A Night Out With Baldrick Focus on children`s

OUTLOOK
March 2006
Life’s a
beach in
Antigua
A
Focus on
children’s
fashion
CUNNING
Night Out With Baldrick
A family meal at the Welbeck Hotel
Tickets for Tony Robinson’s Gaiety show
21
A super Mother’s Day makeover at Appointment
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GROWING up as a teenager,
there were few TV comedies
which kept me indoors at
night. But Blackadder, in all
his guises, was one of them. ‘I
have a cunning plan, my
Lord...’ became a favourite
schoolground quote and it’s
cool that Baldrick himself –
okay, actor Tony Robinson –
is coming to the Gaiety
Theatre. It promises to be a
fun night out.
I’ve been reporting on the
Island’s Search and Rescue
Dog team since it was formed a couple of years ago, so it’s
great to be able to report the adventures of team leader Matt
Creer and his dog, Lola, as they attempted to become the first
ever qualified Manx team. Hats off to Matt and his colleagues
for developing the team from an initial good idea into a fullyrealised (and essential) organisation.
Finally, it’s Mothering Sunday this month – so
don’t forget her! We have two super offers,
courtesy of the Welbeck Hotel and
beauty studio Appointment 21, to help
make the day extra special for two lucky
mums. Here’s wishing all mums have a
fantastic day.
ohn
J irk
Qu
4 Cunning idea
We have a word with actor,
writer and all-round
entertainer Tony Robinson,
known to everyone as
Blackadder’s sidekick Baldrick
and the face of Time Team, as
he prepares for his Gaiety
performance
8 The rescuers
Meet Lola the collie and
handler Matt Creer, who set
out for the Lake District and
four days of gruelling tests in a
bid to become the first fullyqualified Manx search and
rescue dog team
12 In fashion
Some of us adults may have
long forgotten, but looking
good is important for the
young ones – we visit Jelly
Beans in Ramsey to find out
what’s in fashion this spring
18 Chilling in Antigua
Guy Pickard heads to the
West Indies and discovers a
tourist industry which
knows how to treat its
customers and more sandy
beaches than he knows what
to do with
22 Out and About
Our man Maurice Corris
heads south in search of the
Spaniards of Port St Mary, only
to find no sign of an Armada
ever having been parked in the
bay
24 Competitions
We have tickets to see Tony
Robinson at the Gaiety up for
grabs and two chances to
pamper your mum for
Mothering Sunday
25 Teen stress
Our columnist Gael Stigant
explains how spots, exams and
boys ensure it’s tough going
being a teenager
27 Picture perfect
Have you made it on to our
Diary pages? Outlook’s
photographers have been out
taking great pictures at events,
all of which can be ordered via
www.photostoday.co.uk
30 Manx curiousities
What put the ginger in the
Ginger Hall? Find out with the
latest in our ‘Everything You
Ever Wanted to Know About
Being Manx’ series
COVER PHOTO:Tony Robinson
Editor: John Quirk
Editorial: 695643. Email: john.quirk@newsiom.co.im
Sales and Marketing:Tina Heavey
Advertising: 01624 695660. Email: tina.heavey@newsiom.co.im
Layout and Design: Richard Parslow
Isle of Man Newspapers Publishing House, Peel Road, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 5PZ.
Printing: PCP Limited, Haldane, Halesfield 1,Telford, Shropshire,TF7 4QQ.
© Isle of Man Newspapers Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the copyright owner.
March 2006
OUTLOOK
3
Interview: Tony Robinson
A Cunning Night
Tony Robinson, famed for his role as Baldrick in the iconic
comedy Blackadder and fronting archaeology series Time
Team, visits the Island this month when he brings his oneman show, Cunning Night Out, to the Gaiety Theatre.
Philip Thomson catches up with the actor, comedian,
author and raconteur ahead of his Manx visit.
FTER becoming a
television comedy icon
as Baldrick, the dim
sidekick of Blackadder,Tony
Robinson has established
himself as the face of
modern archaeology.
For more than 10 years
Tony has presented
Channel 4 series Time
Team – the Sunday teatime
show which has won
legions of new fans for
digging holes in the
ground – and can
frequently be seen
fronting history-based
documentaries.
This year saw yet
another series of Time
Team – which Tony
revealed to Outlook he
may quit next year –
coming hot on the heels
of his dramatic trip to the
sunken wreck of the
Titanic with film director
James Cameron.
The 59-year-old also
presented The Real Da Vinci
Code, which attracted
record viewing
figures, and
A
4
OUTLOOK
March 2006
Worst Jobs in History.
What is perhaps less well
known is that in his early career
Tony performed on stage at the
West End and was pushed into
London docks by film legend
John Wayne in the movie
Brannigan.
But his diverse career, which
has spanned more than 40 years,
doesn’t stop there. He has
appeared in more than 1,000
programmes, including the
children’s series Maid Marian
and Her Merry Men, and ITV
prime-time sitcom My
Wonderful Life, made several
feature films, penned 17
children’s books and several
volumes for grown-ups.
This month Tony brings the
story of how he went from child
actor to comedy sidekick to
respected TV presenter to the
Gaiety Theatre on March 29 as
part of his Cunning Night Out
tour. It will be his first visit to
Manx shores and he admits
there is ‘an enormous amount of
excitement’ about the
performance.
‘I must have been to almost
every other part of the British
Isles, but never there,’ Tony says.
‘I have always hoped we would
get a Time Team dig from the
Isle of Man, but so far it hasn’t
come up with anything for us.
But I’m so chuffed to be
coming.’
With a heritage like ours, the
Isle of Man would seem perfect
for Time Team – which gives a
team of experts just three days
to uncover the historic secrets
of a location.
‘Time Team is very much
proactive, you don’t just wade in
and start digging,’ Tony says. ‘It is
up to local people,
archaeologists and residents, if
they have got something they
think is interesting to approach
us. If anyone has anything, they
should write the details on a
couple of sheets of A4 and leave
them at the stage door for me.’
He adds: ‘The big question is
always, is there enough in this
Out with Baldrick
of television is very demanding
and you can’t make do with a
single story.’
The success of Time Team
surprised many, not least Tony. It
created massive public interest
in archaeology and was
responsible for the plethora of
similar time-limited
archaeological investigation
programmes which now litter
the TV schedules.
‘There is no doubt that since
Time Team has been on, public
awareness of archaeology has
increased enormously and
applications to universities have
increased,’ Tony says.
‘Ordinary people now
understand a little bit more, a
bit of stratigraphy, geophysics,
that it is not just treasure
hunting, but also piecing
together an environment as
well.Whether or not Time Team
is another symptom of what
was due to happen anyway or
not is for future generations to
look at.
‘I don’t think any of us dreamt
it would be as successful as it
has become. In the early days I
remember people said we
would only be able to do four
or six digs a year without
becoming repetitive. Now they
play hundreds of them on the
Discovery channel back to back
and no one seems to mind.We
did tap into the zeitgeist, how
that happened I don’t know.’
Tony is ‘extremely proud’ to
have been involved in two TV
programmes which have
become ‘a bit more iconic’.
‘I had been an actor since 12
so by the time I went to
Blackadder I had an enormous
wealth of experience,’ he
explains. ‘I just got fed up with
working under other people’s
terms, under other people’s
direction. I started doing some
documentaries for Comic Relief
with Richard Curtis and enjoyed
the freedom and the unscripted
journey.
‘I just loved the process of
doing Time Team, going into a
programme where you never
© Ti m e Te a m
know what it will be like when
you start.Three days of that kind
of risky programming is very
exhilarating.’
Tony, who secured a history
qualification among his four Olevels, added: ‘Part of my life is
being funny, but another part is
being interested in history and
archaeology so it was never a
surprise to me to move from
one to the other.’
What did frustrate Tony was
the way he was almost rejected
for the new role.
‘A highlight is people recognise
me for doing the work,’ he said.
‘One of the hardest things about
the TV industry and its
snobbishness is it produces a
TURN TO PAGE 6
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March 2006
OUTLOOK
5
A talented all-rounder
conservative attitude towards
what performers are allowed to
do.
‘When I started Time Team a
number of people were very
sniffy about me doing it. After
three or four years people
accept you. A joy for me is that
people now accept I am a face at
Channel 4 who can talk about
wonderful and serious things in
an interesting and serious way.’
Tony says he’s signed up for
one more year of Time Team, but
reveals that beyond then ‘we will
just have to see if they want
more and what happens’.
Inevitably, the subject of more
Blackadder comes up and Tony
reveals a reunion could be on
the cards, unless Hugh Laurie –
whose roles in the programme
included George, the daft Prince
of Wales, in the third series –
continues his success in the US,
where he is winning rave reviews
in the medical drama House.
