Episodes
Bus Vannin is apologising to Isle of Man residents following ongoing disruption to the bus network in recent weeks.It's been publishing daily updates - highlighting routes at risk of cancellation due to staff shortages and illness.Head of Operations Ian Bates has been addressing some of the speculation around reasons for the disruption:
How safe do you feel on our Island?The chief constable outlined in his annual report that his aim for the force is to make the Isle of Man the 'safest island in the British Isles'.But after a number of high profile incidents in recent months seeing the deployment of armed officers, is that still the case here?Superintendent Danny Rotchell is in charge of uniformed operations on the Island and Inspector Paul Kemp is a trained fire arms officer.They've been telling Amy Griffiths what the picture is on the Isle of Man:
A woman who's aiming to complete two laps of the Raad ny Foillan is set to complete her challenge today. Anjie Rook is the Associate Director of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and has been walking the Island's coastline - 200 miles in total - to mark 200 years of the lifesaving charity.So far she's raised almost £2,900.Sir William Hillary, a Douglas resident, founded the RNLI in 1824 after witnessing a number of shipwrecks around the Isle of Man.Angela has been speaking with Lewis Foster.
This year's edition of Manx Litfest is now well and truly underway.This evening (Weds 25 Sept), the Island is playing host to an award-winning writer, environmental activist and Professor of Contemporary Fiction at Manchester Metropolitan University.Monique Roffey will be at the Erin Arts Centre tonight from 7:30pm to discuss her latest book, Passiontide.She will also host a writing workshop in Port Erin tomorrow morning.Siobhán Fletcher sat down with Monique and Dr Fiona Gell to find out more.
This week marks Organ Donation Week - a campaign that takes place each year to raise awareness about the ongoing need for donors. According to the NHS, in the UK, more than 7,600 people are in need of a transplant including 250 children. Each year 1,400 people donate however the waiting list continues to rise. Aedan Klieve was born in 2020 needing a kidney transplant.He received one last year just before his third birthday. Chanelle Sukhoo spoke to his mother Shirley:
An event held in the capital last night (23 September) sought to link up local producers with buyers from the Island and beyond.'Meet Your Producer' was a joint venture between the Department for Enterprise and the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.But in the year the Isle of Man Food and Drink Festival was cancelled - are events like this enough for local businesses to showcase their products?Siobhán Fletcher went along to find out.
The new chair of the Isle of Man Meat Plant says the revamped board wants to 'reinstate a sense of pride' in Manx meat.Damien Corcoran's appointment was announced as a part of a shake-up by the Department of Environment Food and Agriculture.Siobhán Fletcher sat down with him after the appointment was announced, to find out what he's planning on doing to turn the facility around.
Government's announced a new board aiming to tackle issues faced by the hospitality industry.It's the latest support measure for the sector announced by the Department for Enterprise.The 'primary objectives' of the Hospitality Isle of Man Board are said to be fostering collaboration, enhancing food and drink tourism and proactively addressing the challenges.Experts from across the industry have been appointed, including cafés, restaurants, pubs, bars, takeaways and hotels following the expression of interest process which was carried out in July.Jamie Lewis is the chair and has been telling...
A charity on the Isle of Man is preparing to open its 40th school in an area of the world where there are significant challenges in accessing quality education and health provision. The Pahar Trust Nepal is marking 30 years since its inception with a celebratory event on 28 September.The guest speaker will be record breaking mountaineer Hari Budha Magar who was the first, double above the knee, amputee to climb Mount Everest.Charity founder Howard Green MBE told Manx Radio the work they do is all about trying to make a difference:
The Isle of Man Government cannot rely on volunteers and motivated individuals who are dedicated to the Manx language to promote it. That’s the call being made by experts from the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages which looks at protecting Cornish, Manx Gaelic, Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Welsh.It says government must ‘put its money where its mouth is’ and has urged it to implement a number of recommendations.Professor Vesna Crnic-Grotic and Professor Rob Dunbar make up part of the committee which has put forward the recommendations:
A Manx charity says it's 'devastated' by claims Liverpool John Lennon Airport will be closing a Patient Quiet Room it funded.The facility, which was officially opened in 2017, is designed to be a place where those from the Island who need medical treatment in the UK can wait for their flights in a comfortable setting.Manx Breast Cancer Support Group says it's finding it 'difficult to believe' and says the decision has been made to make room for more retail space.Siobhán Fletcher spoke to the charity's Chair, Julie Stokes.
