March/April 2024

#111

THE SPRING EDITION

PUBLISHER

STEVE REDFORD steve@gallery.co.im 01624 619540

ADVERTISING & SALES

01624 619540 07624 249249 sales@gallery.co.im

DESIGN

221 MEDIA design@gallery.co.im

EDITORIAL PRODUCTION

FIONA FAYAD fiona@gallery.co.im 01624 619540 07624 296308

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DISTRIBUTION everyone@gallery.co.im

ACCOUNTS laura@gallery.co.im

All At Sea.

There’s a magic in the distance, where the sea-line meets the sky,’ Yes yes, thank you for your poetry Alfred Noyes, we too have been hypnotised by the romance, mystery and seductive powers of the sea but as islanders we all know that our beautiful, calming and alluring watery borders have a propensity for peril and danger, and we truly thank our RNLI lifeboats teams who play such an essential role on the island. Turn to page 30 to meet Douglas Lifeboat Station’s first female coxswain Emily Heaton and some of the other amazing female crew members as they discuss sea sickness, swimming and sinking ships.

Talking of sinking ships, check out page 39 to find out more about the fascinating photographic history of shipwrecks contained in ’Strandings & Sinkings.’ As the RNLI’s 200th anniversary approaches, this book is a stark reminder of how important the organisation’s role is for the island. Also paying tribute to the sea life is mosaic artist Kimmy McHarrie whose collection of six stamps (pg 38) for the IOM Post Office showcases a spectacular selection of fish species that hold special significance to islanders and, ‘are a testament to the beauty and fragility of our marine ecosystems.’ If it’s more of a short sharp shock you’re after rather than artistic expessions perhaps you should take the plunge and cast your eye over our feature on page 50 – The Benefits of Cold Water Immersion – and find out how, ‘cold water immersion requires mental toughness and resilience, that’s a discipline that can carry over to other parts of your life.’ Perhaps a cup of hot tea and a copy of Gallery should be waiting on the other side though!

Now, we know that talking about money can be a little vulgar but as you are aware, we here at Gallery are crazy disrupters so we’ve only gone and done a whole section on wealth, starting on page 42, and by the way we thought you really should know about the rise of female wealth on a global scale, apparently, ‘it has shown unprecedented growth over the last decade – with this group currently creating wealth at a faster rate than at any one time in history. In fact, it’s thought that by 2025, women will own 60% of the UK’s wealth.’

Don’t forget, be safe in the sea!

GALLERY IS PUBLISHED BY

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

REGISTERED IN THE ISLE OF MAN NO. 125981C

Paparazzi

Simon & Nikole Booth’s Wedding

CONTENTS

Yo u probably know the name, but do you know what film-maker, producer, musician and creative polymath David Armstrong has been up to recently? His first novel The Clearing was published just before Christmas and if you’re into dark, humorous, gothic thrillers, then you won’t be able to put it down.

Members and guests of the Rotary Club of Rushen & Western Mann recently enjoyed an amazing evening to celebrate their 50th birthday at the splendid Comis Hotel. RNLI

The Isle of Man is justifiably proud of its association with Sir William Hillary – there’s a statue to him on Douglas Head and he is buried in St George’s Church – and its part in the formation of the RNLI.

The World of Wealth

From an increase in the number of super prime properties being purchased to a boom in family offices, we look at what’s happening in the world of wealth.

Cold-Water

Due to the power of social media and with the likes of Wim Hoff (AKA ‘The Ice Man’), raising awareness of the benefits of cold-water immersion, it’s quickly becoming a global trend.

WHAT’S ON

Now - 19.04.24

ROBERT JONES - CRUCIBLE

The exhibition of sculptures, creative with and from found objects, and the accompanying drawings show how beauty can be created from discarded materials, on plinths made from upcycled oil drums reminding us of the climate crisis, driven by the extraction and burning of fossil fuels.

Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin 01624 835858 www.erinartscentre.com

07.03-10.03.24

ISLE OF MAN DARTS FESTIVAL

The four-day International Darts Festival is hosted at the Villa Marina and involves local players, and darts stars from elsewhere.

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555 www.villagaiety.com

09.03.24

IOMSO SPRING CONCERT

Rehearsals are well under way for the IOM Symphony Orchestra’s Spring Concert with an exciting programme which includes Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture and Beethoven’s 5th Symphony.

St Ninian’s Church, Douglas www.iomso.im

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

Now - 14.04.24

HOME

‘Home’ is a creative response to our Island home, a seen through the eyes of artists from The Creative Network, a collection of around 65 local artists.

Manx Museum, Douglas 01624 648000 www.manxnationalheritage.im

Now - 05.01.25

ALL AT SEA: RNLI EXHIBITION

An exhibition exploring the Isle of Man’s maritime heritage and honouring the 200th anniversary of the RNLI at the House of Manannan. ‘All at Sea’ uncovers some of the tragic events in Manx waters which motivated Manx resident, Sir William Hillary to establish a national maritime lifesaving institution.

House of Manannan, Peel 01624 648090

www.manxnationalheritage.im

08.03.24

MANX MARINE MEGA FAUNA

An overview of our local marine megafauna; seals, dolphins, whales, basking sharks and where to spot them around the Isle of Man coast. Hints and tips of how to spot them for yourselves from any coastal vantage point from Jen Adams from the Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch.

The Lightroom, St Paul’s Sq, Ramsey 07624 253123

14.03.24

ROMESH RANGANATHAN - HUSTLE TOUR

After a sell-out tour in 2022, Romesh is back with a brand-new show examining the human condition... are people inherently good? Is charity always a positive thing? Is hustling the key to success? Or is all this a load of rubbish we’ve made up to keep people working hard for no reason.

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

08.03.24

ANNABELLE’S ADVENTURES

Shssssh! Anabelle is here to guide you on a powerful journey of movement, music, masks, magic and poetry... starring triple Manx Poetry Slam Champ, performance artist and author Jackie Morrey-Grace, with Virgil and Luna, Soundology with Amy Howse and Owen Atkinson, ‘the majestic, poetic, magician’.

Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin 01624 835858

www.erinartscentre.com

15.03.24

THE MEANING OF TIME

The philosophy of time is another of James Bishop’s subject passions and as he takes us through this subject from Einstein to beyond it will certainly spark some debate.

£15 including interval buffet by The Hutch.

The Lightroom, St Paul’s Sq, Ramsey 07624 253123

WHAT’S ON

15-16.03.24

JAMES B PARTRIDGE PRESENTS

Step back in time for some joyous singalong tunes to take you back to your Primary School days. You won’t have to sit cross legged on the school hall floor, but you will be encouraged to sing along! As well as the assembly bangers, there will be other musical surprises with Top 10 lists and throwback mashups.

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

23.03-05.24

SUN

This year’s open art competition on the theme of ‘Sun’ has attracted entries from professional and amateur arts, students and younger children, making and creating in a wide range of media. But no sunsets or sunrises – that’s ‘just too easy’ according to curator Julia Ashby-Smyth.

Hodgeson Loom Gallery, Laxey 01624 861395

www.facebook.com/hodgsonloomgallery

01.04.24

EGG ROLLING

Join Manx National Heritage this Easter Monday for the annual Egg Rolling eggstravaganza! Prizes awarded to the best decorated egg and the egg that rolls the furthest.

Cregneash www.manxnationalheritage.im

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

16-23.03.24

THE MANX OPERATIC SOCIETY PRESENTS OLIVER

Based on the 1838 novel, Oliver Twist. It premiered at Wimbledon Theatre in London in 1960 before opening in the West End, where it enjoyed a record breaking long run. With familiar themes and well loved songs.

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

24.03.24

IOM CHORAL SOCIETY WITH IOMSO

Isle of Man Choral Society with Isle of Man Symphony Orchestra, presents Brahms “Requiem” and John Williams “Hymn to the Fallen”, conducted by Dr Mandy Griffin.

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

17.03.24

RONALDSWAY AND SILVERBURN GUILDED WALK

This undemanding 6 mile guided walk takes in both coast and river, passing the ancient port of Derbyhaven, the site of the battle of Ronaldsway in 1275, then looping around back to Castletown.