‘My favourite idea, which was
discussed as the possibility for a
movie that was never made, was
one set in the 1960s with
Rowan [Atkinson] as Queen
“
It isn’t just a
bloke sitting on a stool,
it is very physical
and very funny
“
FROM PAGE 5
Elizabeth’s bastard son,’ says
Tony. ‘The swinging Sixties, it
would be a great idea.
‘There is always this fantasy
that we will get together in
2010, but I think I will be dead
and all the others will be in
rehab by then.
‘If we are around I think we
will all be up for it, although
Hugh Laurie is a major problem
now he is the most famous man
in America.’
For the moment, though,Tony’s
focus is on his one-man tour,
which features almost 30 dates.
‘Obviously there is an awful lot
of Blackadder,Worst Jobs and
Time Team bound up in it
because I think that is what
people expect and I don’t want
to disappoint that expectation,’
he says.
‘However, it is very much a
show. It isn’t just a bloke sitting
on a stool, it is very physical and
very funny.The whole idea is
entertainment.
‘I have always thought the
difference between theatre and
TV shows is that you can show a
TV show again and again and it
is always identical. Stage shows
should be, although they rarely
are, different every night. So,
particularly in the second half, I
bounce off the audience a lot
and go in the direction they
want to take it.
‘I work very hard on TV and I
don’t want to work 52 weeks of
the year without engaging
people directly. Going out on
tour means meeting people,
interacting, and I find it really
exciting to do.’
Before the tour Tony
completed another
documentary, Me and My Mum,
which examines the last year of
his mother’s life as she suffered
Alzheimer's disease.
‘It is very personal, but my
contention is that in 100 years
people will look back at our
treatment of the elderly and feel
the same way we do when we
look back 100 years at the
treatment of the elderly and
children in workhouses then,’
Tony says.
Talking about that hope reveals
a glimmer of the political activist
behind the TV presenter – he
served as vice-president of
acting union Equity and took a
seat on the Labour Party
national executive committee for
four years.
Tony admitted his familyfriendly TV persona belies an
‘iron spine’.
‘I am short, I’ve got a high
voice, I have big eyes and it all
contrives to make me appear to
be a cuddly person,’ he said. ‘The
fact is in showbusiness you do
tend to form an iron spine and
fierce focus. It is a very tough
industry and that is the only way
to survive.
‘There are so many
entertainment icons who you
think you would like to meet
and when you do you think “I
wouldn’t want to cross them”.’
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OUTLOOK
March 2006
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8
OUTLOOK
March 2006
When Matt Creer, team leader of Isle of Man Search and
Rescue Dogs, set off with his dog, Lola, for the Lake District,
a bit of Manx history was waiting to be made. Matt and
Lola’s aim – to become the first ever qualified Manx search
and rescue dog team. Here, Matt recounts their adventure:
T usually takes around two
and a half years to train a
search dog, but at the time
of writing Lola is not yet two
years old.
She was the runt of a litter,
unwanted and abandoned at an
animal shelter, who came to live
and train with me after being
fostered by a handler from Lake
District Mountain Rescue Dogs.
This is the first search dog I
have trained – and she is the
fastest thing on four legs I have
ever seen.
I’d put a huge amount of time,
effort and personal expense into
training throughout 2005, but
Lola’s general progress had been
excellent and we had been
working on a daily basis in the
weeks running up to the trip.
We were among a group of
about 90 people from across the
British Isles which descended on
Keswick for four days of
gruelling examination as part of
the National Search and Rescue
Dog Association’s (NSARDA)
annual assessment week.
Among this number were a
I
mix of handlers, assessors and
volunteer casualties, lovingly
referred to as ‘dogsbodies’ or
‘bodies’ – people who give up
their free time to hide in the
hills for hours on end for the
dogs to find.
For many of the handlers,
myself included, this was our
first experience of national
assessment and it would mean
the difference between success
and failure for our dogs, so the
pressure was on.
We arrived at the
Derwentwater Youth Hostel the
evening before the assessments
started.There were dozens of
4x4s and estate cars parked
outside. I didn’t know a soul and
as I entered the hostel, the
atmosphere was intense, with
nervous handlers everywhere.
Thankfully, I found some
friends I had made on dog
courses in the Lakes and Wales.
We spent some time catching
up, over a drink, which took our
minds off the what lay ahead of
us.
So how do search and rescue
dogs work?
Lola is trained to detect any
human scent in the air or wind
and follow that scent to the
source (the casualty). Once she
has found it, she will then return
to me and bark. Having indicated
to me that she’s made a find, she
then returns to the casualty,
leading me to the location. She
may have to repeat this
sequence several times until she
gets me to the casualty.
Sounds easy? Believe me, it
isn’t.
It is this process on which we
were being assessed, with
particular attention being given
to the dog’s indication.
The first two days were wet
and windy.The wind was such
that two assessors were
simultaneously blown off their
picnic chairs, causing much mirth
amongst those of us being
assessed.
Our first search of the week
was a large section of mountain,
predominantly crag and scree.
The higher we climbed, the
more difficult the terrain
became, with sections of crag
that had to be climbed up on all
fours. Lola was pushing hard up
the hill, but I was making slow
progress because of the slippery
wet rock and the danger of
falling off the mountain.
I made it on to a scree slope,
which was marginally better
under foot, so I started to
traverse it. Lola was about 200
meters higher and starting to
reach our top boundary. I
whistled to indicate I wanted
her to turn left, looked up and
slipped on a wet rock. I landed
hard on my side, deadening my
backside and causing me to slide
several metres down the scree.
After a tirade of expletives, I
picked myself up in time to see
Lola tearing down the
mountainside towards me.
Before I had time to register
what had happened, she was at
my feet, barking furiously, and
then she was off again.
She’d found the body and I was
faced with running up a wet
scree slope with a dead leg and
a really painful backside. I made
it to the body, with lungs ready
to burst, still limping, but
laughing at myself and delighted
Lola had done her job far better
than I’d done mine.
Over the next few days, Lola
and I started to flow nicely. But
the final day was the big one,
when assessors from NSARDA
would decide if Lola and I were
good enough to pass the final
grading.
Our first search of the day
involved a wide valley
surrounded by steep sided
mountains. I had to sit and wait
out of sight, while an unknown
number of bodies were put into
hen we at Outdoor Power & Plant were
approached by Matt Creer from Isle of Man
Search & Rescue Dogs we were told that
they needed us to turn an old Landrover 110 from a
rusty heap into a front line emergency vehicle - but
they didn't have any money!
W
Before we agreed to such a request we suggested a full MOT
style inspection. This would determine the general health of the
vehicle and whether it was a viable and economical option.
A full written report was given to Matt and we advised him on the
best way forward. The vehicle was worth repairing but needed a
lot of attention. As we were a small new business ourselves, we
were well aware how difficult it is getting started. No one knows
who you are and they are not prepared to give you credit. We
agreed to help this new and invaluable charity as much as we
could. What use is a search & rescue team without wheels?
A full safety inspection was undertaken starting with a brake
performance test. This would measure each wheel individually for
binding, ovality and total brake force. The print out showed that
there were some serious issues with the rear brakes.
We then checked the headlights for alignment and the operation
of all the lights, wipers and horn. All light lenses were checked
for cracks, holes and poor fitment.
We then checked all the instruments inside for operation &
illumination also checking the demister/blower, gauges, door
handles and window regulators. Also the seat fitment and seat
belts were checked for security and operation.
The Landrover was then put on the ramp. Bodywork, doors, door
hinges, wheels and tyres were all checked for legality and safety.
The engine was in a good state of repair but the cam and pump
belt had perished and were in need of re-timing and belt
replacement. Apart from that, just a good service would do.
The oils in the transmission and differentials were all changed.
Due to the grey sludge that came out of them we would assume
that they had not been changed for a while.
Lola indicates a find during a search and rescue exercise
position. I sat on a rock, nerves
on edge, with Lola standing with
me. She was making little
whining noises, which she often
does when she’s wound up and
every so often she would look
at me and give a single bark.
After what seemed like
forever, we were asked to
commence our search. I was
aware of the two assessors and
two observers, very high up to
my right, watching our every
Good suspension
on any off road
vehicle is crucial
as it does take a
pounding.
Unfortunately, the
springs, bushes,
roll bars and
steering joints all
showed signs of
wear and fatigue
so they all had to be replaced.
move through binoculars. I took
a deep breath and checked the
conditions.The wind was
perfect, with a strong breeze
pushing down the valley towards
us.
