Isle of Man Premier Magazine | no 25 | November 2013 | the [identity] issue
Because Quality Matters
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Tanya Humbles Hannah Goodby Michelle Tonnesen Linda Huxley Anne Berry Jennifer Parkes Lauren Clarke Grant Runyon Les Able Suzy Holland Rebecca Lawrence Rachel Green Theo Leworthy Liz Corlett Anne Moorhouse Leon Flemming Bonzo Slater Ella Pritchard Phil Taylor Bill Carden
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[IDENTITY] Isle of Man Premier Magazine | no 25 | November 2013 | the [IDENTITY] issue
£ priceless
BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS
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Contribute contribute@gallery.co.im Rip it, scrap it, comment, critique, research, report. Opinions wanted on politics, business, news, home, property, music, gadgets, sports and culture. Something annoyed you and you want to tell the island? We’re here for you. If you’d like to see your name in... er... print, get in touch.
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DENTITY. If you don’t know who you are, what the hell do you know? As Christmas lingers in the shadows, are you paying attention to outlandish à la mode reindeer jumper window displays? Giving novel Hallmark greetings a goosy? Grabbing that food porn with fever and fervor? Checking out newfangled ways to decorate that old abode to make it sparkle, twinkle, glitter and gleam? Will you be sitting on Santa’s lap in The Strand a month before it’s socially acceptable to do so? Either way, roll your eyes over other local habits in the ‘Secret Identity of IoM People’. You might feel a bit better after that! With many of us wondering how we’re going to tackle the finances of Christmas this month, we have to wonder why we do it… Then we remember. It really is the best time of year, isn’t it?! November can be a nightmare negotiating your budget, but think of the end game people! Christmas rocks. Whilst we’re on the subject a little prematurely, admittedly, let’s focus on keeping our diet in check in the run up to that festive feasting. We have Clean Fitness Apparel telling us about their chic and very practical clothing range and Jimmy Morris, a Sport & Exercise Therapist; master of osteopathic medicine to help with sports injuries for all of you boot-campers. Part-two of how to find the right horse in All Things Equestrian is an interesting read, but if you’re a fighter - not a lover - then Get The A-Lister Look on page 48. Once you’re done with that, we’ll spice up your life with recipes from Cyrus Todiwala and Tony Singh - nothing warms that winter belly like curry. Then, have a look-see at whether or not you can see your face in the events and Paparazzi section! Have a great November all! SR
Gallery Magazine, Quay House, South Quay, Douglas Isle of Man, IM1 5AR T: 07624 249249 E: info@gallery.co.im www.gallery.co.im
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Published with gusto in the Isle of Man by
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because quality matters
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Wilkins Watch of the Month
www.wilkinsthejeweller.co.uk
Freelancer Steel & Rose Gold Class Automatic Chronograph - RW5000
Full of inspiration, RAYMOND WEIL reinterprets its classics and unveils a completely new variation of its best-selling chronograph, the Freelancer Steel & Rose Gold Class. Classical and elegant, its 42mm steel case, mounted on brown leather, stands out through the rose gold notes punctuating its dial. This combination of materials and pure lines assures this model a natural distinction. With the Freelancer Steel & Rose Gold Class, the music-loving watchmaker adds a major chord to its score. Both urbane and incredibly elegant, classical and very current, the freelancer Steel & Rose Gold Class is a match for all styles.
Freelancer Steel & Rose Gold Class Automatic Chronograph – RW5000 Technical Data Chronograph | RW5000
•
Winding | Automatic
•
Power-Reserve | 46 hours
Functions
•
Jewels | 25 rubies
Indexes | Rose gold plated index appliques, capped with luminescent material
Watch | Central hours and minutes, small seconds hand at 9 o’clock 3-day date and day windows at 3 o’clock, day and date adjustment using push-piece at 3 o’clock
Hands-Hours/minutes | Rose gold plated, bombé, enhanced with luminescent material, barrel-shaped
Chronograph | Start, stop and restart using push-piece at 2 o’clock, return to zero using push-piece at 4 o’clock, central chronograph hand
Sweep seconds hand Rose gold plated baton Small second at 9 | Rose gold plated, barrel-shaped
30 minutes counter at 12 o’clock
Bezel | Polished steel
Counters Rose gold plated, barrel-shaped
Tachometer ring
Crown | Polished steel – fluted with RW monogram
Case back | Screwed, with sapphire crystal
Case | Round – Polished and satin finished steel
Crystal | Sapphire crystal with dual-sided antiglare treatment
12 hours counter at 6 o’clock
Diameter | 42mm
Dial | Sun-brushed silver galvanic dial
Thickness | 13.7mm
Small counters surrounded by a rose gold plated applique with a screw at 9 o’clock and a rose gold border at 6 and 12 o’clock
76 Strand Street, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 2EW Tel: 01624 690450 | Email: enquiries@wilkinsthejeweller.co.uk www.facebook.com/Wilkinsjewellers
Bracelet | Dark brown, full skin calf leather strap with saddle-stitching, equipped with a RW folding clasp, opening with a double push-piece security Water resistance 10 ATM
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HIGHLIGHTS UPFRONT
UPFRONT
CULTURE
THE SECRET IDENTITY OF ISLE OF MAN PEOPLE WORDS GRANT RUNYON ILLUSTRATIONS BEN ROBERTSON
Islanders are curious, nosy even, so secrets spread fast in a place where gossip is a valuable currency. In plain English, this means that if you like to spend your off-time dressed up as a cowboy with no pants, sooner or later your boss will know about it and your neighbours will be coming over to borrow your lassoo. Perhaps your secret isn’t even that shocking - maybe you just don’t like co-workers knowing you speak fluent Klingon. In cities, you
have enough space for everybody to do their thing - if you live in an area where your people tut at your interests you can just move a mile across town to an area where anything goes, Commander Worf. Here in Jersey, privacy must be maintained by a convincing outward layer of bland normality, to ensure that relatives and coworkers don’t ask questions about all those parcels and can never, ever guess why you buy so many cucumbers.
CULTURE
Price Name | Daniel Student Profession |
My nam e is
Daniel I’m a Price; 20-year-o I also ld work PT art student studying. living on in the family business the Island; I have whilst alway I’m at a highe s enjoyed studying has given r level at the Art in scho Isle of my surro me the freed Man Colle ol and om to undings ge, as express ways and and of my view it myself I look as an artis of in new forward and diffe Falmouth t in the flow to continuing rent ing year my grow . My intere a deep at the st comm University th towards itment world. Art has of towards grow a futu re with n into My artw in the ork explo Art consider res how my I perso experience landscape. nally see Living in and The island that has stron the gly influ Isle of Man have develo has been a is an enced benefit my artw ped as to the mainly ork. way with paint an artist. At Isle of the mom in which I and print, Man the ent I creating work way I images see it. of the daniel-j-pr ice@hotm ail.com
PEOPLE USED TO LIVING IN CITIES OFTEN SAY THAT THERE IS SOMETHING VERY EERIE ABOUT THE PARTICULAR CLOSENESS OF ISLAND LIFE. SURROUNDED ON ALL SIDES BY THE OCEAN; FRIENDS, NEIGHBOURS AND ENEMIES ARE NEVER FAR AWAY.
PLACES
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HARBOUR HOUSE, DERBYHAVEN, CASTLETOWN £745,000
THE CONSPIRACY THEORIST
THE SUBMISSIVE MANAGER
THE MIGHTY WIZARD
THE SWINGERS
THE CULT MEMBER
THE SUPERFAN
OUTWARD APPEARANCE: Slightly crumpled, balding, fidgety. The type of nondescript man you expect to stand two spaces away from at a pub urinal. You think you might know him from work, but you wouldn’t say hello because he never makes eye contact. He avoids branded clothing, chain restaurants and airports. Obviously somebody who drinks strong coffee after midnight.
OUTWARD APPEARANCE: Power suit, coloured braces, a cloud of cologne that cost more than your weekly shop. Air of public-school entitlement. This man is used to hiring, firing and harassing his underlings in order to get exactly what he wants: money and power. Most people assume the occasional bruises are from squash or rugby.
OUTWARD APPEARANCE: Meek, bespectacled IT specialist. Pen in shirt pocket and belt-mounted mobile phone holster. Pale-skinned and lactose intolerant. Bullied at school for being unable to explain calculus to fellow tenyear olds. Terrible posture.
OUTWARD APPEARANCE: Polite middle-aged couple dressed in Marks & Sparks smart-casual. Probably teachers. No children, but at least three small dogs. They go caravanning on the mainland every three months. Once went to the Algarve but found the food too spicy. Always give the impression that they’re checking you out.
OUTWARD APPEARANCE: Unremarkable apart from the wide, starey eyes and an expression of inner joy. Maybe he does a lot of yoga? Very calm - clearly knows something you don’t. Always smiling at a phone timer that is set to go off in exactly 8 months, 3 days and 22 hours. Possibly wearing sandals.
OUTWARD APPEARANCE: Middle-aged lady, bingo wings. Owl glasses, sensible perm. Knitted cardigan with a picture of an Alsatian on it. Bulging shopping bags full of - what exactly? Probably volunteers at a charity shop. Always buying pop magazines aimed at teenage girls - perhaps they’re for her nieces.
LET IT ALL OUT AT THE WEEKEND: Never happier than when the caravan hits the A354, Phil Collins on the stereo, a suitcase full of PVC knickers, Polaroid film and assorted role-play uniforms. They’re en-route to visit Marjorie and Kenneth in Bolton, who’ve got a lovely dungeon in the spare room of their semi. Of course, there’s time to visit some famous dogging spots on the way - darling, what was the name of that charming footballer we met last year?
LOOK PAST THE MATERIAL PLANE: When not spreading The Word, he is clad in robes of shining purple, which the Universal Leader L Bob Cupboard has decreed as the resonant colour of the higher universe. Perhaps you would be interested in learning more about the psychic emanations that sing to us from the divine layer? There is room for many more in our starship, although the Leader instructs that we will commence our final journey very soon. Caution: there is no turning back, for the life of this world is short indeed. GIve L Bob your heart, and also your PIN code.
BIRTHDAY SUIT: It puts the lotion on the skin, or else it gets the hose again. Most people assume that Jedward vanished from the public eye due to waning public interest. Well, one person will NEVER forget beautiful, talented Jedward, because she’s got them imprisoned in a well in her basement. From the first moment she set eyes on these angelic twins, she KNEW that Jedward deserved to live forever. Well, not ‘live forever’ in the literal sense, as she plans to starve them, skin them and wear them both like a cute little man suit. Shh, don’t tell anybody! Bieber is next.
AWAY FROM PRYING EYES: In reality, he lacks the time for personal grooming because life is a race against time to uncover a conspiracy that goes right the way to the top. He’ll expose the truth, or die trying, and his numerous (yet mysterious) enemies know this. That explains numerous parish hall enquiries, a lack of success with women and a strange obsession with whether or not Prince Philip lays eggs. He’s seen The Matrix 50 times and thinks it’s a documentary. Somehow the international conspiracy that controls the media doesn’t prevent him from updating his blog twice daily.
DRESS-DOWN DAY: When he finally gets off work, the alphamale man’s man spends his downtime leathered-up, chained down and receiving copious spankings from an expensive dominatrix operating out of St John’s village. If this naughty slave doesn’t do exactly what mistress says he’ll be punished, and there’s no opportunity to call HR when the boss has a six inch stiletto heel hovering over the two most valuable investments in your stock portfolio.
HIS TRUE FORM: Grufar the Dragon Mage is Supreme Paladin of the Guild of Enchanters, the most feared lawful faction in the online fantasy realm of Ultimoth. Through possession of the Shield of Scrofulax, he commands respect from over 7 million gamers worldwide. Knows that non-virtual people think this is extremely sad - doesn’t care because his side business of selling magical artefacts on eBay brings in about £400 a week, all of which he has been investing in high-performing stocks since 1996. He’s cyber-dating two Japanese bikini models.
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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE
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There is an excellent golf course stretching out to Fort Island and wonderful walks can be enjoyed across the links and over to Langness lighthouse. With sweeping, uninterrupted views across Derbyhaven Bay and a wonderful beachside garden, this family home lends itself to a relaxed pace of life, whilst only being minutes from the centre of Castletown. Six generously sized bedrooms over three of the four floors allows for plenty of scope for family living alongside home working, with more than enough room for a variety of room uses.
With the large, well fitted breakfast kitchen and range cooker forming the heart of the home, the property benefits from a second, expansive kitchen/dining room along with its own Aga. The ground floor Family room and first floor Lounge both enjoy the wonderful views across the Derbyhaven Bay. The 21’ by 15’ Master Bedroom, with its stunning sea and coastal views, has a good range of built in wardrobes providing plenty of storage space, along with an attractive feature inset stove, and benefits from a well presented en-suite bathroom with sea views.
“This spacious, beautifully refurbished coastal house is situated in one of the most sought after villages in the Island.” This is rare opportunity to purchase a fine coastal residence with extensive living space and stunning sea views in a highly desirable village location.
Viewings are highly recommended on this impressive family home. CALL OUR DOUGLAS OFFICE 616200.
This spacious, beautifully refurbished coastal house is situated in one of the most sought after villages in the Island. Derbyhaven has a peaceful harbour filled with sailing boats and a wide, gently curving sandy beach.
ARTIST AND ILLUSTRATORS - would you like to see your work featured in Gallery Magazine? Simply get in contact with us mynameis@gallery.co.im
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BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS
FEATURE PROPERTY
www.harmonyhomes.co.im
ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE
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The Secret Identity of IoM People
ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE
BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS
68 Harbour House - Derbyhaven
40 My Name Is - Daniel Price
Horse riding has been around for generations and it is open to pretty much everyone.
APPETITE
APPETITE
SPICE
(Serves 4-6 as a starter) 200g sliced smoked salmon For the beetroot salad: Juice of 1 lime 3tsp clear honey ½tsp smoked paprika ¼tsp ground cinnamon 1 fresh beetroot, very finely sliced 3tbsp raisins, preferably golden 3tbsp (heaped) torn mint leaves Salt For the horseradish cream: Juice of 2 limes ½tsp clear honey 4tbsp horseradish sauce 150ml double cream Pinch of chilli powder, or more to taste A small handful of chopped flat-leaf parsley Salt
CYRUS TODIWALA AND TONY SINGH, AKA THE INCREDIBLE SPICE MEN, HAVE BEEN ON A MISSION TO LIVEN UP BRITISH FOOD. AFTER ALL, GOOD GRUB IS THE SPICE OF LIFE.
Their passion for British grub is also the reason the pair, who call themselves The Incredible Spice Men, first met back in 1999. Singh, a fourth-generation Scottish Sikh, had won a local cooking competition in Edinburgh and headed to London soon afterwards. His food philosophy - cooking British classics with an Indian twist - led him to seek out Todiwala, who had recently relocated from Mumbai. Todiwala’s mission was to cook Indian classics using the finest British ingredients, and he quickly became known as one of the most exciting chefs in London.
Fast forward almost a decade and a half and the duo have released a book, The Incredible Spice Men, and recently had a five-part BBC Two series of the same title. “We’ve thought about doing something like this series and book, independently, for so long,” says Todiwala. The TV series showed them delivering a batch of recipes which are a blend of their cooking styles, while travelling the length and breadth of the UK, in search of the finest produce. When they find an item they return to their kitchen where they offer up a spicy new recipe as an alternative to tried-and-tested methods. LET YOUR PALATE BE YOUR GUIDE, AND TRY A BIT OF SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
For the beetroot salad, first make the dressing - whisk together the lime juice and honey in a small bowl, then mix in the smoked paprika, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. In a separate bowl, mix together the beetroot, raisins and mint leaves and pour over the dressing. Chill for an hour. Taste and add more seasoning if necessary.
2kg rolled pork loin, shoulder or collar 50ml vegetable or rapeseed oil Baby gem lettuce leaves, cleaned and well drained 3tbsp fresh coriander or coleslaw, to garnish For the masala marinade: 1tbsp broken pieces cassia bark or cinnamon 15 cloves 2 large dried red chillies 5cm (2in) piece fresh root ginger, roughly chopped 4 garlic cloves 2 small red onions, coarsely cut 1 longish fresh green chilli 1tsp turmeric 2½tbsp tamarind paste 100ml palm vinegar (you can also use cider vinegar) ½tbsp brown sugar 25ml sunflower or rapeseed oil ½tbsp salt
(Serves 6)
Preheat the oven to 200C/gas mark 6. To make the crumble topping, put the flour, salt and brown sugar in a large bowl and mix well. Taking a few cubes of butter at a time, rub them into the flour mixture until it resembles breadcrumbs. Sprinkle the mixture onto a baking sheet in a thin layer, using two sheets if necessary. Bake in the preheated oven for five minutes or until lightly
golden brown. Remove from the oven and break with a fork, then return to the oven and repeat the process a couple of times, until you have a lovely crunchy biscuit topping. Set aside; if continuing to cook the apple crumble immediately, do not turn the oven off. To make the filling, heat a wide, shallow, heavy-bottomed pan and melt the butter until it foams. Add the star anise and fry for a minute, then add the apples, sugar and cinnamon, and cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar has dissolved and the apple is soft at the edges. Remove the cinnamon and the star anise, and add a little bit more sugar if you like. To assemble, grease a medium-sized ovenproof dish with butter. Spoon the fruit mixture into the bottom, then sprinkle the crumble mixture on top. Ensure the oven is preheated to 200C/ gas mark 6, and bake for 20 minutes until the crumble is browned and the fruit mixture bubbling. Leave to cool slightly.
Preheat the oven to 180C/gas mark 4. For the masala marinade, coarsely crush together the cassia bark or cinnamon and cloves with a pestle and mortar. Gently toast this mixture in a dry frying pan over a low heat, until a spicy fragrance emanates from the pan. Tear the red chillies into pieces and add to the pan. Continue to dry-fry the mixture for a short while but do not burn. Set aside to cool.
To serve, put some creme fraiche into a small bowl and mix in some pomegranate seeds. Drizzle with a little pomegranate syrup and serve alongside the crumble.
ACTIVE
WORDS | Hannah Goodby – H.G. Equestrian
ALL THINGS EQUESTRIAN
PHOTOS | Peter Kwiecinski
In my previous article I spent some time talking about the importance of building up your experience with horses, and examining the financial implications before jumping in and purchasing your own.
THE NEW UN4GETTABLE BMW 4 SERIES COUPE.
To make the horseradish cream, whisk together the lime juice, honey and horseradish sauce in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk the double cream until soft peaks form when the whisk is removed from the bowl.
Good news normally comes in threes, but Buchanan BMW believes that it comes in fours too, introducing the NEW BMW 4 Series Coupe.
Stir the horseradish and lime mixture into the whisked cream. Add the chilli powder and salt to taste, and sprinkle on the parsley. Set the salmon slices onto individual plates, and serve with the beetroot salad and a dollop of the horseradish cream.
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PULLED PORK WITH CINNAMON AND CLOVE
APPLE CRUMBLE WITH STAR ANISE
ACTIVE
BUCHANAN.
TEST DRIVE | Steve Redford
(Serves 6-8)
TO GET YOU STARTED, HERE ARE THREE RECIPES FROM THE INCREDIBLE SPICE MEN.
For the crumble topping: 300g plain flour 200g brown sugar 200g unsalted butter, cubed and softened to room temperature, plus extra for greasing Pinch of salt For the filling: 75g unsalted butter 1kg eating apples (such as russet or cox), peeled, cored and chopped into large chunks 150g caster sugar 5 star anise 1 cinnamon stick To serve (optional): Creme fraiche Pomegranate seeds Pomegranate syrup
HARDWARE
SMOKED SALMON WITH SPICED BEETROOT SALAD
UP YOUR LIFE
Cyrus Todiwala and Tony Singh love food. They both believe traditional British fare is among the finest in the world, while our home-grown produce is the very best money can buy.
HARDWARE
Later, put the cooled spice mix in a blender. Add all of the remaining masala ingredients and blend the mixture to a relatively fine paste - this is your masala paste. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Rub the masala all over the pork, and place the meat in a dish in which it fits snugly. Set aside any remaining masala. Cover the meat and set aside in the fridge for a few hours, if possible.
he cynics amongst you might describe the NEW BMW 4 Series Coupe as the 3 Series Coupe. But a coupe it most certainly is, which means it will feature on a lot of wish lists - with good reason too. Aside from the obvious reduction in the number of doors, the new 4 Series Coupe models are marked out by a number of visual differences - only the bonnet is shared with its four-door cousin.
BMW’s latest iDrive system is simpler to use than in the past and is largely intuitive in the way you work your way through the menus. As in other recent models, the ‘Back’ key at the base of the iDrive lets you take a different path should you make a mistake. It also features a touchpad mounted on the iDrive knob that lets users write out phone numbers, contact names and navigation destinations - and also zoom in or zoom out the map – all possible with only one finger.
There are bigger LED headlights, a more aggressive front bumper, flared wheel arches and also ‘air breathers’ - small vents in the front wings which are primarily for improving aerodynamics but are also designed to catch the eye. There are LED lights at the rear as standard too.
It’s not just visual either. Thanks to a 25kg weight cut, and the standard lowered suspension providing a ride height at 500mm above terra firma, the 4-series has the lowest centre of gravity of all current BMW models.
On paper you might question paying more for fewer doors, but once you’ve seen it in the flesh it starts to make sense; this is one handsome beast.
Pour the oil into a roasting tin and heat on the hob over a medium heat. Scrape any excess masala from the marinated pork, place the pork in the roasting tin and brown well on all sides. Transfer to the oven and cook for 30 minutes. After that time has passed, reduce the oven heat to minimum. You can now pour a few tablespoons of marinade over the pork for extra flavour, and any leftover can be set aside to use for another dish.
On the inside there’s the familiar cabin layout which, in typical BMW fashion, manages to hit all the notes. The supportive seats, the crystal-clear instruments and the reassuring snap of all the buttons puts you at ease behind the wheel. It might only be a small change but the front seats are mounted 9mm lower than in the saloon, contributing to the sport feeling you expect from a car like this. In the back there’s a similar amount of room for passengers but the seats are sculpted to offer a bit more support to keep them in place as you tackle a challenging road. The lower roofline means a fraction less headroom, but only Herman Munster will find it a problem.
Cover the pork tightly with aluminium foil, well tucked in so that it steams in the tin and the meat literally falls off the bone when cooked. Cook for a further three to three-and-a-half hours if using a rolled joint; if using smaller pieces or individual chops, adjust your cooking time accordingly. Remove the pork from the oven and shred using two forks. To serve, put some pork on top of a lettuce leaf. Top with some coleslaw or some coriander.
And perhaps unsurprisingly it is the way the new 4 Series Coupe tackles the bends that really shows it in its best light. With sizeable wheels and tyres on this 435i M Sport version there is huge amounts of grip on offer, although when sports mode is pressed there is huge amounts of power available to play the hooligan. The quick and accurate steering, excellent body control and sheer enthusiasm - it tackles bends with a genuine joy to match any enthusiastic driver. The 4-series engine range comprises of thrifty petrols and diesels including the popular 2.0-litre diesel already seen in the 320d as well as the turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol, but here the range-topping 435i M Sport delivers a very strong 302bhp thanks to its twinturbochargers. The super-slick eight-speed automatic transmission works superbly whether its in auto or manual mode, and with the EcoPro, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes governing everything from the suspension, steering, throttle response and gearshift operation the new BMW 4 Series Coupe is genuinely capable of adapting to your current needs. The engine punches the 435i M Sport to 62mph in 5.4sec – enough to worry Porsche Caymans and out-drag a 5.0-litre V8 Jaguar XK.
The perfect partnership
Beginning the quest of owning your first horse – part 2
You may be dreaming of galloping atop a huge Arabian stallion, bareback, along a hot sandy beach, but Schumacher didn’t learn to drive in a Ferrari F1 car FACTS AT A GLANCE BMW 435i M: From £41,435 OTR. The 4 Series Coupe range starts from £28,280 Engine:
Auto Start-Stop - 3.0-litre petrol TwinPower Turbocharged 6-cylinder unit producing 302bhp and 295lb.ft
T
his time out I’m assuming you’ve put in the hours, mucked out, and calculated your initial and ongoing budgets. So now it is time to identify the right horse for you.
Transmission: Eight-speed auto or manual mode (Wheel Paddleshifters) driving the rear wheels EcoPro, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes with active cruise control Performance: Top speed 155mph, 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds Economy:
39.2mpg combined
Emissions:
169g/km of CO2
You can get all your BMW 4 Series Coupe questions answered by visiting BUCHANAN BMW. You can even take the 435i M Sport for a test drive.
It goes without saying that you have to continue to be somewhat realistic about things. You may be dreaming of galloping atop a huge Arabian stallion, bareback, along a hot sandy beach, but Schumacher didn’t learn to drive in a Ferrari F1 car (his starting point was a peddle kart that his Dad modified with a small motorcycle engine – according to Wikipedia).
BUCHANAN. Isle of Man Business Park, Cooil Road Braddan, Isle of Man, IM2 2QZ T: 01624 616161
www.buchananbmw.co.uk
And so it goes, it will make sense for many novice riders to begin with something reliable, sensible and straightforward – a Ford Fiesta of the horse world.
THE ALL-NEW
BMW X5
There’s a rational case for saying that you can get 95% of what the 4 Series offers from its only slightly more humble four-door siblings, but that would be missing the point entirely. There’s extra style as well as presence, and that’s something that anyone who can afford it, will. With the new 4-series, there is genuine ability to back up the looks. It’s distinctive style will turns heads wherever it goes.
1. WHERE SHOULD I START MY SEARCH AND WHAT SHOULD I BE CONSIDERING?
Get answers on the following from the seller:
These days there are plenty of websites and publications which list horses for sale. The Horse & Hound is a long established weekly that you can pick up in most good newsagents. Then there are the likes of HorseQuest, Horsemart and Horsedeals online.
THE HORSE’S TEMPERAMENT & EXPERIENCE You should find out what the horse’s temperament is like in general, and if it is suitable for a novice ride. Ask about:
Your instructor or riding school will be able to assist you with narrowing your search requirements. For instance: HEIGHT • If you are 5ft tall then an 18 hand horse is unlikely to be the one for you. You will require something smaller to provide you with greater control. AGE • A young horse under the age of 6 is effectively still at school, and therefore requires an experienced rider to bring it along. An older horse with experience of different situations is likely to be better for the novice ride. TYPE • You’ve heard the saying ‘horses for courses’ – a highly strung thoroughbred that is born to race may look good in a photo, but unless you plan on racing it, you probably won’t find it an enjoyable Sunday afternoon hack out!
2. WHAT SHOULD I BE ASKING THE SELLER?
WILL BE AVAILABLE TO TEST DRIVE FROM THE 18TH NOVEMBER AT BUCHANAN BMW
Despite a horse looking the part and the seller suggesting it may be a novice ride, looks can deceive! I would always recommend finding out as much detail about a horse as possible and taking it for a ride before making any financial commitment. For us Island folk this is especially important if the horse is based in the UK.
• The horse’s experience and what the owner did with them previously? Were they of a similar riding ability to you? If it was last ridden by an Olympian, it may not be your first choice. • Why the owners are selling the horse.
kick you into to next Tuesday when you try to brush it. Where is the fun in that! • Living in and out. Does the horse like to live out in the fields or is it happy to stay in the stable? You should also ask about whether or not the horse is good to clip and how they are with the farrier. THE HORSE’S HEALTH It’s always worth understanding a horse’s veterinary history; this could have implications for you further down the line.
• Whether it can be ridden independently or in company and on the road? Can it cope with traffic?
• Find out whether the horse has ever suffered any injuries or illnesses, and if it has ever been checked by an equine chiropractor and dentist
• Whether the horse can be ridden in an open field or if they treat that as the start of the Grand National and take-off.
• Ensure that the horse has been wormed regularly and is up-to-date with required vaccinations.
• The type of bit it is ridden in - ideally a ‘snaffle’.
You should also ask about vices, for example weaving or cribbing
• Whether the horse is easy to handle both in, and out of the stable, by a novice. You don’t want something that is going to
GENERAL In general you should always consider how long the seller has being trying to sell the
horse, and why they are selling. If it has been on the market for a while and the price is attractive, it is probably for a good reason. A picture, or in this case a video can paint a thousand words. If you can get the seller to provide a series of videos demonstrating the horse being ridden, working in and out of an arena, these can help you identify the well schooled from the undisciplined.
Next month I’ll be wrapping up this 3 part series, when I look at viewing, vetting and finally the purchase.
Be sure to read the December issue of Gallery motoring news. We have a review of the All-NEW BMW x5 with test drive comments from STEVE COLLEY.