Castletown https://www.wtm360.co.uk/sales/island-heritage-tours-1547730426

30.03.24

MANX MOUNTAIN MARATHON

The full Manx Mountain Marathon route is a fell race from Ramsey in the North of the Isle of Man to Port Erin in the South. The half marathon follows the second part of the route, starting at St Johns. It takes place every year on Easter Saturday.

Ramsey-Port Erin 01624 648000 https://manxfellrunners.org/

06.04.24

COLDPLACE

The show will feature large video screen projection, lasers and Xylobands will be used to recreate the spectacle of Coldplay. Featuring: Yellow, Paradise, Viva La Vida, A Sky Full of Stars and many more - this is an evening not to be missed.

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

U2 UK LIVE

U2 UK is the preeminent tribute band dedicated to capturing the spirit and sound of the legendary Irish rock band, U2. Renowned for their authentic performances and unparalleled attention to detail, U2UK has carved a name for themselves as the leading tribute band in the world of U2 fandom.

Mountian View, Ramsey www.bit.ly/ultimateproductions

13.04.24

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

11-13.04.24

WENDY & PETER PAN

Parker & Snell Company proudly presents the highly anticipated arrival of “WENDY & PETER PAN” adapted for the stage by Ella Hickson from the novel by JM Barrie. Set against the backdrop of winter in 1908 London, the story unfolds as snow blankets the city.

Gaiety Theatre, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

20.04.24

TRISKEL’S LAST DANCE

Davy Knowles has several top-5 Billboard Blues charting albums under his belt, high profile TV appearances (Jimmy Kimmel Live and CBS Good Morning America among others), and has been praised with high accolades from heroes and press alike.

Gaiety Theatre, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

04-05.05.24

CIRQUE: THE GREATEST SHOW

Where Musical Theatre Meets Circus. It’s time to step into the light. Escape with us for a night like no other, where we take you into a world where the very best of musical theatre showstoppers meets jaw-dropping circus spectacular.

Gaiety Theatre, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

18.04.24

THE SERIAL KILLER - NEXT DOOR

Emma Kenny will take you on a journey looking at what ingredients of possibility lead to body counts by killers like Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and John Paul Knowles. What creates a serial killer, and could anything have prevented their potential being activated, or were they simply born to kill?

Gaiety Theatre, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

24.04.24

AN AUDIENCE WITH LIVERPOOL LEGENDS

Ronnie Whelan, Steve McMahon and Jan Molby, ‘The Legends’. On this tour as we take you back through the decades to some of the finest players to ever grace the turf at Anfield and enjoy some great stories and banter throughout the evening.

Gaiety Theatre, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

18.05.24

NIRVANA TRIBUTE

This world renowned tribute to the godfathers of grunge and alternate rock have been touring the globe for many years and have been voted one of the best tribute acts in the world!

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

19.04.24

80’S LIVE

Direct from London’s West End, we will be heading down the Atlanta Highway, so bring your jukebox money and get ready to Jitterbug. A feel-good and fun night which is impossible not to enjoy.

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

27.04-05.05.24

MANX WILDLIFE WEEK

Learn about the Isle of Man’s outstanding natural landscapes, biodiversity and wildlife. A number of events will take place throughout the week such as minibeast watching, peat measuring, guided walks, silk painting, listening for bats, wildflower seed paper making, talks from experts, treasure hunts, dolphin spotting.

Island Wide

www.manxnationalheritage.im

25.05.24

THE ILLEGAL EAGLES

Celebrating the music of the legendary USA West Coast country rock band The Eagles, for an outstanding show that promises more of their trademark musical prowess, acute attention to detail and incredible showmanship.

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555

www.villagaiety.com

IFGL SUPPORTS THE ISLE OF MAN, BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION GROUP TO HELP FUND LIFESAVING RESEARCH

Isle of Man company’s boost to heart charity helps fund lifesaving research

An Isle of Man (IOM) company has donated an incredible £5,000 to the British Heart Foundation (BHF) group located on the Isle of Man.

IFGL, a company that provides investment, savings, and protection solutions to international investors around the world, donated the funds to help to fund lifesaving research into heart and circulatory diseases. They made the generous donation after learning more about BHF research projects from BHF, IOM group lead, Jill Pugh.

Since meeting Jill, colleagues from IFGL have participated in two CPR training sessions run by Jill and her husband Brian, using the BHF new online training tool RevivR.

RevivR teaches you in just 15 minutes how to recognise a cardiac arrest, gives feedback on chest compressions and outlines the correct steps of defibrillator use, giving anyone the confidence to step in and

save a life in the event of the ultimate medical emergency.

The money donated by IFGL will help the BHF fund vital research into heart and circulatory diseases like heart attacks, stroke and vascular dementia, and the risk factors that can cause them, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Since forming in 1961, the charity has funded research that has contributed to lifesaving breakthroughs such as heart transplants, pacemakers, portable defibrillators, and valve replacements.

Despite the huge progress made, heart and circulatory conditions are still the world’s biggest killers - and every three minutes in the UK, a

family loses a loved one to a heart or circulatory disease. Almost 30% of all deaths on the Isle of Man are caused by heart and circulatory diseases.

Simon Barwell, Group Marketing Director at IFGL said: “we are so proud to donate to the British Heart Foundation, Isle of Man group and to know that the funds we contributed will help the charity fund lifesaving research.

“With heart and circulatory diseases killing one in four

people in the UK and causing almost 30% of all deaths on the Island, it’s inspiring to know that our contribution could make a real impact for such an important cause.”

Jill Pugh, Leader of the British Heart Foundation, Isle of Man group said: “We are very grateful that IFGL chose to support the British Heart Foundation and help fund the scientific breakthroughs of tomorrow. We had a great time facilitating the roll out of CPR and hope we can continue to work together in the future”. I for one, have benefited from the research and it has certainly bought me more years to delay the prospect of a heart transplant.

If any other company would be interested in choosing the British Heart Foundation as their charity of the year, please do get in touch. Jill Pugh 429721.

happened “A funny thing to me on the way

to Armageddon”

Words Suzy Holland Images: Steve Babb (portrait of David), David Armstrong, and drone shots of Archallagan plantation by Andy Orton/Dot Performance

Yo u probably know the name, but do you know what film-maker, producer, musician and creative polymath David Armstrong has been up to recently?

His first novel The Clearing was published just before Christmas and if you’re into dark, humorous, gothic thrillers, then you won’t be able to put it down. When I spoke to David in early January I promised him there’d be no spoilers so I’m going to quote from the book blurb here: “It’s bad enough when you wake up in the middle of a forest with a thick head, no memory… Oh and you’re wearing a Santa party dress.” No spoilers there, a woman in a Santa dress is front and centre on the book cover by local artist Bruno Cavellec, but – still quoting from the back of the book - “it gets worse when hugely popular influencer Galia realises she’s bound and gagged –and the man standing over her is her stalker.”

The logline (the ‘draw-you-in-synopsis’) of The Clearing is ‘Stalked. Hunted. Or Saved?’ so that might – or might not - give you a clue or two about how this psychological thriller is going to go. Galia isn’t the most sympathetic of narrators – or that’s what I thought – and at first I couldn’t have cared less about what happened to her. But as you dip back and forward into her life and her influencer-style over-sharing blogs and find out what led to her ending up in the forest, you, like me, might change your mind.

I asked David how he manages to find the time to write amongst all his other projects, which over the years have involved ManninShorts, the Isle of Man Film Festival, producing various albums for a huge variety of musicians, and many many more. “I’ve always written, even back at school when I nearly didn’t pass my O level mock exams as I was too busy working on a screen play for a Tyne Tees TV competition, ironically about a boy who deliberately failed his exams so he didn’t have to go to university!” he says. During lockdown he knuckled down to finish The Clearing, encouraged by his partner Isabella to get on with it, and taking encouragement from another author who said if you feel you’re stuck just write, write anything, you can always throw it away. And it turns out that The Clearing isn’t actually his first book – just the first to be published.

