoop out the soft flesh into a large bowl.

Mash all the flesh together with a splash of milk and knob of butter. Stir through the leeks and half of the grated cheese. Season with black pepper.

10. Cover the meat mixture with the potato and cheese mix. Scatter the remaining grated cheese over the top. Put the casserole back into the oven (without the lid) and bake for about 25 minutes until the cheese has melted, the top is golden and the meat juices are bubbling up around the edges.

11. Serve hot, with a heap of broccoli and greens.

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APPETITE

WORDS | Anne Berry | The Wine Cellar

WINE HARVEST 2017 WHILE WE’VE BEEN RELAXING AND ENJOYING THE SUMMER, WINEMAKERS AROUND EUROPE HAVE BEEN ANXIOUSLY WATCHING THE WEATHER FORECAST TO SEE IF ANY MORE DISASTERS ARE GOING TO DESTROY THEIR CROP FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN SUCCESSION.

The wine harvest in 2017 is forecast to be the smallest for 30 years and this follows the 2016 vintage, which was 10% down on normal volume as well.

In April, Burgundy, Bordeaux and Champagne suffered the worst frost in 25 years. Many vineyards were virtually wiped out, with some producers losing their entire crop. Due to the terrain and microclimates, it was very localised and some vineyards suffered no damage at all. Keeping an eye on the forecast is essential as various methods can be used to help prevent total loss of the crop.

Burgundy, especially Chablis, has once again been the worst hit. In 2016, the crop in Chablis was devastated by unseasonal rain and frost in April, followed by hail in June. This year, the frost was even worse, leading to winemakers using several protection systems to protect the vines from the severe cold. Anti-frost candles were used but due to the extent of the frost, the supply of candles ran out and, in desperation, winegrower syndicates in had to buy hay from other farmers.

They lit small bonfires, creating smoke to

protect the buds from being “grilled” by the sun during the frost. Chablis prices have already increased in recent months as a result of the exchange rate and lack of wine from the 2016 vintage. If you enjoy it, buy it while it’s available, as these frosts are likely to lead to even higher prices next year.

Simonnet Febvre is owned Louis Latour and is still good value at £20.45. Drink as an aperitif, or enjoy with fish, chicken, salad and vegetarian dishes.

In Bordeaux the vine shoots were already well developed due to earlier mild weather and here winemakers hired helicopters to warm the air. The region that suffered the most was St Emilion with some properties losing up to 90%.

Chateau Giraudels de Milon – a wonderfully smooth and silky St Emilion Grand Cru that has fortunately not been too badly affected by this year’s frosts. A great wine to enjoy with Sunday roast. £20.95 All areas in Champagne were hit with 25% of vine shoots being destroyed. This follows a similar situation in Spring 2016, which saw 14% destroyed.

Champagne has an advantage over the other areas though, as they have reserve wine in stock. Non-vintage Champagnes are made up of wine from several harvests and the winemaker/master blender uses his or her expertise to maintain a consistent house style. The preferred frost protection method there is sprinklers, in which the young buds are sprayed with water when the temperature falls low enough to create a protective layer of ice, insulating the vulnerable plant shoots.

In recent weeks, in the south of France they have the opposite problem. While British holidaymakers have been basking in the sunshine, many young vines have been struggling to survive in the fierce 40 degree Celsius heat. Vines have very deep roots, meaning they can obtain water even in a drought. However, when young vines are planted alongside older ones, the ‘adult’ vines take all the water through their deep roots leaving none for the youngsters, which then wilt and are unable to produce fruit. This also stresses the older vines, which can result in a smaller harvest. Not always bad news as fewer grapes can mean a more intense concentrated wine. The Chateau Unang Rouge at £10.25 represents tremendous value – an incredibly smooth, well-balanced and easy drinking wine, made by a family passionate about their property and the wines they produce. Enjoy with cheese or meat, or simply share a bottle with a friend.

See the difference in the thickness of the vines between young (left) and older (right).

It’s not all doom and gloom though. There were devastating frosts in France in both 1945 and 1961 and yet the quality was still superb, albeit there was less wine produced.

Spare a thought for the winemakers and property owners whose lives can be totally ruined by frost, hail and heat, and be thankful that we live on an Island with very little of each!

