Gallery IoM Sept/Oct 2023

#109

THE AUTUMN EDITION

Autumn is coming

There’s nothing quite like a few decaying leaves falling from trees to make us feel really good inside, the palpable sense of change in the air can shake up the best of us as we brace ourselves for new opportunities and possibilities. Autumn is the time to take stock, reorganise, get stuck back into work and school and figure out what lies ahead, what we should be doing next, what we should be wearing, eating or dreaming about. And… it just so happens that we may actually have all the answers to those probing questions in this one perfect little edition.

Cover Image

PUBLISHER

STEVE REDFORD steve@gallery.co.im

07624 249249

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01629 619540 sales@gallery.co.im

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

221 MEDIA design@gallery.co.im

ENQUIRIES/SUBMISSION info@gallery.co.im

DISTRIBUTION everyone@gallery.co.im

ACCOUNTS

laura@gallery.co.im

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No matter what season you are currently at in your life, most of us have a desire to achieve, ‘functional longevity,’ (translation – live a longer and better quality of life). Check out our health and nutrition feature on page 16 to find out how we can influence our longevity by paying attention to the 10 main lifestyle factors that we can prioritise for a healthy mind and body. And if you do manage to keep supple, sleep well, eat healthily and read lots of Gallery to stimulate the grey matter then you may well be rewarded with a wonderful retirement. Ever wondered what the real reasons for retirement are? Prepare to be enlightened by our feature on page 46. We told you this edition would have all the answers!

However, if you’re not quite ready to overhaul your entire lifestyle and map out your future just yet then you could start by focusing on what to do in the short term and, more importantly what to wear, as the nights grow darker; perhaps a visit to a Hungarian wine evening (pg 19 courtesy of Wine Down) or a trip to the Peel Centenary Centre to celebrate its 20th anniversary (page 21) or you may even want to swing by the airport to behold Kimmy McHarrie’s 3 metre long mosaic of a basking shark, surrounded by plankton, (page 22) to remind yourself of the diversity this wonderful island has to offer. Whatever you decide to do, you might as well do it in style, page 37 showcases Ann Muhoro’s stunning clothing collection that creates, ‘bespoke African wear that seamlessly fits into European weather and lifestyles,’ and page 42 offers a glimpse into Element Isle Jewellery that produces, ‘beautiful collections that celebrate the timeless charm and tranquillity of the island.’

Go on, get out there!

SR

/ ISLAND LIFE & STYLE

Disclaimer.

All rights reserved. Any form of reproduction of Gallery Magazine, in part or whole is strictly prohibited without the written consent of the publisher. Any views expressed by advertisers or contributors may not be those of the publisher. Unsolicited artwork, manuscripts and copy are accepted by Gallery Magazine, but the publisher cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage. All material, copy and artwork supplied is assumed to be copyright free unless otherwise advised.

Contributions for Gallery should be emailed to editorial@gallery.co.im. Names have been changed to protect the innocent and no penguins were harmed in the manufacture of this magazine, although the new cover colour is called ’penguin white’. Tag us in your pictures at @galleryisleofman and #gallerysmallprint and we’ll give you something.....

Recycle.

Gallery recycles all its storage and packing materials, boxes and any old magazines that are returned. We don’t get that many fortunately. We love to know our readers hang on to previous copies but when you move or find that they’re taking up too much space, put them out in the recycling bins. If you want to find out more about recycling, call 01628 686540. We put this in a green font. It’s not made out of leaves, honest.

Photographer Glen Perotte

Model Daisy Ogesa

CONTENTS

Function Longevity

Functional longevity is maintaining the ability to do what you NEED to do, what you WANT to do and what you LIKE to do as late in life as possible.

Interdependence

16

22

Created as part of Culture Vannin’s 40th anniversary celebrations, Kimmy’s 3 metre-long mosaic was first commissioned in early 2022, begun in Kimmy’s studio later that year and finally revealed in all its glory this August.

MBCSG - Rumours of Fleetwood Mac

26

The Manx Breast Cancer Support Group were really pleased to bring over to the Island the Fabulous Rumours of Fleetwood Mac. The only Fleetwood Mac tribute band that has been endorsed by by Mick Fleetwood. We were thrilled to fill the Villa Marina to full capacity!

The Real Reason People Retire

46

The thought of stepping away from work is strange. But if you’re like most people, you’re looking forward to the day where you can finally put your feet up for good.

Energy Over Environment

52

The decline in wildlife throughout the world is shocking and frightening. Europe’s nature is in alarming decline, with more than 80% of habitats in poor condition. We are losing nature like never before because of unsustainable human activities. Key Questions by John Corteen.

07.09-09.09.23

If you would like events added to the What’s On section, email events@gallery.co.im

08.09 & 21.10.23

14.09.23

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

An open air theatre experience of Shakespeare’s classic ‘The Merchant of Venice’ is brought to audiences by Parodos Theatre Company. Audiences are invited by bring rugs, blankets and chairs to enjoy this tale of court battles, revenge and friendship.

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

16.09.23

OKTOBERFEST

Back by popular demand following last year’s sell-out Oktoberfest shows, the 10-piece band Die Wandernden Biertrinker returns to the Villa for 2 nights of live oompah music, fun and games.

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

16-17.09.23

NATHAN CARTER

RS Promotions is delighted to present Nathan Carter and his band with support from Claudia Buckley. Nathan is Country Music’s brightest star, and will light up the stage with the classic hits and songs from his six albums which have made him a firm favourite with Irish and Worldwide audiences.

Gaiety Theatre, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

17-19.09.23

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE

The UK’s favourite science team are back and more explosive than ever! Join the presenters as they take and anarchic approach to science communication and look at how science shapes the modern world we live in with a few loud bangs along the way!

Gaiety Theatre, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

21.09.23

ISLE OF MAN FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL

The Isle of Man Food & Drink Festival is back for 2023 with the very best of Manx produce on offer. Over the weekend, the festival will shine a light on all the passionate people, businesses and organisations that make the Island’s food culture so uniquely bold and creative.

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

22.09.23

ABBA: THE MOVIE - FAN EVENT

Captured by director Lasse Hallström during their mega-successful tour of Australia, the newly remastered film will take you on a flashback journey to the 1970s when disco reigned supreme and ABBA were royalty. Including backstage footage as well as fulllength performances

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

23.09.23

GARY MEIKLE SAYS...

“I’ve had several top professionals and industry people tell me over the years that I shouldn’t swear so much on stage, that I shouldn’t be as crude or as edgy as I am but guess what, they likely don’t know that as a kid growing up in the care system I was told that I’d be either dead or in jail by the time I was 30, so I tend not to listen to others and do things my way.

Gaiety Theatre, Douglas | 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

FASTLOVE – THE TRIBUTE TO GEORGE MICHAEL

Direct from London’s West End, this is the world’s favourite George Michael celebration! Make new memories whilst reliving old classics - this one is for the fans as the talented cast will recreate a night like no other, celebrating one of the greatest musicians the world has ever seen.

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555 www.villagaiety.com

SAFFA FESTIVAL

A celebration of South African culture, food, music, and lifestyle coinciding with Heritage Day weekend in South Africa. The festival’s programme promises an exciting and engaging line-up, including a family-friendly tag-and-touch rugby tournament, and a ‘Local is Lekker (nice)’ market, featuring local and South African artisans, crafters, makers, bakers and a kids zone to keep the little ones happy.

The Nunnery, Douglas 07624 332404 www.islesettle.com

Thereʼs never been a better time to switch to Mac. 24 months interest free finance available on all Mac at iQ.

23.09.23

If you would like events added to the What’s On section, email events@gallery.co.im

25.09.23

26.09-01.10.23

MANX LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS

The organisers promise that there’ll be something for everyone, both the more serious music lovers and those who simply enjoy the finale and need an excuse to dress up for the night. This year we are pleased to welcome the return of former Cleveland Medal Winner, Paul Costain as our guest soloist.

Gaiety Theatre, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

30.09.23

AN EVENING WITH KEVIN MCCLOUD

An evening of conversation with TV presenter and designer, Kevin McCloud. This ‘evening with Kevin McCloud’ will allow the audience to gain an intimate look at Kevin’s’ life and work, with the opportunity for a question and answer session during the event.

Gaiety Theatre, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

08.10.23

MANX LITFEST

Headliner for the 2023 Lit Fest is Sunday Times best-selling author Sophie Hannah who will be talking about writing the latest mysteries for Poirot to crack. Ben Haggarty is back at Manx Litfest once again, this time with his incredible one man storytelling show: Greek Myths Unleashed!