I set Lola off and she struck a
scent within a few minutes. It’s
easy to see when she’s working
scent as her body language
changes dramatically. Being able
TURN TO PAGE 10
Outdoor
Power
&
Plant Ltd
Lastly, a full emergency light and siren kit, complete with search
and work lights, was installed.
If it weren't for local businesses support, small charities such as
IOMSARD would not be able to operate. We at O.P.P are proud
to support such a charity and wish them every success for the
future.
It is unfortunate that a lot of vehicles on Manx roads do not get
the love and attention from their owners and only visit a garage
when they break down.
Most break downs can be avoided by simple servicing and
maintenance. Outdoor Power & Plant not only service heavy and
light commercial vehicles but we also have a workshop for motor
homes, small vans and cars.
So, why don't you give Outdoor Power & Plant a call today
and save yourself the hassle of a breakdown.
01624 611341
Fax: 01624 611537 • Email: opp@manx.net
Units 39-40, Snugborough Trading Estate
Union Mills, Braddan, Isle of Man, IM4 4LH
March 2006
OUTLOOK
9
FROM PAGE 9
to read these changes and work
the search accordingly is all part
of a handler’s craft.
I watched her tearing across
the hill. She just kept going...and
going...and going, until I lost sight
of her completely. She had
started the ‘strike’ on the scent
from almost 500 meters away
from the body’s location.
Suddenly she was on her way
back to me – still running flat
out.
I started to run as fast as I
could in her direction. Reaching
me very quickly, she leaped up
and landed her front paws firmly
in my stomach.Two very loud
barks and she was off again,
flying across the hillside.
The find took just over 10
minutes from first strike to me
reaching the body. I was starting
to feel a bit more confident.The
second find was completed in
similar style.
The assessors then informed
me they were going to set up a
much larger area search for us
to complete. One of the
observers, a police dog handler
from Manchester who I had
become friendly with over the
week, gave me a subtle thumbsup when the assessors weren’t
looking, letting me know we
were doing okay.
It took us around an hour to
Watching Lola sectioning
the hill made the hair on the
back of my neck stand up
Matt and Lola, pictured with NSARDA assessors Dave Marsh
(left) and Harold Burrows after completing their assessment
in the Lake District
complete the large area search.
Watching Lola sectioning the hill
made the hair on the back of my
neck stand up.
I felt very proud of her.We
had worked extremely hard to
LOOKING FOR A NEW VIEW?
get to this point and whether
we passed or not, she was
working well beyond my
expectations.
In the end, we passed and
were awarded Level 3 Graded
Search Dog Status, which is the
highest level a search dog team
can reach.
Lola had made history by
becoming the very first
NSARDA-graded search and
rescue dog in Manx history. Not
bad for a runt that nobody
wanted. And within 24 hours of
returning to the Island, we’d
received our first call out.
Without the support of my
wife, who doesn’t complain that
I’m permanently out with the
dog and who bodied for Lola on
New Year’s Day when the rest of
the world were eating and
drinking, without my mentors,
Dave Watt and Malcolm
Grindrod, for sharing 30 years of
search dog experience, without
the support of my fellow
handlers, Stuart and Jim, who
will face the same assessments
when their dogs are ready, and
without all the fantastic people
who have bodied, and continue
to body, for Lola, we would not
have achieved our grading.Thank
you all.
ABBOTSWOOD,
BALLASALLA
EXECUTIVE DETACHED HOMES
Prices
from
£369,995
This development offers a selection of two and three bedroomed
apartments on the quayside overlooking Douglas harbour.
HILLARY WHARF,
SOUTH QUAY
Sales office open
Mon - Fri 9am - 3pm
Sat 11am - 4pm
10
OUTLOOK
J G KELLY
homes
Developing for Today’s Lifestyle
Prices
from
£237,600
Sole agents for this development:
CHRYSTALS Estate Agents
31 Victoria Street, Douglas
Telephone 623778
e-mail: Douglas@chrystals.co.im
For further details telephone our sales office on 619680 or
e-mail sales@jgkelly.net www.jgkelly.net/hillarywharf
March 2006
Abbotswood Sales Office is open
Thursday - Friday 9am - 3pm
Saturday 11am - 4pm • Sunday 1pm - 4pm
For further details telephone our sales office at Abbotswood
Ballasalla on 825172 or visit www.jgkelly.net/abbotswood
Sole Selling Agents: Chrystals, 23 Station Road, Port Erin
Isle of Man
Telephone: 01624 833903
Email: porterin@chrystals.co.im
Website: www.chrystals.co.im
Fashion: Children’s clothing
Add a splash of
colour
IDS tend to be very
colourful characters –
and their fashion trends
tend to reflect that!
As usual, some old trends
remain popular for this spring,
while others have made way for
new styles.
Among the new looks for girls
is a nautical theme, with lots of
bold red, white and blue on
everything from stripey tops to
sailor caps, and a hot look for
boys this spring is the preppy
look, with layered t-shirts, check
shirts and sweaters, stripey tops
and casual trousers, while logos
and character brands remain in
style.
Jelly Beans in Parliament
Street, Ramsey, is one store
with its finger on the pulse,
stocking regular lines such as
Ben Sherman and Mayoral
(Spain) as well as new names
such as Me Too (Dutch) and
Lion in the Sun, the latter being
a unique range featuring funky
designs that change colour
in direct sunlight, thus helping
to promote awareness in
children about the effects of
UV on their skin.
Ben Sherman’s
spring/summer collection is
‘Parklife’, which is inspired
by eating ice cream,
summer days in the park
and chasing ice cream
vans.The fashions are all
fun and practical, including
checked shirts and light
K
12
OUTLOOK
March 2006
combat trousers that are perfect
for rough-and-tumble sessions in
the grass.
Toff Togs is an eye-catching
German line, with fantastic
fabrics and bold colours. Floral
patterns and tiered tops and
dresses feature heavily in this
label. Cropped trousers are
another popular design, which
keep legs cool in the summer
sun and are practical for
paddling in the sea.Toff Togs also
have a selection of handbags, the
ideal place for girls to keep their
ice cream money safe.
British company
Kidorable
features
several
themed
lines.They
claim to
have the
most
popular
Spring theme
is nautical
... but nice
assortment of whimsical
umbrellas ever created, with
designs including ladybirds,
bumble bees and pigs.
They also pride themselves in
their hand-painted, hand-carved
wooden clothes hangers.They
come in sets of four, with sets
such as wild animals, bugs and
ballet.They are the ideal way of
encouraging children to hang
their clothes up instead of
leaving them screwed up in a
pile on the floor!
In addition, Kidorable produce
a good selection of soft cotton,
absorbent towels. Children can
be butterflies, dolphins or cows.
This will hopefully prevent any
tantrums about having to get
out of the bath.
One of the most popular
ranges in Jelly Beans is the fancy
dress selection.
With Johnny Depp and the
second Pirates of the Caribbean
film, Dead Man’s Chest, hitting
cinema screens this summer,
kids won’t be able to wait to get
their paws on the peg-leg pirate
and buccaneer shipmate
costumes.
These both come with all the
required accessories such as
swords and eye-patches, but
unfortunately they do not stock
Jack Sparrow’s wonky compass.
Other choices for the boys
include a wizard, gladiator,
medieval knight and soldier.
For the girls, the costumes
include a range of princess
dresses – including pink,
medieval, fairytale – and fairy
dresses, such as snow fairy,
peacock fairy and blossom fairy.
There are also ball gowns for
the little ladies, not to mention a
few snazzy disco outfits for
young divas.
21 Parliament Street, Ramsey
Exceptional fashion for extraordinary children
New fresh colours and new lines
now available
We will soon be celebrating our third birthday
Throughout March a 15% discount will be
applied on production of this advert
This offer does not apply to sale items
Affordable fashion from across Europe
www.jellybeans.co.im
Call Angela Knight on 819828 / 454807
March 2006
OUTLOOK
13
Health: Salt in food
Say ‘no’ to salt
T’S one of the mostpublicised health risks when
it comes to your daily intake
of food, but how many of us
really think about how much salt
we’re eating?
It’s widely accepted most
people eat too much, which is
hard to understand when cutting
down on salt will reduce your
blood pressure – a simple, and
easy to achieve, lifestyle change.
It’s well-established that, in
societies where salt intake is
high, blood pressure increases as
we get older.The higher the
blood pressure, the greater the
risk of a stroke, heart attack or
heart failure – the biggest killers
in the Isle of Man. Excess salt
also plays a role in gastric cancer
and osteoporosis.
When blood pressure is
reduced, your risk of developing
heart disease and stroke
reduces too, whatever your age.
By cutting down on your salt
intake, you can lower your
blood pressure in a matter of
weeks.