As you might expect from someone so immersed in the visual world, The Clearing is very filmic and in fact David first wrote it

“It is incredibly difficult to get any screenplay accepted and made into a film or TV series, so I decided to double my chances – flesh out the prose, the characters and write the novel of the screenplay.”

as a screenplay. Obvious question then – why did he turn it into a novel? He laughs: “It is incredibly difficult to get any screenplay accepted and made into a film or TV series, so I decided to double my chances – flesh out the prose, the characters and write the novel of the screenplay.” And I’m not the only one to think it would look good on screen – the first reviews of The Clearing talk of the ‘vivid scenes leaping off the page, begging to be brought to life’ and suggest you ‘read it before they film it’.

Or indeed listen to it. The Clearing is being turned into an unabridged audio book by yet more of David’s Isle of Man creative friendsRoy Macmillan (a name you might recognise from his Manx Radio days), now an audio book producer and his wife, Rachel Bavidge, who is an actress with extensive experience as an audio book reader.

“Once I’d finished writing, or so I thought, Roy and Rachel turned up glitches I’ve had to correct,” says David. “It’s never ending! But now I’ve got to the hardest part – promotion. I find myself continually checking myself so I don’t accidentally provide spoilers.” Which we’ve already established, he hates.

“Even when I go to the cinema I can’t watch the trailers of the next blockbuster,” he says, “as I just know they’ll include those seismic moments I don’t want to know in advance!”

And if you think you recognise the trees and clearing on the book cover, you probably do. David was very influenced by his walks in the Archallagan plantation and this is where, always the film-maker, he shot film teasers for the novel, featuring local actors Lisa Kreisky, Geoff Pugh, Tony Eccles and Shawn Sturnick. But did David find it difficult to write as female influencer Galia? He told me a story from years ago when he met a highly respected journalist who argued that no-one should write what they hadn’t experienced – but if that’s the case, David pointed out, “no-one would be able to write science fiction, and films like Star Wars wouldn’t have been made.” So I guess that’s a ‘no’ to my question and, he points out, writing from anyone else’s point of view, male or female, takes imagination, the ability to relate and yes, a little bit of empathy. But empathetic or not, we agreed that Galia can be quite irritating, even a bit of a bitch.

“Look at the predicaments she finds herself in!” David excuses her behaviour. “As she says herself, a funny thing did happen to her on the way to Armageddon. Bound, gagged and dumped in a forest clearing we know from the cover, but that’s not all that happens to her.”

And at that the interview is over - no spoilers, remember?

The Clearing is available as a paperback from Waterstones, as an eBook from Amazon and on Audible from 1 April. More information, the film teasers for the book, merchandise, and details about David’s next novels along with his own writer’s blog can be found on www.strongfiction.com.

ROTARY CLUB OF RUSHEN & WESTERN MANN 50TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Photography: David Silvester

Members and guests of the Rotary Club of Rushen & Western Mann recently enjoyed an amazing evening to celebrate their 50th birthday at the splendid Comis Hotel. His Excellency and Lady Lorimer enjoyed a rare, relaxing evening as guests and invitations were extended to fellow Rotarians at both the Onchan and Douglas clubs.

Guest speaker Captain Stephen Carter entertained over one hundred and forty guests with a customary array of anecdotes and stories, which as always, went down well.

The customary raffle raised £1,550 and the auction of memorabilia raised £582, totalling £2,032. £771 of which was presented to Stephen for his chosen charity, the Isle of Man Anti Cancer Association.

Distinguished Rotarians travelled over from the UK to help us celebrate what Rotarians describe as our Charter (birthday) year. Our District Governor, Dr. Sashwati Mukherjee had to cancel at short notice unfortunately, due to a health issue, however Past District Governor Eric and Irene Russell, Rotary District Foundation co-ordinator Patrick Tyrrell and his good lady Jean, did manage to brave the Irish Sea. The fun and frivolities continued well into the early hours, only to be resurrected at

breakfast time as many decided to stay overnight.

Rotary is a registered charity and the money raised each year goes to many local and international good causes, including community organisations, support for young people and help for the disadvantaged. In the least sixteen years we have donated over £250,000 to good causes both locally and internationally (including Shelterbox and Polio Plus) and since 1973, the club has raised more than £50,000 for the Rotary International Foundation.

Rotary is a service organisation of business and professional people who help those in need. We encourage high ethical standards and work towards World peace and understanding.

Rushen and Western Mann enjoy a healthy membership of around fifty members who actively support a number of local events throughout the year, giving our time voluntarily.

Would you like to become involved? We meet each week at the Falcon’s Nest Hotel in Port Erin for supper, a drink, and a listen to some amazing guest speakers.

www.rushenwesternmann. rotary1285.org/

MANNIN CANCERS MBS RED BLACK TIE BALL

Sponsored by: Manx Business Solutions

Mannin Cancers Support Group were thrilled to hold one of their first fundraising events since the start of the build of their Cancer Support Centre at Nobles Hospital. Massive thanks to Julie and Rupert Leaton at MBS for sponsoring this great event that raised £27,500. Guests started the evening with a Champagne reception and the entertainment for this years event was ABBA Revival the UK’s premiere ABBA Tribute Band. As always the event was held at the Palace Hotel and Casino, thanks to Chris Swinden, Katie, Keith and the team at the Palace. Also thanks to Matt Fletcher and Pippa for decorating the room and hosting the event. Not forgetting RHS Jewellers, Michael at L’Experience and our photographer and committee member Serena Hall-Wood.

Photography: Serena Wood Photography

IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR EVENT COVERED, PLEASE CONTACT US ON PAPARAZZI@GALLERY.CO.IM

MANNIN CANCERS MBS RED BLACK TIE BALL

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Gallery presents the wedding of

Mr and Mrs Booth

The wedding day of Simon & Nikole Booth on the 16 December 2023.

Ceremony: Sefton Hotel

Reception: Laxey Pavillion

Photography: MattMosur.com

Gallery presents the wedding of Mr and Mrs Sullivan

The wedding day of Chris Sullivan & Ellen Stewart on the 23 July 2022.

Ceremony: St Luke’s Church, Baldwin

Reception: Victory Cafe

Photographer: Amoré du Plessis

Photography

Wine

is about more than just opening a

bottle

It creates memories, which can remain forever.

Agood wine has a sense of place. This may explain why, when we drink wine while on holiday in a wine region and then drink it again when we’re back home, we’re immediately taken back there. The memories come flooding back, the sun is shining (even though it’s a Force 9 outside and the rain is battering on the window) and we’re back in the place where we drank the wine.

A wine’s ‘terroir’, a French word used widely in the wine trade, is the effect of all the environmental factors that make a wine taste the way that it does, i.e. the climate, soil and the landscape. This includes the diurnal temperature differences, rainfall distribution, aspect, proximity to water, altitude, type of soil, drainage etc. All of these interact to give a unique sense of place.

One vineyard can have several different terroirs, which can cause confusion to the wine drinker, but this is what makes wine so fascinating.

One of the best examples of the effect of proximity to water is Santorini, an island where top quality white wines are produced in a hot climate, more commonly suited to the production of red wines.

Santorini is unique. This small island is only about 3 miles wide and 15 miles long and has a hot, very dry and windy climate, not normally suited to the production of white wines. However, there are no red wines produced here and the white wines from the native Assyrtiko grapes have a higher level of acidity than even Chablis. The ‘sense of place’ produces flavours of lime, salt and minerals; The lime from the Assyrtiko grape variety, the salt from the sea water that produces the mist which is the vines only source of water and the minerals from the volcanic soil. Santorini is one of the oldest wine growing areas in the world and, over time, the roots have penetrated deep into the pumice soils to get their nutrients, contributing to the mineral and saline characteristics of the wines. Sea mist forms in spring and summer and this is the only source of water. The pumice soil absorbs the moisture and releases it to the vines. There is no freshwater source on the island.

A wine’s ‘terroir’, a French word used widely in the wine trade, is the effect of all the environmental factors that make a wine taste the way that it does.