Various venues

F/manxlitfest

08.10.23

BOB HARRIS & COLIN HALL – ‘THE SONGS THE BEATLES GAVE AWAY’

‘Whispering’ Bob Harris OBE and author/ music journalist Colin Hall set out on an intimate speaking tour based around their mutual love and appreciation of The Beatles, including rare archive from Bob Harris’ collection of interviews with Lennon & McCartney.

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555 www.villagaiety.com

08-14.10.23

“THE MUSICALS, IN CONCERT

Stars from London’s West End will take to the stage in a very special performance of songs from some of the world’s favourite musicals. With performers who have appeared in Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Wicked, Sister Act, We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia, Blood Brothers, Book of Mormon and many more,

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

14-15.10.23

MEGASLAM - 2023 LIVE TOUR

The #1 Live wrestling experience for FamiliesMegaslam is back for its huge 2023 Live Tour! All of your favourite stars are set for an Isle of Man showdown spectacular including ’The Boss’ Ricky Regan, Action Man Stixx, ’The Megaslam Machine’ Massimo, Derek, The Murphy’s and many more!

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

19.10.23

JOSEPH AND HIS AMAZING TECHNICOLOUR DREAMCOAT

Christine Wild Theatre School and Rachel Wild Performers Studio present this famous Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical which is an all-time family favourite.

Gaiety Theatre, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

ISLE OF MAN FESTIVAL OF CHOIRS

Saturday afternoon sees choirs compete in Male Voice, Ladies Voice, Mixed Voice and Open classes with the winners advancing to the final. The following afternoon starts with an ensemble class followed by the final, which sees the four class winners from the previous day perform a 25 minute programme to see who will take the ‘choir of the festival’ title.

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

‘SCREWED UP’ - SIMON BRODKIN

Fresh from his sold-out, critically-acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe run and becoming the most viewed British comedian of all time on TikTok, world-famous prankster and Lee Nelson creator Simon Brodkin is back with an outrageous new stand-up show.

Gaiety Theatre, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

WHAT’S

If you would like events added to the What’s On section, email events@gallery.co.im

20.10.23

21.10.23

21.10-14.01.24

FASHION FOR LIFE - GOES TO THE MOVIES

A fun night of fashion, cabaret and comedy in aid of Isle of Man Breast Care and Breast Cancer Now, compèred by Dot Tibury MBE and Geoff Corkish MBE.

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

22-29.10.23

RAY QUINN, KING OF SWING

South Douglas Old Friends Association (in association with Tacoma Bar and Kitchen) presents Ray Quinn - King of Swing in a concert spectacular celebrates the music and tells the incredible story of the world-famous Rat Pack, led by a bona fide star of swing music.

Gaiety Theatre, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

24.10.23

CRUCIBLE: AN EXHIBITION BY ROBERT JONES MRSS

An exhibition of steel sculptures and ink drawings by local sculptor Rob Jones MRSS, highlights the need to move away from our capitalist culture of waste, exploitation and disconnection from nature, and to rebel. .

House of Manannan, Peel

www.manxnationalheritage.im

25-27.10.23

HOP TU NAA GHOST TRAINS

The Longest running Hop Tu Naa Attraction on the Island, The Ghost Trains return for another Year. Dare you ride through the haunted tunnel and visit the Zombie Village at the end of the line. Are you prepared to be scared?

Laxey Mine Railway 01624 600555

www.laxeyminerailway.im

28.10.23

MILKSHAKE LIVE

Milkshake! Monkey is back and can’t wait to put on a spectacular NEW Show for you all, joined by some of his favourite Milkshake! friends plus two Milkshake Presenters creating the most dazzling show you have ever seen.

Gaiety Theatre, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

28-29.10.23

SCARFEST 2023

A terrifying mix of real actors, animatronics, smoke, lighting & other effects as well as some very clever projection promises a chilling night never to forget - no matter how hard you try.

Milntown, Lezayre

www.scarfest.im

31.10-01.11.23

SOPHIE MCCARTNEY IS TIRED AND TESTED

Hold onto your ‘Apple Bottom jeans and boots with the fur’ as you follow Sophie on her evolution from non-maternal ‘noughties’ wild child to the highs and lows of being with child: nothing is off limits.

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555 www.villagaiety.com

NOT SO SCARY HOP TU NAA TRAINS

Bring the kids to our family friendly Hop Tu Naa trains to enjoy a child-friendly spooky atmosphere, surrounded by turnips and pumpkins in the dark. This is your chance to come and meet Jinny the Witch in her liar who has spooky surprises for all the children.

Groudle Glen Railway, Onchan www.ggr.org.uk

CROWN BALLET - SWAN LAKE

After last year’s successful premiere, Crown Ballet returns this year to enchant you with the delightful production of Swan Lake, the most famous ballet of all time - the compelling legend of a tragic romance in which a princess, Odette, is turned into a swan by an evil curse. Can Seigfried’s love be strong enough to break the curse?

Gaiety Theatre, Douglas 01624 600555 www.villagaiety.com

CROSSROADS OPENS COMMUNITY SPACE AT NEW STORE

Island charity, Crossroads, has opened a space for the local community to use thanks to Manx Lottery Trust funding.

The charity, which has several charity shops dotted across Douglas, has been awarded a grant of £2,500 from Manx Lottery Trust and has used the funds to open the community space above its new store on Tynwald Street. The area includes a kitchen, coffee machine, and bathroom and is furnished with comfortable furniture throughout.

Jackie Betteridge, CEO of Crossroads, said: ‘Crossroads wanted to create a comfortable and welcoming space, which brings the community together and supports those who may be struggling with the rising costs of living and social isolation.

‘We anticipate that the community space above our new shop will be used by over 500 people, which is based upon the current number of Crossroad service users we think would benefit from this type of facility and community service. We can’t thank Manx Lottery Trust enough for their support in helping to get this much-needed community project off the ground.’

Stephen Turner, Chairman of Manx Lottery Trust, said: ‘The Trust is delighted to support Crossroads with their community space initiative. We hope funding will enable the charity to develop upon their existing social and charitable activities, whilst supporting those most in need.’

www.crossroadsiom.org | www.facebook.com/crossroadscharityshops

CATHEDRAL ISLE OF MAN CHOIR HEADS OUT ON SAFARI ACROSS THE ISLE OF MAN

The Cathedral Foundation for Music and the Arts has been awarded a grant of £1,200 from Manx Lottery Trust to support a ‘Choir Safari’ initiative.

The Isle of Man registered charity, which supports and funds the music department at St German’s Cathedral in Peel, launched the initiative following the Cathedral’s temporary closure for remedial works.

‘Safari Choral Evensongs’ will see the Cathedral choir head ‘out on safari’ to perform at eight parish churches across the Isle of Man whilst the Cathedral is closed. The safari series will run over several months, with performances taking place every third Sunday of the month at 3:30 pm. The project will also see members of the choir, which comprises both adult and child choristers, visit and sing at several primary schools.

The Manx Lottery Trust grant, which has been awarded from the Trust’s Smaller Grants Programme, will be used to cover transport costs, including the hiring of a minibus.

Dr Peter Litman, Cathedral Director of Music, commented: ‘We think the choir safari is a fantastic opportunity for our choristers, both young and old, to perform in other churches across the Isle of Man. The Island’s churches are incredibly diverse, each offering up a rich history and unique setting to perform in. We are also hopeful that it will be of positive benefit to the smaller communities of our Island who can take joy in our music at a time when many are concerned about the rising costs of living and the post-Covid world we live in.

‘We very much look forward to introducing the community to a new style of choral singing that few will have heard before and would like to take this opportunity to thank Manx Lottery Trust for their support.’

www.facebook.com/cathedralisleofan | www.mlt.org.im

Functional Longevity

Functional longevity is maintaining the ability to do what you NEED to do, what you WANT to do and what you LIKE to do as late in life as possible. We may hope for longevity so that we can experience many years of quality time with our loved ones but unfortunately living to a ripe old age doesn't always mean healthy or happy longevity if it is burdened by disability or disease.

We all know older people, even in their 80s that have levels of physical and mental capacity like that of a 30-year-old. Others of the same age may require extensive support for basic activities like dressing and eating. While genetics play a part, the biggest influence on functional longevity is your lifestyle.

These are the 10 main lifestyle factors that each and every one of us can influence to live a long, healthy, functional and active life:

1. Do not smoke and limit your alcohol consumption. Smoking is a major contributing factor to many diseases such as cancer, heart disease, stroke and lung diseases. If you do smoke, now is a good time to quit to lengthen your lifespan. Excessive alcohol consumption can have a negative impact on longevity whereas small amounts of alcohol, in a social context, is shown to be beneficial, so if you drink, drink sensibly.

2. Maintain a healthy body weight. Maintaining a healthy body weight helps you avoid diabetes, blood pressure and elevated cholesterol, which can contribute to heart disease and stroke. 60% of all disease in the world today is lifestyle related with obesity being the biggest contributing factor. Obesity is at epidemic levels but what’s more worrying is at age 10-11 (year 6), 23.4% of children in the UK are obese.