It's day two of the 2024 Isle of Man Government Conference.Siobhán Fletcher sits down with our political correspondent - and this week our self-proclaimed government conference correspondent - Phil Gawne to find out what happened today:
The Isle of Man Government's annual conference got underway at the Comis Hotel yesterday (Tuesday 17 September).Siobhán Fletcher sat down with our political correspondent - and this week, our self-proclaimed government conference correspondent - Phil Gawne; to find out what was covered, if any of it came as a shock and whether people actually made the journey out to the Comis to attend.
The environment, food and agriculture minister has admitted there were flaws using the agricultural shows as a replacement for this year's Food and Drink Festival.The government-run event, which was cancelled in June, would have been taking place on the 14 and 15 September.A previously agreed exclusivity agreement meant the Southern and Royal Manx shows weren't accessible to all producers or manufacturers.But Clare Barber told Amy Griffiths she's confident there'll be a more suitable alternative next year:
The Chair of the Housing and Communities Board has hit back against claims that government has done 'nothing' to tackle the Island's housing crisis.Former minister Peter Karran told Manx Radio the situation has worsened since 2021's general election.That's despite it being a topic that dominated the campaign trail. The long-serving Onchan MHK, and former leader of the Liberal Vannin Party, also reiterated calls for restrictions on new homes being sold to off-Island residents.But David Ashford has been defending government's progress to Lewis Foster:
An Atlantic grey seal has been photographed feeding on a harbour porpoise for the first time in Manx waters. The set of photos were taken at the Point of Ayre earlier this summer by Gary Weightman, of Vannin Photos, who posted them on Facebook.Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch recognised the tail stock as that of a porpoise and contacted him for further information.Gary told Siobhán Fletcher he was shocked to discover his photos were of such scientific significance.
This year's government conference will be 'more focussed' and hopes to target the business community, according to the Cabinet Office Minister.Around 500 people have signed up for the annual event so far.It's being held at the Comis Hotel this year - moving away from the Villa Marina which has been used in previous years.Kate Lord-Brennan has defended the decision not to host the event in the evenings or over the weekend, saying there are other opportunities to speak to the Island's highest-ranking politicians:
When will the Public Services Commission agree a pay deal with its staff?Talks between unions and the government body have been ongoing for some time, with unions recently rejecting the PSC's latest offer in a ballot.Chair of the Public Services Commission Kate Lord-Brennan has been telling us their stance:
Do you like reading or writing about the sea?A local marine biologist is inviting writers of all levels of experience to attend a series of 10 workshops sponsored by Culture Vannin.Starting next Saturday 14 September, each session will run from 10am-4pm and will feature themes of global ocean conservation.Siobhán Fletcher caught up with Dr Fiona Gell in Ramsey to find out more.
A former Manx Care employee is calling for the health body’s contract to be ‘looked at’ saying ‘failings’ need to be addressed to ensure better patient care.Kevin Oliphant-Smith has started the ‘Save Our Health Services’ Facebook page and a petition ‘demanding’ the resignation of the chief executive.Manx Care says its leadership team continues to ‘go above and beyond’ each day and it's proud of its achievements but is 'aware of the work that still needs to be done'. Mr Oliphant-Smith spoke to Chanelle Sukhoo:
Do you think you could walk the length of the Island... all with a leg tied to someone else?That's what Andy McMillan and Graham Wright are doing today (31 August), all in aid of charity Depaul UK, which helps young people all over the UK who are homeless, at risk and disadvantaged.Siobhán Fletcher gave them a call to find out more.