I
14
OUTLOOK
The daily
recommended
maximum intake
of salt for
children is:
■ 1 to 3 years –
maximum 2g salt a day
■ 4 to 6 years –
maximum 3g salt a day
■ 7 to 10 years –
maximum 5g salt a day
■ 11 and over –
maximum 6g salt a day
So how much can we eat? The
maximum recommended daily
intake for adults is 6 grams of
salt a day, which is only about
one teaspoon of salt.
At present, people in the
British Isles eat an average of 912 grams a day and we would
benefit from reducing our salt
intake.
Much of the salt we consume
is already present in foods we
March 2006
buy – particularly in processed
foods, ready meals, snacks and
crisps. On average, this will
account for 75 per cent of your
daily intake of salt.
One option to help cut down
is to cook without salt, as many
people often add it in without
even thinking.
But it is possible to cook up
delicious meals without salt by
using good quality, fresh
ingredients to allow the natural
flavours to come out – and
don’t be afraid to experiment by
using other flavourings, such as
lemon juice, fresh herbs, garlic,
ginger or chilli.
Some leading food
manufacturers and supermarkets
are now in the process of
lowering salt content in their
products, and labelling salt
content more clearly. It’s worth
familiarising yourself with the
ingredients labels of products
you buy each week, to gauge
what you are consuming from
processed foods.
Then, consider the amount of
salt you also add to the food
you cook – and how much more
salt is added when the food is
on the table? It might be great
to lash the salt and vinegar on
the fish and chips, but reducing
salt intake from a young age will
help prevent this rise in blood
pressure – and lots of snacks
aimed at children can be very
high in salt (and unsaturated
fats).
A Night at the
From left to right - Chris Brown, Sue Townsend, Helena and
Danny Cox arriving for the evening
Managing Director Steve
McGowan with his group of
celebrity friends
James Brew looking rather relaxed
with Darth Vader
From Left to right - Andy Cassidy, Katherine Smith,
Heather Keary and John Cowley (member of the
social committee)
David Stevenson receiving his Oscar for
Best Newcomer
Richard Orton looking delighted with the
results of the auction
From Left to right - Scott English,
Judith Wade, Andy Cassidy and
Ricky Lovett from the I.T. Department
From Left to right - John Cowley,
Lisa Benham and David Cheval members of the
Social Committee
From left to right - Lisa Benham, Janette Boyd, Janine
Cringle, Kenny Diack and James Porter. All members of the
social committee who organised the event
Judith Wade
receiving her
award for Best
Supporting Role
from
Bryn Griffith
John Cowley and Lisa Benham members of the social
committee presenting an award
Oscars
t was a night to remember as MeesPierson
Intertrust celebrated their Annual Party
with the Hollywood Stars. The Award
Ceremony was held at the Mount Murray
Hotel & Country Club where Managing
Director, Steve McGowan and the Social
Committee presented staff with Oscars for
categories such as Best Director, Best
Supporting Act and Best Costume.
I
MeesPierson Intertrust – part of Fortis, a leading Corporate
Services Provider, chose the Oscar Awards Ceremony as this
years inspiration for their annual party and all money raised
from the event will be donated to Craig’s Heartstrong
Foundation. Funds were raised by way of raffle, auction, Lloyds
TSB & MPI. The company makes a considerable amount of
donations throughout the year to numerous charities.
MPI raised a grand total of £5193 in aid of Craig’s Heartstrong
Foundation. Craig Lunt who tragically died, aged 25 in April
2005,from a heart defect, was fondly remembered by a number
of staff members. All staff are delighted that the money raised
will be donated to enable the purchase of equipment to help
prevent this tragedy happening again.
Bryn Griffin and Janine Cringle
presenting an award
Lisa Benham with the
groovy Austin Powers
Ben Lees
receiving
an Oscar
for Best
Costume
on behalf
of Stephen
Thatcher
MeesPierson Intertrust would like to thank
the following sponsors who donated
prizes for the raffle, in aid of Craig’s
Heartstrong Foundation.
Bridson & Horrox
Viking Office
Edward Bryan Removals
Titley Cleaners
D.H.L.
Fedex
C.T.C. Printers
Eye Spy
Steam Packet
Richmond Travel
Manx Telecom
Mount Murray
Coasters
Barclays (IOM)
Barclays (Knightsbridge)
F.C. Moore
EUROMANX
Joseph Bucknalls
Living Well Health Club
Lloyds TSB
Merc Hire
Fortis Bank
OSA
W.D.S.
MPI would especially like to thank
Lloyds TSB for their generous donation
of £750, Clare Payne for photography
and Paul Moulton for his audio
expertise that made the night possible.
Travel: Antigua
A beach for ever y
day of the year
After the long, dark, cold days of winter, what better way to
recharge the batteries than with a trip to the laid-back
atmosphere of the West Indies. Guy Pickard took in the
sights of Antigua and found a warm welcome waiting.
OMEONE, somewhere in
an Antiguan summertime
had some foresight.
Foresight — that incredible
elusive political dimension —
actually exists in Antigua.
The traditional and historic
sugar industry was in decline in
the late 1960s when someone
decided the government should
tap into Antigua’s other major
natural resources — its climate
and its beauty — by developing
its tourist industry.
Part of the West Indies
Leeward Island chain, Antigua is
low lying and volcanic in origin,
its coastline a multitude of coves
and harbours. Its white, sandy
beaches (365 of them) are
fringed with palms.
It’s a beautiful, idyllic island and
its most priceless resource? Its
people.They are as friendly and
amenable a race as you can find
and so proud of what they’ve
got.The people involved in the
service industry could hand out
a few lessons here and there.
The investment in quality
hotels, restaurants and, in
S
18
OUTLOOK
March 2006
downtown St John’s, high quality
shopping is there for all to see
and there is much to do
elsewhere, when you can tear
yourself from the beaches.
The island is 208 square miles
in size and can easily be
explored in a couple of days. Be
warned, though, a sturdy hire
and bash is required as some of
the potholes could swallow a
man whole and the taxis are
almost as expensive as they are
here (not quite; obviously we
hold the world record for that).
There are many reminders of
the island’s grim past, with
disused sugar mills dotting the
landscape.
The heritage is incredibly
interesting and a visit to the
museum at Shirley Heights will
fill in the gaps in your
knowledge, along with a chance
to visit an old British
fortification built by Sir Thomas
Shirley in the 1780s when he
was fed up of looking at the
magnificent view.
Nelson’s dockyard, Shirley
Heights and Falmouth Harbour
Guy Pickard meets legendary cricket supporter ‘Gravy’
have to be among the most
picturesque locations anywhere,
while Half Moon Bay was voted
one of the most beautiful
beaches in the world (and when
we swam there only two other
people were in sight). All the
beaches are open to the public
and stopping several times a day
for a swim and sunbathe is the
ideal way to keep cool.
The Caribbean coast is safe for
swimming and watersports,
while the Atlantic coast is
rugged with dramatic seas.
An absolute must is a
circumnavigation on one of the
catamarans offering a daily
service.We chose the
Excellence, which provided an
absolutely cracking day out –
visiting nature reserves,
snorkelling on a coral reef, all
food and drink thrown in and a
chance to eyeball the mansions
and mega-yachts of the rich and
famous (ever wondered why
Eric Clapton got into
reggae?).
The most
enthralling part,
though, was the
mad dash through
the Atlantic swells
in what feels like a
racing powerboat.
You have to hang
on grimly and the
rum punches have
to be forgotten for
half an hour.The sun on your
face, wind in your hair, the taste
of the briny on your lips –
brilliant!
I also managed to
swing a round of golf
with a local restaurant
manager who kindly
lent me some clubs.
Cedar Valley provided a
good test combined with
some stunning views. It
was too hot to walk
round, so make
sure you find a
restaurant
manager with a
buggy.
There’s also
an 18-hole
course at the
Jolly Harbour
resort on the
Playing the
steel pans at
a wedding
TURN TO
PAGE
20
James Caine
LIMITED
Demesne Road (near Nurses Home)
Telephone 674558
March 2006
OUTLOOK
19
FROM PAGE 19
west coast which I didn’t play,
but that leaves me with as good
a reason as I can think of to go
back.
I think they’ve got it right in
Antigua when it comes to
tourism.The constant queue of
cruise liners entering St John’s
and the hotels working at full
capacity are testament to that.
We’ll certainly be going back for
more.
The whole island seems
committed to making sure you
are impressed and looked after. I
hope the person with the
foresight is a national hero.
Perhaps with our own tourism
minister about to stand down,
we should think about getting an
Antiguan in the transfer window.
Now that would be foresight.
