Episodes
Peel Commissioners say they are continuing to ‘evaluate their options’ for playground provision in the west.It’s after claims that the local authority is planning to reduce the number of play areas.Over the weekend one parent who lives in Reayrt Ny Cronk took to social media to advise that the Close Caaig playground was being replaced with a picnic area.It led to children who use the facility leading their own chants and making posters appealing for their park to be spared:
The Department of Infrastructure wants your help to shape a new transport strategy for the Isle of Man.It says it’s intending to develop an integrated and socially inclusive document that meets the needs of communities and keeps people connected in work and leisure opportunities.The document would also support the transition to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.Manx Radio headed north to speak to residents about what they'd like to see included:
The long-awaited Local Economy Strategy has been released in draft form, which hopes to ensure the wellbeing of the retail, hospitality and leisure industries for the next 10-years.Business Isle of Man is setting out a range of tools for residents, local authorities and businesses to enable them to 'take ownership' of their local areas.The document itself is eight-months late from when it was first promised, which the government agency blames on the cost-of-living crisis and the 'constant heat' facing the industries that make up the local economy.It prides itself on being 'data-led', with e...
This time last year Manx resident Helen Newbery noticed an 'unusual bump' in her breast.A regular walker and four-time finisher of the Parish Walk, Helen put it down to inflammation from a sports bra she'd been wearing during a recent 100-mile trek along the South Downs Way.However, after a month without change, a visit to the doctors revealed she had two types of breast cancer.Between August 2023 and January 2024 Helen endured several rounds of chemotherapy, multiple radiotherapy sessions, and a bilateral mastectomy.In February, just a month after surgery, she decided to try and get back t...
Residents in Jurby whose homes fall within the boundaries of a potential future airport site say they're ready to fight back against any proposals.Earlier this month the map was discovered as part of the Public Inquiry into the Draft Area Plan for the North and West.It showed where, in the future, a site the size of Liverpool John Lennon could be created, extending the current Jurby Airfield site by 2.5km.Fern Callister, Vicki Wade, Andy Brew, Christine Brew, and Tamzyn Cormode have been speaking to Manx Radio's Lewis Foster.
If you can't wait until members are back in October, here's Manx Radio's Political Correspondent with a look back at what happened in July for the final sitting of this legislative year.
A warning that this Newscast contains information which some readers may find distressing.It is impossible to remove all risk from the Isle of Man Prison but one death in custody is one too many. That’s what the prison governor has told Manx Radio following the culmination of a series of inquests into the deaths of serving prisoners.The three men had all taken their own lives, in similar circumstances, between 2020 and 2023.Tessa Hawley has this episode of Newscast:
The RNLI is reminding everyone planning on heading to the coast this summer to stay safe.It's as today marks World Drowning Prevention Day.Since the RNLI was founded 200 years ago by Manx resident Sir William Hillary, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.In this edition of Newscast, Claire Hamer, a Water Safety Officer based at Peel lifeboat station, explains to Lewis Foster what you should do if you get into trouble in the water.
The organiser of a Queer Artisan Market says they believe the Isle of Man has become more progressive towards the LGBTQ+ community. It's being held at Onchan Parish Hall on Saturday (27 July) between 1pm and 5pm. There'll also be a queer workshop to discuss Manx LGBTQ+ history and culture taking place at 3pm.
The Isle of Man is not actively planning to follow the UK’s lead and release prisoners early due to overcrowding.That’s from the prison governor who says 24 temporary cells – in portable cabins – should help alleviate some of the current pressure.The prison population has risen by around 66 percent; so what happens if the prison population peaks before the new cells - on 'J Wing' - are ready?It’s a question Tessa Hawley put to Leroy Bonnick:
A global IT outage is still affecting some services on the Isle of Man.Manx Care has seen several GP practices hit and the Steam Packet Company says it can only currently accept cash payments onboard.Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike say they're "actively working" to fix a defect in an update for Microsoft Windows users which sparked the incident.Andy Cuff is the CEO of Computer Network Defence - which has a base in Ballasalla. He explains the situation to Siobhán Fletcher.
It may be hard to believe, but we're more than four years on from Covid.However, for the Manx residents who were made to quarantine in the Comis Hotel in April and May 2020 the process of being refunded for their time there is just now getting underway.It was a recommendation from the Kate Brunner review into the Isle of Man Government's handling of the Covid pandemic. It cost people wanting to be repatriated, whilst the borders were closed, hundreds of pounds to use the pathway back home. Husband and Wife, Dan and Cat, have been speaking to Lewis Foster about the two weeks they spent coop...
Tynwald has approved the Department of Education, Sport and Culture's response to an independent review of funding for schools.The report set out a series of recommendations which looked to improve schools' funding formula, conduct a full of additional educational needs and introduce efficiency metrics to reduce the number of full time teachers in secondary settings.It received strong scrutiny by some backbenchers, with Rushen MHK Michelle Haywood questioning the validity of much of the entire report contents.She's been speaking to Sian Cowper:
The Island Games will return to Manx shores in 2029. The International Island Games Association (IIGA) confirmed the next event in 2027, will be hosted by the Faroe Islands.It's planned to take place between 3-9 July 2027.Meanwhile in 2029, the Island will host the 22nd Island Games on 14-20 July. The IOM organised the first games in 1985 and then again in 2001. Chair of the Island Games Bid Committee Gary Corkhill told Manx Radio what work needs take place over the next five years:
A group of residents in the Island’s capital who were ‘empowered’ to come together to take ownership of their village should be an example to others.That’s the view of a Douglas South MHK who has welcomed the sale of the freehold of the Saddle Mews complex.Sarah Maltby drafted a Private Members Bill that will support leaseholders to buy their freeholds so they can manage their own properties without paying an off-Island company.She says despite the legislation not being needed in this case it should help others in future:
If you're out and about around the TT course tomorrow (Sat 13 July), you may see some cyclists taking part in a fundraiser with a difference.Capital International Group's Chairman, Anthony Long, and Managing Director of Group Services, Les Coates, are gearing up for a performance of a lifetime, as they embody the legend himself, Elvis Presley... all whilst riding a tandem bike.Siobhán Fletcher caught up with Les to find out more:
Douglas clothing store The Boredroom is asking people on the Island to fill out a questionnaire to help it understand 'what's going on in terms of retail' here.In a post on social media the Strand Street store says 'retail is hard over here and it's getting harder to keep the doors open, especially with the increase in cost for everything'.It adds 'it's increasingly feeling like we're climbing a steep hill that is only getting higher the further we go up.'In this episode of Newscast, Lewis Foster heads down to The Boredroom to speak with owner, Laurence Crookall.