THE WINE CELLAR • TENNIS ROAD • DOUGLAS • IM2 3QW TELEPHONE: 01624 611793 • EMAIL: anne@thewinecellar.im

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FASHION

VIP OPENING FOR FLANNELS STORE

L

uxury designer store Flannels rolled out the black carpet and celebrated in style with a VIP launch party in Douglas, Isle of Man, at the end of July.

The highly anticipated opening of the store, located within the Strand Shopping centre, was a glittering affair.

The luxury retailer treated guests to a night of music and canapes to celebrate the opening of the new store which showcases coveted brands including Giuseppe Zanotti, Stone Island, Kenzo, C.P. Company, Paul & Shark, McQ Alexander McQueen, Diane Von Furstenberg and Canada Goose.

Clients can enjoy a private shopping experience at the Flannels stores, including one-to-one service, personal shopping and styling with refreshments offered while in store.

Flannels prides itself on impeccable customer service in a unique setting and strive to create a benchmark for luxury retailing. It’s a great place to shop in an impressive environment.

Flannels store staff will be on hand to offer product recommendations, styling suggestions and advice to their discerning clientele.

Jenna Triscott, Flannels’ Marketing Manager, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many people at the store supporting our opening night.”

“We’re really excited to bring the Flannels experience to the Isle of Man and proud to be part of the Douglas retail landscape.” Flannels, one of the UK’s leading retailers, specialises in luxury men’s women’s and kids designer clothing.

The new 7,500 square foot store boasts a clean, contemporary design, which represents the retailer’s strong aesthetic and design concept.

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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

FASHION

On arrival each guest was given an envelope with one lucky guest ‘Marina Fogg’ finding enclosed a gift card and personal shopping experience worth £1,000.

Flannels, The Strand Shopping Centre, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2ER BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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BEAUTY

1. THIERRY MUGLER AURA, £49 FOR 30ML Mugler’s feminine fragrances always have gourmand elements - here that’s vanilla bourbon, but the sweetness is cut through with spiky rhubarb leaf and set on a woody base, making this a more grown-up composition than its sister scents.

2. JO MALONE ENGLISH OAK & REDCURRANT, £44 FOR 30ML Ladies who love to steal their man’s cologne will no doubt fall for this deep, elegant scent. Roasted oak is tangled with rose and juicy redcurrant, enriching the woody facets.

8 GORGEOUS NEW FRAGRANCES YOU HAVE TO TRY In the market for a new signature scent?

From pretty florals to sweet gourmands, these bottles are set to become your new must-have.

3. GUCCI BLOOM, £72 FOR 50ML, HARRODS The first fragrance from creative director Alessandro Michele, this is a powerful melange of florals - centred around tuberose, jasmine and a red flower called the Rangoon Creeper - and it’s bloomin’ lovely.

4. CLIVE CHRISTIAN L FOR WOMEN, £275 FOR 50ML, SELFRIDGES Part of a stunning 10-piece Private Collection, which comprises a masculine and feminine fragrance for each letter of the master perfumer’s name, L is a rich floral chypre, shot through with hints of juicy peach and pink peppercorn.

5. AMOUAGE FIGMENT WOMAN, £245 FOR 100ML, SELFRIDGES Inspired by the country of Bhutan, exotic Figment Woman has an intensely floral heart of jasmine sambac, tuberose and orange blossom, complemented by flashes of spicy Sichuan pepper and rounded off with incense and Patchouli.

6. DKNY NECTAR LOVE, £40 FOR 30ML, THE PERFUME SHOP Falling firmly in the gourmand category, Nectar Love melds grapefruit, nectarine and vanilla with cedarwood and orange blossom. The fragrance is as sweet as the bee-covered bottle.

7. KENZO WORLD, £45 FOR 30ML, DEBENHAMS Opening with a blast of red berries before the star of the show, pink peony, takes over, Kenzo World is bolstered by the warmth of amber notes. It’s an intoxicating combination.

8. ELIE SAAB GIRL OF NOW, £37.50 FOR 30ML, THE FRAGRANCE SHOP A trio of gourmand notes - almond, pistachio and tonka bean - take the lead in this warm, creamy blend, while magnolia and patchouli give it floral depth.