Being overweight makes you more prone to joint and mobility problems in later life and can shorten your lifespan.

3. Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. What you eat has a big influence on longevity. The human body requires a diverse range of nutrients to stay healthy. If you want to live a long and healthy life, your diet must comprise of nutritious wholefoods with minimal amounts of highly processed foods. Wholefoods are foods that are in their natural state or minimally processed, such as fresh vegetables, fruit, lean meats, fish, rice, potato, pasta, nuts seeds legumes, healthy fats, eggs, herbs, spices and so on. These foods will nourish your body and help prevent disease.

4. Participate in aerobic exercise for an hour several times a week. There are many benefits of aerobic exercise including, stronger heart and lung fitness; reduced risk of diabetes, stroke, obesity and heart disease; better mood with a decrease in stress and anxiety. One of the most important benefits of aerobic exercise is that it can increase your functional fitness. Research shows that people who partake in regular exercise live longer than those who don’t.

5. Use body weight or resistance exercises to maintain muscle mass. Regular strength training has important benefits for functional longevity. Muscle mass keeps you strong, mobile and agile. You will function at a much higher level for longer, if you have good muscle mass and strength. Muscle loss usually starts in your 30s and progresses with age. However, you can absolutely fend off the negative effects with regular strength training.

6. Stretch and do functional movement exercises such as yoga to maintain flexibility.

Flexibility is key to maintaining mobility in your joints and muscles making it easier to maintain your exercise regime. Being flexible also helps to prevent falls in later life. If you are less flexible, it is more likely that your muscles will be put under greater strain when performing simple tasks such as lifting objects or bending down. Being flexible also helps to maintain independence by allowing you to continue doing activities important to your quality of life.

7. Develop an anti-stress regimen such as meditation or mindfulness. When you are stressed, your body goes into fight-or-flight mode. Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which switches on your sympathetic (fight-or-flight) nervous system. Short periods of stress are okay but become harmful when they become chronic. A recent study by the Yale School of Public Health found that chronic stress can shorten lifespan by accelerating your biological clock. Reducing stress and focusing on self-care is more important than ever to increase longevity.

8. Maintain social connections.

Having close friendships is associated with better mental health outcomes, including lower levels of anxiety and depression. Positive social support can lead to lower levels of stress, increased immune function and healthier lifestyle behaviours, all of which can contribute to increased longevity. Research in the US has shown that isolation and loneliness is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes at day in terms of impact on your health.

9. Optimize cognition through lifelong reading and learning.

A new study from researchers at the Yale School of Public Health shows that reading increases longevity by up to two years by keeping the brain active. Reading is a mentally stimulating activity that increases the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients to your brain. It can also help delay cognitive decline and impairment and is associated with better cognitive function.

10. Prioritise sleep.

Sleep is nature’s superpower. Consistently good sleep is the perfect partner to a healthy lifestyle. Our bodies need a good quality 7 to 8 hours of restorative sleep to grow, repair and boost your immune system. Sleep is crucial for concentration, memory, response times and coordination. Poor sleep can result in an ongoing negative impact on your health and your personal and professional life. One large scale US study on 21,000 pair of twins, followed their sleeping patterns for 22 years. The research found that if people slept less than seven hours a night had an 24% increased risk of early death.

Words Martin Malone – Personal Trainer/Sports Nutritionist at Simply Nutrition

Audrey Zarach

Where did that time go? From a quick chat in late Spring 2018 to being open for 5 years!

Wine Down recently celebrated 5 years in business with a superb evening of fine food, wine, and great company.

The business has evolved over the years, probably accelerated by Covid, when we launched our food delivery service. We looked for interesting ways to help people through the tough weeks of lockdown. This involved finding out the National holidays of wine growing nations as well as International Grape Days and putting together menus accompanied by wine selections with the occasional silly video thrown in! These proved popular so we have continued with them after Covid. Our van can be seen delivering food around the Island every week.

Our Wine Down Wednesday tastings offer an opportunity to taste up to 12 wines from either a country or a grape variety in the form of a tutored tasting. We have a few planned between now and the end of the year; Grenache (September), South Africa (October) and Tempranillo (November).

Our themed menus are another opportunity to taste up to 7 wines with a three or four course menu. These are informal and we come to the individual tables to talk about the wines. Recent popular menus include French, Portuguese and Pinot Noir. Grenache, South Africa, Spain and Lebanon are in the line up between now and December.

We constantly update our wine range. Old favourites remain but we love to ring the changes and bring in new discoveries. Our Ancient World and Eastern European section is one of our favourites and it is a great way to introduce all sorts of weird and wonderful grape varieties to the Island.

We work very closely with our incredibly supportive wine suppliers and have been fortunate to have welcomed several guest speakers since Covid. After being forced to cancel in May 2020, Etienne-Arnaud Dopff from Dopff au Moulin in Alsace presented to a full house and Jacqueline Mailliard from Michel Mailliard Champagne gave a fantastic presentation. She is already planning another visit for Spring 2024. In March we welcomed the highly respected Greek wine expert, Steve Daniel, who gave us a tour of Greece and its Islands. We tasted wines from Ios to Halkidiki, grape varieties from Assyrtiko to Xinomavro and everyone was astonished by the quality of each one of them. As a result, our Greek section is now one of our largest!

In June, we were delighted to be selected by Wines of Portugal as one of only 12 wine shops throughout the UK to host a number of events with the aim of increasing awareness of Portuguese wines. Portugal is another country that champions its indigenous varieties and, during the month we introduced wines from grape varieties such as Avesso, Castelao and Tinta Miuda. One of the highlights was an online Instagram tasting with Wine Anorak Jamie Goode.

Our next big event is the Hungarian wine evening on September 27th. Having met Audrey Zarach in May and tasted through her range, we have brought over a selection that we are very excited to introduce. Audrey works only with small family producers across Hungary and is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about her subject. The evening will be a tasting of 10 wines, accompanied by small dishes paired with the wines.

During the five years we have been open, we have lost two of our regular customers to Motor Neurone Disease. With the assistance and support of family members, we were pleased to host a wine tasting event to raise funds and, thanks to the generosity of around 60 people on the night in March, we raised £1500 to help towards finding a cure for this cruel disease.

2024 is just around the corner and we are already looking ahead to events such as Burns Night, for which we already have bookings! If you have not already done so, sign up to our mailing list by visiting our website, on which you’ll find a full list of events as well as special offers on cases of wine.

24 Duke St, Douglas T: 624777 www.winedown.im

Jacqueline Mailliard Anne / Roy

Steve Daniel

Celebrates the big 2-0

Words Suzy Holland Images: David McLean & others

If you’re interested in music, theatre and culture on the Island, then it’s almost impossible to remember a time when the Centenary Centre in Peel didn’t exist. But it was only in 2003 that the Methodist Church began to look for a buyer for the building which at that point was only used for badminton and the Peel Pantaloons Christmas Pantomime. Then along came musician David Mclean and local fireman Ernie Leece who, with fellow Directors Keith Hewson, Norman Teare, Sam Knight and Geoff Nixon, were keen to develop the building into an arts and community centre that Peel and the Island could be proud of. Nine months later, after 5,000 voluntary skilled man hours and countless unskilled ones, the Centre opened with a concert of local musical talent in October 2003.

In the twenty years since then the Centre has gone from strength to strength, open seven days a week, 50 weeks a year with everything from coffee mornings, a thriving art group, theatre productions and concerts often featuring top artists from around the world. And it’s still run by volunteers.

David, who received an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for ‘services to art and culture in the Isle of Man’ - or for what he describes as ‘having a louder voice than the other volunteers’ - says that everyone involved with running the Centre enjoys being part of such a thriving venue, where much of the work goes on below the radar. “We have volunteer groups for everything from cleaning to ‘meet and greet’, from refreshments and bar staff to the tech group which holds every production together, and although co-ordinating it all is a full time job in itself, somehow it always works out!”

So how are David and his merry band of volunteers planning to celebrate this 20th anniversary? The answer is with a week of events in October. On Friday 13th and Saturday 14th is a production of Willy Russell’s perennial favourite, Educating Rita, starring Jack Verity and Kimberley Quine and directed by Lindsay Quayle. On Friday 20th is a celebration of African music: Gasper Nali a roots one-man band from Malawi who plays an incredible 3m long, home-made bass guitar called a Babatoni, with an empty bottle and a stick: “I promise you, nothing like this has been seen on the Island before,” says David. Sharing the stage is Kanda Bongo Man, a Congolese soukous musician, who intersperses verses of his songs with guitar solos, and Michael Mountain, a reggae artist and small-scale farmer who is also chief of his small village in Malawi.

