Manx Newscast

The president of Tynwald has announced he'll retire from politics later this year.

Laurence Skelly has confirmed he won't be seeking re-election when his term in office expires in July.

He's been in the post since 2021, having previously served as a Member of the House of Keys for 10 years, including seven years as a minister.

He says it's been a great privilege to serve the people of Rushen and the Isle of Man, and that he intends to remain active in Island life following his retirement.

The election of the next President of Tynwald will take place on 21 July for a term of office extending to 2031.

The directors of Mannin Music say there's a 'general feeling' in Peel that things don't happen in the town and why that is, is 'unclear'.

Business owners Laura and David Rowles say concerns about the proposed beach stage hadn't been raised by Peel Commissioners until this Wednesday (25 March), when the clerk called to pass on comments from the board.

The pair suggested the idea to Commissioner Katryna Baptist and the shop is partnering with the local authority for the trial of the stage as well as helping organise acts.

They added that meetings with Ms Baptist and Commissioner Stuart Hardingham have been 'positive'.

Mr and Mrs Rowles also say the licence application for the stage is due on 2 April but are yet to receive a letter confirming they can act on the behalf of the local authority to get the necessary permissions.

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to them.

The chief minister says there's 'no guarantee there'll be any support' from government amid the ongoing fuel crisis.

The cost of petrol, diesel and home heating oil has shot up as a result of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Alfred Cannan confirmed government is following a number of key principles, including weekly meetings, establishing an industry monitoring body and protecting the supply of fuel to the Island.

However, speaking on Manx Radio, he wouldn't commit to providing any help to people struggling with the increases:

A new consultation is inviting residents, property owners, and stakeholders to share their views on how voluntary land registration can be encouraged and made more accessible.

The Land Registry, within the Central Registry, is reviewing how residents can be further incentivised do so in an attempt to increase the uptake of registration.

The consultation follows a Tynwald approved recommendation from the Tynwald Constitutional and Legal Affairs and Justice Committee’s First Report on Adverse Possession and Land Registration.

Registrar General Ed Clague says they are open to all suggestions:

Hospice Isle of Man has confirmed a number of redundancies and service changes amidst what it describes as 'increasingly unsustainable' financial difficulties.

In this edition of Newscast, we speak to Hospice CEO Fiona Hatton about the 'tough decision' the charity has faced.

A new form, which has been trialled successfully on the frailty unit at Noble's Hospital, will soon be getting rolled out further.

It has been created by Sonia Blake - Manx Care's Day Centre Services Manager - for use across all clinical settings, particularly those that are 'time poor', like hospital wards.

The document is the brainchild of her experience when her mum was in hospital with the later stages of Alzheimer's, and her desire for staff to know what made her mum feel safe when she couldn't be there.

It focusses on five things that matter most to the person, to help put them at ease, as Sonia told Siobhán Fletcher.

Alongside their training, the latest recruits to join the Isle of Man Constabulary are organising a charity quiz night in the south of the Island this Friday (27 March) to raise money for Isle Stand Up To Suicide.

To find out more about the event, Ben spoke to Student Police Constables Saul Law and Luke Sweetman.

The brand new Integrated Sight Support & Resource Hub was officially opened this morning (20 March) at Noble’s Hospital by Dr Janet Gray MBE.

It’s in the former MacMillan Room in the foyer, and encompasses everything someone dealing with sight loss may need, and will also support their families.

Siobhán sat down with Manx Care's Eye Care Liaison Officer, Lesley Hankinson, and Chief Executive of Sight Matters, Cathryn Bradley, to find out more.

A mum on the Island has organised a gig with a difference this weekend as local bands will take to the stage to raise money for a cause close to her heart.

Known to many here as a competitive skateboarder, and from her work with Gal Skate, Ali Mellor lost her daughter, Belle, nearly 14 years ago after she was stillborn at 36 weeks.

Siobhán Fletcher sat down with Ali to find out more about the gig this weekend and why the charity, SANDS, means so much to her.

Tributes are being paid to a campaigner described as an 'integral part of' several of the Island's cancer charities following his death.

Chris Barr was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, making him one of only a few hundred men given the diagnosis each year.

A lawyer, he readily gave many free legal advice, and helped patients come to terms with their illness, even throughout his own battle with the disease.

Siobhán Fletcher sat down with Derek Peters and Carole Male from Mannin Cancers and Chris' husband, John Artil, to hear more about the 'quiet man who did so much for this Island'.