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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

SPORT

TREC QUALIFIER IN ASSOCIATION WITH MANN MADE GROUP On the weekend of 14th July - 16th July TREC IOM held a Two Day TREC qualifier event once again returning to the stunning venue of Ballacooiley, Ballaugh, thanks to the very kind hospitality of Mark & Sam Hempsall.

Although the weather overnight on the Friday evening dampened our BBQ plans we were then blessed with beautiful weather for the remainder of the weekend enabling us to appreciate the beautiful venue.

The competition was a qualifier for both the 2017 Level 1 TREC GB Championships due to be held in August & the 2017 Equisafety National TREC GB Championships due to be held September in North Wales.

Thanks to our main sponsor - Mann Made Group and the class sponsors without whom we wouldn’t have been able to hold such a fabulous competition.

Thank you to all landowners which gave us permission to cross across their land on our orienteering section giving competitors access to some normally inaccessible places to ride on horseback.

The competition consisted of three phases. The PTV Phase where there are 16 obstacles which are all designed to mimic situations you would find while out riding.

The course was set out around the wooded area at Ballacooiley which proved a very enjoyable course with tricky turns as well as nice stretches of grass to canter along. It finished with the Low Branches obstacle in front of the beautiful house which attracted lots of spectators.

The MA ‘control of paces’ section is where you have to demonstrate a fast walk and a slow canter in a marked out corridor. This had been set out in a tricky curve between

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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

SPORT

RESULTS:

Level 1 Individual - 1st Laura Corcoran Top Spec Fencing Ltd Level 1 Pairs - 1st Rachel Ranson & Kayleigh Duggan; 2nd Wendy Corlett & Geraldine Parsons; 3rd Christine Hopkinson & Shelly Bass; 4th Tanya Rhodes & Jade Corrin; 5th Jessica Clague & Gemma Middleton Burroughs Stewart Associates Level 2 Individual - 1st Alyson Egan Just Chaps Level 2 Pairs - 1st Paula Dowson & Claire Bagshaw; 2nd Caroline Hawley & Jo Ralston; 3rd Robert Thomson & Suzanne Booth; 4th Sam Frize & Lucy Richardson; 5th Gillian Newey & Emily Gaylor; 6th Sandra Dimelow & Reggie Harrison Winner of Ballacooiley Trophy for highest overall PTV & MA Score – Christine Hopkinson We would like to wish good luck to the team of 10 competitors who will be representing the Island at the Equisafety National 2017 TREC Championships at the beginning of September in North Wales.

the trees making it quite a challenge to maintain a good canter.

The POR “orienteering” phase tests the rider’s ability to follow a route on a map at a predetermined speed. The Level 2 competitors tackled this phase on the Saturday splitting their competition into two days whereas the Level 1 competitors completed their whole competition on the

single day on Sunday over a distance of 12km around the Ballaugh Curraghs area.

The 25km level 2 route was a very tricky route to follow which caught a few riders out. The route took them across the beach as well as lots of lovely off road riding on the disused railway line and green lanes.

Thank you to all the landowners who gave permission for us to pass through their land.

For more information about TREC and our forthcoming events visit www.treciom.com

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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SPORT

HUNDREDS TAKE PART IN THE TOUGH MANN ADVENTURE CHALLENGE IN ASSOCIATION WITH MANX TELECOM The obstacle race, held at Ballamoar Farm, Ballaugh, is a real test of all-round strength and stamina as it takes place on a 10km course over some of the most rugged terrain that the Isle of Man has to offer, and with crawls, climbs and sandbag carries to name but a few of the challenges. Almost 500 competitors signed up for the event – some were aiming to win, while others were looking to achieve personal goals or raise funds for charity.

Tough Mann began in 2013, and it is usually run over one lap of the 10km course.

This year, to celebrate the event’s fifth anniversary, there was also a 20km two-lap option included for the first time. Nineteen competitors registered to take up the 20km challenge, with all of the others competing in the one-lap event. One of the aspects of the event which makes it so popular is the sense of team work and camaraderie it encourages among the competitors as many need a helping hand or a leg-up to overcome some of the tougher obstacles.