HOTEL: FACTFILE
Where: Galley Bay, a
secluded, adults-only retreat
on a gorgeous beach about
five miles from St John’s, set on
a lagoon teeming with birds
and wildlife
Neighbours: Giorgio Armani
lives two doors up the beach.
Pretty swish neighbourhood
Rooms: Choice of rustic
cottages on the lagoon and
deluxe and superior rooms
opening right on to the beach
Eating and drinking: Allinclusive with very high quality
à la carte for all meals.
Champagne included in the
deal was particularly popular
Hotel prices: Gaugin
Cottages start at £1,629 for
seven nights, all-inclusive, low
season. Beachfront rooms are
from £14 per person per night
extra
Happy?: I honestly could not
think of a thing to fault it, from
the moment our arrival was
greeted with a pelican fly-past
20
OUTLOOK
March 2006
to our specially prepared
farewell cocktail and personal
handshake from the manager.
Superb
Gripes: It was a bit cloudy on
a couple of days
Getting there: We flew Virgin
Atlantic from Gatwick in under
eight hours. Particularly good
was the ‘check in and chill out’
service where, on your last
day, staff come to the hotel
and check in your cases for
the flight home and issue your
boarding cards, leaving you to
spend the last afternoon in the
resort and not sweltering in a
queue at the airport
Marathon man Eugene
enters home straight
ROSSING the finishing
line after running a
marathon is always an
emotional experience, but for
Eugene Wilson it will be that
little bit more special.
Eugene is currently on an 18week training programme in
preparation for the London
Marathon next month, for which
he is being coached by Outlook’s
resident health and fitness guru
Roger Davies.
He’s running to raise funds for
the Anthony Nolan Bone
Marrow Trust in memory of his
daughter, Lisa WilsonHargreaves, who died of myeloid
leukaemia last summer.
‘The training is starting to get
harder’, said Eugene. ‘The
distances are gradually getting
longer and longer, for example
last Saturday I had to do 13
miles all in one go.’
Eugene, 44, trains five times a
week, running four days and
cross-training on the fifth: ‘I do
three shorter runs in the week,
and then a long one on the
Saturday.
‘Then I do an hour of crosstraining every Sunday.That can
be cycling or swimming,
although when I swim I have to
work hard.You can’t spend the
whole time floating around on
lilos!
‘My children, Callum and
Hayley, have been really
encouraging. My cross-training
can also involve power walking,
so we can take out the dog,
Rooney, as well and get
everybody involved!’
Eugene, who is manager of the
paediatric unit at Noble’s
Hospital, is aiming to raise
£5,000 for his cause. So far, his
website shows that he has
raised close to £1,400.The
Anthony Nolan Trust finds bone
marrow donors for people who
need a transplant. As well as
the marathon run, lots of other
fundraising activities have been
going on.
A group of Lisa’s friends had a
C
“
I’m on a
high-carb,
low-fat diet; I
feel really sorry
for the kids
Nicola Edwards, Lacey Cullen, Katie Edge and Mandy Hunter, friends of Eugene's daughter,
Lisa, raised £480 towards his marathon effort by selling wrist bands at the Strand Shopping
Centre
MW060210-32
stall in the Strand Shopping
Centre recently, where they
were raising awareness for the
campaign.They raised more than
£480 in that day alone. Eugene
also held an event at his home a
short time ago. He said: ‘We
charged £5 entry and had a
raffle inside. It was a really great
party and we raised well over
£800.’
Eugene’s original target for the
race was six hours. ‘I’d be happy
just to finish, but to do it in five
or five and a half hours – I’d be
over the moon.’
Marathon training doesn’t stop
after exercise. Eugene has had
to adapt his whole diet in
preparation for the 26.2 mile
run. ‘I’m on a high-carb, low-fat
diet,’ explained Eugene. ‘I feel
really sorry for the kids, they
often say, “What’s for tea
tonight, Dad? Rice, pasta or
boiled potatoes?”.
‘I went to a meeting in London
the other week to talk about
the marathon.They gave us
loads of advice, including to
drink between two and three
litres of water a day. I have a
half-litre bottle in the office that
I just keep swigging at through
the day, and then I drink loads at
home too.’
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www.justgiving.com/eugene
March 2006
OUTLOOK
21
“
Costa del
C r egneash
HE connection between
Port St Mary and Spain, a
land of heat and passion,
is not immediately apparent.
The Methodists of the village
are not renowned for their
bullfighting or flamenco dancing.
This is plainly a place where
they prefer the kipper to the
chorizo.
Yet the nickname for natives of
these parts is ‘Spaniards.’ They
are known for their swarthy
looks and some of them are
even called Juan. A strange
mutation of identity seems to
have taken place down on the
Costa del Cregneash.
The answer might be found at
nearby Spanish Head. Could it
be that the locals are
descendants of sailors from
Armada ships, wrecked here
four centuries ago?
Perhaps it is an ancestral
memory of sun and siesta that
keeps the residents indoors and
the streets of the port so quiet.
And traa dy liooar may just be a
less urgent version of mañana.
T
22
OUTLOOK
Out and about with Maurice Corris ...
The potential link between
Port St Mary Commissioners
and the conquistadors provides
a pretext, if one were needed,
for a walk out to Spanish Head
and around the Meayll Peninsula.
This is the wild southern
extremity of the Isle of Man
between the two Ports (St Mary
and Erin) and the Sound.
The peninsula is a distinct area
rich in historical and natural
interest, a region of looming
cliffs, heroic rescues, lookouts
and lighthouses. It was the
Island’s last Gaeltacht, and a
hundred years ago there were
still people here who could not
speak English.
Beginning at Port St Mary, the
full circular walk follows the
Raad ny Foillan coastal footpath
round to Port Erin via the
Sound, cutting back through to
the start along the Truggan
Road.The route is about nine
March 2006
miles long, takes about four
hours to complete, and care is
advised on exposed sections.
It would require a small book
to properly describe this special
environment. Fortunately such a
publication exists, and is heartily
recommended – John
Rimington’s ‘Features and
History of the Meayll Peninsula
and The Sound’, which includes
a walkers’ guide and is well
worth the £4 cover price.This
excellent booklet, to which I
am indebted for some of
the following illumination,
is available, among other
outlets, at the Manx
Museum shop.
And so to Spanish Head
(eager ramblers with a
sense of drama may wish
to reflect the theme of the
expedition by bringing a
spyglass, some sherry and
a matador’s hat. But the
Spanish hypothesis is
about to fizzle out –
read on.)
Before they start
lisping and waving capes
at Friesians, the good
folk of the Meayll should be
aware that there is no record –
none whatsoever – of Armada
ships crashing into the Isle of
Man or even parking here for a
while. Nor is there evidence of
any other Iberian connection.
So why ‘Spanish Head’? One
plausible theory, explained more
fully in the aforementioned
booklet, is that this is an English
corruption of an original Manx
name relating to slate quarrying.
Long before the first health and
safety inspector ever stalked the
earth, the locals
would cheerfully cut huge slabs
of stone from the cliff face for
use in building.
As someone who gets vertigo
on tall bar stools, I can only
marvel at the sheer bottle of
these guys, dangling high above
the rocks and carving out
massive lintels.
While we’re up here, I should
mention neighbouring Kione
Dhoo, or Black Head, home of a
legendary beast who had to be
placated with offerings of fish
and rum.This may sound familiar
to the former Mrs Corris.
(Never mind the ex-missus, I
hear readers cry, we haven’t
finished with the Spanish thing
yet.What about the swarthy
looks and all those Juans?)
Well, there is evidence that the
people of the Deep South were
darker than their northern,
more Nordic counterparts.The
tendency could be due to the
influence of the Celts or even
earlier peoples, but it has
nothing to do with men called
Manuel.
And Juan, of course, is Joo-an
not Hwan – it’s simply the Manx
version of John or Ian. Any
reader who did not already
know this is invited to spend
time at the Maurice Corris
Cultural Correction Camp at
Cronk-y-Voddy (special rates for
new lady residents).
The Manx ‘Spaniards’, then,
may not actually have been
Spanish, but they were authentic
and rather tough. Not only did
they hang off headlands hewing
huge lumps of rock, they were
also pretty macho when it came
to shipwrecks.
One of the countless vessels
to come to grief on this coast
was the French schooner Jeune
St Charles, wrecked in the
Sound in 1858. Rescue boats
were hauled up over the Howe
from Port St Mary twice to save
four of the crew, although the
ship’s two boys were swept
away by the storm.The rescuers
were honoured by the French
authorities and the lost boys are
commemorated to this day by
the Thousla cross at the edge of
the Sound.