And living up to the Centenary Centre’s reputation for its broad appeal to fans of all types of music, on Saturday 21st it welcomes

back Mez and the Fezzes - an all-star band featuring members of the Van Morrison Band, Jools Holland Rhythm & Blues Orchestra and Madness who between them have worked with BB King, Paul McCartney, Tom Jones, Robert Plant, Joss Stone and many many more.

And then for something completely different, the final ‘act’ of the 20th Anniversary week on Sunday 21st is The Isle of Dogs, Wes Anderson’s animated film, with a star-studded cast of narrators including Bryan Cranston (rated 12A).

The Centenary Centre today is very different to the one David and Ernie took on in 2003. The Theatre, rather than hosting badminton games, now seats 200 on raked seating installed in 2007 and benefits with what David describes as “the best PA system on the Island.” And the most recent improvements are the handrails up the stairs in the theatre.

“I really do want to thank everyone involved in the Peel Charity Shop,” says David. “The new handrails help our audiences navigate the stairs and seating safely, and this incredible generous donation from that tiny shop on the prom made them possible in time for our 20th anniversary.”

David is particularly proud of the way the Centenary Centre has supported young people over the years. “At the moment we rent space to the Mannin Music ‘tots group’ and to the ‘Rock Project’ which teaches drums, guitar, bass guitar and vocals to primary and high school students. And that’s on top of all the young people who have learnt valuable performance related skills through volunteering with us.”

From Films in Peel to coffee mornings, from relatively unknown African performers to ABBA tributes, from the Peel Pantaloon pantomime to this year’s Bunscoill Ghaelgagh summer play, from yoga sessions to the weekly art group there is something to appeal to everyone. And all of it thanks to volunteers.

“But we mustn’t forget the Isle of Man Arts Council and the Manx Lottery, whose ongoing support is vital to the Centre,” says David. “And to our audiences, who keep coming back for more – thank you all.”

Tickets to all the events at the Peel Centenary Centre, including the 20th anniversary ones, can be bought online at www.etickets.im/cc

And if you’d like to get involved with the 20th anniversary celebrations – apart from buying tickets– the Centre is creating a digital archive of photographs taken at any event over the years. If you’ve taken any, you can post them on www.facebook.com/peelcentenarycentre.

Interdependence: our fragile eco-system

If you’re at the airport, then please make a point of seeing Interdependence, Kimmy McHarrie’s mosaic of a basking shark surrounded by plankton – a new permanent artwork installed on the wall of the ground floor. In fact, why not make a special trip just to see it?

Created as part of Culture Vannin’s 40th anniversary celebrations, Kimmy’s 3 metrelong mosaic was first commissioned in early 2022, begun in Kimmy’s studio later that year and finally revealed in all its glory this August.

Kimmy uses the Ravenna, or ‘double reverse’, method for her mosaics, which take months to create. Unlike most modern mosaics, the various processes undertaken, six in all, allow the finished artwork to be viewed before finally setting it in cement mortar. And, again unlike modern methods, no grouting is required, allowing the gaps between each tessera – each piece of stone or glass - to show an image of greater depth and life.

Kimmy explains: “It is always a challenge to produce work with life and movement from such an un-giving medium, and a limited colour palette also imposes interesting constraints. Mosaic art is so ancient, which appeals to me, as does the tactile and organic quality of the shells, glass and stone, all

of which are broken by hand, using a hammer and what is known as a ‘hardie’.”

For Interdependence Kimmy, who currently lives and works in Whitstable, on the north Kent coast, came back to the Island to collect shells, re-cycled glass, other found objects as well as pieces of local stone from Pooil Vaaish to create her basking shark, its marine environment and the plankton it depends on. “If you’re lucky enough to see a basking shark in the waters around the Isle of Man you never forget its calm beauty,” she says. “I’ve always wanted to give something back to the Isle of Man, where I was born and brought up, and I’m so happy to have been given this opportunity by Culture Vannin to produce something on such a large scale to leave as a legacy and celebration of my homeland.”

The daughter of teachers who encouraged her creativity, Kimmy began her formal art education under the tutorage of Norman Sayle and David Fletcher at what was then the IOM Art School, and then went to Newcastle to study design and

Words Suzy Holland Images: Kimmy McHarrie, John Gallen, Steven Quilliam, Phil Harris

illustration before what she describes as a ‘milestone’ birthday decision to go to Ravenna to learn the art of mosaic making.

“As a child I spent my days outside collecting and smashing scallop shells on Castletown beach and even won a competition when I was just 8 with a finished collage,” she laughs now, “but I never dreamt that 50 odd years later I’d still be arranging pieces of stone, glass and, yes, shells but this time for a permanent mosaic displayed in such a

prominent position at the airport!”

As you can see from the photographs here, Interdependence is a stunning piece of art, showing one of these gentle giants of the sea feeding on the plankton in the surrounding water: a calming and serene image in the hustle and bustle of a busy airport.

But as well as being a beautiful mosaic, Kimmy wants everyone to know the serious story behind its creation:

“I have always been interested in the

fragility of the eco-system, and the effect we, as humans, have on marine life,” she says. “Interdependence is more than just a mosaic of a basking shark, it also shows how the shark depends on plankton for food, and how plankton depend on the marine environment to survive. Basking sharks are already on the UCN Red List of endangered species, and thanks to global warming, rising sea temperatures will kill off the plankton. And then not just our local basking sharks but also fish around the world will die. This very human-made disaster,” Kimmy continues, “will have widereaching effects on the livelihoods and the very existence of people who depend on fishing and fish for their survival.”

Basking sharks, plankton, fish, humans - interdependence indeed, and a very sobering thought.

If you’d like to know more about the making of Interdependence, Kimmy and her husband John Gallen have produced a video which goes more into the technique of the Ravenna method, and also explains more about basking sharks, plankton and fragility of the marine eco-system. You can find this more about her life and career at www.kimmymcharrie.co.uk

If you want to see Interdependence ‘in the flesh’ at the airport, it’s half-way between the arrivals hall and the check-in desks (or, as Daphne Caine MHK, described it on Twitter/X ‘near the downstairs loos’) and there is a QR code beside it to scan, and which takes you straight to Kimmy’s video.

“I have always been interested in the fragility of the eco-system, and the effect we, as humans, have on marine life”

Photographer: Lee Notman

Just Lee Photography

Gallery presents the wedding of

Mr and Mrs

Tomlinson

The wedding day of Nicole and Peter Tomlinson on Saturday 22 July 2023 at Milntown Estate.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR WEDDING FEATURED, PLEASE CONTACT US ON WEDDINGS@GALLERY.CO.IM

MANX BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP - RUMOURS OF FLEETWOOD MAC

Manx Breast Cancer Support GroupRumours of Fleetwood Mac.

The Manx Breast Cancer Support Group were really pleased to bring over to the Island the Fabulous Rumours of Fleetwood Mac. The only Fleetwood Mac tribute band that has been endorsed by by Mick Fleetwood. We were thrilled to fill the Villa Marina to full capacity! Could we say thanks to Adele Dube who supported Rumours of Fleetwood Mac and Rebecca Forrest who sang at our VIP champagne and Canapés before the main event. Manx Breast Cancer Support Group along with its sibling Charity Mannin Cancers have raised a phenomenal £8m. All money raised by the Charities staying on the Island to fund specialist equipment for Cancer patients on our Island. Pictured above HE Sir John and Lady Lorimer, Chairman Julie Stokes, Treasurer Anne Dowds, President David and Gill Gawne Carole Male, Karen Callin and Charity Patron Sheila Dean.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Stephen Corran of PicsByCorraste

MANX BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP - RUMOURS OF FLEETWOOD MAC

Large Family Home Set on a Spacious Corner Plot

Large, detached family home situated in a highly desirable residential location of Ballakillowey. This spacious home occupies a superb size corner plot position with an impressive size lawned garden - ideal for a growing family.

The principal accommodation is accessed via the first floor and comprises; porch, entrance hallway with a range of storage cupboards. The accommodation is presented with living areas to the left of the hallway and bedrooms to the right creating some division. There is a superb size dual aspect living room with sliding doors to the southeast facing sun terrace - ideal space for entertaining or alfresco dining. There is a separate dining room and kitchen with staircase off to the ground floor accommodation. There are also three double bedrooms on the first-floor level

£625,000

To arrange a viewing contact: Grays Estate Agent

678876 www.graysestateagents.com

2 Viking Hill, Ballakillowey, Colby

THE COLONY

A fantastic opportunity to acquire a unique and characterful ‘Arts and Crafts’ 4 bedroom semi detached family home, with exquisite sea views over to Gob ny Rona & Port e Vullen Bay; with distant views of the Lake District in the foreground.