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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE
BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS
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58 Spice Up Your Life
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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE
BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS
112 The New BMW 4-Series Coupe
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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE
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BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS
106 All Things Equestrian
CONTENTS Edito.....................................................................................................................................2 Wilkins Watch Of The Month.............................................4 Listings...............................................................................................................................6 Upfront........................................................................................................................9 The Secret Identity of IoM People...................8 Events................................................................................................................................10 The Embarrassing Parent..............................................11 The Friends List:Who Makes The Cut...12 Our Community...........................................................................14 News In Numbers......................................................................15 Me & My Pet........................................................................................18 Rant...................................................................................................................19 Current Affairs................................................................................................20 Look On The Dark Side of Life..........................22 Misc......................................................................................................................................24 Events...........................................................................................................................25 Aracelis & Robert Hunter’s Wedding........26 Creechurch Private Wealth.............................................................28 Devini & Lee Renolds Wedding...................................30 Emma & Chris Robinson Wedding.......................31 Ladies Day..............................................................................................................32 Yvonne & Dave’s 25th Anniversary.......................33 Rosanna & Alistair Mazzone Wedding..........34 21 Years of Corlett Bolton & Co......................................35 Dave & Ali’s 25th Anniversary.........................................36 Culture.......................................................................................................................37 Culture Vulture...........................................................................................38 My Name Is.........................................................................................40 Upload...........................................................................................................................42
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Fashion & Beauty.....................................................................45 Current Fashion Styles..........................................................46 Get The A-Lister Look............................................................48 Male Grooming.....................................................................................56 Appetite.............................................................................................................57 Spice Up Your Life..........................................................................58 Wines............................................................................................................................60 Travel..........................................................................................................................61 Island Travel Launch.....................................................................62 New York - New York.....................................................................64
Isle of Man | Home & Interiors | November 2013
The best place to find a new place in the Isle of Man
THE BEST PLACE TO FIND A NEW PLACE IN THE ISLE OF MAN 67
Active.....................................................................................................................105 All Things Equestrian..............................................................106 Clean Fitness Apparel........................................................108 Bodymann.........................................................................................................110 Hardware......................................................................................................111 The New BMW 4-Series Coupe.............................112 Concept Cars...............................................................................................114 Gadgets.................................................................................................115 Phone Home.............................................................................................116
OFFSHORE BUSINESS
Isle of Man
NEWS
EVENTS
COMMENTS
Issue 4
2013
In the Agenda
OFFSHORE BUISNESS NEWS, VIEWS & COMMENTS
Buzz Words & Management Fads Offshore Reports Q2 FINANCE - LLOYDS BANK IOM INVESTORS REPORT TECHNOLOGY - SURE INTERNATIONAL, THE CLOUD INVESTORS - SILICON IOM PLUS - IN THE NEWS, MONEY TALKS, CORPORATE CULTURE - THE KEY TO SUCCESS
Paparazzi.....................................................................................................119 Villa Marina...............................................................................................120 Tahiko......................................................................................................................122 Nexus..........................................................................................................................123 Bordellos..............................................................................................................123 The Outback................................................................................................124 The Cresent...................................................................................................125 Emma & Chris Wedding Reception.............128
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isle of man premier magazine
upfront
THE SECRET IDENTITY OF ISLE OF MAN PEOPLE WORDS GRANT RUNYON ILLUSTRATIONS BEN ROBERTSON
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THE CONSPIRACY THEORIST
THE SUBMISSIVE MANAGER
THE MIGHTY WIZARD
OUTWARD APPEARANCE: Slightly crumpled, balding, fidgety. The type of nondescript man you expect to stand two spaces away from at a pub urinal. You think you might know him from work, but you wouldn’t say hello because he never makes eye contact. He avoids branded clothing, chain restaurants and airports. Obviously somebody who drinks strong coffee after midnight.
OUTWARD APPEARANCE: Power suit, coloured braces, a cloud of cologne that cost more than your weekly shop. Air of public-school entitlement. This man is used to hiring, firing and harassing his underlings in order to get exactly what he wants: money and power. Most people assume the occasional bruises are from squash or rugby.
OUTWARD APPEARANCE: Meek, bespectacled IT specialist. Pen in shirt pocket and belt-mounted mobile phone holster. Pale-skinned and lactose intolerant. Bullied at school for being unable to explain calculus to fellow tenyear olds. Terrible posture.
AWAY FROM PRYING EYES: In reality, he lacks the time for personal grooming because life is a race against time to uncover a conspiracy that goes right the way to the top. He’ll expose the truth, or die trying, and his numerous (yet mysterious) enemies know this. That explains numerous parish hall enquiries, a lack of success with women and a strange obsession with whether or not Prince Philip lays eggs. He’s seen The Matrix 50 times and thinks it’s a documentary. Somehow the international conspiracy that controls the media doesn’t prevent him from updating his blog twice daily.
DRESS-DOWN DAY: When he finally gets off work, the alphamale man’s man spends his downtime leathered-up, chained down and receiving copious spankings from an expensive dominatrix operating out of St John’s. If this naughty slave doesn’t do exactly what mistress says he’ll be punished, and there’s no opportunity to call HR when the boss has a six inch stiletto heel hovering over the two most valuable investments in your stock portfolio.
HIS TRUE FORM: Grufar the Dragon Mage is Supreme Paladin of the Guild of Enchanters, the most feared lawful faction in the online fantasy realm of Ultimoth. Through possession of the Shield of Scrofulax, he commands respect from over 7 million gamers worldwide. Knows that non-virtual people think this is extremely sad - doesn’t care because his side business of selling magical artefacts on eBay brings in about £400 a week, all of which he has been investing in high-performing stocks since 1996. He’s cyber-dating two Japanese bikini models.
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PEOPLE USED TO LIVING IN CITIES OFTEN SAY THAT THERE IS SOMETHING VERY EERIE ABOUT THE PARTICULAR CLOSENESS OF ISLAND LIFE. SURROUNDED ON ALL SIDES BY THE OCEAN; FRIENDS, NEIGHBOURS AND ENEMIES ARE NEVER FAR AWAY. Islanders are curious, nosy even, so secrets spread fast in a place where gossip is a valuable currency. In plain English, this means that if you like to spend your off-time dressed up as a cowboy with no pants, sooner or later your boss will know about it and your neighbours will be coming over to borrow your lassoo. Perhaps your secret isn’t even that shocking - maybe you just don’t like co-workers knowing you speak fluent Klingon. In cities, you
have enough space for everybody to do their thing - if you live in an area where your people tut at your interests you can just move a mile across town to an area where anything goes, Commander Worf. Here in the IoM, privacy must be maintained by a convincing outward layer of bland normality, to ensure that relatives and coworkers don’t ask questions about all those parcels and can never, ever guess why you buy so many cucumbers.
THE SWINGERS
THE CULT MEMBER
THE SUPERFAN
OUTWARD APPEARANCE: Polite middle-aged couple dressed in Marks & Sparks smart-casual. Probably teachers. No children, but at least three small dogs. They go caravanning on the mainland every three months. Once went to the Algarve but found the food too spicy. Always give the impression that they’re checking you out.
OUTWARD APPEARANCE: Unremarkable apart from the wide, starey eyes and an expression of inner joy. Maybe he does a lot of yoga? Very calm - clearly knows something you don’t. Always smiling at a phone timer that is set to go off in exactly 8 months, 3 days and 22 hours. Possibly wearing sandals.
OUTWARD APPEARANCE: Middle-aged lady, bingo wings. Owl glasses, sensible perm. Knitted cardigan with a picture of an Alsatian on it. Bulging shopping bags full of - what exactly? Probably volunteers at a charity shop. Always buying pop magazines aimed at teenage girls - perhaps they’re for her nieces.
LET IT ALL OUT AT THE WEEKEND: Never happier than when the caravan hits the M6, Phil Collins on the stereo, a suitcase full of PVC knickers, Polaroid film and assorted role-play uniforms. They’re en-route to visit Marjorie and Kenneth in Bolton, who’ve got a lovely dungeon in the spare room of their semi. Of course, there’s time to visit some famous dogging spots on the way - darling, what was the name of that charming footballer we met last year?
LOOK PAST THE MATERIAL PLANE: When not spreading The Word, he is clad in robes of shining purple, which the Universal Leader L Bob Cupboard has decreed as the resonant colour of the higher universe. Perhaps you would be interested in learning more about the psychic emanations that sing to us from the divine layer? There is room for many more in our starship, although the Leader instructs that we will commence our final journey very soon. Caution: there is no turning back, for the life of this world is short indeed. GIve L Bob your heart, and also your PIN code.
BIRTHDAY SUIT: It puts the lotion on the skin, or else it gets the hose again. Most people assume that Jedward vanished from the public eye due to waning public interest. Well, one person will NEVER forget beautiful, talented Jedward, because she’s got them imprisoned in a well in her basement. From the first moment she set eyes on these angelic twins, she KNEW that Jedward deserved to live forever. Well, not ‘live forever’ in the literal sense, as she plans to starve them, skin them and wear them both like a cute little man suit. Shh, don’t tell anybody! Bieber is next.
because quality matters
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upfront
Events & THINGS TO DO
November 2013
07-09.11.13
Flare Path BY TERRENCE RATTIGAN GAIETY THEATRE
It is 1942. At the Falcon Hotel, on the Linconshire coast, Teddy a young RAF bomber pilot celebrates a reunion with his actress wife Patricia. They are thrown into upheaval when Hollywood heartthrob, Peter Kyle, arrives and an urgent bombing mission over Germany is ordered. Who will make the sacrifice during the long night, as Patricia finds herself at the centre of an emotional conflict as unpredictable as the war in the skies. Flare Path is a story of love and loyalty, courage and fear. Tel: 600555 www.villagaiety.com
13.11.13
George Galloway GAIETY THEATRE
George Galloway won a parliamentary seat as a Labour candidate in 1987, 1997 & 2001, and became one of the most vocal opponents the decision to join the American invasion in Iraq, which ultimately resulted in his expulsion from the Labour Party. He went on to make two landmark appearances that dominate any discussion about his career. The first, was in front of the US Senate and counts as one of the most combative but celebrated pieces of political oratory in recent memory, and won him the grudging respect of even vociferous opponents. And then George did it again - appearing on Celebrity Big Brother in a move he hoped would help publicise his political views, but led the country to outrage, his opponents to gloat, and the media to write him off again. Yet in 2012, he won a stunning bye-election in Bradford with a thumping margin, defeating the Labour candidate, sweeping back into Parliament, and confounding all of Britain barring himself. A role George Galloway especially relishes. Tickets from £15.00 Tel: 600555 www.villagaiety.com
24.11.13
Gaz Brookfield Jabberwocky
MIDGE URE
CENTENARY CENTRE - PEEL An intimate acoustic evening combining a collection of his own classic songs, stories and some of the songs that inspired him. Tickets £22.50 www.etickets.im
16.11.13
MAnx Stars in their eyes 2013 villa marina / royal hall
The Island’s biggest and longest singing competition gets even bigger and better for 2013. Tickets are now on sale for this years event, which will be held at the Villa Marina on the 16th November 2013. Top prizes for the top three singers on the night. All proceeds raised throughout the night will go to this years chosen charities. Tel: 600555 www.villagaiety.com www.manxstarsintheireyes.co.im
22-23-25-30.11.13
Glee - Live on Stage GAIETY THEATRE
The show features some of the most memorable and best-loved pop and musical songs from the TV series including the group’s number one hit: Don’t Stop Believin’, River Deep Mountain High, Jump, Valerie, Pretty Young Thing, Single Ladies, Lady is a Tramp, Forget You, True Colours, You Can’t Stop The Beat, Proud Mary, Footloose and many more! Described as “equal parts musical theatre, gleeful pop culture phenomenon and Journey-loving rock show, not only is there an elevated, infectious energy you don’t get from just watching the show at home, but the feeling of euphoria can’t be matched!” A show that is sure to have the Gaiety Theatre rocking from start to finish with a professional cast many of whom have starred in the West End! Audiences are set to be dazzled with this high energy, vibrant and colourful show-stopping production with stunning choreography and outstanding vocals.
Available on line from www.etickets .im/jp or from Jabberwocky.
In association with the Island of Culture 2014, the show will feature local primary school and theatre school choirs from around the Island. Producer Carl Parker said : ‘we are delighted to have so many local primary school choirs participating in what will be a highly dynamic and thoroughly entertaining show’.
Tel: 665299 www.jabberwocky.com
Tel: 600555 www.villagaiety.com
Gaz Brookfield . Award Winning singer - songwriter performing at Jabberwocky, Duke Street, Douglas. Doors open at 7pm Show starts at 8pm. Tickets £15.00.
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08-09.11.13
isle of man premier magazine
upfront
IDENTITY CLASH
The Embarrising Parent
I
don’t believe it, sighed Lucy, holding up her mobile for her friends to see. ‘My mum’s done it again’. Hotmama1962 was now following Lucy on Twitter. And Hotmama1961 was Lucy’s mother. Lucy groaned to herself.
It was bad enough when her mum got onto facebook, with all that constant poking, and she hasn’t forgiven her yet for posting comments about her photos - who she thought was fit and who wasn’t. And did the world really need to know that she’d left her homework at home? doesn’t she understand that kids need some space? Of course Lucy should have known her mum was going to turn into the worst kind of embarrassing parent. All the signs were there; those naked baby photos on display at home, all that inappropriate hugging and kissing when she used to drop Lucy at school, and her mother going completely overboard whenever Lucy was in any of her Christmas plays, cheering and yelling ‘go Lucy!’ from the front row. One year it got so bad, the head had to escort her parents out. And there really should be some rule that stops parents calling you names they thought were cute when you were three, as soon as you get to school, thinks Lucy. She still hasn’t got over the rest of year six, calling her ‘sweetpea’ for a whole term. And then there were the family weddings that inevitably involved her mum making
an exhibition of herself, gyrating wildly to the macarena. It’s pretty hard to hold your head up once everyone’s seen your mum clearing the dance floor with her terrible contortions. At least no-one from school had been there. Lucy thinks she’d just die if any of her friends saw her mum in full 80s mode. Just mortifying. Janice is blissfully unaware of how embarrassing she really is. She thinks she’s a cool mum - not old and and boring like Lucy’s dad who keeps talking about the ‘interweb’ and spacebook and myface. So behind the times. Not like her. She’s down with the kids. She’s in with the crew. She’s heavy. Or is it not heavy? And is sick a good thing or a bad thing? She can’t quite remember what they were saying on Skins now. Mind you, everyone mumbles so much, she can hardly make out what they’re saying half the time. Maybe she should try keeping the teletext subtitles on. But she’s up with the teen slang. After all, she got top marks in that good housekeeping quiz last month; ‘Test your teen slang’. And as for texting, well she’s lol-ing and ttfn-ing with the best of them. Move with the times, that’s what Janice says. You wouldn’t catch her doing anything as stupid as Caroline next door, taking her mobile back to Sure because she kept getting what she thought were garbled text messages from her children. ‘It was like they were in code,’ Caroline had told her, shaking her head ‘all these letters and numbers everywhere. Honestly, you’d expect
one of those expensive phones to last a bit longer than two weeks before packing up.’ Janice had just smiled and rolled her eyes when Caroline wasn’t looking. Lucy was so lucky to have a mum who knew her stuff. And this weekend, Janice is going to prove it to her. She’s read on Lucy’s facebook page that she’s planning a big night out with her friends at Tahiko, and Janice’s going to go too as a surprise - just to show her that her mum really is the coolest mum ever. It’s just up her street as well, it’s an Michael Jackson night and she’s been practising her moonwalk. And she’s found just the thing to wear too, a lovely miniskirt from New Look. It’s just like one Lucy bought last week. People might even think they’re sisters, thinks Janice to herself. She can’t wait to see the look on Lucy’s face when she turns up. Sub-species include: The ex-rocker, the ageing raver, hrt mum and the old hippies. Distinctive markings: Embarrassing dad might be spotted trying to hide his bald spot with a Ronaldo-style hairdo – sculpted with Brylcreem. Embarrassing mum will be trying to squeeze into something she’s ‘borrowed’ from her teenage daughter’s wardrobe. Natural enemies: Mid-life crisis dad who always insists on chatting embarrassing mum up. Mating call: “So darling, aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends?”
Editor’s Disclaimer: The characters, incidents and names portrayed in this article are entirely fictitious, and any similarity to the name, character and history of any person, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Some of the characters may have certain traits and/or mannerisms that may seem to suggest actual persons you know or have seen down the pub, but Gallery Magazine makes no claims that these traits exist at all or in this combination in any actual person. because quality matters
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upfront
Words | Clare Bowie
friend list: Who makes the cut? I
’m not talking about that weird and wonderful facebook list of “friends”. God knows, any random eejit can join that party, invited or not. Where else would you find pictures of your Mum’s loft conversion next to your needy work colleague’s sexy selfies? Not that I even have a facebook account!
“The pressure to be achingly cool, funny, rich and interesting on a daily basis is too much for me, all that effort and sharing in reward for a blithesome ‘thumbs up’ sounds exhausting, plus, there’s nowhere to hide!” How can I avoid my friend’s come dine with me (yes really!) party, if I’ve just checked in at Nando’s? Anyway, back to the list, this is supposed to be about friends, not FB! Whether you’re Fearne and Holly or more Madonna and Ga Ga, friendships can be a tricky business. My seven-year-old daughter is now on her third BFF and has already realised the cacophonous complexities of the female alliance. However, when I am not concocting ways to avoid them, my eclectic anthology of friends all keep me sane, highly amuse me or drive me mad in different ways.
Which one are you? Work Friend: Work friend knows nothing of your previous life, you actually have very little in common and yet she becomes your most trusted confidante, she knows the minutiae of your life like no other! She is privy to the truth regarding your in-(your face) laws, your unreliable ovulation pattern and your division of labour within the home. Old Fashioned friend: If she said she was going to call round on Thursday at 8pm, get her hair done on Saturday at 2pm or pick up your daughter, she really meant it. There’s no need for check-up texting or cancellation policy warnings with this one. She doesn’t like FB and makes you feel ashamed of your social smoking habit. Competitive Friend: She wants to know everything, from where you buy your crisps (hers are organic roasted root vegetable btw) to how much your tooth fairy gives! She is a professional mother, she rarely laughs, is never seen without make up and yet you stay together for the sake of the children, forever bound by brownies, play dates and pomposity. Intense Friend: You met as underdogs, both cogs of a detestable wheel in a bad office. Her commitment to her causes (boss bashing/motherhood) is stronger than any work ethic she ever had. Intense mummy is the daughter that Gina Ford never had, a dedicated convert, obsessed with the art of weaning and potty training. Intense mummy can simultaneously serve beetroot risotto, express breast milk and firm her pelvic floor whilst teaching baby sign language (in French). Flakey Friend: Flaky friend lives by her own rules in a land of vague. She rarely texts you back and you know she will change the arrangements several
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times before you actually meet. Flaky friend also asks for your address every Christmas, invariably forgets your Birthday and generally suits herself. Flaky mum inexplicably forgets that school starts and ends at the same time every day, always looks like she has overslept and yet; you still kind of envy her angst free blithesome approach to life. School friend sans kids: You had the best time at school, share a bank of amazing and sometimes cringe-worthy memories but she still wants to do it all and you can’t! Friend sans kids (FSK) goes out when she wants, spends ages getting ready and never has to enforce a Cinderella curfew on herself to avoid a heinous hangover. This same FSK can book a last minute trip to the sun in September, read books willy nilly and sleep until noon. You would never swap lives but sometimes you wish you could afford a nanny and a girl’s week in Barcelona. Not too much to ask, is it? High Maintenance Friend: Often found in the workplace, you consider her as more of a colleague than a friend but she sucks you dry, spits out your saturated soul and leaves you craving her Prozac after a week of her high-maintenance dramatic antics. She thrives on undivided attention, often cries on a regular basis, deeply regrets the one who got away and has a psychic line on speed dial. You want to help but you need to know when to step away from the vortex! BFF’S: Does what it says on the tin! They really know and understand you and yet still like you at the end of it. You can see them every day or once a year but will never ever run out of things to say. You are lucky if you have more than one of these precious jewels!
isle of man premier magazine
upfront
Our community
GIVE COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
JURBY COMMUNITY SCHOOL LAUNCHES MINIBUS APPEAL HOSPICE ISLE OF MAN’S HOSPICE CARE WEEK MAKING YOUR MOMENTS COUNT FOR HOSPICE
LOCAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY RAISES FUNDS AND AWARENESS IN AN ACTION PACKED MONTH
Hospice Isle of Man marked UK national week at the beginning of October with a series of education, awareness and fundraising activities.
A fundraising abseil down the TT Tower at the Grandstand and a full day conference were just two local events celebrating this year’s 60th anniversary of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
This year the clinical team led by Diane Corrin, Matron of Hospice, organised some fantastic events starting with a walk from Peel to Hospice on Sunday morning. 42 walkers took part in this event. The aim was for each team to walk 30 miles for Hospice. The next event was a quiz at the Outback with teams pitting themselves against each other with former Mayor David Ashford acting as quiz master!
The abseil on 21 September – where the original plan was to get 60 people to raise £60 each - smashed expectations with 61 intrepid dare-devils raising nearly £10,000 for this local charity which provides support and assistance for people with MS and their families.
The following week nearly 100 people attended the ‘Together to Beat MS’ conference at the Palace Hotel, where Thursday saw a fabulous blue coffee speakers from the UK included the Vice morning at St John’s Methodist Church Chairman of the MS Society John Litchfield hall with some wonderful cakes on sale to be eaten at the event or taken away for later and neurologist Dr Wojciech Pietkiewicz as well as the Isle of Man Branch’s Honorary digestion! Patron Sir Miles Walker CBE – a founder member – and its current chairman Derek Friday was a very busy day with the children’s hospice bears of Oskar and Craig Patience. Other speakers talked about how physiotherapy and occupational therapy visiting offices and schools taking part in can help people with Multiple Sclerosis ‘blue’ Friday. There was also a blue coffee live active, independent lives, and during morning in the Scholl Centre Day Unit at Hospice with lots of people attending. Again the afternoon insights into alternative blue cakes were a central theme! Tours were approaches to symptom management came from David Downie MBE, Medical also offered. Technologist at the Hyperbaric Chamber, and teacher of mindfulness meditation Mike Boots The Chemist held a week of Kewley. awareness and fundraising for the whole week while Heron and Brearley held a blues Email: mssocietyiom@manx.net night at the Railway and Artisan sold blue Tel: 07624 452207 cocktails! The Manx Electricity Authority www.mssociety.org.uk got involved by illuminating the power station for one night only to mark this care week.
Jurby Community School is launching an appeal to raise £20,000 for the purchase of a minibus. The appeal is spearheaded by Will Nelson, who became headteacher in September, alongside Michael MHK Alfred Cannan, who is chairing the appeal committee, and former acting headteacher Jean Tracy, who retired this summer after working at the school for 33 years. Mr Nelson said: ‘The Isle of Man is full of wonderful educational experiences and resources that can really help bring the children’s learning to life. Unfortunately at the moment the school is often unable to access these resources as the cost of hiring a bus or coach for the day is over £200. ‘With the purchase of our own minibus, we will be able to take the children out more often and at a significantly reduced cost. In addition, we will be able to take part in many more sporting events and competitions as, at the moment, we often have to rely on parents to transport their children, which is not always possible to arrange.’ The appeal got off to a successful start on Saturday when a coffee morning brought in more than £400. The school choir sang at the event and there were games for children and a raffle. Future events planned include a bag pack at the Co-op in Ramsey on Saturday 14th December and the school will also be producing its own Christmas cards, which will be going on sale in mid-November. If any businesses or individuals are able to help support the appeal in any way, you are invited to contact by telephone on: 01624 897651, or email: headteacher@jurby.sch. im Alternatively have a look at the appeal website www.sch.im/jurby
Hospice’s next event will be on Sunday 24th November 2013 with their Night Before Christmas fair between noon-5pm at the Villa Marina. www.hospice.org.im
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isle of man premier magazine
upfront
in NUMBERS NEWS
3.52
ÂŁ3.25m has been granted for a neonatal unit extension at Nobles hospital. The current facility is no longer suitable for the increase in numbers and types of newborns today.
The Department of Environment Food and Agriculture says time is of the essence with regards to the Island combating climate change. Scientists have now definitively stated that it is happening and is caused by humans. The Island has made a pledge to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050. For this to happen, we need to utilise low carbon alternatives in place of damaging fossil fuels.
2.2
If planning permission is approved, a plot of private land in Jurby of approximately 2.2 acres could become a nature reserve to provide a habitat for wildlife and aquatic birds.
678,000 In aims to avoid losing an essential part of the Islands Heritage, Tynwald has approved a ÂŁ678,000 scheme to relay the tram tracks at Laxey tram station, the hub of the line. This approval hopes to allow the regeneration of Rose Gardens and the creation of a Laxey Square.
because quality matters
2050
6-10
People in the Isle of Man are being urged to take a more active interest in their cholesterol levels. It follows a report from a UK based charity, which revealed that 6 in 10 people have high levels. Cholesterol is a main contributing factor to heart attacks and related heart disease healthy diets, exercise and fish oil tablets can help to keep levels low.
100 Up to 100 jobs will be created by two projects in Jurby for the construction of a bespoke wind farm with 5 turbines. Or will it? What is happening with this? One minute we are doing it - the next we are not!
The Communications Commission recently said that it was licensing Manx Telecom and Sure to introduce fourth-generation (4G) mobile phone services to the Isle of Man. The Main objective of 4G is to offer high-speed mobile data services, allowing customers to access broadband services over mobile at comparable speeds to those experienced over the fixed network. Both network operators plan to launch the service in July 2014.
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Love Christmas Love The Strand
T
here is nothing quite like the experience of Christmas shopping. The shops full of tempting presents you can pick up and feel, the smell of the Christmas trees and mince pies, the sound of a brass band and a school choir singing carols – all these are available in one place at The Strand Shopping Centre.
The Strand has been making Christmas special on the Isle of Man for over 23 years and we look forward to making this year one to remember. Our famous Christmas Winter Wonderland where you can meet Santa will open on the first late night opening on the 21st November and will be located on the ground floor where there will also be a children’s play room and colouring competition running throughout the festive period. Children can also write a message to Santa on our popular wall. Complimentary mince pies and non alcoholic mulled wine will also be available on the Thursday late night shopping. As well as many of the Island’s favourite shops like HMV, Miss Selfridge, Peacock, Millets, Card Factory and Mothercare, we have some great independent outlets like the spacious and child friendly Café Avanti and Modeltech. New for this Christmas in the centre will be Andrew Barton Photography and The Manx Craft Guild, with 14 different members offering a whole range of great Christmas gifts. Check out/sign up to our Facebook, twitter and web site for more information.
The Strand has been making Christmas special on the Isle of Man for over 23 years and we look forward to making this year one to remember
Shop for longer at the strand with our extended opening hours
Thursdays from 21st Nov - 19th Dec, 9a m-9pm Monday 9th - Friday 13th Dec, 9a m - 6. 30pm Monday 16th - Friday 20th Dec, 9a m - 7pm Sunday 22nd Dec, 10a m - 5pm Monday 23rd Dec, 9a m - 9pm Tuesday 24th Dec, 9a m - 4pm Thursday 26th Dec, 11a m - 5pm Tuesday 31st Dec, 9a m - 4pm New Y ears Day: CLOSED Thursday 2 Jan: Return to normal
Thursday late night shopping starts 21st november to 9pm Tel: 01624 662411
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/thestrandshoppingcentre
/strandshopping www.thestrand.co.im isle of man tyle magazine
upfront
3FM enchanted Santa’s winter wonderland
Santa’s Winter Wonderland Opens on Thursday 21st
November
Santa is in town and will be welcoming children to visit him in his Magical Winter Wonderland, all for £5, which includes a lovely gift, memorable photo and a chance to write a special message on our wall.
because quality matters
Tel: 01624 662411
Santa Grotto times are as follows
Thursday’s 5pm until 8pm Saturdays 11. 30a m until 4. 30pm Sunday’s 1pm until 4pm Monday 23rd December 11. 30a m until 4. 30pm Tuesday 24th December 11. 30a m until 3pm
/thestrandshoppingcentre
/strandshopping www.thestrand.co.im
17
upfront
me& mypet
names Pet: Finley other names: Finn, big Finn, and KC name is lispencer of Glen Rosa. Human: Liz Allcote
species FINLEY: Irish Wolfhound Terrier Tell us about yourself… Liz: I’m married with four children and five grandchildren. My husband and I have been bikers all our lives and went on to be trained motorcycle instructors, but now I am a stay at home mum and grand mum with two beautiful dogs to take care of. Age: Finley: 17 months
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Liz: I am a full time housewife and a mummy to my fur babies with lots of family rallying in a lot, which is lovely.