Cregneash, the capital of the
Meayll Peninsula, was also the
final bastion of Manx Gaelic as
continuously spoken down
through the generations.
Remarkably, there were still
monoglot Manxies here at the
beginning of the 20th century,
and the last native speaker, Ned
Maddrell, was around until 1974.
I am pleased to say that this was
not the end of the line for the
Manx language, surely the most
potent expression of our
separate identity, which has
enjoyed an encouraging revival
in recent years. But it is the end
of the line for this month’s
column, and on this unusually
sober note I wish you adios and
Slane Lhiat.
(Coming soon: Maurice Corris
thermos and sandwich container
sets).
Kingswood Honda, Kingswood Grove, Douglas. Call 673196
Civic 5 dr 1.8 i-VTEC EX: Urban cycle 33.6mpg/8.4 L per 100km. Extra Urban cycle 51.4mpg/5.5 L per 100km. Combined cycle 42.8mpg/6.6 L per 100km.
CO2 156g/km. Model shown is the Civic 5 dr 1.8 i-VTEC EX Manual with optional metallic paint and Alloy Wheelsat extra cost.
Total cash price includes £600 for delivery, number plates, a full tank of fuel and £38 first registration fee VED in line with Government legislation.
All figures are correct at the time of going to press, but may be subject to change. Models subject to availability.
March 2006
OUTLOOK
23
Competitions
WIN: Tickets to see Tony
Robinson’s show at the Gaiety
WIN: A
family meal
at the
Welbeck
MARCH is the month when we
show mums just how great they
are by showering them with love
and flowers on Mother’s Day,
which this year falls on March 26.
Outlook is teaming up with the
Welbeck Hotel in Douglas to
offer one family a three-course
evening meal (for up to four
people) on Mother’s Day.
To be in with a chance of
winning the meal, just answer the
following question:
How is Mother’s Day more
formally known?
Answers should be emailed, along
with your name, address and phone
number, to
mothersday@newsiom.co.im or
written on a postcard and sent to the
address on page three, entries to
arrive no later than Friday, March 17.
All correct entries will be entered into
a draw and the winner notified on
Monday, March 20.
TONY Robinson, the face of
Channel 4’s Time Team, brings his
one-man show to the Gaiety
Theatre on Wednesday, March 29
and Outlook has two pairs of tickets
up for grabs.
To be in with a chance of winning,
just answer this question:
What was the name of the dimwitted character Tony played in
BBC comedy Blackadder?
Email your answer, including your name, address and phone number, to
blackadder@newsiom.co.im or write it on a postcard and send to the address on page
three, entries to arrive no later than Friday, March 17. All correct entries will be entered
into a draw and the winners notified on Monday, March 20.
WIN: A Mother’s Day
makeover at Appointment 21
ONE lucky mum is being offered a
makeover ahead of Mother’s Day,
courtesy of health and beauty
studio Appointment 21, on North
Quay, Douglas.
The studio’s Julie Gardner is
offering a free EssieSpa pedicure
and manicure and Decleor facial,
worth a total of £85, to the reader
who can answer the following
question:
What part of the body would
you have a pedicure on – a)
your back; b) your ears; or c)
your feet?
Email your answer, including your name, address and phone number,
to appointment21@newsiom.co.im or write it on a postcard
and send to the address on page three, entries to arrive no
later than Friday, March 17. All correct entries will be entered
into a draw and the winner notified on Monday, March 20.
JANUARY
WINNERS
Competition winners from January
Outlook:
Julia Chapman, of Main Road, Kirk
Michael, was the winner of three
months’ life coaching sessions with
life coach Chris Sams Rafferty of
Future Perfect. Julia correctly said
Roger Bannister was the first man to
break the four-minute mile.
The three runners-up, who won a
place at a life coaching workshop,
were Pauline Ginty, of Bradda Road,
Port Erin; Lynne McAvoy, of Fistard
Road, Port St Mary; and Valerie
Chase, of St Olaves Close, Ramsey.
Our prize of five Lonely Planet
travel guide books for Thailand, the
USA, Eastern Europe, Cambodia and
New Zealand went to Bethany
Clague, of Summerhill Road, Onchan,
who knew Carmel (by-the-Sea) in
California was the town which once
boasted Clint Eastwood as mayor.
Finally, the winner of a month’s free
course on the toning tables at
Douglas firm Silhouette was Mrs SJ
West, of Ballagale Close, Surby, who
corrected stated that research shows
46 per cent of British men are
overweight.
Thanks to everyone who took part
and congratulations to the winners!
1. No employees of Isle of Man Newspapers, companies
associated with the competition or their families are
eligible to enter the competition. 2. All entries must be
received at Isle of Man Newspapers by close of business
on the stated closing date. 3. Lost, delayed, damaged,
incomplete or illegible entries will not be accepted. No
responsibility is accepted for entries which are lost,
delayed or damaged in the post. Proof of posting is not
proof of delivery. 4.The prize is as stated - no alternative
is available. 5.The editor’s decision is final and no
correspondence will be entered into. 6.The winners must
co-operate for publicity purposes. 7.The promoter is Isle
of Man Newspapers, Peel Road, Douglas, Isle of Man.
BOOK NOW
FOR APRIL OUTLOOK
To advertise call Tina 471887 or 695660
24
OUTLOOK
March 2006
Teenage Views: Gael Stigant
It’s so hard
being a teen
T’S very hard being a
teenager today.We have so
much stress to deal with, and
no matter how many times
adults say: ‘we understand, we
were your age once too, you
know ...’, I can’t help thinking
that they must have been asleep
or something during all these
totally terrible teenage times.
Take teenage spots for
instance.With the wonderfully
fresh and unpolluted Manx air,
you would think that we would
all have lovely rosy cheeks and
spotless skin. Unfortunately, this
isn’t the case. I must spend
about half an hour a day
cleansing, toning, moisturising,
scrubbing and exfoliating my
face, and there’s still that one
little monster on my chin that
pops up every so often. I can’t
eat a packet of crisps without a
mountain range exploding on my
face. Doing my make-up can also
cause trouble. I’m always poking
I
Dear Sir
May I comment on Richard
Crellin’s views (February Outlook)?
I will be 70 this year; this means I
have been driving now for 53
years, that’s about 20,000 days; I
have done this in many countries,
on the right and on the left, on
two/three/four wheels and multiple
axles, in -35C and 52C. I was a
qualified driving instructor with my
own school and have taught many
people to drive.
It is simply not true to say that a
teenager on the day he passes his
test is a better driver than most
on the roads. How can he be?
Never driven on a motorway,
mostly never been faster than
40/50mph, just had a few hours’
experience with no skid control,
perhaps not driven in the dark or
in the snow.The insurance figures
prove that young drivers have the
most ‘accidents’. I hate this word –
mostly ‘misjudgments’ would be
more accurate.
It is also simply not true that ‘we
are not more dangerous than our
parents were’.When I was a
teenager, motorcar ownership was
a rare thing because they were
hugely expensive, we all started on
motorcycles.Teenage drinking (of
alcohol), drug taking etc, was
unheard of; ditto eating out and
pubbing/clubbing. All of these things
can lead to misjudgments, bent
metal and broken bones.
True accidents need NOT
myself in the eye with my
mascara brush in the car on the
way to school when I’ve
overslept.
And then there’s the weight
issue. Seeing all those skinny
celebrities in the gossip
magazines doesn’t do anything
for your self-esteem. No matter
how many sit-ups I do at night
before I go to bed, my tummy is,
sadly, nothing like Davina
McCall’s, even though she’s
about twice my age. All the fad
diets don’t help either; celery
sticks and fruit smoothies are all
very well, but at the end of a
good night out there’s nothing
like a visit to the local chippy.
However, eating all that junk
food will cause even more
stress. How are we supposed to
burn it off at the gym on parttime wages? In the Island we are
blessed with beautiful fells and
country lanes, so I suppose we
have no excuse not to do a bit
of exercise. After all, people pay
hundreds of pounds at health
farms to go on a cross-country
run in the rain, and we can do it
for free right on our own
doorstep.
Appearances aren’t the only
stressful things in our lives. If
only adults understood how
much we panic about who
fancies who, who has fallen out
with who and who has cheated
on who.The life of a teenager is
more entertaining than an
episode of EastEnders any day.
Perhaps the most nerveracking event teenagers have to
deal with is exam time.Whether
it’s end of year exams, SATs,
GCSEs or A-Levels, it seems like
a never-ending stretch of panic,
revision and sleepless nights. I’ve
thrown plenty of wobblers as a
result of a revision overdose.
About four months ago, I
Teenage
motorists
lack vital
experience
■ Ballakermeen High School student
Gael, 17, of Baldrine, is studying
English, drama, geography and French
at A-level and is aiming for a career
in journalism.