Vine training is also unique. The vines need protection from the strong winds and they are trained in a basket shape called kouloura. As the vines grow older, the basket becomes taller like an upturned basketball net. This protects the grapes from wind damage and gives shelter from the fierce summer sun.

If you haven’t yet done so, please do treat yourself to an Assyrtiko from Santorini! Close your eyes and feel the sunshine!

Hammocks, log baskets, fragranced candles and fire maintenance products

Kiln

200 Years of Saving Lives at Sea The RNLI & The Isle of Man

Words By: Suzy Holland

As the 200th anniversary of the formation of the RNLI is celebrated around the British Isles, it is especially relevant to the Isle of Man, where RNLI founder Sir William Hillary lived and saw the devastation caused by shipwrecks, and even in his old age joined in desperate rescue missions.

The Isle of Man is justifiably proud of its association with Sir William Hillary – there’s a statue to him on Douglas Head and he is buried in St George’s Church – and its part in the formation of the RNLI.

And we mustn’t forget Sir William’s involvement in the building of the Tower of Refuge. From his home at Fort Anne, he could see that at low tide St Mary’s Isle (also known as Connister Rock) was visible, but in high tides and rough weather it was completely submergedand a danger to any vessels attempting to get in safely from the outer reaches of the bay. In 1832 Captain John Quane presented St Mary’s Isle to Sir William in his capacity as President of the Isle of Man District of the National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck – which later became the RNLI. And at a cost of £254.12 shillings, most of which was raised from donations and from Sir William himself, the Tower of Refuge was completed in August 1833. But despite the visible Tower, its audible bell, and the provisions for shipwrecked sailors it contained, ships continued to be wrecked, and lives were still lost –not just off Douglas but all around the Island.

If you’ve ever visited the Peel Lifeboat Station you might have wondered where the figurehead at the entrance came from. In 1889 the Peel lifeboat crew rescued 23 members of the crew of the St George, which was wrecked on the rocks during a voyage from Scotland to Uruguay. The ship’s figurehead has been a fixture of the RNLI Station in Peel ever since, and is now on loan to Manx National Heritage for the All At Sea: RNLI 200th Anniversary Exhibition at the House of Manannan until next January, where you can also find out the full story of this rescue mission and many more incidents from the Island’s maritime history.

As radar and navigational aids have improved, wrecks like that of the St George are now rare but a trawl through the RNLI’s records has shown more recent records of the crews’ bravery. To pick out just a few: in 1978, the Port Erin crew rescued three divers trapped at the bottom of a cliff near Fleshwick in gale force winds. In 1981 the Port St Mary lifeboat rescued two crew from a yacht that went aground on rocks at Derby Haven and five years later the Ramsey crew rescued 14 people from three yachts which got into difficulties in storm conditions. 1994 saw the Port St Mary crew pulling three people to safety from a swamped fishing vessel which suddenly rolled over and sank during the rescue and in 2021 both the PSM lifeboats were involved in rescuing three people from a yacht. But it isn’t just human lives – in 2001 the Douglas RNLI crew were awarded a commendation from the RSPCA for their rescue of a

heifer which was stranded on a rocky outcrop and then jumped into the sea. It was lassoed and gently towed one and a half miles to Port Soderick beach.

The last big, but ultimately unsuccessful, RNLI rescue attempt of a vessel in Manx waters involved the lifeboats from Douglas, Ramsey and Port St Mary and further afield, and is one that many readers may remember - the Solway Harvester disaster in January 2000 when the fishing boat sank in Ramsey Bay, killing all seven people on board. There is a memorial on Douglas Head to the men lost.

Although fatal events like these are rare, the RNLI is always on call, whether it’s to help tow yachts to safety or fishing boats which have lost their engines back into harbour, and in fact, as I was researching historical rescues the Douglas all-weather lifeboat the ‘Joy and Charles Beeby’ was on its way to Laxey Bay to rescue a fishing boat and its crew. When it arrived, it found the vessel lacking both power and communication, and taking on water. The lifeboat crew rescued the two fishermen and collected the debris from the scene so as not to cause a navigation hazard. A timely reminder that the volunteer lifeboat

crews must be ready for any shout and not just in the middle of the night during storms.

Much of the RNLI’s work is educational: wear a life jacket, take a phone and, if you are sailing, kayaking or swimming, tell someone where you’re going, or do all these things with a friend. Keep an eye on the weather forecasts and the tides. Even in summer, the sea is surprisingly cold, and currents are strong. The RNLI is dedicated to saving lives at sea, but they’d rather you didn’t get into trouble in the first place.

Sir William Hillary

Douglas Lifeboat St | Photo by: manxscenes.com

7 Feb on call out to Laxey Bay | Photo by: RNLI Douglas

Women at the helm

In 2024, the RNLI’s lifeboat crews in the UK, Ireland and the Isle of Man include over 600 women. Around 100 people crew the Island’s lifeboats and we’re above the national average of female crew members per station, which was 10% when the IOM’s first female coxswain, Jen Kneale, qualified in 2018.

Looking back, in 1969 Elizabeth Hostvedt, an 18-year-old Norwegian student, became the first woman trained to become an RNLI crew member. Her request to join the crew was met with some resistance, as there were doubts over whether a woman would have the strength to pull heavy bodies from the water, or the stamina required to man (woman?) the lifeboat in strong gales. But she met the medical requirements and had ‘the physique to stand up to arduous service’.

There were no such concerns 130 years earlier when lighthouse keeper’s daughter Grace Darling was the first woman to receive a RNLI medal. In 1838, she was awarded the Silver Medal for Gallantry for risking her life to save the stranded survivors of the wrecked steamship Forfarshire off the Northumberland coast by rowing out to them in raging storm. So much for women having neither strength or stamina.

On an Island such as this, the RNLI lifeboat teams are an extraordinarily important part of life. Apart from a few permanent mechanics and engineers, most are volunteers. In this issue we speak with the Douglas Lifeboat Station’s first female coxswain, Emily Heaton, who qualified last year, and some of the Douglas crew.

So, who exactly are these Seafaring Saviours?

I shouldn’t be surprised how many of the crew we spoke to have other family members involved in the RNLI– mostly Dads or brothers, but coxswain Emily Heaton said even though she grew up a long way from the sea she was a member of the RNLI’s junior crew club from the age of 6. When she moved to the Island aged 18 she couldn’t wait to join up.

Elizabeth Hostvedt

Grace Darling

Rocky Poole was influenced by a rescue she witnessed when she was out on her surfboard and so, less than a year ago, she signed up and Courtney (CJ) actually joined after years of messing around in boats as a child because she watches RNLI: Saving Lives at Sea on TV. When I asked all the Douglas women which they preferred, 24 Hours in A&E or Saving Lives at Sea, only Breesha broke ranks and admitted to 24 Hours in A&E… I hope she doesn’t regret making that public!

Lavinia was one of the crew involved in the call-out to the sinking fishing vessel in Laxey Bay on 7 February which was praised by the Coxswain Peter Cowin as

professional and dedicated: “Although the boat unfortunately sank, we are glad we were able to bring back everyone on board. The skills and hard work I saw from the younger crew members is testament to the future of this Station.”

Lavinia added, “Although this shout started as a relatively simple tow, circumstances changed and as the vessel took on more water, pumping it out became impossible. One crew member was transferred to the fishing boat Arcadia before we transferred the other to the lifeboat, and then once the boat sank we had to clear the debris from the scene. A shout that began around 1pm was eventually finished

after 8pm, so it was a long afternoon’s work and we’re very grateful for the help the Arcadia’s crew gave us too.” Being Gallery we didn’t just ask inevitable ‘RNLI rescue’ themed questions as we wanted to know a little more about the women.

Here are just some of their answers...

Photograph by: Douglas RNLI

What's your day job?

Breesha: Claims at an insurance broker.

Rocky: Hospitality, Emily: Police Office. Lavinia: Police Officer. CJ: I work in IT. Justine: I’m a fully qualified barber.

How long have you been part of the crew?

Breesha: Nearly a year. Rocky: 7 months.

Emily: Nearly 19 years. Lavinia: Close to 9 years. CJ: Almost 3 years. Justine: A year and a half.