Finley: Chasing his brother on the beach, and pinching sponges out of the sink. He loves his cups of tea in the giant cup and he loves his blue ball. He also likes to sit on my knee, but at 12 stone, he is very heavy. He looks out for daddy to come home from work and he stands up against the gate which looks amazing, because he is well over six foot tall.
Do you have any more pets?
Dislikes:
Where are you originally from? Liz: We are originally from Castletown; we moved to Port St Mary in 1996. What do you do for a living?
Liz: Yes, we have a two and a halfyear-old bearded collie cross Irish Wolfhound called Charlie. Would you have any more pets? Liz: In a heartbeat, we will be getting another Irish Wolfhound soon! The best and worst thing about having a pet is…? Liz: The best is the love they have is unconditional; it’s so hard to put in to words how much I love dogs. Worst - their hair! If human/animal what would you be: Liz: If I were an animal I would quite like the idea of living like a wild wolf; except I don’t like the idea of an Irish Wolfhound chasing me!
Where do you live on the Island?
Finley: Dinosaur, because he’s very prehistoric!
Liz: The beautiful Port St Mary, very close to the beach!
Likes: Liz: Babies of any kind on this planet! And I love the Playstation especially Tomb Raider and obviously my family (past and present).
Liz: Dentists and rude people. Finley: Water (except for the sea water) and getting told off (which doesn’t happen very often because he’s so good) and he doesn’t like little dogs jumping on him because it scares him. Interesting Fact: Liz: I’m from the planet ZOG. Nanoo nanoo hehehe! Finley: We watched a TV programme a couple of weeks ago about the biggest pets in the world and the tallest pet in Britain is an Irish Wolfhound called Finley as well! Anyway, Finley from Britain was 38 inches tall and my Finn is 37 inches tall and he still has more growing to do yet! And the other Finley was 3 years old (fully grown) and my Finn is only 17 months old and still has more growth in him yet, so look out British Guinness world records! And he has a 27 inch neck (which is the size of my daughters waist!) his chest is 38 inches. His height is 6ft 6inch +, and weighs 12 stone (at the moment).
isle of man premier magazine
upfront
rant
Words: Mean Kitten Illustration: Will Davies
A
sk a man what the weather’s like and he’ll say “Eh? What weather?” Ask a woman, and she’ll produce a sheaf of satellite maps, ask whether you want that in celsius or fahrenheit, and offer you the option of a five or ten-day forecast. This is due to the biological fact that women feel the cold more than men and need to be constantly prepared for any potential drop in temperature. Most men, however, still have trouble grasping this simple fact until their beloved loses at least two fingers to frostbite and collapses with hypothermia. Men, damn their insensitive hairy hides, are impervious to freezing cold conditions. How else can you explain their ability to survive subzero temperatures wearing only their favourite threadbare t-shirt? Even when it’s officially been declared the coldest day in 50 years, you will still see men gadding around in vests while most women are looking for a bear to skin. Of course, just when the equivalent of a nuclear winter is upon us, the bloody boiler will start to play up. When it eventually stutters to a halt, the plumber will require at least 500 begging phone calls and pleading letters written in your own blood before he decides to come and take a look at it. You - in the meantime - will have to spend your time swaddled in blankets hunched over a one-bar electric fire like a neglected pensioner from one of those grim age concern adverts. On the plus side, you will have learned to layer clothing with the skill of a polar explorer. When the plumber and his gormless assistant arrive, don’t forget to greet them like they’re a cure for cancer. Break open the biscuits as well, because the only machine they’re really interested in seeing work will be your kettle as they stand in slack-jawed wonder at the stalactites on your ceiling. When they eventually look at your recalcitrant boiler, be prepared for a lot of head scratching and mutterings about “loose fittings” and “is it worth it?” Finally, after another KitKat, they’ll tell you it needs a new part. But guess what? they don’t have that part with them! no, really? so, they’ll take off in their van to supposedly scour the streets looking for “the part”, while the minutes and the pounds add up. What usually happens next is that they come back to you looking as cheerful as two grave-diggers to inform you that they’ll have to order the part from a factory in China and that it’ll be three months at the earliest before it arrives. Then they’ll slap their invoice on the table and tell you to “wrap up warm” as they
because quality matters
make their getaway. You’ll barely notice because you’re too busy fantasising about blasting them with a shotgun and using their heads for firewood.
“He has finally learnt that what is a mild breeze to him constitutes a blizzard in my book.” Even though I - personally - have enough blubber to rival an Alaskan seal, I still shiver uncontrollably if someone even breathes too hard in my direction. That’s why when I ask my other half how cold it is, he now knows to respond (after years of intensive training) “three layers and your goretex hat with the ear flaps” or “balaclava and salopettes”. He has finally learnt that what is a mild breeze to him constitutes a blizzard in my book. Mind you, during the coldest months, there’s nothing I like more than pinning a man down, gazing into his scared bloodshot eyes and thrusting my icy little paws into his warmest crevices. (If he puts up a fight, a syringe of ketamine and a steady hand will usually do the trick). So, when you hear women bragging about how “hot” their men are, don’t get too excited - we’re usually referring to your thermal prowess! Unfortunately, the coldest environment I experience isn’t exactly weather dependent. Every time I see the in-laws, there’s definitely an Arctic chill in the air. Right from the start, they made me feel as welcome as an ice-cream headache. I like to think that ol’ Knife Eyes (as I affectionately call the mother-in-law) has somehow cryogenically frozen all of her warm and tender feelings for me, lest she overwhelms me with them. However, given that she can strangle kittens using just her tongue, I’m not expecting a thaw anytime soon...
19
upfront
current affairs Welcome, dear reader, to Current Affairs; your chance to pose any number of questions to the Island’s business community.
1.
Sarah Ingrassia,
Senior Manager, Boston Limited
3.
Mark Wilson,
Managing Director, Sleepwell Hotels
2.
Sandra Taylor,
Personal Insurances Manager, Rossborough Insurance
4.
David Parsons,
Associate Director, KPMG
Next month, we invite you to ask our experts on the topics that matter to you. Simply send your questions to editorial@gallery.co.im.
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BOSTON
Q.
1.
What is the difference between a Trust and Company?
A.
In short – a great deal! Trusts and Companies are as different as apples and pears. For a start, Trusts have been around since the time of the Crusades whereas companies (as we know them today) are the new kid on the block, appearing in the 18th century. A company has a legal personality of its own – meaning it can sue and be sued. A Trust, in comparison, does not have this status, although its beneficiaries can act against the Trustee to enforce their rights (known as rights in personem). Following this, a Trustee can act against a third party on behalf of a beneficiary to enforce their rights (known as rights in rem). In most parts of the world, companies are subject to certain filing requirements. These are normally the memorandum and articles of association and, in some jurisdictions, annual accounts. As Trusts are effectively a private arrangement, there are currently no filing requirements. This makes a Trust a very attractive planning tool, providing anonymity for the Settlor and the beneficiaries. Generally speaking in a company, the shareholders are a matter of public record. Trusts and companies are similar in that they are (in some ways) fiduciary in nature. A Trustee owes a fiduciary duty to the beneficiaries whereas the directors of a company owe their duties to the company itself (and not the shareholders, as many believe). For my part, this has always made Trusts a more attractive and interesting option. In a well developed jurisdiction such as the Isle of Man, the development of Trust law and significant precedent cases have made it a proper law of choice for respectable Trustees.
isle of man premier magazine
upfront
The CurrenT Affairs Panel
rossborough Insurance
Q.
2.
I’m lending my car to a friend in a few weeks, do I need to add her to my car insurance?
A.
Yes, we would recommend adding your friend to your insurance. Adding her to your policy is relatively straightforward. Regardless of the possible financial impact of not being insured it is also an offence under road traffic law. To add your friend to your existing policy, you will need to contact your insurance policy provider. Be prepared, as you will be asked a series of questions. Your provider will want to know your friend’s full name, date of birth, occupation, the type of driving licence she holds and when she passed her driving test. They will also require details of any claims and accidents she has previously made and any convictions or medical conditions. Unless you already have a policy that covers any driver, you should expect to pay a small premium. If your friend has her own car insurance, it might have a ‘driving other cars’ extension. This would allow the policyholder to drive any other car that does not belong to her. Be aware that, in all but exceptional cases, this provides Third Party Only cover. This means only damage to third party property or injury to a third party would be covered. To learn if you have this cover, check your Certificate of Insurance or contact the company from which you bought your car insurance. It’s worth paying the premium for your own peace of mind, to guarantee your friend’s welfare and, in the event of an accident, to guarantee your car can be fixed and returned to you without any problems.
because quality matters
Q.
3. Q.
How does the star system work with hotels, and is a 4 star really the best?
Automatic exchange of information – what does it mean for me?
A.
A.
The Claremont Hotel
Although there is no unified global ratings system for the present, there is a set of common standards that we usually find are shared between neighbouring countries. In the Isle of Man, we adhere to the Visit England ratings standard for guest accommodation and hotels. Established in 2006, this is a common standard developed in England and shared in the UK. Hotel star ratings are determined by the quality of services, amenities and facilities available, but are also increasingly based on aspects such as the standard of welcome, service, cuisine, cleanliness and, of course, the staff. Within this system lie a series of other, unique accolades. Visit England’s Gold and Silver awards recognise exceptional service quality which outperforms a property’s existing star rating. A four star silver for example, will serve as an indicator that a hotel has performed to the utmost excellence within its physical capacity, and as such this can also be a great indicator of value. Overall, this ratings system is becoming increasingly robust and is certainly worthy of your trust. There are other resources available such TripAdvisor where you will find an aggregated community review score for the establishment in question, but be wary these are not always totally truthful and in some cases have been manipulated by venue owners or competitors. In my experience there is no accounting for a good night’s rest when away from home, so it’s best to not leave any room for surprises and take a view of all the above.
KPMG
4.
I am an IOM resident individual and I hold financial assets (including investment funds and bank accounts) in both the UK and on the Island: how will the automatic exchange of information agreements affect the amount of tax that I have to pay? The simple answer is that these agreements (which are initially with the UK and the US) will have no impact upon your tax liability. However, they do mean that certain information that was not otherwise available to the Assessor about financial interests located outside the Island will now be automatically provided. If (broadly speaking) the value of your “account” is more than USD50,000, certain information will be passed by the UK financial institution, via HM Revenue & Customs, to the Assessor. However, as you will (presumably!) be already declaring any income arising on such accounts to the Assessor, then this information flow should not cause any concern. Unlike the automatic exchange arrangements with the US, the arrangements with the UK are based upon residence and not nationality. Therefore, as you are not UK resident, there should be no automatic reporting of details by the Assessor to HM Revenue & Customs even if you are a UK (rather than British Islands, Isle of Man) passport holder. I also hold financial assets further afield: can I expect to see more information flowing automatically to the Assessor? You can also expect to see more information flowing automatically to the Assesor because the Isle of Man has committed to joining a pilot scheme which will mean the Island will be exchanging information automatically with many other countries in the future.
21
upfront
WORDS RICK ODDBUT, LIFE COACH ILLUSTRATION AOIFE LE GALLE
Are you sick of waking up on the right side of bed? Are you tirelessly enthusiastic about everything? Does watching Saturday night television fail to fill you with a deep loathing for the human species? If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to one or more of these questions then take heart in the fact that you’re not alone. You’re not simply ‘bubbly’, an idiot, or Fearne Cotton (i.e. both), but are actually one of millions of people who suffer from a common excess of positivity. There’s a part of your brain that doesn’t work properly, a part that pumps out cynicism and doubt, but it somehow got switched off and now you can watch romantic comedies without wanting to bludgeon the cast to death with a pickaxe handle. The most important thing for you to understand is that life doesn’t have to be like this. There is a cure for your condition, and with a little work you too can live a life rich with misanthropy, scepticism and spite. The first step is to recognise that you can change - you don’t have to resign yourself to a world where James Corden is considered amusing. You can choose a different path - a path paved with sarcasm that winds through a garden of bitterness. You can grow that garden yourself by weeding out the sunflowers and replacing them with nettles. You can picnic on a grave, in the rain. Why not start to make that change right now? Turn that smile into a grimace, and get started with some of these great tips to put a little bit of dread and angst in every day you’re forced to exist in this cruel and pointless universe. Remember - things can always get worse.
1
HOW TO LOOK ON THE DARK SIDE OF LIFE
If you’re feeling a bit jolly, perhaps you could spend a few hours thinking about those people who are more fortunate than yourself. Take a cold bath and try to imagine some of the many awful people who don’t deserve their easy lives - like Katie Price, all of One Direction or Donald Trump. How do you think they are feeling right now, with their giant mansions, luxury cars and heated swimming pools? Families are starving in Africa for want of less money than Donald Trump spends each week on wigs. Do you think Katie Price has to get out of bed at 7am just to drive for an hour to find somewhere to park before going to work? Of course not. She gets up at noon so her butler can feed her grapes.
BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS
After you’ve thought about that for a few hours, I’d recommend you start making a list. Begin with celebrities and work your way back down. Be really careful not to leave anybody off, as there won’t be time to rewrite it later when your hands are covered in gore and chainsaw grease.
2
MAKE SOME NEGATIVE LIFE CHANGES
It’s amazing how just a few small changes can bring a lot more darkness into your life. It’s so easy to get trapped in a routine of smiling at strangers and attending children’s birthday parties. Start by having at least three days each week where you oversleep and arrive at work hungover. Ditch your healthy salad lunch and replace it with chocolate bars, deep-fried meat and triple caffeine energy drinks. Skip the gym to play violent computer games in a darkened room, or to reply to the comments below newspaper articles and Youtube videos. Perhaps you could attend the cinema and sit behind a group of teenagers who spend the entire film using their iPhones? As you gain weight, lose sleep and become more irritable, you’ll soon notice a healthy contempt developing for your fellow man, which will gradually come to consume your very being, like a tapeworm with the voice of Victor Meldrew.
3
NEGATIVE THINKING IN THE WORKPLACE
We spend more time at work than we do with our families, yet when we come to make life changes we often devote most of our resources to creating a strained, mutually suspicious relationship with our relatives. Never forget, colleagues can be enemies too - in many ways they are better placed to bully, undermine and belittle you than your friends and family. If you don’t yet despise your co-workers, start by befriending the resident office joker, who will waste hours of your existence by repeating the catchphrases from TV comedies, regurgitating meaningless corporate buzzwords and talking about their football team. Studies have shown that exposure to ‘banter’ can be a key motivation for people who deeply wish for the extinction of humanity. If this doesn’t poison the workplace atmosphere like a
lingering broccoli fart, maybe you could start circulating depressing quotes and statistics by email, or by hanging up posters that snappily summarise the essential futility of human existence. You don’t have to be mad to work here, but it helps.
4
BLEAK ENTERTAINMENT
Art can be a powerful force in helping you recognise that the universe is a vast, hostile place in which you are of no more significance than a beetle. It may also drown out many of the voices in your head, or at least replace them with different ones. You should delete Gangnam Style, the music of the Beatles and anything not written in D minor (the saddest of keys) from your iPod, and then smash your iPod to tiny pieces with a hammer. Put the pieces in your pants, or try and eat them. You’ll be artistically richer if you spend your holiday savings on a complete vinyl run of the music of Morrissey, Leonard Cohen and Nine Inch Nails. Black out the windows of your fetid bolthole, light a few red candles and you’re ready for a dismal disco. Whatever you do, absolutely do not listen to S Club 7 - if you reach for the stars, you will only get burned.
5
HOW ABOUT A CHANGE OF SCENE?
Holidays can offer a break from the norm, and if you find your life is slipping into a comfortable, positive routine they give the opportunity to change your perspective with some fresh, depressing sights. Why not book a trip to a war-torn region of the Middle East, or to the site of a massive industrial disaster? Silently walking amongst the abandoned schools and rusting funfair near to Chernobyl will fill you with dread concerning man’s deadly hubris, and on the other end of the scale a week in Ibiza or Magaluf is likely to turn most intelligent people into a misanthropic night strangler. If returning home still fills you with a warm, unwanted glow than perhaps it’s time to make a permanent change and consider emigrating to somewhere a bit less pleasant. Strike out for pastures new, and the chance to become irritated with a whole new part of the world. Go and live on an arctic oil rig, a diamond mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo or simply Milton Keynes. As long as you stay connected to the internet, there’s little danger of you cheering up. Remember - tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life.
23
upfront
MISC
MISCELLANEOUS THE PAGE WHERE WE SHARE ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE’VE FOUND THIS MONTH THAT JUST DON’T HAVE A HOME ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE MAGAZINE
DID YOU KNOW?
HEART OF A LION
A motorist has been hailed a hero after luring an escaped lion into the back of his car in Kuwait after spotting it prowling the streets. Slamming the door after the lion, the fearless hero clambered inside too, then phoned the police. However, the lion soon became angry and started to rip up the interior. Thankfully officers managed to somehow transfer the beast into a police car and delivered it to Kuwait's Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources. A police source said: "The passer-by sat inside the car with it but then the situation became dangerous." The cub is said to have escaped from the home of a rich owner in the Gulf state, where exotic pets are considered status symbols. A police spokesman said: "People must be very cautious when they select the animals they want to keep as pets in their homes."
Dolly Parton once anonymously entered a Dolly Parton lookalike contest but lost to a drag queen!
CATNAPPED RIP REGGIE
Prison officials have been slammed for sending a sick guinea pig called Reggie Kray to a vet in a prisoner escort vehicle. The poor guinea pig had an ear infection and was whisked to the vets and after being treated and was thankfully reunited with his brother Ronnie, back at HMP Eastwood Park, at Wotton-underEdge. Unfortunately there was to be no happy ending, with Reggie sadly dying 2 hours later. Two vets were later called to prison to certify Reggie's death, which was later logged on the prison computer as a death in custody (#RIPReggie). After uproar that this was apparently a 'waste of funds', the Ministry of Justice confirmed that Reggie the guinea pig was taken to see a vet in a prison vehicle, although he was otherwise unaccompanied, with a later statement from the MoJ telling of the animals' value to the inmates: "A small number of donated animals are kept at HMP Eastwood Park to help with the rehabilitation of prisoners."
24
HEY HEY HEY IT'S MAGIC A US photographer's video of his beard apparently performing amazing tricks is proving a smash hit online. More than 700,000 people have watched the clip posted by Ben Garvin, from Minneapolis, on YouTube. His talented beard is apparently moving to his command, juggling combs and even hiding crayons, carrots and cucumbers. Mr Garvin says he shot the entire video on an iPhone and used an app called Stop Motion Studio to stitch it all together. "I knew this video was a hit when I showed it to my sevenyear-old son for the first time," he said. "He laughed so hard a small puddle appeared at his feet afterwards - a high bar!"
After a night out, a Californian man accidentally stole a cat while drunk. Posting an ad on Craigslist, he hoped to find its owners after realising it wasn't a stray. The ad said: "If anyone is missing a cat name Django (pronounced Jango the D is silent) I stole him last night. "Not on purpose, I was extremely intoxicated and thought he was just some random stray I was rescuing. "It was not until this morning when I was haphazardly going for a glass of water that I remembered I took the cat and noticed that he (had) a collar. "Django is a very frisky black cat, he also has very sleepy eyes and appears to be stoned although I don't think he is." The man apologised for stealing the cat and added that he had been feeding him cheese.
TOUJOURS TINGO
Love nowadays is just so complicated, but luckily for us the Germans have a few phrases to make it just that bit easier... Luckenfuller - the person one dates between two relationships (literally hole-filler) Backfischschwarmerei - the crush young teenage girls get for older men (literally fish-fried enthusiasm)
Die Bettgeschichte - a one night stand (literally bedtime story)
isle of man premier magazine
EVENTS
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* Subject to availability – terms and conditions apply. Prices include international economy flights with American Airlines to JFK from Manchester and international transfers; based on two adults sharing a standard room on a room-only basis for departures between 4 and 27 March 2014.
events
THE WEDDING OF ARACELIS & ROBERT HUNTER - 5TH OCTOBER Ceremony - St Ninians Church | Reception - Portofino Restaurant, Quay West, Douglas
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Photographer | Peter Kwiecinski
photographer - Matt Mosur - www.mattmosur.com
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Isle of Man premier magazine
Specialising in Mediterranean and International Cuisine “Consistently high standards and all dishes satisfy immensely”
“The food and wine served at this restaurant is absolutely top notch and worth every penny”
Email portofino@qualityservice.com or call 01624 617755 to make a reservation
“A good selection of food, well served, very good quality, overall an excellent experience”
“The décor is superb and the staff friendly and attentive”
Buon Appetito
www.portofino.im
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events
Creechurch Private Wealth celebrates with Yasmin Ingham Creechurch HQ - Douglas
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Photographer | Peter Kwiecinski
Creechurch Sports Academy member, Yasmin Ingham, joined Creechurch Private Wealth and their distinguished guests for a drinks reception to celebrate her double gold victory at the European Pony Championships in Arezzo, Italy.
Capital, said: “We are immensely proud of Yasmin and I am sure everyone here this evening can see she is a credit to her sport. I am confident that Yasmin will achieve even greater things in the years to come.”
Yasmin is the current British Champion and has recently been accepted onto the British Equestrian Federation Excel Talent Programme.
Yasmin commented: “Winning two gold medals and becoming British Champion was an amazing feeling and I couldn’t have done it without the support of my sponsors. I am grateful for this evening and for the opportunity they have given me.”
Stewart Quayle, business development manager at Creechurch
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photographer - Matt Mosur - www.mattmosur.com
Some things are just better left to the grown ups! Helpful banking, making things easier We know that managing your finances isn’t child’s play. That’s why we offer all our personal customers a free personal financial review with one of our customer advisers. Simply pop in to any of our branches and ask for your free review, and we’ll do the rest.
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events
Devini & lee reynolds wedding day Ceremony/Reception - Mount Murray, Santon
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Photographer | Peter Kwiecinski
photographer - peter kwiecinski - www.dollsfactory.net
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Isle of Man PREMIER magazine
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emma & chris robinson wedding day Ceremony - Kirk Maughold | Reception - The Pavillion, Laxey
photographer - Peter Kwiecinski - www.dollsfactory.net
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Isle of Man Bank Limited (IOMB). Registered Company Number: 1 Isle of Man. Registered Office: 2 Athol Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM99 1AN. Licensed by the Financial Supervision Commission of the Isle of Man and registered with the Insurance and Pensions Authority in respect of general business. Calls may be recorded.
events
Ladies Day Douglas Rugby Club - Douglas
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Photographer | Peter Kwiecinski
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Photographer | Peter Kwiecinski
Seventh Heaven - Douglas Rugby Club hosted the 7th edition of Ladies Day, a traditional pre-season gathering that fell into an autumn date due to ongoing clubhouse improvements.
spiced with the odd glass of champagne. After a buffet lunch kickoff at 1pm, the final whistle blew at 8.30pm. Firmly established in the social calendar, the oversubscribed event reverts to an August date for 2014.’
Thanks to the generosity of The Creek Inn, Utopia, Portofino, Tynwald Mills, Robinsons Fresh Foods and Steve McGowan of SMP Partners, the 60 guests vied for prizes throughout an afternoon
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Isle of Man premier magazine
events
Yvonne & Dave’s 25th Wedding Anniversary The Ticket Hall - Douglas Steam Railway Station
paparazzi@gallery.co.im
photographer - Peter Kwiecinski - www.dollsfactory.net
Photographer | Peter Kwiecinski
photographer - steve babb - www.babbphotography.com
paparazzi@gallery.co.im
Photographer | Peter Kwiecinski
You’ll know when it’s time to move on Helpful banking, making things easier Whether the family’s growing or you’re just moving up the ladder, our product options could give you an up front saving of at least £999 or help you enjoy a lower interest rate and you’ll have your own specialist mortgage adviser to help you every step of the way.
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Isle of Man Bank Limited (IOMB). Registered Company Number: 1 Isle of Man. Registered Office: 2 Athol Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM99 1AN. Licensed by the Financial Supervision Commission of the Isle of Man and registered with the Insurance and Pensions Authority in respect of general business. Over 18’s only. Security required. Calls may be recorded.
events
Rosanna & Alistair Mazzone wedding day Ceremony - St Ninians Church | Reception - The Mount Murray Hotel, Santon
paparazzi@gallery.co.im
Photographer | Peter Kwiecinski
paparazzi@gallery.co.im
Photographer | Peter Kwiecinski
The wedding of Miss Rosanna Connor & Mr Alistair Mazzone took place on the 5th of October with the ceremony taking place at St Ninians Church. The reception was held in the Mount Murray Hotel in Santon.
The couple were blessed with a glorious sunny October day that gave them the opportunity to go to Douglas Head to take a few pictures.
Rosanna and Ali would like to thank Bill Dale for the wonderfull photographs and all our family and friends for sharing thier special day and hope that everyone enjoyed themselves as much as they did.
photographer - Bill Dale - www. isleofmanphotos.com
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Isle of Man premier magazine
events
21 years of Corlett Bolton & Co. The Ticket Hall - Douglas Steam Railway Station
paparazzi@gallery.co.im
Photographer | Peter Kwiecinski
paparazzi@gallery.co.im
Photographer | Peter Kwiecinski
Friends and clients enjoyed the convivial hospitality of Corlett Bolton & Co Advocates at the Ticket Hall on Friday 18th October 2013 to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the founding of Corlett Bolton & Co. Principal, Sally Bolton, was
pleased to welcome the co-founder of the business, John Corlett, former partner Clare Faulds and a number of longstanding clients, business associates and staff for dinner and drinks to mark this impressive milestone.
Sally thanked the staff for their loyalty and commitment to the firm.
photographer - Peter Kwiecinski - www.dollsfactory.net because quality matters
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events
David and Ali’s 25th wedding anniversary Peel Golf Club - Peel
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paparazzi@gallery.co.im
Photographer | Peter Kwiecinski
paparazzi@gallery.co.im
Photographer | Peter Kwiecinski
paparazzi@gallery.co.im
Photographer | Peter Kwiecinski
photographer - Peter Kwiecinski - www.dollsfactory.net Isle of Man premier magazine
culture
culture
CULTURE VULTURE What’s on...
Now-01.12.13 Art Unlimited - Original and limited //tynwald mills//
17.11.13 Christmas Fayre //Salmon Centre - Laxey//
An exhibition by three Island artisit: Colette Gambell, Kate Jerry and Shelby SandyfordSykes. An eclectic feast of original works that must be seen to beleive. Tel: 801751 www.theislegallery.com
Arts and Crafts Christmas Fayre. Homemade produce, handmade soaps, candles, Christmas cards and more. Donations to Manx Cancer help. 11am430pm. Adults 50p children free.
21.11.13 DOuglas town centre christmas switch on // DOuglas TOwn Hall// The Christmas Lights Switch on will take place outside Douglas Town Hall Ridgeway Street. Don’t be late it starts at 6.30pm.