Quality Blinds that suit your lifestyle
happen. Keep an eye out for a Vshaped badge on some cars – the
number in the circle is the number
of accident-free years that driver
has, some have 50-plus.
There is no smoke without fire;
come with me any weekend
between midnight and 4am on
Douglas promenade and make
your own judgment.
If you start expecting to have
accidents, you will.Try thinking you
have just got a basic knowledge
which needs building on.
In 10 years – assuming I live that
long – I shall enter my 80s and
with it the knowledge that my
insurance premium will rise steeply
to reflect the fact that I will have
become, statistically, as accidentprone as a teenager. I hope I have
the sense to know when it is time
to stop. In the meantime, I enjoy
motoring by car and motorcycle
and wish Richard many accidentfree motoring years.
John L. Prince
Queen’s Promenade
Douglas
passed my driving test. Learning
to drive with my mum was, to
say the least, testing for our
relationship. My driving
instructor told me that the day
he starts shouting at his pupils is
the day he gives up his job. If
that were my mum, she’d have
been retired a couple of years
by now.Without the benefit of
dual controls, a hand hovering
over the handbrake did nothing
for my self-confidence. My
brother was no help either; he’s
15 and thinks he knows how to
drive a car better than I do.
After asking around my male
friends to find out what stresses
them, the same answer kept
cropping up.Women. No? Really?
✓Free Quote
✓Free Measure
✓Free Fitting
Tel. 803090 or 674500
Unit 6, Carrs Lane, Tromode
March 2006
OUTLOOK
25
Mother's Day
Dining Out Directory
26th March
Karl’s Deja Vu
5 East Street, Ramsey
For that bit of
food flair and loads
of traditional quality
To reserve your table
call 812888
Shore Hotel
Old Laxey Harbour
Home of Bosun Bitter
‘Traditional Village Pub’
Mother’s Day
Sunday Lunch
Served 12 till 3
To book call 861509
Bar meals served daily
Weekly Sunday Lunch
26
OUTLOOK
The Welbeck Hotel
Restaurant
Corner of Mona and
Empress Drive.
Main Course
from £8.50
3 Course and Coffee
£14.50
(lunch price)
Tel. 675663
Captain’s Tabl
e
h
e
Mothers Day
T Lunch
Menu £15pp
Home made soup with roll and butter
Melon and manderin cocktail
Eggs harliquin
Roast beef and yorkshire pudding
Grilled fillet of cod with parsley sauce
Roast duck with orange sauce
Grilled gammon steak with pineapple
Vegetarian stir fry
Selection of vegetables
Roast and new potatoe’s
Selection of desserts • Tea or coffee
Sea Terminal Buildings
Kids ½ price
Call 675454 to book
Imperial Dragon
The Bay Room Restaurant
Chinese Restaurant
Mother’s Day
Carvery Lunch
Specialists in
Cantonese and
Pekinese Cuisine
3 course menu including coffee
Wednesday Buffet Night
OpenSunday - Thursday 5.30pm - 11pm
Friday - Saturday 5.30pm - 11.45pm
Tel 619518
Takeaway Available
Caledonia Hotel
17 Queen’s Promenade, Douglas
February 2006
£12.95 per person
Children ½ price
To book call
812455
Bride Road,
Ramsey,
Isle of Man
IM8 3UN
Tel: 01624 812455
manager@grandisland.com
QUEENS PROM DOUGLAS
Mothers Day
Lunch £14.95
3 course meal with glass of wine.
For more details or to make a
reservation call 676870
Visit Jurgens and you will experience old favourites,
new exotic meats, the game menu, daily specials
including fresh fish and vegetarian options
Sample Menu
Pan Fried King Prawns
In a Sweet Chilli and Garlic Sauce- £7.95
Rack of Manx Lamb
Served with Roasted Shallots, Champ Potatoes and
Rich Port in Rosemary Jus- £17.95
Trio of Exotic Meats and Game
All cooked to your liking and served with a rich
game sauce
Choose any three of the following:
Crocodile, Bison,Wild Boar,Venison, Impala,
Springbok, Zebra, Kangaroo, Ostrich, Pheasant
or Goose- £22.50
To make a reservation please call 676444
Jurgens Restaurant,
Queens Promenade, Douglas
Diary: Pigs do fly... in Maughold
Piggin’
marvellous!
THERE was some super furry
fun at Maughold church hall
when it played host to a family
‘pig racing’ night, which included
a quiz and colouring
competitions for children, not
to mention the races
themselves!
Clockwise, from top right:
Madeline Dunlop, four, looks
after the pigs (mp060203-11);
12-year-olds Stephanie Foulis,
Shauna McCallion, Charlotte
March 2006
Greenbank and Sarah Callow
(mp060203-13); Prize winner
Christina Kaneen, 12
(mp060203-9); Anna Kelly (left),
seven, and Francesca
Greenbank, eight, with ‘clerk of
the course’ Claire
Christian(mp060203-8);
Competitors cheer on their
pigs as a race draws to a close
(mp060203-7);William
Greenbank, 12, gets stuck into
the colouring competition
(mp060203-12)
OUTLOOK
27
Diary: Ceilidh and hotpot supper
Foxdale family fun
FOXDALE School was the place to be when
it hosted a ceilidh and hotpot supper, with
the Manx Calor Gas Band providing the
entertainment. Money raised on the night
went to the Friends of Foxdale School.
Clockwise, from top left:
Harry Snape, nine, Luke Howarth, eight,
Daniel Lambert, eight, Connor Kilgallon,
nine, Colin Banks-Jones, nine, Daniel
Bawden, 10, and Beth Vickers, 10
(mw060128-83); Ryan Whitelegg, five,
Sebastian Defraud, five, Max Astley,
six, and Danny Warburton, six
(mw060128-79); Nine-year-olds
Ellan Bolton, Juan Bellendo and
Orry Kneale (mw060128-93);
Lyndsey and Martin Cashen,Terry Mathews
and Stephen Craig (mw060128-81); Eleanor
Devereaux, eight, Hannah Lambert, six,
Rebekah Whitelegg, eight, Rachel Cain, seven,
and Emma Vickers, seven (mw060128-88);
Ealish Matthews, Sean Matthews, 12, Brenda
Kennaugh, Jessica Craig, 10, Niamh Matthews,
nine, and Phillip Kennaugh (mw060128-85)
Hope Street
Castletown
829228
28
OUTLOOK
March 2006
Diary: Western Live At Home Scheme
ST John’s Methodist church hall was rocking to the sounds
of a barn dance held to raise money for the Western Live
at Home Scheme.
Clockwise, from top right:
Revellers get into the swing of things (mp060211-25);
Georgina Hoover, 12, Joy White, 13, Harriet Hooper, 13,
and Emma Eaton, 13 (mp060211-30); Lorain and Yazan
Torbeh,Thomas Ardern, 10, Annabel Ardern, eight, Maria
Breslin, Kali Breslin, seven, and Roberta Ardern
(mp060211-31); Calor Gas Band – John Rhodes, Michael
Kneale, John Kaneen and Ian Radcliffe (mp060211-27);
Emily Sansbury, six, Michelle Croft, Sian Hickey, Carl Hickey
and Stephen Hickey (mp060211-26); Back row – Jean
Callister, Jenny Callister, Kathryn Corkill, Randi Anne
Lunde, Elaine Haynes and Hayley Scott. Front row – Kelly
Haynes, Emily Bettison and Beth Espey (mp060211-23)
Barnstorming
night
March 2006
OUTLOOK
29
u
o
y
g
n
i
h
t
y
W
Ever
w
o
n
k
o
t
d
e
want
.
.
.
x
n
a
M
g
about bein
... but were too
afraid to ask!
Isle of Man Newspapers’ north
reporter Sue Woolley, of
Ramsey, asks:The Ginger Hall
pub – how old is it and how did
it get its name?
A pub on the site of the
Ginger Hall can be traced back
to the late 18th century and the
name appears to have something
to do with that curious drink,
ginger beer.
Roger Sims, librarian archivist
at the Manx Museum, said: ‘A
newspaper advertisement of
1833 reads “to be sold: the
house in Lezayre, occupied as an
inn for the past 40 years under
the name of Ginger Hall or
Scotch Tavern, apply Mrs
Margaret Williamson, the
proprietor”.
‘This establishes that the pub
was known as the Ginger Hall
from at least 1793.The present
Ginger Hall replaced the original
building, which was destroyed by
fire on May 8, 1888.