What made you sign up?

Breesha: Dad and brother are on the same crew, but I do it for myself and the atmosphere around every event and training session makes it worthwhile.

Rocky: I have a passion for the ocean. I was on my surfboard out at sea and watched a rescue happen. From that day on I knew I’d do my utmost to make the crew and save lives at sea. Emily: I was a member of the RNLI’s junior crew club from 6, despite living a long way from the sea. I moved to the Island when I turned 18 and couldn’t wait to join the crew.

Lavinia: My Dad has been on Douglas Lifeboat for as long as I can remember and one of my first memories is sitting on his knee when he opened letter saying he’d been accepted as a member of the Douglas crew. I joined up as soon as I could, the day after my 17th birthday. CJ: Watching Saving Lives at Sea, Justine: My Dad has been Station mechanic for 30 odd years, and my brother has been part of the crew for about 10, so you could say it’s in my blood.

How long does it take you to get from home/work to the lifeboat station when you're called out?

Breesha: 5/10 minutes. Rocky: Exactly 4 and a half minutes on my bike. Emily: I can be anywhere when my pager goes off, but if I’m at home about 8 or 9 minutes depending on the time of day, and the

traffic. Lavina: Unfortunately, due to the nature of my job I can’t leave from work, but from home, less than 5 minutes CJ: About 10 minutes. Justine: 8-9 minutes.

How old were you when you learnt to swim?

Breesha: Not sure, very young. Rocky: As soon as I could crawl or walk, whichever babies do first. Emily: When I was 3 I think. Lavinia: My Dad had a boat when I was growing up but before me and my brothers were allowed on it, we had to be able to swim. So about 4, I think? CJ: Around 1. Justine: I think I was about 5 or 6.

Have you ever been sea sick?

Breesha: Yes, Rocky: Not yet, Emily: Thankfully no, but there have been moments when I’ve had to take a moment to focus on the horizon. We go out in some of the worst seas so the ability to carry on with the task is really important. Lavinia: I’ve only felt seasick once, and I wouldn’t wish it on anybody!

CJ: Never. Justine: I used to be terrible for it when I was younger, (and if anyone says they haven’t, they’re a liar!).

Beach or city breaks?

Breesha: City breaks. Rocky: Beach every time. Emily: Both, but there’s something

LEFT-RIGHT: Breesha Cowan, Rocky Poole, Lavinia Washington, Emily Heaton, Justine Radcliffe, and CJ Petzer.

rather nice about a week by the sea, especially when I have my two boys, Luke and Hugh, with me. Lavinia: Beach breaks every time. CJ: Both. Justine: Beach breaks all the way.

Barbie or Oppenheimer?

Breesha: Barbie. Rocky: Oppenheimer.

Emily: I haven’t seen either. Lavinia: I haven’t seen either yet, but probably Barbie. CJ: Oppenheimer. Justine: Barbie.

The Traitors or The Apprentice?

Breesha: The Apprentice. Rocky: Neither is National Geographic an option?

Emily: I don’t seem to have much time

to sit and watch TV, but my favourite episode of The Apprentice is when they have to source a list of items – the map reading and planning skills are often questionable! Lavinia: The Traitors. CJ: I haven’t watched either. Justine: Love both, but Traitors is definitely more captivating these days.

Strictly or Dancing on Ice?

Breesha: Strictly. Rocky: Dancing on Ice. Emily: I look like Bambi if I’m on ice, so the skills demonstrated in Dancing on Ice amaze me. Lavinia: Neither. CJ: Neither. Justine: Is it bad that I don’t watch either?

Photograph & Cover by: Steve Babb

24 hrs in A&E or RNLI Saving Lives at Sea?

Breesha: I hate to say it, but 24 Hrs in A&E, Rocky: Saving Lives at Sea. Emily: It has to be Saving Lives at Sea. I love seeing what crews from other stations have been up to – though I’d happily avoid rewatching the episode I’m in! No matter which station features, the camaraderie and the pride in the RNLI shines through. Lavinia: It’s got to be Saving Lives at Sea. CJ: RNLI Saving Lives at Sea. Justine: Duh!!! Saving Lives at Sea. I’m a nerd for anything lifeboat. anything lifeboat related.

Girl Power

The RNLI isn’t basking in the glory of 200 years of history – there’s the future to think of. At the Douglas Station its future is in the safe hands of Harriet B, Holly and Harriet D and obviously Gallery had some questions for them:

Why did you want to be part of the RNLI?

Harriet B: Because my Dad told me how amazing it was. Holly: Because my Dad is a lifesaver. Harriet D: because I want to be like Daddy and sail across the seven seas and rescue people.

When did you join? Harriet B: When my Dad joined the Douglas crew. Holly: When I was 2 my Dad took me to the ‘Princess Tower’ (the Tower of Refuge) and I got the Storm Force magazine so let’s say 5 years ago. Harriet D: I’ve been going to the lifeboat with Daddy since I was about 3.

What’s the best bit? Harriet B: The

barbecues and talking to the big girls. Lavinia is super cool! Holly: I get the Storm Force magazine and lifeboat pictures to colour. Harriet D: The little ‘yellows’ that kids like me get to wear.

Are your school friends jealous? Do they want to join too? Harriet B: I don’t know, but they think my Dad is nice for rescuing people. Holly: I don’t know. Harriet D: Yes, they say ‘that sounds cool’.

Are you allowed to watch Saving Lives at Sea on TV? Harriet B: Yes, but my Grandad doesn’t think it’s suitable viewing for children. Holly: I watched my Dad on Saving Lives at Sea (Series 7 2022). Harriet D: not yet.

Do you think the programme makes the RNLI look exciting? Harriet B: Exciting and scary. I like seeing people rescued and their family happy because I feel scared for them inside. Holly: Scary!

Can you swim? Harriet B: Yes (not my favourite sport) Holly: Yes. Harriet D: Yes, of course (eye roll).

Most importantly, have you ever been seasick? Harriet B: No. Holly: Yes on the Ben My Chree because I ate too many sweets and snacks when Dad told me not to. I was sick twice in a bag then fell asleep. And on the Manannan when I was with Nan. Harriet D: No. What’s ‘sea sick’?

If you’re interested in joining the RNLI ‘family’ (and contrary to what you might think from the girls here, it’s not all dads and daughters!) then contact your local lifeboat station in Douglas, Peel, Port Erin, Port St Mary or Ramsey – it could be as crew, it could be helping in the station or the shops, it could be as a fundraising organiser or any other ‘backstage’ volunteer.

The RNLI fundraising walk out to the Tower of Refuge (sponsored by Tower Insurance) is at low tide on 9th May. More details nearer the time, but if you do take part, listen to the stewards: you don’t want to be the person who gets stuck and has to be rescued by the RNLI!

LEFT-RIGHT: Harriet Bennet (aged 7), Holly Christian (nearly 7), Harriet Dimslow (5).

Photograph by: Douglas RNLI

Dive into the mesmerising world beneath the waves with Marine Mosaics

You might remember the Gallery feature on the Basking Shark mosaic at Ronaldsway late last year - you may even have seen it for yourself when you arrive for your flight or meet friends and relatives as a wall-mounted life-size shark is hard to miss - but look what mosaic artist Kimmy McHarrie has been up to since: a collection of six stamps for IOM Post Office entitled Marine Mosaics.

This captivating collection features six stamps showcasing a selection of fish species that hold special significance to Islanders and are a testament to the beauty and fragility of our marine ecosystems. Like Kimmy’s life-size mosaic basking shark – more correctly named Interdependence – the stamps highlight the importance of conservation efforts in preserving our oceans. When Gallery spoke to Kimmy last September she told us that she never dreamt that 50 odd years after playing with stones and shells on Castletown beach she’d be commissioned to make a permanent mosaic for Culture Vannin for the airport, and now she’s thrilled to have been commissioned by Isle of Man Post Office for this Marine Mosaics stamp collection.

“Marine Mosaics carries on the ideas behind Interdependence and I am so pleased to have

another opportunity to highlight our natural environment and the importance of preserving it for future generations,” says Kimmy.