Situated in a charming & much sought after private community, Little Croft is the most amazing family property, with a focus on outside living. There are exceptional established gardens accessed on both sides via double doors, with many outside sitting areas to make the most of the sun, outbuildings and a descending private pathway to the beach below; which makes the best of the exceptional setting.

For those looking for outbuildings and storage for a range of activities and hobbies, there are 2 wellproportioned outbuildings, tarmacadam driveway for numerous vehicles and true double garage.

Keen gardeners will note how special the setting and will revel in the beautifully maintained wrap around garden filled with pergolas, summer house, pond and sitting terraces, offering ample space for family and guests to enjoy alike. During the spring and summer, the garden comes alive, tinged with colourful borders, richly planted with a variety of herbaceous perennials, flowering shrubs, roses and annuals.

Church Road, Port Lewaigue, Ramsey, IM7 1AL

£660,000

To arrange a viewing contact: Deanwood Estate Agents

620606

www.deanwood.im

STEP INSIDE AND SEE WHAT'S INSTORE AT MILLICHAP’S

Create your own look from the wide selection of wall, window and floor designs, then complete your scheme with the huge range of furniture on show instore.

For on-trend Morris design fabrics and wallpapers

Not forgetting Morris own-brand paints

Plus, Laura Ashley decor schemes to view

For hard-wearing Quickstep flooring in a full range of colours and designs

A huge collection of sumptuous rugs

NOT FORGETTING: Millichap’s show the Hypnos Organic, chemical-free beds... along with their usual Stressless chairs, a wide range of upholstery and dining furniture, desks and bookcases plus accessories and Art Gallery. Step inside… The Millichap’s team are always here to help.

Follow us on facebook

85 Parliament Street, Ramsey, Isle of Man, IM8 1 AQ 01624 813636 / 816212

sales@milichaps.co.im

www.millichaps.co.im

Alpha Harper

Morris Fab

Morris Fab Book

Morris Paint

Quickstep Stand

Morris & Alpha Audrey

RENOVATED BUNGALOW

Immaculately renovated bungalow situated in a desirable area with 3 Large bedrooms and an attic room, a family bathroom and a second, separate WC.

The open plan kitchen, dining room, and living room, are perfect for entertaining with double french doors providing blended living.

The property also boosts an extensive rear garden, a detached garage with ample parking

Church Road, Onchan, IM3 1BF

£499,950

To arrange a viewing contact:

Deanwood Estate Agents 620606 www.deanwood.im

This month we’re proud to feature a shoot of clothing designed and conceived in the British Crown Dependencies, but with a unique inspiration from the African heritage of the company’s founder. When photographer, Glen Perotte in Jersey saw the clothing, he was inspired to create this beautiful shoot and our amazing cover shot. We asked founder Ann Muhoro tell us more;

“Muhoro was born from a personal challenge to bring innovative bespoke African wear to Europe, while also ensuring it's perfectly suited for the European weather conditions. We wanted to offer something unique and extraordinary, blending cultural authenticity with practicality, and that's how Muhoro came to life!”.

What sets Muhoro apart is a dedication to creating bespoke African wear that seamlessly fits into European weather and lifestyles. They carefully select lightweight fabrics and modify designs to ensure their creations are both visually stunning and comfortable in any season. Whether it's a flowing dress for warmer summers or clever layering options

for cooler weather, the pieces are thoughtfully adapted for the European climate without compromising on style. The garments offer uniqueness in fabric and design; “At Muhoro, there is a celebration the diversity and richness of African cultures through their designs. Collections showcase unique patterns, fabrics, and embellishments inspired by different regions; from the vibrant Ankara prints of West Africa, the elegant mud cloth of Mali, the intricate beadwork of Maasai tribes and the rich kitenge from East and Southern Africa, each piece tells a beautiful story of African heritage. The creations stand out not only for their exceptional craftsmanship but also for the cultural tales they weave”.

Muhoro is focused on longevity in its designs and fabrics; “Quality and durability are at the core of our designs. We take pride in using high-quality fabrics and paying meticulous attention to craftsmanship. Our bespoke pieces are made with precision and care, ensuring that they stand the test of time. By creating timeless and versatile designs, we promote sustainable fashion, where our garments can be cherished and worn for years to come”.

PHOTOGRAPHY: GLEN PEROTTE MODELS : DAISY OGESA, JACQUEE MWAKAZI & LUCIA STINGA

GALLERY FASHION AUTUMN 2023

PROMOTING AFRICAN WEAR FOR NON-AFRICANS

“Muhoro believes in the power of cultural exchange and inclusivity. We want everyone to experience the beauty and authenticity of African wear. By carefully adapting our designs to suit European weather and lifestyles, we make African fashion accessible and practical for non-Africans as well. Through our bespoke service, clients can express their individuality and style while embracing the charm of African heritage. It's about creating a global movement where fashion becomes a bridge that connects diverse cultures and fosters appreciation for each other's uniqueness”. The company also has a firm commitment to empowering women; “Empowering women is at the heart of Muhoro's values. We actively collaborate with talented women artisans from different African countries, promoting economic independence, gender equality, and skills development. By championing their resilience, creativity, and entrepreneurial

spirit, we aim to create a positive impact within our team and the wider community. At Muhoro, we believe that fashion can be a powerful platform for empowering women and fostering a sense of pride in their cultural heritage”.

Muhoro is a fashion brand that brings the magic of cultural authenticity and practicality to the forefront. From unique fabrics and designs to a commitment to empowering women, Muhoro redefines African fashion in Europe. Through their bespoke service, they create personalized fashion experiences that celebrate diversity, promote sustainability, and inspire inclusivity. Join Muhoro on this enchanting journey as they continue to create and inspire a world where fashion is a beautiful expression of appreciation for the rich tapestry of African heritage.

Learn more at muhoro.co.uk

SEYDOU COAT SIZE

Element Isle Jewellery is a charming familyrun business located at Tynwald Mills in St Johns, with a passion for crafting unique and contemporary pieces inspired by the Isle of Man's rich heritage and natural beauty.

Claire (Designer and Jeweller) and Scott (Natural Scientist and Gemologist) bring together tradition and innovation to create jewellery that tells a story.

Each of their pieces captures a moment in time, drawing inspiration from the natural world, folklore or evoking a particular memory or motion. The results are beautiful collections that celebrate the timeless charm and tranquillity of the island. At Element Isle, quality is at the forefront, and the team prides itself on creating jewellery to treasure for years to come.

With an ever-growing following throughout the UK and worldwide, their reputation was cemented further in 2022 when they were commissioned to create the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Brooch, now in the Royal Collection. And in 2023 they were honoured to design and handcraft two silver falcons that were inlaid in to a wooden bowl presented on behalf of the nation to his Majesty King Charles III on the occasion of his Coronation.

The shop itself is a warm and welcoming space, with a homely feel that invites visitors to browse at their leisure. Element Isle Jewellery is a mustvisit destination for those seeking anauthentic experience of the Isle of Man. Their creations capture the essence of this stunning corner of the world, offering a connection tonature and the island's rich history that is truly unique.

"A small family run business, we design and create deeply authentic contemporary jewellery, crafted using recycled precious metals, fully traceable, ethically sourced precious and semiprecious gemstones with jewellery crafted using green studio and work shop practices."

"Our

We are open Tuesday to Friday 10-4, and Saturdays from 10-5. We ship online orders Monday to Friday, with gifting options available and shipping worldwide."

entrance

boutique jewellery shop is located at Tynwald Mills, opposite the 'Cat That' Cafe near the

to the main carpark.

BOAL & CO ANNOUNCES 2023 PENSIONS GOVERNANCE CONFERENCE

The full day event, aimed at Isle of Man individuals with involvement in the governance of company pension schemes, will take place at the Comis Hotel on Tuesday 7 November.

The speaker lineup includes pensions experts from Boal & Co alongside renowned pensions guest speakers from DQ Advocates, Hymans Robertson, Keystone Law and Mercer (with more to follow).

Karen Kelly, Group General Manager and Director, Boal & Co, commented: “Until last year, there was a gap in the local market for pensions governance education and we are pleased to have filled this with the Isle of Man Pensions Governance Conference.

The speaker lineup features our own pensions experts along with highly esteemed peers from the Isle of Man and UK pensions world who will combine to deliver an extensive and interactive educational event.”

The conference is expected to welcome a wideranging audience including trustees of pension schemes, HR teams, company directors and other professionals involved with company pensions such as lawyers, accountants and advisers.

For the full speaker line up, agenda and to register, visit: www.boalco.com/news/ pensions-governance-2023/

UCM HOSTS ADULT CARE EVENT

University College Isle of Man (UCM) has held an open meeting at its Homefield Road campus to discuss future training opportunities to support the Adult Care sector.

