Manx Newscast

Isle of Pride is officially back. Three years after wrapping up, a new board has been formed to take over the running of the charity going forward. It stopped operating in 2022 after unplanned protests at its last Pride event and also amid questions about LGBTQ+ representation on its previous committee. New director, James Cherry, has been telling Amy Griffiths more:

The Iconic Victory Cafe on the slopes of Snaefell at the Bungalow has been put up for sale by owners Benn and Vicki Quirk. Simon Richardson's been speaking to Vicki to find out more.

The Chief Executive of Isle of Man-based Conister Bank has written to the UK Chancellor ahead of the Autumn Budget Statement, calling for urgent and targeted support to unlock the growth potential of Britain’s small and medium-sized enterprises. In an open letter addressed to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Douglas Grant highlighted research from parent company Manx Financial Group which found nearly on...

A new campaign is hoping to raise awareness about the dangers of becoming a so-called 'Money Mule'. This is when someone receives money from a third party in their bank account and transfers it to another, or takes it out in cash and gives it to someone else, and then gets paid a commission for it. It's a method of money laundering and vulnerable people are often targeted by scammers and...

A South African couple is hosting a fundraising for the Royal National Lifeboat Institute this weekend.  On 4 August 1991, Charmaine and David De'ath were on a Greek cruise ship, MTS Oceanos, just off the Wildcoast in South Africa when it began to sink. 

The Dean of Cathedral Isle of Man has been targeted by hateful messages and phone calls after displaying a Palestinian flag on the cathedral grounds. Nigel Godfrey says the flag was raised to show solidarity with the civilians caught up in the conflict in Gaza and suffering from starvation. Within days, however, the flag - one of many artefacts on display in the gardens - was stolen.

The two MHKs for Onchan have hit back at the village's local authority after it cancelled its quarterly meetings due to two board members being civil servants. MHK Rob Callister, who’s also the Chair of Public Service Commission, says he is ‘extremely disappointed’ at the decision. It was agreed by the board because members Scott Wilson and Gabriella Corkish felt they would be going against the ci...

The treasury minister says additional funds from income tax is a result of economic growth and changes to the government sector on the Isle of Man.  Over the last financial year government recorded £21.3 million more from income tax than expected - it's lead to the Manx Taxpayers Alliance calling for the extra money to be returned to tax payers.  But Alex Allinson says it will go back to...

The Isle of Man FA says England's recent success at the UEFA Women's EURO's will help the growth of girls' football on the Isle of Man.  England went back-to-back at the Euro's after beating Spain in the final on Sunday. Jamylea Ferns says the game is already bigger now than it was four years ago. 

The annual Le Dans cycling challenge takes place in Jurby this weekend and entries have been extended until 9pm on Thursday evening. (31 July) Over 24 hours, participants will put their stamina to the test around Jurby Race Circuit - all in aid of the Dan Kneen Charitable Fund. This year marks seven years since the Island lost Dan Kneen - a popular TT rider - during a qualifying session for the 20...

The Island has been chosen to spearhead an initiative to assess the health of the seas. The Big Blue Bag test involves people using the equipment inside the bags to collect data on things like microplastic pollution and coastal debris. Television presenter Monty Halls has been telling John Moss more:

When news reached the Manx community that a visiting Chihuahua called Suzie had gone missing, there were immediately countless of offers from people to help with the search. One of those was Karen Quayle, who previously helped to organise the search for missing pooch Elvis - he was fortunately found safe and well too. Here Karen talks to Beth Espey about what it was like when Suzie was found, and...

The chair of the Northern Chamber of Commerce says it's using reviews of UK town centres to support the creation of a 'masterplan' for Ramsey.  Keith Dalrymple and Secretary Emma Honey believe that the plan will inform decision-making going forward and hope that it will help the town to grow and encourage future investment.  Meanwhile the Clerk at Ramsey Commissioners Derek Flint sa...

An Irish vlogger says there's a lot of interest from his followers to see the campsites on the Isle of Man.  Aaron Burchael - alongside his cocker spaniel Charlie - is on the Island reviewing some of the facilities on offer here for tourists and locals. 

The president of the Southern District Agricultural Show has credited the team involved with setting up the annual event. The show returns to Orrisdale Farm near Ballasalla this weekend - there will be a number of traffic restrictions in the area.

Handball Isle of Man is sending a "futures" squad to Germany for a training camp.  Travelling to the city of Ochtrup are young players who are new to the team in the past 18 months and it's hoped the trip will help 'culturally immerse' them into the sport.  The chairman is Mick Hegarty.

The Great Laxey Mines Railway celebrated 21 years since its restoration on Saturday, 19 July.  In 1929 the mines closed but in 2004 it reopened as an attraction to show people its history. The actual anniversary will take place in October 2025, however the organisers wanted to honour the renovations in the summer to ensure as many people as possible could make it.  Volunteer at...

Last month we heard about a growing movement on the Isle of Man of parents who want to delay giving their children smartphones - concerned about the impact it's having on their social skills and mental health. Their campaign has been emboldened by the introduction, over the past academic year, of a new policy from the education department which says smart devices shouldn't be used on school premis...

The Treasury Minister says his department is looking to see how it can support those earning very small amounts of money through self-employment to increase wages and the ability to earn more to support their families.  Last week, Alex Allinson withdrew proposals around the Employed Persons Allowance in Tynwald following concerns the move would disproportionately affect women and si...

A mother from the Isle of Man who's been campaigning for more than a decade for equal parental rights for same-sex couples says a law-change has been a long time coming. The Isle of Man Reproductive Rights Bill, which is awaiting Royal Assent, aims to bring the Island in line with the UK's Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008.

Have you ever fancied learning Manx? Adrian Cain, a teacher at the Bunscoill Ghaelgagh, that’s the Manx-language primary school in St John’s, has written a book, packed with useful, everyday phrases to help get you started. Adrian’s a former Manx Language Officer and a passionate advocate for making Manx accessible to everyone  -  not just parents of pupils at the school. And h...

In this edition of Newscast, Manx Radio's Political Correspondent Phil Gawne speaks to Douglas East MHK Joney Faragher regarding her motion regarding the Isle of Man's international obligations relating to war crimes.

You might remember last year we heard from an Andreas woman who took on a challenge with a difference in memory of her late husband. Darren 'Daz' Hignett died of bladder cancer the day before his 25th wedding anniversary in September 2023, after an 18-month battle with the disease. Now, after taking on a 'Walk of Life' last summer, his wife Liz is again taking to the streets - along with...

It's hoped a new charity on the Island will help support people with mental health issues before they reach crisis point. Preferred Futures Isle of Man has been set up by qualified mental health nurses and professionals. Mel Beattie and Mark Haith from the charity have been speaking to Amy Griffiths:

A Ballaugh commissioner says no northern commissioners should sign an agreement over the Northern Civic Amenity Site until the re-use shed is opened.  Paul Weatherall believes the site needs to be reinstated because it provided 'value' to residents and allowed people to dispose of items in a 'responsible' way.  A spokesperson for the Department of Infrastructure said the sites are operat...