Each stamp tells a story, reflecting Kimmy's lifelong connection to the sea. From her childhood days spent creating collages from beach finds to her acclaimed career as a mosaic artist, Kimmy's passion for nature shines through in every piece. If you delve into the details of each stamp you’ll discover the Manx names of these iconic fish species, passed down through generations. From the humble Herring, known locally as Skeddan, to the majestic Braddan (Salmon), Kimmy's artwork celebrates the cultural heritage of the Isle of Man. As an island whose heritage is deeply intertwined with the sea, the decline in fish stocks is a matter close to our hearts. Through Kimmy's intricate mosaics, homage is paid to the rich maritime history of the Isle of Man while highlighting the importance of conservation efforts in preserving our oceans. “The inspiration for all of my work is the natural world, especially the sea, and the fish here are particularly beautiful,” says Kimmy, “but most of all I hope the mosaics in this stamp collection go some way to remind people how important it is for everyone to respect all aspects of an increasingly fragile ecosystem.”

Marine Mosaics by Kimmy McHarrie is available as a full collection from IOM Post Office from 7 March https://www.iompost.com/ stamps-coins/collection/marine-mosaics-bykimmy-mcharrie/

This series of works follows on from the basking Sharl mosaic "Interdependence" commissioned by Culture Vannin that is hanging in Ronaldsway Airport.

Stranding & Sinkings Shipwrecks in Manx Waters

Shipwrecks are always fascinating. For an island whose history is so much bound up with the sea, problems with shipping affect a large number of people.

It would be impossible to include all the ships wrecked around the Manx coast so Strandings & Sinkings: shipwrecks in Manx waters approaches the subject from a slightly different angle. It concentrates on the photographs. Unsurprisingly, pictures of wrecks are not particularly common. If your vessel is sinking beneath you,

you have better things to do than pose for a selfie, and the weather is unlikely to be bright and sunny. However, the book gathers together a remarkable collection. There are drone pictures of wrecks hidden in secluded coves, underwater photographs of boats lying on the seabed and several of rescues in progress.

These ships were mute witnesses to great heroism (and occasionally great idiocy), and their stories provide an insight into the lives of those who crewed them.

And not all the boats featured were truly wrecked. There was no saving some, but

many of the boats were raised, repaired, and refloated.

Strandings & Sinkings covers nearly 200 years of shipwrecks, including that of Racehorse, the wreck which prompted William Hillary to found what became the RNLI. As the RNLI's 200th anniversary approaches on 4 March, Strandings & Sinkings shows why an organisation devoted to saving lives at sea is so necessary.

£19.95 - www.loaghtanbooks.com

Also available from: Bridge Bookshop, The Book Co., Manx National Heritage and a number of other retailers.

Escape Cumbria to

Nestled in Grizebeck on the border of the Lake District National Park discover this lovely pairing of cottages, Old Peat and Lilac Cottage. Boasting private and off-road parking, close proximity to the local attractions and plenty of social spaces to spend quality time with loved ones, Old Peat and Lilac Cottage is the perfect base for your next family escape to Cumbria.

Explore your local surroundings with a trip into the bustling town of Ulverston, home to the Laurel and Hardy Museum, Stan Laurel’s Birthplace, and the excellent Ulverston Golf Club where you can test your clubs out with fantastic views looking out towards Morecambe Bay. The town also offers a good selection of pubs and restaurants, where you can treat your loved ones to an evening of sampling the local delights. Continue to the Lake District National Park, where Coniston Water, well-known for its idyllic setting offering a wealth of watersports opportunities, including kayaking and canoeing, awaits. For outdoor lovers, head to Lake Windermere and traverse the famous lake by boat or paddle board or explore the exhibits of The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction.

Escape to Old Peat and Lilac Cottage for an unforgettable retreat in Cumbria.

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Old Peat Cottage | Lilac Cottage

NEWS NUMBERS IN 2024-25 BUDGET

A tax rate increase from 10% to 15% for certain banking businesses and large retailers will be introduced in respect of the 2024/25 tax year only.

The

22

The

14,500

for

for

will be increased by 10% to £160 per week. The upper

will be increased by 8.5% to £938 per week.  Class 2 and

rates will be increased by 8.5% to £6.20 and £18.95 respectively.

The income tax personal allowance will remain at £14,500 for a resident individual and £29,000 for a jointly assessed couple.

15

8.5

Under the ‘triple lock’ uprating – the basic state retirement pension and Manx state pension increase by 8.5%. Those in receipt of the full Manx state pension will receive an extra £18.83 each week.

3500

Approximately 3,500 individuals and families of working age on low incomes will benefit from increases in Employed Person’s Allowance, Income Support and income-based Jobseeker’s 5 Allowance.

160

10

The income tax lower rate for individuals will remain at 10%. The threshold at which the higher rate of income tax becomes payable will remain at £6,500 for an individual and £13,000 for a jointly assessed couple.

Words: Sophie Marie Atkinson

From an increase in the number of super prime properties being purchased to a boom in family offices, we look at what’s happening in the world of wealth.

The world today looks considerably different to how it did at the turn of the century. As well as opportunities, this has brought with it challenges for the high net worth (HNW) community.

Macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty has continued to rock the proverbial boat, triggering global wealth declines. Business operating models, meanwhile, are changing, and the risks associated with cross-border activity have led some companies to take a more cautious approach to international expansion.

Meanwhile, the ongoing war in Ukraine and heightened tensions between China and the US are causing high net worth individuals (HNWIs) to carefully consider the best and safest places to base their families and their finances.

Here, we investigate the trends that are emerging as a result of all these factors.

An even greater focus on ESG

Given the increasing concern about the state of the world, the ESG hot streak continues, with 81% of institutional investors planning to increase their allocations to ESG products, and global ESG investing set to exceed $53 trillion by 2025. Today, 64% of high net worth (HNW) investors ask for an ESG score before investing in a fund. This is an exceptionally strong indicator of a greater desire to invest in companies that are attempting to make the world a better place.

Investing in super prime properties

More than 160 properties worth £10 million or more were sold in London alone in the last financial year –the most since 2016 – the year of the Brexit referendum.

The combined sum spent on the £10 million-plus properties amounted to £3.1 billion, which works out to an average of just more than £19 million a sale. This was up from the £2.5 billion total spent on 144 properties in the previous year.

In terms of location, the highest number of £10 million-plus deals in London took place in Kensington (26), followed by Belgravia (25) and Mayfair (22).

The number of transactions above £20 million was also particularly strong in the 12 months to April (it’s worth noting that definitions of ‘super prime’ vary from more than £10 million to more than £20 million). There were 46 of these sales, a number that has only been exceeded once in the last decade (in the 2014/15 financial year).

Diversification

The drivers for diversification are easily evident. In a turbulent world, many wealth holders and investors seek to hedge against negative outcomes by investing in varied sectors and locations – not least when issues arise in one particular locality or set of markets.

However, diversification isn’t just about ensuring wealth preservation – it’s also about wealth generation. This means ensuring that capital is not just safe and accessible but is seeking optimal and sustainable returns.

Naturally, this sort of diversification leads to diversity of location and outlook. Increasingly, HNW families are acting more and more like sophisticated institutional investors – seeking out enhanced access to local markets such as niche equities or currencies.

The family office boom

According to HSBC Global Private Banking, the pandemic prompted more HNWIs to establish family offices – an investment structure that builds and protects wealth, while allthe-while creating a long-term legacy.

A family office can be based in one jurisdiction, or it can operate out of multiple cities. In terms of assets under management, family offices typically start at around $300 million, but can exceed $1 billion. Additionally, an office can hire anywhere from ten to 100 professionals – including portfolio managers, accountants and even lawyers.

The 2023 Global Family Office Survey Insights report found that direct investing remains a strong focus for family offices, but while 66% of family offices surveyed said they were seeking opportunistic deals based on attractive valuations, 38% paused new direct investments due to economic uncertainty.

What’s more, 74% of family offices report that their primary focus has shifted toward wealth management, while 55% said theirs was investment management.