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RESULTS

20km (women): 1st, Olivia Newstead; 2nd, Nikki Arthur; 3rd, Tracey Wilson 20km (mens): 1st, Ryan Downey; 2nd, Adam Huxham; 3rd, Kevin Whittaker 20km team winners: Kuta (Stephen Kelly, Roger Davies, Alexander Cain) 10km (women): 1st, Sian Coleman; 2nd, Aimee Cringle; 3rd, Polly Rogerson 10km (men): 1st, Nick Colburn; 2nd, Richard Winn; 3rd, Shaun Kelly 10km team winners: Muddy Fudders (Jon Huyton, Rob Crichton, Kevin Edwards from event sponsor Manx Telecom)

ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

HARDWARE

THE 67 PLATE IS COMING WHAT SHOULD YOU BUY? Licence plate refresh time is upon us. Here are some suggestions for 67 plate cars...

The halfway mark of 2017 has just passed us and that means we’ll soon see a refresh of licence plates - with the 17 plates being replaced by 67. Fancy having the shiny new numbers on a shiny new car? Here are some you should consider.

FORD FIESTA

The outgoing Ford Fiesta was the UK’s best-selling car - in fact, it’s still the most-sold in 2017 - so the new model has some big boots to fill.

It’s certainly a case of if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, as the new car sports more evolutionary changes rather than revolutionary.

That doesn’t mean nothing has been greatly improved, though.

There are a couple of new trim options - the high-riding Active and luxury Vignale - and, thanks to being slightly wider and longer than the outgoing model, more interior space too.

Prices start from £12,715.

SEAT IBIZA

The Spanish manufacturer’s latest version of its supermini has been completely rebuilt from the ground up.

It’s the first car on VW Group’s new MQB A0 platform, complete with new, more aggressive styling. It’s a fantastically

capable car, with a chassis that feels like something well out of its price range and engines that can take almost anything you can throw their way.

It’s a little pricey, but comes with plenty of kit, such as a FullLink infotainment system.

Deliveries just started this month, so it may be time to take a trip to your local Seat dealer. Prices start from £13,183.

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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

HARDWARE

VAUXHALL INSIGNIA GRAND SPORT

Despite the addition of Grand Sport to the name, the all-new Insignia still retains the basic ethos of a Vauxhall saloon car. What is newthough is fresh styling, giving the car a more premium appearance and moving the brand into its next generation of design.

Thanks to new architecture underneath too, the car is also lighter than the outgoing model, while having more cabin space.

Prices start from £16,230.

BMW M4 CS

This is perhaps what the more hardcore M4 GTS ought to have been.

It’s still got four seats, is still easily accessible and it still looks relatively socially-acceptable. However, it can still well and truly hold its own around a circuit and fantastically holds the middle ground between an all-out track monster and a performance car.

Also, unlike the GTS, it has no definite production limit, so you should be able to walk into your BMW dealer and order one right away. Prices start from £89,130.

RANGE ROVER VELAR

If you wanted a Range Rover in the past, you had three choices. There was the Evoque, representing the more affordable end of the spectrum, the Sport, which sat in the middle, and the standard Range Rover at the very top.

Now there’s a new kid on the block the Velar. Designed to sit between the Evoque and Sport, it’s a mid-sized SUV for those who want a little more space and a little more luxury, but without the more premium cost of the full Range Rover.

Prices start from £44,475.

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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HARDWARE

PHONE HOME

SAMSUNG GEAR VR WITH CONTROLLER

Put on the Gear VR and go from front-row experiences to adventures you’ve only dreamt of. The Gear VR’s new design and controller gives you a better perspective and the ability to go further than ever before.

Engineered to feel light and designed to sit comfortably on all facial structures, with foam cushioning offering a soft hold unyielding to light, you’ll easily be submerged into the world of VR. Control comes naturally Point, shoot, drag and tilt in the virtual universe with the new Gear VR controller. With sharp motion tracking, the controller is both highly accurate and responsive to fast movements. Equipped with a touchpad and the familiar Gear VR buttons, the controller is pleasant to touch and adds a completely new dimension to gameplay.