01.12.13 Isle of Man Symphony Orchestra Family Gala Concert //villa gaiety// Isle of Man Symphony Orchestra Family Gala Concert at 3pm. Tel: 600555 www.villagaiety.com
2-30.11.13 MANX LIGHT //Hodgson Loom gallery laxey// An evocative collection of new paintings by Paul Parker, capturing the very essence of this beautiful Island. Tel: 861395 www.laxeywollenmills.com
AN EXHIBITION ON THE THEME OF DANCE BY ANDREA BYRNE AT THE SAYLE GALLERY 8th24th NOVEMBER 2013 8-24.11.13 Sayle Gallery - Douglas Inspired by her daughter’s passion for ballet, artist and illustrator Andrea Byrne has chosen the theme of dance for her latest stunning exhibition. There will be some 60 highly detailed works of art, in watercolour pencil and the finest pen and ink. The tiny strokes and minute decoration mean that some have taken hundreds of hours to complete. It begins with the man who started it all, Louis XIV, who’s love of dance lead him to establish the first ballet school, the Paris Opera Ballet. Here, for the first time, students were trained to become professional dancers and ballet left the private realms of the court to become a public spectacle. Four eras of ballet are covered in the exhibition: Opera Ballet; Ballet d’Action; Romantic Ballet and the Ballet Russe. The last of these, “The Rite of Spring”, hit the Parisian stage in 1913 with such a blow on the opening night, that the audience rioted, tearing up seats as they went! It is still performed regularly today, usually receiving a more sedate response. Some of the dancers, such as Lully, Pavlova, Nijinsky are still well known today, but a number, whilst gaining enormous fame, wealth, reputation and occasionally notoriety in their own lifetimes, are more or less unknown outside the ballet world. Also on display will be a collection of playing cards: 53 small portraits of the dancers framed together in the four suits; and a large set of full colour, suit of cups, tarot cards, with a few of the major arcana cards, such as the Star, the World and the Moon. These works are depicted in a looser, more linear style, and each of the cups featured is an antique tea cup, which adds a surreal element! There will be short biographies on each dancer in the Gallery, booklets to take away, for those interested in learning more, a dancer time-line wall chart and quizzes with prizes for the younger visitors throughout the exhibition. The Sayle Gallery is open Monday 1pm-5pm,Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 1.304.30pm
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isle of man premier magazine
culture
Largest Knox Collection for Sale in the Island 16.11.13 - 10:30AM - 5PM The Basement - Pete Luis Building, Duke Street, Douglas Tel: 629530 / 353213
With almost 100 pieces, by the celebrated designer Archibald Knox for sale, Aylmer-Levine Fine Art and Michael Levine Decorative Arts are celebrating 25 years in business, trading from their premises in the Peter Luis Building. The Aylmer-Levine Gallery was set up by Sam and Lynn Levine in 1988 specialising in watercolour and oil paintings from the late 19th and early 20th Century. Five years later, in 1993, their son, Michael returned to the Island, after spending 3 years learning his trade standing antique fairs all around England to set up his studio along-side the gallery in the basement of Peter Luis Building, specialising in Art Nouveau and Art Deco. 20 years on and both are still going strong, with Michael taking over the reins from his parents on the painting side earlier this year. Their longevity is testament to their competitive prices and their eye for quality. Archibald Knox (1864-1933) was a Manxman whose designs were retailed through Liberty’s in London in the early 1900s and are now collected worldwide, especially in America where record prices have been made for his pieces ($210,000 for a silver and enamel cigar box, apparently purchased by Brad Pitt in 1999). Knox was also a highly regarded water colourist, and over the last 10 years or so, his paintings have become very sought after, highly collected, especially in the Isle of Man. The exhibition, having over 90 pieces of Knox design, will include pewter, silver and some paintings. Prices will range from £100 to £8,000. Amongst the exhibits will be clocks, tea sets, biscuit boxes, rose bowls, vases, trays, glass liner pieces, silver spoons and forks, a pair of rare enamelled ice buckets, several pairs of candlesticks; including a very rare and important pair of enamelled candlesticks. Also included in the exhibition will be works by other leading Manx artists including; John Miller Nicholson, William Hoggatt, John E Aitken, James Aitken, John H Nicholson, EC Quayle, Raymond Dearn, MW Leach, John Holden, amongst others. There will also be a selection of still life oil paintings by Nadine Lundahl. In Michael Levine’s studio, there is a fine display of Art Nouveau and Art Deco including Bronze figurines, Moorcroft, Clarice Cliff, Lalique, Cameo glass, WMF, Deco porcelain figures, Art Deco lamps and other mid 20th century glassware. The exhibition, starting on Saturday 16th November, will take place at their premises in the basement of Peter Luis Building, Duke Street, Douglas from 10.30 am to 5.00 pm.
because quality matters
The Manx Ballet Company Announces an Island First with Snow White, a Classical Ballet Performed by Children 1/2.11.13 - 2PM or 19:30PM Gaiety Theatre Tel: 600555
The Manx Ballet Company is presenting Snow White at The Gaiety in November, which will be the first classical production of a ballet in the Island performed by children aged 8 to 18 years old. Children learning classical ballet from dance schools all over the island auditioned to take part in this unique production towards the end of last year and 60 were chosen. The young dancers have been rehearsing since March and in the process have learned about the history and structure of a classical ballet production, as well as honing their acting skills alongside their classical dancing technique. Snow White will be a three act ballet with music by the 19th century French composer, Adolphe Adam, who is best known for writing the score for the ballet Giselle. The Manx Ballet Company was officially formed in 1999 to present classical ballet appealing to a broad audience. Its first production was La Boutique Fantasque (Debussy) and since then it has put on a production every other year. The Principals of The Academy of Dance were invited last year to produce Snow White, with Mari-Louise Britz as Choreographer and Pippa Salter as Head of Costume and Set Design. With children taking all the parts, they not only get the opportunity to perform in front of a large audience, but some have also been given the responsibility of taking on a lead role. Mari-Louise Britz explains: “We want to inspire young dancers, both boys and girls, to take part in future productions and enjoy performing in ballet. We hope that this production of Snow White will appeal to everyone, from children to adults, without diluting what classical ballet is about.” Commenting on the challenges which the young dancers have faced, she adds: “Using a score such as this one composed by Adam has proven to be a challenge as well as an inspiration to the students who are not necessarily used to listening and dancing to anything other than syllabus music. They have all risen to the challenge and we are very proud of what they have achieved.” Pippa Salter has overseen the production of a dazzling array of costumes, which together with the sets, will transport audiences into the magical world of Snow White. Pippa explains: “We want to convey the mystical side of the original story of Snow White rather than the modern interpretation of the ballet. To this end, we have created a historical and romantic thread with our costumes and set design.” Commenting on the latest production from the Manx Ballet Company, John Bethell, Chairman of the Manx Ballet Company, says: “In these three performances you will see the culmination of months of hard work in rehearsals and also the physical preparation by each of the dancers.” Tickets for Snow White are now on sale and there will be evening performances on Friday 1st November and Saturday 2nd November at 7.30pm and a matinee at 2pm on 2nd November. The Manx Ballet Company is supported by the Isle of Man Arts Council.
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culture
My nam e is Da niel Pr I’m a 20-yea ice; r-old a I also rt
studen work P t T in th studyin e famil living on the g. Island y busin ; ess w I have h il st I’m always enjoyed at a hig studyin her lev el at t g Art in has giv he Isl en me schoo e o t l and h f Man my su e freed C rround o o m l l e t g o e , in ex as it gs and ways a of mys press my vie nd w of elf in n as an a I look forw ew and ar rtist in differe the flo d to continu Falmou nt ing my wing y th. My e g a rowth r in a deep a t t e r t e h st tow e Unive comm ards A rsity o itment world. rt has f toward grown s a fu into ture w My art ithin t work e he Art xplore consid s how I er my landsc person experie ape. Liv ally se nce th in e and g a in the t The I Isle o sland h has strongly f as Man is influen have de ced my an veloped been a benefi artwor t to th as an a mainly k . e rtist. A with p way in aint an t the m which Isle o d print o I f Man m ent, I , creat the wa work ing ima y I se g es of e it. the danielj-price @hotm ail.com
Artist and Illustrators: would you like to see your work featured in Gallery Magazine? Simply get in contact with us mynameis@gallery.co.im
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isle of man premier magazine
iel Price Name | Dan Student Profession |
because quality matters
culture
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photo upload
The Monthly Upload Want to win £50? All you have to do is email your entry with the subject ‘upload’ to: upload@gallery.co.im Try to follow a time of the year theme, make the files nice and big though, about
2MB is a good size to aim for. We do try to print every photo following the guide but we can’t get them ALL on the page full size unfortunately - they just wouldn’t fit!
£50 r
winne
John Keggin
Dave Corkish
Jonathan Crossley
Michelle
Reuben Allan
Kirsty Moore
Zoe Cannell
Sam Waters
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culture
Andrew
Pauline Guest
Adam Peet
Jane & Emma Sarah Collins
Gerry Galbraith
Zemma Mayhem
Graham Smith
Charlie Woolnough
Paul Dougherty
Pat Gleave
Pauline Guest because quality matters
Adam Peet
Simon Arnold
Julie Barnham
Janette Phair
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fashion & beauty
/thestrandshoppingcentre
/strandshopping www.thestrand.co.im
fashion
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words | Jorja Helmot
WOMEN
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The new season brings about new trends and this winter it’s all about contrast. On the catwalk there was as much tough, punky, 90’s grunge happening with tartan, leather and denim as there was pretty, pearly, ‘nana-cool’ fashions. Androgynous styles are back for relaxed, masculine looks, alongside super contradicting feminine pink lace and mini skirts. 1. Asos - £13.50, 2. Asos - £42, 3. River Island - £20, 4. Miss Selfridge - £42, 5. Pieces @ Asos - £38, 6. River Island - £32, 7. River Island - £12, 8. Asos - £10, 9. Pieces @ Asos - £16, 10. Asos - £35, 11. Warehouse - £58, 12. New Look - £17.99, 13. Miss Selfridge - £24, 14. Asos - £28, 15. River Island - £45, 16. Mango @ Asos - 23, 17. River Island - £15, 18. River Island - £8, 19. New Look £17.99, 20. Miss Selfrdige - £160
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This winter a heritage feel flooded many catwalk shows, with tweed textures and earthy tones in abundance. Tartans and checks were the dominating prints, as well as opulent baroque inspired florals and paisley. Either way, smarter, cosier styles are setting the fashion mood for the colder months to come.
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1. River Island - £12, 2. River Island - £90, 3. River Island - £25, 4. New Look - £17.99, 5. River Island - £18, 6. New Look - £12.99, 7. New Look - £14.99, 8. Burton - £85, 9. Asos - £55, 10. Burton - £20, 11. Polo Ralph Lauren @ Asos - £65, 12. River Island - £30, 13. River Island - £25, 14. Asos - £10, 15. Burton - £30, 16. Dr Martens @ Asos - £150, 17. Burton - £17, 18. RiverIsland - £90, 19. Burton - £25, 20. New Look - £9.99
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beauty
Words | Lisa Morris
Get the Look
Gwyneth Paltrow:
Creative inspiration for Max Factor Q: What’s your make-up must-have? A: A good mascara and a little blush really goes a long way.
Behind the scenes at any magazine photo shoot you’ll find an army of spritzers, groomers and preeners to make sure the cover star looks picture perfect. But how do the celebrities manage once the make-up artists and hair stylists have packed up their kits? Here three of the most sought-after style icons - Gwyneth Paltrow, Katie Holmes and Nicole Scherzinger - disclose their personal beauty regime secrets and reveal how they maintain their dazzling A-lister looks.
Katie Holmes:
Face of Bobbi Brown Q: What’s your make-up must-have? A: I always apply blush in the morning, because I have dark hair and I really need it. Q: How does your look differ for evening?
Q: How would you describe your signature look?
A: When I’m going out, I apply eye liner on the inside of both the top and bottom lid.
A: I love that really cool kind of beachy look - a little bit undone, with a darker, smudgy eye. I like sexy and understated.
Q: What’s your hero beauty product?
Q: Do you like to experiment with your beauty? A: I feel very inspired by women who can wear both strong eye and lip make-up at the same time, but it’s not a look that necessarily suits me. I love a simple red lip teamed with an otherwise bare-looking face. Q: Do you wear make-up every day? A: No, I don’t wear make-up every day, especially if I’m just working from home or picking up the kids. However, if I have a meeting I’ll definitely put on some concealer, mascara and creamy blush. Q: What’s your best beauty tip? A: I try to look after my skin as much as possible by keeping it fresh-looking through exfoliating and moisturising. I exfoliate my skin about four times a week. Gwyneth Paltrow’s latest Max Factor ‘The Actress’ campaign celebrates the launch of the new Creme Puff in gold packaging, £5.99, available now Boots and Superdrug
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Celebrity beauty secrets are revealed as Lisa Haynes takes a peek inside the personal cosmetics bags of three very famous faces.
A: I love the new Bobbi & Katie palette. It complements different skin tones and the colours go from morning to evening, so it’s everything you need in a day. Q: What’s in your make-up bag? A: I used to carry huge tote bags with dry shampoo, Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick, and a blush brush but realised I had to cut back. Now I carry a smaller bag with just a makeup palette. Q: What’s your best beauty tip? A: Bobbi has taught me the importance of blending techniques. You don’t look like you have a lot of make-up on, no matter how many products you use - it never looks cakey. Bobbi Brown Limited Edition Bobbi & Katie Palette, £50, available now, www.bobbibrown. co.uk
Nicole Scherzinger: Global ambassador for Herbal Essences Q: What’s your daily beauty routine? A: Every morning I wash my face with SK-II Facial Treatment Essence, followed by eye cream and moisturiser. The SK-II eye cream is one of my favourite beauty products - it’s just so good. Q: What’s your make-up musthave? A: All I need is some eyeliner and lip gloss. Q: What’s in your make-up bag? A: Max Factor Colour Elixir Giant Pen Stick, Diorshow Black Out Waterproof Mascara, Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint, Jurlique Rose Silk Finishing Powder, Herbal Essences Bee Strong Strengthening Spray and SUQQU nail polish. Q: Do you like to experiment with your beauty? A: I love to experiment with different looks. The other day I wore turquoise blue eyeliner underneath my eyes. At the moment I’m also really into bright coral lips. Q: How do you look after your long hair? A: I use the Herbal Essences Bee Strong Shampoo and Conditioner on a daily basis, and Herbal Essences Bee Strong Strengthening Intensive Mask as a weekly treat if my hair is in need of some TLC.
isle of man premier magazine
Choose that perfect gift for the one you love
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fashion beauty
GRE AT GRE AT
2011
SK N SK N NOW NOW
June 2012 saw the successful launch of The Nail Retreat, and now, we are pleased to invite you to pay us a visit to see our latest venture for yourselves! yourselves.
Announcing the arrival of Mii Cosmetics on the Isle of Man. Book now for your personalised consultation and discover a beautiful range of products to suit all ages, skin types and colourings with everything you need for your daytime look, right through to evening and special occasion.
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isle of man style magazine isle of man premier magazine
fashion beauty
Weddings and special Weddings and special occasions catered for, occasions catered for. please contact the salon please contact the salon for more information. for more information. Our new beauty rooms now mean that as well as indulging in luxurious manicure and pedicure treatments, you will also now be be able able to to enjoy enjoy aa relaxing facial, soothing hopi ear candling or ensure you are kept in tip top shape with our waxing and lash and brow treatments. You can find just about everything you need to make sure you are pampered, polished and perfect in time for the office Christmas party, a night out with the girls or that well earned break away for break away some for winter some winter sunshine! sunshine! Our top-to-toe Our top-to-toe treatment treatment list now list now includes
includesthreading, waxing, waxing, threading, lash and lash browand tinting, brow tinting, customised, prescriptive prescriptive facials facials using using Dermalogica Dermalogica products products and make-up and make upwith services services Mii Cosmetics with Mii Cosmetics so that no so that what matter no matter this time whatofthis year time throws of year at you, throws you can at you, lookyou andcan feellook great. and feel great. Now with the Now convenience with the convenience of having of having all of yourall treatments of your treatments under oneunder roof! one roof! As the salon is expanding, so too is As the our team! salon Appointments is expanding,are soavailable too is our team! with Barbara, Appointments Becki, Kara,are Maria, available Hilary withDemi. and Barbara, CallBecki, the salon Kara,toMaria, makeHilary your and Demi. Callwe appointment; theare salon open to evenings make yourSaturdays. and appointment; we are also open evenings and Saturdays.
The new beauty rooms opening event
Ground Floor . Tower House . Douglas . Isle of Man
because quality matters
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beauty
Words | Dr Jeff Lunt
Facial Rejuvenation
Using Fillers - Slowing the Clock Down. All of us unfortunately suffer from the ravages of time. Most noticeably, it is in the features of the face where this is apparent. The face that stares back at you from the mirror is definitely different from the one that used to 10 years ago. As we age, the structures of the face age with us. Usually we can hold on to the youthful elixir until the mid to late thirties. Then time slowly starts to reap its effects on us. There are three things that happen to the structures of our face from then on: 1. We lose volume. Our bones actually shrink and we lose some of the fat that is in our upper cheeks. Consequently we look more gaunt. 2. We develop wrinkles both dynamic, occurring when we smile or frown, or static, like the lines from the nose to the angles of the mouth - the nasolabial folds. 3. Gravity over the years causes the structures of our face to go south, and I don’t mean on a winter’s break to the sun! This causes droopy eyelids, the downturned mouth and fleshy jowls, all contributing to that aged look we so clearly wish to avoid.
“The preservation of a youthful look has stimulated huge growth in the aesthetics industry, illustrated by the fact that the incidence of cosmetic procedures has increased five-fold in the last 20 years.” Another shift is that people have less plastic surgery procedures, which often resulted in a tight, falsely pulled-back look. Folk now prefer a more natural looking effect. They prefer procedures which add volume in a 3 dimensional way to the face, softening the effect of ageing (which we have seen above to be due to loss of volume).
History There has been interest in filling facial defects since the late 1800s once syringes were developed. Early experimenters, physicians James L Corning in New York and Robert Gesuny in Vienna, used liquid paraffin wax to correct the nasal deformity called “saddle-nose”. This is a condition where the bridge of the nose collapses leading to almost total loss of the shape seen from the side. This was often a result of trauma and, much worse, syphilis so no wonder sufferers were keen to have the defect corrected! Unfortunately, these early fillers did not stay where they were placed, caused unsightly scarring, and often became infected. This prompted the search over the next 100 years for a filler that is safe, stays put, doesn’t cause significant irritation or reaction, is easy to be placed, and gives a soft natural look. Furthermore, it has to be relatively inexpensive . Several materials were used in the search for the perfect filler. Silicone was one of the first, but as recent events have shown, it is far from perfect. Collagen substitutes, obtained from purified calf skin, were the first soft-tissue fillers to be licensed for use in the USA around 1977, but their effect lasted only a relatively short time. A substance naturally occurring in the
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beauty
body; Hyaluronic acid was manufactured for use in filling facial defects. Now, within a short space of time, this material has become the most popular product in the facial filler business. It has the ability not only to blend naturally with the supporting structures of the skin, but to attract water and keep the skin firm and moisturised. This ability of Hyaluronic acid to absorb up to 1000 times its own weight of fluid makes it an ideal choice to rejuvenate ageing, wrinkly, dry tissues. In my article last month I discussed the use of Botulinum toxin which, in Aesthetic use, is most commonly used to “soften� fine lines and wrinkles in the upper third of the face, (the area above the cheek bones). The use of facial fillers to help reduce the effects of ageing is most common in the lower two thirds of the face (from below the cheek bones). From earlier in this article, you will remember it is the southerly flow of the facial structures which gives the game away as to our age. Consequently, it is the placement of fillers to help shore up these tissues, which achieve the best and most noticeable results. Before deciding upon having facial fillers, it is wise to have a consultation with an Aesthetic Practitioner who will talk to you about your particular concerns. He will also gain an impression of your hopes of what fillers can actually achieve. The sensitive and accurate placement will result in a softer, younger, rejuvenated look, a far cry from the bloated artificial look too frequently reported in the press. In conclusion, facial fillers have developed into a safe, effective method of helping to stem the tide of time and enable the person to have a softer, more youthful and healthier look to their face.
Come and talk to us about how you can make this happen.
Duke Street Dr Jeff Lunt
MBChB, MRCGP, Dip Dermatology
01624 617452
- Skin Consultations - Wrinkle Softening Injections - Facial Fillers - Minor Surgery
- Cryotherapy - Thread Vein Removal - Tattoo Removal
52 Duke Street, Douglas, IM1 2AR
www.52dukestreet.co.uk 52dukestreet@gmail.co.uk because quality matters
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Words | Les Able
male grooming Island’s Image Conscious Older Men Buck UK Trend and Favour Facials and a Back Waxing
M
en give up on their looks and fitness levels at 46 according to a recent study but not it seems on the Isle of Man where more and more middleaged males are not only keeping fit with a personal trainer but opting for eyebrow plucking and the back wax. A hairy back is definitely not sexy with the woman - or maybe women - in their life! According to researchers, seven in ten men said they don’t worry about their looks. And being attached apparently doesn’t help – two thirds of the 2,000 adults polled for the study said they think it’s normal to stop worrying about appearances in a serious relationship. Not the thinking which seems to abound on the Island if the experience of Karen Hannah is anything to go by. Since she opened her male grooming salon ManZone in Douglas nearly two years ago appointments for back waxing, eyebrow plucking and the removal of hair sprouting from nose and ears has soared. “It’s definitely becoming more the norm now,” she says. “Men once used to think all this was a bit girlish but no more and once a man gets to the age of 30 hair starts sprouting everywhere. There is also little doubt that some men have been given a gentle nudge by their wife or partner. This year a lot more men have been coming into the salon, some in suits others in casual wear, when once upon a time for a man to opt for any personal grooming was definitely taboo.”
So men of the Island are very definitely bucking the national trend when a significant percentage of those interviewed in the UK study carried out by health insurance provider Benenden Health said they relinquished all vanity about two years after they got married. Apparently nothing can beat a cosy cardigan and slippers, with a preference for comfort as the most common reason for letting appearances slide. Personal trainer David Bartlett believes men are now better informed on health issues in general and in terms of physiology are aware they have a lower testosterone after the age of around 25. “They have more realistic goals,” he adds. Of his clients men make up about 40 per cent with older men representing a significant percentage of that figure.
...male grooming has become a normal part of Isle of Man life.
While the more mature man is reluctant to tell anyone outside his immediate family that he has indulged in some male grooming younger men are, according to Hannah, more relaxed about the experience and will often be in a group when going into her salon. “They treat it all as a bit of a social event while for the older man it’s much more private,” says Hannah, who is adding sports massage to the list of treatments available. “To me male grooming has become a normal part of Isle of Man life.” Susan, in her 40s and whose husband is 53, is in no doubt that if he did nothing to get rid of hair sprouting from “nasty places” then she would soon produce some tweezers and, in her words, that would be the end of that, painful as it might be.
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“Luckily, he goes for the occasional facial and massage and I don’t see anything wrong with that, he has always been something of a ‘new man’,” she declares.
“They will tackle a workout with ferocity and determination,” says David. “The problem area can be diet and perhaps a liking for desserts. But at the end of the day it’s all about looking good, simply because we live in an age of image, that’s definitely at the heart of it all. It is that which makes a man determined to do well in his workouts.” Older men, according to David, often prefer working out in the privacy of their home, supervised by a personal trainer, as going to a gym is just not their ‘thing’.
“Younger men will opt for a gym, assuming it’s the place to be seen in from what they read in magazines. For the older man the gym can conjure up images of muscle Mary’s.” The study suggests women only capitulate to the march of time at the age of 59 which is why they are less likely to suffer a man in their life with hair sprouting in all the wrong places and a paunch which is becoming all too apparent. So if he receives a voucher in a birthday card for some male grooming or a course with a personal trainer he knows the amber warning light is very definitely flashing in his direction.
isle of man premier magazine
appetite
appetite
SPICE
UP YOUR LIFE
Cyrus Todiwala and Tony Singh, aka The Incredible Spice Men, have been on a mission to liven up British food. After all, good grub is the spice of life. Cyrus Todiwala and Tony Singh love food. They both believe traditional British fare is among the finest in the world, while our home-grown produce is the very best money can buy. Their passion for British grub is also the reason the pair, who call themselves The Incredible Spice Men, first met back in 1999. Singh, a fourth-generation Scottish Sikh, had won a local cooking competition in Edinburgh and headed to London soon afterwards.
Fast-forward almost a decade and a half and the duo have released a book, The Incredible Spice Men, and recently had a five-part BBC Two series of the same title. “We’ve thought about doing something like this series and book, independently, for so long,” says Todiwala. The TV series showed them delivering a batch of recipes which are a blend of their cooking styles, while travelling the length and breadth of the UK in search of the finest produce.
His food philosophy - cooking British classics with an Indian twist - led him to seek out Todiwala, who had recently relocated from Mumbai.
When they find an item, they return to their kitchen where they offer up a spicy new recipe as an alternative to tried-and-tested methods.
Todiwala’s mission was to cook Indian classics using the finest British ingredients, and he quickly became known as one of the most exciting chefs in London.
Let your palate be your guide, and try a bit of something different.
To get you started, here are three recipes from The Incredible Spice Men. Apple crumble with star anise (Serves 6) For the crumble topping: 300g plain flour 200g brown sugar 200g unsalted butter, cubed and softened to room temperature, plus extra for greasing Pinch of salt For the filling: 75g unsalted butter 1kg eating apples (such as russet or cox), peeled, cored and chopped into large chunks 150g caster sugar 5 star anise 1 cinnamon stick To serve (optional): Creme fraiche Pomegranate seeds Pomegranate syrup
Preheat the oven to 200C/gas mark 6. To make the crumble topping, put the flour, salt and brown sugar in a large bowl and mix well. Taking a few cubes of butter at a time, rub them into the flour mixture until it resembles breadcrumbs. Sprinkle the mixture onto a baking sheet in a thin layer, using two sheets if necessary. Bake in the preheated oven for five minutes or until lightly
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golden brown. Remove from the oven and break with a fork, then return to the oven and repeat the process a couple of times, until you have a lovely crunchy biscuit topping. Set aside; if continuing to cook the apple crumble immediately, do not turn the oven off. To make the filling, heat a wide, shallow, heavy-bottomed pan and melt the butter until it foams. Add the star anise and fry for a minute, then add the apples, sugar and cinnamon, and cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar has dissolved and the apple is soft at the edges. Remove the cinnamon and the star anise, and add a little bit more sugar if you like. To assemble, grease a medium-sized ovenproof dish with butter. Spoon the fruit mixture into the bottom, then sprinkle the crumble mixture on top. Ensure the oven is preheated to 200C/ gas mark 6, and bake for 20 minutes until the crumble is browned and the fruit mixture bubbling. Leave to cool slightly. To serve, put some creme fraiche into a small bowl and mix in some pomegranate seeds. Drizzle with a little pomegranate syrup and serve alongside the crumble.
isle of man premier magazine
appetite
Smoked salmon with spiced beetroot salad (Serves 4-6 as a starter) 200g sliced smoked salmon For the beetroot salad: Juice of 1 lime 3tsp clear honey ½tsp smoked paprika ¼tsp ground cinnamon 1 fresh beetroot, very finely sliced 3tbsp raisins, preferably golden 3tbsp (heaped) torn mint leaves Salt For the horseradish cream: Juice of 2 limes ½tsp clear honey 4tbsp horseradish sauce 150ml double cream Pinch of chilli powder, or more to taste A small handful of chopped flat-leaf parsley Salt
For the beetroot salad, first make the dressing - whisk together the lime juice and honey in a small bowl, then mix in the smoked paprika, cinnamon and a pinch of salt. In a separate bowl, mix together the beetroot, raisins and mint leaves and pour over the dressing. Chill for an hour. Taste and add more seasoning if necessary. To make the horseradish cream, whisk together the lime juice, honey and horseradish sauce in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk the double cream until soft peaks form when the whisk is removed from the bowl. Stir the horseradish and lime mixture into the whisked cream. Add the chilli powder and salt to taste, and sprinkle on the parsley. Set the salmon slices onto individual plates, and serve with the beetroot salad and a dollop of the horseradish cream.
Pulled pork with cinnamon and clove (Serves 6-8) 2kg rolled pork loin, shoulder or collar 50ml vegetable or rapeseed oil Baby gem lettuce leaves, cleaned and well drained 3tbsp fresh coriander or coleslaw, to garnish For the masala marinade: 1tbsp broken pieces cassia bark or cinnamon 15 cloves 2 large dried red chillies 5cm (2in) piece fresh root ginger, roughly chopped 4 garlic cloves 2 small red onions, coarsely cut 1 longish fresh green chilli 1tsp turmeric 2½tbsp tamarind paste 100ml palm vinegar (you can also use cider vinegar) ½tbsp brown sugar 25ml sunflower or rapeseed oil ½tbsp salt
Preheat the oven to 180C/gas mark 4. For the masala marinade, coarsely crush together the cassia bark or cinnamon and cloves with a pestle and mortar. Gently toast this mixture in a dry frying pan over a low heat, until a spicy fragrance emanates from the pan. Tear the red chillies into pieces and add to the pan. Continue to dry-fry the mixture for a short while but do not burn. Set aside to cool.
because quality matters
Later, put the cooled spice mix in a blender. Add all of the remaining masala ingredients and blend the mixture to a relatively fine paste - this is your masala paste. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Rub the masala all over the pork, and place the meat in a dish in which it fits snugly. Set aside any remaining masala. Cover the meat and set aside in the fridge for a few hours, if possible. Pour the oil into a roasting tin and heat on the hob over a medium heat. Scrape any excess masala from the marinated pork, place the pork in the roasting tin and brown well on all sides. Transfer to the oven and cook for 30 minutes. After that time has passed, reduce the oven heat to minimum. You can now pour a few tablespoons of marinade over the pork for extra flavour, and any leftover can be set aside to use for another dish. Cover the pork tightly with aluminium foil, well tucked in so that it steams in the tin and the meat literally falls off the bone when cooked. Cook for a further three to three-and-a-half hours if using a rolled joint; if using smaller pieces or individual chops, adjust your cooking time accordingly. Remove the pork from the oven and shred using two forks. To serve, put some pork on top of a lettuce leaf. Top with some coleslaw or some coriander.