‘Interestingly, the then
landlord, James Cowley, had had
his application to renew his
licence refused by the Licensing
Court and was due to leave the
pub on May 12. Mr and Mrs
Cowley had in fact moved out
by May 8 and were living at
Close-ny-Ellan Farm in Sulby.
‘On the evening of May 7 they
locked up the pub, retired to the
farm and returned next morning
to find it was on fire. By the
time a fire appliance arrived
from Ramsey, the place was well
and truly ablaze.
‘A prolonged legal dispute
ensued between the insurer of
the contents – the property was
insured separately by the owner
who lived in Liverpool – and
James Cowley, which the latter
lost.
‘Of the Ginger Hall’s name,
legend has it that ginger beer
was brewed there. As the pub
was known locally as the Ginger
in 1793, this must have been
during the mid to late 18th
century, if not earlier.’
It’s over to you ...
Are there facts, stories or places in the Island that
you think you should know about but are perhaps too
embarrassed to admit you don’t? If so, write to Outlook
(the address is on page three). Each month we’ll pick
the best one and answer it for you.
30
OUTLOOK
March 2006
The
Last
Wo r d
Paul
Speller
“
“
Compiled with the assistance of Manx National Heritage
HAT’S in a
name? Well,
thanks to a
new website, you can find
out what’s in your
surname.
The surname profiler site
(www.spatial-literacy.org/
UCLnames/default.aspx)
has been created by boffins
at University College
London and throws up
some interesting facts.
Firstly, the surname
Speller is English and is an
occupational name.
Unfortunately, the boffins
have not explained what a
speller does (there are
probably plenty of you out
there wondering the same
thing).The dictionary
defines a speller as
someone who spells words
with
in the manner specified.
But it’s not exactly an
occupation, is it? It couldn’t
have paid well. As a
journalist on a local
newspaper reporter’s
wage, it’s tempting to
of holding others spellbound’,
comment on how some things
neither did he. Unless it was an
haven’t changed.
ironic comment on my batting.
A quick search on the web
The surname profiler also gives
comes up with a similar
a regional breakdown in Britain
definition, but also offers an
of where the name appears. Not
alternative: A branch shooting
surprisingly, as I and my brother’s
out from the first part of a
two young children are the only
buck’s horn at the top.
two to be born north of
Not really sure what to make
Watford, it is concentrated in
of that, to be honest.
the South East of England.
When I was seven, a head
There is even a breakdown of
I’m told that the ethnicity of people with my
surname. Apparently 0.07 per
letting your
cent of the Spellers in Britain
are North African. A similar
lawn run wild is
number are Turkish or Cypriot.
now regarded as a With about 1,300 Spellers in
I’m guessing that equates
good thing for the total,
to one each.
There are no Balkan or French
environment
Spellers, but there are a couple
of Welsh and Scots in there.
teacher helpfully
And, interestingly, there are
suggested that perhaps my
562 more Spellers in Britain
ancestors were witches: spell-er.
now than there were in 1881. So
I remember not being
we’re multiplying. Not sure
particularly impressed with this
whether people will regard that
at the time and, in retrospect,
as a good thing.
I’m still not impressed.
If I hadn’t been such a shy,
retiring seven-year-old, I’m sure I SUMMER’S approaching, which is
a cause for great celebration. It
could have come up with a
will also mean I have to dust off
suitable riposte about her name,
the lawnmower once more.
which was Nuttall.
Considering the grass is almost
Interestingly, very near to
of a length to require a machete
speller in the dictionary is a
to walk across our front lawn,
definition for spellbinder.
I’m looking forward to it with a
Now, this was a nickname
certain amount of trepidation.
afforded to me by a cricket
However, I’m told that letting
captain some years back (one of
your lawn run wild is now
several nicknames but, as this is
regarded as a good thing for the
a family publication, it’s probably
best not to mention some of the environment.
Fantastic. All I need to do is set
others). I didn’t realise there was
up a hammock for lying in the
actually such a word and I’m
sun, because if I relied on just a
fairly certain that, given the
rug, I could be lost for weeks.
definition was ‘a person capable
. . .live it!
dream it. . . drive it. . .
2005 Sept) Ford GT 40 Coupe Manual
£155,000
Finished in bright red with black leather upholstery,
climate air conditioning, twin airbags, CD player,
Xenon headlights, 19” cross spoke alloys, remote
locking, alarm+mmobiliser, drivers information
system, one local owner, 600 miles. Ready for
immediate delivery
2006 Porsche Cayman S 3.4 Coupe Manual
£54,950
Finished in silver metallic with full black leather
upholstery, climate control, 19” alloy wheels,
satellite navigation, phone, park distance control,
cruise sontrol, xenon headlights, rear wiper, Bose
sound system, CD changer, remote locking, alarm
and immobliser, drivers information system.
2004 (July) Fiat Burstner A 747-2 2.8 JTD 7
Berth Motorhome
£45,000
Finished in white with grey velour upholstery, air
conditioning, underfloor heating, alloy wheels, 6
meter G.H. awning & safari room, large garage,
oven & grill, fridge freezer, reversing camera,
satellite navigation, TV’s, DVD player, satellite
television, one local owner, 8,000 miles, as new
2004 BMW 645 Ci coupe Auto
£44,950
Finished in black metallic with full black leather
upholstery, climate air conditioning, 19in elipsoid
alloy wheels, satellite navigation, TV tuner, park
distance control, heated seats, cruise control,
Xenon highlights, electric memory seats, remote
locking, driver’s information system, 11,000 miles
1999 (Jan) Porsche 911 (996) Carrera 2
Coupe Manual
£32,995
Finished in ocean blue metallic with full grey leather
upholstery, climate air conditioning, GTE body
styling, 18” Carrera alloys, sports exhaust, CD
player, remote central locking, drivers information
system, full service history, 46,000 miles
2002 (March) BMW X5 4.4i Sport Auto
£27,995
Finished in black metallic with sand leather
upholstery, climate air conditioning, satellite
navigation, TV tuner, heated seats, 19in alloy
wheels, privacy glass, 6 CD changer, side running
boards, park distance control, electric memory
seats, remote locking, only covered 10,000 miles
from new
2002 Toyota Land Cruise Amazon 4.2 TD VX
Auto
£24,995
Finished in dark blue metallic with full grey leather
upholstery, air conditioning, sunroof, alloy wheels,
CD changer, side steps, active suspension, tow
bar, 7 seats, electric memory seats, heated seats,
remote locking, drivers information system,
36,000 miles
New Vauxhall Astra VXR 3-door 240 bhp
£19,750
Finished in bright red with anthracite sports
upholstery, climate air conditioning, 18in alloy
wheels, CD player, remote locking, alarm and
immobiliser, drivers’ information system, delivery
miles
2004 (Aug) Jeep Cherokee 2.5 CRD Limited
Edition
£18,995
Finished in black metallic with full leather
upholstery, air conditioning, alloy wheels, CD
player, heated seats, electric seats, cruise control,
drivers information system, 11,000 miles
2004 Mazda RX8 Coupe 238 bhp Manual
£18,950
Finished in brilliant black metallic with black/red
leather upholstery, air conditioning, CD changer,
alloy wheels, heated seats, park distance control,
remote locking, drivers information system, one
local owner, 7,000 miles
1994 BMW 840 Ci Coupe Auto
£17,950
Finished in silver metallic with silver grey leather
upholstery, air conditioning, split rim alloy wheels,
sport seats, electric seats, cruise control, heated
seats, Servotronic steering, sports suspension,
sunroof, CD changer, remote locking, drivers
information system, 16,000 miles
New Unregistered Volkswagen Golf GT TDi
140 bhp
£16,995
Finished in silver metallic with anthracite cloth
upholstery, 5-door, climate air conditioning, alloy
wheels, CD player, front fog lights, cruise control,
remote central locking, alarm & immobiliser,
drivers’ information system
2004 (Late) Volkswagen Beetle 2.0i
Convertible
£15,995
Finished in silver blue metallic with anthracite
upholstery, air conditioning, alloy wheels, CD
player, remote central locking, alarm &
immobiliser, drivers information system, 8,000
miles
1991 (June) Bentley Turbo R
£14,950
Finished in regency red with magnolia hide
upholstery, air conditioning, electric memory
seats, heated seats, alloy wheels, CD player,
remote locking, drivers information system, full
service history, 57,000 miles
2004 (May) Renault Traffic Van 1.9 DCi
100bhp 6 speed
£8,995
Finished in silver metallic cloth upholstery, air
conditioning, CD player, remote locking, alarm &
immobiliser, electric windows & mirrors, drivers
information system, 9,000 miles
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The Millenium Park Showroom, Ballafletcher Road,Tromode OPEN 6 DAYS
(closed Sundays)
676676 or 460000
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