The event was attended by employers and managers from the Adult Care sector, who met with the Vice Principal of UCM, Joanne Richardson and Head of Faculty for Wellbeing Karen Davies.

During the session, sector representatives had an opportunity to share their thoughts on what training and skills are required to continue to support the sector, as well as consulting on modes of study and areas to improve upon for the future.

UCM currently provides courses in Level 1 Introduction to Care, Level 2 Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care and Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care to support people at a variety of professional developmental stages.

Studying an Adult Care qualification can lead to many different careers in areas such as Rehabilitation Support, Activity Support, Administrative and Ancillary roles or as a Residential Home or Community Care Worker.

(Mrs) Karen Davies, Head of UCM’s Wellbeing Faculty, said ‘The Adult Care Sector is a valuable asset to the Island, and caring for the vulnerable takes empathy, patience and confidence, so it’s vital that we ensure UCM equip the right people with high quality skills and knowledge to enter into the sector or to upskill.

Meeting with industry representatives is useful for us to ensure that we’re continuously looking at our offering, making any relevant changes and providing course content which is relevant and appropriate in preparing students for the workplace. We would like to thank everyone who attended for their time and expertise.’

www.ucm.ac.im

Joanne Richardson

Karen Kelly

KPMG 40th Anniversary

KPMG marked its 40th anniversary in the Isle of Man in style – inviting dignitaries and guests to celebrate this milestone at the Claremont Hotel. Guests could learn about the rich history of the Crown Dependency firm over the last 130+ years, enjoying drinks, canapés, and music.

Simon Nicholas, KPMG’s Isle of Man Office Lead, said: “This was a fantastic way to celebrate 40 years of history with our island. It is to the credit of our staff and alumni, and our deep relationships with clients and the wider Manx community, that we continue to remain one of the island’s leading audit, tax and advisory firms. Thank you to everyone for coming and making this a memorable evening.”

The Real Reasons People Retire

The thought of stepping away from work is strange. But if you’re like most people, you’re looking forward to the day where you can finally put your feet up for good.

Retirement marks the end of an era and serves as a reward for all the hard work you’ve done over the years. It’s a time where you can truly enjoy yourself, and the thought of being able to do whatever you want, wherever you want, is appealing.

HERE ARE THE TOP 10 REASONS PEOPLE RETIRE.

1. To explore the world

There is no doubt that having a job significantly reduces your free time. For most of us, we dedicate at least 8 hours of our time each day to our jobs, 8 hours to sleep, leaving us with only 8 hours to spare. However, the opportunity of a lifetime is practically waiting for you in retirement. Unsurprisingly, travelling is one of the top things people want to do when they retire, whether it’s backpacking, camping, or exploring the globe.

2. They have zero debt

A major reason why people retire is simply because they can afford to. Not having any debt certainly gives a sense of freedom, as well as allowing you to do as you wish with your money. In an ideal world, we would love to live a debt-free life. A helpful tip to achieve this is to start saving as soon as you can, something that you probably hear all the time. It’s an infallible way to ensure that you have enough funds for retirement and is key to having financial stability.

3. They are no longer satisfied with their career

When you’ve been working long enough to the point where you no longer feel challenged or learning anything new, it’s no surprise that people turn to retirement. Feeling dissatisfied with your job is pretty common and switching career paths can be difficult for those who recognise this too late. However, dissatisfaction doesn’t mean that you should treat retirement lightly. Retiring prematurely can lead to difficult financial situations so, if you’re not financially ready to call it quits, it’s worth exploring alternative solutions.

4. To learn new things

For those who have remained in the same field for the majority of their lives, they’re bound to reach a point where they feel they’ve learned all there is to know about their job. Many people then use the opportunity of retirement for picking up new skills, whether that be trying out new hobbies like gardening or taking on further education. It’s a time where you can focus on pursuing creative outlets without worrying about how many hours you have spare in the day.

5. To improve their health

As we grow older, we tend to become more conscious of our health, and rightfully so. A lifetime of built up stress, both mentally and physically, undoubtedly takes a massive toll on us. For the sake of looking after themselves, people choose to retire and finally enjoy some well-deserved rest.

6. They follow signals

It’s completely normal to feel drained after years of hard work. For most of us, when we encounter physical and emotional signals like lethargy, burn out, or discontent, the thought of retirement becomes ever more appealing. For those who find themselves daydreaming more often during work, or instead of counting down the days until the weekend, you start counting the hours, minutes and seconds until the end of the day, that’s the point when you know it’s time for a rest.

7. Caring for someone

Retirement isn’t always for yourself and some people have no choice but to retire unexpectedly to care for a dependent. This can bring uncertainty if you haven’t started planning for retirement early enough so it’s another reason to get started now, if you haven’t already.

9. They reorganise their priorities

Many find themselves realising and prioritising the people, or goals, that are significant to them. In most cases, quality time with your loved ones becomes increasingly more important. The phrase “there’s no time like the present” begins to hit home, making retirement the ideal opportunity to live in the moment.

8. No dependents

On the other hand, if you’ve only ever needed to provide for yourself, filling up your retirement pot becomes considerably easier. This applies in particular to couples with dual income but no kids (DINKs). Simply put, the fewer outgoings you have, the easier (and arguably faster) it will be to build up your savings!

10. They want to give back

It’s enormously rewarding to dedicate time towards making the world a better place. Those who are passionate about seeking a chance to do purposeful work find retirement to be the perfect occasion to volunteer at charitable organisations. Careers in the non-profit world bring likeminded people together, giving them a chance to share their skills and expertise while addressing social issues.

Brought to you by

The perfect place to meet and connect

Welcome to the new Santander Work Café

If you haven’t already visited the Santander Work Café, you may be wondering what all the buzz is about. Well imagine the perfect place to catch up with colleagues and friends or to work, away from the office in a high-tech, and chilled environment. Whilst you’re here you can enjoy eats, treats and coffee from our awesome café partners Noa and make use of our state-of-the-art banking facilities, free co-working spaces, free bookable meeting rooms and free high-speed Wi-Fi.

Pop in to see for yourself – everyone’s welcome!

A welcoming place for businesses old and new

Over 120 years ago when Market Hall was built, the Isle of Man economy was based on agriculture and fishing. In recent years, insurance and e-gaming, information and communications technology (ICT) and banking have been the largest sectors of the economy. Today, company income is a key driver of wealth, making up 59% of National Income. *

With its free bookable meeting rooms and accessible co-working spaces with free Wi-Fi, the Santander Work Café offers a new working environment for the Isle of Man and the new generation of islanders who are launching their businesses here.

These include entrepreneurs like Harvey Lowe, founder of Arcube, a digital assets business, who used the Work Café several days a week for meetings and as a place to work this summer. The Finance student has already won contracts with Etihad Airways to develop digital assets, attaching benefits such as lounge access and business class check-in to them, and is currently building a blockchain-based loyalty platform for use by the airline and across the hospitality sector.

“I needed a quiet place for meetings, which are either in person or online as my co-founder is based in India, and the Work Café has effectively become my office this summer.” Harvey said. “I feel more productive when I work outside the house and the Work Café has many other benefits

too. It’s a very creative environment, which attracts freelancers, developers, and gamers, and you get to meet lots of interesting people and make new connections.”

The Work Café has also become a new ‘home from home’ for some of the island’s expats and international entrepreneurs, like Damien Corcoran, CEO of Grandiose Supermarket and Founding Member of WXO, who has recently returned to the Isle of Man from Dubai.

“I needed somewhere to work and have drop-in meetings and the Work Café serves that purpose perfectly.” Damien said. “It has a similar feel to co-working spaces I have used overseas and has the benefit of the high-quality coffee and food from Noa. I’m a fan of Noa, so had eaten in Market Hall before the space was reimagined. I knew the food and coffee were extremely good, so returning here to be able to use the space to work was a no brainer.”

As well as serving entrepreneurs, the Work Café is open to everyone in the community. Within a few days of opening in May, the Work Café hosted its first events, a series of ‘lunch and learn’ sessions with Isle Listen for Mental Health Awareness Week.

Natalie Cellamare, a Mental Health Training Manager from Isle Listen, said: “Being in the heart of Douglas the Work Café is accessible with plenty of parking and is near the bus depot. The easy-going vibe in the café was

relaxing and we hope to use the Work Café again for celebration days and to connect with the community, helping us raise awareness about mental health and how we can support each other.”

The Santander Work Café Isle of Man is the bank’s third Work Café in the British Isles. Since the launch of the first Santander Work Café in Chile in 2016, the bank has opened more than 100 Work Cafés around the world, including branches in Leeds and Jersey. Santander International customers can also meet banking staff in the building, open and manage accounts and mortgages, and withdraw money using ATMs, making it easy for customers to access services while going about everyday activities.