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appetite
Words | Anne Berry | The Wine Cellar
W
ine growing countries and regions like to have an identity, and many choose a marketing slogan to help us to recognise that. Over the years marketing campaigns have altered consumers’ perceptions of regions and have re-ignited interest. Great Britain is still not regarded as a major wine producing country and we are in the fortunate position of being able to offer wines from every wine producing nation in the world. The market is very competitive and all regions and countries need to work hard to keep their wines high in consumers’ minds. ‘Wines of Chile’, the organisation responsible for marketing Chilean wine in the UK, has begun to emphasise how healthy and natural their wines are with their slogan, ‘The Natural Choice’. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Andes on the other side, the vines are protected from disease, and many are non grafted phylloxera free vines. Originally Chilean wines were marketed as offering good value, especially red wines, which, although better than offering bad value, didn’t reflect the potential quality of the top wines. Over the last decade Chilean producers have recognised the importance of the effect of soil and microclimate on wine quality and new valleys have been developed. The first was Casablanca, and it was the Sauvignon Blancs from here that helped Chile to become recognised
as a white wine producer and as a producer of wines that could compete on the world market. Other valleys to be opened up include Leyda, Bio Bio and San Antonio with some vineyards only a few kilometres from the Pacific Ocean. The Humboldt current, a cold current that flows northwards from the Antartic helps to create ideal healthy growing conditions. Cool breezes that are carried by the current blow up into the valleys and moderate the temperature allowing the grapes to ripen more slowly. Grapes produce wines with greater concentration of aromatics and flavours when they are allowed to ripen over a long period. By developing these cooler valleys Chile is now able to produce fine wines from grape varieties such as Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc, which do not produce the best wines when the temperature is too hot. A fine example of Pinot Noir is Vina Leyda Las Brisas. This is a single vineyard wine grown on a south west facing vineyard with well drained clay soils. It is well structured with intense red fruit flavours and a minerality which keeps it fresh on the palate. Try it with duck or even with your turkey on Christmas Day.
fruity, intensely aromatic and full flavoured, this is a wine that offers tremendous value and epitomises all the characteristics of cool climate Casablanca Sauvignon Blanc. With its grapefruit and gooseberry aromas and flavours, it makes an excellent accompaniment to lightly spiced fish or chicken dishes or can be enjoyed by itself. Another grape variety that is helping give Chile its identity as a top class wine producing country is Syrah, which can also thrive well in cooler climates. It is the long slow ripening period that allows intense aromas of spicy black fruit to develop. Also from the Leyda Valley, this is more Rhone in style, with hints of violet on the nose, full in body and elegant. A perfect wine for Sunday lunch! If you have previously thought of Chilean wine as inexpensive and fruity, try some of these premium wines and you could be pleasantly surprised!
If you’re after a nice white, look no further than Nostros Sauvignon Blanc. Deliciously fresh and
The Wine Cellar • Tennis Road • Douglas • IM2 3QW Telephone: 01624 611793 • Email: anne@thewinecellar.im
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isle of man premier magazine
travel
travel
The word about town is
we have a new Travel Agent in Douglas We went in search of Rikki and Edward, the Company Directors of Island Travel to find out about their exciting new venture. Here’s what they told us...
What is Island Travel?
We are a brand new bespoke travel agency based in Douglas. We specialise in luxury holidays but have the ability to organise any kind of travel our customers require. Tell us about yourselves and your background?
Rikki: I have worked for Thomas Cook for the past 11 years as a sales consultant and have been moving into management for the last 5 years. Having achieved some of the countries best sales figures and becoming one of the most successful managers, the time has come to put my passion for travel into something new and exciting. Edward: I have also worked for Thomas Cook for the past 4 years and I ended up a one of top sales consultants in the country last year. I have always worked in customer service, I just love making people happy, and it is what I am here to do.
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How has the travel industry changed?
Rikki: The travel industry has seen big changes in recent years with the economy and some unfortunate events around the globe affecting our area of business. But we recognise the need to get away for a well-needed break is more important than ever. The demand for better quality holidays is growing, customers do not want to be disappointed by their holiday choice and to waste money so we have focussed our business around affordable luxury products. What makes Island Travel a good choice for customers?
Edward: We feel it is very important not only to get our customers the best value for their money, but with our experience and passion to find the perfect holiday means by choosing Island Travel for all your holiday requirements, you will be sure of getting a first-class experience. What credentials do you have and how is your track record?
What are the benefits of using a travel agent compared to searching on the Internet?
Rikki: We both come from a very successful sales background, achieving Thomas Cook’s highest grading year-after-year and have been continuously recognised for our contribution to the company.
Rikki: Trawling through the Internet can become tiresome with so much choice and with a price competitive market, we have access to excellent prices so you’re not missing out on value.
Edward: We also pride ourselves on our service levels and with excellent customer feedback in our previous roles we will continue to give this level of service at Island Travel.
Edward: Here at Island Travel it is all about personal, quality service. Not being a retail agency gives us the ability to allocate an appointment time to give our customers the time to come and discuss their holiday requirements without being rushed.
What destinations do you cover?
Rikki: Too many to list! With our links with Hays Travel we have access to hundreds of top-quality suppliers to literally take our customer to anywhere they want to go, the
possibilities are endless! Edward: We both have travelled a lot so have first-hand knowledge of a huge amount of places to visit. We have put together some great information on our website for our customers to get some ideas from. Other than Luxury Holidays what else can Island Travel Offer?
Rikki: One of the big areas for us is weddings and honeymoons. We have booked many weddings abroad in the past and look forward to continue doing so with Island Travel. Customers are able to buy our holiday vouchers to give as a perfect wedding gift too. We know just how important getting our customers honeymoons perfect as it is a once in a life time experience, and so couple will get an extra special service when talking to us about their requirements. Edward: It’s not just holidays that we provide. The list of travel products we sell is huge anything from flight only to sport events, attraction tickets to car hire, we really can take care of all our customers travel needs from start to finish. What is your favourite holiday destination and why?
Rikki: I have lots of favourites! I really enjoy cruising, as I find it is a great value for money luxury holiday. But I have to say Florida is still up there with my favourite places to visit. Edward: I have been to over 40 countries over the years and it’s very hard to choose as there are some amazing places out there, but I would have to say that South Africa is up there. It’s such an amazing country with an array of things to do - but nothing beats the excitement of Las Vegas!
isle of man premier magazine
travel
Island Travel Winter Wonders
Late winter getaways - Why not escape the cold this winter with a trip to the sun? How about a Caribbean cruise? A 5* luxury stay in the canaries or cape verde or even something a little bit special in the Indian Ocean? Call us today to check out some incredible late deals and offers we have here at Island Travel.
Celebrate New Year in Dubai – Bored of the same old thing on New Years Eve? Why not go and join the huge New Year celebrations in Dubai whilst taking in everything this amazing country has to offer?
Ski with Island Travel – Contact us today to find out about some amazing late deal prices for skiing across Europe and beyond. Why not take advantage of the direct flight from the Island to Geneva and let us arrange you a ski trip using this convenient service, we have access to all the main ski operators and can provide you with a competitive price today.
The perfect Christmas gift With Christmas just around the corner, what better way to spoil your loved ones than to purchase an island travel gift voucher? Contact us for more details. Email: enquiries@island travel.co.im
because quality matters
call: 01624 626299 www.islandtravel.co.im
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travel TRAVEL
NEW YORK NEW YORK
THE CITY SO NICE THEY
NAMED IT TWICE
THE CITY SO NICE THEY The Big Apple, the ‘city that never sleeps’ – New York has been given many pseudonyms but none of them quite do justice to America’s most vibrant and exciting city. From the glamour of the Upper West Side to super-cool SoHo, from the hustle and bustle of Midtown and the Theatre District to laidback Greenwich Village – New York is all about neighbourhoods. Hop on the subway or take one of the famous yellow taxis to explore this adrenaline-charged city, visiting landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and Grand Central Station. ‘Be a part of it’ with a thrilling range of tours and excursions like the Helicopter Flightseeing tours which include views over all five boroughs of New York plus the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the famous Yankee Baseball Stadium in the Bronx. If heights are a little too daunting why not take the ‘On Locations TV and Movie Site Tours’? See the deli from ‘When Harry Met Sally’, the diner from Woody Allen’s ‘Manhattan’ and observe more than 60 locations from hit TV series’ such as ‘Friends’ and ‘Ugly Betty’. Specific TV tours are also available, including the ‘Sex and the City Tour’ and ‘Sopranos Tour’, all of which are led by local actors. For accommodation you are spoilt for choice. Choose from the range of modern or boutique hotels, practical and luxurious; NYC has vast array of places for you to lay your head. Built in 1931, the 3* Edison Hotel is of similar style to that of New York’s famous Radio City Music Hall and lies in Midtown Manhattan at the heart of the Theatre District. Just a few steps away from Times Square, the MoMA and 46th Street’s ‘Restaurant Row’, the Edison occupies a fantastic location; perfect for soaking up all the sights and sounds of this 24-hour city. In an Art-Deco fashion, all rooms are simply furnished and represent great value for money for budget-conscious travellers. Walking distance from the Edison is the 4* Manhattan at Times Square which stands amidst an abundance of restaurants, shops, bars and diners. The Manhattan offers a comfortable and
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convenient base for your New York stay, with friendly staff on hand to assist with travel plans. A big plus for tired tourists is the hotel’s indoor swimming pool, great for relaxation and making the hotel a good choice for families. Location is everything in New York; most tourists want to experience the hustle and bustle of Times Square. Close to the heart of New York’s Midtown action is the 5* Benjamin. The Benjamin brings a unique level of comfort in a sophisticated, boutique-style setting, providing true luxury in the heart of midtown Manhattan. A warm, intimate atmosphere awaits business and leisure travellers seeking the utmost in personal attention. The Benjamin creates a world of luxury and service that’s hard to replicate. The Benjamin’s sophisticated boutique style stems from the vitality and warmth of its original design. Built in 1927 by world-renowned architect Emery Roth, it was one of his earlier and most successful skyscrapers. Award-winning designer Robert Di Leonardo of ‘Di Leonardo International’ has created a new style of modern elegance, incorporating European influence, sophistication and comfort while preserving distinctive elements of Roth’s architecture. New York is bold, unique and recognised as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world which caters for every interest, style and budget. Whether it’s for a long stay, a week or just the weekend, ‘the city so nice, they named it twice’ will shape memories that will last a lifetime. Take a bite of the Big Apple and discover the pace of New York in your own time. Holidays to New York can be booked through Richmond Travel in Douglas and Mann Link Travel in Ramsey.
isle of man premier magazine
WHEN IT COMES TO DISTRIBUTION...
WE MAKE A STAND
Our new stands have gone down that well we are going to get more in December. Would you like to have a gallery stand at your shop or cafe? if the answer is yes please get in touch. distro@gallery.co.im www.gallery.co.im/distribution
Isle of Man | Home & Interiors | November 2013
The best place to find a new place in the Isle of Man
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Harbour House, Derbyhaven, Castletown ÂŁ745,000
This spacious, beautifully refurbished coastal house is situated in one of the most sought after villages in the Island. Derbyhaven has a peaceful harbour filled with sailing boats and a wide, gently curving sandy beach.
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Isle of Man Premier magazine
places
www.harmonyhomes.co.im
There is an excellent golf course stretching out to Fort Island and wonderful walks can be enjoyed across the links and over to Langness lighthouse. With sweeping, uninterrupted views across Derbyhaven Bay and a wonderful beachside garden, this family home lends itself to a relaxed pace of life, whilst only being minutes from the centre of Castletown. Six generously sized bedrooms over three of the four floors allows for plenty of scope for family living alongside home working, with more than enough room for a variety of room uses.
FEATURE PROPERTY
With the large, well fitted breakfast kitchen and range cooker forming the heart of the home, the property benefits from a second, expansive kitchen/dining room along with its own Aga. The ground floor Family room and first floor Lounge both enjoy the wonderful views across the Derbyhaven Bay. The 21’ by 15’ Master Bedroom, with its stunning sea and coastal views, has a good range of built in wardrobes providing plenty of storage space, along with an attractive feature inset stove, and benefits from a well presented en-suite bathroom with sea views.
“This spacious, beautifully refurbished coastal house is situated in one of the most sought after villages in the Island.” This is rare opportunity to purchase a fine coastal residence with extensive living space and stunning sea views in a highly desirable village location.
Viewings are highly recommended on this impressive family home. Call our Port Erin OFFICE 835252.
because quality matters
places
Five Stars for Ballanard Woods Award winning premier properties A LUXURY HERITAGE HOMES DEVELOPMENT ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF DOUGLAS HAS BEEN AWARDED TWO ACCOLADES IN THE PRESTIGIOUS UK PROPERTY AWARDS. Representatives from the property development company attended a glittering ceremony in London recently where they learned that Ballanard Woods had won two awards in the North West category.
Heritage Homes’ managing director Seamus Nugent said: “We are incredibly honoured to have been recognised in the UK Property Awards. We pride ourselves on the expertise of our staff and to come away with two awards in the North West category is testament to their skill, hard work and dedication.”
Bev Lucas and Jade Smith collected the awards on behalf of Heritage Homes at a high-profile gala and presentation dinner at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel on Friday 18 October. They were presented with special award plaques The collection of exclusive properties by Lord Bates, Deputy Speaker of the achieved 5 Star status in the Architecture House of Lords in British Parliament. Multiple Residence class, along with Highly Commended in the Architecture Now in its 20th year, the UK Property Single Residence class for The Henley, a Awards are part of the long established International Property Awards and luxury 9,230 sq.ft. five bedroom home.
rank amongst the most prestigious commendations in the residential and commercial property sectors. The judging panel was made up of around 70 international industry professionals.
Executive homes... redefined Located just minutes from the centre of Douglas, Ballanard Woods is an exclusive gated development of executive residences, set in private landscaped grounds. For more information, visit ballanardwoods.com or call in to the Heritage Homes Sales and Marketing Suite on Victoria Street, Douglas.
The Henley
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isle of man premier magazine
From starter homes and apartments to family and executive homes, Reayrt ny Cronk offers you the very best in contemporary modern living. Featuring German designed kitchens with quality appliances included as standard, luxurious bathrooms and ensuites, energy efficient heating systems and flexible spaces for living and entertaining you’ll love coming home to Peel.
PRICES FROM ÂŁ159,950
Call 01624 615000 Visit dandara.com Call into our Sales & Marketing Suite, 22-24 Victoria St, Douglas To scan the code, download a QR code reader app for your mobile device. *Specification may vary slightly subject to house type and build stage. Full details available on request. Prices and details correct at time of going to print. Images indicative only.
The best place to find a new place in the Isle of Man BALLATERSON FIELDS - BALLAUGH
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ÂŁ369,950
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11 Ballaterson Fields is a immaculately presented and spacious detached bungalow situated on a large corner plot. The recently modernised and improved property briefly comprises three reception rooms, to include an impressive living room with bay window, three bedrooms, two bathrooms (one en-suite), kitchen, utility and integral double garage. The property is situated within walking distance of Ballaugh village, which offers all local amenities including a village shop, highly regarded primary school and public house. The property is only a short drive from Ballaugh Glen and plantation and also Ballaugh beach which offers spectacular sunsets. The property also benefits from being on a bus route to the main towns, including Ramsey, Peel and Douglas.
01624 818222
www.harmonyhomes.co.im
CARRICK BAY VIEW - COLBY
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01624 835252
www.harmonyhomes.co.im
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ÂŁ750,000
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A spacious well appointed true bungalow enjoying fabulous far reaching southern views. The property consists of a sitting room which enjoys delightful views over the South of the Island towards Port St Mary via dual aspect windows and dining room with double French doors to a large Everest conservatory which is fitted with a double glazed glass roof. There is a fitted breakfast kitchen and utility room, four double bedrooms, two en-suites and a family bathroom. Outside the property there is a generous double garage, garden store and approximately 3/4 acres of beautifully landscaped contoured lawns, gravelled pathways, mature boundary hedging and colourful heavily planted shrubs. There is also a large timber summer house, a decked patio area., greenhouse and timber shed. To the side of the property is a substantial, gated hardstanding suitable for motor home or boat parking.
NEW
Kitchen & Furniture Showroom Cooil Road, Isle of Man Business Park, Douglas
Free Kitchen Consultation Site Visit Measurements 3D Kitchen Plan Showroom open Monday to Saturday 9.00am until 5.00pm
philipcharles.im
Tel: 625229
The French are known for their exquisite cuisine, so who understands kitchens better?
Indulge yourself in French luxury and meet your Mobapla specialist on your doorstep, here in the Isle of Man Tyne Ltd/U 11 Balthane-Park Ind Est Ballasalla | Isle of Man | IM9 2AX Tel: 07624 437818 | 01624 822 712 www.isle_of_man.mobalpa.co.uk
Love your home... Stunning furniture at prices you’ll love - and 0% interest free credit too!
INTEREST FREE CREDIT •
FREE DELIVERY •
Interest free credit is subject to status. Free fitting on orders over £1,000.
FREE FITTING • GREAT PRICES
Bedrooms Everything you need for a great night’s sleep. And make bedtime fun with our range of kids’ beds.
Living Room See our stunning ranges of sofas and living room furniture.
Dining Room Wine and dine in style! From budget dining sets to luxury suites.
Accessories With everything from cushions, candles and lamps to wall art, vases and clocks, give your home some love with Lifestyle Furniture!
VISIT OUR TWO-STOREY SHOWROOM AT SNUGBOROUGH TRADING ESTATE
Open 7 days a week Visit our new website www.lifestylefurnitureplus.com www.facebook.com/lifestylefurnitureIOM
places
It’s often the small things that can make life stressful - whether it’s misplaced keys, overlooked bills or dark, dull corners that seem to attract clutter. Instead of just daydreaming about having a calm, perfect-place-for-everything home, journalist and mother-of-three Joanna Gosling decided to put her thinking cap on. She came up with a series of simple-tofollow projects, all of which now feature in her new book Home Made Simple: Stylish, Practical Makes For Living And Giving. She shows how, with a little effort and some basic DIY, you can create and furnish a well-equipped corner for sorting household finances (or enjoying hobbies), funky lights, and even conjure an attractive home for those wandering keys. “I love making things for the home because it saves money, you can make nicer things than you can buy, and there’s the bonus of the ‘I made it’ satisfaction every time you look at it,” Gosling enthuses. All the materials used in her projects are inexpensive - old wine boxes are transformed into a desk, storage and a key box, for instance. Home Made Simple: Stylish, Practical Makes For Living And Giving by Joanna Gosling, photography by Rachel Whiting, is published by Kyle Books, priced £19.99. www.kylebooks.com
Photo key box
“Giving your keys a home where you can stash and retrieve them in an instant is pretty good for stress levels,” says Gosling. “This is a lovely place also to display photos and remind yourself of happy memories and, when closed, it doesn’t look like a key box, which is good for security.” You need: Three-bottle wine box with a sliding lid. Source from wine merchants who often sell these cheaply as gift packaging, or search for them online Emulsion or eggshell paint Drill Eight 1.2mm x 17mm screw hooks Bradawl Photos or images for the front Spray acrylic sealant (optional); doublesided tape
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“As, like most people, I don’t have enough time to sit and spend hours crafting something perfectly, my mantra is ‘minimum effort, maximum return’,” she says. “I’ve worked out the quickest, simplest way to do things that are useful, decorative and bring character to rooms.” Follow three of her projects for a bright, business-like corner in your home...
Method: Remove the rope handle, if your box has one. Leave the unfinished pale wood as it is or paint. If you’re going to hang it, drill four small holes in the corners of the box for screwing it onto the wall. Mark drill points 4cm up (or down) and in from the sides. Use a pencil to mark evenly spaced dots where the screw hooks for the keys should go. Do a row of three, then a row of two, then another row of three, and stagger the hooks so that the keys don’t bunch on top of each other. Pierce each hole using a bradawl and screw in the hooks. The back of the box is thin wood, so screw the hook through until the point is just poking through the back. Choose photos with a sealed finish, or use an acrylic sealant, to go on the front. Fix to lid with double-sided tape.
Wine crate desk isle of man premier magazine
places
NB: Ensure finished light and bulbs are not positioned near anything flammable, such as fabrics or upholstery. You need: Switched metal lamp holder Fabric-covered three-core cable - measure the length you need (historiclighting.co.uk has a good range of colours) Cable stripper and small screwdriver Three-pin plug Bulb (make sure it is compatible with the lamp holder - screw or bayonet) Screw hooks to suspend the light from the ceiling Method: Unscrew the top and bottom of the lamp holder to separate. Feed the top of the lamp holder onto the cable. Strip a short section of the cable to reveal the core, then strip a little of each wire (take care not to expose too much). Wire the cable to the bottom of the lamp holder - with a three-core cable, which includes live, neutral and earth wires, there will be a point in the side of the fitting to connect the earth wire to.
Fabric cable lights “If you can wire a plug, then you can make one of these brilliant lights very easily, and they’re so versatile and useful,” says Gosling. “Make the cable as long as you like and, with a couple of hooks on the ceiling, you can fix them to light up anywhere in a room. You can position them high or low, as you want.” “I love this desk. It’s such a practical design, with its internal storage, big surface area and castors, which make it easy to move around,” says Gosling. “It’s a perfect work space for anything, from writing to crafting. “My version is a combination of wine crates and cheap MDF. It means it’s not entirely free to construct, but it’s still far cheaper than buying anything even remotely as stylish.” Add matching storage with painted wine boxes, and glue household pegs on the sides of them so you can clip on paperwork or photos. You need: Strong wood glue Four 12-bottle wine crates Two sheets of 30mm MDF measuring 505mm x 175mm, and one sheet measuring 505mm x 1460mm (or however wide you want it to fit your space) Eight 50mm castors 32 x 1cm screws for the castors Drill with 2mm and 4mm drill bit 12 x 6cm screws Paint, preferably eggshell Roller and small paintbrush
because quality matters
Method: Make the two end supports for the desk. Glue the long sides of two wine crates together to make one support, and repeat with the other two for the second support. Make sure the glue gets a good fix by piling some heavy books inside the top crate to press it downwards onto the lower one.
The live and neutral wires can safely be connected to either of the other points. Make sure you connect the wires to the correct points - double-check the correct wiring by doing an internet image search on ‘how to wire a plug’. Screw the two parts of the lamp holder together. Strip the wires at the other end of the cable and connect to the plug.
you fix the bit into the drill. Make the length of the drill bit slightly shorter than the screw, so that you don’t drill too deeply and go right through the desk top. Screw together. Once the glue fixing the wine crates together is dry, flip the desk over. Finally, paint the desk using a roller.
Place the large sheet of MDF on the floor. Position one small piece of MDF at either end of the large piece and align the edges. Glue the small pieces in place using plenty of glue. Now position the end supports on top of each of these small sheets of MDF, ensuring the interiors of the crates are facing inwards. Glue these in place. This is the basic construction of the desk upside down. Position four castors on the corners of the base of each end support and screw them on. Using the 2mm drill bit, drill small holes into the wood through the holes in the castor plates for the screws to go into. Now switch to the 4mm drill bit and drill six holes through the top wine crates into the MDF (one at each corner and two in the middle for strength). This is for the 6cm screws, to fix the base to the desk top. Position the screw against the drill bit when
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The best place to find a new place in the Isle of Man ORRISDALE - KIRK MICHAEL
3
4
2
£1,085,000
4
A rare opportunity to acquire a spacious family home with excellent Equestrian facilities, set in approximately 7 acres of private and secluded land on the West Coast outside the TT Course. ‘Ballahowin’ is a modern and spacious, detached bungalow has four reception rooms, four bedrooms (two of which are en-suite) and a family bathroom. The property has oil fired central heating (two boilers), integral double garage, mature well stocked gardens, modern stable block, 2 wareing barns and well maintained paddocks. An internal inspection is highly recommended to appreciate this unique property, situated in close proximity to the villages of Kirk Michael and Ballaugh, yet only 15 minutes from Ramsey, 25 minutes from the airport and 30 minutes from Douglas.
01624 818222
www.harmonyhomes.co.im
COLLEGE GREEN - CASTLETOWN
1
4
1
4
An attractive mid terrace coastal residence enjoying some fabulous views over Castletown Bay. Property comprises of a lounge/diner with a Manx stone open grate fireplace, a delightful breakfast kitchen with breakfast bar, cloakroom, a nautical themed cabin style bathroom with a large spa bath and walk in shower, four good sized bedrooms some having pleasant views over Castletown Bay and partially exposed A frames in the ceiling. Outside The property has easily maintained gardens and also comes with a garage.
01624 835252
www.harmonyhomes.co.im
Z Z I A G E B R
r e t s n mo I N C U B B
&
e l a s
starts
r e b m e v o n h 30t
ifying ! r r e t y l u r t e b l l i w ns the savage reductio Tromode Estate
Tel: 617788
www.cubbinandbregazzi.com
The best place to find a new place in the Isle of Man REAYRT NY CRONK - PEEL
1
3
£225,000
1
4
A well presented end mews house having Italian Pergo laminate flooring throughout the lounge and hallway. The property comprises of a good sized lounge with glazed French doors leading out into to the rear garden, downstairs toilet, modern fitted breakfast kitchen with appliances, three good sized bedrooms and a family bathroom. The front garden consists of an open plan corner plot which is mainly laid to lawn with decorative pots, there is an L shaped rear garden and a private off road parking for up to three cars.
01624 845252
www.harmonyhomes.co.im
£147,500
BRIDGE STREET - PEEL
1
01624 845252
www.harmonyhomes.co.im
2
1
4
A beautifully presented two bedroom cottage in the heart of Peel. The cottage consists of a lounge with stairs to upper floors, a fitted kitchen with appliances, a lovely fitted bathroom with ‘P’ shaped bath, both bedrooms have two uPVC sliding sash windows. There is also a shared yard at the rear of the property. This property would make an excellent ‘Buy to Let’ investment and is also eligible for the first time buyer mortgage.
O f f s h o r e B u si n ess
Ne w s
events
Comments
Issue 4
2013
On the Agenda
Buzz Words & Management Fads Offshore Reports Q2 Finance - Lloyds Bank IoM Investors Report Technology - Sure International, The cloud Investors - Silicon Iom Plus - In the news, Money talks, Corporate Culture: The key to success
On the Agenda...
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90
Lloyds Bank IoM Investors Report
KEY CONTACTS EDITORIAL & DESIGN Steve Redford DD : (+44) 7624 249249 steve@agenda.im
Sure International The Cloud
ADVERTISING SALES Rachel Morris DD: (+44) 7624 209726 rachel@agenda.im
contents
CLIENT RELATIONS Laura Macgregor DD: (+44) 7624 249249 Laura@agenda.im Disclaimer: All rights reserved. Any form of reproduction of Agenda Isle of Man Magazine, in part or whole is strictly prohibited without the written consent of the publisher. Any views expressed by advertisers or contributors may not be those of the publisher. Unsolicited artwork, manuscripts and copy are accepted by Agenda Magazine, but the publisher cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage. All material, copy and artwork supplied is assumed to be copyright free unless otherwise advised.
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In The News .................................................. 84
Corporate Culture ..................................... 98
IoM Investors Report ............................... 86
Jersey/Guernsey News ......................... 100
Sure International - The Cloud ....... . 90
Appleby Offshore Reports Q2 ......... .. 101
Silicon IoM ..................................................... 92
Buzz Words & Management Fads. . 102
A-List Events ............................................... ... 94
Money Talks ................................................. 104
Typhoon House Profile .......................... 96
92
98 Stories History Values Money Talks
Rituals & Routines
96
Heroes Symbols
Silicon IoM
102
Structures
Corporate Culture
94
Typhoon House
A-List Events
Buzz Words & Management Fads 83
In The News IoM
The Global economic outlook Europe is on course to become ‘the largest open air museum’, whilst Africa’s growth has been ‘stellar’ - just two of the points made to around 40 guests at the recent Standard Bank breakfast seminar held by Chief Economist and Head of Research, Goolam Ballim.