The Isle of Man is likely to continue facing difficult decisions for at least the next couple of years, according to the treasury minister.Earlier this week, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer warned of a 'painful' autumn budget but pledged not to increase taxes on working people, such as VAT and National Insurance.However, Dr Alex Allinson notes that due to the Customs and Excise Agreement with the UK, fiscal decisions made in Westminster can still directly impact the Island.
Buildings and landmarks around the Island are set to light up purple tomorrow night in honour of International Overdose Awareness Day (Saturday 31 August).Spearheaded by Manx Addiction Charity Motiv8, This year's theme is 'Together We Can' - highlighting that the impacts of an overdose are 'far reaching and indiscriminate'.In this edition of Newscast Lewis Foster speaks with Motiv8 CEO Thea Ozenturk, Trainee Support Worker Jason McKee and Fundraiser Nicola Browne.
Trespassing on train lines, knock door run, swearing and going into disused buildings are just some of the anti social issues that police have been reporting to recently. With the summer holidays in full swing, officers have been busy responding to some minor and not so minor incidents in their respective communities. PC Louise Kennaugh and Joanna Whittle from the Early Action Team told Manx Radio's Chanelle Sukhoo what trends they've picked up and what's being done.
The motorbike which won the 1923 senior TT will be displayed in Douglas at the weekend.It was ridden by Manxman Tom Sheard.His granddaughter Ruth Cowin lost her son Daniel to bowel-cancer shortly after TT 2024.She's hoping to raise awareness of the disease by displaying the bike.
This weekend (24-25 August) an Andreas woman is taking on a challenge with a difference in memory of her late husband.Darren 'Daz' Hignett died of bladder cancer the day before their 25th wedding anniversary last year, after an 18-month fight.Now, in his memory, his amazing wife Liz is taking on not one, but two major walks to raise funds for the Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association.Siobhán Fletcher's been finding out more.
Manx Care says it accepts there is a ‘significant risk’ to patient safety because of difficulties sharing medical records across the health body.It's been asked to take action by the coroner of inquests and change the way they can be shared between what he’s described as ‘silos’.Coroner James Brooks’ recommendation follows the death of a Ramsey resident last year who unintentionally overdosed on prescription medication.Tessa Hawley speaks to Manx Care Chief Executive Teresa Cope:
The Clerk of the Course says riders competing on the Mountain Course can be brought back to The Grandstand the wrong way around the circuit in ‘extreme circumstances’.It happened on Sunday after a red flag in the first qualifying session of the 2024 Manx Grand Prix following an incident which saw the death of rider Louis O’Regan.The decision led to social media speculation with many referring back to an incident at TT six years ago when racer Steve Mercer was involved in a collision with a course inspection car.Siobhan Fletcher sat down with Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson before Tuesday'...
Do you have a dog that is a little bit nervous when you're out and about? Maybe they're reactive, and can struggle to be around other dogs or people?Well, if so, and you want to expose them to these things from a distance and have a chance to work on your training safely - let us tell you about the group for you.Eva Boyd rescued her dog Spot two years ago, and felt there was a gap on the Island for group walks to help solidify training.Jump forward to now, and she is the Neutral Walk Leader for Honest Hounds - an online community of dog lovers connecting all around the world.Siobhán Fletche...
The chair of Live at Home says it's hoped the Manx charity can be 'restructured' as it looks to cease its services at the end of the month.The organisation has helped residents on the Island live independently in their own homes for almost 27 years.A letter to members says, due to financial reasons, services will stop on 28 August.David Gawne MBE says the ability to raise funds has reduced since Covid, whilst demand on services has increased.'This is indeed a very sad day for us.' - David Gawne MBE, Chair of Live at HomeHe told Manx Radio's Sian Cowper why the charity has announced this mov...