James Geldart, Managing Director Santander International Isle of Man Branch

“ The Work Café is already proving a big success – attracting 16,000 visitors in the first three months. This is on an upward trajectory, which we expect to continue as more people experience what the Work Café has to offer.

“

Connect to a faster fibre-fuelled future

Around 80% of premises across the Island now have access to a superfast fibre broadband connection. That means the chances are high that you could already be reaping the rewards of the super quick speed and resilience that fibre offers over traditional copper broadband services.

It’s the technology behind fibre that makes it such a gamechanger. Using fibre-optic cables to transmit information by light - instead of by electrical signals through copper wiresdata can be moved much more quickly, literally at the speed of light! Fibre optic cable is also much less susceptible to interference and signal degradation, and to environmental influences such as the weather.

Fibre provides the backbone for lots of new technologies –surprisingly, even mobile networks rely on it. The enormous data capacity of 5G, for example, requires fibre connectivity to help it transmit huge amounts of information around the world fast and effectively.

On the Isle of Man, thousands of broadband users have already switched over to fibre. Among them is Manx Telecom customer Ellen Barker, who uses broadband for streaming, watching TV, working and studying from home.

She decided to upgrade to a fibre broadband connection when she moved house but was worried her apartment in a shared old Victorian building might present problems. She was astonished to discover just how easy installation was.

“The engineer did everything in less than an hour!” she said. “He was so lovely and helpful too, and took time to show me where everything was and how to set up an extension router. Installation was a great experience.

“Obviously with it being a Victorian building, getting cables through the wall was hard but I was amazed at how thin the cable is, it’s like a fishing line!” she added.

Ellen rates her fibre broadband as excellent. “It’s much quicker and I haven’t had any problems with it at all,” she says.

As well as benefiting from fast and efficient broadband right now, Ellen is also aware that there is a future advantage to having fibre installed.

“Everyone is talking about fibre now,” she says. “So, when it comes to selling on my property, I’ll be able to say I’ve got it installed. It will be an added attraction.”

Signing up to fibre is not just a good move for individuals, it’s ultimately a good thing for the Isle of Man. Widespread fibre availability and adoption makes the Island an attractive proposition for new businesses and residents alike.

Manx Telecom’s Chief Technology Officer Hugo van Zyl, who is responsible for overseeing the fibre rollout on the Island, says, “The Isle of Man is well ahead of the game when compared to our peers in the UK.”

The latest independent data from Thinkbroadband has revealed that roughly 50% of homes across the UK now have access to a Fibre-to-thePremises network, with an uptake of roughly 27%. In comparison, the Isle of Man has around 80% of homes with access and faster take-up over a shorter amount of time.

“Typically, fibre is installed in dense metro areas so the progress that we have made on the Island, where we don’t have areas as dense as that, is truly remarkable,” explains Hugo.

“It’s really encouraging to see the support for a fibre-enabled future in our community and the fibre broadband programme will help us unlock other technologies. We’re very proud of all our staff who have contributed to the rollout in one way or another, and also for continually looking to improve how we manage installations, for example, with more cost-effective ways of connecting properties that are passed with fibre and ensuring as little disruption to householders as possible.”

The remaining 20% of properties to be passed is expected to be more challenging as many of these areas require a combination of new digging, installation of ducts and poles to extend the fibre network. “The team are ready for the challenge and energised to find the best solutions to forge ahead,” adds Hugo.

“We’re looking forward to moving into the final phases of the fibre broadband roll out over the next 18 months and welcoming more customers to a faster fibre-fuelled future.”

As Manx Telecom forges ahead with the Island’s fibre broadband programme, it’s time to get connected to a faster future if you’re not enjoying the benefits already.

Ellen Barker

IMGold Continued Growth in The Bullion Market

IMGold, a prominent name in the bullion industry, has taken a significant stride towards securing their future by purchasing the building they have leased for over a decade. This strategic move solidifies their commitment to the industry and underscores their financial stability.

Founded 12 years ago, IMGold has established itself as a reputable player in the bullion market, providing customers with competitive pricing and secure storage solutions in their independently owned vaults. The decision to buy the building demonstrates the company's long-term vision and dedication to serving their clientele.

IMGold’s Managing Director, Illiam Christian, expressed the significance of this milestone, stating, "This acquisition is a testament to our growth and success over the years. We have always strived to provide our clients with the best services, and owning our premises allows us to further enhance security and efficiency."

Owning the building offers IMGold more control over their operations and signals a strong belief in the continued growth of the bullion market and the company's role within it.

With three dedicated directors at the helm, IMGold has proven its ability to adapt to changing market conditions and remain

competitive. This latest move positions them favourably for the years to come and is seen as a positive sign within the industry and aligns with a broader trend among established businesses looking to secure their premises in a fluctuating market

This is an exciting chapter in IMGold’s journey as they continue to expand their presence and serve their loyal customers, they do so with a permanent home firmly under their ownership, ready to support their vision for the future.

Over the past three to four years, our gold business has witnessed a remarkable surge in sales, reflecting the unique times we find ourselves in, this can be attributed to several factors such as

Economic uncertainty: This has led to individual and investors seeking refuge in gold as a reliable hedge against inflation and currency fluctuations.

Market Volatility: The stock markets ups and downs have prompted many to diversify their

portfolios by including gold, known for its stability and resistance to market volatility.

Geopolitical Tensions: Geopolitical tensions around the world have raised concerns about the safety of traditional investments, pushing people towards the timeless allure of gold.

Whether you are a seasoned investor or someone new to the world of gold, we invite you to come in and have a chat.

E: Vault@imgold.com

T: 01624 888 888

W: www.imgold.com

Directors: Joseph Monro, Illiam Christian, Sara Findlay

Energy over Environment, the key question

The decline in wildlife throughout the world is shocking and frightening. Europe’s nature is in alarming decline, with more than 80% of habitats in poor condition. We are losing nature like never before because of unsustainable human activities.

The Global population of wild species has fallen by 60% in the last 40 years. With 1 million species at risk of extinction.

The European Commission Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 proposal protects 30% of land in Europe and 30% of the seas in Europe. Their aim to restore wetlands, rivers, forests, grasslands, marine ecosystems, and the species they host.

Our success in the Isle of Man should not be overlooked. The Island’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Status encapsulates this principle perfectly. As the Island is the only entire nation in the world to achieve this recognition, our Island community should be very proud of the achievement.

Words by: John Corteen

The Isle of Man is in a unique position. Historically Isle of Man Government have put our wildlife and our environment first. The Planning and The Ecosystem Policy Team have worked in harmony to protect our Island and the wildlife that inhabits it. This gives us, our visitors and future generations the spectacle of untouched beauty we all enjoy.

Yet as an Island, we are very exposed to the impacts of climate change. There is no place for complacency when it comes to the fragility of our natural environment in the face of this global shift. Our Island’s biodiversity is not exempt from risk. We need to ensure the protection of the natural assets, which support our Island’s prosperity and increase our quality of life.

We have various tools at our disposal. Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI’s), National Nature Reserves (NNR’s), Marine Nature Reserves (MNR’s), Areas of Special Protection, RAMSAR sites and Bird Sanctuaries.

The Isle of Man Government also work with the farming community. The vision and forethought is to "Sustain a vibrant Agriculture sector, enabled to deliver a reliable and profitable food chain, while maintaining and enhancing the Island’s natural environment and capital."

The ‘Agri-Environment Scheme’ captures this and aims to “Provide support for targeted initiatives that produce conserved and cherished landscapes, enhance biodiversity, sequester carbon and improve water quality, reduce flooding and reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of the Climate Change agenda.”

KEY MESSAGES FROM THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION WERE TO:

• Increase biodiversity

• Secure the things nature does for free, like cleaning our water and air, pollinating crops, and protecting us from floods

• Limit global warming to 1.5°C

• Build up Europe’s resilience and strategic autonomy, preventing natural disasters and reducing risks to food security

Without support, many of the animals and birds we know and love will continue in their declines towards extinction.

Hen Harriers are a red listed endangered species, in 2017 only 4 breeding pairs were left in England www.bbc.co.uk/news/scienceenvironment-40422732

Thanks to Isle of Man Government foresight and protection they have thrived here on the Island.

In 2022 Manx BirdLife conducted a census of these birds of prey during nesting season between April and July as part of a wider study across the British Isles.

Across the 86 known hen harrier sites in the Manx uplands, 38 territorial pairs were found.

The charity said it was the highest since a peak of 57 in 2004, which had declined to 29 by 2010.

SO WHERE ARE WE AT?

The Climate Change Action Plan 2022 was approved by Tynwald in October 2022. The Plan contains the policies and proposals to reduce emissions over the next five years, to keep us on track for the interim target of 35% reduction by 2030, 45% reduction by 2035 and net zero by 2050. Key points in the action plan include the protection and enhancement of our natural carbon stores and biodiversity, suggesting that future development on the Island should support biodiversity net gain.