Douglas South MHK Sarah Maltby has been a woman on a mission to get accessible changing places installed at key sites across the Island.She's raised the issue multiple times in the House of Keys and has again put pressure on politicians this week.Now though, a new changing places facility in Noble's Hospital has officially been given the green light!The trustees have agreed to fund the room, which is a larger accessible toilet with equipment such as hoists, adult-sized changing benches and space for carers.Mrs Maltby has been telling Amy Griffiths more:
A pay increase for police officers on the Island is hoped to help tackle recruitment and retention issues for the force.The starting salary for constables has seen a 12 percent increase to over £32,000.Justice and Home Affairs Minister Jane Poole-Wilson told Amy Griffiths she's hopeful it will help relieve the pressures on junior officers:
An MHK says she's going to continue pushing for the public to have their say on whether the Isle of Man should legalise assisted dying.The House of Keys spent a seventh day debating clauses of the proposed Bill yesterday, and a special sitting is taking place on 23 July for its third reading.Last week, members rejected calls for a public referendum with just a one vote majority.Sian Cowper has been speaking to Onchan MHK Julie Edge:
A Douglas MHK who is 'contacted weekly' about accessible changing places says she might as well go back to those inquiring and tell them government feels that the amenities are not worth investing in.Sarah Maltby raised the issue in the House of Keys this week.And it's not the first time - she's been asking questions about a possible facility in the Sea Terminal since 2022.We caught up with Mrs Maltby following the sitting to find out what she made of the answers she received.
Willaston Primary School in Douglas has been awarded an IQM - Inclusion Quality Mark Award.It's also been granted Centre of Excellence status, something which typically takes a number of years to achieve.The assessor from IQM noted a 'strong commitment to inclusivity and community' and a 'caring ethos'.Abbie Irving, a teacher at Willaston School, co-ordinated the self-audit and managed the assessment process.She explained to Lewis Foster what it took to get this kind of recognition.
The clauses stage of the Assisted Dying Bill heads into a seventh day in the House of Keys today.So how much work if left to be done? And what happens next?Mover of the bill, Ramsey MHK Alex Allinson, gave an update live on Manx Radio Breakfast.
Last night's Southern 100 qualifying session had to be cut short due to capacity issues at Noble's Hospital.Manx Care's Executive Director of Health Services Oliver Radford discusses the factors that meant the session had to be stopped, and what the situation is for the remainder of the event:
The Isle of Man could fail to meet its first interim climate target, but the chief minister says if it is missed, "we'll be very close".At a summit of the British-Irish Council, Alfred Cannan said hitting the 2030 target is becoming "increasingly tight".The Climate Change Act 2021 sets out three legally binding targets as the Island makes its journey to net-zero.By 2030, government is required by law to have ensured carbon emissions are cut by at least 35-percent.As part of that, electricity must be decarbonised by 100-percent.Manx Radio's Christian Jones sat down to discuss the targets wit...
Do you think children should be allowed to have their own smartphones?One mum from Ramsey says she wants to start a conversation about them.Meghan Kennish has two children and is worried about the potential harm it can cause when you have access to a smartphone from a young age.She's been telling Amy Griffiths why:
The chief minister has congratulated Sir Kier Starmer and the Labour Party on their victory in the UK General Election.Labour won by a landslide, with the Conservatives suffering their biggest defeat in history.Alfred Cannan spoke with Sian Cowper and Ben Hartley on Manx Radio Breakfast shortly after 8am this morning (5 July, Tynwald Day).
An historic 35th Tour de France stage win for Sir Mark Cavendish is "earth shattering for the Isle of Man", according to the woman who first introduced him to the sport.Yesterday the Manx Missile became the all-time greatest stage winner at the event.It surpasses the previous record he'd jointly held with cycling legend Eddie Merckx.Dot Tilbury says it's an incredible achievement:
A Manx charity is working '9 to 5' to get a special initiative up and running on the Island.Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a gifting program that posts free books to children, from birth to age five, no matter their family's income.There are hopes the scheme could be successfully launched here helping youngsters to build their own library of 60 books.Charity Director Trish McDonough has been telling Siobhán Fletcher more:
Manx Care is insisting that drafting in a private provider to run the publicly owned Summerhill View residential care home in Douglas, is a "really good value solution."However, it's refused to disclose how much the contract awarded to LV Care Group is worth or how many other providers tendered for the opportunity.It's estimated the state-of-the-art facility, which cost just under £15 million to build and will replace Reayrt ny Baie, will be up and running by November; although a confirmed date has not yet been set.Manx Radio's Christian Jones sat down with the health body's Executive Direc...