Manx Newscast

A group of volunteers which has been running Ballafesson Hall says its last coffee morning was 'emotional'.

Maureen Dadd and Pat Harper say they were 'comforted' by the amount of people who turned up for the event yesterday morning (28 September).

The Ballafesson Community Club volunteers believed they had a year - from June - to save the building from closure.

But The Methodist Circuit confirmed the church hall will close officially on Wednesday, 30 September to be put up for sale on the open market on 1 October.

It previously said it was 'surprised and disappointed' to hear the comments made about the closure of Ballafesson Hall saying it had been transparent about processes and timescales.

Mrs Harper says the situation is 'sad' because the hall has been in the community for 'so many years'.

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper went along to find out more.

The day after being re-elected in Douglas Central, Treasury Minister Chris Thomas sits down with Sam Turton to clear up his comments on who's paying for repairs to the Steam Packet's Manxman.

Would you accept an organ if it saved or transformed your own life?

That’s the question you’re being asked to think about during Organ Donation Week.

It follows a stark warning, from NHS Blood and Transplant, that nine people are dying each week in the UK whist waiting for a donation.

Diane Taylor is a donor mum and the founder of Organ Donation Isle of Man; her son Daniel’s organs saved the lives of four people after his death in 2007:

This time next week polls will be open and the Manx public will be casting their ballots in the General Election.

But, we only cast our votes once every five years, and for some this will be their first time voting.

So just what happens when you step into the polling station.

Miles Benham is the deputy returning officer for Garff, and joined Ben and Sian to explain the process:

The closure of the Ballafesson Hall has come as a 'shock' to the volunteer group which has been running the space as a community facility.

The Ballafesson Community Club had been told they’d have a year - from June - to make Ballafesson Hall viable otherwise it would be sold on the open market.

But they say the Methodist Church has changed the timeline and the facility will be closed and put up for sale on 30 September.

Mrs Harper says the club has been 'left in a limbo' following the announcement but has chosen not to 'run away' from the issue.

Local Democracy Reporter Emma Draper has been speaking to Mrs Harper.

Arbory and Rushen Commissioners, Eddie Teare and the Methodist Organisation have been contacted for comment.

An Andreas woman is to take on quite the challenge this week in memory of her late husband.

Darren 'Daz' Hignett died of bladder cancer in September 2023, after an 18-month battle with the disease.

And over the last two years, Liz has taken on challenges in memory of him, and his fight, all whilst raising funds for the Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association.

Siobhán Fletcher has been speaking to her ahead of this year's effort... a 24-hour sponsored silence...

People are being invited to join the discussion about what artificial intelligence means for human creativity.

DAM Productions is hosting a live debate on 22 September called: RELENTLESS: The Rise of the AI Tide at Noa Market Hall, in Douglas, from 6pm (It's free but seats are limited; you can find out more HERE).

The debate will be filmed and feature as part of a documentary called: The Island: One Year in the Rising AI Tide.

Dave Armstrong is hosting the event and spoke to Siobhán Fletcher.

The final cruise ship of the year arrived into Manx waters this morning (15 September) - and it's her sixth visit this season!

But what has this summer been like in general, and what goes into scheduling so many visitors to our shores?

Siobhán Fletcher has been down to the Sea Terminal to speak to Peter Bashforth who is in charge of operations at Cruise Isle of Man.

"A community standing together is a community that’s stronger."

That’s the message from charities and organisations which are joining forces on the Isle of Man today to mark World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September).

The Samaritans, Bereaved Survivors of Suicide, Isle Stand Up to Suicide and Ed’s Space are amongst those taking part in efforts to ‘change the narrative’.

Chanelle Sukhoo has been speaking to Deana Douglas, Paula Dunlop and Shirley Cain.

A housing campaigner has urged the next administration to rethink how it delivers affordable homes, warning current policies are ‘not working’ for young people or key workers.

Quantity surveyor Malcolm Blackburn has produced a 270-page ‘Blackburn Plan’, which he describes as an integrated framework covering housing, planning, infrastructure, agriculture and the wider economy.