Speakers and sponsors at the 2012 KPMG Summit
•
Goolam Ballim
The seminar entitled: Global and Africa Trends took account of the research Goolam and his team of 72 analysts perform for Standard Bank. There was positive news on the global economic outlook, assuming the USA is able to sort out its current financial impasse and raise its debt ceiling, with Europe and the UK seeing modest growth which should continue. Goolam warned that the coming months are likely to be difficult as the US Federal reserve tapers its quantative easing and backs away from supporting the economy. In Europe, whilst there are currently signs of optimism with modest growth, Goolam warned that there are several factors which mean the region is storing up trouble. There is the steep debt the region has built up, its declining working population, set to fall 14% or 30 million people over the next 20 years, and its high unit labour costs which all make Europe uncompetitive. Goolam said that Africa’s population on the other hand is young and it is growing, Nigeria alone will grow from 180 million people to 230 million by the end of the decade. The median age in Africa is also 20 compared to Europe’s 40, and by 2050 it’s estimated 25% of the world’s population will be African. Ian Hamilton, Head of Corporate & Business Banking, Standard Bank IoM said: the seminar had highlighted the potential as well as the risks for our global economy: ‘The intra regional trade is only around 10% compared with Asia’s intra region trade, but that is now growing faster in Africa than it is with the rest of the world. The continent is heavily under-urbanised, and its consumer markets are only just starting to develop. Whilst there are as many fixed telephone lines in Africa as there were 13 years ago, back then there were only 20 million cellular phones, now there are 750 million – that is the kind of growth figures we are talking about, and so the potential becomes very clear.’ Goolam has been recognised as producing leading economic research on Africa. He is a past winner of South Africa’s top economist award and adviser to the country’s Minister of Economic Development and other public sector officials.
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KPMG Announces International Speaker Line-up for 2013 eGaming Summit
• • • •
KPMG and RGA representatives to present an economic analysis of the proposed Point of Consumption Tax, based on the work recently carried out by KPMG for the RGA. Sportsbooks, mobile, enforcement, and payments retain presentation focus. DLA Piper and Playtech’s Hilary Stewart-Jones to host panel.
KPMG Isle of Man has announced the speaker line up for its fourth annual eGaming Summit, which includes major international industry experts as well as key representatives of the local cluster. The Summit will once again open with a welcome to delegates from both on and off the Island, and an overview of the Government’s approach to supporting and developing the local sector. An opening address by Russell Kelly, the Director responsible for eGaming at KPMG Isle of Man will follow, after which GBGC’s Warwick Bartlett will outline the global picture for gaming. The morning session will also feature a joint IOM specific sector update from the IOM Government’s new Head of eGaming, Peter Greenhill, and Steve Brennan, CEO of the Gambling Supervision Commission. After a morning coffee break, Dominic Atkinson of Island-based sports betting network, Tailorbet, will present on the evolution of sports betting. The first of the day’s panel sessions will then be hosted by Hilary Stewart-Jones of global law firm DLA Piper, whose appointment to the Board of Playtech has just been announced. She will invite panellists including Paul Leyland (until recently Corporate Development Director at William Hill) and Peter Kjaer (CEO of Ho Gaming) to address the topic of enforcement as it relates to today’s eGaming industry. KPMG’s Head of eGaming, Archie Watt will reopen proceedings after lunch (kindly sponsored by Pokerstars) and will introduce the second panel session of the day, a much anticipated discussion on the topic of payments with representatives from Ukash, Entropay, Optimal Payments, and Counting House. Neill Whyte of Microgaming will then take over with a presentation on the growth of and outlook for mobile gaming, an always popular and rapidly developing topic. An afternoon coffee break will be followed by a joint economic review of the proposed change in UK legislation for online gambling taxation by Sue Rossiter of the Remote Gambling Association, and Bill Robinson and Adam Rivers, the KPMG gambling tax policy specialists who produced the recent report for the RGA. A third panel session will be the last presentation of the day and will see leading delegates tackle the future for eGaming in 2014 and beyond, before the day is closed by the Hon John Shimmin MHK, Minister for Economic Development. Russell Kelly, Director responsible for eGaming services at KPMG Isle of Man, commented: “The KPMG eGaming Summit series is now a major milestone in the international sector and, as it grows in popularity, continues to attract ever more influential and engaging speakers. This year’s line-up is one of our most varied to date, and I’m confident that our speakers will again offer a penetrating insight in to this diverse and dynamic industry. We’re looking forward to what is set to be a great day of sharing knowledge, strategy and insight, and building stronger community relationships in the process.” The Summit, the fourth annual event to be held on the Isle of Man, will be held at the Mount Murray Hotel on 12th November. Attendance is by invitation only. For more information, or if you would like to request an invitation, visit www.kpmg. co.im and search for ‘eGaming Summit’, or visit www.whereyoucan.im. For those unable to attend, a full report of the day’s events will be published due, once again, to the support of Continent 8 Technologies.
IMGold bullion depository open for business A new Douglas-based gold bullion depository and trading company is now officially open for business. IMGold is the trading name of Isle of Man Bullion Ltd which can buy, sell and store gold and silver bullion. Based in Victoria Street, it has offices and below ground vaults which are electronically protected and monitored by G4S with security systems equalling or exceeding industry standards. In an era in which confidence in banks, the stock market, and even entire national economies has been shaken by crises and scandals, the business is responding to renewed worldwide interest in gold and other precious metals. Ed Pearce, IMGold Managing Director, said: “IMGold is unique as we offer depository facilities to both small and larger-scale bullion owners. Our clients can actually visit us and withdraw, deposit, or purchase bullion for their holding at any time. Customers are able to buy, store and sell bullion, in amounts from as little as 500g. The bullion our customers purchase is never a portion of a bar owned by somebody else. Each bar customers buy belongs to them, and remains their property until they decide to sell. As faith in the safety of banks and currencies seems to be diminishing across the world there is a growing demand to own a tangible asset such as bullion.” IMGold also offers an online platform which allows customers to purchase bullion securely from wherever they are. IMGold customers can take physical possession of their bullion at any time with just 24 hours’ notice. Organising secure storage in vaults with the necessary security and insurance arrangements required for storing precious metals is costly and time consuming. The financial and logistical considerations make secure storage an impractical solution
for most individuals and businesses. Therefore, IMGold provides these facilities to its customers in return for a costeffective fee. Mr Pearce added: “The bullion business is seeing people who have not previously thought of it, now buying gold and other precious metals as part of a strategy to protect their private wealth. IMGold was founded to meet this demand and to make the buying, selling and storage of gold and precious metals as simple and straightforward as possible. While we can provide the latest market data to clients, we do not provide investment advice. The feedback we have from our first customers is they appreciate that we do not try to ‘sell’ them the idea of investing in precious metals. When customers visit us, there’s no sales pitch. We just give straightforward answers to their questions about owning precious metals based on our extensive expertise and experience in this field.” Tony Barber, IMGold Chairman, is the head of a very experienced executive team. For nine years he was a Commissioner with the Isle of Man Financial Supervision Commission, a role following a successful career with the Royal Bank of Scotland Group during which he became a director of RBS International. Ed Pearce has held senior operational positions in a diverse sector of industries, including a role as Head of Operations for one of the UK’s first independent Payment Gateways. He returned to his home in the Isle of Man, and a career in wealth management, after successfully assisting the sale of Protx to a FTSE100 business. For more information go to www.imgold.com
41496_NPW_Dots_Agenda_190x137_Focus/Castles A TYPE DT 18/10/2013 10:56 Page 1
EITHER YOU SEE IT OR YOU DON’T O p p o r t u n i t y. I t ’ s n o t a l w a y s o b v i o u s , b u t w h e n y o u ’ r e a l w a y s l o o k i n g f o r i t , i t b e c o m e s p o s s i b l e t o f i n d . A t N e d b a n k P r i v a t e We a l t h w e v a l u e o p p o r t u n i t y a n d p u r s u e i t r e l e n t l e s s l y. I t ’ s h o w w e f i n d n e w a n d i n n o v a t i v e f i n a n c i a l s o l u t i o n s f o r y o u a n d y o u r m o n e y.
UNITED KINGDOM
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ISLE OF MAN
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JERSEY
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U N I T E D A R A B E M I R AT E S
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SOUTH AFRICA
Nedbank Private Wealth is a registered trade name of Nedbank Private Wealth Limited. Nedbank Private Wealth Limited is licensed by the Isle of Man Financial Supervision Commission. Registered office: St Mary’s Court 20 Hill Street Douglas Isle of Man.
www.nedbankprivatewealth.com
Investments
Isle of Man investors favour property and other investments over savings
• Isle of Man (IOM) investors positive about six-month outlook for UK property at 46% - compared to UK investors at 28% • UK Property most popular asset class among IOM investors - 46% positive outlook, followed by IOM property at 36% • Majority of IOM investors satisfied with their investments - 49% satisfied, compared to 17% in the UK • 33% of IOM residents ‘not very satisfied’ with their savings - compared to 4% ‘very satisfied’ Global Summary Some six years after the first signs of the financial crisis, uncertainty still reigns over much of the world economy. For many investors, predicting the future is fraught with difficulty. The Eurozone hangs like a low cloud over the world’s investment markets, with high unemployment and instability at the area’s periphery still a concern. On the more positive side, growth is now more firmly entrenched in the UK and IOM and recovery continues in the US. The Lloyds Bank Summer 2013 Investor Outlook research suggests that investors are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, with the outlook for the medium-term almost uniformly positive. However, investors still see the emerging markets as risky, and with concerns about slow recovery in developed markets still prevalent, it remains to be seen whether investors have enough confidence to inspire the global economy to “escape velocity.”
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Isle of Man investors favour property and other investments over savings
Economic Outlook
The Investment Outlook
In the long-term, concerns over ongoing market volatility, inflation, and economic growth in the UK have done little to deter local investors from submitting a positive outlook for the UK and IOM. 42 per cent of IOM investors stated that they feel ‘quite positive’ about the UK economy over the next 3-5 years, compared to 31 per cent positive over the next 12 months, and 22 per cent over the next 6 months.
Looking six months ahead, 31 per cent of IOM-based investors anticipate positive growth in the stock markets, slightly lower than UKbased investors at 34 per cent and foreign investors at 44 per cent.
These stand in contrast to Eurozone investor’s sentiments about their own countries’ prospects, with 28 per cent of French and 31 per cent of Spanish investors stating a ‘quite negative’ outlook over the next 3-5 years, and 36 per cent and 28 per cent ‘neutral’ over the next 12 months respectively.
Among investors from the IOM, UK property is the most popular investment class. 46 per cent of IOM respondents hold a positive outlook for this asset over the next six months. This is followed by IOM property (36%), UK equities (31%) and commodities (24%). In terms of an investment outlook for different markets, IOM-based investors are most positive about emerging markets with 40% saying they hold a positive view towards this market over the next 6 months. This is followed by the US (38%), and Japan (27%). Overall, IOM residents are relatively satisfied with the performance of their investments at 49 per cent, compared to those from the UK at 17 per cent.
Generally speaking, IOM and overseas investors are noticeably more optimistic than those in the UK over the short-term, with 22 per cent and 30 per cent positive over the next 6 months respectively, compared to 15 per cent in the UK.
Graph 1: Percentage of IOM-based investors with positive outlook on the following asset classes over next 6 months.
IOM and UK - Savings Despite a largely positive outlook for future investment opportunity, however, the majority of IOM residents remain dissatisfied with their savings. 33 per cent of residents reported being ‘not very satisfied’ with their savings, compared to the UK at 35 per cent. Indeed, just 4 per cent of IOM residents reported being ‘very satisfied’ with their savings, close to UK satisfaction levels at 6 per cent.
Sentiment levels out over the very long-term however, with UK, overseas and IOM investors submitting a 53 per cent, 50 per cent, and 49 per cent positive economic outlook over the next 10 years, respectively.
Global Risks
Table 1: How would you rate the outlook for the economy in the following timeframes? Positive UK
Overseas
Next 6 months
15%
30%
Next 12 months
26%
3-5 years
Negative IOM
UK
Overseas
IOM
22% 40%
28%
40%
38%
31% 34%
24%
29%
43%
48%
42% 20%
18%
15%
10 years or more 49%
50%
53% 13%
12%
13%
Although it is largely considered the highest risk market, IOM investors are less concerned about Eurozone debt impact on the financial markets (30%) than they were at Q4 2012 (40%). 6 per cent of IOM investors surveyed had also increased their Eurozone holdings in the past six months, while 2 per cent had decreased their exposure. This compares to 12 per cent of UK investors who decreased their Eurozone investments over the past 6 months. 13 per cent of IOM investors consider economic growth in the UK and continued market volatility to represent the highest perceived risks to their investments over the next 12 months.
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Investment
René Thébault, the Islands Senior Investment Manager, Lloyds Bank said: “Investors remain skittish about the Eurozone and its volatility due to a string of bad news stories in the last couple of years. However, our outlook remains cautiously constructive towards Eurozone shares and we have been advocating a more overweight stance in the region. “Our view on European equities is based on a steadily improving riskreward scenario. We have seen tentative signs of improving investor sentiment in the Eurozone, while sovereign fiscal concerns and other major macro-economic worries are gradually starting to dissipate. Valuations of Eurozone companies remain reasonable, while profit forecasts have stabilised encouragingly. It should also be taken into account that investment in the Eurozone corporate sector provides exposure to more than just the Eurozone economy, as the index includes a host of high-quality global companies that aim to benefit from opportunities all over the world.”
Managing Portfolios 73 per cent of IOM residents continue to invest in stocks and shares, compared to 63 per cent of those in the UK. Unit Trusts represent the second most popular type of investment at 24 per cent in the IOM and 15 per cent in the UK. 22 per cent of IOM respondents increased their exposure to this asset class in the last 6 months, compared to just 17 per cent in the UK. 13 per cent in the IOM also expect to increase investment in this class, compared to 16 per cent in the UK. 23 per cent of IOM investors make changes to their investment portfolio annually, compared to 18 per cent in the UK, while just over half of IOM investors manage their portfolios themselves (54%). IOM and UK investors are the least likely to seek professional financial advice than investors in other countries, although all investors rely primarily on their gut instinct and the media to inform their investment decisions.
Investment Strategies Investors disagree slightly about the most attractive world markets, with UK investors far more confident in the UK than investors elsewhere in the world. The IOM is far less concerned about the Eurozone than the UK. Many still believe that emerging markets present too risky a proposition. Over the last six months, investors have tended to increase their exposure to cash and the stock market, with government bonds out of favour. Graph 2: To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “Emerging markets are generally too risky for me”?
Graph 3: Which one of the following World financial markets do you think offers the highest potential returns for investors?
René commented: “Investors have recognised the improving outlook for global equities, and are starting to adjust their portfolios accordingly. While we would caution against over-exposure to any one asset class, our general view is that investors are heading in the right direction by tilting their portfolios towards the stock market and away from bonds and commodities at this time”. “June’s price falls after the Federal Reserve’s announcement of quantitative easing tapering affected investor confidence negatively in the short-term. However, this was an orderly correction that we view as a natural, even a desirable event, allowing markets to digest and consolidate recent gains and help build a durable base for potential future increases. Prices recovered in July, and our current view is that equities will continue to outperform fixed income or commodities. This is due to an improving macro-economic backdrop, with rising indicators in manufacturing activity, labour markets, house prices and general financial conditions. As long as these conditions continue to prevail, we believe good relative valuations will continue to favour equities.” Please note that the value of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up and cannot be guaranteed. Consequently, on selling, investors may not get back the amount they originally invested.
Important note: These comments are the opinion of Lloyds Banking Group (as at 14 October 2013) and should not be relied upon as fact, in particular, no responsibility or warranty is given as to the accuracy of any financial information or as to the potential for achievement or reasonableness of any forecasts, projections, prospects or returns. Forecasts are opinion only, cannot be guaranteed and should not be relied upon when making investment decisions. The forecast of future performance is not a reliable guide to actual future results. Past performance is not a guide to future performance.
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FAIRYTALE IT STILL FEELS LIKE A
TO WALK THROUGH MY OWN FRONT DOOR With our range of mortgage options, we’re proud to be helping the island’s first-time buyers onto the property ladder. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE
Lending is at the Bank’s discretion and you must be 18 or over to apply. Security will be required. Lloyds Bank International Limited trading as Lloyds Bank. Registered Office and principal place of business: PO Box 160, 25 New Street, St. Helier, Jersey JE4 8RG. Registered in Jersey, number 4029. The Isle of Man branch of Lloyds Bank International Limited is licensed by the Isle of Man Financial Supervision Commission and registered with the Insurance and Pensions Authority in respect of General Business. Business Address: PO Box 111, Peveril Buildings, Peveril Square, Douglas, Isle of Man IM99 1JJ. Copies of our terms and conditions and latest report and accounts are available from the above registered office.
Technology News
Decoupling services from infrastructure developing a route plan for the shared journey Ian comish Principal network consultant
Ian Comish, Sure Principal Network Consultant, looks at changes in terms of outsourcing to more managed services development and explores the trending technologies arising as business prepares for the move away from costly infrastructure to the Cloud. 90
If one were to read all the outsourcing articles around, you might think that you could run an entire IT service without ever hiring a single employee! But there is more to outsourcing than the bottom line. At Sure International, our Professional Services team wants to offer partner technical relationships that identify the reasons for change and analyse the risks and rewards gained throughout the journey of decoupling service from architecture. In any business, the reasoning behind outsourcing is an emotive subject. In leadership terms, a “thousand feet view� of outsourcing revolves around controlling operating cost, headcount, focus and risk. This becomes difficult to manage as technologies become more social and user friendly but also becomes more complicated to manage as manufacturers converge the market technologies and verticals. A more grounded view is usually more defensive given the eventual outcome of Cloud and outsourcing. Asking
the proverbial turkey to vote for Christmas isn’t easy, but when you talk to IT teams that are walking the outsourcing path and facing the inevitable oven, the story is different. So what are the risks? Are all systems easily outsourced given the degree of bespoke operation and level of skills locally available in a limited island landscape? Will employed staff become disillusioned and feel they are losing control? Will moving to a fully managed service make it a virtual impossibility to move vendor at term or have too much impact on the business to change? Of course all of these questions need to be researched and discussed internally and in partnership with suppliers.
Managing change Focusing on the negative is always inevitable in preparation for, or during, periods of change. But what are the rewards? Reducing pain, cost, risk and worry is something everyone aspires to and wishes for in their complicated existence. When talking to technology
...the path or journey to Cloud and outsourcing is set by the needs of client businesses.
and support teams that are outsourcing and virtualising, their positive experiences range from more headspace, better vendor relationships to widening general IT skills whilst being able to focus on more personalised and specialised IT interests. Directors are enjoying commercial and technical partnerships bringing the comforts they need around risk and control. Mutual satisfaction is also born out of concentrated access to high-quality, specialised individuals without burning-out locally employed teams. So as we move to the “inevitable” virtual Cloud existence, what are the trends in the market place for this update? Well private customer network and server virtualisation is in full flow and Sure is working closely with partners and customers re-trenching and re-engineering networking platforms to accommodate “Private Cloud” migration and consolidation. The Sure network teams are virtualising networks and switching platforms in the same way that server architectures are evolving to smaller clustered and virtual existences. High utility cost, ”local site” server rooms are leaving customer sites en-route to data centres in “cookie cutter” fashion now that customers control and standardise IT deployments in a more structured manner.
The strength of wireless One of the most exciting changes of this decoupling from “structure” is the traction that Wireless or Wi-Fi networking is experiencing. Demand for wirelessly networked PC and telephone is exploding as the Wireless “N” standard has finally been
ratified, offering speeds of up to 450mb “through the air” for most devices. Wireless “AC” standards are still on the horizon offering potential speeds in the gigabits, but “N” is facilitating the need for bandwidth and “higher than LAN” security as the BYOD phenomenon forces ubiquitous client access. Customers are looking for more interactive connectivity to the world. “Open” Guest Wireless access has proved to bring uncontrolled reputational risk and now controller-based solutions finally bring private “authenticated guest” and “corporate network access” with the strongest encryption and authentication controls. LAN and structured cabling has never been able to satisfy the security that Wireless has, inevitably, had to deliver given its nature. Again our teams have been furiously surveying, deploying and offering best practice advice when designing and securing customers’ Wi-Fi networks.
Resistance is futile In conclusion, the path or journey to Cloud and outsourcing is set by the needs of client businesses. Already, forwardfacing customers are decoupling from infrastructure and fixed structure networks in search of a more efficient, flexible and user friendly IT experience.
products in Sure’s and partner data centres. As a full-service global provider, Sure has delivered a Multi-service, Multi-point and Differential Services Next Generation Ethernet network to facilitate private, perclient, “As a service” network access. Next steps for any business should involve rallying support and forming a clearly aligned strategy that delivers a route plan through Private Cloud to arrive at a decision point for full or partial outsourcing. If you would like to know more about the journey to Cloud, simply contact your account manager at Sure, or if you are a new customer, call the business team on 01624 692242 or email them at business@sure.com and they will be more than happy to help.
Your account manager will work with you to fully understand what it is you are trying to achieve. Once the account manager has understood, he or she will then bring in the Professional Services team, who will design a solution that meets your needs and budget. Sure will install the solution to the highest possible standards and will maintain a close relationship with you, keeping you aware of your options and giving you somebody to speak to, whenever you might need them.
Resistance is futile...! Negative change apprehension should be swiftly dealt with for a quicker, less painful route to Cloud technologies as fixed, wireless and mobile technologies converge for ubiquitous services access. Cloud vendors already have “As a Service” infrastructure and application
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Entrepreneurs WORDS
LES ABLE
THE RESTLESS ENTREpRENEUR
with an eye for a calculated risk jurisdictions such as the Isle of Man, with the aim of connecting entrepreneurs with angel investors, governments and service providers. Since July 2011, Siliconiom has hosted 18 such events in the Isle of Man and the next one is due to take place on November 11.
Steve Hawkins Siliconiom
A glut of retired ‘smart money’ investors who became multimillionaires after selling the successful companies they had created in the UK and beyond are now using their considerable nous to help attract budding entrepreneurs to the Isle of Man. “They are the entrepreneurs of yesteryear who have been there, done it and having ‘retired’ here to the Island, often at relatively young ages, are now rolling up their sleeves by getting involved in fledgling ventures, frequently in non-executive roles,” says facilitator and entrepreneur extraordinaire Steve Hawkins. “An entrepreneur is someone with skills and abilities, who isn’t constrained by one particular direction and is a free thinker.” says Steve, whose own CV and pedigree identifies him as a restless entrepreneur from his early working years and someone who is prepared to take a risk, but only a calculated risk. He is one half of Siliconiom, which hosts entrepreneur events in offshore
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The company’s achievements make impressive reading in that close on 40 companies which have pitched to potential investors in the Isle of Man have obtained their required funding, a number are in dialogue with government with regards to grant-funding and possible relocation to the Island. It is Steve and London-based business partner Charlotte (Charlie) Mason who identify those entrepreneurs from the UK who may have a business offering which will whet the appetite of ever hungry investors on the Island. They are then invited to attend an event where they, in ‘Dragon’s Den’ style, will make a pitch for investment to an audience of potential investors. Guests will also include Ministers, MHKs and Government advisers. “While we want to encourage new business blood from the UK to consider the Island and all it offers as a location for their business, we are also aware of indigenous young entrepreneurs and come next year. Siliconiom will be focusing on this talent and a scheme already in the pipeline will be announced early next year to identify an entrepreneur to participate in our May 2014 event.”* Born in Bristol, where he grew up, Steve initially embarked on a career in estate management and then joined a global PLC specialising in the valuation and sale of leisure and hospitality properties. The downturn in the property market in the late 1990s saw him change tack. He then retrained and became a specialist in corporate pensions and latterly offshore investments while working for a well known life assurance company. Ever ambitious, and something of a rolling stone and one who certainly never gathered any moss, it was the world of international wealth management that beckoned. This saw him move to the Isle of Man to become business development manager for the offshore arm of Lloyds TSB. “It was a great job but international travel can take its toll when you are married and have a young family, and after three years I made the decision to focus on a career closer to home and co-founded
an investment advisory business which a few years later was acquired by a Top Ten accountancy firm.” Much of Steve’s working life has been in phases of three years and while he was retained as managing director, the all too familiar three-year itch saw him seek out other opportunities. He is now at the helm of a number of vertically connected businesses. There is Paradigm which provides asset financing solutions for yachts, ships and aircraft as well as mezzanine finance for UK property development. “We aren’t necessarily dealing with the mainstream banks, but those banks which still have an appetite for such purchases, along with institutions and companies that want to raise finance,” he says. “The Isle of Man is a mecca to a number of firms with regard to clients who want to finance yachts and aircraft. Not so long ago I was asked to assist a UK company which was looking to establish an e-gaming presence in the Island and part of their requirement was to source the finance so we were able to facilitate that and also partner them up with a local company and introduce them to people in government.” Now aged 46, Steve admits that he can adapt to change quite easily. “I am by nature quite inquisitive, if I see a door ajar then I will push it open.” So what advice does he give to potential entrepreneurs? “Integrity, transparency and the ability to look outside the box. What frustrates me are people who aren’t open to new ideas and instead erect barriers. Nor do I think everyone has to be an academic and have a career in banking or finance to be successful. It’s possible to be an achiever in anything. “I went to a State school and didn’t go to university, which was then more the exception than the rule. I believe that in today’s world and to face all the challenges of the 21st century degrees should be more meaningful and applicable to what an individual want to do for a job.” His final words of advice are: “Too many young people opt for gap years, my advice is that it’s more important to get a decent job.” *If you are a local entrepreneur and would like to find out how you can participate in the early 2014 event than please email steve@siliconiom.com for further details.
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thatofthe value of investments can go downasasup. wellCreechurch as up. Creechurch and Creechurch Advisory Services are trading names of Creechurch Capital Limited. Clients are Clients advisedare thatadvised the value investments can go down as well Private Private WealthWealth and Creechurch Advisory Services are trading names of Creechurch Capital Limited. Capital Isle of Man Financial Supervision Commission and registered in the of number Man, number 5267V. Registration 2910 CreechurchCreechurch Capital Limited is Limited licensedisbylicensed the Islebyofthe Man Financial Supervision Commission and registered in the Isle ofIsle Man, 5267V. VAT VAT Registration No. No. 003003 2910 30.30. Address: Knox House, 16-18 Finch Road, Douglas, Isle IM1 of Man, IM1 2PT. your security communications be recorded. Registered Registered Address: Knox House, 16-18 Finch Road, Douglas, Isle of Man, 2PT. For yourFor security communications may bemay recorded. product details Terms including Terms & Conditions and Fee Schedule are available upon request. Full productFull details including & Conditions and Fee Schedule are available upon request.
Patek Philippe International Collection 2013 - Jar Restaurant, Douglas Wilkins the Jewellers of Strand Street, Douglas played host to a never before seen on the Isle of Man showcase of watches in an exclusive showing of the Patek Philippe International Collection 2013.
AGENDA
A-LIST EVENTS
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The collection contained some of the most covetable pieces from the Swiss watch company and gave guests the chance to try on and marvel at the exquisite craftsmanship that Patek Philippe are world renowned for; including the Ladies Split Second Chronograph that houses one of the most complicated and intricately designed movements in horology.
The Dining Car - Douglas Station President of Tynwald, The Hon Clare Christian, officially opened the Dining Car in front of invited guests at Douglas Station on Saturday 26 October. Graham Cregeen MHK, Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure, welcomed everyone to the platform. Guests included Infrastructure Minister David Cretney MHK – a former Minister for DCCL – and Geoff Corkish MLC who is a Member of the Department. Prior to cutting the ribbon to declare the Dining Car open, Madam President said: ‘The standard of refurbishment of the carriages is extremely high. I am very impressed with the way in which the railways have been developed in the last few years in terms of imaginative ways to bring back the public and I think all commendation needs to be made for that.’
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Business Profile
Still kickin’ up a storm, 20 years on Life’s never dull at Typhoon House, but when you get to know the owners, staff and even the resident office dogs, you begin to understand why.
Geoff & Debs Typhoon House
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Celebrating 20 years of business on the Island, Typhoon House are one of the Island’s premier printer sales, servicing and consumables suppliers. Working now from their purpose built office and warehouse on Hills Meadow in Douglas, you would probably expect an air of normality, sanity and utter professionalism. And that is of course exactly what you get, right up until the point you enter their impressive atrium style reception and are met with a great big, shaggy headed dog leering down at you from the balcony, tongue lolling – a big, fluffy Old English Sheepdog called Cloud, rather apt for a company named after a natural disaster! Cloud is of course just the start. There’s a lot more to follow. Take the owners of this successful local employer, known affectionately by friends and clients simply as Geoff and Debs. Both with amazing backgrounds ranging from aerospace engineering in the far flung corners of the globe to Marketing Manager for global giant Disney, their combined talents and philosophies culminated in the creation 20 years ago of a company called Caledonia Ltd. Geoff, a cross between David Bailey and Mick Jagger, had taken (very) early retirement from his career as Quality Assurance Manager for Cathay Pacific and moved to the Island. On his travels, he came across an organisation specialising in laser printer sales and recycled toner cartridges, long before the green movement had gained notoriety. He liked the business model so much that he set up a local franchise and started supplying local businesses. Geoff, a fully-trained engineer, was owner, sales person, accountant, repair man and chief bottle washer. For the business, already employing a handful of staff, to really take off, he needed support. Enter Debs. Having helped guide Disney’s branding for many years, she knew a thing or two about sales, marketing and business development. Part human dynamo, part wild eccentric, Debs tore through the business like a typhoon – something that the current name of the business is no doubt closely linked to. They set up shop in their little Onchan office, next to the Methodist church. With plenty of local and off-island competition, it took time for their unique take on customer relations to gain real traction. Their model, based entirely on the way they would like to be treated by a supplier, proved extremely popular and brought new levels of customer service to the Island. Heavy investment in state of the art computerised systems to ensure maintenance plans were effortlessly managed and sat well with their investment in one of the very early Customer Relationship Management systems. All combined to deliver what they wanted, an amazing and completely hassle free customer experience. It was their big ‘hook’, and the bait was exactly what the market wanted!
