Manx Newscast

A local dad who campaigned for new equipment in Governor's Hill play area says it's 'great' that Douglas Council has started to invest in it but feels more needs to be done.

Richard Little started a campaign to put pressure on the local authority to resolve some longstanding issues at the park including problems with the flooring, improving picnic benches and routine maintenance. 

The council has since promised funding for the play area to refurbish the facility in 2027 and has also implemented a 'five year play area masterplan' to cover all playgrounds in the capital. 

Mr Little says responses to a Facebook post asking parents what they want to see has included 'tactile play' equipment and wheelchair friendly roundabouts. 

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to him:

Further calls for better apprenticeship support have been heard at a Construction Skills Conference held on the Island.

Construction Isle of Man wants a full review of changes to the way apprenticeships are funded on the Isle of Man.

Amy Griffiths attended an event, dubbed an 'emergency conference', at the Comis Hotel to find out more:

Female runners on the Island have been telling Manx Radio about their experiences of catcalling and harassment.

It's after a study showed that more than two-thirds of women in north-west England had dealt with such incidents whilst out exercising.

In this edition of Newscast, Lewis Foster speaks to the founder of the all-female running club Run Like a Girl, Emily Knop, and fellow club member Chloe Venus.

It's hoped the Island's dental waiting list will be almost eliminated by the end of this financial year.

Manx Care has agreed new contracts with its dental providers enabling them to take on more NHS patients.

It's expected to cost around an extra £700,000 each year to incentivise the providers to continue the work.

Amy Griffiths has been finding out more:

This week marks Rainbow Baby Week on the Isle of Man.

This year's theme is 'Community Matters', in the hope of highlighting the importance of strong support networks for families navigating pregnancy after loss.

Amy Griffiths has been speaking to Manx Care's Maternity Bereavement Lead, Dianne Ruberry, about what a rainbow baby is:

A Manx charity that provides pet food for owners who're facing hard times says demand has sky-rocketed recently.

The Pet Food Pantry says it's been getting requests from 'eight to ten' new users a week.

The organisation was established in 2023 in response to the rising cost of living to help owners keep their existing family pets when faced with giving them up.

Founder Helen MacAffer says the need for donations right now is critical.

How can charities protect themselves from rising cyber threats?

We speak to Andy Starr, Managing Director of Just Technology Group, about the company’s decision to offer free security software to Isle of Man charities.

He explains how the tool works, why ransomware attacks are becoming more common, and what organisations can do to strengthen their digital resilience.

It's hoped a Construction Skills Conference being held later this week will help bring together construction industry professionals from all disciplines and walks of life with budding apprentices.

Here we meet 18-year old Kimi Gautschi who is on the Island for a six-week placement, working alongside Head Golf Professional at the Comis Hotel and Golf Resort Stephen Crooks.

To coincide with National Allotment Week Simon Richardson headed west to meet up with 'allotmentarian' Pete Heyes at his plot near Peel, to discover the allure of the allotment.