We need ‘Green Energy’ but not at the expense of Biodiversity. To build a green energy plant and supporting infrastructure in the uplands would be an act of vandalism. As humans we have combined intelligence and technology to capture, adopt and use the surface of the earth to the destruction of all other life and, potentially, ourselves.

Manx Utilities Authority’s proposal to build a Green Power Sation and supporting infrastructure in upland heath and upon the site of a temperate rain forest is madness.

Earystane/Scard uplands and its Plantation has a huge impact on the biodiversity at a local level here on the Island. A failed crop plantation from the 1960’s now provides about 125 acres of outstanding habitat, with temperate rainforest conditions and exceptional structure, always good for invertebrates. Earystane has retained intact moorland ground flora; a wildlife haven. This environment gives plants, lichens, fungi, insects, animals, reptiles and birds a home and food that they otherwise would not have had, a positive snowball effect for our beautiful Island.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) - should only be supported where it can be demonstrated that the proposal will conserve, restore and enhance biodiversity, including nature networks, so they are in a demonstrably better state than without intervention. This would not be the case in the uplands, you can’t create new habitat without first destroying existing. In the meantime, displaced wildlife can’t hang around waiting a few years for the establishment of new habitat.

The Building with Nature Standards ensure that new development uses green infrastructure to help mitigate any unavoidable residual harms to the local environment resulting from development, particularly from new sources of air or noise pollution and soil degradation. An onshore wind farm causes both and we as an Island should adopt this consideration.

The standard ensures opportunities to restore and improve the connectivity of existing and planned for habitats are taken. In doing so, new green infrastructure can play its role in sustaining wider ecological networks and nature recovery goals. To this end brown field sites should be explored with careful consideration given to Biodiversity Net Gain.

If we get this wrong there’s no second chance.

Photos Credit: Leucistic Hen Harrier by Peter Christian

GRAND FONDO 2023

The Isle of Man is known for its sport, especially any sports on two wheels. One of our most popular sports is cycling and we have a host of home grown talent that have represented the island, all the way up to the world stage. Over the last six years we have hosted a weekend of cycling in the north of the Island to celebrate all things cycling, catering for all ages. On the Sunday three races take place over a variety of distances for the riders taking part to challenge and push themselves. Although over the last couple of years the main event, which is contested over 137km on Manx roads and hills, has gained UCI status allowing competitors to qualify for the prestigious UCI Gran Fondo World Series. There is also an optional 10km Time Trial the day before on

the famous TT Mountain course for those who which to qualify for the UCI Gran Fondo Time Trial or for those who wish to take on the Mountain climb to the Bungalow from Ramsey on closed roads. This year for the first time in its six year history the Gran Fondo was hampered with foggy conditions for the time trial and persistent rain on the Sunday for the main event. With the weather taken into account on Sunday it was decided to run the main event across the 72km Medio route. Where Tyler Hannay took the win from Will Draper in a time of 1hr 48mins.

Despite the challenging conditions over the weekend, it was a great event for all involved and hopefully next year the weather will be more pleasant for a couple of great days cycling on the Isle of Man .

LUCAS CROYDON PHOTOGRAPHY

MANX GRAND PRIX 2023

MANX GRAND PRIX 2023

Paul Ridgway Ltd.

For some, this undiscovered treasure that has been of service to our island for more than a decade, may be found tucked away on Carrs Lane, within the Tromode Estate.

Paul Ridgway Ltd. (where; unbelievably, the owner is not actually called Paul), was established back in 2012 and it prides itself on being family run, customer focused and car orientated.

Apart from the fact this local car garage is the only independent Fiat, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, and Jeep specialist on the island, it’s the familial warmth that underlays its customer service that makes it stand out. Although now owned by Gregg and his wife Kirsty, the garage continues to honour the traditions established by its original proprietors (Robin & Ellen) while also welcoming new ideas and approaches. When the baton was passed on in April of this year, Gregg and Kirsty were the obvious candidates to take over, aside from their commitment to sustaining the reputation that Paul Ridgway Ltd. has developed over the years, Gregg has over 20 years of experience in the trade and he speaks fluent ‘car’.

“We believe that a friendly, unassuming and all round easy experience, is the key to our solid reputation. This trade can be daunting, especially if you don’t know much about cars so our aim is to be clear, concise and put our customers at ease”.

A MORE DIVERSE RANGE OF SUBJECTS: NOT LIMITED TO FIAT, ABARTH, ALFA ROMEO, AND JEEP

The garage may have its roots firmly embedded in the Fiat, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, and Jeep brands, but the breadth of its operations goes much beyond these car manufacturers. The knowledgeable team service and repair vehicles of every make and model, from cars to vans and motorhomes. They are steadfast in their dedication to maintaining the vehicle's health because they’re aware that each vehicle has its own singular history.

MORE THAN JUST FIXING THINGS: TAKING CARE OF YOUR VEHICLE'S HEALTH

The longevity of a vehicle as well as its performance are directly correlated to how well it is serviced and maintained. At Paul Ridgway Ltd., the satisfaction of the customer is of the utmost importance, and the service and repair team dedicated to protecting the investment that you have made, as for some; apart from a property, it is the single largest investment they might make. They work carefully to get your vehicle back on the road as quickly as possible, without sacrificing the quality of the service, whether it's a regular maintenance appointment or an unforeseen repair.

“We believe that a friendly, unassuming and all round easy experience, is the key to our solid reputation. This trade can be daunting, especially if you don’t know much about cars so our aim is to be clear, concise and put our customers at ease”.

BEYOND THE WHEELS

Whether you are getting ready for a road trip during the summer or preparing to manage the hurdles that come with colder weather, Gregg and the team go above and beyond when carrying out their vehicle health checks to give you peace of mind.

This business is not merely a neighbourhood car garage; rather, it is a reliable travel companion on each and every adventure. The continuity of leadership from Robin and Ellen through Gregg and Kirsty, the commitment of talented staff, and a strategy that places a primary emphasis on the needs of customers are the pillars around which its reputation is built and maintained. Whether it is on the roadways of the island or in the hearts of its inhabitants, this garage has knitted itself into the fabric of the Isle of Man, serving as a symbol of excellence, family, and an unrelenting devotion to quality.

Open Monday through to Friday 8:30am-5:30pm for Servicing and Car Sales, and 10am-4pm on Saturday for Car Sales. No matter what day of the week it is, the team are on hand! Just give them a call to book in your next service on 01624 676999 or email Paulridgwayiom@Manx. net

Kirsty, Erin & Gregg

14 MAR VILLA MARINA 14 MAR VILLA MARINA

Adult Learning

Adult Learning encompasses all types of education for adults, and one of the things we love is seeing adults of all ages developing new skills – there is no age limit to learning!

Whether you’re looking to plug a skills gap, upskill to move into a new industry or return to work, achieve a degree or postgraduate degree, or just want to have fun and boost your wellbeing, our Adult Learning programme can support your goals.

Upskilling

Develop and improve your skills with short courses designed to support your career. As well as learning or developing your skills, these courses make great Continued Professional Development (CPD) opportunities and pathways into new industries.

Explore our range of courses in:

Creative Arts

Culture

Degrees

Apprenticeships

Digital Literacy Environment

JUST FOR FUN

Learn something new, have fun and make new friends. These courses are great for your personal development and wellbeing.

Access to Higher Education

Food & Drink

Health & Wellbeing

Languages

Exams

Maths & English

Why Choose a course at UCM?

We have a wide range of courses for all interests and abilities

We have high quality learning environments and facilities that suit the course topic

We have experienced tutors who are passionate about what they do

We deliver courses across a wide range of venues on the Island

Did you know we offer bespoke courses to support Manx businesses? www.ucm.ac.im/employers

Vehicle Appearance Specialists

If you require an outstanding car valeting service, please call 07624 41185. Mobile valeting also available.

For further detials please contact Ethan. T: 07624 41185 E: ethan@carcare.im W: www.cleancutvalet.im

Detailing is a luxury. We don’t just clean cars, we change the way you feel.

Wanting to treat yourself after lockdown? We have a wide range of cars and commercial vehicles and can source a particular vehicle on request.

Our Vehicles are updated regularly on our facebook page and recommendations include:

“The service I have received from Vehicles.im has been first class from start to finish”

“If you need a new/second hand car/van then go to vehicles.im”

“Outstanding customer service. Absolutely love my new car bought from vehicles.im no pushy salesman or gimmicks, wouldn’t hesitate to return for future purchases”

facebook.com/vehicles.im

11C Snugborough Trading Estate Union Mills IM4 4LG T: Dan 07624 466229 | E: sales@vehicles.im