Fast-forward a few years and you’ve bypassed rebranding and renaming projects (but all still under the Caledonia Ltd. parent company), a constant evolution of the businesses services and products to meet the ever changing local business demands – and of course, a few more wrinkles. You’ve also bypassed their meteoric rise to become probably the Island’s largest specialist supplier of printers and consumables, coupled with its own highly trained team of engineers, who are constantly deployed Island-wide giving local businesses printers some ‘love’ – they don’t call it ‘servicing’ obviously! And it’s not just a story about the chance meeting between two rather eccentric but well-loved local business characters. In the last two years, aside from moving to their new offices, they have employed both their youngest ever apprentice Ryan, just 16 years old, and oldest, Trevor, who saw his half century pass more than a few years ago. These have joined a workforce boasting staff that have been there since the very start – which kind of speaks for itself in the way they run their business. And this is one part of this very unique businesses lovable traits; there are no heirs or graces, no chains of command and no prejudices regarding age, sex, race, creed or even breed (of dog) – although they do perhaps favour Old English Sheepdogs! So, perhaps the best way to round off this latest chapter in their history is to find out why the new name, ‘Typhoon House’? Of course, as you would expect with someone of her experience, Debs has many commercially astute reasons why the brand and name needed a refresher. But, halfway through explaining the exhaustive and carefully crafted marketing strategy, Geoff pipes up, “It was simple, we thought we could have a load of fun with it, everything from ‘you only get an oooo with Typhooooon House’ through to ‘we’re kickin’ up a storm’”. Debs goes quiet. She looks at Geoff with that quizzical, half smiling expression and replies, “Yes Geoff, thank you for that”. Cloud looks up at the two of them, scratches his ear and, after a big sigh, curls back up under Debs’s desk and falls asleep. All is well in the world. So, if you ever venture into Typhoon House, at least you’ll know beforehand why the experience may not be exactly what you were expecting – but ask any of their hundreds of local clients, and you’ll struggle to find one that would want them to be any different. www.typhoonhouse.im
Connect with us. Introducing Sure International.
Partnerships, relationships, affiliations. Whatever you call them, all companies need good connections. We’ve made a new connection - we’ve been bought by the Batelco Group, a communications company with a global footprint and vast expertise. And we’ve changed our name from Cable & Wireless Communications to Sure International. Our new group structure, coupled with local experience and know-how, make us a perfect connection for your company. Contact Gavin Price on 01624 692242 or email business@sure.com
www.sure.com
Corporate Culture... Stories History Values Rituals & Routines
Heroes Symbols Structures
Feature
WORDS
Michelle P. Tonnesen
Corporate culture can have a huge impact on an organisation’s work environment and output.
...the Key to Success Corporate culture is one of the key drivers for the success - or failure - of an organisation. A good, well-aligned culture can propel it to success. However, the wrong culture will stifle its ability to adapt to a fast-changing world. Real life examples of strong and successful corporate cultures are plentiful: Apple, Google, McDonalds and IKEA. So, how do you attempt to understand your corporate culture? And what steps can you take to create a strong corporate culture that will best support your organisation’s activities?
Several different models and theories exist of corporate culture. Key elements to most of them are:
History – A shared narrative of the
past lays the foundation for corporate culture. The traditions of the past keep people anchored to the core values that the organisation was built on.
Values – Cultural identity is formed around the shared beliefs of what is really important, and the values that determine what the organisation stands for. Rituals and routines – The daily behaviour and actions of people that signal acceptable behaviour. This determines what is expected to happen in given situations and what is valued by management. It is also the things that bring employees together, such as social events on Fridays, pasty for all on birthdays, or simply saying good morning to everyone when entering the office. Stories – The past events and people
talked about inside and outside the company. Corporate stories typically exemplify company values, and dramatically capture the exploits of employees who personify these values in action. Stories allow employees to learn about what is expected of them and better understand what the business stands for.
Heroes – Related to stories are the
employees and managers whose status is elevated, because they embody organisational values. These heroes serve as role models and their words and actions signal the ideal to aspire to in a company.
Symbols – The visual representations of the company including logos, how flashy the offices are, and formal or informal dress codes. Structures – This includes both the
structure defined by the organisation chart, as well as the unwritten lines of power and influence that indicate whose contributions are most valued. The people who make or influence decisions may not be the ones whose names are on the door to the board of Directors. Culture often becomes the focus of attention during periods of organisational change – when companies merge and their cultures clash - for example, when growth and other strategic change means that the existing culture becomes inappropriate
and hinders rather than supports progress. In more static environments, cultural issues may be responsible for low morale, absenteeism or high staff turnover, with all of the adverse effects these developments can have on productivity. So, for all its elusiveness, corporate culture can have a huge impact on an organisation’s work environment and output. However, in the dire times of a downturn, we feel compelled to make a choice between doing the “right thing” and profit; and we inevitably pick profit. When push comes to shove, we start to see conflicts between what is often perceived as the “softer” aspects of corporate life and our drive to improve the bottom line. We choose control over empowerment. We dispense with the perks and free lunches and start to browbeat employees into greater productivity. We respond to external threats by locking down and cutting back. However, research has shown that those “extras” that we dispense with so quickly, albeit regretfully, are the very things that will lead directly to the specific results we need. This is not a subtle correlation – it is a strong, undeniable one. Organisational culture directly impacts the bottom line. What’s your situation? Is your company growing or established? Does it compete on price or on innovation? Is your industry mature and stable, or new and evolving? With those questions in mind, answer this: What are the cultural elements that you need to encourage in your organisation to build a high-performance culture, and how will you do it? Once you have these answers, really commit to their implementation. Any change that is not permanent and pervasive won’t do it. It has got to be real. It has got to become part of the air your employees breathe. Your corporate culture is key to the identity of your company – how you want to be perceived internally and externally – and essentially what differentiates you from your competitors. Find that key and unlock your true potential to support you in the bad times and excel you in the good. Using your corporate culture proactively, you can create an environment that encourages success, supports the organisation’s objectives and ultimately makes for a better place to work.
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Jersey In The News the talk, which took place on Monday 14th October at the Grand Jersey, with staff in Guernsey and the Isle of Man also joining the talk via video link-up.
Irene Dorner HSBC
CEO of HSBC USA discusses diversity in the workplace to Jersey There are opportunities for women to pursue successful career paths in the modern business landscape if they are clear about their aspirations and are prepared to adopt a positive approach to risk, according to the head of HSBC Bank’s USA operation who was in Jersey recently. Irene Dorner, Group Managing Director, President and CEO of HSBC Bank USA, was in Jersey to talk to HSBC Bank staff on behalf of the Bank’s Women’s Development Association (WDA) and to coincide with the Bank’s ‘Diversity and Inclusion Awareness Month’. Over 110 male and female employees attended
Speaking about her career progression with HSBC, Irene, who was named the ‘Most Powerful Woman in Banking’ by American Banker magazine in 2012, explained how she started as an in-house lawyer before working for the Bank’s Treasury and Capital Markets business. She was then made responsible for the Bank’s branch network in the north of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, before being appointed Deputy Chairman and CEO of HSBC Bank Malaysia and eventually being asked to oversee the whole of HSBC’s USA operation. Her main message to staff was to have confidence in their abilities: “In the past, career progression for women has been opportunistic and I have frequently found that women will put obstacles in their own way and count themselves out of a potential job move before even applying. However, there are real opportunities for women to progress in the careers they want and the roles they deserve. “Adopting a different attitude and seeing change as a positive opportunity rather than a negative upheaval is one really important area that women should focus on. In addition, women shouldn’t be afraid of being direct and telling their managers clearly what they want to achieve careerwise. Bosses aren’t telepathic and being clear about job aspirations can help clear up any misunderstandings. In my
experience, that sort of direct approach is welcomed by senior executives. “Across all business sectors, it’s a cold hard fact that the career landscape is not a level playing field all the time, but every single policy HSBC has in place is geared towards embracing diversity, rewarding talent and making that playing field as level as possible. Ultimately, for a bank to be open to everyone makes very good commercial sense too.” The Jersey branch of the Bank’s WDA was launched in 2009 and provides a forum for the discussion of issues affecting women in business today, specifically aiming to help empower female employees to reach their full potential, both professionally and personally. Introducing the event, Nick Winsor, Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Channel Islands and Isle of Man, said: “Over 50% of staff at HSBC are women and the WDA provides an excellent means for them – and their male colleagues – to understand different approaches to careers. In addition, drawing on the kind of issues affecting women helps us to focus our learning on other aspects of diversity in the workplace too, which is clearly to all of our advantage.” HSBC’s WDA in Jersey organises regular workshops and events for its staff throughout the year, covering personal development topics such as body language, mentoring, career management and image in the workplace.
Employment Tribunal Fees Could Be Useful in Jersey Following the introduction of fees for employment tribunals in the UK, the question arises as to whether Jersey should follow suit. Under the new UK law, employees will now have to pay up to £250 to lodge a claim, as well as a further charge of up to £950 if it is decided the case will go ahead. Christopher Austin, a litigator who specialises in employment law at Parslows believes that introducing the fees in Jersey could be a useful idea but it would need to be managed carefully: “Jersey needs to maintain a balanced approach to introducing employment tribunal fees. They could prove to be very useful for ensuring that spurious claims are kept to a minimum and are likely to be welcomed by employers, many of whom currently feel that there is no barrier for entry of complaints”. “However, employees who lack the funds to pay fees could experience problems as those with genuine claims could be denied access to employment tribunals and therefore be denied access to justice. There’s no doubt that this is an idea worth investigating here in Jersey but a proper consultation will be needed to ensure the interests of employers are balanced by the need to have a fair system accessible to all.”
Jersey Brands Cast Thier Net into Caribbean Waters After announcing an association with Carey Olsen in January, Hempel and Boyd has rebranded taking the Carey Olsen name in the jurisdiction. Chairman, John Kelleher, said the move to bring Hempel and Boyd into the Carey Olsen brand was a natural progression. “Hempel and Boyd has presented a strong growth story in the BVI market since its inception in February 2012 when Clinton Hempel and Greg Boyd first launched the firm. Indeed in the same year, Hempel and Boyd became the first of shore law firm to open an office in Cape Town. We welcome this next step of embedding the association between our firms and look forward to continuing to provide our clients with the highest standards of legal advice around the world.” Carey Olsen provides British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey legal advice and has offices in each of these locations as well as in Cape Town and London.
A Certian Affinity Affinity Private Wealth, the Jersey-based wealth management business hires in their trust business. Affinity Trust Limited has further expanded its team with the recruitment of Paul Sewell as a Director. Managing Director of Affinity Trust Limited, Justin Thomas said “Our client base has grown and continues to do so. This has resulted in our desire to expand the board and recruiting talented individuals of Paul’s standing and calibre is integral to the future of our business. Paul has consistently delivered a first class professional service to private clients for several years and Affinity are delighted he has chosen to join us as we continue to expand.” Paul brings with him a wealth of experience having most recently been a Director of Key Trust (now acquired by Hawksford) prior to that he was a director at Vistra Trust, CitiTrust (Jersey) Ltd. and in various roles at Walbrook Trust.
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Appleby Reports Positive Offshore M&A Activity •
Surge in M&A activity and IPOs for Q2 2013
•
Offshore market outlook positie with business confidence stabilising
•
Isle of Man deal values up 46% on previous quarter
Nick Verardi Appleby
The second quarter of 2013 has shown positive signs of a return to more stable transactional activity following several years of volatility. Renewed confidence in offshore transactions and an increase in deals between Q1 and Q2 2013 have been highlighted in the latest Offshore-i Report released by Appleby. The latest edition of Appleby‘s quarterly report, which provides data and insight on merger and acquisition activity in major offshore financial centres, focuses on Q2 of 2013 and shows that the Crown Dependencies enjoyed a positive quarter. Whilst deal volumes in the Isle of Man were down from 20 to 18 compared to Q1 2013, the value of the deals was considerabley higher, up 46% from USD194m to
Offshore Reports
USD283m on the previous quarter.
Central and South America at USD109m.”
Offshore M&A activity in the second quarter of 2013 presents a relatively positive picture, with both the number of deals completed and their value remaining broadly consistent compared with Q1. This suggests that there may be some stabilisation of transactional activity levels after the volatility of the last few years.
“When we look at the contribution of the top 10 offshore deals to overall activity in Q2, we see that they accounted for just a third of the cumulative deal value overall, as they did in Q1. We believe that this gives further reason for optimism as values for past quarters have been distorted by one-off mega deals. We can now see genuine substance returning to the mid-market and activity returning across the spectrum of business sizes. Transaction sizes show signs of settling at pre-boom levels, on a par with 2006 data, when USD61m was spent on the average transaction.”
Commenting on the report, Nick Verardi, Head of Corporate and Commercial at Appleby (Isle of Man) LLC said: “The numbers speak for themselves, but I am in no doubt that the Isle of Man market is in a more positive mood in line with our other offshore jurisdictions. Isle of Man companies were the target of nine deals in Q2 with an aggregate deal value of USD449m, and we believe this indicates stability and confidence returning to the market.” He continued:”The number of deals has started to form a pattern averaging out at around 500 per quarter. So far this year we have seen 493 deals in Q2 and 491 in Q1. We feel comfortable asserting that business confidence is at last returning to the markets.” “At USD64m for Q2, average deal size is higher than it has been for five of the last eight years. The offshore region average is also higher than all other regions except for North America at USD119m and
Global Offshore Market: Q2 2013
Cameron Adderley, Partner & Global Head of Appleby’s Corporate & Commercial department added: “When we look to gauge the relative strength of the offshore markets as compared to other major world regions, this quarter we find these numbers are encouraging. The offshore markets are now ranking sixth globally in terms of cumulative deal value, only just behind South and Central America. The offshore market is more active than Oceania, Africa and the Middle East and, when we look at average deal size, here again we find a source of positive news; the offshore region ranks third globally, behind only North America and South and Central America in Q2 2013.”
•
Finance and insurance deals continued to drive the offshore M&A markets at 168 deals with a combined value of USD10bn. This is up quite considerably on Q1 2013, when there were 147 deals in the sector worth USD6.5bn.
The key themes emerging from the report show that in the second quarter of 2013: •
There were 493 deals involving offshore targets completed with an aggregate value of USD31.6bn, putting the quarter slightly ahead of Q1 2013.
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The most popular deal type was the minority stake transaction, of which there were 295 that contributed USD11.5bn to the cumulative deal value for the quarter.
•
The average offshore deal size was USD64m for Q1 2013, the same as for 2013 to date. If this is maintained or improved to the year end, deal sizes in 2013 would be greater than they have been in at least five of the last eight years.
•
Hong Kong acquirers spent the most money in Q2 2013, with an aggregate deal value of USD13.7bn that represented 40% of total spending by offshore acquirers.
•
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Acquisition activity led by companies incorporated offshore rebounded in Q2 2013 after a weaker first quarter, and there were 426 deals with a cumulative value of USD34bn, up 11% in terms of volume and 29% by value.
By average deal size, the offshore region ranks 3rd globally, behind North America and Central and South America in Q2 2013.
•
Initial Public Offering activity is looking increasingly bullish, with both the volume and value of IPOs up considerably in Q2 2013 with 17 deals and a cumulative value of USD2.4bn.
•
Q2 2013 was the best quarter since 2011 for IPOs and planned IPOs, with 39 deals in total worth USD4.1bn.
•
In Q2, there were only three deals announced valued in excess of USD1bn. Instead, the majority of money was spent in the mid-market on transactions valued at between USD200-700m. We see this strengthening of the mid-market as a crucial step towards recovery.
“These numbers are encouraging,“ says Nick Verardi, “the offshore market is showing signs of stability and the emergence of a new norm.“
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Feature WORDS
Michelle P. Tonnesen
Buzzwords and
Management Fads Hip or Hype?
Who Moved My Cheese? The Seven Habits. Six Sigma. In Search of Excellence. You may be forgiven for thinking this article is about children’s games or TV shows. The creativity of the management fashion industry seems to have no end when it comes to inventing new business philosophies for managerial circles. But are the so-called gurus just out to take advantage of self-doubting managers in the name of profit? Or, do their tools and rhetoric have some merit? Get out your Buzzword Bingo card, because you are in for a treat! The term ‘management fad’ tends to be used in a pejorative sense as it implies that such a change in philosophy or operations is being implemented solely because it is THE thing to do at the moment among high-performing companies – and not necessarily due to any real need for organisational change. It also implies that when this idea is no longer popular, it will be replaced by the next plausible idea that comes along. What characterises a management fashion? For starters, there is the new jargon it implies – usually for existing business processes. Enter the notorious three-letter acronyms: BPR, BPO, JIT, TQM, CRM, HRM – and so the list goes on. The rhetoric not only creates a belief that the techniques the theory champions is rational, but also that it is at the forefront of management progress. It poses claims of a measurable business improvement via measurement of a metric that is defined by the fad itself.
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Top it all off with a captivating figurehead like Tom Peters, Anthony Robbins or Stephen Covey and you’re good to go. Whenever a new theory pops up, the question inevitably lingers at the back of your head: Have we not heard this before? Well, you may have a point. Strip away the rhetoric and look at what is left: Improvement – in a plethora of guises. ‘Business Process Reengineering’ became Lean. ‘Knowledge Management’ inspired Customer Relationship Management. ‘The Learning Organisation’ succeeded Total Quality Management. Old wine on new bottles? We’ll leave it up to you to judge. Charismatic gurus and shiny book covers may be seen as representing flavourof-the-month techniques, yet managers feel obliged to pursue them (and make them bestsellers) for a reason. It’s cold and lonely at the top. They provide a helping hand to engage in a brief standing back from the everyday pressures and encourage you to reflect on what you are doing in a more or less structured or inspiring way. Doubting yourself and your actions is only human nature – we all have our moments of uncertainty regardless of our place in the corporate hierarchy. Using these ideas to make sense of your life and your place in the scheme of things enables you to take control. The gurus can be seen as equivalent to the priests of organised religion or the witch doctors of tribal societies – their roles being to assist their clients with pressing problems and anxieties with magical words, knowledge or techniques. Gurus acknowledge and respond to the individual manager’s need for a measure of predictability in an increasingly uncertain world. They provide this through their philosophy by helping the manager make sense of his or her business environment. The socio-economic, political and cultural contexts within which management theories and ideas emerge and become widely adopted play a significant role too. Management fashions centred on reducing costs fare well in a recession;
softer, people-focused ideas thrive in cycles of economic expansion. And some theories just work. In a highly competitive and turbulent environment, organisations will seek out new ideas in order to survive. Those that select the right ideas stay alive; those that don’t fall by the way. At the end of the day, it is all down to believing and methodically pursuing your beliefs. The words may be buzzing, but if you don’t put action behind them and follow through, they are nothing but the infamous new clothes of the emperor.
Acronym Glossary (just in case you need a reminder) BPR: Business Process Reengineering – a business management strategy, originally pioneered in the early 1990s, focusing on the analysis and design of workflows and processes within an organisation. BPO: Business Process Outsourcing – a subset of outsourcing that involves the contracting of the operations and responsibilities of specific business functions (or processes) to a third-party service provider. JIT: Just In Time – a production strategy that strives to improve a business return on investment by reducing in-process inventory and associated carrying costs TQM: Total Quality Management – an integrative philosophy of management for continuously improving the quality of products and processes. CRM: Customer Relationship Management – a model for managing a company’s interactions with current and future customers. It involves using technology to organise, automate, and synchronize sales, marketing, customer service, and technical support.
Finance Feature
Money Talks Brought to you by Edgewater Associates Limited
Ray Cox, Owner of Douglas based Milan Veterinary Clinic, talks about how he manages his finances.
Have you ever been hard up? For 5 years in recession hit Ireland in the ‘80s when I was studying at vet college. Whilst we were cash poor we had a great time. The second period of penury was when I purchased my veterinary practice in 1997. I worked without a break for nearly a year, being on-call 24 / 7. How much money do you currently have in your wallet? £25; I rarely carry much cash. Do you manage your own financial affairs? I have always had a keen interest in financial matters. Nowadays, I take advice from Sandra Cardwell at Edgewater Associates and from accountant Colin Matthewman of Callow Matthewman & Co. Are you a saver or a spender? Saver. How often do you save? I constantly save regular amounts and then lump sums.
RAY COX, OWNER, MILAN VETERINARY CLINIC
What is your weakness when it comes to saving? I am fairly disciplined. How do you plan for large purchases, such as a car or a house? I plan purchases and save the bulk of the money before buying. What was your first ‘scary’ purchase? My first house came with what I thought at the time was a vast mortgage. However, with the passing of time it seems so small now. What’s the most extravagant thing you’ve ever bought? The horse lorry. How do you manage your outgoings? With difficulty, having a wife and 4 children.
What is your most costly regular outgoing? Paying for the ponies. Do you invest in shares? Yes, via investment platforms that spread the risk.
It is wise to be prudent but don’t let money rule your life. You cannot take it with you to the afterlife What, in your opinion, is the best type of investment? Property at the moment but equities in the longer-term. What is your current market outlook? The market has tightened somewhat on the Island over the last 2 years. However, it appears to be recovering slowly. Do you own more than one property? Yes. What, in your opinion, is the best way to save for retirement? Start early as even a small investment will build up. Now I have a Self Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) with a mixture of property and investments. What is the most important thing you have learned about money? It is wise to be prudent but don’t let money rule your life. You cannot take it with you to the afterlife.
“The most relaxed game of golf I ever played was the day after Edgewater sorted out our key person insurance.” Business protection from Edgewater - giving you time to relax.
Talk to us on 01624 654000 or email enquiries@edgewater.co.im for more information.
Shaping your Financial Future
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Words | Hannah Goodby – H.G. Equestrian
All Things Equestrian In my previous article, I spent some time talking about the importance of building up your experience with horses and examining the financial implications before jumping in and purchasing your own.
You may be dreaming of galloping atop a huge Arabian stallion, bareback, along a hot sandy beach, but Schumacher didn’t learn to drive in a Ferrari F1 car
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his time-out I’m assuming you’ve put in the hours, mucked out, and calculated your initial and ongoing budgets. So now it is time to identify the right horse for you. It goes without saying that you have to continue to be somewhat realistic about things. You may be dreaming of galloping atop a huge Arabian stallion bareback along a hot sandy beach, but Schumacher didn’t learn to drive in a Ferrari F1 car (his starting point was a peddle kart that his Dad modified with a small motorcycle engine – according to Wikipedia). And so it goes, it will make sense for many novice riders to begin with something reliable, sensible and straightforward – a Ford Fiesta of the horse world.
1. Where should I start my search and what should I be considering? These days, there are plenty of websites and publications which list horses for sale. The Horse & Hound is a long-established weekly that you can pick up in most good newsagents. Then there are the likes of HorseQuest, Horsemart and Horsedeals online. Your instructor - or riding school - will be able to assist you with narrowing your search requirements. For instance: Height • If you are 5ft tall, an 18 hand horse is unlikely to be the one for you. You will require something smaller to provide you with greater control. Age • A young horse under the age of 6 is effectively still at school, and therefore requires an experienced rider to bring it along. An older horse with experience of different situations is likely to be better for the novice ride. Type • You’ve heard the saying ‘horses for courses’ – a highly strung thoroughbred that is born to race may look good in a photo, but unless you plan on racing it, you probably won’t find it an enjoyable Sunday afternoon hack out!
2. What should I be asking the seller? Despite a horse looking the part and the seller suggesting it may be a novice ride, looks can deceive! I would always recommend finding out as much detail about a horse as possible and taking it for a ride before making any financial commitment. For us Island folk, this is especially important if the horse is based in the UK.
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The perfect partnership
Beginning the quest of owning your first horse – part 2
Get answers on the following from the seller: The horse’s temperament & experience You should find out what the horse’s temperament is like in general, and if it is suitable for a novice ride. Ask about: • The horse’s experience and what the owner did with them previously? Were they of a similar riding ability to you? If it was last ridden by an Olympian, it may not be your first choice. • Why the owners are selling the horse?
kick you into to next Tuesday when you try to brush it. Where is the fun in that? • Living in and out: Does the horse like to live out in the fields or is it happy to stay in the stable? You should also ask about whether or not the horse is good to clip and how they are with the farrier. The horse’s health It’s always worth understanding a horse’s veterinary history; this could have implications for you further down the line.
• Whether it can be ridden independently or in company and on the road? Can it cope with traffic?
• Find out whether the horse has ever suffered any injuries or illnesses, and if it has ever been checked by an equine chiropractor and dentist.
• Whether the horse can be ridden in an open field or if they treat that as the start of the Grand National and take-off.
• Ensure that the horse has been wormed regularly and is up-to-date with required vaccinations.
• The type of bit it is ridden in - ideally a ‘snaffle’.
You should also ask about vices, for example weaving or cribbing
• Whether the horse is easy to handle both in, and out of the stable by a novice. You don’t want something that is going to
General In general, you should always consider how long the seller has being trying to sell
because quality matters
the horse, and why they are selling. If it has been on the market for a while and the price is attractive, it is probably for a good reason. A picture, or in this case a video can paint a thousand words. If you can get the seller to provide a series of videos demonstrating the horse being ridden, working in and out of an arena; this can help you identify the well schooled from the undisciplined.
Next month, I’ll be wrapping up this 3 part series when I look at viewing, vetting and finally - the purchase.
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CLEAN fitness APPAREL
Functional, Fashionable apparel for the CLEAN athlete Clean Fitness Apparel
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e were recently contacted by Danny & Jo Buckross to talk fitness and also to hear all about ‘Clean Fitness Apparel,’ a new online sports clothing range company they have just launched based on the Isle of Man. Danny & Jo have been encapsulated by the latest fitness craze, CrossFit. Both of them attend CrossFit IoM having fully embraced the CrossFit community and way of life. CrossFit IoM is a gym, with a twist, where strength and conditioning training is delivered at a high intensity. Sessions combine wide-range functional movements planned into timed or scored workouts.
Jo tells us: There is something captivating about fitness. Pheromones raise your heart-beat and you drive to the gym with excitement and anticipation thinking about the work-out ahead. We are lovers of CrossFit and thrilled that a sport which has such strong values around community spirit has captivated our souls. It’s from their love of CrossFit and having experienced the workouts first hand that they have designed this functional, fashionable apparel for the CLEAN athlete, Clean Fitness Apparel. For any avid gym goer you will know that often clothing which looks fashionable on the hanger, actually fails to serve its purpose while training. For men you may find when you squat your shorts restrict you. For women you find that great top that keeps riding up around your midriff. And in fairness you often pay a lot to wear a t-shirt that displays a simple logo. After long nights talking about this we finally decided to take the step into the unknown and design a gym range providing quality, fashionable, functional and affordable apparel which supports the ‘clean’ athlete. Sounds simple, but working as a builder and a banker, we have never ventured into anything of this nature before! I woke up one morning to find logos and designs littering the bedroom floor as Danny, unable to sleep had spent the night capturing ideas. They were incredible; could something on paper be transformed into something tangible? We wandered into Promenade T-shirts half expecting someone to laugh at us, but we were met by an encouraging helpful staff member Matt, who guided us through our designs and offered advice on apparel. From the start we decided ‘quality is key’ and despite our overheads being higher, we ordered 50/50 or Triblend Shirts to ensure they were comfortable while training. We approached some high profile athletes who agreed to wear our apparel and provide honest constructive feedback. We were blown away by their responses. Danielle Sidell is both a CrossFit athlete and a US Military service-woman. Her positivity lead us to design the Forever Hero’s range which remembers fallen men and women who have lost their lives helping others.
because quality matters
For every shirt sold of this range we donate £2 towards ‘Help for Hero’s at the end of the year. We sponsored a Forever Hero’s shirt for the Fire-service ‘Tunnels to Towers’ run in New York last month, the military have also embraced this range by storm. We have both donated and sold apparel to forces in Afghanistan - it feels great to be giving something back. Advertising was our next challenge. Pete Williamson has taken the most incredible portfolio of photographs for us. Our friends have stepped up to modelling our apparel and without this support we would have been unable make the website www. cleanfitnessapparel.com look so professional or create leaflets for distribution. CrossFit IOM has supported us every step of the way and we are proud to sponsor Dan & Erin Bonett who are both incredible IOM athletes and motivating coaches.