What’s more, 74% of family offices report that their primary focus has shifted toward wealth management, while 55% said theirs was investment management.

At the same time, the families themselves reported to be focused on preparing for the future by preserving asset values and preparing the next generation as responsible wealth owners.

The rise and rise of female wealth

Globally, women’s wealth has shown unprecedented growth over the last decade –with this group currently creating wealth at a faster rate than at any one time in history. In fact, it’s thought that by 2025, women will own 60% of the UK’s wealth.

Women also continue to add more to the global wealth pool each year and are doing so at a rate matched by no other single group. They are also responsible for $20 trillion in annual consumer spending and in the next few years, the growth of women’s wealth is forecast to outpace that of global wealth.

THE GREAT WEALTH TRANSFER

Words: Sophie Marie Atkinson

An intergenerational financial movement is in progress. But what exactly is the great wealth transfer, and who is set to benefit? Here, we shine a light on millennials and women and what this shift means for them.

Over the next two decades, parents and grandparents are expected to pass down trillions of dollars to charities and younger generations –particularly, millennials and gen Xers.

Some have described what we’re heading into as an ‘inheritocracy’ and predict that the movement will take place over the next 25-30 years. Almost all the assets being passed down will go to people born after 1980, and the end result is that the estimated $100 trillion that is currently in movement will make millennials five times wealthier than they are at present.

Why is it happening?

First and foremost – it’s down to the fact that baby boomers are in the retirement phase of their lives. Because of this, many of them are planning for life after work and thinking about how they’ll distribute their wealth to their children and grandchildren. And when you take into account the fact that this group currently holds half of the nation’s household wealth, it’s easier to understand the impending wealth tsunami that is about to take place.

How is it happening?

Baby boomers are passing assets to their children through trusts, property purchases, gifts and wills.

According to US consultancy Cerulli Associates, in the US, an estimated $70 trillion is expected to shift from older generations to the younger ones. In the UK, the Kings Court Trust and Centre for Economics and Business Research put that amount at £5.5 trillion over the next 30 years.

How will this impact the economy?

The wealth handover could transform the economy –potentially in a much-needed way. We could see increased consumer spending, investment and economic growth. The stock market may also rise as the money makes its way from the hands of the currently cash-hungry millennials into investments.

What’s more, the group set to inherit has of course been caught in the crosshairs of the latest mortgage and housing crisis. In the mid-nineties, when many millennials were children, the average house cost around three times

According to

US consultancy Cerulli Associates, in the US, an estimated $70 trillion is expected to shift from older generations to the younger ones. In the UK, the Kings Court Trust and Centre for Economics and Business Research put that amount at £5.5 trillion over the next 30 years.

the average income. Now that ratio is closer to seven. In London, it is approaching twelve.

Many millennials, having bought houses at the peak of prices with substantial mortgages, are also likely to be most exposed to the recent interest rate surges. But this could be set to change – and they could be in a position to buy new homes as well as additional properties for holiday or investment purposes. And if more homes are sought after, this could raise housing prices.

What’s happening to businesses?

It’s thought that 85% of families globally are already preparing the next generation to take over their businesses. By region, preparation rates were higher in both Greater China (90%) and ASEAN (86%), reflecting a strong desire among Asian families to move succession planning forward.

The other great wealth shift

It’s thought that by 2025, women will own a remarkable 60% of the UK’s wealth. Women also continue to add more to the global wealth pool each year and are doing so at a rate matched by no other single group. They are also responsible for $20 trillion in annual consumer spending and in the next few years, the growth of women’s wealth is forecast to outpace that of global wealth.

Why is women’s wealth increasing?

Globally, women are better educated than previous decades. Those currently under the age of 38 are the best educated of any generation of women who have gone before them – a fact that is especially true when it comes to wealthy women.

Naturally, through having a high paying career, educational attainment leads to the potential of more affluence for women. What’s more, it also tends to lead to a higher proportion of women engaging in smarter financial decisions.

The impact of greater equality at work

Another reason behind the growth of female wealth is the fact that leadership roles continue to evolve. The proportion of women in senior management jobs has grown globally to 29%, the highest ever recorded. Women sitting on boards is also very much on the up – today, 40% of FTSE 350 board members are female, compared to just 9.5% in 2011.

A further factor is that women continue to take their careers into their own hands by setting up businesses. Globally, a third of all businesses are owned by women and in 2022, women in the UK established more than 150,000 companies – twice as many as in 2018.

Today, wealth is shared by men and women in partnerships, marriages and during divorce – more so than ever before. This is increasingly a tight, legally validated position across global markets, meaning that it will very much be a fixed influence for the future and can’t be reversed.

Finally, longevity plays some part in the ever-growing wealth status of women. We know, for example, that women tend to live longer than men, and that older women are often single, separated, divorced or widowed – with four in ten over 55s falling into this category.

A further factor is that women continue to take their careers into their own hands by setting up businesses. Globally, a third of all businesses are owned by women and in 2022, women in the UK established more than 150,000 companies – twice as many as in 2018.

The CSP

AND WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING ABOUT IT

talent gap

The island’s corporate service providers are struggling to find admin and compliance staff. We talked to Jo Sayle, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner at Van Kaizen, about what this means for employers and employees in the sector.

We’ve heard CSPs are struggling to find people, but is that anything new? The island has had full employment for years, right?

It’s true the island has had a competitive labour market for a long time now, but a lot of the high demand has been in specific areas, like the developers and IT engineers that my iGamingfocused colleagues specialise in. I am heavily focused on the CSP market and over the last couple of years I have watched the demand for senior administrators, managers, and compliance professionals slowly ratchet up. In 2024, this is becoming a real pressure point.

What do you think is driving that?

It’s a combination of things, as always. The CSP market has consolidated and matured a lot over the past few years, with smaller firms being acquired by private equity backed businesses with deeper pockets and more robust compensation and retention packages. I also think remote working might have been a factor, as workers in their twenties have had fewer opportunities to learn from more experienced colleagues and so the talent pipeline into senior positions is perhaps a little weaker than it was five or ten years ago.

So what are the island’s employers doing about it?

Salaries have been creeping up, of course, which is great news for candidates. It’s not always helping, though, as even double-digit salary increase offers are being met with equally generous counters. To get out of this

bidding war, some of our more dynamic clients have begun looking at relocating from other, similar talent pools such as Malta. Salaries are lower, skills are mostly transferrable, and visas aren’t necessarily required if you look at the expats first, who often have British passports. As a Manx-headquartered, international agency with recruiters in Malta and elsewhere (and a global candidate database) we are uniquely placed to help with that.

Could overseas workers benefit employers at the expense of local talent?

No, I don’t think so. By analogy, there’s no shortage of roles for local developers, despite years of overseas recruitment into that niche. It’s the same now with CSP administrators: they are looking overseas to help fill a supply gap that the island just can’t fill domestically. Local candidates will always have an advantage because of lower onboarding costs, but more and more clients are using our Maltese network to fill Isle of Man roles because they just aren’t getting enough Manx applicants. Remember, too, that local employees suffer when their firm can’t fill an opening on their team for a long time: everyone benefits when a seat is filled.

OK, it sounds like good news for local candidates then; do you have any advice for them?

Think carefully about whether you really want to move, and what you would move for, and then commit to that decision. Large scale research has validated time and again what every recruiter knows: the odds are slim that you will stay put after taking a counteroffer. Trust is eroded on both sides, personal development slows, and you’ll usually end up regretting taking the “safe” option when you remember the salary wasn’t the only reason you were looking in the first place. If it’s time to move, don’t get distracted!

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Jo Sayle

International

Van

Road, Ramsey, Isle of Man, IM8 3UB. Directors C

Freeform

If you’re the type of person whose thoughts are always overflowing (and your notetaking always messy) Freeform could be the app for you.

Freeform is a digital journal – allowing you to scrawl out your thoughts in whatever fashion you deem fit. Unlike a conventional journal however, you can then rearrange and modify your notes afterwards. You can draw, type, create post-its, and even add shapes and photos to personalise and organise your thoughts.

A good creative alternative to conventional note-taking.