700 apps and counting With the Gear VR, you won’t be short of things to do with the evergrowing range of games, apps, and experimental experiences to explore. Whether you and your friends are next door neighbours or live worlds apart, ‘Oculus Rooms’ lets you hang out with friends in VR. In your personal room, you can customise the way things look and decorate with your Facebook photos. From there, you can choose what you’d like to do: play games, watch videos, or jump into apps and multiplayer games together.

Losing yourself in the magical worlds of virtual reality has never felt, or looked, so good.

Available from Manx Telecom for £129.

THE BIGGEST SCREEN BY FAR Samsung’s newly announced Galaxy Note 8 tops the charts when it comes to screen size, offering a 6.3 inch infinity screen that’s so large it bumps the handset into the uncomfortably named ‘phablet’ category.

Following the battery problems of the Note 7, Samsung is confident that the Note’s eighth incarnation is ready to relight the torch for the Galaxy Note series. At the premium-experimental end of the Samsung range, the Note 8’s release is important to Samsung watchers as it’s likely to give us an insight into the general direction of all its phones.

With this in mind, it’s interesting that Samsung has decided for the first time, to include a dual sensor camera that enables users to push their photography to new limits. One big advantage for example, is that the dual sensor collects more light than ever before, letting photographers take shots in amazingly low light levels.

Alongside the enormous screen and superb camera sensor technology, the Galaxy Note 8 promises to offer a multimedia

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experience that puts its predecessors to shame. There’ll also be great relief among Samsung fans when they realise that the Note 8 comes with a regular headphone jack that will fit their favourite pair!

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will be available soon in the Sure stores: you can pop in and see it in Strand St Douglas, Parliament St Ramsey or Orchard Walk Port Erin.

ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

NIGHTLIFE

PAPP’D AT THE COURTHOUSE

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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

NIGHTLIFE

ARE YOU IN? /GALLERYIOM

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

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NIGHTLIFE

PAPP’D AT ARTISAN

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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

NIGHTLIFE

ARE YOU IN? /GALLERYIOM

BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS

HARDWARE

PAPP’D AT THE THIRSTY PIGEON

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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE

Awesome Autumn

Collabro

14 Oct | Villa Marina

Sweet Charity

16-21 Oct | Gaiety Theatre

Fashion for Life 27 Oct | Villa Marina

Megaslam Wrestling 1 Nov | Villa Marina

Chris Packham

5 Nov | Gaiety Theatre

Andrew Newton

11 Nov | Gaiety Theatre

The MouseTrap

16-18 Nov | Gaiety Theatre

Only Men Aloud

in concert with Douglas town band

24 Nov | Villa Marina

www.villagaiety.com

ticket hotline: 01624 600555 online: www.villagaiety.com

DATE: Friday 27th October TIME: 7.30pm LOCATION: The Palace Hotel, Douglas PRICE: Tickets £79 per person +Vat. | £790 per table of 10 +Vat. DRESS CODE: Black Tie

villagaiety

@villagaiety

villagaiety

AN EVENING WITH

ANDY MCNAB Prestige Artist Events are pleased to announce an Evening with Andy McNab (DCM, MM), ex 22 SAS, Best Selling Author.

As a member of 22 SAS Andy was at the center of covert operations for nine years – on five continents.

Andy will be sharing his extensive life experiences on overcoming the greatest of odds to survive. Including motivation, inspiration, endurance, through his own life experiences and surviving to tell his story. This includes recent expeditions to both poles. An evening truly not to be missed with an distinguished and accomplished individual.

Tables will SELL OUT FAST,

BOOK NOW! n Each ticket will include a copy of Andy’s Newest fiction book being released in Autumn 2017.

n Part of the proceeds from this IoM event will be donated to Help for Heroes and Hospice Isle of Man.

NOTE:

Photography and videography are strictly not permitted at this event due to Andy’s involvement in historic operations. n The evening will also have a Luxury Prize draw with exclusive items.

BOOK your tickets now at www.prestigeartistevents.com www.facebook.com/prestigeartistevents

Pre-owned, un-worn Rolex watches, from an exceptional jeweller.

Finance available* with only 10% deposit

Online only at wilkinsthejeweller.co.uk FOR EXPERT ADVICE CALL 01624 690450 *Interest bearing finance available over ÂŁ500. Terms and conditions apply.