The encouragement from every athlete at CrossFit IOM has overwhelmed us. From the bottom of our hearts we thank our fellow IOM community. We haven’t stopped at Apparel. Any athlete will tell you the food you fuel your body with is what drives your performance. We wanted to provide a 100% ‘clean’ Biltong snack that would fit in your gym bag. We have an amazing South African couple who live on the IOM and make all sorts of flavours for us using only natural ingredients. The meat is Manx and can be sourced back to 4 IOM farms. We have branded this Prehistoric Fuel and already starting to receive orders from local gyms. The Prehistoric Fuel packs are branded using stickers from TM Vinyl in Ramsey – we highly recommend them for quality and efficiency! So, we are living our dream and now moved into bespoke design of apparel for gyms/ clubs/individuals. Without the local IOM community, this would not be possible and I think brings home ‘Giving Freedom to Flourish’. Danny and Jo would like to thank local models: Elissa Morris, Roxanne Mitchell, Erin & Dan Bonett and Gianni Fabrizio, who is currently preparing for the WBFF UK Fitness Model show in London on 9th November. Plus a special mention to photographer Pete Williamson (www. petewilliamsonphotography.co.uk) for his fantastic work. T: 07624 337357 E: clean-fitness@hotmail.com W: www.cleanfitnessapparel.com
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Jimmy Morris is a Sport & Exercise Therapist who invites you to enjoy some physical treatment at Bodymann, his new business in Park Lane Studio, Kelly’s Court in Douglas.
Osteopathy treats the patient and in doing so empowers the individual to take on responsibility for their own health
Bodymann Jimmy has a degree in Sport & Exercise Science and started practising as a personal trainer in 2005. He is currently two years into a master’s degree in osteopathic medicine. In 2003, he represented his country playing American Football for the GB Bulldogs during a successful tour through Italy. His sporting past has fuelled his interest in exercise injury rehabilitation and as his experience grows his attention is turning more towards medical aspects of health and disease.
“Sports medicine is a broad field which covers more than just injuries incurred during athletic performance. The term sports injury can be applied to many circumstances for example a traumatic event, e.g. car crash, or from repetitive strains through typing or writing. The field of sports medicine deals with a constant stream of injuries which is why it is at the forefront of research into new ways of treating musculoskeletal injury.” Dealing predominantly in remedial massage and injury rehabilitation, throughout this year Jimmy has set up his portable couch at local events such as End 2 End, Parish Walk, Toughmann and the IoM Marathon, and provided therapeutic relief to participants. These efforts have also helped to raise money for an ambitious healthcare trip to Africa. When Jimmy graduates in 2016, he plans to supplement his five-year education by spending six months putting his manual therapy skills to the test in Ghana, before returning home to the Isle of Man.
disease. Osteopathy treats the patient and in doing so empowers the individual to take on responsibility for their own health instead of externalising the problem by resorting to quick-fix medication without making the necessary lifestyle changes to combat the maintaining factors of his or her illness.” This is interesting stuff and many people could really benefit from a change in perspective regarding how they view their current health position. If you would like a consultation then call Bodymann on 493070 or email bodymann@manx.net. There is also a Bodymann facebook page where Jimmy keeps a blog on various health, fitness and fundraising campaigns, go search for it.
“The training in osteopathic medicine that I am currently receiving is really engrossing. The principles teach us to look at the body in a different way to medical practices, which focus on treating the
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Test Drive | Steve Redford photos | Peter Kwiecinski
The NEW UN4GETTABLE BMW 4 Series Coupe. Good news normally comes in threes, but Buchanan BMW believes that it comes in fours too, introducing the NEW BMW 4 Series Coupe.
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he cynics amongst you might describe the new BMW 4 Series Coupe as the 3 Series Coupe. But a coupe it most certainly is, which means it will feature on a lot of wish lists - with good reason too. Aside from the obvious reduction in the number of doors, the new 4 Series Coupe models are marked out by a number of visual differences - only the bonnet is shared with its four-door cousin.
BMW’s latest iDrive system is simpler to use than in the past and is largely intuitive in the way you work your way through the menus. As in other recent models, the ‘Back’ key at the base of the iDrive lets you take a different path should you make a mistake. It also features a touchpad mounted on the iDrive knob that lets users write out phone numbers, contact names and navigation destinations, and also zoom in or zoom out the map, all possible with only one finger.
There are bigger LED headlights, a more aggressive front bumper, flared wheel arches and also ‘air breathers’ - small vents in the front wings which are primarily for improving aerodynamics but are also designed to catch the eye. There are LED lights at the rear as standard too.
It’s not just visual either. Thanks to a 25kg weight cut, and the standard lowered suspension providing a ride height at 500mm above terra firma, the 4-series has the lowest centre of gravity of all current BMW models.
On paper, you might question paying more for fewer doors, but once you’ve seen it in the flesh, it starts to make sense; this is one handsome beast. On the inside there’s the familiar cabin layout which, in typical BMW fashion, manages to hit all the notes. The supportive seats, the crystal-clear instruments and the reassuring snap of all the buttons puts you at ease behind the wheel. It might only be a small change, but the front seats are mounted 9mm lower than in the saloon, contributing to the sport feeling you expect from a car like this. In the back there’s a similar amount of room for passengers but the seats are sculpted to offer a bit more support to keep them in place as you tackle a challenging road. The lower roofline means a fraction less headroom, but only Herman Munster will find it a problem.
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And perhaps - unsurprisingly - it is the way the new 4 Series Coupe tackles the bends that really shows it in its best light. With sizeable wheels and tyres on this 435i M Sport version, there is huge amounts of grip on offer, although when sports mode is pressed, there is huge amounts of power available to play the hooligan. With the quick and accurate steering, excellent body control and sheer enthusiasm - it tackles bends with a genuine joy to match any enthusiastic driver. The 4-series engine range comprises of thrifty petrols and diesels including the popular 2.0-litre diesel already seen in the 320d as well as the turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol, but here the range-topping 435i M Sport delivers a very strong 302bhp thanks to its twinturbochargers. The super-slick eight-speed automatic transmission works superbly whether its in auto or manual mode, and with the EcoPro, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes governing everything from the suspension, steering, throttle response and gearshift operation the new BMW 4 Series Coupe is genuinely capable of adapting to your current needs. The engine punches the 435i M Sport to 62mph in 5.4sec – enough to worry Porsche Caymans and out-drag a 5.0-litre V8 Jaguar XK. There’s a rational case for saying that you can get 95% of what the 4 Series offers from its only slightly more humble four-door siblings, but that would be missing the point entirely. There’s extra style as well as presence, and that’s something that anyone who can afford it, will. With the new 4-series, there is genuine ability to back up the looks. It’s distinctive style will turns heads wherever it goes.
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Facts at a glance BMW 435i M: From £41,435 OTR. The 4 Series Coupe range starts from £28,280 Engine: Auto Start-Stop - 3.0-litre petrol TwinPower Turbocharged 6-cylinder unit producing 302bhp and 295lb.ft Transmission: Eight-speed auto or manual mode (Wheel Paddleshifters) driving the rear wheels EcoPro, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes with active cruise control Performance: Top speed 155mph, 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds Economy:
39.2mpg combined
Emissions:
169g/km of CO2
You can get all your BMW 4 Series Coupe questions answered by visiting BUCHANAN BMW. You can even take the 435i M Sport for a test drive.
BUCHANAN. Isle of Man Business Park, Cooil Road Braddan, Isle of Man, IM2 2QZ T: 01624 616161
www.buchananbmw.co.uk
The All-NEW
BMW x5 Will be Available to test drive from the 18th November at BUCHANAN BMW Be sure to read the December issue of Gallery’s motoring news. We have a review of the All-NEW BMW x5 with test drive comments from STEVE COLLEY. because quality matters
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CONCEPT CORNER WORDS RUSS ATKINSON
THEY’RE BOXY, BUT THEY’RE GOOD
FIRE UP THE... HYBRID?
It’s based on SPA (that’s Scalable Product Architecture, rather than a warm and bubbly relaxing bath) and is an indicator of the style of future Volvo models to come, so says their HQ in Sweden. If you don’t believe me, a decidedly Swedish named man called Thomas Ingenlath said this:
Box ‘arches are back in and there’s more than just a hint of Ur-Quattro in that rear end - if this is a hint of things to come then Audi have still got it. The area in which there’s no doubt about them having sewn up is the vehicle lighting design department, and this concept showcases their new MatrixBeam LED headlamps, developed from their R18 Le Mans prototypes. They dynamically assess the vehicle’s situation to change from high to low beam using a combination of diodes, reflectors and black magic.
YES. Just YES. No, not the band that preceded the creation of Asia, so put your air guitars away. I just can’t believe how bang on Volvo’s latest offering is. Just look at it! The ‘Volvo Concept Coupé’ moniker leaves a little to be desired, but maybe they burned themselves out with all of the sketching and rendering.
“The Volvo Concept Coupé is no futuristic dream car. It is designed to demonstrate the capability of our new architecture: the confident stance, the proportions and the most prominent design signatures. Even though the all-new XC90 is an entirely different type of car, you will recognise the connection instantly when it is revealed next year” He also said ‘Think about the powerful calmness of a lion’ later on in the press statement I received though, so don’t blame me if they are in fact a bunch of crazy people* telling fibs. Apparently the nod toward Volvo’s P1800 isn’t part of the recent fad of creating a retro look but a celebration of their heritage, and do you know what? I’ll give them that, because to take something as disgusting as the P1800 and end up with this is undoubtedly worthy of praise. *Those of you who got the reference both here and in the title, give yourself a pat on the back!
It’s okay, it’s okay - if you’re still with me having seen the ‘H’ word associated with the mean-looking Audi concept pictured above then you must pay attention to this next bit before you start tipping tables and stamping your feet: it’s got a V8 and is packing about 700 polar bear friendly horsepower. Deep breaths.
As well as black magic, this concept also sees extensive use of CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced polymers) to keep things as light as possible whilst not reducing structural rigidity. They’ve even omitted the use of glass lenses in the lighting where possible, showcasing fully exposed diodes to subtly appease the green brigade without us die-hard petrolheads noticing. Sneaky, but we’re on to you Audi. Audi’s PR department say that ‘the control concept is also focused on the driver’, which I suppose is a good place to start. But I’m sure you’re all more interested in that TFSI V8 that can use just a single bank of cylinders to save fuel and a 100kW electric motor that adds an extra 400Nm of torque that takes power from a liquidcooled lithium-ion battery in the boot. Maybe Boeing could learn a thing or two.
WRAITH
With a name that sounds suitably badass to complement with phenomenally badass exterior, there isn’t much not to love about Rolls Royce’s Wraith. Until Alan Sugar buys one, that is. Wraith is the most technologically advanced vehicle from the prestigious marque yet and if, like me, you didn’t think this was a big deal let me
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OUT OF THE DARK AGES
Imagine Kermit the frog being involved in a lightspeed collision with a Light Cycle from Tron and you’re probably fairly close to how Caterham’s AeroSeven keeps the name of their most popular seller, albeit one derived from the continuation of somebody else’s legacy (not a contemporary Tron reference, honestly) after the flop that was the Caterham 21 which probably saw more success on computer screens in ‘Test Drive 4’ than out on the road in actual, real life. If only they’d have allocated a little more of the marketing budget to the development side. They’re developing a sportscar in conjunction with Renault that will debut in 2016 and this is a nod to their capability as a manufacturer, as well as a good excuse to translate what they’ve learnt in Formula 1 onto the road and prove that they can turn around a full vehicle from concept to production in double-quick time - expect to see this one for sale by 2014. Yep, that’s next year. It’s the first Caterham model to be fitted with traction control via a system imaginatively named CEMS (Caterham Engine Management System) that also offers launch control. If you’re adverse to this, they’ve recently released an even more powerful ‘R’ series Caterham 7, which will undoubtedly be more up your street. They’ve based it on an ‘updated interpretation of the highly acclaimed Seven CSR platform’ and given it a 237 horsepower engine developed in-house, but as a fully certified cynic I can’t help that think that if it ain’t broke, don’t design a brand new car that looks super futuristic at the front only to be ruined by the lack of concept continuity at the rear. That’s a popular saying, right?
share that the gearbox uses GPS and mindreading techniques (based on your driving style) to determine the most appropriate gear for the path ahead. If they ever let me drive one, I’ll be selecting ‘full tilt’ from the bridge and heading from Grosnez to Anne Port. In a straight line. Naturally, Wraith will know this though, as not only is it written here but it can read my mind. isle of man premier Premier magazine
hardware business
With the hype around the new Google Glass (a camera, display, touchpad, battery and microphone built into spectacle frames, rumoured to be launched later this year), the idea of ‘wearable tech’ is becoming ever more prominent. It’s an idea that has amazed, baffled and inspired people in equal measure, but whatever your view, take a look at these slightly more accessible, but still brilliant, ‘wearable tech’ gadgets.
in wearable tech Fuel for thought
Image is everything
Nike Fuelband - £129 from www.store.nike. com/gb/en_gbs
Autographer - £399 from www.shop.autographer.com
There are a number of fitness bands on the market but the Nike Fuelband is, frankly, the best. This tracks your day-to-day activity and measures it with ‘NikeFuel’; the more active you are, the more NikeFuel you will be rewarded with per day. Tell yours what you want to achieve and a series of 20 LEDs will gradually turn from red to green as you near your target. The Fuelband also synchs via Bluetooth with an app on your iOS device, neatly keeping track of everything.
Animal magic Neurosky Necomimi - £69.95 from www.red5.co.uk Inside this headmounted apparel is brain-computer interface technology so that when it’s worn the EEG (electroencephalogram) sensor tracks brain activity and makes the ears act upon your emotions. The developers, Neurosky, state our minds have three mental states; focused, relaxed and ‘in the zone’, and each one of these will translate into a particular movement by the fluffy ear; when focused the ears will prick up, when relaxed they will droop, then when you manage to relax yet concentrate (aka: be ‘in the zone’) they will twitch. It’s all slightly pointless, but also very fun.
Time to connect Cookoo Watch - £109.95 from www.red5.co.uk This wrist-wear connects over Bluetooth to your iPhone or iPad, keeping tabs on what’s happening, without you bothering to dig your device out of your pocket. Whenever you get an incoming call, missed call, email, SMS, calendar reminder, alarm, low battery sign - or even if you simply forget your phone - the watch will ping up with an alert. As if that wasn’t enough, it also syncs with Facebook and lets you control the music on your device. With such an endless list of functions, losing your Cookoo Watch would be real blow but luckily, they’ve thought of that too. If you misplace it, just open the app on your phone and set off an audible alert on your watch to help you locate it.
because quality matters
Forget lining people up for the perfect shot or stopping whatever you’re doing to take a snap, this very intelligent camera captures moments as they happen. Inside are sensors which determine when to take photos based on changes in light, motion, direction, colour and temperature. It is able to take up to 2,000 pictures a day with a very wide 136 degree angle lens, so wear it around your person then filter through the results when you get home. This utterly brilliant piece of kit has clearly seen the bigger picture.
Keep it close Hipkey - £69.95 from www.store.apple.com/uk Forget lining people up for the perfect shot or stopping whatever you’re doing to take a snap, this very intelligent camera captures moments as they happen. Inside are sensors which determine when to take photos based on changes in light, motion, direction, colour and temperature. It is able to take up to 2,000 pictures a day with a very wide 136 degree angle lens, so wear it around your person then filter through the results when you get home. This utterly brilliant piece of kit has clearly seen the bigger picture.
Talk to the hand Bluetooth Gloves - £49.99 from www.firebox.com You can now do the international signal for making a call - waving your hand up to your ear - with a bit more substance, thanks to this pair of Bluetooth gloves. Integrated into the gloves are a microphone and speaker, as well as a control pad, so instead of having to hold your phone in your hand, you can just speak into the glove. You might get some odd looks from strangers, but there’s no denying this is a handy (and warm) device.
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PHONE HOME
A DSLR camera in your pocket – the Nokia Lumia 1020 Forget professional photographers. Once you hold the brand new Nokia Lumia 1020 in your hands, you will be a professional photographer. Suddenly you have top of the range imaging tools right at your finger tips, enabling you to capture some incredible shots. With a staggering 41-megapixel sensor, you get extremely sharp images, along with advanced editing tools and a wide variety of options for sharing photo memories with friends and family. There is no doubt you will be amazed.
The Nokia 1020, which uses Qualcomm dual-core 1.5 GHz processor phone is 4G ready and has up to 19 hours talk time, so you can chat to friends all night. Whether you want to work on Office documents, play Xbox games against your pals, or become an expert photographer, you are sure to fall in love with this incredibly smart phone.
Unbelievably, the 1020 has six lenses and a six times optical zoom, meaning you have the ability to zoom in to your shot after you’ve taken it, up to six times, without losing any quality. You can review, edit and share the resulting images in a variety of ways on this 32GB phone. Or if you prefer, you can just use the Auto mode and let the camera do the hard work for you! As well as this, Vyclone synchs, edits and mixes uploads from multiple sources to create your very own masterpiece. Just point your phone, shoot, and record. Vyclone does the rest. The result? Your mixed video collage is ready to share across the whole world. Windows Phone 8 lets you quickly launch apps and see updates with Live Tiles. Keep all your messages, emails and social networks from your friends in one place. And don’t worry about losing anything on the Nokia Lumia 1020. Safely backup your photos online and share them easily with others using SkyDrive.
Come and visit us in one of the Isle of Man Sure stores today, to try out the new 1020. 35 Strand Street, Douglas 4 Orchard Walk, Port Erin 10 Parliment Street, Ramsey
iPhone 5s A smartphone ahead of its time, the iPhone 5s is the world’s first smartphone built with a 64-bit architecture.
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app you’re using, finding your way around is extremely intuitive. So from day one, you know how to use the most advanced iPhone yet. With the improved chip and operating platform comes the ever improved iSight camera. Apple have improved the software and hardware in the iPhone 5s where the iSight camera is involved, in a bid to improve the iPhone’s ability to take a world-class picture without the need to be a world-class photographer. The larger sensor, larger pixels, and larger aperture (allowing for the intake of more light) allows for the user to take vastly improved photographs in all conditions. Continuous burst mode, slo-mo videos, in-video zooming and auto image stabilisation are also key features of the iSight camera which really helps it to stand out amongst the competition.
The use of the Apple’s A7 chip has been able to make this possible and can offer graphics performance up to twice as quickly as its predecessor, the A6. Furthermore, because iOS7 was designed specifically with the 64-bit A7 chip and iPhone 5s in mind, the operating platform (iOS 7) is uniquely designed to take advantage of the A7 chip and all it has to offer. The chip allows for detailed graphics and complex visual effects once possible only on computers and gaming consoles. The difference is amazing. Textures and shadows look more true to life. Sunlight reflects off the water. The whole experience feels much more realistic With iOS 7 also comes great new features, such as smarter multitasking, AirDrop (a file sharing programme: Wifi or Bluetooth), and Control Center (providing you with quick access to commonly used settings and apps). All in all, iOS7 allows you to carry out your every day functions and activities even easier, faster, and more enjoyable. No matter what you’re doing or which
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Finally, one of the more sci-fi led features of the new iPhone 5s is the introduction of Touch ID which allows the user to unlock their phone in mere seconds with the simple use of their finger print. You can also use your fingerprint to approve purchases from the iTunes store, App store, and iBooks store. This allows for rapid browsing and eliminates the need to type in lengthy passwords using fiddly on-screen keyboards. KEY FEATURES: • •
Touch ID – Fingerprint unlocking A7 chip – World’s first 64-bit smartphone
• •
iSight Camera iOS 7
For more information on availability go to: www.manxtelecom.com/mobile/iphone-5. aspx, call 624 624, or pop into the store in Strand Street. isle of man premier magazine
arthy ie McC nn-Mar A | s Word
If it’s adrenaline you’re looking for nothing quite beats the rush of playing Texas Hold’em Poker. The heart-pounding excitement of going “all in” and the pantsquirming anxiety of waiting for your bluff to be called can be addictive. Poker is a pass-time that has caused its fair share of controversy over the years. It shot into the public eye gaining massive attention when a completely unknown poker player Chris Moneymaker (yes, that’s his real name) won $2,500,000.00 at the 2003 World Series of Poker, Main Event. What is remarkable about Moneymaker’s story is that he qualified for the Main Event by winning a $39.00 satellite poker tournament, bypassing the normal $10,000 entry fee. After turning his $39.00 into $2, 500,000.00 he became an overnight success story. The suggestion that poker can turn a “Joe Average” into a millionaire became an inspiration to many and so the siren call of Texas Hold’em continues to seduce. For a variety of different reasons Poker is something that has been in my peripheral of late. So, with a little coaching from an expert friend, I decided to enter a poker tournament at the Palace Casino. It is true that poker is a male dominated sport and, being in a tournament of 50 people, only four of whom are women, I feel very intimidated. I am yet to bet a hand but already my heart is in my throat. I am new, and a girl. I can feel myself being watched, weighed and measured. They can smell the fear seeping through my pores. I bet conservatively, trying not to draw attention to myself. I am yet to decide if it is strength or a weakness but when I am nervous, I talk, babble in fact.
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If people are silent I talk all the more, spurned by the fear that they are silently judging me. Fortunately I am sitting next to one of the few other women in the tournament, a veteran of the sport and she takes me under her wing. While I am quite au fait with the hands I am totally confused by the idea of blinds, and how much to bet. But both my mentor and the dealer look after me. With some guidance and a lot of luck I manage to win a couple of hands and my confidence grows.
Then it happens, I am dealt a two and an Ace of Clubs. If I get lucky in the flop I could get a flush and I realise this could be my chance. My expert friend (who, incidentally, is sat on a nearby table) has advised me that before 8pm I can re-buy chips, and, if the occasion calls, I should go all in. I know that I am short stacking so I check my watch, its five to eight. I do it. The flop is dealt and I find myself with a nuts flush draw. The dealer asks what my bet is, so I say those infamous words, “I am all in,” and push my pitiful chips into the centre of the table. It feels good and isle of man pre all eyes are now watching me. The guy sitting opposite is staring at me, trying to figure out if I am bluffing. I grin back; I can’t help it… I feel invincible. My opponent decides to call and turns over his hand revealing two queens. With a third queen on the flop he has three of a kind. My cards are losing, I press my hand to my lips in a vain attempt to suppress my emotions and await the turn. It
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draws a blank and I hold my breath in expectation. The final card is dealt, it’s a club and I make my flush. Unfortunately it’s the queen of clubs and my flush is defeated by Four of a Kind. I watch in disbelief as the chips are collected; they are going in the wrong direction! I want to cry. I have learned the hard way that poker is a fickle game. But it’s ok, I can buy more chips, and so I do… I can see how this gets addictive. After the rebuy I somehow win a few hands and make it through to the second round. The mood is different this time, not so relaxed. I realise that if I lose my chips now then its game over. The alphas begin to beat their chest, rolling out the banter, sniffing out weakness. I am an unknown and therefore unpredictable, which combined with some good luck makes me a threat. I become a target then my luck turns; I am dealt picture cards but nothing to match them too. I am starting to lose. So, they raise the bets. I bite, stare them down. Again, down to my final chips I go all in with a king and queen. So does my mentor. She wins with Ace high and I am knocked out of the game. The low of losing is as desolate as the high of wining is elevating.
On the cold walk home I begin weighing up the pros and cons of playing poker and wonder if it lives up to its sticky reputation. I have spent the best part of £40.00, but this included buy-ins and add-ons and an excellent seafood buffet served during the break. I have had a fantastic night with an almost unparalleled adrenaline rush and I have met some interesting new people. I could spend £40 on alcohol and only have a hangover to show for it. So, what is the harm? I guess the question is: after that last hand, if I could have bought more chips, would I? In a permanent chase for that rush how much would I have gambled, and lost? Fortunately, this tournament was structured so the amount you can lose is limited, in many ways it’s cheaper than many other pastimes. While the adrenaline rush is intoxicating it doesn’t justify the bad reputation it has earned. Gambling, specifically Poker is like anything else best in moderation. If you can control your spending poker is fun and value for money. Poker is a game everyone should play once in their life – just to find out what they’re made of. I don’t just mean online, I mean face-to-face, “don’t-shoot-‘till-you-see-the-whites-of-their-eyes” kind of poker. As far as the experience goes I have definitely leaned something about myself. If life is a poker game, and how you bet is initiative of how you live, then I am impulsive, indecisive, quick to gamble and continually betting on the wrong hand. But sometimes it’s the lesser hands that win and these are the most rewarding.
The sense of shame, the look of pity from the other players, the expectation to leave as soon as you are empty handed reminds you that you are disposable and as transient as the cards. So I stand up to leave, but I find myself lingering, I don’t want to go. ”Well played” they say as the pot is divvied up. I take the hint and initiate the walk of shame wearing that horrible fixed smile of a loser. I turn to the table where my expert friend is sitting, he is doing well and motions to me that I am not allowed to approach his table. I decide there’s no point hanging around and head for the door.
Ultimately Poker, like life, is about playing the hand you are dealt and playing it well. 
I have to walk home as my friend was my lift. It’s freezing and, in emier magazine my haste to leave, I forgot my jacket. Outside the cold is as biting as my dejection. So, I walk home, gutted and wired, all at the same time.
If life is a poker game, and how you bet is initiative of how you live, then I am impulsive, indecisive, quick to gamble and continually betting on the wrong hand.
because quality matters
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Are you in?
papp’d at the Villa Marina - Fashion For life
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Photographer - Peter Kwiecinski - www.dollsfactory.net
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Friday 6th December - Villa Marina Get ready - for the Smash Hit concert show direct from
the States featuring a superbly choreographed cast, dozens of dazzling costume changes and most importantly that authentic Detroit sound. that
Here it comes
- The UK’s Biggest Motown production celebrates 50 years of number one hits and continues to perform at more theatres, arenas and festivals than any other show of its kind.
It’s on its way
– fresh from sell-out shows in London’s O2, experience The Magic of Motown as this all-star cast authentically recreates the harmonies, slick moves, stylish looks and legendary musicianship that were the making of this golden era.
This lavish production revives all time favourites such as:
Stop in the Name of Love My Guy I Heard it Through the Grapevine Heatwave I’m Coming Out Get Ready Ain’t Too Proud to Beg My Girl I’ll Be There Blame it on the
NIGHTLIFE
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PAPP’D AT TAHIKO
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Tuesday 24th December | 9pm-2am
FREE ENTRY ALL NIGHT!
PHOTOGRAPHER - PETER KWIECINSKI - WWW.DOLLSFACTORY.NET
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ISLE OF MAN PREMIER MAGAZINE
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NIGHTLIFE
PAPP’D AT NEXUS
Tuesday 31st December | 10pm-3am
2ROOMS - 2DJ’s - 3BARS
THE NYE PARTY
ADVANCED TICKET PRICE £5 TICKETS £10 ON THE DOOR ON THE NIGHT TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM THE BEST WESTERN PALACE HOTEL AND CASINO HOTEL RECEPTION
.= ²Â µåT $
.= ²Â µåT Áº îîîÔà= ²ÂÔYÂÔ º PAPP’D AT BORDELLO
PHOTOGRAPHER - PETER KWIECINSKI - WWW.DOLLSFACTORY.NET BECAUSE QUALITY MATTERS
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nightlife
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papp’d at the outback
photos
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Photographer - Peter Kwiecinski - www.dollsfactory.net
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isle of man premier magazine
Are you in?
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nightlife
papp’d at THE crescent
Photographer - Peter Kwiecinski - www.dollsfactory.net because quality matters
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GALLERY .......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................
TO EDUCATE, AMUSE AND ENTERTAIN.
GALLERY
GANT MEN’S AVAILABLE AT THE MILL SHOP, TYNWALD MILLS
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday 10am to 5.30pm Sunday 1pm - 5.30pm 3
ISLE OF MAN STYLE MAGAZINE
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papp’d at the Pavillion - Laxey (Emma & Chris Robinson Wedding reception)
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Photographer - Peter Kwiecinski - www.dollsfactory.net
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