Timeneye

Timeneye is not just a calendar, it also helps optimise your time in different areas by allowing you to create time blocks, set custom notifications for certain events, and analyse your time usage. Every minute you track in this application is aggregated in reports giving you an accurate breakdown of your workload distribution. Timeneye also integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Suite, allowing cross-functionality with Teams, Outlook and other Microsoft 365 products.

10 APPS TO SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE

Everyone wants to make their life a little easier, and in this technological age there seems to be an app for everything. Whilst we might be a few years away yet from robot butlers that do everything for us, there are plenty of apps that can help you stay organised and overall simplify your life. Here are our top 10 picks for apps that can help you live a better life.

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ChatGPT

We joked about robot butlers in the introduction, but this app may be the first step towards such a reality.

You’ve likely already heard of ChatGPT, the free-to-use AI chatbot that can answer any question you ask. Its popularity is no myth, having surpassed 1 million users just 5 days after its launch, and currently has over 180 million users around the world. Now with voice search capabilities, it is simpler than ever to use. You could use it to tidy up your CV, summarise content, create to-do lists, and even write code.

However, this app does come with its limitations. The free version of ChatGPT does not use the internet to search for information. It uses information from its training data to generate a response, which often leads to a lack of quality in its answers.

For accurate, up-to-date information, a regular search engine or human is still your best bet. But this app is a huge step forward for AI to aid your basic daily tasks.

Strava Strava describes itself as the ‘social network for athletes’. Whether you walk, run, or cycle, Strava can recommend trails and routes you may not have known about. This app also lets you set goals, track your progress, and connect and compete with other users. Healthy competition can be a great motivator to push your workouts to the next level!

Calendly

Calendly is an appointment scheduling software that can help you book online meetings according to the availability of your customers and employees. It can be accessed on multiple devices and integrated with popular apps such as Outlook, Gmail, Mailchimp and Slack. If you are self-employed or a manager who needs to create organised workflows for their team, you’ll want this app. It is truly one of the best scheduling apps out there.

OtterPilot

Another app powered by AI. Otter transcribes meetings in real time and provides you with a ready-made document that you can view, edit, and share. Otter can also differentiate multiple voices and provide meeting summaries. This is ideal for those long Zoom calls so you don’t miss any key action points.

Forest

A common problem in the modern age is the ability to disconnect from our phones. However, the solution may –ironically - lie in yet another phone app. Forest provides a great incentive to disconnect for a while. All you do is set a timer, and Forest will ‘plant’ a virtual tree that you can watch grow over that time period. If you disturb your phone during this time, your tree will die.

Your time spent on this app can also make a real-life impact. Forest partners with Trees for the Future to plant real trees. So far, over 1,600,000 trees have been planted by Forest. So you can increase your productivity, whilst reducing your carbon footprint! Pocket

Pocket allows you to cultivate your own social/news feed tailored to your needs and interests. You can use it to save all the things across the web you want to read, watch, listen to, or buy all in one place. The aim of Pocket is to create a distraction-free space to only focus on the things that matter to you.

SuperCook

A daily dilemma many of us face is what to cook for dinner. And often we buy surplus food when we already have perfectly good ingredients at home.

SuperCook’s zero waste recipe generator lets you input the ingredients you have on hand and it generates recipe suggestions that you can make with just those items. No more wasting time and money on unnecessary grocery trips or throwing away unused ingredients!

You may even discover new recipes with ingredients you’d never think to use together.

YNAB

If you are committed to creating and maintaining a budget that works for you, this is where you should start. You Need A Budget (YNAB) lets you import data from various financial institutions so you can keep track of your accounts all in one place.

YNAB works on a four-rule philosophy to help not only track your money, but also change your relationship with money, leading to long-term improvements in your financial habits. Although YNAB comes with a hefty $99 dollar a year price tag, if used wisely it could help you save hundreds in the long term.

THE BENEFITS OF COLD-WATER IMMERSION S

croll through your social media feeds these days and you’re likely to come across videos of people taking cold showers, plunging into cold water lakes, rivers, the sea, or climbing into specialist tubs filled with ice cold water. On the Isle of Man, you’re likely to come across a hardy bunch ladies called the ‘Blue Tits’ who frequent the shallows of our Island beaches all year round. Due to the power of social media and with the likes of Wim Hoff (AKA ‘The Ice Man’), raising awareness of the benefits of cold-water immersion, it’s quickly becoming a global trend.

While you might dismiss this as just another trend, soon to be forgotten, but cold water immersion / therapy is something that humans have done since the dawn of time. In fact, our ancestors had no choice but to bathe in cold water and were regularly cold, climate depending of course, but with the advances of time, we are now surrounded by our creature comforts such as central heating, hot water, heated seats in our car and so on. As a result, we have lost our tolerance to the cold and in some respects, some of the mental resilience our ancestors had, purely by living in tougher times.

Historically, cold water immersion was used as a complimentary therapy that focused on pain management, reduction of

also allowing your body to practice controlling those stress responses. By experiencing small doses of stress regularly, you’re training your body and mind to become more resilient over time, just like our ancestors did. People who do cold water immersion regularly, often report a state of euphoria afterward, likely due to a spike in various mood enhancing hormones you experience after being exposed to cold water.

If you haven’t tried cold water immersion before, and you’d like to give it a go, then safety always comes first. Exposing your body to drastic temperature changes when you hop into cold water or have a cold shower, especially if it’s your first time, is stressful for the body. You will experience cold

Cold water immersion may help improve your mental health by reducing depression, anxiety and stress

inflammation and recovery after sport, but the science is evolving and more recent research suggests that cold water immersion can have much wider health benefits. While more research is required, there’s a growing body of evidence that shows it may boost your immune system and improve circulation. Cold water immersion may help improve your mental health by reducing depression, anxiety and stress.

When you immerse yourself in cold water, you’re forcing your body into an extreme state of stress where you activate the fight-or-flight response (your sympathetic nervous system).

If you do that repeatedly with focus and control of your breathing, you’re

water shock where you will lose your breath temporarily and feel extreme stress. Most people will get over this quickly and get control of their breathing but for people with heart, blood pressure, and other circulatory issues, it’s important to check with your doctor first to make sure it’s safe for your to do so. Submerging your body in cold water for too long also increases your risk of hypothermia, which can be life threatening, so please take note of the following guidance.

So, you’re ready to ‘take the plunge’ but remember, it’s important to build up your tolerance to cold water gradually. It is therefore recommended that you start with a 15 second cold shower and add 5 seconds each day until you can stay under for 2 minutes. 2 minutes in a cold shower is all you need to reap the benefits, and it doesn’t eat into your day. It’s always best to transition straight from hot to cold, but if that’s too much to begin with, just go as far as you feel comfortable until you can go straight from hot to cold, then you can increase the exposure time. If you progress to

outdoor cold water immersion in the sea or a river, there’s some simple rules to follow, don’t go alone and don’t stay in any longer than one minute for every degree Celsius of water temperature. If you stay in any longer, the negatives start to outweigh the benefits. Afterwards, get dry quickly and warm up naturally. Don’t be tempted to have a hot shower or bath. If you are shivering, don’t suppress it, that’s your body’s natural way to warm up. Don’t drive while still shivering, warm up first so you have full control over your motor functions. Allowing your body to warm up naturally is the safest way to do it, and it helps build resilience.

As a final word, anyone who practices regular cold water immersion will tell you (if they are being honest) that no matter how often they do it, it’s hard. If they tell you otherwise, they are probably telling you a porky to save face.

I know this because I have a cold shower every day and I regularly dip in the sea. I’ve even plunged into a hole in a frozen river in northern Sweden – now that was proper cold and to make it even harder, the air temperature when I got out was -16!

Let’s face it, spend 10 minutes in icy cold water or a freezing plunge pool and your day can only get better.

All joking aside though, when you do warm up, you will feel incredible, like you could take on the world and because cold water immersion requires mental toughness and resilience, that’s a discipline that can carry over to other parts of your life.

I sometimes get asked why I do it and my answer is always the same – “I love the way I feel after being in cold water, more than I hate being cold”.

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